Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600X paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6600 presents a study in balance for Doom (2016). This combination, ranked 1333 out of 1681 tested combos in the database, is clearly a mainstream pairing. The data shows that while the CPU is a high-end Zen 4 part, the GPU ultimately dictates the experience in this fast-paced FPS, especially as resolution climbs.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data clearly shows that the RX 6600 is the limiting component as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the combination is capable of delivering extremely high frame rates, from 176.8 FPS on Low to 106.5 FPS on Ultra. This indicates that the CPU is feeding the GPU enough data to keep it busy, as the frame rates scale consistently with the graphics load.

However, the scaling pattern changes dramatically when moving to 2560x1440. The frame rate at High settings drops from 129.1 FPS at 1080p to 85.2 FPS, a significant 34% reduction. This is a clear signal that the GPU is now the primary bottleneck, as the pixel count increase is outpacing the GPU's ability to render. The gap between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p, from 115.7 FPS to 67.1 FPS, further emphasizes this, showing that the GPU's compute resources are being taxed heavily by the higher resolution.

The bottleneck becomes even more pronounced at 3840x2160. Here, the RX 6600 struggles to maintain 60 FPS even on Low settings, averaging 59.7 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K yields a playable but far from ideal 39.2 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 4K on High settings shows a drop from 129.1 FPS to 45.5 FPS, a 65% decrease. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU that is running out of raw pixel-pushing power, not a CPU limitation. The Ryzen 5 7600X, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, is not the bottleneck here; the Radeon RX 6600 is clearly what holds the system back at higher resolutions.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 is built on the RDNA 2.0 architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. This memory configuration provides a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s, which is a key factor in its performance. The GPU's boost clock is rated at 2491 MHz, with a game clock of 2044 MHz, and these clocks are essential for maintaining the frame rates seen in the benchmark data.

In Doom, a game known for its fast-paced action, the GPU's role is to maintain high frame rates. At 1080p, the RX 6600 is clearly up to the task, delivering over 100 FPS on all presets. The data suggests that the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for this title at 1080p and 1440p, as there are no indications of memory-related stuttering or frame drops in the recorded averages. The performance at 4K, however, reveals the GPU's limitations. The drop to 45.5 FPS on High settings is not just about compute power; the 128-bit memory bus and its associated bandwidth become a constraint at such high pixel counts. The GPU's average benchmark score of 25235 places it in the 69th percentile of all GPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon 890M and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, highlighting its position in the mid-range segment.

How This Combo Ranks

The Ryzen 5 7600X and RX 6600 combination ranks 1333 out of 1681 tested combos in the database for Doom. This ranking places it in the lower-mid portion of all tested pairings, which is expected given the GPU's mid-range status. The CPU, however, is a top-tier component; its average benchmark score of 26272 puts it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U and the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, showing that the processor is punching well above its weight in synthetic tests.

Despite the CPU's strong showing in standalone benchmarks, the combo's rank in Doom is heavily influenced by the GPU. The data indicates that the RX 6600, which sits in the 69th percentile of GPUs, is a solid but not exceptional performer. The combination's overall rank is a reflection of this imbalance. The CPU is capable of driving much more powerful graphics cards, but the RX 6600 holds the system back from achieving higher frame rates and a better overall ranking. This is a classic case of a CPU that will not be a bottleneck for future GPU upgrades, but the current pairing is constrained by its graphics card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's capabilities across different settings and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the combination excels. The Low preset delivers an average of 176.8 FPS, which is exceptionally smooth for competitive play. The Medium preset yields 155.7 FPS, and High drops to 129.1 FPS. The Ultra preset, while the most demanding, still manages a very playable 106.5 FPS. These numbers suggest that the CPU and GPU are well-matched at this resolution, with the GPU being the primary limiting factor but still having enough headroom to deliver high refresh rate experiences.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain respectable but begin to show the GPU's strain. Low settings average 115.7 FPS, which is still excellent. Medium produces 101.0 FPS, and High drops to 85.2 FPS. The Ultra preset falls to 67.1 FPS. This demonstrates a clear performance hierarchy, with the gap between Low and Ultra widening as the resolution increases. The system is still capable of delivering a good experience at 1440p, but users aiming for 144 Hz monitors will need to stick to lower presets.

At 3840x2160, the RX 6600 is clearly out of its element. The Low preset averages 59.7 FPS, which is just at the threshold of smoothness. Medium drops to 53.3 FPS, High to 45.5 FPS, and Ultra to 39.2 FPS. None of these settings provide a consistently high-refresh rate experience. The data shows that 4K gaming with this GPU requires significant compromises in visual quality to achieve even 60 FPS, and even then, it is not a guaranteed experience.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience with this hardware, the data suggests that 1920x1080 is the sweet spot. The Ultra preset at 1080p provides an average of 106.5 FPS, which is a great balance of visual fidelity and performance. All presets at 1080p are playable, with Low offering a massive 176.8 FPS for those who prioritize competitive frame rates above all else. The High preset at 1080p, with 129.1 FPS, is an excellent middle ground.

At 2560x1440, users should be more cautious. The High preset, averaging 85.2 FPS, is a good target for a smooth experience on a 60 Hz monitor. The Medium preset, at 101.0 FPS, is also a strong choice for those with higher refresh rate displays. It is recommended to avoid the Ultra preset at 1440p, as the 67.1 FPS average is not ideal for a fast-paced shooter. The Low preset at 1440p, while yielding 115.7 FPS, sacrifices too much visual quality for the frame rate gain.

For 3840x2160, no preset delivers a consistently high-refresh rate experience. The Low preset, at 59.7 FPS, is the only setting that approaches smoothness, making it the only viable choice for 4K gaming. The High and Ultra presets, with their 45.5 FPS and 39.2 FPS averages, are playable but not recommended for a game like Doom where quick reactions are crucial. The data clearly shows that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p, with 1080p providing the most balanced and enjoyable experience.