Rust

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER delivers a commanding performance profile in Rust, with measured frame rates that consistently exceed the 60 FPS playability threshold across most settings and resolutions. The data indicates a system that is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, yet still capable of exploiting the CPU’s strong multi-threaded performance at 1080p. Benchmark results show that this combination is not merely adequate but rather positioned to handle Rust’s demanding survival environments with substantial headroom, though the Ultra preset at 4K remains the single notable exception where performance dips below the playable mark.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this configuration reveals a clear progression of performance scaling across the three tested resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional frame rates that begin at 210.4 FPS on Low settings and remain remarkably high through the preset ladder. The Medium preset at 1080p produces an average of 185.6 FPS, while High settings sustain 163.9 FPS. Even the most demanding Ultra preset at this resolution maintains a robust 122.9 FPS average, indicating that the i5-13400F and RTX 4080 SUPER combination has ample compute headroom to avoid bottlenecking at standard HD resolutions.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates scale downward as expected, but the overall performance remains firmly in high-refresh territory. Low settings at 1440p yield an impressive 188.1 FPS average, which drops to 130.8 FPS on Medium and 110.9 FPS on High. The Ultra preset at this resolution still manages an average of 86.4 FPS, comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold and indicative of a system that can handle maxed-out visuals without compromising smoothness. The delta between Low and Ultra at 1440p is approximately 101.7 FPS, showing that the GPU’s rendering load increases significantly with each preset tier.

At 3840x2160, the performance picture becomes more nuanced. Low settings at 4K produce a 116.4 FPS average, which is still highly playable and demonstrates the RTX 4080 SUPER’s raw throughput. Medium settings at 4K drop to 79.2 FPS, and High settings settle at 65 FPS, both of which clear the 60 FPS threshold. However, the Ultra preset at 4K falls to a 50.1 FPS average, marking the only configuration in the entire dataset that fails to reach playable frame rates. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Ultra (86.4 to 50.1 FPS) represents a 42% reduction, highlighting the significant pixel-pushing demands of 4K Ultra in Rust.

It is importantly the dataset provides only average FPS figures, with no minimum or maximum values recorded for any preset or resolution. This absence means the analysis cannot account for frame time spikes or stuttering events, which are particularly relevant in Rust’s large multiplayer environments where base building and player interactions can cause sudden load variations. The averages suggest a smooth experience, but the lack of min/max data leaves some uncertainty about worst-case scenarios.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the optimal configuration is defined as the most demanding preset that still maintains an average FPS at or above the 60 FPS playability threshold. At 1920x1080, all four presets clear this bar, so the best settings are Ultra, which delivers a 122.9 FPS average. This provides not only playable performance but also sufficient headroom for demanding scenes, such as large bases or combat encounters, where frame rates might dip below the average.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is again the best choice, achieving an 86.4 FPS average. This is a strong result, as it means players can enable maximum graphical fidelity at 1440p without sacrificing smoothness. The 86.4 FPS figure leaves a comfortable 26.4 FPS buffer above the 60 FPS threshold, suggesting that even worst-case scenarios in Rust’s procedurally generated worlds are unlikely to cause sustained drops below playability.

The 4K resolution presents a more constrained decision. The best settings here are High, which produces a 65 FPS average. This is a narrow margin above the 60 FPS threshold, with only 5 FPS of headroom. While High at 4K is technically playable, the data implies that users should be cautious about pushing into Ultra territory, where the 50.1 FPS average falls short of the playability standard. Medium at 4K offers a safer alternative at 79.2 FPS, but the High preset remains the most demanding option that meets the threshold, making it the recommended choice for players prioritizing visual quality at this resolution.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions and presets reveals a clear division of labor between the Intel Core i5-13400F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high across all presets, with Low settings reaching 210.4 FPS and Ultra still hitting 122.9 FPS. This pattern suggests that at 1080p, the CPU plays a more significant role in limiting performance, as the GPU has enough headroom to render frames quickly, but the i5-13400F’s multi-threaded performance (evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22604) becomes a factor in maintaining high average frame rates.

The transition to 2560x1440 shows a more balanced workload. The frame rates drop by roughly 20-30% compared to 1080p at each preset, which aligns with the increased pixel count requiring more GPU processing. However, the fact that Ultra at 1440p still achieves 86.4 FPS indicates that the RTX 4080 SUPER is doing the heavy lifting here, while the CPU continues to feed it adequately. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at each preset is more dramatic, particularly at Ultra where the drop from 86.4 to 50.1 FPS (a 42% reduction) points to the GPU becoming the dominant bottleneck at 4K.

