A dense RPG where Act 3 becomes a CPU stress test due to the high number of NPCs. An SSD is vital for loading times. 16GB of RAM is recommended, and the game benefits greatly from upscaling tech like DLSS and FSR.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, frame rates range from 28 to 66 FPS depending on quality settings. At 1440p, frame rates range from 22 to 56 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 16 to 35 FPS.
The GeForce GTX 970 is 41% below recommended, but 0% above minimum for Baldur's Gate 3. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 126% above the recommended CPU (Core i7-8700K).
The GeForce GTX 970 sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, all 4k settings, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D still has additional frame-generation headroom.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $515.38. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 28 FPS, equivalent to 0.05 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.128 fps/$ | 0.089 fps/$ | 0.074 fps/$ | 0.054 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.109 fps/$ | 0.078 fps/$ | 0.060 fps/$ | 0.043 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.068 fps/$ | 0.050 fps/$ | 0.039 fps/$ | 0.031 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages. Adjacent heavier settings are lightly stabilized to remove prediction jitter that would otherwise create impossible reversals.
At 1080p medium, the GeForce GTX 970 sets the ceiling at about 61 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has headroom up to 301 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 80% (FPS gap: 240 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 12/12 cells, CPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your GeForce GTX 970 is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D frame-generation potential remains unused in those settings.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | GPU Limits CPU 78% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | GPU Limits CPU 78% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | GPU Limits CPU 78% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% | GPU Limits CPU 80% |
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 and then monotonic-smoothed across heavier presets and resolutions, not generic utilization heuristics.
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 CPU is 126% below recommended and your GPU is 41% below recommended, but both meet minimum specs. Playable at Low/Medium settings, 1080p or below.
+126%vsrecommended
-41%vsrecommended
+573%vsminimum
+0%vsminimum
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D and GeForce GTX 970 will struggle to run Baldur's Gate 3 at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 28 FPS which is classified as "struggling". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $515.38 ($465.38 CPU + $50 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 for around $599 (Rank #86 for value) could deliver noticeably better performance.
For Baldur's Gate 3, upgrading the GPU would give you the most noticeable improvement. The GeForce GTX 970 is the limiting factor here, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D 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.
Baldur's Gate 3 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.
Baldur's Gate 3 requires at minimum a Core i5-4690 (CPU) and GeForce GTX 970 (GPU) with 8 GB RAM and 150 GB (SSD) storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i7-8700K and GeForce RTX 2060 Super with 16 GB RAM. Your setup meets the minimum requirements but falls short of the recommended specs. You may need to lower some settings for smooth performance.
These Baldur's Gate 3 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.
