Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is a formidable combination for running Doom, delivering frame rates that far exceed the 60 FPS playable threshold across every resolution and preset tested. Benchmark data confirms this pairing achieves its highest visual fidelity at 4K with an average of 64.3 FPS on Ultra settings, while at 1080p it pushes well past 300 FPS on lower presets, making this system an exceptionally capable platform for this classic FPS.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Ryzen 5 7600X sits in a performance tier where several other CPUs deliver nearly identical average benchmark scores. The closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, which scores 0.3% higher with an average score of 27712. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Core i5-12600K both score 27578, putting them just 0.2% behind the 7600X. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800 trails slightly further at 27535, a 0.4% deficit. In practical terms, any of these processors would produce almost indistinguishable frame rates in Doom, as the game’s demands are modest relative to the headroom these chips provide. The 7600X itself achieves a 79th percentile ranking among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms the vast majority of processors on the market.

On the GPU side, the RTX 3080’s nearest rivals are somewhat unexpected, with the NVIDIA P106-100 matching it within 0.3% at 23249. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 and AMD Radeon RX 6600M score 23250 and 23273 respectively, both within 0.4% of the 3080’s average score. The AMD Radeon R9 M290X rounds out the group at 23276. These results reflect synthetic benchmark averages rather than real-world gaming performance, so while these GPUs may post similar aggregate scores, the RTX 3080’s architecture and feature set—including its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 760.3 GB/s bandwidth—give it a distinct advantage in actual gameplay scenarios. The 3080 ranks in the 68th percentile among all GPUs.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160 (4K), the most demanding preset that maintains at least 60 FPS is Ultra, which achieves an average of 64.3 FPS. This is the optimal choice for maximum visual quality, though it leaves only 4.3 FPS of headroom above the playable threshold. Medium settings at 4K produce 90.8 FPS, while High reaches 80.6 FPS, and Low pushes to 103.2 FPS. For players who prioritize smoothness over fidelity at 4K, Medium offers a substantial margin of safety without sacrificing too much visual quality.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), Ultra settings deliver 115.3 FPS on average, comfortably clearing the 60 FPS threshold with nearly double the required performance. High settings reach 143.8 FPS, Medium hits 172.2 FPS, and Low achieves 197.2 FPS. The 1440p resolution presents an ideal balance between visual clarity and performance headroom, with even the most demanding preset leaving substantial buffer for demanding scenes.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the system is barely challenged. Ultra settings average 182 FPS, while High reaches 220.9 FPS, Medium produces 263.1 FPS, and Low hits 302.6 FPS. The RTX 3080 and Ryzen 5 7600X combination at 1080p is overkill for Doom, with the lowest preset pushing into territory where the display’s refresh rate becomes the limiting factor rather than the hardware.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the Ryzen 5 7600X and the RTX 3080 becomes clearer when examining how frame rates scale across resolutions and presets. At 1080p, the system achieves 302.6 FPS on Low settings, but this drops to 182 FPS on Ultra—a 39.8% reduction in performance as settings increase. This pattern indicates that at lower resolutions, the GPU’s workload scales dramatically with visual complexity, while the CPU maintains a consistent flow of frames.

Moving to 1440p, Low settings produce 197.2 FPS and Ultra drops to 115.3 FPS, a 41.5% decrease. At 4K, the same preset transition yields 103.2 FPS on Low and 64.3 FPS on Ultra, a 37.7% reduction. The GPU is clearly the dominant factor in determining frame rates at higher resolutions, as the pixel count increases from 2.07 million at 1080p to 8.29 million at 4K, quadrupling the rendering workload.

The CPU’s role is most apparent at 1080p, where the 302.6 FPS Low-setting result demonstrates the 7600X’s ability to feed frames rapidly to the GPU. With 6 cores and 12 threads based on Zen 4 architecture, this processor provides strong single-thread performance—scoring 1060 in 3DMark single-thread tests—which is critical for maintaining high frame rates in a game like Doom that relies heavily on draw calls and physics calculations. As resolution increases, the GPU takes on a larger share of the workload, and frame rates become increasingly constrained by the RTX 3080’s rendering throughput rather than CPU capabilities.

The Verdict

This PC can absolutely run Doom, and it does so with exceptional headroom at every resolution tested. The verdict by resolution confirms that all four settings—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are playable at 3840x2160, 2560x1440, and 1920x1080. At 4K, the Ultra preset averages 64.3 FPS, narrowly clearing the 60 FPS threshold, while Medium provides a safer 90.8 FPS. The 1440p resolution offers the best overall experience, with Ultra settings at 115.3 FPS providing both high visual fidelity and smooth gameplay. At 1080p, the system is effectively unconstrained, with even Ultra settings achieving 182 FPS.

The combination ranks 1037th out of 3712 tested combinations for this game, placing it in the top 28% of systems tested. Given that the data is measured rather than estimated, these results reflect actual performance rather than theoretical predictions. The RTX 3080’s 10 GB of GDDR6X memory is more than sufficient for Doom’s requirements, and the Ryzen 5 7600X’s 32 MB of L3 cache helps maintain consistent frame delivery.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the measured average frame rates span from 182 FPS on Ultra to 302.6 FPS on Low. The Medium preset achieves 263.1 FPS, while High reaches 220.9 FPS. The progression is not linear, with the jump from Ultra to High representing a 21.4% increase, from High to Medium a 19.1% increase, and from Medium to Low a 15% increase.

At 2560x1440, Ultra averages 115.3 FPS, High reaches 143.8 FPS, Medium produces 172.2 FPS, and Low achieves 197.2 FPS. The scaling pattern is similar to 1080p, with each step down in settings yielding roughly a 15-20% performance gain. The difference between 1080p and 1440p at Ultra settings is 36.7% fewer frames, reflecting the increased pixel workload.

At 3840x2160, Ultra averages 64.3 FPS, High reaches 80.6 FPS, Medium produces 90.8 FPS, and Low achieves 103.2 FPS. The margin between Ultra and the 60 FPS threshold is slim, but the preset remains playable. Dropping from Ultra to High provides a 25.3% performance boost, offering a meaningful safety margin for players who prefer consistent frame times over absolute visual quality.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Doom at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: Yes, the measured average frame rate at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 64.3 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS playable threshold. This is the most demanding configuration tested, and it remains playable.

Q: What is the best resolution for this hardware in Doom?

A: The data shows 2560x1440 with Ultra settings delivers 115.3 FPS, providing both high visual quality and substantial performance headroom. This represents the best balance between fidelity and smoothness, with nearly double the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 7600X compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, which scores 0.3% higher in average benchmarks. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Core i5-12600K both score 0.2% lower, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 trails by 0.4%. These differences are negligible for gaming performance.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 overkill for Doom at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the system achieves 302.6 FPS on Low settings and 182 FPS on Ultra. These frame rates far exceed what most displays can show, indicating the GPU is not the limiting factor at this resolution.

Q: What settings should I use if I want maximum performance at 4K?

A: Low settings at 3840x2160 produce 103.2 FPS, which is the highest frame rate available at that resolution. Medium settings provide 90.8 FPS, offering a balance between performance and visual fidelity.

Q: How much performance headroom exists at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The measured average of 64.3 FPS provides only 4.3 FPS of headroom above the 60 FPS threshold. While playable, this leaves little margin for demanding scenes or background processes, so players may prefer Medium settings at 90.8 FPS for greater stability.