Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 presents a stark contrast in capabilities within the 2016 classic Doom. The data shows a configuration where the CPU is vastly overqualified for the task, while the GPU acts as the definitive bottleneck, particularly at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, revealing that the experience is largely dictated by the GTX 1650's limits, with the powerful 3D V-Cache processor waiting in the wings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data illustrates a clear and predictable decline in performance as resolution increases, a direct consequence of the GTX 1650's fixed rendering workload. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 68 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops this to 44 FPS, a significant reduction of 24 FPS. The jump to 2160p (4K) is even more punishing, with the average falling to just 24 FPS. This scaling pattern indicates that the GPU's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors; the 128.1 GB/s bandwidth and 53.28 GPixel/s pixel rate are simply overwhelmed by the increasing number of pixels.

The scaling between the "Low" preset settings further confirms this GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p Low, the system produces 92 FPS, but this falls to 59 FPS at 1440p and 32 FPS at 4K. The performance drop is roughly proportional to the pixel count increase, which is a classic sign of a GPU-limited workload. The CPU, with its 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 4 Raphael architecture, is not the constraining factor here; it has ample headroom to feed the GPU at all resolutions. The 83.2 GB/s memory bandwidth and 96 MB of shared L3 cache on the CPU are more than sufficient for the game's logic and asset streaming.

The transition from 1080p to 1440p represents a significant hit to playability, with the average FPS dropping by over 30% on the High preset. The transition from 1440p to 4K is even more severe, cutting the average FPS nearly in half. This demonstrates that while the GTX 1650 can deliver a smooth experience at 1080p, it is not suited for higher resolutions in Doom. The data suggests that 1080p is the only viable resolution for a consistently playable frame rate, as the 4K results, even on Low settings, fall below the 40 FPS threshold that most would consider acceptable.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is the primary determinant of this system's gaming performance in Doom. Based on the Turing architecture and manufactured on a 12 nm process, this GPU is a modest performer by modern standards, as reflected in its 40th percentile ranking among all GPUs. Its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus provides 128.1 GB/s of bandwidth, which proves to be a critical limitation at higher resolutions and detail settings. The data shows that the GPU's 2.984 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is sufficient for 1080p gaming but is quickly saturated as resolution increases.

The GPU's clock speeds are listed with a base of 1485 MHz and a boost of 1665 MHz. These clocks are static factors in the equation; the measured FPS is the outcome of their interaction with the memory subsystem and shading units. The fact that the 4K High preset yields only 24 FPS, while 4K Low yields 32 FPS, indicates that the GPU is working at its absolute limit. The difference between presets is relatively small, suggesting that even reducing the graphical load cannot overcome the fundamental lack of pixel throughput and memory bandwidth at this resolution.

The GPU's benchmark scores paint a consistent picture of an entry-level part. Its Passmark G3D score of 7880 places it in the company of other low-end adapters, with its nearest rival, the Intel Arc A310, scoring 7550 (a -1% delta). In Doom, which can be demanding on fill rate, the GTX 1650's 32 ROPs and 56 TMUs are the physical units that determine how quickly pixels can be drawn and textures applied. The data shows that at 1440p, the GPU can maintain a playable 44 FPS on High, but with no headroom for demanding scenes, and the 4K Ultra preset's 19 FPS is a clear indication of the GPU's hard limits.

CPU Role

In stark contrast to the GPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is an exceptionally powerful processor that plays a minimal role in limiting Doom's frame rate. With 6 cores and 12 threads, a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, and a massive 96 MB of shared L3 cache, this CPU is built for high-performance computing. Its 89th percentile ranking among all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 44573 demonstrate its capabilities, placing it nearly 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600 in average score and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H. For a game like Doom, the CPU's job is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls, a task for which it is vastly over-equipped.

