Doom

Doom, the 2016 reboot, remains a demanding title that scales dramatically with hardware. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D. The data reveals a configuration where the GPU is the overwhelming star, with the CPU providing a solid foundation that rarely, if ever, becomes the bottleneck. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings paint a picture of extreme capability, suggesting this combo is designed for maximum frame rates and high-refresh-rate displays, even at 4K. The analysis below interprets these numbers, comparing them against the system's own components and its standing among thousands of other tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, but the degree of that drop is telling. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 342 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the average drops to 231 FPS, a reduction of 111 FPS. The jump to 2160p (4K) sees a further significant decline to 125 FPS. This scaling from 1080p to 4K represents a 63.5% reduction in average frame rate at High settings. This is a substantial drop, but the absolute numbers remain remarkably high.

The pattern is consistent across all settings. At Low settings, the frame rates go from 381 FPS at 1080p to 314 FPS at 1440p and finally to 170 FPS at 4K. For Ultra settings, the progression is 292 FPS at 1080p, 189 FPS at 1440p, and 102 FPS at 4K. The scaling factor between 1080p and 4K is roughly 2.2x to 2.8x across the settings, which is a typical range for a game that is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions.

The interpretation of this data hinges on the limiting component. The fact that performance drops so dramatically as resolution increases points directly to the GPU as the primary limiting factor. The RTX 5090 D is being pushed harder with each pixel increase, and its workload scales accordingly. The CPU, on the other hand, is not as heavily taxed by resolution changes. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see much smaller performance gaps between 1080p and 4K, as the CPU's workload would remain similar while the GPU's work increased. The data shows the opposite, confirming that this game is almost entirely GPU-limited at these settings with this processor. Even at 1080p, where CPUs often hold back performance, the i5-13400F appears to be feeding the RTX 5090 D enough data to achieve 381 FPS on Low, which is an exceptionally high number.

This suggests that the RTX 5090 D is the component that determines the final frame rate, and the i5-13400F is more than adequate to keep up. The 4K Ultra result of 102 FPS is particularly notable, as it shows the GPU is still capable of delivering a playable experience at the highest fidelity, despite the massive workload. The scaling is smooth and predictable, with no anomalous dips that would suggest a driver issue or a CPU bottleneck manifesting at a specific resolution.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the undisputed performance driver in this configuration. Its role is defined by its massive memory pool, high clock speeds, and immense compute power. The GPU comes equipped with 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s. This enormous memory bandwidth is critical for feeding the 21760 shading units at high resolutions. In Doom, a game known for its fast-paced, texture-heavy environments, this bandwidth ensures that the GPU is never starved for data, allowing it to maintain high frame rates even at 4K.

The GPU's clock speeds are also a factor. With a base clock of 2017 MHz and a boost clock of 2407 MHz, the RTX 5090 D can sustain high throughput. The boost behavior is key here; as long as thermal and power headroom allow, the card will operate at or near its boost clock, maximizing performance. The data indicates that this is happening, as the frame rates are consistently high across all tested scenarios.

The GPU's benchmark scores further underscore its capability. It achieves a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 14326 and a Passmark G3D score of 44065. These raw compute scores align with the measured FPS results. The GPU's percentile ranking of 92 out of 100 indicates it performs better than 92% of all GPUs in the benchmark database. This places it in the upper echelon of graphics cards, which is consistent with the 4K Ultra performance we see.

The relationship between the GPU's specs and the game results is straightforward. The 32 GB VRAM is more than sufficient for Doom at any resolution or setting, preventing any potential texture swapping or stuttering. The high bandwidth and core count directly translate to the high pixel fill rate and texture rate, which are the key metrics for a game like Doom. The GPU is not just capable; it is over-provisioned for this title, meaning that the game's maximum settings are unlikely to stress the card to its absolute limit. This is why we see such high frame rates even at 4K Ultra. The data confirms that the RTX 5090 D is the clear performance leader in this pairing.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 102. This is the lowest average FPS in the tested set but is still well within the playable range for a fast-paced shooter.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 77712. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, has a score of 76904, which is 1.1% lower. The AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT is 1.6% higher with a score of 78940. This indicates the RTX 5090 D is in a tight performance cluster with these mobile and workstation cards.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-13400F a bottleneck for the RTX 5090 D in this game?

A: The data suggests it is not a significant bottleneck. At 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 381 FPS. If the CPU were severely limiting, we would expect to see lower frame rates at this resolution. The smooth scaling with resolution points to the GPU being the limiting factor.

Q: What is the performance difference between High and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset yields an average of 231 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields 189 FPS. This is a difference of 42 FPS, or an 18.2% reduction in performance for the higher fidelity settings.

Q: What kind of memory bandwidth does the RTX 5090 D have?

A: The GPU features a 512-bit memory bus with GDDR7 memory, offering a total bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s. This is a key specification that helps maintain high performance at demanding resolutions like 4K.

Q: How many combos does this specific CPU-GPU pairing rank above in Doom?

A: The combo is ranked 47 out of 3712 tested combos in the database. This puts it in the top 1.3% of all configurations tested for this game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's display and performance targets. For a 4K display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Ultra preset is the best choice. The measured 102 FPS average is close to a 120Hz target, and the visual fidelity improvements from High to Ultra are likely worth the 23 FPS loss (from 125 to 102). For those with a 144Hz or 160Hz 4K panel, the High preset at 125 FPS is the next step down, offering a better balance of visual quality and speed.

