Counter-Strike 2

The Intel Core i5-11400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 produces a fascinating dataset in Counter-Strike 2, revealing a system where the GPU is rarely the limiting factor. The measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions and settings tell a clear story about where the bottleneck lies and how the hardware scales with workload. This analysis breaks down the measured results to interpret the performance characteristics of this specific combination.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data from 1080p to 4K shows a classic pattern of a CPU-bound scenario at lower resolutions, with the GPU gradually taking on more responsibility as the pixel count increases. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 596 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low settings drops the average to 446 FPS, a reduction of 150 FPS. When scaling up to 3840x2160 at Low settings, the average FPS falls further to 249. This scaling is not linear; the 4K result is significantly lower than the 1440p result, indicating that the GPU is starting to become more relevant, yet the numbers remain exceptionally high.

The High settings preset offers a more controlled look at scaling. At 1080p High, the average is 418 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 277 FPS, and at 4K High, it reaches 155 FPS. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is roughly 34%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is about 44%. This increasing rate of decline as resolution rises suggests that while the CPU still provides a massive performance headroom, the RTX 4080's workload is becoming more demanding, reducing the overall frame output.

The data points to the CPU being the primary limiter at 1080p and 1440p. The fact that the RTX 4080 can push 596 FPS at 1080p Low reflects the GPU's raw power, but the i5-11400F is the component that sets the ceiling. For instance, the difference between 1080p Low (596 FPS) and 1440p Low (446 FPS) is substantial, but it is not as large as the difference between 1440p Low and 4K Low (249 FPS). This implies that at 1440p, the GPU is still not fully saturated, and the CPU's processing speed for game logic and draw calls is the primary factor. Only at 4K does the GPU's rendering workload begin to catch up, bringing the FPS down to a level where the GPU is more clearly engaged, though still not necessarily the sole bottleneck.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is a high-end card with specifications that are overkill for Counter-Strike 2 in most scenarios. It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The card's boost clock is rated at 2505 MHz, with a base clock of 2205 MHz. These specifications contribute to its high benchmark scores, including a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6567 and a Passmark G3D score of 34457. The GPU's percentile ranking versus all GPUs is 86, placing it in the top tier of available hardware.

In this game, the GPU's role becomes more pronounced at higher resolutions and settings. The jump from Low to Ultra settings at 4K illustrates this. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 249, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 120 FPS. This halving of performance demonstrates that the RTX 4080 is being pushed harder by the increased graphical fidelity. However, even at 4K Ultra, the system maintains an average above 120 FPS, which is well within the bounds of high-refresh-rate gaming.

The VRAM capacity of 16 GB is not a limiting factor in Counter-Strike 2 based on this data. The game is not demanding enough to stress the memory capacity at any of the tested settings. The GDDR6X memory bandwidth is also sufficient, as the performance drops are more attributable to the compute load of higher settings rather than memory limitations. The measured results indicate that the GPU has ample headroom, and its performance is only fully utilized when the resolution and settings are cranked to their maximum.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 418 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 4K Ultra compare to 1440p Ultra?

A: At 3840x2160 Ultra, the average FPS is 120. At 2560x1440 Ultra, the average FPS is 215, which is 95 FPS higher.

Q: Is there a significant difference between Low and Medium settings at 1440p?

A: Yes, there is a notable difference. At 2560x1440 Low, the average FPS is 446, while at 2560x1440 Medium, it drops to 371 FPS. The Medium preset also shows a minimum FPS of 315 and a maximum of 426.

Q: Which component is more likely to be the bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the primary limiter at 1080p. The GPU is capable of very high frame rates, but the Intel Core i5-11400F's processing power appears to cap the output, as evidenced by the extremely high FPS numbers that are still finite.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 120 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: Does the game use more than the CPU's 6 cores effectively?

A: The data does not directly measure core utilization. However, the CPU's multi-threaded benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14340, and its 12 threads suggest it has enough processing throughput to maintain high FPS, but the game's performance scaling points to a dependency on single-thread performance, which is reflected in the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2024.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-11400F and RTX 4080 combination holds the rank of 346 out of 3719 tested combos for Counter-Strike 2. This places it in the top 10% of all configurations in the database. This high ranking is expected, given the raw power of the RTX 4080, but it also reflects the CPU's ability to keep up with the GPU at the frame rates this game demands.

