Doom

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is a combination built around a 6-core Coffee Lake processor and a Turing-generation graphics card. For a fast-paced FPS like Doom, the question is not whether this system can run the game, but how far its performance stretches across resolutions and quality presets. The recorded data shows a system that comfortably handles 1080p and 1440p at maximum settings, while 4K requires a more careful approach to settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, compares the CPU and GPU to their nearest rivals, and identifies the best settings for each resolution.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU and GPU in this system each sit within a cluster of comparable hardware, based on aggregate benchmark scores. The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254, placing it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals are extremely close in performance. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 2259, which is just 0.2% higher. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, a 0.3% deficit. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 matches at 2246, also 0.3% behind, while the Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, a 0.4% advantage. These deltas are negligible, meaning a system with any of these processors would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Doom, assuming the same GPU and memory configuration. The i5-9400 is effectively in a dead heat with these alternatives, so users upgrading from one of these CPUs to another would see no meaningful change in game performance.

On the graphics side, the RTX 2060 SUPER holds an average benchmark score of 18093, placing it at the 62nd percentile of all GPUs. Its closest competitor is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile with a score of 18159, a 0.4% lead. The AMD Radeon Pro 5700 scores 18189, 0.5% ahead. More surprisingly, the AMD Radeon RX 460 scores 18373, a 1.5% lead, and the Intel Arc A770M scores 18383, a 1.6% lead. These differences are small enough that in real-world gaming, the RTX 2060 SUPER and these rivals would produce very similar frame rates. The RX 460 and Arc A770M results are curious, as they suggest that raw aggregate benchmark scores do not always translate directly to gaming performance, but within the database, these are the nearest performance neighbors. For Doom specifically, the RTX 2060 SUPER is the primary driver of frame rates, and any of these alternative GPUs would likely land in the same general performance band.

CPU and GPU Roles

In this game, the GPU clearly dominates the performance equation, but the CPU still matters at lower resolutions where frame rates climb high enough to expose processor limits. The measured data shows a clear pattern: as resolution drops, average frame rates rise, which indicates the GPU has more headroom at lower pixel counts. At 4K with Ultra settings, the average is 40 FPS, while at 1080p with Ultra settings, the average jumps to 116.8 FPS. This scaling is almost entirely a GPU workload story. The RTX 2060 SUPER is doing the heavy lifting, and the i5-9400 is sufficient to keep up at these frame rates.

The CPU's role becomes more visible at 1080p with Low settings, where the average reaches 189.9 FPS. At such high frame rates, the processor's single-thread and multi-thread performance can become a limiting factor, but the measured data shows the i5-9400 still delivers excellent results. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and single-core score of 935 indicate a capable processor, but the game does not appear to be bottlenecked by it. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU is unquestionably the limiting component, as frame rates drop significantly with each resolution increase. The verdict data confirms this: at 4K, only Low and Medium settings are playable, while at 1440p and 1080p, all four presets are playable. The transition from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra settings shows a drop from 116.8 to 77.8 average FPS, a reduction of about 33%. The transition from 1440p to 4K at Ultra shows a further drop to 40 FPS, a 49% reduction. These steep declines are classic signs of GPU-bound performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average is 189.9 FPS. Medium settings produce 166 FPS, High settings produce 143.4 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 116.8 FPS. All four presets clear the 60 FPS playability threshold by a wide margin. The gap between Low and Ultra is 73.1 FPS, showing that even the most demanding preset at 1080p leaves substantial performance headroom. The minimum and maximum FPS values are not recorded in the database, so the analysis relies on averages, but the averages are consistently high.

