Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver, an adventure title released on 2023-06-27, presents a unique workload that is far less demanding than contemporary AAA shooters. The pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700K with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 demonstrates how a mid-range modern GPU can dominate a stylized 2D/3D hybrid title. The benchmark data shows a configuration that is heavily GPU-limited at higher resolutions but transitions to a CPU-bound state at 1080p, revealing a nuanced performance profile where the 12-core processor and the Blackwell-architecture GPU each take turns leading the frame rate.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a predictable yet distinct pattern of resolution scaling. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the combo produces an average of 136 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 Ultra drops the average to 102 FPS, a 25% reduction in frame rate. The jump to 3840x2160 Ultra yields a further decline to 68 FPS, which is another 33% reduction from the 1440p figure. This scaling behavior indicates that the RTX 5050 is the primary constraint at 4K, as the pixel throughput demand outpaces the GPU's 320.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 compute.

Analyzing the Low preset scaling tells a different story about the system's limits. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 206. When resolution increases to 1440p Low, the average only drops to 155 FPS, a 24.8% decrease. At 2160p Low, the average is 104 FPS, which is a 32.9% drop from 1440p. The 1080p Low result of 206 FPS is particularly telling; it represents a ceiling where the CPU’s single-thread performance begins to matter more. The Intel Core i7-12700K has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz and scores 1043 in 3dmark_single_thread, which allows it to feed frames quickly, but the 206 FPS result suggests that the game engine’s draw call overhead or physics calculations are starting to limit the maximum frame rate.

The gap between settings presets widens as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference between Low (206 FPS) and Ultra (136 FPS) is 70 FPS. At 1440p, that gap shrinks to 53 FPS (155 vs 102). At 2160p, the gap narrows further to 36 FPS (104 vs 68). This compression of frame rates at higher resolutions strongly indicates that the GPU is the limiting component. The RTX 5050’s 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus is likely saturated at 4K, causing the GPU to become the bottleneck regardless of the graphical complexity of the scene. The data shows a classic GPU-bound scaling curve where the CPU has ample headroom to spare at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame field places this specific configuration at rank 1725 out of 2867 tested combos. This percentile position, roughly in the 60th percentile, is surprising given the high frame rates measured. The rank indicates that while this pair performs admirably in absolute terms, many other combinations of CPUs and GPUs produce higher averages in Dave The Diver. The ranking suggests that the game is not particularly demanding on high-end hardware, allowing even older or less powerful components to achieve high frame rates, which compresses the performance distribution.

The Intel Core i7-12700K itself holds a percentileVsAllCpus of 84, meaning it outperforms 84% of all CPUs in the benchmark database. Its avgBenchmarkScore is 35287, placing it just 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-13600T and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i7-12700KF. The GPU, the RTX 5050, holds a percentileVsAllGpus of 66, with an avgBenchmarkScore of 21035. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, is 1.6% faster in aggregate benchmarks, while the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL is 0.6% slower. These component-level percentiles suggest that the CPU is relatively stronger than the GPU in the broader hardware landscape.

However, the game-specific rank of 1725 indicates that this relative strength does not translate to a top-tier position in Dave The Diver. The data implies that the game is highly sensitive to GPU performance, and the RTX 5050’s mid-range positioning (66th percentile) holds the combo back from ranking higher. The high CPU percentile of 84 does not compensate for the GPU’s lower standing, as the game is not particularly CPU-intensive. This ranking suggests that users with a stronger GPU and weaker CPU would likely achieve a better rank in this specific title.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process node. Its base clock is 3.60 GHz, boosting up to 5.00 GHz. The processor features a hybrid design with performance and efficiency cores, though the specific core layout is not detailed in the data. The cache structure includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache. This cache configuration is substantial and helps with game logic and asset streaming.

In Dave The Diver, the CPU’s role appears to be secondary but not negligible. The 1080p Low preset result of 206 FPS is the only measured data point that approaches a CPU limit. The game’s adventure genre typically involves complex simulation of marine life and interactive environments, which can utilize multiple threads. The CPU’s 3dmark_16_threads score of 9276 and 3dmark_max_threads score of 9979 indicate strong multi-threaded performance. The cinebench_r23_multicore score of 19784 further confirms its capability to handle parallel workloads.

The single-thread performance is where the i7-12700K excels, with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043 and a passmark_single_thread score of 4013. This is crucial for maintaining high frame rates in scenarios where the game’s main thread is the bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU can sustain frame rates above 200 FPS on Low settings, which is a direct result of the 5.00 GHz boost clock and efficient architecture. However, the fact that the 1080p Ultra setting yields 136 FPS (a 34% drop from Low) suggests that the GPU is still the primary limiter even at the lowest resolution, as the CPU is capable of higher output than what the GPU can render with Ultra effects enabled.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. Starting at 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 206 FPS. The Medium preset averages 172 FPS, with a minimum of 146 and maximum of 198. The High preset averages 154 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 136 FPS. This 1080p data shows a consistent scaling pattern, with each higher preset reducing the frame rate by a meaningful margin.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops are noticeable. The Low preset averages 155 FPS, which is a 24.8% decrease from the 1080p Low result. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 129 FPS, with a minimum of 110 and maximum of 149. The High preset averages 116 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 102 FPS. The 1440p data reveals that the GPU is beginning to become the bottleneck, as the frame rate drops are more pronounced than what would be expected from pure CPU limitations.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor. The Low preset averages 104 FPS, which is a 32.9% decrease from 1440p Low. The Medium preset at 4K averages 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 and maximum of 100. The High preset averages 77 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 68 FPS. The 4K data shows that even the Low preset cannot maintain the high frame rates seen at lower resolutions, confirming that the RTX 5050’s 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory interface are insufficient for 4K rendering at high refresh rates.

