PCGameBenchmarks
3D Pinball: Space Cadet

3D Pinball: Space Cadet

72/100
49 ratings1995Easy to run

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Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions

Search for your GPU above to see a full FPS breakdown at every quality and resolution.

3D Pinball: Space Cadet FPS by GPU

Estimated framerates for 14 reference GPUs · pick a resolution and quality

Full benchmark grid · 14 GPUs × 4 qualities × 3 resolutions

1080p performance

3D Pinball: Space Cadet estimated FPS at 1080p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 5080999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps999 fps999 fps937 fps
RTX 4070999 fps999 fps988 fps803 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps999 fps871 fps707 fps
RTX 3080999 fps999 fps847 fps688 fps
RTX 4060 Ti999 fps999 fps800 fps650 fps
RTX 3070999 fps912 fps729 fps593 fps
RTX 4060999 fps824 fps659 fps535 fps
RTX 3060882 fps706 fps565 fps459 fps
GTX 1660 Super640 fps512 fps409 fps333 fps

1440p performance

3D Pinball: Space Cadet estimated FPS at 1440p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 5080999 fps999 fps999 fps946 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps999 fps889 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps999 fps865 fps703 fps
RTX 4070999 fps926 fps741 fps602 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps816 fps653 fps531 fps
RTX 3080993 fps794 fps635 fps516 fps
RTX 4060 Ti938 fps750 fps600 fps488 fps
RTX 3070855 fps684 fps547 fps444 fps
RTX 4060772 fps618 fps494 fps401 fps
RTX 3060662 fps529 fps424 fps344 fps
GTX 1660 Super480 fps384 fps307 fps249 fps

4K performance

3D Pinball: Space Cadet estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps988 fps791 fps642 fps
RTX 4090999 fps918 fps734 fps596 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps824 fps659 fps535 fps
RTX 5080971 fps776 fps621 fps505 fps
RTX 4080 Super912 fps729 fps584 fps474 fps
RTX 4070 Ti721 fps576 fps461 fps375 fps
RTX 4070618 fps494 fps395 fps321 fps
RX 7800 XT544 fps435 fps348 fps283 fps
RTX 3080529 fps424 fps339 fps275 fps
RTX 4060 Ti500 fps400 fps320 fps260 fps
RTX 3070456 fps365 fps292 fps237 fps
RTX 4060412 fps329 fps264 fps214 fps
RTX 3060353 fps282 fps226 fps184 fps
GTX 1660 Super256 fps205 fps164 fps133 fps

Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card
Minimum required

Any GPU

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Processor
Minimum required

Intel Pentium 133 MHz

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About

3D Pinball: Space Cadet, released in 1995, is a classic pinball game that became iconic for many players, as it often came pre-installed on Windows operating systems. The game features a space-themed table filled with engaging gameplay elements, including bumpers, ramps, and missions that challenge players to rack up points and achieve high scores. Its nostalgic charm and entertaining mechanics have made it a memorable entry in the genre.

When it comes to performance, 3D Pinball: Space Cadet is incredibly accessible, requiring only an entry-level GPU with a minimum benchmark score of around 300 to run smoothly. Most modern integrated graphics solutions can achieve well over 60 FPS, even at higher graphics settings, making it easy for players to enjoy the game without the need for high-end hardware. Whether you are playing on a budget system or a recent PC, the game performs exceptionally well and provides a fluid gaming experience.

Should you play 3D Pinball: Space Cadet? With a modest rating of 72/100, it stands as a fun diversion, especially for fans of casual gaming and nostalgia. The game’s simplicity and charm make it worth a spin, especially if you are looking for a quick gaming session that showcases accessible gaming without the need for intense graphics.

Performance profile

Released in October 1995, 3D Pinball: Space Cadet predates modern GPU acceleration as we know it today. It runs effortlessly on virtually any current hardware, including integrated graphics and entry-level laptops — framerate is limited by the engine, not the GPU.

Extremely light — 3D Pinball: Space Cadet runs at 60 FPS 1080p on any integrated GPU (Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) or a decade-old discrete card like the GTX 1050. A current-gen RTX 4060 pushes 4K Ultra without effort.

Storyline

The Space Cadet table features the player as a member of a space fleet that completes missions to increase rank. Players can attain 9 different ranks (listed from lowest to highest): Cadet, Ensign, Lieutenant, Captain, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Commodore, Admiral, and Fleet Admiral. Players accept a mission by hitting "mission targets" which select which mission they will take, and by going up the "launch ramp". Each mission has a set number of things for players to do, such as hitting the "attack bumpers" (which are a set of four bumpers at the top of the table) eight times (this is the "target practice" mission). Some missions involve a number of steps which must be completed in sequence. Missions end either by being completed, or by being aborted due to running out of "fuel", as indicated by the lights in the passage that passes under the launch ramp. The "fuel" lights go out one by one at a time interval, and can be re-lit by having the ball go over them, or all at once by going up the launch ramp again. Upon completing a mission, some of the blue lights in a circle in the middle of the table turn on. When all of the lights in the blue circle turn on, the player's rank increases, and a light in the orange circle turns on.

3D Pinball: Space Cadet FPS Benchmarks — Can Your GPU Run It? | PCGameBenchmarks