The CPU itself has a percentile ranking of 71 versus all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17177. Its nearest rivals in terms of average score include the AMD EPYC 7H12 with a score of 17120 (a delta of 0.3%) and the Intel Core i5-12450H with a score of 17239 (a delta of -0.4%). This indicates that the i5-11400F's processing power is competitive with a wide range of other chips, but it is not a top-tier performer in synthetic benchmarks.

The GPU, however, is a different story. The RTX 4080 has a percentile ranking of 86 versus all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 54247. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54209, a delta of just 0.1%. This puts the RTX 4080 at the very top of the GPU performance hierarchy. The combination of a mid-range CPU and a top-tier GPU results in a system that ranks highly in this game, but the ranking is buoyed by the GPU's immense capabilities. The rank of 346 out of 3719 suggests that while many other combos are faster, this specific pairing offers a level of performance that places it in the upper echelon of systems tested.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It features 12 MB of shared L3 cache and supports DDR4 memory. Its benchmark scores show a balanced profile: a Geekbench single-core score of 1777 and a multi-core score of 7737. In Cinebench R23, it scores 2024 in single-core and 14340 in multi-core.

In Counter-Strike 2, the CPU's role is pivotal. The game is known for being sensitive to single-thread performance, and the i5-11400F's boost clock of 4.40 GHz is sufficient to drive very high frame rates. The data supports this. At 1080p Low, the system produces 596 FPS, which is a massive number that is often CPU-limited. The CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads are also adequate for the game's multi-threaded tasks, as evidenced by the high average FPS even at higher settings.

Comparing the i5-11400F to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks provides context. Its average benchmark score of 17177 is 0.3% higher than the AMD EPYC 7H12 and 0.4% lower than the Intel Core i5-12450H. These deltas are minuscule, suggesting that in terms of raw computational power, these CPUs are near-identical. However, the i5-11400F's performance in this game is what matters. The measured FPS shows that it does not bottleneck the RTX 4080 to a degree that prevents high refresh-rate gaming, except possibly at the lowest resolution and settings where the CPU's limits are reached.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across all combinations. Starting at 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the system achieves its highest frame rates. At Low settings, the average FPS is 596. At Medium settings, the average drops to 558 FPS, with a minimum of 474 and a maximum of 642. High settings yield an average of 418 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 325 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p is a drop of 271 FPS, showing that the settings have a significant impact even at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains exceptionally high. The Low preset produces an average of 446 FPS. The Medium preset averages 371 FPS, with a minimum of 315 and a maximum of 426. High settings average 277 FPS, and Ultra settings average 215 FPS. The pattern is consistent: each step up in settings reduces the frame rate, but the system remains well above the threshold for smooth competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the highest resolution, the demands on the GPU increase. The Low preset still manages an average of 249 FPS. Medium settings average 207 FPS, with a minimum of 176 and a maximum of 238. High settings average 155 FPS, and Ultra settings average 120 FPS. This is the only resolution where the Ultra preset dips to a level that is closer to the standard 120Hz refresh rate, but it is still a playable and high-performance result.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal settings depend on the user's display refresh rate and preference for competitive advantage. For players with a 1080p 144Hz monitor, the Low preset at 596 FPS is overkill. Even the Ultra preset at 325 FPS provides more than double the necessary frame rate. For maximum visual fidelity without sacrificing performance, the Ultra preset at 1080p is a viable choice, as the high average FPS ensures a very smooth experience.

For 1440p gaming, the data shows that the High preset, averaging 277 FPS, is an excellent balance. It offers a significant visual upgrade over Low (446 FPS) while still providing frame rates that far exceed the capability of most 1440p high-refresh-rate monitors (typically 165Hz or 240Hz). The Ultra preset at 215 FPS is also a strong option if visual quality is the top priority, as it remains well above the 144Hz threshold.

At 4K, the recommendations become more nuanced. The Ultra preset averages 120 FPS, which is exactly the refresh rate of many 4K displays. This makes it a viable option for a cinematic experience or for those with a 120Hz 4K monitor. However, the High preset at 155 FPS offers a better margin of safety for maintaining a stable frame rate above 144Hz. For players who prioritize competitive performance over visuals, the Medium preset at 207 FPS provides a substantial FPS boost while still looking decent. The data suggests that High settings at 4K is the sweet spot for this combo, delivering high visual quality while maintaining an average FPS that is comfortably above 144.