Rust

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 delivers a surprisingly strong showing in Rust, with performance that scales predictably across resolutions and presets. At 1920x1080, the combination is outright dominant, never dipping below 77.6 FPS even at the highest preset. Moving to 2560x1440, the combo remains highly capable, though the Ultra preset falls short of the 60 FPS threshold. At 3840x2160, the picture changes dramatically: only the Low preset provides a smooth experience, while higher settings struggle to maintain playable frame rates. The recorded data shows a clear pattern where the RTX 3070’s raw power is increasingly held back by the older six-core CPU as resolution drops and settings climb, but for most gamers targeting 1080p or 1440p, this pairing is more than sufficient for Rust.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combo covers 12 distinct configurations, spanning three resolutions and four quality presets. The database records average FPS only; min and max values are not available for any configuration.

1920x1080 (1080p): This is where the combo shines brightest. At Low settings, the average FPS is 141.7, which is exceptionally high and indicates the CPU is not a bottleneck at this level. Medium settings see a drop to 123.6 FPS, still far above the playable threshold. High settings deliver 106.2 FPS, showing a gradual performance curve as graphical load increases. Ultra settings bring the average down to 77.6 FPS, which remains comfortably above 60 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 64.1 FPS, suggesting that the GPU has substantial headroom even at the highest preset.

2560x1440 (1440p): Performance scales down as pixel count rises. Low settings produce 126.9 FPS, a modest reduction from 1080p. Medium settings yield 86.8 FPS, which is still well above the playable threshold. High settings reach 74.8 FPS, maintaining a solid margin over 60 FPS. Ultra settings, however, drop to 52.5 FPS, falling below the playable threshold. The transition from High to Ultra at this resolution represents a loss of 22.3 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset introduces a significant load increase.

3840x2160 (4K): The high-resolution results are markedly different. Low settings average 75.7 FPS, which is playable but notably lower than at lower resolutions. Medium settings fall to 51 FPS, below the 60 FPS target. High settings manage only 44.8 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 31.9 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 43.8 FPS, showing that the GPU is heavily taxed at 4K. None of the higher presets at this resolution are suitable for smooth gameplay.

The data shows a consistent pattern: the RTX 3070 provides enough horsepower for 1080p Ultra and 1440p High, but 4K requires the Low preset to stay above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database, this specific CPU and GPU combination ranks 1639 out of 3723 tested combos for Rust. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all possible pairings, roughly in the 56th percentile of tested configurations. The rank reflects a balanced setup where the GPU carries most of the load, but the CPU’s older architecture limits the absolute ceiling in CPU-bound scenarios.

The CPU itself, the Intel Core i5-9400, sits at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 2254, and its nearest rivals show extremely close performance. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 2259, a delta of -0.2%, meaning the i5-9400 is essentially tied with it. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, a 0.3% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, a 0.4% difference. The Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, a -0.4% difference. All four rivals are within a fraction of a percent, indicating that the i5-9400 is performance-neutral compared to its immediate peers.

The GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, ranks at the 61st percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 17208. The nearest rivals show slightly different performance profiles. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT scores 17083, a 0.7% delta, meaning the RTX 3070 is marginally ahead. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 scores 17037, a 1% delta. The AMD Radeon HD 7970M scores 17019, a 1.1% delta. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c scores 17468, a -1.5% delta, meaning it is slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks. In practical terms, the RTX 3070 sits in a tight cluster of GPU performance, with no single rival being dramatically faster or slower.

Given this hardware context, the combo’s rank of 1639 out of 3723 is reasonable. The CPU is not a top-tier part, but it pairs adequately with a strong GPU for a game like Rust, which tends to favor GPU throughput at higher settings.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Rust at 1080p with the highest settings?

A: Yes. The recorded average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 77.6, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. All four presets at 1080p clear 60 FPS.

Q: What is the best preset for 1440p gameplay?

