Doom

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT combination delivers a compelling performance profile in Doom, a 2016 FPS that remains a demanding benchmark for modern hardware. The data indicates that this pairing is capable of high refresh-rate gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, while still providing a playable experience at 4K. The measured results reveal a clear hierarchy where the CPU’s substantial single-threaded prowess and the GPU’s large memory buffer interact in ways that shift the performance bottleneck depending on resolution and settings.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is an 8-core, 16-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge. With a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, it offers exceptional per-core performance for a game like Doom, which benefits strongly from fast single-threaded execution. The processor scores 1280 in the 3DMark single-thread test, a figure that aligns with its ability to drive high frame rates in scenarios where draw calls and game logic are the primary bottlenecks. This is further corroborated by the GeekBench single-core score of 3353 and a PassMark single-thread score of 4654, both of which indicate industry-leading IPC.

In multi-threaded workloads, the 9700X also holds its own, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 31588. For Doom, the data suggests that the game leverages the CPU’s 16 threads effectively when rendering at lower resolutions. For example, at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 285 FPS, a figure that is only 39.2% higher than the 204.6 FPS seen at High settings. This relatively small delta between Low and High at 1080p indicates that the CPU is delivering frames faster than the GPU can render them, making the graphics card the limiting factor even at the lowest settings. The CPU’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support (89.6 GB/s bandwidth) provide the necessary data throughput to maintain high minimum frame rates, although the measured data does not include specific 1% low values.

The processor’s 65W TDP is modest for its performance level, and the fact that it is unlocked for overclocking suggests headroom for users seeking more performance. While the benchmark data does not directly correlate CPU clock speed to FPS in Doom, the combination of the highest single-thread 3DMark score (1280) and the near-parity in average benchmark scores with rivals (0.2% delta to the Intel Core i5-14500HX) suggests that the 9700X is not a limiting factor in most gaming scenarios. Instead, it appears to be feeding the GPU efficiently, allowing the Radeon RX 7800 XT to reach its full potential.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achieved by this combo in Doom, and at what settings?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 285, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only measurement that exceeds the 280 FPS threshold, indicating the system’s peak output in this title.

Q: How does the combo’s performance at 4K Ultra compare to 1080p Ultra?

A: At 4K Ultra, the system produces an average of 61.1 FPS, while at 1080p Ultra it reaches 169.4 FPS. This represents a 64% reduction in frame rate when moving from 1080p to 4K at the highest settings, highlighting the GPU’s fill-rate limits at higher pixel counts.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields 183.9 FPS, whereas the Ultra preset yields 110.7 FPS. The difference of 73.2 FPS suggests that the Ultra settings impose a significant computational load on the GPU, reducing throughput by approximately 40% compared to Low.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the bottleneck at 1080p Low?

A: The data suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor even at 1080p Low. Since the CPU is capable of high single-thread performance (3DMark single-thread score of 1280), the 285 FPS cap is likely due to the Radeon RX 7800 XT’s rendering limits rather than CPU processing power, as the frame rate does not increase proportionally with lower CPU load at this resolution.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations in Doom?

A: The combo is ranked 627 out of 1681 tested combinations, placing it in the upper half of all tested systems. This percentile position indicates that while it is not a top-tier configuration, it outperforms a majority of other CPU-GPU pairings in this game.

Q: What is the average FPS at 4K Medium, and how does it compare to 4K High?

A: At 4K Medium, the average FPS is 85.9, while at 4K High it is 72.6. The Medium setting provides a 13.3 FPS increase over High, suggesting that the Medium preset is a more balanced choice for 4K gaming, as it offers a smoother experience without a massive visual compromise.

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

The measured FPS data shows a clear trend of decreasing performance as resolution increases, but the rate of decline varies significantly based on the graphics settings. At Low settings, the system achieves 285 FPS at 1080p, 183.9 FPS at 1440p, and 99.1 FPS at 4K. This represents a 35.5% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a subsequent 46.1% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is not linear, which suggests that the GPU is becoming increasingly stressed as pixel count rises, while the CPU maintains a stable frame delivery rate.

At Ultra settings, the frame rates are 169.4 FPS at 1080p, 110.7 FPS at 1440p, and 61.1 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is 34.7%, and from 1440p to 4K it is 44.8%. Interestingly, the relative performance decline from 1080p to 4K is similar across Low and Ultra settings, with approximately a 65% reduction in both cases. This indicates that the Radeon RX 7800 XT’s shading units and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints at all settings, and that the CPU’s 8 cores are sufficient to avoid becoming a bottleneck even at the highest resolutions.

The data reveals that the performance gap between Low and Ultra narrows as resolution increases. At 1080p, Ultra is 40.6% slower than Low (285 FPS vs 169.4 FPS), but at 4K, Ultra is only 38.3% slower (99.1 FPS vs 61.1 FPS). This suggests that at 4K, the GPU is so heavily loaded that the additional work required for Ultra settings becomes a smaller fraction of the total rendering time. The 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on the GPU, with a bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s, is sufficient to handle the high-resolution textures without memory capacity issues, as evidenced by the playable frame rates at 4K Ultra.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested combinations, this AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT pairing holds a rank of 627 out of 1681 total combos for Doom. This places it in the 62.7th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms approximately 63% of other configurations. The ranking is based on aggregate performance across all measured resolutions and settings, which gives a holistic view of the combo’s capabilities.

