Counter-Strike 2

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a six-core, six-thread processor from the Coffee Lake family, running at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. For a modern FPS like Counter-Strike 2, the data shows that this CPU’s single-core performance is the defining factor. In the Cinebench R23 test, it scores 1125 in single-core, which places it in a modest position among all processors. This score is critical because Counter-Strike 2’s engine heavily favors strong per-core throughput, and the processor’s 9 MB of shared L3 cache helps feed the game’s frequent, short-lived data requests. The benchmark data reveals a clear pattern: at lower resolutions and settings, the frame rate scales in a way that suggests the CPU is the primary constraint, while at higher resolutions, the load shifts to the GPU.

The i5-9400’s score of 7969 in Cinebench R23 multi-core reflects its six physical threads without Hyper-Threading. This limits its ability to handle background tasks while gaming, but the game itself rarely uses all threads efficiently. The data shows that the CPU’s average benchmark score of 2305 sits nearly identical to rivals like the Intel Core i3-10305 (2300) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2299), with a delta of only 0.2% against both. This indicates that, for this game, the i5-9400 provides a baseline level of performance that is neither a bottleneck nor a standout advantage. The question is whether the CPU’s older architecture can keep up with the RTX 3080 Ti’s immense speed, and the measured FPS suggests it does, but only up to a point.

The processor’s 65W TDP and lack of an unlocked multiplier mean it runs within a fixed power envelope, which is fine for sustained gaming sessions. Its PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane interface is sufficient for the GPU, though it lacks the bandwidth of newer standards. In the context of this benchmark, the i5-9400 appears to be a stable but unremarkable partner for the RTX 3080 Ti. The data does not show it as a weak link; rather, it seems to deliver consistent frame times that allow the GPU to stretch its legs, but the scaling from 1080p to 4K will reveal where the real ceiling lies.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is a powerhouse from the Ampere generation, built on the GA102 chip with 10,240 shading units and 80 ray-tracing cores. Its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory is paired with a 384-bit bus, delivering a massive 912.4 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory subsystem is crucial for Counter-Strike 2 at high resolutions, as the game’s textures and draw calls can quickly consume VRAM. The GPU’s boost clock of 1665 MHz and base clock of 1365 MHz are modest for a card of this size, but the sheer number of cores compensates, offering 34.10 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. This raw compute power is what drives the high frame rates seen in the measured data.

The RTX 3080 Ti’s percentile rank of 83 among all GPUs places it in the upper echelon, and its average benchmark score of 41224 is nearly identical to the RTX 3090, which scores 41441 with a delta of -0.5%. This proximity in score suggests that the 3080 Ti is not just a capable card but one that trades blows with the top-tier 3090 in synthetic tests. For Counter-Strike 2, this means the GPU is rarely the limiting factor until very high settings and 4K resolution. The data shows the card’s 186.5 GPixel/s pixel rate and 532.8 GTexel/s texture rate are more than sufficient to handle the game’s relatively simple geometry, but the real test is how it manages the CPU’s output.

The GPU’s 350W TDP is substantial, and its dual-slot design with a 12-pin power connector requires a robust power supply, but that is not a factor in the benchmark results. The card’s 12 GB of VRAM is a key asset, as it prevents any memory-related stutters in this title. The measured FPS at 1080p Low shows 415.4 FPS, which is incredibly high, indicating that the GPU is not being pushed to its limits. Instead, the CPU is likely the bottleneck at that point. As resolution increases, the GPU’s workload grows, and the data will show a transition in which component is driving the performance.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend: as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops significantly, but the pattern differs by settings. At Low settings, the 1080p score is 415.4 FPS, which falls to 349.5 FPS at 1440p (a drop of 65.9 FPS) and then to 194.5 FPS at 4K (another drop of 155 FPS). This steep decline at 4K indicates that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck at lower settings, as the CPU can still feed frames quickly, but the GPU’s rendering workload becomes immense. The 4K Low score of 194.5 FPS is still high, but it is less than half of the 1080p score, showing that the RTX 3080 Ti is being taxed heavily.

At High settings, the scaling is more linear. The 1080p score is 329.9 FPS, dropping to 216.6 FPS at 1440p (a 113.3 FPS decrease) and then to 119.5 FPS at 4K (a 97.1 FPS decrease). This pattern suggests that at High settings, both the CPU and GPU are contributing to the frame rate, with neither fully dominating. The Ultra settings tell a different story: 1080p yields 254.5 FPS, 1440p drops to 169.6 FPS, and 4K falls to 93.9 FPS. The 4K Ultra score is below 100 FPS, which is a significant threshold for competitive play, and it clearly demonstrates that the GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution and preset.

The data implies that at 1080p, the i5-9400 is holding back the RTX 3080 Ti, as the frame rates are incredibly high but not scaling perfectly with the GPU’s theoretical power. At 1440p, the balance shifts towards the GPU, and at 4K, the GPU is fully saturated. This is a classic sign of a CPU bottleneck at lower resolutions, where the processor cannot issue draw calls fast enough to keep the GPU busy. The question remains whether the i5-9400’s 4.10 GHz boost clock is enough to sustain high FPS in this esports title, and the data suggests it is, but only with a significant drop-off as resolution and settings increase.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU’s single-core performance relative to its rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 scores 1125 in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its average benchmark score of 2305 is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i3-10305 and 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i3-1125G4, but 0.6% lower than the Intel Core i7-8809G.