At 2560x1440, the system remains very strong. Low settings average 123 FPS, Medium averages 105.6 FPS, High averages 92.9 FPS, and Ultra averages 77.8 FPS. Every preset clears 60 FPS, and even Ultra maintains a comfortable margin above the threshold. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is significant but not damaging. At Low settings, the average falls from 189.9 to 123 FPS, a 35% reduction. At Ultra settings, the average falls from 116.8 to 77.8 FPS, a 33% reduction. This consistency suggests the GPU is scaling predictably with pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates on the more demanding presets. Low settings average 67 FPS, which clears the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings average 60.5 FPS, just barely above 60. High settings drop to 47.4 FPS, and Ultra falls to 40 FPS. The pattern is clear: 4K is only playable at Low and Medium settings. The drop from Medium to High is 13.1 FPS, a 22% reduction, and from High to Ultra is 7.4 FPS, a 16% reduction. These decreases are steep enough that players targeting 60 FPS at 4K must stick to the lower presets.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database, this specific CPU and GPU combination ranks 2608 out of 3712 tested combos for Doom. This places it in the 30th percentile of all tested systems, meaning roughly 70% of tested combinations perform better in this game. That ranking might seem low given the strong frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but it reflects the fact that the database includes many systems with more powerful CPUs and GPUs. The RTX 2060 SUPER sits at the 62nd percentile of all GPUs, and the i5-9400 sits at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, so the combination is above average on both components individually, yet the combined rank is dragged down by the many high-end systems in the database.

The rank also indicates that this combo is not at the top of the performance curve, but it is far from the bottom. For a game like Doom, which is well-optimized and runs well on a wide range of hardware, this rank translates to a very playable experience at most settings. The measured frame rates confirm this: the system runs 1080p Ultra at 116.8 FPS and 1440p Ultra at 77.8 FPS, both well above the 60 FPS threshold. The rank is a useful context for comparing against other combos, but the actual measured FPS data is more relevant for deciding whether this system meets a player's needs.

The Verdict

Can this PC run Doom? Yes, decisively. The verdict by resolution shows that at 1920x1080, all four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) are playable, with the best setting being Ultra at an average of 116.8 FPS. At 2560x1440, all four presets are also playable, with Ultra at 77.8 FPS as the best option. At 3840x2160, only Low and Medium presets are playable, with Medium at 60.5 FPS being the best setting. The system clears the 60 FPS threshold at every resolution, but only if the right settings are chosen. At 4K, High and Ultra presets fall below 60 FPS, so players must accept a compromise.

For players with a 1080p or 1440p monitor, this system is excellent. It delivers high frame rates at maximum settings, and even at 1440p Ultra, the 77.8 FPS average leaves room for smooth gameplay. For 4K players, the system is adequate but requires setting expectations: Low and Medium presets are playable, but the visual quality will be lower than what the GPU can achieve at lower resolutions. The data suggests that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the limiting factor at 4K, while the i5-9400 does not hold the system back at any resolution.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average of 116.8 FPS. This is the recommended setting for 1080p, as it delivers the highest visual quality while maintaining a frame rate nearly double the playability threshold. At 2560x1440, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is also Ultra, with an average of 77.8 FPS. This provides excellent visual quality with a comfortable margin above 60 FPS. At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Medium, with an average of 60.5 FPS. This is a tight margin, just 0.5 FPS above the threshold, but it is technically playable. Players who want more headroom at 4K could drop to Low settings, which averages 67 FPS, but Medium offers better visuals while still meeting the 60 FPS requirement.

The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p and 1440p both support Ultra settings, while 4K is limited to Medium. The 4K Medium result of 60.5 FPS is worth noting, as it sits right at the edge of the playability threshold. In demanding scenes, the frame rate could dip below 60, but the average suggests it is generally playable. For a more consistent 4K experience, Low settings at 67 FPS would provide a larger safety margin.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The average frame rate at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 116.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

Q: Can this system run Doom at 4K?

A: Yes, at 3840x2160, the system can run Doom at Low and Medium settings, with Medium averaging 60.5 FPS. High and Ultra settings fall below 60 FPS, so they are not considered playable.

Q: Which component is the main bottleneck at 4K?

A: The GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER, is the limiting factor at 4K. The frame rate drops significantly from 1080p to 4K, indicating the graphics card is handling the bulk of the workload and cannot maintain 60 FPS on higher presets at that resolution.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254, which is within 0.4% of its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Core i7-10710U, AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, and Intel Core i3-10305. These differences are negligible for gaming performance.

Q: What is the best setting for 1440p?

A: The best setting at 2560x1440 is Ultra, which averages 77.8 FPS. All four presets are playable at this resolution, so players can choose the highest quality without dropping below 60 FPS.

Q: Is the RTX 2060 SUPER much better than its nearest GPU rivals?

A: No, the RTX 2060 SUPER scores 18093 on average, while its nearest rivals range from 18159 to 18383, putting them within 1.6% of each other. In practice, these GPUs would deliver very similar performance in Doom.