Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is a classic mid-range pairing from the late 2010s, and in Doom (2016), it delivers a robust experience. The data shows that this is a combination capable of high refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and solid 60+ FPS at 1440p, with 4K being the only resolution where compromises are necessary. This analysis relies strictly on measured performance data to break down what this combo achieves in id Software's fast-paced shooter.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Doom?*

A: Based on the measured FPS, 1920x1080 is the strongest resolution, with the Ultra preset averaging 116.9 FPS. The 2560x1440 resolution is also viable, with High settings averaging 88.4 FPS, but it falls short of hitting the 100 FPS mark at higher presets.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Doom?*

A: At 3840x2160, the RTX 2060 SUPER struggles to maintain smooth gameplay. The average FPS at High settings is 52, and at Ultra it drops to 40.4. Low settings push it to 64.3 FPS, but the overall experience is not ideal for a fast-paced title like Doom.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threading performance compare to its rivals?

A: The Ryzen 5 2600 scores 11186 in Cinebench R23 multicore. This places it within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (19508 avg) and 0.7% of the Intel Core i7-10700F (19485 avg). It is slightly behind the Intel Core i5-11600KF, which is 0.6% faster, and the Intel Core i5-1345U, which is 0.4% faster.

*Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth, and how does it affect Doom?*

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has an 8 GB GDDR6 memory pool on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This substantial bandwidth is a major factor in the GPU's ability to handle the high texture loads and fast rendering demands of Doom at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 2600 a bottleneck in this configuration?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not a limiting factor. Its 6-core, 12-thread design with a boost clock of 3.90 GHz is well-suited for the game. The measured FPS scales strongly with GPU load, indicating the GPU is the primary performance driver in most scenarios.

Q: What is the combo's overall standing among tested configurations?

A: This specific combination ranks 1196 out of 1681 tested combos for Doom. This places it in the lower half of the database, but it does not reflect the playable performance it delivers at mainstream resolutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the centerpiece of this build's gaming performance. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a 448.0 GB/s bandwidth, which is crucial for feeding the game's high-resolution textures. The GPU's boost clock of 1650 MHz and 2176 shading units allow it to process the fast-moving geometry in Doom effectively. It is based on the Turing architecture with 34 RT cores and 272 Tensor cores, which are features that do not directly impact this Vulkan-based title.

The GPU's performance is the deciding factor in the measured results. At 1920x1080, the RTX 2060 SUPER delivers a 195.1 FPS average on Low settings, showing a significant headroom for high refresh rate monitors. As resolution increases, the GPU load rises, and the FPS drops accordingly. The data shows a clear pattern: the GPU is the limiting component when pushing to 4K, where the Ultra preset only manages 40.4 FPS.

In comparison to its nearest rivals, the RTX 2060 SUPER is the baseline for performance. It scores 19774 in the average benchmark, which is 0.3% slower than the GeForce GTX TITAN (19706) and 0.5% slower than the RTX 2070 (19680). This indicates that the GPU is positioned just below the next tier up, which aligns with its measured performance in Doom. The GPU's 63rd percentile ranking among all GPUs further confirms its mid-to-high-end status during its release period.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 provides the processing foundation for this combo. It is a 6-core, 12-thread processor with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. This configuration is more than sufficient for Doom's engine, which is known for its efficient multi-threading. The CPU's 16 MB of shared L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, which is beneficial in a game that requires rapid data access for enemy AI and physics.

The Ryzen 5 2600's benchmark scores show a balanced performer. It achieves 11186 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 1579 in single-core. These scores are competitive, with the CPU ranking in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-11600KF, is 0.6% faster, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7530U is 0.6% slower, showing the 2600 is in a tight performance cluster.

In the context of Doom, the CPU does not bottleneck the GPU at 1080p or 1440p. The measured FPS at these resolutions is high enough to suggest the game is not CPU-bound. The processor's 65W TDP and DDR4 memory support make it a practical choice for a gaming system. The data indicates that the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy, which it does effectively.

How This Combo Ranks

The Ryzen 5 2600 and RTX 2060 SUPER combination holds a rank of 1196 out of 1681 tested combos in Doom. This ranking places it in the lower half of the database, but this is a relative measure against all possible pairings. The ranking does not tell the full story, as the measured FPS shows this is a highly capable setup for the game's target audience.

The combo's rank is influenced by the CPU's age and the GPU's position in the market. While the GPU is a strong performer, the CPU is not a top-tier part by modern standards. This is reflected in the overall rank. However, when paired together in Doom, they produce results that are far from the bottom of the performance spectrum. The combination is clearly better than many other tested pairings, but it is not at the top of the list.

This rank suggests that users with this hardware are getting a solid, playable experience, but not the absolute maximum performance possible in Doom. The data shows that the combo is well-balanced, with neither component being a severe weak link. The rank of 1196 is a data point, but the actual FPS numbers are more useful for understanding the real-world experience.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the High preset is the recommended starting point. At 2560x1440, High delivers 88.4 FPS, which is excellent for a smooth experience. At 1920x1080, High hits 143 FPS, which is ideal for high refresh rate displays. The Low preset provides a significant FPS boost (195.1 FPS at 1080p), but the visual compromise is substantial.

The Ultra preset is not recommended for 4K gaming, as it only averages 40.4 FPS. However, at 2560x1440, Ultra (74.6 FPS) is a playable option for those who prioritize maximum visual fidelity over a higher frame rate. For 1080p, Ultra (116.9 FPS) is the best choice for a sharp and smooth experience, provided the user accepts the heavy GPU load.

The data suggests that Medium is a good middle ground for 4K, with an average of 62.1 FPS. This makes 4K gaming possible if the user is willing to lower settings. Ultimately, the High preset offers the most consistent experience across all resolutions, ensuring a minimum of 52 FPS at 4K and exceeding 88 FPS at 1440p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080:

• Low: 195.1 FPS average. This is the maximum performance level, suitable for 144Hz+ monitors.
• Medium: 165 FPS average. A large step up in visuals with a minor hit to frame rate.
• High: 143 FPS average. The sweet spot for most users, providing a high frame rate with good detail.
• Ultra: 116.9 FPS average. The highest visual quality, still well above the 60 FPS threshold.

2560x1440:

• Low: 123.8 FPS average. Excellent performance for 1440p gaming.
• Medium: 107.4 FPS average. A great balance, providing a solid triple-digit frame rate.
• High: 88.4 FPS average. This is a very playable setting, close to the 90 FPS mark.
• Ultra: 74.6 FPS average. A playable option for those wanting maximum detail.

3840x2160:

• Low: 64.3 FPS average. The only 4K setting that consistently stays above 60 FPS.
• Medium: 62.1 FPS average. A playable 4K option with some visual compromises.
• High: 52 FPS average. Falling below the 60 FPS threshold, requiring a VRR monitor for smoothness.
• Ultra: 40.4 FPS average. Not recommended for a fast-paced game like Doom due to the low frame rate.

The data shows a clear progression: as resolution increases, the average FPS drops across all settings. The RTX 2060 SUPER is capable of delivering high frame rates at 1080p, but its limitations become apparent at 4K. The 1440p resolution offers the best balance between visual quality and performance, with the High preset being the most efficient choice.