The standard for turn-time benchmarks. Late-game turns require huge CPU throughput to process AI moves. High-resolution textures also demand a fair amount of VRAM.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 71 FPS. At 1440p, frame rates range from 59 to 106 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 32 to 64 FPS.
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X is 12% below recommended, but 293% above minimum for Civilization VI. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 573% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-4xxx).
The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X 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: $505.38. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 71 FPS, equivalent to 0.14 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.295 fps/$ | 0.224 fps/$ | 0.176 fps/$ | 0.140 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.210 fps/$ | 0.170 fps/$ | 0.144 fps/$ | 0.117 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.127 fps/$ | 0.099 fps/$ | 0.079 fps/$ | 0.063 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 4k high, the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X sets the ceiling at about 42 FPS, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has headroom up to 147 FPS. In this scenario, the GPU limits the CPU potential by 71% (FPS gap: 105 FPS). Overall distribution: GPU limits 12/12 cells, CPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X 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 43% | GPU Limits CPU 49% | GPU Limits CPU 54% | GPU Limits CPU 56% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | GPU Limits CPU 50% | GPU Limits CPU 53% | GPU Limits CPU 55% | GPU Limits CPU 56% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | GPU Limits CPU 63% | GPU Limits CPU 68% | GPU Limits CPU 71% | GPU Limits CPU 71% |
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 573% below recommended and your GPU is 12% below recommended, but both meet minimum specs. Playable at Low/Medium settings, 1080p or below.
+573%vsrecommended
-12%vsrecommended
+1920%vsminimum
+293%vsminimum
Yes, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D paired with the Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X can run Civilization VI smoothly up to 1080p achieving around 71 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 12% below the recommended specs, and your CPU is 573% above the recommended requirements.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $505.38 ($465.38 CPU + $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 980 for around $549 (Rank #79 for value) could deliver noticeably better performance.
For Civilization VI, upgrading the GPU would give you the most noticeable improvement. The Radeon HD 7970 / R9 280X 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.
Civilization VI 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.
Civilization VI requires at minimum a Core i3-2120 (CPU) and GeForce GTS 450 (GPU) with 4 GB RAM and 12 GB storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-4xxx and GeForce GTX 770 with 8 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 Civilization VI 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.