At 1440p, the situation is more flexible. For competitive play at the highest refresh rates, the Low preset at 314 FPS is the clear winner, providing the absolute maximum frame rate. However, for a more balanced experience, the High preset at 231 FPS is excellent and will easily drive a 240Hz monitor. The Ultra preset at 189 FPS is also viable for high-refresh-rate displays, offering a significant visual upgrade over High while still maintaining a very high frame rate. The Medium preset at 273 FPS is a good middle ground, but the jump from Medium to High is only 42 FPS, making High a better value for the quality increase.

At 1080p, the GPU is so powerful that even the Ultra preset at 292 FPS will max out virtually any monitor on the market. The Low preset at 381 FPS is only for those seeking an absolute competitive edge with the highest possible framerate. The Medium preset at 363 FPS is also a valid choice, but the High preset at 342 FPS offers a substantial graphical improvement for a relatively small FPS cost. For most users at 1080p, the High or Ultra presets are the recommended choices, as the frame rates are so high that the differences between them are largely imperceptible on most displays. The data suggests that the GPU has enough headroom to run the game at its highest visual quality while still delivering exceptional performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a complete picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 381 FPS. The Medium preset averages 363 FPS, with a minimum of 308 FPS and a maximum of 417 FPS. The High preset averages 342 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 292 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 89 FPS, showing a 23.4% performance penalty for the highest quality settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 314 FPS. The Medium preset averages 273 FPS, with a minimum of 232 FPS and a maximum of 314 FPS. The High preset averages 231 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 189 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra here is 125 FPS, a 39.8% reduction. This demonstrates how the GPU's workload increases with resolution, tightening the gap between settings.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 170 FPS. The Medium preset averages 148 FPS, with a minimum of 126 FPS and a maximum of 170 FPS. The High preset averages 125 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 102 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 68 FPS, a 40% reduction. At this resolution, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor, and the cost of Ultra settings is significant. The minimum FPS recorded for Medium at 4K is 126, which is still very high, indicating stable performance.

The data for the Medium preset at all resolutions includes minimum and maximum FPS values, which are missing for other presets. These figures show that even at its lowest point, the system maintains a very high frame rate. The minimum FPS of 308 at 1080p, 232 at 1440p, and 126 at 4K all point to a fluid experience with no major hitches or stutters. This consistency is a hallmark of a well-balanced system where neither the CPU nor GPU is causing frame time spikes.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F plays a supporting role in this configuration, but its performance is critical for achieving the high frame rates seen at lower resolutions. This processor has 10 cores and 16 threads, a configuration that is well-suited for modern gaming. Its base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz allow it to handle both lightly-threaded tasks and heavily-threaded workloads. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache is also beneficial for gaming, as it reduces the latency of frequently accessed data.

The CPU's benchmark scores show a balanced profile. It scores 22604 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 3191 in single-core, indicating strong multi-threaded and single-threaded capabilities. The 3DMark scores, such as 7314 for 16 threads and 960 for single-thread, align with this. Its percentile ranking of 77 against all CPUs shows that it performs better than 77% of all processors in the database, making it a solidly above-average part.

In the context of Doom, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The game is not known for being heavily CPU-bound, and the data confirms this. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 381 FPS, which is a high ceiling. If the CPU were weak, this number would likely be lower, as the processor would struggle to prepare frames fast enough for the GPU. The fact that the frame rate scales so predictably with resolution suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any of the tested settings.

The CPU's nearest rivals in the database are the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS, Intel Core 5 120, and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D, with average scores within 0.4% of the i5-13400F. This places it in a competitive performance tier. The i5-13400F provides more than enough processing power to ensure that the RTX 5090 D is the primary determinant of performance in this game. Its role is to be a stable, high-throughput foundation, and the data shows it fulfills this role admirably.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D ranks exceptionally well in the database for Doom. With a combo rank of 47 out of 3712 tested combinations, it places in the top 1.27% of all configurations. This is a strong indicator of the system's overall capability. This rank is a holistic measure, taking into account all the measured FPS data points across resolutions and settings.

The high rank is primarily driven by the GPU's immense power. The RTX 5090 D is a top-tier card, and its 92nd percentile ranking against all GPUs confirms its performance. The CPU, while not as highly ranked in its own percentile (77th), is still a very capable partner. The fact that this combo is ranked so highly suggests that the pairing is well-balanced, with the CPU providing enough performance to allow the GPU to stretch its legs.

A rank of 47 means there are only 46 other combos out of 3712 that perform better in this specific game. These would likely involve more powerful CPUs, such as the top-tier Core i9 or Ryzen 9 parts, but the difference in performance would be marginal, as the GPU is the limiting factor. The data shows that with this combo, users are getting near the pinnacle of what is achievable in Doom. The 4K Ultra average of 102 FPS and the 1080p Low average of 381 FPS place this system in an elite class of hardware. The ranking confirms that this is not just a fast system, but one that is specifically optimized for delivering the highest possible frame rates in this title, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts with high-refresh-rate displays.