Doom

The Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti pairing occupies a specific niche in the Doom benchmark database. With a combo rank of 1447 out of 1681 tested combinations, this system sits in the lower third of all tested configurations. The data indicates that while this pairing is capable of running the game, it does not deliver the high-end performance that many other combinations achieve. This ranking suggests that the hardware pair is functional for mainstream play but will require careful settings management to hit smooth frame rates, particularly at higher resolutions. The overall position is a reflection of the hardware's age and tier, with the CPU and GPU both representing mid-range components from their respective generations.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti ranks 1447th out of 1681 tested combos in Doom. This places the system in the bottom 15% of all configurations, which is a significant data point for understanding its performance ceiling. The rank is not necessarily a condemnation of the hardware, but it clearly shows that there are many faster systems in the database. For context, the GPU alone sits in the 55th percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU is exactly at the 50th percentile. The combo rank being much lower than either component's individual percentile suggests that the pairing may not be optimal for this specific game, or that the game is heavily reliant on other factors like memory bandwidth or driver optimization. The data shows a system that is more than capable for 1080p gaming but will struggle to maintain high frame rates at 4K, which aligns with the measured FPS figures.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is built on the Turing architecture and utilizes the TU116 chip, manufactured on a 12 nm process. It features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 1500 MHz with a boost clock of 1770 MHz, and its memory runs at an effective speed of 12 Gbps. In Doom, these specifications translate to a measurable performance tier. The GPU's 1536 shading units and 48 ROPs are directly responsible for pixel output, with a pixel rate of 84.96 GPixel/s. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 151.3 FPS, which indicates the GPU has enough raw power for esports-level frame rates in this title. However, the 6 GB VRAM capacity becomes a potential limiting factor at higher resolutions, though the measured FPS drop to 39.6 at 4K High suggests that raw compute power, not memory capacity, is the primary bottleneck. The GPU's average benchmark score of 13925 places it just 0.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 570X, indicating a very tight competitive grouping.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the system produces 151.3 FPS, which drops to 94.8 FPS at 1440p and further to 53.3 FPS at 4K. This represents a 37.3% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 64.8% drop from 1080p to 4K. This steep decline strongly suggests that the GPU is the limiting component at higher resolutions. The CPU's role becomes less significant as resolution increases, because the GPU must render more pixels, which takes more time and reduces the CPU's ability to feed it frames. The data at Ultra settings shows a similar trend, with 91.1 FPS at 1080p, 60 FPS at 1440p, and 34.3 FPS at 4K. The fact that the 1440p Ultra result is exactly 60.0 FPS is a notable data point, suggesting a smooth experience on a standard 60 Hz monitor. The scaling indicates that for 4K gaming, this combo is not viable for high refresh rate displays, but it can approach playability at Low settings with 53.3 FPS.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Doom at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K Low settings, the system achieves an average of 53.3 FPS, which is playable. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 34.3 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay on most displays.

Q: What is the best resolution for this hardware combination?

A: The data shows that 1080p is the sweet spot. At 1080p High, the system achieves 112.5 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra it still delivers 91.1 FPS. These numbers indicate that the combo is well-suited for high refresh rate 1080p monitors.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 Ti compare to its nearest rival in benchmark scores?

A: The GTX 1660 Ti has an average benchmark score of 13925. The AMD Radeon RX 570X scores 13871, which is a 0.4% difference. The NVIDIA Tesla K10 scores 14029, placing it 0.7% higher than the GTX 1660 Ti.

Q: What is the CPU's performance percentile?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 has a percentile rank of 50 when compared to all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 2305, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i3-10305 at 2300 (a 0.2% difference).

Q: Is there a large performance gap between Medium and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: Yes. At 1440p Medium, the system averages 83.4 FPS, while at 1440p Ultra it drops to exactly 60.0 FPS. This is a 28% reduction in frame rate for the higher visual fidelity.

Q: Is the GTX 1660 Ti's VRAM a concern for Doom?

A: The GPU has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory. The measured data shows no specific VRAM-related issues, but the significant FPS drops at higher resolutions suggest that the GPU's compute capabilities, rather than memory capacity, are the primary bottleneck.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers its best results. Low settings produce an average of 151.3 FPS, Medium produces 128.9 FPS, High produces 112.5 FPS, and Ultra produces 91.1 FPS. This shows a steady and predictable decrease as settings are increased, with a total drop of 60.2 FPS (39.8%) from Low to Ultra. At 2560x1440, the frame rates are still respectable. Low settings average 94.8 FPS, Medium averages 83.4 FPS, High averages 70.8 FPS, and Ultra averages exactly 60.0 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p results in a 37.3% drop at Low settings and a 34.1% drop at Ultra settings. At 3840x2160, the system begins to struggle. Low settings average 53.3 FPS, Medium averages 45.2 FPS, High averages 39.6 FPS, and Ultra averages 34.3 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial, with the Low preset losing 64.8% of its performance and the Ultra preset losing 62.3%. The data clearly shows that the system is most comfortable at 1080p, where it can maintain frame rates well above 90 FPS even at the highest settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The CPU's L3 cache is 9 MB shared, which is a modest amount for a gaming processor. In Doom, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The data suggests that this CPU is sufficient for the task, especially at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 151.3 FPS, which indicates that the CPU can keep up with the GPU's output. However, the CPU's benchmark scores tell a story of mid-range performance. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 7969, and its single-core score is 1125. The processor's average benchmark score of 2305 places it almost exactly on par with the Intel Core i3-10305 (2300) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2299). The data shows that the i5-9400 is not a bottleneck at 1080p, but it may limit performance in CPU-intensive scenarios, although Doom's Vulkan API is known to be efficient. The 65 W TDP and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth are standard for this generation.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p displays with a 144 Hz refresh rate, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers 91.1 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold and close to the 144 Hz target. The High preset at 112.5 FPS is also viable for those who prefer slightly smoother motion. For 1440p monitors, the Ultra preset delivers exactly 60.0 FPS, making it the ideal choice for a 60 Hz display. If the monitor is 144 Hz, the Medium preset at 83.4 FPS is the better option, as it provides a smoother experience while still maintaining high visual quality. For 4K resolution, the data suggests that only the Low preset is playable, with an average of 53.3 FPS. The Medium preset at 45.2 FPS may be acceptable for slower-paced gameplay, but it is not ideal for a fast-paced FPS like Doom. The High and Ultra presets at 4K are not recommended, as they drop below 40 FPS, which will significantly impact the gameplay experience. In summary, the best experience is achieved by matching the settings to the monitor's refresh rate, prioritizing 1080p Ultra for high refresh rate displays and 1440p Ultra for 60 Hz displays.