Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 is a competitive FPS where frame rate consistency and responsiveness often outweigh absolute visual fidelity. The benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 reveals a system capable of delivering extremely high performance across all tested configurations. The measured results show a clear hierarchy of performance based on resolution and settings, with the CPU demonstrating its strength in low-resolution scenarios and the GPU becoming the primary bottleneck at higher visual presets and resolutions.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, built on a 5 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. This processor features a 32 MB shared L3 cache, which is a critical resource for gaming workloads. The CPU's performance is reflected in its benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21765 and a single-core score of 3072, placing it in the 83rd percentile among all tested CPUs.

In Counter-Strike 2, a game that is traditionally sensitive to single-thread performance and cache latency, the Ryzen 5 7400F's architecture provides a strong foundation. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves an average of 505 FPS. This high frame rate is a direct result of the CPU's ability to feed the GPU with enough data, as the lower resolution and simpler settings reduce the GPU's workload. The processor's boost clock of 4.70 GHz and its efficient Zen 4 cores allow it to handle the game's physics and game logic with headroom to spare.

The CPU's nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include the Intel Core i5-14600T and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, with score deltas of 0.1% and -0.2% respectively. This indicates that the Ryzen 5 7400F is positioned in a competitive performance tier. In the context of CS2, the data suggests that this CPU is not the limiting factor at 1080p, as evidenced by the significant FPS jump from 313 at High settings to 505 at Low settings. This scaling is primarily due to the GPU having less work to do, but the CPU must be capable of maintaining such high frame rates, which it does.

As resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the CPU's role shifts. The average FPS at 4K Low is 187, which is considerably lower than the 1080p Low result. This indicates that the GPU is starting to become a larger factor in performance. However, the CPU still provides enough performance to keep frame rates well above the 144 Hz threshold that many competitive players target. The Ryzen 5 7400F's 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for CS2's engine, as the game does not typically scale linearly with core count beyond a certain point, and the data confirms this, showing no signs of CPU-related stuttering or frame drops in the measured results.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is a high-end graphics card from the Ampere architecture generation, built on an 8 nm process. It features 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s. The card's base clock is 1440 MHz with a boost clock of 1710 MHz. With 8704 shading units and 68 RT cores, it is a formidable GPU, as reflected in its Passmark G3D score of 25086, placing it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs.

The RTX 3080's role in CS2 becomes more pronounced as the game settings and resolution increase. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 243, compared to 505 at Low settings. This is a clear indication that the GPU is being taxed by the higher visual fidelity, which includes more complex shaders and effects. The 10 GB of VRAM is ample for CS2 at any of the tested settings, as the game is not known for extremely high memory usage at 1080p or 1440p, though the data does not specify VRAM usage directly.

At 4K resolution, the GPU's performance is the defining factor. The measured average FPS at 4K Ultra is 90, while at 4K Low it is 187. This large gap highlights the GPU's sensitivity to the combination of resolution and settings. The RTX 3080's memory bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s is likely a key component in maintaining playable frame rates at 4K, as the higher resolution requires more data to be transferred. The card's boost clock of 1710 MHz also contributes to its ability to handle the workload, but the data shows that at 4K Ultra, the GPU is fully saturated, as the frame rate drops to the lowest measured value in the entire dataset.

The GPU's nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include the NVIDIA P106-100 and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, with delta percentages of -0.3%. This is a significant performance gap, indicating that the RTX 3080 is in a much higher performance class than these rivals. In CS2, this translates to the RTX 3080 being able to deliver high frame rates even at 4K, something that those rival GPUs would likely struggle to achieve. The data confirms that for this combo, the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K and at Ultra settings across all resolutions.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achieved by this combo in Counter-Strike 2?

A: The maximum average FPS is 505, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution with the highest settings?

A: At 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average FPS of 90, which is the lowest average FPS in the measured data.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the CPU appears to be the limiting factor, as the FPS scales significantly from 313 at High settings to 505 at Low settings, indicating the GPU has spare capacity but the CPU's performance ceiling is reached.

Q: What is the percentile ranking of the CPU and GPU compared to all other parts?

A: The CPU is in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 68th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 334 at Low settings to 161 at Ultra settings, a difference of 173 FPS.

Q: Does the data include minimum FPS measurements for all settings?

A: No, the data only includes minimum FPS values for Medium settings at each resolution: 357 at 1080p, 236 at 1440p, and 132 at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is ranked 752 out of 2870 tested combos for Counter-Strike 2. This places it in the top 26% of all tested systems, indicating a high-performance pairing. The rank reflects the overall capability of this specific CPU-GPU combination in this game, taking into account the measured FPS results across all resolutions and settings.

