PCGameBenchmarks
Waves

Waves

90/100
4 ratings2011Easy 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.

Waves 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

Waves 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 fps999 fps
RTX 4070999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 3080999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4060 Ti999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 3070999 fps999 fps999 fps988 fps
RTX 4060999 fps999 fps999 fps892 fps
RTX 3060999 fps999 fps941 fps765 fps
GTX 1660 Super999 fps853 fps682 fps554 fps

1440p performance

Waves 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 fps999 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4070999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RX 7800 XT999 fps999 fps999 fps884 fps
RTX 3080999 fps999 fps999 fps860 fps
RTX 4060 Ti999 fps999 fps999 fps813 fps
RTX 3070999 fps999 fps912 fps741 fps
RTX 4060999 fps999 fps824 fps669 fps
RTX 3060999 fps882 fps706 fps574 fps
GTX 1660 Super800 fps640 fps512 fps416 fps

4K performance

Waves estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPUlowmediumhighultra
RTX 5090999 fps999 fps999 fps999 fps
RTX 4090999 fps999 fps999 fps994 fps
RX 7900 XTX999 fps999 fps999 fps892 fps
RTX 5080999 fps999 fps999 fps841 fps
RTX 4080 Super999 fps999 fps973 fps790 fps
RTX 4070 Ti999 fps961 fps769 fps625 fps
RTX 4070999 fps824 fps659 fps535 fps
RX 7800 XT907 fps725 fps580 fps472 fps
RTX 3080882 fps706 fps565 fps459 fps
RTX 4060 Ti833 fps667 fps533 fps433 fps
RTX 3070760 fps608 fps486 fps395 fps
RTX 4060686 fps549 fps439 fps357 fps
RTX 3060588 fps471 fps376 fps306 fps
GTX 1660 Super426 fps341 fps273 fps222 fps

Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card
Minimum required

Shader Model 3 Compatible video card

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Processor
Minimum required

2.0+ GHz or better

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Memory
Minimum required

1 GB

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Genres

About

Waves is a 2011 twin stick shooter that strips the genre down to its core mechanics and executes them brilliantly. You'll clear arenas of enemies while building massive combos through swift kills and perfectly timed bombs, with a time-slowing ability to turn desperate situations into clutch victories. The game's accessible controls mask a surprisingly high skill ceiling that rewards precision and timing.

Waves is extremely lightweight and will run smoothly on virtually any modern GPU, making it ideal for benchmark testing on older or budget hardware. You'll easily achieve 60+ FPS on entry-level graphics cards, and even integrated graphics from the past decade can handle it comfortably. The game's minimalist art style means performance isn't a concern even on low-end systems, so you can focus purely on gameplay rather than chasing higher frame rates.

With a 90/100 rating and tight mechanics that appeal to both casual players and hardcore shooter enthusiasts, Waves is absolutely worth playing. If you enjoy skill-based arcade action with high replay value, this indie gem delivers in spades.

Performance profile

November 2011 release. Waves targets mid-2000s-to-early-2010s hardware — any modern entry-level GPU (GTX 1650 tier or newer integrated graphics) handles it at 1080p Ultra without breaking a sweat.

Action titles like Waves reward high framerates for visual clarity during combat. A mid-range modern GPU at 1440p 60–120 FPS is the practical sweet spot; VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync) smooths out drops during heavy effects.

Extremely light — Waves 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

Set in a Neo-Cyberspace arena your system is being overrun by bugs, errors and viruses and the only solution is to kill every rogue process before it kills you.

Screenshots

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