When interpreting this rank, it’s important to consider the breadth of the dataset. The 1681 combos include a wide range of hardware, from entry-level to enthusiast-grade. A rank of 627 indicates that this combo is solidly in the mid-to-upper tier, but it is not among the elite performers. The GPU’s percentile against all GPUs is 76, and the CPU’s percentile is 89, suggesting that the CPU is relatively stronger than the GPU in this pairing. However, in Doom, the combo’s performance is likely constrained by the GPU, as the game is generally GPU-bound except at very low resolutions.

Compared to other combos with similar component grades, the rank suggests that the RX 7800 XT is well-matched to the 9700X for this title. The fact that the combo is not in the top 100 is likely due to the presence of more powerful GPUs like the RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX, which would achieve higher frame rates. Nevertheless, the 627th rank confirms that this system is capable of delivering a smooth gaming experience in Doom at most settings, with only the most demanding 4K Ultra preset dipping below the 60 FPS threshold.

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

The measured FPS data for this combo is organized by four settings presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) across three resolutions. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are 285.0 FPS (Low), 244.9 FPS (Medium), 204.6 FPS (High), and 169.4 FPS (Ultra). The progression from Low to Ultra shows a consistent decrease, with the Ultra preset delivering 59.4% of the Low preset’s performance. This indicates that the GPU’s workload scales predictably with settings, and the CPU provides a stable foundation that does not introduce frame rate variance.

At 2560x1440, the average frame rates are 183.9 FPS (Low), 158.7 FPS (Medium), 132.8 FPS (High), and 110.7 FPS (Ultra). The deltas between settings are smaller than at 1080p, with Ultra achieving 60.2% of Low’s performance. This suggests that the GPU is becoming more of a limiting factor, but the system still maintains high frame rates across all presets. At 1440p, even the Ultra setting exceeds 110 FPS, which is ideal for high refresh rate monitors.

At 3840x2160, the average frame rates are 99.1 FPS (Low), 85.9 FPS (Medium), 72.6 FPS (High), and 61.1 FPS (Ultra). This is the only resolution where the Ultra preset drops below 70 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows that the Ultra preset delivers 61.7% of Low’s performance, which is a smaller drop than at lower resolutions. This suggests that at 4K, the GPU’s pixel fill rate is the dominant constraint, and the settings have a less dramatic impact on performance. Notably, the 4K Low preset still provides nearly 100 FPS, indicating that this combo can handle 4K gaming for those willing to reduce visual fidelity.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s resolution and refresh rate goals. For 1080p, all presets are playable, but the Ultra preset at 169.4 FPS is the best choice for users with 144Hz or 165Hz monitors, as it provides a high frame rate while maximizing visual quality. The Medium preset at 244.9 FPS is ideal for 240Hz displays, while the Low preset at 285 FPS is only necessary for extremely high refresh rates (300Hz+).

For 1440p, the Ultra preset at 110.7 FPS is recommended for 120Hz monitors, offering a good balance of visual fidelity and smoothness. The High preset at 132.8 FPS is suitable for 144Hz displays, and the Medium preset at 158.7 FPS is a strong choice for 165Hz panels. Users with 240Hz 1440p monitors should consider the Low preset at 183.9 FPS, though this sacrifices significant visual quality for a marginal increase in frame rate.

For 4K, the recommendation is more nuanced. The Ultra preset at 61.1 FPS is just above the 60 FPS threshold, but it may experience occasional dips. The High preset at 72.6 FPS is a safer choice, providing a more consistent experience. The Medium preset at 85.9 FPS is the best value for 4K, as it offers a significant improvement over High while still maintaining high visual quality. The Low preset at 99.1 FPS is recommended for 4K gaming on high refresh rate displays, but it may appear noticeably less detailed. Given that the game is from 2016, the Medium preset likely still looks impressive while delivering the best frame rate-to-quality trade-off at 4K.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, based on the Navi 32 chip with RDNA 3.0 architecture, is a 16 GB GDDR6 graphics card with a 256-bit memory bus and a bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. This large memory capacity is more than sufficient for Doom, which does not require high VRAM usage even at 4K Ultra, as evidenced by the consistent performance across resolutions. The GPU’s boost clock of 2430 MHz and game clock of 2124 MHz provide the raw compute power needed to sustain high frame rates.

The GPU’s 3840 shading units and 96 ROPs are the primary drivers of pixel throughput. The pixel rate of 233.3 GPixel/s and texture rate of 583.2 GTexel/s directly correlate with the measured FPS at different resolutions. At 4K, the GPU is processing over 8 million pixels per frame, which explains why the frame rate drops to 61.1 FPS at Ultra settings. The FP32 performance of 37.32 TFLOPS is sufficient for the game’s compute shaders, but the data shows that the GPU is the bottleneck at all resolutions above 1080p Low.

The GPU’s 60 ray tracing cores are not relevant for this game, as Doom does not support ray tracing. However, the GPU’s DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) ensures compatibility with modern rendering techniques. The measured results show that the RX 7800 XT performs consistently across the board, with a PassMark G3D score of 24176 placing it in the 76th percentile of all GPUs. This is a strong showing, and the GPU’s nearest rival, the AMD FirePro S9300 X2, has a delta of only 0.2%, indicating that the 7800 XT is near the top of its class. The GPU’s 16 GB VRAM ensures that texture streaming is never a limiting factor, allowing the CPU to feed data without stutters, as reflected in the stable average FPS figures across all test scenarios.