Doom

Doom, the 2016 reboot of the iconic FPS series, remains a demanding benchmark for modern hardware, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. This analysis examines the performance of a combination pairing the Intel Core i5-9400 processor with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card. The data provided offers a clear picture of how this specific setup handles the game across various resolutions and quality presets, placing it in the upper echelon of tested configurations while revealing distinct performance characteristics driven by both the CPU and GPU.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT in Doom is recorded as ranking 546th out of 1681 tested combos. This places the system in the top third of all configurations tested, indicating a robust gaming experience. The ranking is a composite measure, reflecting the synergistic performance of the CPU and GPU in this specific title. While not at the absolute top tier, a rank of 546 out of 1681 suggests that this pairing is well-balanced and capable of delivering high frame rates, especially when considering the CPU's more modest position in the hierarchy compared to the GPU.

The rank suggests that this combo outperforms a significant majority of other systems tested, likely due to the GPU's substantial rendering capabilities. It is not a top-100 contender, but its position signifies a high-performance pairing. The data implies that in a game like Doom, which can scale well with hardware, this system avoids significant bottlenecks and delivers a smooth experience that would satisfy most users. The 546th position reflects a solid, high-end configuration that is far more capable than an entry-level or mid-range system.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the primary driver of performance in this pairing, and its specifications align well with the measured frame rates. The GPU features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 644.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This large memory pool and high bandwidth are crucial for high-resolution textures and complex scenes, ensuring that the GPU is not starved for data. The card's architecture, RDNA 4.0, is built on a 4 nm process and includes 4096 shading units, 256 TMUs, and 128 ROPs, allowing it to process a massive amount of graphical data.

Its clock speeds are also notable, with a base clock of 1660 MHz, a game clock of 2400 MHz, and a boost clock of 2970 MHz. These high frequencies contribute to the GPU's peak performance. In synthetic benchmarks, the RX 9070 XT scores 26795 in the Passmark G3D test and 7260 in 3DMark Steel Nomad, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs. The data indicates this is a powerful card that excels in modern titles. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, have an average benchmark score of 39879, which is a mere -0.6% delta from the RX 9070 XT's average of 39647, showing that it sits in a competitive performance tier.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. It has 9 MB of shared L3 cache. While its multi-threaded performance is modest, as indicated by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969, its single-core performance is adequate for gaming. The processor is in the 50th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2305. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-10305, has an average score of 2300, a delta of just 0.2%, indicating that the i5-9400 is an upper-mid-range processor in terms of raw compute.

In the context of Doom, the CPU's role is less about raw multi-threading and more about maintaining a consistent frame delivery to the GPU. The 6-core, 6-thread configuration is sufficient to feed the RX 9070 XT in most scenarios, but it may become a limiting factor at lower resolutions where the GPU can produce frames faster. The processor's boost clock of 4.10 GHz is key to its gaming performance, as Doom is often sensitive to single-core speed. The data suggests that while the CPU is not a top performer, it is well-matched to prevent severe bottlenecks, though the GPU is clearly the dominant component in this combo.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings. At 3840x2160 (4K), the combo delivers playable frame rates. With Low settings, it averages 108.7 FPS, which drops to 93.2 FPS on Medium and 82.1 FPS on High. The most demanding preset, Ultra, yields an average of 63.5 FPS. This shows that at 4K, the GPU is heavily taxed, and users must adjust settings to achieve higher refresh rates.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), the performance headroom increases significantly. Low settings produce an average of 199.8 FPS, Medium reaches 175.6 FPS, and High achieves 147.1 FPS. Even at Ultra settings, the combo maintains a very high average of 123.6 FPS. This resolution appears to be the sweet spot for this hardware, offering a substantial performance increase over 4K while still providing excellent visual fidelity.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the CPU begins to play a more significant role, and the frame rates are exceptionally high. Low settings average 251.6 FPS, Medium 243.8 FPS, and High 228.2 FPS. Even Ultra settings stay above 187.3 FPS. The data shows a diminishing return as resolution drops, with the jump from 1440p to 1080p being less dramatic than from 4K to 1440p. This suggests that at 1080p, the system is closer to a CPU limit, particularly with lower graphical settings where the GPU is not the primary constraint.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Doom?

A: The combo is ranked 546th out of 1681 tested combinations, placing it in the top third of all tested systems.

Q: At which resolution does this combo perform best for high-refresh-rate gaming?

A: At 2560x1440, the system achieves very high frame rates, with an average of 147.1 FPS on High settings and 123.6 FPS on Ultra, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Doom?

A: Yes, it is playable at 4K. At High settings, it averages 82.1 FPS, and at Ultra, it averages 63.5 FPS, which is suitable for a smooth experience.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the difference is significant but not enormous. Low settings average 251.6 FPS, while Ultra averages 187.3 FPS, a gap of about 64 FPS.

Q: What is the GPU's average benchmark score and percentile?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT has an average benchmark score of 39647 and sits in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-core performance compare to its single-core performance?

A: The CPU scores 7969 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1125 in single-core, showing a proportional ratio typical for a 6-core processor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display and performance goals. For 4K displays, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it provides a solid 82.1 FPS average, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to 63.5 FPS, which is still playable but may be less consistent. For users with 1440p high-refresh-rate monitors, the Ultra preset is strongly recommended, as it delivers an average of 123.6 FPS, fully utilizing the capabilities of a 144Hz display while maintaining maximum visual quality.

At 1080p, the system is so powerful that even Ultra settings produce an average of 187.3 FPS, which is more than enough for even the fastest 240Hz monitors. For competitive play, the Medium preset at 1080p offers a slightly higher average of 243.8 FPS, but the visual difference between Medium and Ultra is substantial, and the frame rate is already exceptionally high. The data suggests that the High or Ultra preset at 1080p provides the best balance of image quality and performance. The benchmark results indicate that this combo is versatile, capable of delivering a premium experience at 1440p and a high-performance one at 4K, with 1080p being a scenario where the hardware is rarely stressed.