Doom

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i9-14900K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 lands at rank 2915 out of 3712 tested combinations for Doom. This places the combo in the lower third of all recorded configurations, which is a meaningful signal given the hardware involved. The CPU is a top-tier part, sitting in the 95th percentile among all processors in the database, while the GPU is more modest, ranking in the 58th percentile among all graphics cards. The disparity between these two components shapes the entire performance profile for this game.

Benchmark results indicate that the combination is playable at the 60 FPS threshold in most scenarios, but the margin of comfort varies heavily by resolution and preset. At 1080p, the combo clears the threshold with substantial headroom across every settings tier. At 1440p, it remains playable at all presets, though Ultra settings drop to an average of 65.9 FPS, leaving little room for fluctuation. At 4K, the picture changes: only Low settings manage to stay above 60 FPS, with an average of 62.8 FPS. The rank of 2915 reflects this mixed outcome, as the CPU's immense power cannot compensate for the GPU's limitations at higher pixel counts.

The recorded data shows a system that is heavily front-loaded on processor capability. The i9-14900K is among the strongest CPUs in the database, but the RTX 2060 is a mid-range card from a previous generation. In a game like Doom, which is known for its optimization and scalability, this pairing demonstrates that the GPU becomes the binding constraint as resolution increases. The rank versus all tested combos is a reminder that raw component strength on one side does not guarantee an overall strong pairing.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU, the Intel Core i9-14900K is flanked by very close scores. The Intel Core i9-14900KF is effectively identical, with an average score just 0.3% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is 0.6% lower, and the AMD EPYC 7413 trails by 1.2%. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is 1.7% ahead. For gaming purposes, any of these CPUs would deliver nearly indistinguishable performance in Doom, since the game's frame rates at most resolutions are dictated by the GPU rather than the processor.

On the GPU side, the RTX 2060's nearest rivals are strikingly close in average score. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 matches it exactly with a 0% delta, while the AMD Radeon 680M is 0.1% ahead. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is 0.6% ahead, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 leads by 0.8%. These deltas are tiny, meaning that swapping the RTX 2060 for any of these cards would produce a nearly identical experience in Doom at the same settings and resolution. The GTX 580 is an older part, but its score aligns closely enough that the database treats it as a direct alternative.

For a user considering this combo, the practical takeaway is that the CPU choice has more flexibility than the GPU choice. The i9-14900K could be swapped for any of its nearest rivals without moving the needle on frame rates, whereas the RTX 2060's performance class is fixed by its position among these near-identical peers. The bottleneck in this system is clear, and it is not the processor.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Doom at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: Yes. The recorded average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 106.9 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 4K gaming with this combo?

A: At 3840x2160, only Low settings clear the 60 FPS threshold, with an average of 62.8 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below 60 FPS, averaging 55.3, 45.1, and 39.7 FPS respectively.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 compare to its nearest GPU rivals in the database?

A: The RTX 2060's average benchmark score is 15290. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, scores 15283, a 0% delta. The AMD Radeon 680M is 0.1% ahead, the RTX 3050 OEM is 0.6% ahead, and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is 0.8% ahead.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more responsible for performance at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the GPU is the limiting factor. The i9-14900K is in the 95th percentile of CPUs, but the RTX 2060 is in the 58th percentile of GPUs. The frame rates across presets, from 65.9 FPS at Ultra to 115.6 FPS at Low, are consistent with GPU-bound scaling.

Q: What is the playable settings list at 1440p?

A: All four presets are playable at 2560x1440. High averages 80.6 FPS, Low averages 115.6 FPS, Medium averages 97 FPS, and Ultra averages 65.9 FPS.

Q: Does the combo rank suggest it is a strong pairing for Doom?

A: The rank of 2915 out of 3712 combos places it in the lower third. This indicates that while the system is playable at most settings, many other combinations deliver higher frame rates, largely because the GPU holds back the CPU's potential.

The Verdict

The data shows that this PC can run Doom, but the experience depends heavily on the chosen resolution. At 1920x1080, every preset clears the 60 FPS threshold, with Ultra averaging 106.9 FPS. This is a comfortable and smooth experience. At 2560x1440, all four presets also remain playable, with Ultra just clearing the bar at 65.9 FPS. The margin is thinner, but it is still above the playable threshold. At 3840x2160, the verdict changes: only Low settings manage to stay above 60 FPS, averaging 62.8 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall short, with averages of 55.3, 45.1, and 39.7 FPS respectively.

For a user prioritizing 4K, this combo is marginal. The Low preset is technically playable, but the 62.8 FPS average leaves almost no headroom for demanding scenes. At 1440p and 1080p, the system is fully viable, and the higher refresh rates at 1080p make it a strong choice for fast-paced FPS play. The verdict is clear: this is a 1080p and 1440p machine for Doom, not a 4K machine beyond the lowest settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data covers three resolutions and four settings presets, with average frame rates recorded for each combination. Minimum and maximum FPS values were not recorded, so the analysis relies on averages.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset delivers an average of 62.8 FPS. Medium drops to 55.3 FPS, High to 45.1 FPS, and Ultra to 39.7 FPS. The progression shows a steady decline as graphical demands increase, with a 23.1 FPS gap between Low and Ultra.

At 2560x1440, Low averages 115.6 FPS, Medium 97 FPS, High 80.6 FPS, and Ultra 65.9 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 49.7 FPS, indicating that the GPU handles this resolution with more headroom. Even at Ultra, the frame rate stays above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 1920x1080, the results are consistently high. Low averages 173.2 FPS, Medium 154.8 FPS, High 128.3 FPS, and Ultra 106.9 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 66.3 FPS, but every preset remains far above the playable threshold. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p to 4K shows a clear pattern: the RTX 2060 loses performance rapidly as pixel count rises, while the CPU's influence fades into the background.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Ultra, with an average of 106.9 FPS. This is the recommended choice for maximum visual quality without sacrificing smoothness.

For 2560x1440, Ultra is again the best choice, averaging 65.9 FPS. While this is above the 60 FPS threshold, the margin is modest, so users who prioritize consistency over absolute visual fidelity might prefer High, which averages 80.6 FPS.

For 3840x2160, the only preset that clears 60 FPS is Low, with an average of 62.8 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall short, so Low is the only viable option for 4K play. The database records this as the best settings preset at this resolution, even though the margin is slim.

CPU and GPU Roles

The division of labor between the Intel Core i9-14900K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is stark in Doom. The CPU is a high-end part with a 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the GPU sits at the 58th percentile. This imbalance means the GPU is almost always the limiting factor, and the data supports this interpretation.

At 1920x1080, the frame rates are high across all presets, from 106.9 FPS at Ultra to 173.2 FPS at Low. The CPU has enough headroom to feed the GPU at these lower resolutions, but the GPU's performance ceiling is what caps the maximum frame rate. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 66.3 FPS drop, which is a GPU-driven effect as more shading, texture, and geometry work is required.

At 2560x1440, the same pattern holds, but the GPU strain increases. The drop from Low to Ultra is 49.7 FPS, and the Ultra average of 65.9 FPS is close to the playable threshold. The CPU still has ample capacity, but the GPU is now working harder to fill the larger pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant constraint. The Low preset averages 62.8 FPS, while Ultra drops to 39.7 FPS. The CPU's role is minimal here; no amount of processor headroom can compensate for the GPU's inability to push 4K pixels at higher settings. The scaling between resolutions confirms this: the same Ultra preset drops from 106.9 FPS at 1080p to 65.9 FPS at 1440p, then to 39.7 FPS at 4K. The GPU is responsible for nearly all of this degradation, while the CPU remains underutilized throughout.