Rust

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 delivers a wide range of performance in Rust, depending heavily on the resolution and quality preset selected. The data shows that this combination is fully capable of smooth gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K requires a more conservative settings approach to stay above the 60 FPS threshold. This analysis breaks down the measured frame rates, component roles, and how this setup compares to other tested hardware.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the most demanding preset that maintains an average frame rate at or above 60 FPS is detailed below, using the recorded data.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the hardware can only handle the Low preset while maintaining playable performance. The measured average frame rate at 4K with Low settings is 88.7 FPS. The Medium preset drops to an average of 58.7 FPS, just below the playable threshold, and High falls further to 52 FPS. Ultra is not viable at this resolution, averaging only 36.5 FPS.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the system unlocks the full range of settings. The Ultra preset, which is the most demanding option, still achieves an average of 62.3 FPS, clearing the 60 FPS bar. The High preset runs at 83.1 FPS, Medium at 99.6 FPS, and Low at 128.1 FPS. All four presets are playable at this resolution, making Ultra the best visual choice without sacrificing smoothness.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the combination is exceptionally strong. The Ultra preset delivers an average of 95.9 FPS, well above the threshold. High runs at 114.6 FPS, Medium at 125 FPS, and Low at 142.8 FPS. Every preset at 1080p produces frame rates far exceeding 60 FPS, so users can select Ultra for maximum visual fidelity with no concerns about playability.

CPU and GPU Roles

The recorded frame rates across resolutions and presets reveal how the balance between processor and graphics card shifts in Rust. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p to 4K shows a clear pattern of increasing GPU load, while the CPU becomes relatively less important at higher resolutions.

At 1080p, the CPU has a more significant role in determining performance. The difference between Low and Ultra settings is 46.9 FPS (from 142.8 down to 95.9), indicating that the GPU is not fully saturated at lower settings, allowing the processor to influence the upper limits. The i5-9400, with 6 cores and 6 threads, provides sufficient throughput, but its 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs suggests it is not a top-tier performer. The data indicates that at 1080p, the combination is well-balanced, but the CPU can become a limiting factor if the GPU load is reduced.

Moving to 1440p, the GPU begins to dominate more clearly. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 1440p is substantial: at Ultra, the average falls from 95.9 to 62.3 FPS, a reduction of 35%. This is a direct result of the increased pixel count, which places more strain on the RTX 3080. The CPU still matters, but the gap between presets narrows in percentage terms, as the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck. The RTX 3080, with its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 760.3 GB/s bandwidth, is clearly the driving force at this resolution.

At 4K, the GPU is almost entirely responsible for the performance. The difference between Low and Ultra settings is dramatic: 88.7 FPS at Low versus 36.5 FPS at Ultra, a 52.2 FPS spread. This indicates that the RTX 3080 is fully saturated at this resolution, and the CPU's role is diminished. The processor's performance, as measured by its average benchmark score of 2254, is sufficient to keep up with the GPU's output at 4K, but it is not the deciding factor. The data suggests that users with this combination should prioritize GPU settings at 4K, as the processor has ample headroom.

Comparing the scaling between presets, the pattern is consistent: as resolution increases, the GPU's workload grows disproportionately, making it the dominant component. The CPU and GPU roles are therefore interdependent, but the RTX 3080 is the primary determinant of frame rates at 1440p and especially 4K.

FAQ

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

A: No. The measured average frame rate at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 36.5 FPS, which is well below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The best playable setting at 4K is Low, which achieves an average of 88.7 FPS.

Q: What is the highest quality setting that stays above 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 averages 62.3 FPS, making it the most demanding setting that clears the threshold. This allows for maximum visual quality at 1440p without dropping below playable frame rates.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 with a score of 2259 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-10710U with 2248 (0.3% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 with 2246 (0.4% lower). The performance differences are minimal, within a fraction of a percent.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 significantly faster than its closest competitors based on average scores?

A: The database shows the RTX 3080 has an average benchmark score of 23172. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA P106-100 and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, have scores around 23249 and 23250, respectively, which are only 0.3% higher. This indicates the RTX 3080 is essentially on par with these alternatives in synthetic tests.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 1080p with medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the measured average frame rate is 125 FPS. This is comfortably above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience for most gameplay scenarios.

Q: Does the system perform better at 1440p or 1080p for this game?

A: The data shows higher frame rates at 1080p across all presets. For example, at Ultra settings, 1080p averages 95.9 FPS, while 1440p averages 62.3 FPS. Both are playable, but 1080p offers a larger margin above the threshold.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Based on the nearest rivals listed in the database for both the CPU and GPU, other hardware combinations would produce similar results in Rust.