The Medium presets are the only settings with min/max FPS data available. At 1080p Medium, the frame time variance is 52 FPS (146 to 198). At 1440p Medium, the variance is 39 FPS (110 to 149). At 2160p Medium, the variance is 26 FPS (74 to 100). This decreasing variance at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is working consistently at its limit, reducing the frame time spikes that occur when the CPU has to process complex scenes.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the core of this system’s graphics performance. Based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and built on TSMC’s 5 nm process, this GPU features 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. It has 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores, which support the DirectX 12 Ultimate API. The GPU’s boost clock is 2572 MHz, with a base clock of 2317 MHz. The memory subsystem consists of 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, providing 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

The GPU’s benchmark scores indicate its mid-range positioning. Its passmark_g3d score is 17326, which is its most representative gaming metric. The 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 2502 shows its DirectX 12 performance. The geekbench_opencl score of 90334 and geekbench_vulkan score of 89381 demonstrate solid compute capabilities. The GPU’s percentileVsAllGpus of 66 means it outperforms 66% of all GPUs in the database.

In Dave The Diver, the GPU’s role is dominant at 4K and significant at 1440p. The 4K Ultra result of 68 FPS is 50% lower than the 1080p Ultra result of 136 FPS, showing that the GPU’s pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints. The GPU’s 82.30 GPixel/s pixel rate and 205.8 GTexel/s texture rate are sufficient for the game’s stylized graphics at lower resolutions but are stretched at 4K. The 8 GB VRAM is likely adequate for this game, as the texture sizes in an adventure title are typically not as demanding as those in AAA shooters.

The RTX 5050’s predecessor is the GeForce 40 series, and its successor is the GeForce 60 series. The fact that it is a current-generation product with a 66th percentile ranking suggests that it is positioned as an entry-level to mid-range option. In Dave The Diver, this GPU delivers playable frame rates at 4K (68 FPS on Ultra) and exceptional performance at 1080p (136 FPS on Ultra), making it a capable choice for this specific title.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS measured for this combo in Dave The Diver?

A: The highest average FPS is 206, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Dave The Diver?

A: Yes, the data shows it can. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 68. At High settings, the average is 77 FPS. The Low preset at 4K yields 104 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance impact the game?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has a 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043 and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This allows the CPU to maintain high frame rates at 1080p, as evidenced by the 206 FPS result on Low settings, which is likely near the CPU's maximum output in this game.

Q: What is the frame rate variance at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 129, with a minimum of 110 and a maximum of 149, resulting in a variance of 39 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 5050's 8 GB VRAM affect performance at 4K?

A: The 8 GB VRAM is likely sufficient for Dave The Diver, but the 128-bit memory bus and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are the limiting factors at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of 68 FPS indicates that the GPU is heavily constrained by memory bandwidth at this resolution.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested configurations?

A: The comboRankInGame is 1725 out of 2867 total combos. This places it in the 60th percentile, indicating that while it performs well, many other configurations achieve higher frame rates in this game.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimal settings based on the user's display resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p displays, all settings presets offer playable frame rates. The High preset at 154 FPS is the recommended choice for most users, as it provides a balanced visual quality with ample headroom above 144 Hz. The Ultra preset at 136 FPS is also viable for 144 Hz displays, but frame rates may dip below the refresh rate during intense scenes. The Low preset at 206 FPS is excessive for standard 60 Hz displays and only recommended for competitive play where frame rate is the absolute priority.

For 1440p displays, the Medium preset is the sweet spot. It averages 129 FPS, which is smooth for 120 Hz displays, and the minimum of 110 FPS ensures minimal stuttering. The High preset at 116 FPS is also usable for 120 Hz displays, but the Ultra preset at 102 FPS may result in occasional dips below 100 FPS, which can be noticeable. The Low preset at 155 FPS is recommended for users with 144 Hz displays who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity.

For 4K displays, the data suggests that the Ultra preset is not recommended, as the 68 FPS average is below the 72 FPS threshold for 4K 72 Hz displays. The High preset at 77 FPS is the best choice for 4K displays, providing a smooth experience on displays with a 60 Hz refresh rate. The Medium preset at 87 FPS is also viable for 60 Hz displays and offers better visual quality than High. The Low preset at 104 FPS is recommended for users who want to take advantage of 100 Hz 4K monitors, though the visual downgrade may be noticeable.

The best overall experience, balancing visual quality and frame rate, is the High preset at 1440p, which delivers 116 FPS and benefits from the CPU’s strong single-thread performance and the GPU’s efficient rendering. For 4K users, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it provides a playable 77 FPS average without the need for upscaling technology.