Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 combination produces a surprisingly robust experience in Doom, with frame rates that scale predictably across resolutions and settings. The data shows a system that is clearly capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p, while still maintaining playable performance at 4K, making it a versatile pairing for this classic FPS.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, and its 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a notable asset. This processor is part of the 5000 series, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC with a die size of 74 mm², and sits in the 85th percentile when compared to all CPUs based on its average benchmark score of 37018.

In the context of Doom, a game known for its id Tech engine efficiency, the CPU’s role becomes clear when examining the frame rate scaling. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 175 FPS average. This high frame rate suggests the game is not heavily bottlenecked by the processor, as it allows the GPU to push a substantial number of frames. The CPU’s multi-threaded performance, evidenced by a Passmark multithread score of 20363 and a floating point math score of 34511, provides ample headroom for the game’s rendering and physics tasks.

Benchmark comparisons show the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is closely matched with its nearest rivals. It performs 0.2% better than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, while being 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 and 0.3% slower than the Intel Core i9-12900T. These negligible differences indicate that the CPU is not a differentiating factor in this specific game’s performance; rather, it consistently delivers the necessary processing power. The 12 threads ensure that the game’s background tasks are handled efficiently, allowing the main game logic to run without interruption, which is crucial for maintaining stable frame times.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is a Turing-architecture GPU built on a 12 nm process, featuring the TU106 chip with 10,800 million transistors. It has a base clock of 1365 MHz and a boost clock of 1680 MHz, paired with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU’s 1920 shading units and 48 ROPs are tasked with rendering the game’s visuals, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which Doom can utilize. This GPU sits in the 58th percentile of all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 15290.

The GPU’s performance is the primary driver of the frame rates at higher resolutions. At 4K with High settings, the average FPS drops to 45, while at 1080p with the same settings, it reaches 129 FPS. This significant scaling indicates that the RTX 2060 is the limiting component as resolution increases. The 6 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for Doom at these settings, as the game’s textures are not excessively demanding, but it is a constraint to consider for future titles.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the RTX 2060 is effectively tied with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, showing a 0% delta. It is 0.1% faster than the AMD Radeon 680M, 0.6% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, and 0.8% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 7600. These results show that the RTX 2060 is positioned in a competitive mid-range segment, providing solid performance for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The GPU’s boost clock of 1680 MHz helps maintain consistent performance, and its pixel rate of 80.64 GPixel/s contributes to the smooth rendering of the game’s fast-paced action.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is typical for a system where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck. At 1080p with Medium settings, the average FPS is 152, dropping to 99 at 1440p, and further to 53 at 4K. This represents a 35% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a 65% decrease from 1080p to 4K, indicating that the GPU’s rendering workload is scaling substantially with pixel count.

The CPU’s role in this scaling is minimal, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p. At 1440p with Low settings, the system achieves 113 FPS, which is still very high and suggests the CPU is not preventing the GPU from reaching its limits. However, at 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 37, which is a demanding scenario for the RTX 2060. This shows that the GPU is the dominant factor in limiting performance at higher resolutions, while the CPU provides consistent support without becoming a bottleneck.

The data implies that for a smooth experience, users should consider the resolution and settings trade-off. At 1080p, the system can easily exceed 100 FPS on all settings, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 1440p, performance remains playable, but users may need to adjust settings from Ultra to High or Medium to maintain higher frame rates. At 4K, the system is only viable on Low or Medium settings, with 61 and 53 FPS respectively, suggesting that 4K gaming is possible but requires compromises.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable with this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS at 1080p is 175, achieved with Low settings. With Medium settings, the average FPS is 152, and with High settings, it is 129. Ultra settings yield 105 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p compare to 1080p for this system?

A: At 1440p, the average FPS drops significantly. For example, with High settings, the average FPS is 83, compared to 129 at 1080p. With Low settings, it is 113 at 1440p versus 175 at 1080p. This represents a roughly 36% reduction in performance from 1080p to 1440p across settings.

