Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 is a title where frame rate is king, and the data for the Intel Core i5-12400 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination shows a system that is ruthlessly efficient at delivering it. Across the measured resolutions, the scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a predictable shift in bottleneck, moving from a CPU-bound scenario at lower resolutions to a GPU-bound one at the top end. The absolute numbers are high across the board, but the rate of decline tells the real story about where the hardware's headroom lies.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 shows a significant, yet expected, performance hit. At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 353.9 FPS to 233.2 FPS, a reduction of roughly a third. This is a considerable drop, but the resulting 233.2 FPS is still far beyond what any standard display can refresh, indicating that the system is not struggling. The gap between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p is 375 FPS versus 180.8 FPS, which demonstrates that the GPU is beginning to feel the load of higher quality presets, though it remains exceptionally capable.

Moving from 1440p to 3840x2160 (4K) introduces the most dramatic scaling. At High settings, the frame rate falls from 233.2 FPS to 129.1 FPS. This 104 FPS plunge is steep, but it lands the system in a range that is still perfectly playable for competitive and high-refresh-rate gaming. The data suggests that at 1080p and 1440p, the Intel Core i5-12400 is likely the limiting factor, as the frame rates are so high that the CPU's thread scheduling and draw-call processing become the ceiling. At 4K, the load shifts decisively to the GPU, where the RTX 5070's rendering workload becomes the primary constraint, resulting in the lower, but still robust, frame rates.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all setting presets. For instance, Low settings see a drop from 568.1 FPS at 1080p to 208.5 FPS at 4K, while Ultra settings drop from 274 FPS to 100.5 FPS. The consistent delta between resolutions suggests a well-balanced system, but the 100.5 FPS at 4K Ultra is the only measured point that dips into triple-digit territory, signaling the practical limit of this combo at the highest visual fidelity. The data indicates that for maximum refresh rates, 1080p is the playground, while 4K is for high-fidelity gaming with a comfortable margin above 100 FPS on High settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the workhorse for this pairing, and its specifications explain the performance envelope observed. With 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, it delivers a bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is more than sufficient for Counter-Strike 2's texture and geometry data at 4K, as evidenced by the playable frame rates at that resolution. The boost clock of 2512 MHz and the base clock of 2325 MHz provide the raw throughput needed to push the high pixel rates, and the data shows the GPU is not starved for data at any of the tested settings.

The GPU's benchmark profile places it in the 83rd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41687. Its nearest rivals in the database include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, with a deltaPct of 0.6, meaning the RTX 5070 scores 0.6% higher on average. This is a crucial context point: despite being a newer generation, its raw compute performance is on par with a previous flagship, yet it achieves this with a more modern architecture. The 30.87 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is the theoretical peak, and the measured FPS in CS2 shows this power is being translated effectively into real-world frames.

The role of the GPU becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 568.1 FPS, a number so high that it is almost certainly CPU-limited, as the GPU is waiting on the processor to feed it draw calls. However, at 4K Ultra, the GPU's workload becomes the bottleneck, capping the system at 100.5 FPS. This illustrates that while the RTX 5070 is incredibly powerful, it is not infinite, and the Ultra preset at 4K is the point where its capabilities are fully taxed. The VRAM capacity of 12 GB is not a limiting factor in this title, as no anomalies or frame drops suggest memory swapping.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achieved by this CPU and GPU combo in Counter-Strike 2?

A: The highest measured average is 568.1 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Can this system run Counter-Strike 2 at 4K with a high refresh rate?

A: Yes. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the system averages 129.1 FPS, which is suitable for 120Hz displays. With Low settings, it reaches 208.5 FPS, which can drive a 200Hz+ monitor.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 compare to the RTX 3090 in average benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 5070 has an average benchmark score of 41687, which is 0.6% higher than the RTX 3090's score, indicating comparable raw performance in synthetic tests.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers 375 FPS, while the Ultra preset delivers 180.8 FPS. This is a difference of 194.2 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: The data strongly suggests the CPU is the primary limiter at 1080p. The frame rates are exceptionally high (e.g., 568.1 FPS on Low), where the GPU has ample headroom and is likely waiting on the Intel Core i5-12400 to process game logic and issue render commands.

Q: What is the lowest average frame rate recorded in the measured data?

A: The lowest average is 100.5 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete set of measured average frame rates provides a clear picture of the system's scaling.

At 1920x1080, the system is clearly in its element. The Low preset averages 568.1 FPS. The Medium preset sees a drop to 474.1 FPS. High settings average 353.9 FPS, and the Ultra preset brings the frame rate down to 274 FPS. Even at the most demanding 1080p preset, the system maintains a frame rate far above what most high-refresh-rate monitors can display.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain exceptionally high. The Low preset averages 375 FPS, a massive number for a 1440p resolution. The Medium preset averages 310.7 FPS. High settings produce 233.2 FPS, and Ultra settings average 180.8 FPS. The scaling is linear, with each preset step costing a consistent amount of performance.

At 3840x2160, the system's true limits begin to show. The Low preset still manages an impressive 208.5 FPS. Medium settings drop to 177.3 FPS, and High settings average 129.1 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, producing an average of 100.5 FPS. This is the only resolution/preset combination that dips below the 100 FPS threshold, but it does so by a very slim margin.

The data confirms a consistent hierarchy: Low > Medium > High > Ultra across all three resolutions. The performance headroom is vast at 1080p and 1440p, making the system ideal for competitive play at those resolutions. At 4K, the system transitions to a high-fidelity experience, still delivering frame rates that are well above the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data points to distinct optimal configurations depending on the user's display and priorities.

For users with a 1080p high-refresh-rate monitor (240Hz or higher), the High preset is the best general recommendation. At 353.9 FPS, it provides a massive frame rate that will easily saturate any 360Hz or lower display, while still offering improved visual fidelity over the Medium and Low presets. The Ultra preset at 274 FPS is also viable, but the performance difference between High and Ultra is not worth the 80 FPS loss for most competitive users.

For 1440p displays, the High preset at 233.2 FPS is the sweet spot. It offers a perfect balance of visual quality and performance, ensuring the system is never the bottleneck in a game. The Medium preset at 310.7 FPS is the choice for esports purists who want to maximize frame rate on a 300Hz+ monitor, while the Ultra preset at 180.8 FPS is still excellent for users with a 165Hz or 180Hz display who prefer maximum detail.

For 4K gaming, the High preset is the clear winner. At 129.1 FPS, it provides a fluid, high-fidelity experience that is smooth on 120Hz displays. The Medium preset at 177.3 FPS offers an even faster experience, ideal for 144Hz monitors, but the visual jump from Medium to High is significant. The Ultra preset is playable at 100.5 FPS, but the performance cost relative to High is steep, and High offers a better balance for a competitive FPS title. The Low preset at 4K is not recommended, as the visual downgrade is severe and the frame rate benefit is not needed when High already exceeds 120 FPS.