The data suggests that at 4K, the RTX 4080 SUPER’s capabilities are the primary determinant of performance. The GPU’s 16 GB of GDDR6X memory and 736.3 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for Rust’s textures and assets, but the sheer rendering load at 3840x2160 overwhelms the GPU when Ultra settings are enabled. Conversely, at 1080p, the i5-13400F’s 10 cores and 16 threads provide enough compute power to keep frame rates high, but the CPU’s single-thread performance (3dmark single-thread score of 960) may limit the absolute maximum FPS in less GPU-intensive scenarios. Overall, the benchmark results indicate that this combo is GPU-limited at 4K, CPU-limited at 1080p, and well-balanced at 1440p.

FAQ

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

A: No. The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 50.1, which falls below the 60 FPS playability threshold. High settings at 4K achieve 65 FPS and are the most demanding playable option at this resolution.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 delivers an 86.4 FPS average, making it the best choice for maximizing visual quality while staying well above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

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

A: At Ultra settings, the average FPS drops from 122.9 at 1920x1080 to 50.1 at 3840x2160, representing a 59% reduction in frame rate. At Low settings, the drop is from 210.4 to 116.4 FPS, a 45% reduction.

Q: Is the RTX 4080 SUPER the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU becomes more influential at 1080p, as frame rates exceed 200 FPS on Low settings, which is near the practical limits of the i5-13400F’s single-thread performance. The GPU likely has additional headroom that the CPU cannot fully utilize.

Q: Which resolution offers the best balance of visual quality and performance?

A: 2560x1440 with Ultra settings provides an 86.4 FPS average, offering high visual fidelity with a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. This is the only resolution where Ultra settings remain playable without compromise.

Q: Does the dataset include minimum or maximum FPS values?

A: No. The measured FPS data only includes average frame rates for each resolution and preset. There are no min or max FPS values recorded, so frame time consistency cannot be assessed from this data.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core i5-13400F, based on average benchmark scores, include the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS with a nearly identical score (25284 vs 25292, a 0% delta), the Intel Core 5 120 with a score of 25362 (-0.3% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D also at 25365 (-0.3% delta). These CPUs would likely produce similar CPU-bound performance in Rust, meaning that at 1080p where the processor plays a larger role, users could expect comparable frame rates. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, with a score of 25201 and a 0.4% delta, is also a close match, though it is a mobile processor and may have different thermal characteristics.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER’s nearest rivals include the standard NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, which scores 54247 versus 54209 (a -0.1% delta), indicating virtually identical performance. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X scores 54828 (-1.1% delta), while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB scores 55698 (-2.7% delta) and the AMD Radeon 8060S scores 55757 (-2.8% delta). These alternatives would deliver similar GPU-bound performance, meaning that at 4K where the GPU is the bottleneck, users could expect nearly the same frame rates from an RTX 4080, with the AMD options trailing by a small margin. It is important to note that these rival scores come from synthetic benchmarks and may not translate directly to Rust-specific performance, but the close deltas suggest comparable real-world behavior.

The Verdict

This PC configuration can run Rust effectively across the vast majority of tested settings. At 1920x1080, all presets from Low (210.4 FPS) to Ultra (122.9 FPS) clear the 60 FPS threshold with substantial headroom, making this resolution fully playable at maximum settings. At 2560x1440, the same holds true, with Ultra achieving 86.4 FPS and every other preset exceeding 110 FPS, providing a smooth and visually rich experience. At 3840x2160, the system remains playable on Low (116.4 FPS), Medium (79.2 FPS), and High (65 FPS) presets, but the Ultra preset falls short at 50.1 FPS. The verdict is clear: this combo is highly capable for Rust, with the only limitation being the inability to run 4K Ultra settings at playable frame rates. For players prioritizing 1440p or 1080p, the system offers excellent performance with no compromises.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ranks 298th out of 3723 tested combos for Rust. This places it in the top 8% of all configurations tested, indicating that it is a high-performing pairing relative to the broader field. The rank reflects the system’s ability to maintain high frame rates across most resolutions and settings, as evidenced by the measured FPS data. The only significant weakness is the 4K Ultra performance, which pulls the ranking down slightly, but the overall position in the 92nd percentile demonstrates that this combo is well above average for running Rust. The combination of a strong mid-range CPU with a high-end GPU proves to be a balanced choice for this game, with the GPU’s 86th percentile ranking among all GPUs and the CPU’s 77th percentile ranking among all CPUs working together effectively.