*Q: Is this system capable of 4K gaming in Doom?*

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K, the average FPS is 61 on Low settings and 53 on Medium settings, which are playable. However, on High settings, the average FPS drops to 45, and on Ultra, it falls to 37, which may be less smooth.

Q: Which component is the primary bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is the primary bottleneck at 4K. The CPU’s performance is sufficient, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p, but the GPU’s rendering power becomes limiting as the resolution increases.

Q: How does the CPU’s performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is closely matched with its rivals. It is 0.2% faster than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and Intel Core Ultra 5 225, and 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, and 0.3% slower than the Intel Core i9-12900T.

*Q: What is the rank of this combo among all tested combinations in Doom?*

A: This combo ranks 2294 out of 2930 tested combinations, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the ranking list.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system’s performance in Doom.

At 1920x1080:

• Low settings: Average FPS is 175, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Medium settings: Average FPS is 152, with a minimum FPS of 130 and a maximum FPS of 175.
• High settings: Average FPS is 129, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Ultra settings: Average FPS is 105, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.

At 2560x1440:

• Low settings: Average FPS is 113, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Medium settings: Average FPS is 99, with a minimum FPS of 84 and a maximum FPS of 113.
• High settings: Average FPS is 83, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Ultra settings: Average FPS is 68, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.

At 3840x2160:

• Low settings: Average FPS is 61, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Medium settings: Average FPS is 53, with a minimum FPS of 45 and a maximum FPS of 61.
• High settings: Average FPS is 45, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.
• Ultra settings: Average FPS is 37, with no minimum or maximum FPS recorded.

The data shows a consistent pattern of frame rate reduction as settings increase and resolution rises. The Medium settings at each resolution provide a balanced point, with minimum FPS figures that suggest acceptable frame time consistency, such as 130 FPS minimum at 1080p and 45 FPS minimum at 4K.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the best experience depends on the user’s priority of frame rate versus visual fidelity. For users with a 1080p monitor, all settings provide playable frame rates, but the High preset at 129 FPS offers a strong balance between visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 105 FPS is also viable, but the marginal visual improvement may not justify the 19% frame rate drop from High.

At 1440p, the High preset at 83 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides a smooth experience for most players. The Medium preset at 99 FPS offers higher performance with only a slight reduction in visual quality, making it a good alternative for those seeking higher frame rates. The Ultra preset at 68 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive in fast-paced action.

For 4K gaming, the data suggests that Low settings at 61 FPS is the best option for a consistently playable experience. The Medium preset at 53 FPS is also acceptable, but the minimum FPS of 45 indicates potential dips that could affect gameplay smoothness. The High and Ultra presets at 45 and 37 FPS respectively are not recommended for a smooth experience, as they fall below the 60 FPS threshold that is often desired for FPS games.

Overall, the High preset at 1080p and 1440p provides the best combination of visual quality and performance, while Low settings are necessary for a playable 4K experience. This system is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can deliver high frame rates with good visual settings.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 ranks 2294 out of 2930 tested combinations in Doom. This places the combo in the 78th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms a significant majority of other combinations. This ranking is notable because it reflects the system’s ability to run the game well, despite the GPU being a mid-range component.

The ranking suggests that while this combo is not at the top tier of performance, it is far from the bottom. The CPU’s strong benchmark scores, such as its 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, contribute to the system’s overall stability, but the GPU’s 58th percentile ranking is likely the primary factor limiting the combo’s position. The fact that the combo ranks higher than the GPU’s individual percentile indicates that the CPU is helping to maximize the GPU’s potential.

Comparatively, systems with higher-ranked GPUs would likely achieve better frame rates, especially at higher resolutions. However, for a system with an RTX 2060, this ranking is respectable, and the measured FPS data confirms that it can deliver a satisfying experience in Doom, particularly at 1080p and 1440p. The rank of 2294 out of 2930 shows that many other tested combos are either less capable or have a less balanced CPU-GPU pairing, making this a solid choice for the game.