Doom

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

The Intel Core i7-14700K brings substantial processing resources to this pairing: 20 cores, 28 threads, a 3.40 GHz base clock, and a 5.60 GHz boost clock. This is a Raptor Lake-R architecture part on a 10 nm process, with a 33 MB shared L3 cache and 2 MB L2 per core. The processor's benchmark profile shows exceptional multi-threaded capability, scoring 44,534 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 18,704 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while single-thread performance reaches 6,287 in Cinebench R23 single-core.

In Doom, the CPU's role becomes evident when examining the frame rate scaling across settings at the same resolution. At 1080p, where the GPU has less pixel work per frame, the CPU must feed frames faster. The data shows the i7-14700K handling this ably: even at Ultra settings at 1080p, the combo maintains 114.8 FPS average. The processor's PassMark multithread score of 52,392 and single-thread score of 4,472 indicate strong headroom for game logic, physics, and draw call processing.

The CPU's 96th percentile ranking among all processors (per the avgBenchmarkScore of 70,074) places it in the top tier. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-14700KF with an average score of 70,104 (a 0% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X at 70,420 (a -0.5% delta, meaning the i7-14700K scores 0.5% lower). This parity with flagship-tier parts suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor in this Doom configuration.

The architecture's 20 cores and 28 threads are far more than a 2016 FPS title requires, yet the boost clock of 5.60 GHz ensures that even lightly-threaded game workloads see high single-core throughput. The processor's integrated UHD Graphics 770 is irrelevant for this discrete GPU setup, but the PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 CPU lanes provides ample bandwidth for the GPU's PCIe 4.0 x8 connection.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of Intel Core i7-14700K and AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT achieves a rank of 1,239 out of 1,681 tested combos in Doom. This places the pairing in the 26th percentile overall — meaning roughly three-quarters of tested combinations deliver higher average frame rates in this specific game. The rank is somewhat surprising given the CPU's top-tier status, but it reflects the GPU's mid-range positioning.

The data suggests this ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU side. The RX 6600 XT sits at the 71st percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27,985. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti (average score 27,956, delta 0.1%) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (average score 28,238, delta -0.9%). The RTX 3070 scores only 0.9% higher despite being a more modern part, which shows the RX 6600 XT performs competitively in synthetic benchmarks.

However, in Doom specifically, the combo's rank of 1,239 suggests that many combos pairing stronger GPUs with similar or weaker CPUs outperform this setup. The CPU's 96th percentile standing contrasts sharply with the combo's 26th percentile game rank, reinforcing that the GPU is the performance bottleneck. A CPU at the i7-14700K's level could easily support a much faster GPU in this title; the data implies headroom is being left on the table.

The rank also reflects Doom's optimization for high frame rates. Many mid-range and high-end GPUs can push this game to 200+ FPS at 1080p, and the RX 6600 XT's 192.7 FPS at Low settings 1080p shows it is capable, but the Ultra preset at 4K drops to 42.5 FPS, dragging the average across all tested configurations down.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals clear resolution scaling trends. At 1080p High, the combo averages 139.4 FPS; at 1440p High, that drops to 91.4 FPS (a 34.4% decrease); and at 4K High, it falls to 49.5 FPS (a 64.5% decrease from 1080p). This steep decline indicates the GPU becomes progressively more stressed as pixel count rises.

The scaling pattern across settings at each resolution tells a similar story. At 1080p, the spread from Low (192.7 FPS) to Ultra (114.8 FPS) is 77.9 FPS — a 40.4% drop. At 1440p, the spread from Low (122.9 FPS) to Ultra (72.4 FPS) is 50.5 FPS, a 41.1% drop. At 4K, the spread from Low (67.3 FPS) to Ultra (42.5 FPS) is 24.8 FPS, a 36.8% drop. The consistency of these percentage drops across resolutions suggests the GPU is the primary limiter at every setting level.

The limiting component shifts as resolution increases. At 1080p, the CPU has more relative influence, yet the i7-14700K's strength means even the largest setting swings produce frame rates well above playable thresholds. At 4K, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth become significant factors. The 128-bit memory bus and 8 GB GDDR6 capacity may contribute to the 4K Ultra result of 42.5 FPS, which falls below the 60 FPS target most players expect.

The data indicates that at 1080p and 1440p, this combo delivers smooth performance across all settings, while 4K requires dropping to Low settings (67.3 FPS) to approach playable frame rates. Medium at 4K (60.5 FPS) is borderline, and High (49.5 FPS) or Ultra (42.5 FPS) are unlikely to satisfy competitive players.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Doom?

A: The data shows 1440p as the sweet spot. At Medium settings, the combo averages 107.8 FPS, and even Ultra maintains 72.4 FPS. 1080p delivers higher frame rates (up to 192.7 FPS at Low), but 4K drops below 60 FPS at Medium and higher settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i7-14700K's average benchmark score of 70,074 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-14700KF (70,104, 0% delta) and the AMD EPYC 9115 (69,887, 0.3% higher for the EPYC). It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X by 0.5% and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 by 1.4%.

Q: Is the GPU the bottleneck in this configuration?

A: The evidence strongly suggests yes. The CPU ranks in the 96th percentile, while the GPU is at the 71st percentile. The combo ranks only 1,239th of 1,681 in Doom, and the frame rate drops from 1080p to 4K are consistent with GPU limitation. The CPU's benchmark scores indicate it could support significantly higher frame rates with a faster GPU.

