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, performance runs at around 51 FPS. At 1440p, performance is around 51 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 33 to 51 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 131% above the recommended GPU (GeForce RTX 2060 Super) for Baldur's Gate 3. The Xeon E5420 is 66% below minimum CPU requirement.
The Xeon E5420 sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, all 1440p settings, all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom.
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $8149. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 51 FPS, equivalent to 0.01 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.006 fps/$ | 0.004 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.
At 1080p low, the Xeon E5420 sets the ceiling at about 51 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 264 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 81% (FPS gap: 213 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 12/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 0/12.
Your Xeon E5420 is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the GeForce RTX 4090 rendering potential remains unused in those settings.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p (Full HD) | CPU Limits GPU 81% | CPU Limits GPU 77% | CPU Limits GPU 72% | CPU Limits GPU 69% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 67% | CPU Limits GPU 60% | CPU Limits GPU 51% | CPU Limits GPU 48% |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 47% | CPU Limits GPU 37% | CPU Limits GPU 28% | CPU Limits GPU 42% |
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) | CPU97% - 100% <> GPU10% - 20% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU14% - 27% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU15% - 31% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU17% - 34% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU11% - 26% <> | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU15% - 32% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU16% - 34% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU18% - 36% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU98% - 100% <> GPU17% - 32% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU21% - 36% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU22% - 37% <> | CPU99% - 100% <> GPU24% - 40% <> |
The Xeon E5420 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 97% and 100% and GPU utilization between 10% and 40%. Xeon E5420 reaches high load in heavier scenarios, while GeForce RTX 4090 is utilized efficiently without persistent saturation. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 21% at 1080p to 29% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 99% to 100%.
From a utilization perspective, this is a CPU-heavy load profile. At 1440p (2K QHD) High, the Xeon E5420 reaches 100% average load (99-100%), while the GeForce RTX 4090 remains comparatively lower at 25% (16-34%). This points to heavier CPU-side frame preparation work, but utilization alone does not define the FPS limiter.
At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 99% and GPU 21%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 100% and GPU 24%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 100% and GPU 29%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.
4K (Ultra HD) Ultra is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 100% (99-100%) and GPU 32% (24-40%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Xeon E5420 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Upgrade priority should be the CPU. The Xeon E5420 reaches 100% average load at 1440p (2K QHD) High while the GeForce RTX 4090 remains comparatively underutilized, so a faster processor would improve frame-time consistency and top-end FPS.
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. CPU is the limiting factor (66% below minimum). Expect performance issues. Low settings recommended.
-88%vsrecommended
+131%vsrecommended
-66%vsminimum
+295%vsminimum
The Xeon E5420 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Baldur's Gate 3 at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 51 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $8149 ($6500 CPU + $1649 GPU (Rank #77 Value)). Since the CPU is the main limiting factor, investing in a stronger processor will improve your framerates and overall value. For example, the Xeon Platinum 8454H is a great upgrade option for around $6540 (Rank #1 for value).
For Baldur's Gate 3, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Xeon E5420 is currently the limiting factor — the GeForce RTX 4090 has extra headroom that a faster processor could take advantage of. This is especially noticeable at 1080p where CPU performance matters more. CPU-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 hardware falls below the minimum requirements for this game, which may result in poor 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.