The 7500X3D's high single-thread performance, as indicated by its Passmark single-thread score of 3494, is particularly relevant for gaming. Doom is known for being well-optimized and can scale across multiple threads, but its primary game thread benefits greatly from strong single-core performance. The CPU's 4.00 GHz base clock and 4.50 GHz boost clock ensure that this thread has access to high clock speeds. Furthermore, the 96 MB of L3 cache likely helps to keep frequently accessed game data close to the cores, reducing latency and further ensuring the GPU is fed with data.

The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is not the source of the performance issues seen at 1440p and 4K. The measured FPS drops are entirely consistent with a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see similar frame rates across different resolutions, as the CPU's workload would be unchanged. Instead, the frame rates scale inversely with resolution, confirming that the Ryzen 5 7500X3D is performing its role flawlessly, leaving all the performance headroom untapped. The 65W TDP and 5 nm process node also indicate an efficient processor that would not cause thermal throttling issues in a typical build.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best results. The Low preset produces the highest average at 92 FPS. The Medium preset averages 80 FPS, with a minimum of 68 FPS and a maximum of 92 FPS. The High preset follows at 68 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 55 FPS. These figures show a playable experience across all settings, with a 37 FPS spread between Low and Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the impact of the GPU's limitations becomes apparent. The Low preset averages 59 FPS, which is just at the edge of smooth playability. The Medium preset averages 52 FPS, with a range of 44 to 60 FPS. The High preset drops to 44 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 36 FPS. The data shows a clear reduction in performance across the board, with the High preset losing 24 FPS compared to its 1080p counterpart. The minimum FPS figures for the Medium preset at this resolution (44 FPS) and at 1080p (68 FPS) show that even the lower-bound performance is significantly affected.

The 3840x2160 results are decisively unplayable for any smooth gaming experience. The Low preset is the best performer, averaging 32 FPS. The Medium preset averages 28 FPS, with a minimum of 24 FPS and a maximum of 32 FPS. The High preset averages 24 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages only 19 FPS. These numbers are all below the commonly accepted 30 FPS minimum for playability, and far from the 60 FPS target. The data clearly demonstrates that this configuration is not intended for 4K gaming in Doom, as even the lowest settings fail to provide a fluid experience.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Doom?*

A: The highest average FPS is 92, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

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

A: No. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 19 on Ultra to 32 on Low, which are all below the 30 FPS threshold generally considered the minimum for playability.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 1440p on High settings?

A: The average FPS drops from 68 at 1080p to 44 at 1440p, a decrease of 24 frames per second.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 92 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 55 FPS, a difference of 37 FPS.

*Q: Which component is the primary bottleneck for this system in Doom?*

A: The data indicates the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is the primary bottleneck, as frame rates scale heavily with resolution, a classic sign of GPU limitation.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded for this configuration?

A: The lowest average FPS is 19, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this hardware combination is found at 1920x1080 resolution. For players prioritizing a high, consistent frame rate, the Low preset is the best choice, delivering an average of 92 FPS. This setting provides a significant performance buffer, ensuring the game remains smooth even in intense combat scenarios. The data shows this is the only configuration that approaches the 100 FPS mark, which is a strong indicator of a fluid experience.

For those who want a balance between visual fidelity and performance, the High preset at 1080p is a viable option, with an average of 68 FPS. This is still well above the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay and offers a substantial visual upgrade over Low. The Medium preset, averaging 80 FPS, is a middle-ground option that provides a high frame rate with a moderate increase in visual quality compared to Low. The Ultra preset at 1080p, while visually the most detailed, drops to 55 FPS average, which can be less stable and is not recommended for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, only the Low preset, with a 59 FPS average, is recommended for a smooth experience. The Medium preset at 52 FPS is borderline, but the High and Ultra presets at 44 and 36 FPS, respectively, are too inconsistent for a satisfying experience. The 3840x2160 resolution should be avoided entirely for this game, as all presets fail to reach acceptable frame rates. The data clearly shows that the GTX 1650 is best utilized at 1080p, and the High preset offers the best overall experience by providing a smooth frame rate without sacrificing the game's visual presentation.