Q: What settings provide the best experience at 4K?

A: Low settings at 4K yield 67.3 FPS average, and Medium yields 60.5 FPS. High (49.5 FPS) and Ultra (42.5 FPS) fall below the 60 FPS threshold. For a smooth 4K experience, the data supports Low or Medium presets, with Medium offering a better visual quality to performance trade-off.

Q: How does the RX 6600 XT compare to the RTX 3070?

A: The RX 6600 XT's average benchmark score of 27,985 is 0.9% lower than the RTX 3070's 28,238. The GTX 980 Ti scores 27,956, just 0.1% below the RX 6600 XT. These small deltas show the RX 6600 XT performs competitively in synthetic tests despite its mid-range positioning.

Q: Does the CPU's 20-core configuration help in Doom?

A: Doom is not a heavily multi-threaded title, but the i7-14700K's 20 cores and 28 threads ensure no CPU bottleneck. The processor's single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6,287) is more relevant for game logic, and it is strong enough that even at 1080p Low (192.7 FPS), the CPU does not limit the frame rate.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT is built on the Navi 23 chip with RDNA 2.0 architecture, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process with 11,060 million transistors. Its boost clock reaches 2589 MHz, with a game clock of 2359 MHz and base clock of 1968 MHz. The 8 GB GDDR6 memory runs at 2000 MHz (16 Gbps effective) across a 128-bit bus, providing 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. The GPU's 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 render output units deliver 165.7 GPixel/s pixel rate and 331.4 GTexel/s texture rate.

In Doom, the GPU's role dominates the performance profile. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (192.7 FPS) approaches the refresh rate limits of many monitors, but at 4K Ultra (42.5 FPS), the GPU's limitations are clear. The 8 GB VRAM capacity and 128-bit memory bus may constrain high-resolution textures, although the game's 2016 release date means it predates many modern VRAM-hungry titles.

The GPU's benchmark scores show a mixed profile. Its PassMark G3D score of 16,461 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,804 indicate solid DirectX 12 performance, which matters for Doom's Vulkan-based rendering. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 89,263 demonstrates strong compute capability. The GPU's 71st percentile ranking places it solidly in the mid-range tier, with the RTX 3070 only 0.9% ahead in average score.

The GPU's 160 W TDP and single 8-pin power connector suggest efficient operation, and the 190 mm length (7.5 inches) makes it compatible with most cases. The PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, while narrower than x16, is sufficient given the card's bandwidth requirements, especially with the i7-14700K's PCIe Gen 5 support providing backward compatibility.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides clear guidance for optimal settings at each resolution. At 1080p, all presets deliver playable frame rates, but the High preset (139.4 FPS) offers a strong balance between visual quality and performance. Ultra (114.8 FPS) is also viable, but the 24.6 FPS drop from High may not justify the visual gains. Medium (164.6 FPS) is excellent for high-refresh displays, while Low (192.7 FPS) is unnecessary unless targeting 144+ Hz at maximum frame consistency.

At 1440p, High (91.4 FPS) is the recommended preset for most players, as it maintains smooth gameplay while preserving visual fidelity. Medium (107.8 FPS) is the better choice for competitive players or those with 120 Hz displays. Ultra (72.4 FPS) is playable but shows a 19 FPS drop from High, suggesting diminishing returns. Low (122.9 FPS) is viable for esports-style play but sacrifices too much visual quality for most.

At 4K, the choices are more constrained. Low (67.3 FPS) and Medium (60.5 FPS) are the only presets that achieve 60 FPS or better. High (49.5 FPS) and Ultra (42.5 FPS) fall short of smooth gameplay. For 4K, Medium is the recommended choice, delivering playable performance with better visuals than Low. Players prioritizing frame rate over visuals should choose Low, which provides a 6.8 FPS improvement over Medium.

The overall best experience across all resolutions appears to be 1440p High, offering 91.4 FPS with strong visual quality. For maximum frame rates, 1080p Low at 192.7 FPS is the top performer, but the visual compromise is substantial.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. Low settings produce 192.7 FPS average, Medium yields 164.6 FPS, High achieves 139.4 FPS, and Ultra drops to 114.8 FPS. The spread of 77.9 FPS between Low and Ultra demonstrates the GPU's sensitivity to settings at this resolution, but even the lowest figure exceeds 110 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. Low averages 122.9 FPS, Medium reaches 107.8 FPS, High hits 91.4 FPS, and Ultra falls to 72.4 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at each setting is consistent: Low decreases by 69.8 FPS, Medium by 56.8 FPS, High by 48.0 FPS, and Ultra by 42.4 FPS. These decreases are proportional to the resolution's pixel count increase.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear limiter. Low averages 67.3 FPS, Medium achieves 60.5 FPS, High drops to 49.5 FPS, and Ultra falls to 42.5 FPS. The 4K-to-1440p decreases are dramatic: Low drops by 55.6 FPS, Medium by 47.3 FPS, High by 41.9 FPS, and Ultra by 29.9 FPS. Notably, the Ultra setting's drop from 1440p to 4K is the smallest in absolute terms, suggesting the Ultra preset's demands at 1440p already strain the GPU heavily.

The data reveals consistent scaling behavior. Across all resolutions, Low to Medium yields a 14-16% FPS decrease, Medium to High yields a 15-18% decrease, and High to Ultra yields a 17-21% decrease. These consistent percentages indicate the GPU's performance scales predictably with settings, with no sudden cliffs or unexpected bottlenecks.