StarfieldFPS onXeon Gold 6258R&GeForce RTX 4090

Starfield

Bethesda's Creation Engine 2 is CPU-dependent, especially in cities, and requires an SSD for asset streaming. Optimization tends to favor AMD slightly, but generally requires powerful hardware to run smoothly.

Starfield - FPS Estimates by Resolution

Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors

1080P
low115 FPS
medium100 FPS
high86 FPS
ultra68 FPS
1440P
low102 FPS
medium90 FPS
high79 FPS
ultra61 FPS
4K
low53 FPS
medium49 FPS
high46 FPS
ultra41 FPS

Performance Report

Starfield

GeForce RTX 4090 + Xeon Gold 6258R
🎮Visual Experience

At 1080p, all quality settings exceed 68 FPS. At 1440p, all settings exceed 61 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 41 to 53 FPS.

Official Requirements

The GeForce RTX 4090 is 52% above the recommended GPU (GeForce RTX 2080) for Starfield. The Xeon Gold 6258R is 123% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-10600K).

⚙️FPS Ceiling Analysis

The Xeon Gold 6258R sets the FPS ceiling at all 1080p settings, 1440p (low/medium), all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1440p (high/ultra).

💰Value Analysis

Approximated average price on current market:

GeForce RTX 4090:$1649(updated 2/6/2026)
Official Launch Price: $1599
Xeon Gold 6258R:$1400(updated 2/11/2026)
Official Launch Price: $3950

Combo price: $3049. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 68 FPS, equivalent to 0.02 FPS per dollar.

ResolutionLowMediumHighUltra
1080p0.038 fps/$0.033 fps/$0.028 fps/$0.022 fps/$
1440p0.033 fps/$0.030 fps/$0.026 fps/$0.020 fps/$
4k0.017 fps/$0.016 fps/$0.015 fps/$0.013 fps/$

* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)

Performance Limiter Analysis

Xeon Gold 6258R|GeForce RTX 4090

This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.

📈Analysis

At 4k low, the Xeon Gold 6258R sets the ceiling at about 54 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 89 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 39% (FPS gap: 35 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 10/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 2/12.

Verdict

CPU Limits GPU

Your Xeon Gold 6258R is the limiting side in the heaviest mismatch. This means part of the GeForce RTX 4090 rendering potential remains unused in those settings.

🧩Detailed Breakdown
1080p (Full HD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 17%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 13%
HighCPU Limits GPU 10%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 11%
1440p (2K QHD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 17%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 13%
HighBalanced
UltraBalanced
4K (Ultra HD)
LowCPU Limits GPU 39%
MediumCPU Limits GPU 37%
HighCPU Limits GPU 30%
UltraCPU Limits GPU 22%
Percentages show how much potential FPS of the stronger component is lost because the other component has a lower FPS ceiling.
🧠Methodology

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.

📊Predicted Hardware Utilization for Xeon Gold 6258R and GeForce RTX 4090

1080p (Full HD)

Low
CPU57% - 87%
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GPU56% - 83%
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Medium
CPU56% - 72%
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GPU78% - 96%
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High
CPU54% - 68%
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GPU80% - 96%
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Ultra
CPU53% - 69%
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GPU82% - 96%
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1440p (2K QHD)

Low
CPU45% - 60%
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GPU86% - 90%
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Medium
CPU43% - 60%
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GPU90% - 98%
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High
CPU42% - 57%
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GPU92% - 100%
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Ultra
CPU42% - 57%
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GPU94% - 100%
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4K (Ultra HD)

Low
CPU38% - 53%
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GPU85% - 92%
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Medium
CPU38% - 53%
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GPU94% - 99%
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High
CPU37% - 51%
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GPU97% - 100%
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Ultra
CPU36% - 51%
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GPU97% - 100%
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Performance Summary

The Xeon Gold 6258R + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 36% and 87% and GPU utilization between 56% and 100%. Xeon Gold 6258R stays in a controlled operating range, while GeForce RTX 4090 carries most of the graphics load at heavier visual settings. As resolution scales, average GPU load rises from 84% at 1080p to 95% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 65% to 45%.

Load Interpretation

From a utilization perspective, this is a GPU-heavy load profile. At 4K (Ultra HD) High, the GeForce RTX 4090 averages 98% usage (97-100%), while the Xeon Gold 6258R stays at 44% (37-51%). This shows the graphics pipeline is carrying most of the workload, but utilization alone does not define the FPS limiter.