A: The High preset is the most demanding setting that stays playable at 2560x1440, with an average FPS of 74.8. The Ultra preset drops to 52.5 FPS, which is below the playable threshold.

Q: Is 4K gaming possible with this hardware?

A: Only at Low settings. At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 75.7 FPS. Medium settings fall to 51 FPS, and High and Ultra are not playable.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 3070’s average benchmark score is 17208. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is 0.7% slower, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 is 1% slower, and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M is 1.1% slower. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c is 1.5% faster.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to similar CPUs?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its nearest rivals are all within 0.4%: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 is 0.2% faster, the Intel Core i7-10710U is 0.3% slower, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is 0.4% slower, and the Intel Core i3-10305 is 0.4% faster.

Q: What is the lowest playable preset at 4K?

A: The Low preset at 3840x2160 is the only playable option, averaging 75.7 FPS. All other presets at this resolution fall below 60 FPS.

The Verdict

The data indicates that this combo is fully capable of running Rust at 60 FPS or higher in most scenarios. At 1920x1080, every preset, including Ultra, clears the 60 FPS threshold. The average FPS at Ultra is 77.6, providing a smooth experience with headroom for minor drops during intense moments. At 2560x1440, the High preset is the sweet spot, averaging 74.8 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p is not playable, averaging 52.5 FPS, so users targeting maximum quality at this resolution will need to accept High settings.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is more restrictive. Only the Low preset is playable, with an average of 75.7 FPS. Medium, High, and Ultra all fall below 60 FPS, with averages of 51, 44.8, and 31.9 FPS respectively. For 4K gaming, the user must prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. The combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p displays, where it performs well across the board. The playable threshold is defined as 60 FPS, and this system meets that target at 1080p across all settings, at 1440p up to High, and at 4K only at Low.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For users considering this exact CPU and GPU pairing, the nearest rivals in the database offer comparable behavior. The Intel Core i5-9400 has four close alternatives that are nearly identical in synthetic performance. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7, Intel Core i7-10710U, AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, and Intel Core i3-10305 all sit within 0.4% of the i5-9400’s average benchmark score of 2254. Swapping the CPU for any of these would result in essentially no change in Rust’s frame rates, as the CPU is not the limiting factor in most tested configurations.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 has several competitors with similar average scores. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is 0.7% slower, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 is 1% slower, and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M is 1.1% slower. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c is 1.5% faster. Any of these GPUs would deliver nearly identical performance in Rust, assuming the rest of the system remains the same. The differences are small enough that real-world results would be indistinguishable in most gameplay scenarios.

Combining these findings, a system with any of the listed rival CPUs and any of the listed rival GPUs would produce frame rates within a few percentage points of this combo. Users looking for a similar experience could opt for these parts without expecting a noticeable change in Rust’s performance. The RTX 3070’s advantage over its nearest rivals is minimal, and the CPU’s position among its peers is equally tight.

Best Settings per Resolution

The most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS at each resolution is as follows:

1920x1080: Ultra settings are playable, with an average FPS of 77.6. This is the highest quality option that maintains smooth gameplay. The margin above 60 FPS is 17.6 FPS, providing some buffer for complex scenes.

2560x1440: High settings are the most demanding playable preset, averaging 74.8 FPS. The margin above 60 FPS is 14.8 FPS. Ultra settings are not recommended, as they drop to 52.5 FPS.

3840x2160: Low settings are the only playable option, averaging 75.7 FPS. The margin above 60 FPS is 15.7 FPS. Medium settings at 51 FPS and higher are below the playable threshold.

For users who prioritize visual quality, 1080p Ultra is the clear choice. For 1440p, High offers the best balance of fidelity and performance. At 4K, Low is the only viable option, and even then, the frame rate is only 15.7 FPS above the threshold, so users should expect occasional dips in demanding areas. The data suggests that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, where it can fully leverage the RTX 3070’s capabilities without being constrained by the CPU.