What GPU do I need to run The Settlers III?

The minimum GPU requirement for The Settlers III is DirectX 9.0c compatible video card. For smoother performance at higher settings, a more powerful graphics card is recommended.

What are the system requirements for The Settlers III?

The minimum system requirements for The Settlers III are: CPU: Intel Pentium 100 MHz, GPU: DirectX 9.0c compatible video card.

Can I play The Settlers III at 60 FPS?

To achieve 60 FPS in The Settlers III at medium-to-high settings, you typically need at least an entry-level GPU (e.g. GTX 1650 or RX 6500 XT). Use the FPS estimator on this page to check your specific GPU.

The Settlers III

82/100

60 ratings1998Easy to run

Can your GPU run this game?

Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions

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

The Settlers III FPS by GPU

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

60+ fps30–59 fps<30 fpsClick any row to load the full benchmark

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

1080p performance

The Settlers III estimated FPS at 1080p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RX 7900 XTX	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 5080	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4080 Super	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	937 fps
RTX 4070	999 fps	999 fps	988 fps	803 fps
RX 7800 XT	999 fps	999 fps	871 fps	707 fps
RTX 3080	999 fps	999 fps	847 fps	688 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	999 fps	999 fps	800 fps	650 fps
RTX 3070	999 fps	912 fps	729 fps	593 fps
RTX 4060	999 fps	824 fps	659 fps	535 fps
RTX 3060	882 fps	706 fps	565 fps	459 fps
GTX 1660 Super	640 fps	512 fps	409 fps	333 fps

1440p performance

The Settlers III estimated FPS at 1440p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RX 7900 XTX	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps
RTX 5080	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	946 fps
RTX 4080 Super	999 fps	999 fps	999 fps	889 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	999 fps	999 fps	865 fps	703 fps
RTX 4070	999 fps	926 fps	741 fps	602 fps
RX 7800 XT	999 fps	816 fps	653 fps	531 fps
RTX 3080	993 fps	794 fps	635 fps	516 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	938 fps	750 fps	600 fps	488 fps
RTX 3070	855 fps	684 fps	547 fps	444 fps
RTX 4060	772 fps	618 fps	494 fps	401 fps
RTX 3060	662 fps	529 fps	424 fps	344 fps
GTX 1660 Super	480 fps	384 fps	307 fps	249 fps

4K performance

The Settlers III estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	999 fps	988 fps	791 fps	642 fps
RTX 4090	999 fps	918 fps	734 fps	596 fps
RX 7900 XTX	999 fps	824 fps	659 fps	535 fps
RTX 5080	971 fps	776 fps	621 fps	505 fps
RTX 4080 Super	912 fps	729 fps	584 fps	474 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	721 fps	576 fps	461 fps	375 fps
RTX 4070	618 fps	494 fps	395 fps	321 fps
RX 7800 XT	544 fps	435 fps	348 fps	283 fps
RTX 3080	529 fps	424 fps	339 fps	275 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	500 fps	400 fps	320 fps	260 fps
RTX 3070	456 fps	365 fps	292 fps	237 fps
RTX 4060	412 fps	329 fps	264 fps	214 fps
RTX 3060	353 fps	282 fps	226 fps	184 fps
GTX 1660 Super	256 fps	205 fps	164 fps	133 fps

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Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card

Minimum required

DirectX 9.0c compatible video card

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Processor

Minimum required

Intel Pentium 100 MHz

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About

The Settlers III, released in 1998, is a classic real-time strategy game that blends city-building elements with resource management and exploration. Players navigate a whimsical world controlled by competing deities, where they gather resources, construct settlements, and engage in strategic battles. Notable for its charming graphics and engaging gameplay, it garnered a rating of 82/100, marking it as a beloved title in the genre.

For PC performance, The Settlers III is quite accessible, requiring only an entry-level GPU with a minimum score of around 300 to run smoothly. Players can expect playable FPS even on more modest hardware, making it an excellent choice for those with older systems. For optimal performance, a mid-tier GPU will improve graphics settings and frame rates, allowing for a more enjoyable experience while managing numerous settlers and resources on-screen.

If you appreciate strategy games with a dose of humor and charm, The Settlers III is definitely worth playing. Its solid rating reflects its quality and enduring appeal, making it a must-try for fans of the genre or anyone looking to explore a classic PC gaming title.

Performance profile

Released in November 1998, The Settlers III 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 — The Settlers III 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

Settlers III begins when three gods: Jupiter (leader of the Roman Pantheon), Horus (the falcon-headed Egyptian sun god) and Ch'ih-Yu (the legendary Chinese dragon). A messenger arrives with a message from the god's god telling them they must find a worthy leader to make a new people and wage them against each other - the winner escapes eternal punishment, in this case, repainting the entire universe white. You will assume the role of the leader trying to prove they are talented enough to impress their god by conquering other civilizations and capturing as many territories as you can.