Doom

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 delivers a strong performance profile in Doom, with the data showing a combination that is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming. The measured frame rates indicate that this system can handle the game comfortably at 1080p and 1440p, while 4K remains playable with adjusted settings. This analysis breaks down the specific roles of the CPU and GPU, the measured performance across different configurations, and the practical settings recommendations derived from the data.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combination for Doom?

A: The combo ranks 799th out of 1681 tested combinations, placing it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems for this specific game.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 compare to its nearest rival, the RX 6600 XT?

A: The RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 28238, which is 0.9% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT's score of 27985, indicating a slight performance advantage.

Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved at 1920x1080?

A: The highest average frame rate at 1080p is 253.7 FPS, which was achieved with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the game playable at 4K resolution with this hardware?

A: Yes, the data shows playable frame rates at 3840x2160, with the High preset delivering an average of 65.3 FPS and the Low preset reaching 90.4 FPS.

Q: What is the CPU's single-core performance benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 achieves a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1125.

Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and what is its memory bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 secures a rank of 799 out of 1681 tested configurations for Doom. This position places it in the 47th percentile of all tested combos, meaning it outperforms roughly 47% of the systems in the database for this title. The ranking reflects a balanced pairing where neither component is drastically bottlenecking the other, though the CPU's age is noticeable in the overall standings. The data suggests this is a competent setup for the game, but not a top-tier one, indicating that there is significant headroom for higher-end combinations to achieve better frame rates.

When examining the individual components, the GPU's percentile rank of 72 versus all GPUs is notably higher than the CPU's percentile rank of 50 versus all CPUs. This discrepancy suggests that the graphics card is the stronger link in the chain, and the system's overall performance is likely constrained by the CPU's processing power in certain scenarios. The combo's 799th rank reflects a synthesis of these two components' capabilities, with the CPU's mid-range standing pulling the overall performance down slightly from what the GPU alone might suggest.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and can boost up to 4.10 GHz, which are the clock speeds relevant for processing the game's logic and physics. In the context of Doom, a fast-paced FPS, the CPU's single-threaded performance is critical for maintaining high frame rates. The data shows a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1125, which is a modest result by modern standards and indicates that the processor can handle the game's primary thread but may not be the limiting factor at lower resolutions.

The CPU's multi-core performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969, is also a factor, as Doom can utilize multiple threads for various game systems. However, the processor's 6 threads are a limiting factor compared to processors with more threads. The benchmark results show that the i5-9400 sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-10305 and the Intel Xeon E-2134, which have average scores within 0.4% of the i5-9400's average of 2305. This indicates that the CPU's processing power is in line with other mid-range options, and its performance is sufficient to feed the GPU at higher resolutions, where the graphical load is more demanding.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combination provide a clear picture of its capabilities across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system demonstrates exceptional performance, with average frame rates ranging from 155.1 FPS on Ultra to 253.7 FPS on Low. The High preset delivers an average of 190.3 FPS, and the Medium preset achieves 225.5 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors, with even the most demanding Ultra settings providing a smooth experience well above the 144 FPS threshold for many gaming displays.

Moving up to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain highly playable but show a noticeable decrease due to the increased pixel count. The Low preset delivers an average of 166 FPS, while the High preset drops to 121 FPS. The Medium setting achieves 146.4 FPS, and the Ultra setting falls to 98.6 FPS. This resolution represents a sweet spot for the combination, as it can still hit high refresh rates on lower settings and maintain a solid 60+ FPS on the highest quality presets. At 3840x2160, the system's performance becomes more moderate. The Low preset yields an average of 90.4 FPS, which is still very smooth, but the High preset drops to 65.3 FPS. The Medium setting achieves 78.3 FPS, while the Ultra preset falls to 55.7 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target for a consistently smooth experience.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is the primary driver of graphical performance in this setup. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, which provides a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU's boost clock is 1725 MHz, and it is built on the Ampere architecture with 5888 shading units. The data shows that the GPU is a powerful performer, with an average benchmark score of 28238 and a percentile rank of 72 versus all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, which it leads by 0.9%, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti, which it outperforms by 1%.

The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1080p, the CPU is more likely to be the limiting factor, but at 1440p and especially 4K, the RTX 3070's capabilities are fully utilized. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU is capable of delivering high frame rates across all settings, but its performance scales with resolution and settings as expected. The 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for Doom at all tested configurations, and the high memory bandwidth ensures that the GPU can quickly access textures and rendering data, contributing to the smooth frame rates observed in the benchmarks.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display resolution and refresh rate. For 1920x1080 displays with a 144 Hz or higher refresh rate, the Ultra preset at 155.1 FPS is the best choice, as it provides the highest visual fidelity while still exceeding the refresh rate of most monitors. If the user has a 240 Hz display, the High preset at 190.3 FPS is a better option, or the Medium preset at 225.5 FPS for a balance of visuals and performance. The Low preset at 253.7 FPS is only necessary for the most extreme refresh rate displays.

For 2560x1440 resolution, the data suggests that the High preset at 121 FPS is the best overall experience, providing excellent visual quality while maintaining a frame rate that is suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming. The Ultra preset at 98.6 FPS is also viable for users who prioritize visuals over raw frame rate. For users with 60 Hz displays, the Ultra preset at 98.6 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides the best image quality without any risk of screen tearing. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset at 78.3 FPS offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, as it stays well above the 60 FPS target. The High preset at 65.3 FPS is also playable, but the Ultra preset at 55.7 FPS falls below 60 FPS and may result in a less smooth experience, making the Medium preset the recommended choice for 4K gaming.