Rust

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is a powerful combination for Rust, delivering playable frame rates at every tested resolution. The data shows that at 1080p and 1440p, this system can run the game at Ultra settings while maintaining an average above 60 FPS, whereas at 4K, it requires a reduction to Medium settings to clear the playable threshold. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, optimal settings, and how this hardware compares to its nearest rivals.

Best Settings per Resolution

For gamers prioritizing visual fidelity while maintaining a smooth experience, the benchmark results indicate a clear hierarchy of settings per resolution.

At 1920x1080, the system is overwhelmingly capable. The data shows that the Ultra preset achieves an average of 97.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold. This is the most demanding setting that still delivers a comfortable frame rate, making it the optimal choice for users with high-refresh-rate monitors.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains excellent. The Ultra preset still manages to stay above the 60 FPS target, with an average of 66.4 FPS. While this is a significant drop from the 1080p result, it confirms that the RTX 4070 has enough headroom for high-fidelity gaming at this resolution. This is the best setting for 1440p, as High and Medium settings would offer higher frame rates but at a noticeable cost to graphical quality.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the situation changes. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 40.5 FPS, which is not playable. The Medium preset is the most demanding option that maintains an average of 63.3 FPS, just clearing the 60 FPS threshold. This is the recommended setting for 4K, as it balances visual quality with playability. While the Low preset at 91.7 FPS is smoother, it requires a substantial sacrifice in visual fidelity.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Rust at 4K with maximum settings?

A: No. The benchmark data shows the Ultra preset at 3840x2160 averages only 40.5 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. To achieve a stable experience at 4K, you must use the Medium preset or lower.

Q: What is the best resolution for a 144Hz monitor?

A: At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset averages 97.8 FPS, which is well-suited for high refresh rates. While not hitting 144 FPS, it is far smoother than the 66.4 FPS average at 1440p Ultra. For maximum fluidity, the Low preset at 1080p reaches 213.2 FPS.

Q: How much performance is lost when going from 1080p to 4K?

A: The scaling is significant. On the Ultra preset, the average frame rate drops from 97.8 FPS at 1920x1080 to 40.5 FPS at 3840x2160, representing a performance reduction of over half. This indicates a heavy GPU load at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck in Rust?

A: The performance scaling between resolutions suggests the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher settings. For instance, at 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra presets is 51.2 FPS (91.7 vs 40.5), demonstrating the GPU's critical role in rendering higher visual quality. The CPU provides a strong foundation, as evidenced by high frame rates at lower resolutions.

Q: Is this combination better than one with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D?

A: The CPU benchmark data shows the Core i5-13400F and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D have nearly identical average scores. The i5-13400F scores 25292, while the Ryzen 5 5600X3D scores 25365, a delta of only -0.3%. In gaming, you would not notice a meaningful difference between the two.

Q: Can I use a 550W power supply with this setup?

A: The GPU's suggested PSU is 550 W. While this is the listed specification for the RTX 4070, it is always advisable to have a quality power supply that meets or exceeds the system's total requirements.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the average FPS observed for each resolution and settings combination.

1920x1080

• Low: 213.2 avg FPS
• Medium: 152.8 avg FPS
• High: 126.8 avg FPS
• Ultra: 97.8 avg FPS

At 1080p, the system shows exceptional performance across the board. Even the most demanding Ultra preset provides a frame rate nearly 40% above the playable threshold. The Low preset's 213.2 FPS average is notable for esports-level responsiveness.

2560x1440

• Low: 153.3 avg FPS
• Medium: 105.7 avg FPS
• High: 87.4 avg FPS
• Ultra: 66.4 avg FPS

The 1440p results show a clear step-down from 1080p, but the system remains highly capable. The Ultra preset's 66.4 FPS is sufficient for most gamers, while the Medium preset offers a large jump to 105.7 FPS for those who prioritize frame rate over visual extremes.

