Don't Starve Together

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 delivers a performance profile in Don't Starve Together that is heavily dictated by resolution and graphics settings. The measured data reveals a system capable of high refresh rates at 1080p, but one where the GPU becomes the primary constraint as resolution climbs to 4K. This combination ranks 956th out of 1667 tested combos in this title, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database, which is consistent with a mid-range CPU and GPU pairing that prioritizes mainstream gaming over extreme frame rates.

Resolution Scaling

The scaling pattern from 1080p to 4K clearly illustrates the shift in bottleneck from the CPU to the GPU. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces 226.5 FPS, which drops to 160.7 FPS at 1440p and further to 93.3 FPS at 4K. This represents a 58.8% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K at Low settings, indicating that the CPU is not the limiting factor at lower resolutions and the GPU is still capable of maintaining high output. The frame rate drop from 1440p to 4K is 41.9%, which is a steeper decline than the 29.0% drop from 1080p to 1440p, showing that the GPU begins to struggle more as pixel count increases.

At High settings, the scaling is more pronounced. The 1080p result of 134.2 FPS falls to 90.6 FPS at 1440p and then to 55.2 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is 32.5%, and from 1440p to 4K it is 39.1%. This pattern suggests that at higher settings, the GPU workload increases disproportionately, making the RTX 4060 the clear bottleneck. The data indicates that the 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus width of the GPU are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K Ultra preset, which yields only 44.5 FPS, pushes the hardware to its limits.

The difference between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution highlights the impact of graphical fidelity. At 1080p, the gap between Low (226.5 FPS) and Ultra (104.4 FPS) is 122.1 FPS, representing a 53.9% reduction. At 4K, the same comparison shows a drop from 93.3 FPS to 44.5 FPS, a 52.3% reduction. This consistency suggests that the settings scaling is uniform across resolutions, but the absolute frame rates at 4K fall below the 60 FPS threshold, making the game feel less fluid at that resolution. The data demonstrates that the CPU, with its 10 cores and 16 threads, provides ample headroom for this title, as the frame rate differences between settings are primarily driven by GPU load.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 226.5 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Can this combo maintain 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but only with Low settings, which produces 93.3 FPS. At Medium settings, the average drops to 62.8 FPS, while High and Ultra settings yield 55.2 FPS and 44.5 FPS, respectively, both below the 60 FPS mark.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25236, which is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-13620H and 0.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340. It is 0.5% lower than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D.

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile relative to all GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks in the 66th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23181.

Q: What is the difference in frame rates between 1080p and 1440p at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 134.2 FPS at 1920x1080 to 90.6 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 43.6 FPS.

Q: What is the combo's rank within this specific game?

A: This combination of CPU and GPU ranks 956th out of 1667 tested combos for Don't Starve Together.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 956 out of 1667 tested combinations places this hardware pairing in the 57th percentile for Don't Starve Together. This indicates that while the system is not among the top performers, it outperforms a majority of other tested configurations. The CPU's benchmark performance is competitive with its nearest rivals, showing a delta of only 0.1% compared to the Intel Core i7-13620H and 0.5% compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D. The GPU, similarly, is within 0.7% of the Intel Arc B580 and 0.8% of the AMD Radeon 760M in average benchmark scores, though it trails the AMD Radeon RX 6600M by 0.6%.

This ranking is consistent with the measured frame rates, which show strong performance at 1080p but diminishing returns at higher resolutions. The system's position in the lower half of the ranking suggests that many other combos, likely featuring higher-end GPUs, can achieve better 4K performance. However, the data shows that for 1080p gaming, this combo is well-suited, as it consistently delivers over 100 FPS across all settings except Ultra, which still manages 104.4 FPS. The rank reflects a balanced mid-range setup that prioritizes smooth 1080p gameplay over 4K capability.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest performance. Low settings produce 226.5 FPS, which is the highest measured result across all configurations. Medium settings reduce the average to 157.4 FPS, while High settings yield 134.2 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, still manages a playable 104.4 FPS. These results indicate that the CPU and GPU combination is well-balanced for 1080p, with the GPU able to handle the workload efficiently.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop but remain highly playable. Low settings achieve 160.7 FPS, which is still above the refresh rate of most high-refresh monitors. Medium settings produce 112.9 FPS, and High settings deliver 90.6 FPS. Ultra settings at 1440p yield 77 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold but may require a variable refresh rate display for optimal smoothness.

At 3840x2160, performance becomes more constrained. Low settings produce 93.3 FPS, which is playable but below the 100 FPS mark. Medium settings drop to 62.8 FPS, while High settings yield 55.2 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS standard. Ultra settings at 4K produce only 44.5 FPS, indicating that this resolution is not ideal for the RTX 4060 with this game. The data shows a clear progression: 1080p is excellent, 1440p is good, and 4K is only viable at lower settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this combo is achieved at 1920x1080 with High settings. This configuration produces 134.2 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS standard and provides a smooth, responsive experience. The jump from Medium to High at 1080p costs only 23.2 FPS (from 157.4 to 134.2), while the visual improvement is significant. Ultra settings at 1080p, while still playable at 104.4 FPS, offer diminishing returns for the additional performance cost.

For users with 1440p monitors, High settings at 90.6 FPS is the recommended balance. This provides a high frame rate that exceeds most standard 60 Hz displays and remains smooth on 144 Hz panels. The drop from High to Ultra at 1440p is 13.6 FPS, which may not justify the visual upgrade for all users. At 4K resolution, Low settings at 93.3 FPS is the only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience, as Medium settings at 62.8 FPS is borderline, and High or Ultra fall below 60 FPS. The data suggests that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, with the latter requiring a trade-off between visual fidelity and frame rate.