Methodology

By Hamza Aid, founder · Last updated September 23, 2026

Every FPS figure on pcgaming.io is an estimate from a model, not a benchmark we ran. This page explains the model, how sure it is, and what it cannot know. When we change it, the changelog below says what changed.

Performance index

Each graphics card and processor has a relative performance index (RPI). The reference points are the GeForce RTX 3060 12GB = 50 for graphics and the Ryzen 5 5600 = 50 for processors. A card with an RPI of 100 is about twice as fast in games as the RTX 3060. Handhelds carry separate graphics and processor values that reflect their power limits.

FPS estimates

We read each game's published minimum and recommended requirements from Steam and match the named parts to our catalog. A part is only matched within the same brand, and never to hardware released long after the game. When no part can be matched, we fall back to the video memory or DirectX requirement, and the page says so.

We assume the recommended graphics card reaches about 60 fps at 1080p on high settings, and the minimum card about 30 fps at 1080p on low. Your hardware is scaled from there with fixed factors for resolution and preset, and your processor sets a ceiling. Estimates above 300 fps are shown as "300+", because frame caps and engine limits make exact numbers meaningless there.

Confidence

• Medium confidence (±20%): both the minimum and recommended graphics cards were matched, and the processor requirement too.
• Low confidence (±30%): only one tier matched, or the requirement was a memory size rather than a named card.

The range is shown next to each estimate. Measured results from our Windows app, with their sample size, will replace estimates where we have them.

PCG Score

A 0 to 100 rating of a gaming PC, weighted: graphics 45%, processor 25%, memory 10%, storage 10%, display 10%. Each part's sub-score comes from its performance index. Current version: 0.1.

What the model cannot know

• Driver and game patch changes after a requirement was published.
• Upscaling and frame generation, which can raise frame rates a lot in supported games.
• Thermal limits, laptop power settings and background load on your PC.
• Publishers that list outdated or unrealistic requirements.

Data sources

Game requirements, reviews and artwork: Steam. Engines, series and release dates: Wikidata. Hardware specs: manufacturer pages. GPU market share: the Steam Hardware Survey. See the image credits for photo licenses.

Changelog

• 2026-09-23Requirement matching became vendor-aware and rejects hardware released long after the game. Estimates above 300 fps are shown as "300+".
• 2026-09-22FPS model v0 and PCG Score v0.1 published.

Spotted an estimate that looks wrong? Write to [email protected] with the game, your hardware, your settings and the frame rate you actually get.