For the CPU, the Intel Core i5-9400 sits in a tight performance cluster. The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 has an average score of 2259, which is 0.2% higher than the i5-9400's 2254, making it effectively identical in performance. The Intel Core i7-10710U scores 2248, a 0.3% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, a 0.4% difference. The Intel Core i3-10305 is also close with a score of 2264, 0.4% higher. In gaming, these processors would deliver nearly indistinguishable results, meaning a system with any of these CPUs paired with the same RTX 3080 would see similar frame rates in Rust.

For the GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 has an average score of 23172. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA P106-100 (23249, 0.3% higher), AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 (23250, 0.3% higher), AMD Radeon RX 6600M (23273, 0.4% higher), and AMD Radeon R9 M290X (23276, 0.4% higher). These GPUs are within a fraction of a percent in synthetic benchmark scores, so they would produce nearly identical frame rates in Rust. For example, swapping the RTX 3080 for an AMD Radeon RX 6600M would likely result in the same measured FPS at each resolution and preset, given the negligible score difference.

It is important to note that these comparisons are based solely on average benchmark scores, which aggregate multiple tests. The actual gaming performance may vary slightly depending on driver optimizations and specific game engines, but the data suggests these alternatives are very close in capability.

The Verdict

This PC configuration can run Rust effectively, but the playable experience depends on the chosen resolution and settings. The verdict by resolution is clear from the measured data.

At 3840x2160, the system is only playable with the Low preset, which averages 88.7 FPS. The Medium preset at 58.7 FPS and High at 52 FPS fall short of the 60 FPS threshold, and Ultra at 36.5 FPS is not recommended. For 4K gaming, users must accept lower visual quality to maintain smooth performance.

At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable. The Ultra preset averages 62.3 FPS, just above the threshold, while High (83.1 FPS), Medium (99.6 FPS), and Low (128.1 FPS) provide progressively higher frame rates. This resolution offers the best balance between visual fidelity and performance, as the system can handle the most demanding settings without dipping below 60 FPS.

At 1920x1080, the system excels. Every preset, from Low (142.8 FPS) to Ultra (95.9 FPS), produces frame rates far above the 60 FPS threshold. This is the resolution where the hardware is most comfortable, allowing for maximum settings with a substantial performance buffer.

In summary, the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 combination is a capable gaming system for Rust. It fully clears the playable threshold at 1080p and 1440p with all settings, and at 4K with Low settings. The data confirms that this PC can run the game smoothly for most users, with the caveat that 4K Ultra is not achievable.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks 1322 out of 3723 total combos for Rust. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, indicating that while it is not a top-tier configuration, it performs better than the majority of setups.

The ranking is influenced by both components. The CPU's 47th percentile among all processors suggests it is a mid-range part, while the GPU's 68th percentile places it in the upper echelon of graphics cards. The combination of a mid-range CPU with a high-end GPU results in a system that is strong overall but held back slightly by the processor in CPU-bound scenarios. For Rust, which shows a clear GPU dependency at higher resolutions, the RTX 3080 compensates for the i5-9400's limitations, allowing the combo to achieve a solid mid-upper ranking.

Compared to the 3723 total combos, being at rank 1322 means roughly 64% of tested systems perform worse, while 36% perform better. This is a respectable position, especially considering the balance between the two components. Users with this setup can expect performance that is competitive with many higher-priced configurations, though it will trail systems with more powerful CPUs.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table presents the exact measured average frame rates for each resolution and settings combination, as recorded in the database. No minimum or maximum values were recorded for any setting, so only the averages are listed.

At 3840x2160:

• High: 52 FPS
• Low: 88.7 FPS
• Medium: 58.7 FPS
• Ultra: 36.5 FPS

At 2560x1440:

• High: 83.1 FPS
• Low: 128.1 FPS
• Medium: 99.6 FPS
• Ultra: 62.3 FPS

At 1920x1080:

• High: 114.6 FPS
• Low: 142.8 FPS
• Medium: 125 FPS
• Ultra: 95.9 FPS

These numbers illustrate a clear pattern: frame rates decrease as resolution increases, and decrease as settings quality increases. The most demanding scenario (4K Ultra) produces the lowest average at 36.5 FPS, while the least demanding (1080p Low) produces the highest at 142.8 FPS. The 60 FPS threshold is crossed at 4K Medium (58.7 FPS, just below), 4K Low (88.7 FPS, above), and at all settings for 1440p and 1080p. The data confirms that this hardware combination is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K reserved for lower presets.