Given the CPU's 83rd percentile ranking and the GPU's 68th percentile ranking, the combo's overall rank of 752 suggests that the system is well-balanced for this title, though not at the very top tier. The data shows that the combination is capable of producing frame rates that are well above the requirements for competitive play, even at 4K resolution. The rank is a composite measure, and the actual performance varies significantly with settings, as shown in the measured FPS breakdown.

The fact that this combo ranks in the 752nd position out of 2870 indicates that many other combinations are capable of higher performance, likely those with newer or more powerful GPUs like the RTX 40-series or higher-end CPUs. However, for the specific hardware in question, the performance is robust. The rank of 752 reflects the RTX 3080's still-relevant performance, even though it is an end-of-life product, and the Ryzen 5 7400F's strong single-threaded capabilities, which are crucial for CS2. The data suggests that this combo is a viable option for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p, with acceptable performance at 4K for less demanding settings.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For competitive play at 1080p, the Low settings preset, which yields an average FPS of 505, is the best choice for maximizing frame rate and minimizing input latency. While the Medium preset at 420 FPS is also excellent, the Low preset provides a significant margin of performance that could be beneficial in high-intensity action. The data shows that the jump from Low to Medium costs 85 FPS on average, which might not be worth the visual improvement for players who prioritize responsiveness.

At 1440p, the Low settings preset again provides the highest average FPS at 334, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset at 278 FPS is still exceptionally high and may offer a better visual experience without a substantial performance hit. For players with 144 Hz monitors, even the High preset at 207 FPS is more than sufficient, providing a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 161 FPS, which is still playable but may not be optimal for the most demanding players.

At 4K resolution, the recommendations change. The Low preset at 187 FPS is the only settings level that provides a frame rate high enough for most high-refresh-rate displays. The Medium preset at 155 FPS is also a good option, offering a balance between visuals and performance. The High preset at 116 FPS is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced competitive play, and the Ultra preset at 90 FPS is only suitable for players who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate. For the best overall experience at 4K, the Low or Medium presets are recommended, as they maintain average FPS above 150, which is a common target for smoother gameplay.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the combo's performance across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings produce an average of 505 FPS; Medium settings produce an average of 420 FPS, with a minimum of 357 FPS and a maximum of 482 FPS; High settings produce an average of 313 FPS; and Ultra settings produce an average of 243 FPS. This shows a clear downward trend as settings increase.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down accordingly. Low settings yield an average of 334 FPS. Medium settings yield an average of 278 FPS, with a minimum of 236 FPS and a maximum of 319 FPS. High settings yield an average of 207 FPS, and Ultra settings yield an average of 161 FPS. The difference between the Low and Ultra presets at this resolution is 173 FPS, indicating a substantial performance cost for higher visual quality.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates drop further. Low settings produce an average of 187 FPS. Medium settings produce an average of 155 FPS, with a minimum of 132 FPS and a maximum of 178 FPS. High settings produce an average of 116 FPS, and Ultra settings produce an average of 90 FPS. The data shows that at 4K, the combo struggles to maintain high frame rates at Ultra settings, with the average FPS falling below 100. This breakdown highlights the significant impact of resolution and settings on the overall performance, with the RTX 3080's capabilities being stretched at higher loads.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

Analyzing the resolution scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals which component is the bottleneck at different settings. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 505 at 1080p to 334 at 1440p, and then to 187 at 4K. This is a reduction of 34% from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 44% from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is not linear, and the significant drop at 4K indicates that the GPU is becoming the limiting factor, as the CPU is likely able to maintain high frame generation rates.

At High settings, the FPS drops from 313 at 1080p to 207 at 1440p, and then to 116 at 4K. The drop from 1440p to 4K is a 56% reduction, which is larger than the drop from 1080p to 1440p. This pattern suggests that as the resolution increases, the GPU's workload grows exponentially, and the RTX 3080's performance is the primary constraint. The CPU's role is less significant at these higher resolutions, as the frame rates are lower and the CPU has more time to process each frame.

The data confirms that in this combo, the CPU is the limiting factor at 1080p, especially at lower settings, where the frame rates are extremely high. However, as the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the bottleneck. This is evident from the fact that the FPS at 4K with Low settings (187) is lower than the FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings (243). The GPU's 10 GB of VRAM and 760.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth are being utilized more heavily at higher resolutions, and the card's compute capability (29.77 TFLOPS) is not sufficient to maintain the same frame rates as the CPU can generate at lower resolutions. Therefore, for players aiming for the highest FPS, lower resolutions are recommended, while at 4K, a GPU upgrade would be the next step to improve performance.