3840x2160

• Low: 91.7 avg FPS
• Medium: 63.3 avg FPS
• High: 52.2 avg FPS
• Ultra: 40.5 avg FPS

The 4K results demonstrate a significant performance wall. The drop from Medium to High is 11.1 FPS, pushing the High preset below the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset is the only option that provides a large buffer above 60 FPS, while Medium barely clears it.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on the nearestRivals data, the Intel Core i5-13400F performs almost identically to several other CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 25292, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. The closest matches are:

• AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS: With an average score of 25284, this is virtually identical (0% delta) to the i5-13400F.
• Intel Core 5 120: This processor scores 25362, a negligible -0.3% difference.
• AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D: Scoring 25365, this is also -0.3% from the i5-13400F, making it a direct competitor for gaming.
• AMD Ryzen 7 6800H: This chip scores 25201, which is 0.4% higher than the i5-13400F.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 has an average score of 37648, placing it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in terms of raw benchmark score are:

• NVIDIA Tesla P4: With a score of 37628, this is 0.1% different from the RTX 4070, although it is a data-center oriented card.
• AMD Radeon RX Vega 56: This older card scores 37507, a 0.4% difference, indicating similar raw compute performance.
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile: The laptop version of the RTX 4080 scores 38135, which is -1.3% compared to the desktop RTX 4070, showing they are in a similar performance class.
• AMD Radeon PRO W6400: This workstation card scores 37157, a 1.3% difference.

In practical terms, a system with any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Rust, provided the GPU remains the same. Similarly, swapping the RTX 4070 for an RTX 4080 Mobile or RX Vega 56 would result in very similar performance, although features like ray tracing and power efficiency would differ significantly.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results illustrate a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU. Rust's performance scaling across resolutions and presets indicates that the GPU is the primary driver of frame rate at higher graphical settings, while the CPU provides the foundational performance headroom.

The data shows that as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160, the frame rate drops substantially across all presets. For example, on the Ultra preset, the average FPS falls from 97.8 to 40.5. This sharp decline is a classic indicator of GPU-bound performance; the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data, but the GPU struggles to render the increased pixel count.

The settings scaling at a fixed resolution further confirms this. At 4K, moving from Low to Ultra reduces the average FPS from 91.7 to 40.5. This is a massive difference of 51.2 FPS, highlighting how much the GPU's workload increases with visual complexity. The i5-13400F, with its strong multi-threaded performance, is not the limiting factor here.

Conversely, at 1080p, the CPU's role becomes more apparent. The frame rates are very high across all settings, suggesting that the CPU can keep up with the GPU's output. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 115.4 FPS, which shows that even with a fast GPU, the CPU is still able to push a significant number of frames. This balance is ideal, as it ensures that neither component is a major bottleneck at standard resolutions.

In summary, the RTX 4070's performance dictates the playable settings at 1440p and 4K, while the i5-13400F provides more than enough processing power to avoid limiting the system at 1080p.

The Verdict

The data confirms that the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 configuration is an excellent choice for playing Rust, capable of delivering a smooth experience at all tested resolutions with the right settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is unequivocally playable at the highest settings. The Ultra preset achieves an average of 97.8 FPS, and even the most demanding scenarios will likely stay well above 60 FPS. This is the ideal setup for high-refresh-rate monitors.

At 2560x1440, the system remains playable at the Ultra preset, with an average of 66.4 FPS. This clears the 60 FPS playable threshold, making it a viable option for gamers who prioritize image quality at 1440p. For those who want more headroom, dropping to High yields 87.4 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system is still playable, but requires settings adjustment. The Ultra preset's 40.5 FPS is not suitable for smooth gameplay. The recommended setting is Medium, which averages 63.3 FPS, just clearing the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset offers a much higher 91.7 FPS for those who prefer performance over fidelity.

Ultimately, this PC can run Rust. It offers a flawless experience at 1080p and a highly enjoyable one at 1440p, both with maximum settings. At 4K, it remains a capable machine, provided you are willing to dial back the graphics preset to Medium to maintain a playable frame rate. This combination strikes a strong balance between CPU and GPU performance, making it a versatile and reliable choice for this game.