How the Compatibility Check Works

Every check runs against our benchmark database of measured game FPS results across hundreds of CPU and GPU combinations. When you select a game and your hardware, we compare your components against the game's requirement tiers and pull the closest measured frame-rate data at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. For pairings we have not measured directly, figures are model-based estimates built from the game's average requirements and your GPU's benchmark percentile — the page tells you when that is the case.

Reading Your Results

The compatibility score weighs both components: a strong GPU cannot rescue a CPU below the game's minimum, and vice versa. As a rule of thumb, 30 FPS is the floor for playable gaming, 60 FPS is smooth, and 120 FPS or more suits high-refresh monitors. The settings recommendation (Low through Ultra) shows where your hardware lands at each resolution, so you can decide between higher fidelity and higher frame rates.

What the FPS Numbers Mean

Average FPS is the headline, but minimum FPS matters for stutter-free play — a game averaging 90 FPS with 25 FPS lows will feel worse than a steady 60. Where our data includes minimum and maximum readings, they appear next to the average. Frame times, shown in milliseconds, describe the same thing from another angle: under 16.7 ms corresponds to 60 FPS, under 8.3 ms to 120 FPS.

Data Sources

Benchmark scores come from established suites including PassMark, Geekbench, 3DMark, and Cinebench, combined with aggregated game FPS measurements. Game compatibility tiers derive from publisher system requirements mapped to our hardware score distributions. Database updates roll out as new hardware launches and new games are benchmarked.