Riot Games designed Valorant to run on a wide range of hardware by heavily modifying Unreal Engine 4. The game is intentionally CPU-bound to ensure competitive integrity, prioritizing visual clarity over heavy effects. However, Windows 11 users should note the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements for the Vanguard anti-cheat, which necessitates relatively modern hardware (Intel 8th Gen / Ryzen 2000 or newer) despite the game's low graphical demands. For those aiming for a stable 360 FPS, high CPU clock speeds and low-latency RAM are key.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, frame rates range from 14 to 29 FPS depending on quality settings. At 1440p, frame rates range from 11 to 21 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 7 to 14 FPS.
The GeForce 9800 S is 57% below minimum GPU requirement for Valorant. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is 435% above the recommended CPU (Core i3-4150).
The GeForce 9800 S sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, all 4k settings, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D still has additional frame-generation headroom.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $424. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 14 FPS, equivalent to 0.03 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.068 fps/$ | 0.054 fps/$ | 0.045 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.050 fps/$ | 0.040 fps/$ | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.026 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.033 fps/$ | 0.026 fps/$ | 0.024 fps/$ | 0.017 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.
At 1440p ultra, the GeForce 9800 S sets the ceiling at about 11 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has headroom up to 450 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 98% (FPS gap: 439 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 12/12 cells, CPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your GeForce 9800 S is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D frame-generation potential remains unused in those settings.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | GPU Limits CPU 96% | GPU Limits CPU 96% | GPU Limits CPU 96% | GPU Limits CPU 97% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | GPU Limits CPU 97% | GPU Limits CPU 97% | GPU Limits CPU 97% | GPU Limits CPU 98% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | GPU Limits CPU 98% | GPU Limits CPU 98% | GPU Limits CPU 98% | GPU Limits CPU 98% |
We estimate the maximum FPS the processor can sustain and the maximum FPS the graphics card can sustain in each setting, then compare those limits directly.
Limit Factor formula: (stronger - weaker) / stronger. Example: if CPU ceiling is 200 FPS and GPU ceiling is 140 FPS, then GPU limits CPU by 30%.
CPU Limits GPU means the processor ceiling is lower. GPU Limits CPU means the graphics ceiling is lower. Balanced means the FPS ceilings are close enough that the gap is negligible.
A component can still be the FPS limiter without reaching 100% utilization. The displayed percentages are derived from FPS ceilings, not generic utilization heuristics.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU72% - 73% <> GPU61% - 69% <> | CPU72% - 73% <> GPU61% - 69% <> | CPU53% - 54% <> GPU61% - 68% <> | CPU21% - 43% <> GPU68% - 74% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU71% - 74% <> GPU61% - 73% <> | CPU71% - 74% <> GPU61% - 73% <> | CPU53% - 54% <> GPU62% - 72% <> | CPU18% - 45% <> GPU67% - 78% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU46% - 69% <> GPU61% - 69% <> | CPU46% - 69% <> GPU61% - 69% <> | CPU46% - 51% <> GPU62% - 67% <> | CPU15% - 38% <> GPU67% - 73% <> |
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D + GeForce 9800 S pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 15% and 74% and GPU utilization between 61% and 78%. Ryzen 7 7800X3D stays in a controlled operating range, while GeForce 9800 S is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 66% at 1080p to 66% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 58% to 48%.
The utilization pattern is relatively even. The GeForce 9800 S reaches 72% average at its highest-load preset, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D peaks at 72% average. This suggests a fairly controlled load distribution, but the actual FPS-limiting side should still be read from the limiter analysis above.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 58% and GPU 66%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 58% and GPU 68%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 48% and GPU 66%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.
1440p (2K QHD) Ultra is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 32% (18-45%) and GPU 72% (67-78%), which keeps GeForce 9800 S well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Ryzen 7 7800X3D remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and GeForce 9800 S remain reasonably matched for this title.
Understanding Hardware Utilization: These percentages represent how much of your component's maximum processing power is actively being used during gameplay. They describe hardware load, but they do not directly tell you which component sets the FPS ceiling.
Important: a CPU or GPU can still be the FPS limiter without reaching 100% utilization. Two processors can both show 40% usage and still deliver very different frame rates, depending on per-core speed, cache, engine threading, driver overhead, and frame preparation efficiency.
Data generated by our Machine Learning engine trained on real-world benchmarks. Shows the approximate average utilization at each setting.
See how your processor and graphics card compare against the game official minimum and recommended system specs. The placement of your hardware is calculated using relative synthetic performance scores to help you gauge overall playability.
Your hardware is below minimum requirements. GPU is the limiting factor (57% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
+435%vsrecommended
-90%vsrecommended
+735%vsminimum
-57%vsminimum
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D and GeForce 9800 S will struggle to run Valorant at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 14 FPS which is classified as "struggling". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $424 ($384 CPU (Rank #212 Value) + $40 GPU). Since the GPU is the main limiting factor, investing in a stronger GPU will improve your framerates and overall value. For example, upgrading to the GeForce GTX 1080 SLI (móvel) (Rank #2 for value) could deliver noticeably better performance.
For Valorant, upgrading the GPU would give you the most noticeable improvement. The GeForce 9800 S is the limiting factor here, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D still has spare capacity. A more powerful GPU would unlock higher FPS, especially at higher resolutions and quality presets. GPU-limited at: 1080p low, 1080p medium, 1080p high, 1080p ultra, 1440p low, 1440p medium, 1440p high, 1440p ultra, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra.
Valorant does not currently support Frame Generation technologies like DLSS 3 or FSR 3. Your performance is based entirely on native rendering. If the game adds support in a future update, newer GPUs will benefit the most.
Valorant requires at minimum a Core 2 Duo E8400 (CPU) and GeForce GT 730 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 23 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i3-4150 and GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 8 GB RAM. Your hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor performance.
These Valorant FPS results are not arbitrary numbers. They come from calculations informed by thousands of real gaming benchmarks, and the typical accuracy range is around 10% to 15%. That makes them far more useful than generic FPS calculators that simply invent values without a benchmark foundation. Actual in-game performance can still vary with drivers, updates, RAM configuration, cooling, and the exact scene being rendered.
Performance estimates are based on synthetic benchmarks and hardware capabilities.
Results may vary based on drivers, OS, and background processes.