Q: How does the GPU’s performance compare to its nearest rival?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti has an average benchmark score of 41224, which is 0.5% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090’s score of 41441. It also trails the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 by 0.9% and the RTX 5070 by 1.1%.

Q: What is the best measured FPS at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS at 1920x1080 is 415.4, achieved with Low settings. Medium settings yield 389.3 FPS, High settings yield 329.9 FPS, and Ultra settings yield 254.5 FPS.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the bottleneck at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 93.9, which is a substantial decrease from the 1080p Ultra score of 254.5. This indicates the GPU is the limiting component at this resolution and preset.

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

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 349.5 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 169.6 FPS. This is a difference of 179.9 FPS, showing that the graphics preset has a massive impact on performance at this resolution.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations?

A: This specific CPU and GPU combination ranks 501 out of 1632 tested combos in Counter-Strike 2. This places it in the upper third of all combinations, indicating strong overall performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 501 out of 1632 tested combinations in Counter-Strike 2. This rank places it in the top 30% of all combos, which is a solid result given the CPU’s age. The i5-9400’s average benchmark score of 2305 is a clear indicator of its mid-range standing, but the RTX 3080 Ti’s percentile of 83 among GPUs helps boost the overall ranking. The data suggests that this pairing is not optimized for maximum performance, as the CPU is likely holding back the GPU in many scenarios.

The rank of 501 is notable because it shows that many combinations with newer CPUs can outperform this setup, even if they have weaker GPUs. For example, a combo with a faster six-core processor would likely rank higher, as Counter-Strike 2 is sensitive to single-threaded speed. However, the RTX 3080 Ti’s raw power ensures that this combo is still competitive, especially at higher resolutions where the GPU dominates. The benchmark data implies that the CPU is the weak link in this pairing, and upgrading it would yield significant gains in frame rates at 1080p and 1440p.

Looking at the measured FPS, the combo’s rank is justified by the consistent high frame rates, but it also highlights the diminishing returns of the GPU when paired with an older CPU. The rank of 501 suggests that users with this setup are getting good performance, but not the best possible. The data indicates that the i5-9400’s lack of additional threads and lower single-core score compared to newer parts is a handicap that the RTX 3080 Ti cannot fully overcome.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the measured average FPS varies significantly by settings. Low settings produce 415.4 FPS, Medium settings produce 389.3 FPS, High settings produce 329.9 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 254.5 FPS. These numbers show that the CPU is capable of driving very high frame rates, but the settings have a substantial impact on the GPU’s workload. The difference between Low and Ultra is 160.9 FPS, which is a 38.7% reduction, indicating that the GPU’s rendering load scales heavily with settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the scores are 349.5 FPS at Low, 291.2 FPS at Medium, 216.6 FPS at High, and 169.6 FPS at Ultra. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is notable, with Low settings losing 65.9 FPS and Ultra settings losing 84.9 FPS. This suggests that the GPU is becoming more involved in the rendering process, and the CPU’s bottleneck is less severe. The 1440p Low score of 349.5 FPS is still very high, but it is clear that the resolution increase is taxing the GPU.

At 3840x2160, the scores are 194.5 FPS at Low, 159.4 FPS at Medium, 119.5 FPS at High, and 93.9 FPS at Ultra. The 4K Low score is less than half of the 1080p Low score, demonstrating the GPU’s immense workload at this resolution. The Ultra 4K score of 93.9 FPS is the lowest measured, and it falls below the 100 FPS mark that many players consider the minimum for competitive play. This breakdown clearly shows that the RTX 3080 Ti is the dominant component at 4K, while the CPU’s influence wanes.

Settings Recommendations

For players seeking the highest possible frame rates, the Low preset at 1920x1080 offers the best measured result at 415.4 FPS. This is ideal for competitive play where responsiveness is paramount, and the data shows that this setting maximizes the CPU’s potential. However, the visual quality is reduced, but for an esports title like Counter-Strike 2, the trade-off is often worth it. The Medium preset at 1080p also performs well at 389.3 FPS, providing a slight visual improvement without a major FPS penalty.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields 349.5 FPS, which is still exceptionally high and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset at 291.2 FPS is also a viable option, as it offers better visuals while maintaining a frame rate above 280 FPS. For those who prefer higher fidelity, the High preset at 216.6 FPS is a balanced choice, providing good visuals without dropping below 200 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p, with 169.6 FPS, is less recommended for competitive play, as the visual gains are marginal compared to the FPS loss.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset produces 194.5 FPS, which is the only setting that keeps the frame rate above 150 FPS. Medium at 159.4 FPS and High at 119.5 FPS are playable, but they sacrifice the smoothness that competitive players need. The Ultra preset at 93.9 FPS is the least desirable, as it falls below the 100 FPS threshold. The data suggests that for 4K, players should stick to Low or Medium settings to maintain a playable frame rate, while at 1080p and 1440p, higher presets are more forgiving. Overall, the best experience is achieved by prioritizing frame rate over visual fidelity, given the CPU’s limitations.