Resolution Scaling

At 1080p, averages sit around CPU 65% and GPU 84%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 51% and GPU 94%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 45% and GPU 95%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.

Optimal Settings Recommendation

1080p (Full HD) High is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 61% (54-68%) and GPU 88% (80-96%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Xeon Gold 6258R remains stable for consistent frame delivery.

Upgrade Insight

Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Xeon Gold 6258R and GeForce RTX 4090 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.

  • High GPU Load: You typically want to see High GPU Utilization (90%+) and moderate CPU usage when visual settings are heavy. This indicates the graphics pipeline is under strong load, but the exact FPS limiter should still be confirmed by the FPS ceiling analysis.
  • High CPU Load: If you see High CPU Utilization (85%+) paired with lower GPU utilization, the processor is handling a disproportionate share of frame preparation and game logic. That can point to CPU-side pressure, but it should not be treated as a direct replacement for FPS ceiling analysis.
  • Low CPU and GPU Load: If both CPU and GPU utilization are relatively low, it means the hardware is waiting on something else. This could be a game engine limitation, poorly optimized code, or an artificial framerate cap like VSync holding performance back. It does not mean both parts are equally fast in FPS terms.

Data generated by our Machine Learning engine trained on real-world benchmarks. Shows the approximate average utilization at each setting.

Starfield Requirements Comparison

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.

CPU - Xeon Gold 6258R
cpu icon
40,442
Your Score
MinimumCore i7-6800K
RecommendedCore i5-10600K
GPU - GeForce RTX 4090
gpu icon
38,112
Your Score
MinimumGeForce GTX 1070 Ti
RecommendedGeForce RTX 2080

Your CPU is 123% above and your GPU is 52% above the recommended specs. Ultra settings at 1080p, or High at 1440p/4K.

CPU

+123%vsrecommended

GPU

+52%vsrecommended

CPU

+191%vsminimum

GPU

+160%vsminimum

Minimum Requirements
Processor: Core i7-6800K
Memory: 16 GB
Disk Space: 125 GB (SSD Obrigatório)
System: Windows 10
Recommended Requirements
Video Card: GeForce RTX 2080
Processor: Core i5-10600K
Memory: 16 GB
Disk Space: 125 GB (SSD Obrigatório)
System: Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions

1Can the Xeon Gold 6258R and GeForce RTX 4090 run Starfield well?

Yes, the Xeon Gold 6258R paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 can run Starfield smoothly up to 1440p achieving around 61 FPS at Ultra quality. Your GPU is 52% above the recommended specs, and your CPU is 123% above the recommended requirements.

2Is there a more cost-effective setup to run Starfield?

This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $3049 ($1400 CPU (Rank #485 Value) + $1649 GPU (Rank #77 Value)). Your Xeon Gold 6258R provides phenomenal top-tier performance but at a premium enthusiast price. Since you are essentially at the ceiling of current hardware capabilities, there are no meaningful performance upgrades available. However, if you wanted a more cost-effective build that still delivers a great experience, you could theoretically step down to a high-end processor with a significantly better value rating. For example, the Xeon Platinum 8571N is a great upgrade option for around $599 (Rank #60 for value) while costing less than your current CPU.

3Which component should I upgrade first to improve Starfield performance?

Your Xeon Gold 6258R is already an incredibly powerful processor. While it's technically the first component to hit its limit (which is completely normal in state-of-the-art builds), there is no meaningful upgrade path that would drastically improve your Starfield performance right now. CPU fully utilized at: 1080p low, 1080p medium, 1080p high, 1080p ultra, 1440p low, 1440p medium, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra.

4Does this setup support Frame Generation for Starfield?

Starfield 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.

5What are the minimum and recommended specs for Starfield?

Starfield requires at minimum a Core i7-6800K (CPU) and GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (GPU) with 16 GB RAM and 125 GB (SSD Obrigatório) storage. For the recommended experience, you need a Core i5-10600K and GeForce RTX 2080 with 16 GB RAM. Your Xeon Gold 6258R and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.

6How accurate are these Starfield FPS estimates for the Xeon Gold 6258R and GeForce RTX 4090?

These Starfield 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.