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.
Actual FPS may vary based on RAM speed, background processes, and other system factors
Performance Report
At 1080p, frame rates range from 59 to 109 FPS depending on quality settings. At 1440p, frame rates range from 56 to 104 FPS. At 4K, frame rates range from 33 to 48 FPS.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is 52% above the recommended GPU (GeForce RTX 2080) for Starfield. The Xeon W-2175 is 30% above the recommended CPU (Core i5-10600K).
The Xeon W-2175 sets the FPS ceiling at 1080p (low/medium/ultra), 1440p low, all 4k settings, while the GeForce RTX 4090 still has headroom. The FPS ceiling is closely matched at 1080p high, 1440p (medium/high/ultra).
Approximated average price on current market:
Combo price: $1829. At 1080p Ultra, this combo delivers 59 FPS, equivalent to 0.03 FPS per dollar.
| Resolution | Low | Medium | High | Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 0.060 fps/$ | 0.050 fps/$ | 0.043 fps/$ | 0.032 fps/$ |
| 1440p | 0.057 fps/$ | 0.049 fps/$ | 0.040 fps/$ | 0.031 fps/$ |
| 4k | 0.026 fps/$ | 0.023 fps/$ | 0.021 fps/$ | 0.018 fps/$ |
* Table values represent FPS per Dollar (higher is better)
This section is based on estimated CPU/GPU FPS ceilings, not utilization percentages.
At 4k low, the Xeon W-2175 sets the ceiling at about 50 FPS, while the GeForce RTX 4090 could reach 90 FPS. In this scenario, the CPU limits the GPU potential by 44% (FPS gap: 40 FPS). Overall distribution: CPU limits 8/12 cells, GPU limits 0/12, balanced 4/12.
Your Xeon W-2175 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 17% | CPU Limits GPU 10% | Balanced | CPU Limits GPU 14% |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU Limits GPU 13% | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU Limits GPU 44% | CPU Limits GPU 44% | CPU Limits GPU 39% | CPU Limits GPU 33% |
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) | CPU80% - 86% <> GPU53% - 73% <> | CPU73% - 79% <> GPU84% - 95% <> | CPU69% - 79% <> GPU87% - 97% <> | CPU70% - 80% <> GPU88% - 98% <> |
| 1440p (2K QHD) | CPU61% - 74% <> GPU74% - 87% <> | CPU61% - 74% <> GPU90% - 97% <> | CPU59% - 73% <> GPU92% - 99% <> | CPU58% - 67% <> GPU94% - 99% <> |
| 4K (Ultra HD) | CPU54% - 73% <> GPU74% - 88% <> | CPU54% - 72% <> GPU94% - 98% <> | CPU50% - 72% <> GPU97% - 100% <> | CPU49% - 63% <> GPU97% - 99% <> |
The Xeon W-2175 + GeForce RTX 4090 pairing runs this title with CPU utilization between 49% and 86% and GPU utilization between 53% and 100%. Xeon W-2175 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 85% at 1080p to 93% at 4K, while CPU averages move from 77% to 61%.
The utilization pattern is relatively even. The GeForce RTX 4090 reaches 98% average at its highest-load preset, while the Xeon W-2175 peaks at 83% 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 77% and GPU 85%. At 1440p, that shifts to CPU 66% and GPU 92%, and at 4K it reaches CPU 61% and GPU 93%. This shows that workload scaling is present on both components, with stronger pressure on the GPU.
1080p (Full HD) Medium is the most balanced preset based on this dataset. It runs around CPU 76% (73-79%) and GPU 90% (84-95%), which keeps GeForce RTX 4090 well utilized without constant max-out behavior while Xeon W-2175 remains stable for consistent frame delivery.
Current utilization does not show an urgent upgrade requirement for either component; the Xeon W-2175 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.
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 CPU is 30% above and your GPU is 52% above the recommended specs. High/Ultra at 1080p. Lower settings for higher resolutions.
+30%vsrecommended
+52%vsrecommended
+69%vsminimum
+160%vsminimum
The Xeon W-2175 and GeForce RTX 4090 will struggle to run Starfield at smooth framerates. At 1080p Ultra, you can expect around 59 FPS which is classified as "playable". Consider lowering settings or upgrading your hardware.
This CPU + GPU combo costs approximately $1829 ($180 CPU (Rank #462 Value) + $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 Starfield, upgrading the CPU would have the biggest impact on performance. The Xeon W-2175 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 ultra, 1440p low, 4k low, 4k medium, 4k high, 4k ultra.
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.
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 W-2175 and GeForce RTX 4090 both exceed the recommended specs, so you're well-positioned for a great experience.
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.
