Doom

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination delivers a playable experience in Doom, with average frame rates ranging from 43 FPS at 4K Ultra to 202 FPS at 1080p Low. Benchmark data indicates this pairing lands at rank 1766 out of 2930 tested combos, placing it in the lower-middle tier of configurations for this title. The following analysis breaks down how each component contributes to these results, how the system scales across resolutions, and which settings provide the optimal balance of visual quality and performance.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor built on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This desktop chip uses a 3 nm process and supports DDR5 memory through a dual-channel interface, providing a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The processor's benchmark profile shows strong single-thread performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 and a PassMark single-thread score of 4394, which is relevant for a game like Doom that relies heavily on per-core responsiveness.

In terms of overall CPU performance, the Core Ultra 5 245 achieves an average benchmark score of 48995, placing it in the 90th percentile of all processors. Its closest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (deltaPct -0.4), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (deltaPct -0.5), the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (deltaPct 0.6), and the Intel Core i5-14600K (deltaPct 0.8). These small delta percentages indicate that the Core Ultra 5 245 is essentially performance-equivalent to these alternatives, meaning the CPU is not a differentiator in this comparison.

The measured FPS data for this combo shows that at 1080p, the frame rates are high across all settings, ranging from 122 FPS at Ultra to 202 FPS at Low. This suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU sufficiently at lower resolutions, as the frame rates do not appear to be bottlenecked by processor limitations. The multi-core performance, reflected in a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32924 and a PassMark multithread score of 38706, provides ample headroom for background tasks and game logic, even though Doom is not heavily multithreaded compared to modern titles.

The processor's cache hierarchy, with 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3, contributes to low-latency data access that benefits frame pacing. The 14 threads ensure that the game's rendering thread and supporting processes can run concurrently without contention. Given that the frame rates at 1440p and 4K drop significantly (e.g., 96 FPS to 52 FPS at High settings), the data indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this configuration; instead, the GPU becomes the primary constraint as resolution increases.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with the GB207 chip, fabricated on a 5 nm process. It comes equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2317 MHz and a boost clock of 2572 MHz, with memory clocked at 2500 MHz (20 Gbps effective). The 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs provide a raw compute capability of 13.17 TFLOPS for FP32 operations, which is modest for a modern graphics card.

The RTX 5050's benchmark scores show a PassMark G3D score of 17326 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502, placing it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (deltaPct -0.6), the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (deltaPct -1), the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (deltaPct 1.6), and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (deltaPct -1.6). These delta values indicate that the RTX 5050 performs roughly on par with these GPUs, though the RX 5600 XT is slightly ahead by 1.6%.

For Doom, the GPU's role is critical, especially at higher resolutions. The measured data shows a clear pattern: at 1080p, the RTX 5050 achieves 149 FPS at High settings, but this drops to 96 FPS at 1440p and 52 FPS at 4K for the same settings. This represents a 35% decrease from 1080p to 1440p and a 65% decrease from 1080p to 4K, highlighting the GPU's limited capacity to handle the increased pixel count. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for Doom, which is not a particularly VRAM-intensive title, but the 128-bit memory bus and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth become a constraint at higher resolutions where memory throughput is more demanding.

The RTX 5050's boost clock of 2572 MHz provides reasonable peak performance, but the low pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s and texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s limit its ability to maintain high frame rates at 4K. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, which are all compatible with Doom's rendering requirements. The data suggests that the RTX 5050 is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can deliver high frame rates, but it struggles to maintain 60 FPS at 4K except on Low settings.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a consistent pattern that points to the GPU as the primary bottleneck. At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 149 FPS at 1080p to 96 FPS at 1440p, a 35.6% reduction, and then to 52 FPS at 4K, a 65.1% reduction from 1080p. This steep decline with increasing resolution is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the RTX 5050's computational and memory bandwidth limits become more pronounced as the pixel workload grows.

For Low settings, the scaling is similar but starts from a higher baseline: 202 FPS at 1080p, 131 FPS at 1440p (a 35.1% drop), and 71 FPS at 4K (a 64.9% drop). The consistent percentage decrease across different settings indicates that the limiting factor is resolution-dependent rather than settings-dependent, which further confirms the GPU as the bottleneck. If the CPU were the constraint, we would expect to see a plateau in frame rates at lower resolutions, but the data shows linear degradation as resolution increases.

The Medium settings rows provide additional insight, with average FPS of 176 at 1080p, 114 at 1440p, and 62 at 4K. The minimum and maximum FPS values for these rows (e.g., 150-203 at 1080p, 97-131 at 1440p, 52-71 at 4K) show that frame pacing remains stable, with no significant stuttering or spikes that would indicate CPU-related hitches. This stability suggests that the Core Ultra 5 245 is providing consistent frame delivery, and the frame rate drops are purely a function of the GPU's rendering capacity.

The data indicates that this combo is not suitable for 4K gaming at high or ultra settings, as the average FPS falls below the 60 FPS threshold (52 FPS at High, 43 FPS at Ultra). At 1440p, the system can achieve playable frame rates above 60 FPS for all settings except Ultra (79 FPS at High, 114 FPS at Medium, 131 FPS at Low), but Ultra still maintains 79 FPS, which is acceptable. At 1080p, the system excels, with all settings exceeding 120 FPS, making this the resolution where the combo performs best.

The scaling analysis shows that if a user wants to play at 4K, they must reduce settings to Low to achieve 71 FPS, which is playable but visually compromised. The alternative is to stick with 1440p, where the system can handle High settings at 96 FPS, providing a good balance of visual quality and performance. The data clearly indicates that the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU's benchmark scores are in the 90th percentile and show no signs of bottlenecking.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Doom?

A: The highest average frame rate measured is 202 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This indicates the system's peak performance when minimizing graphical load.

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

A: At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 43 FPS at Ultra to 71 FPS at Low. This means 4K is only playable at Low settings, as High and Medium settings fall below the 60 FPS threshold (52 FPS and 62 FPS respectively).

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT?

A: The RTX 5050 has an average benchmark score of 21035, while the RX 5600 XT has a score of 20713, resulting in a deltaPct of 1.6. This means the RTX 5050 is approximately 1.6% faster than the RX 5600 XT in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this configuration?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The Core Ultra 5 245 achieves a 90th percentile CPU performance ranking, while the RTX 5050 is only in the 66th percentile. The frame rate drops of roughly 35% from 1080p to 1440p and 65% from 1080p to 4K are consistent with GPU-bound scaling.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain above 60 FPS?

A: At 2560x1440, all settings except Ultra achieve average FPS above 60 (96 FPS at High, 114 FPS at Medium, 131 FPS at Low). Even Ultra at 79 FPS exceeds the threshold, making 1440p the highest resolution where the system consistently maintains playable frame rates.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 245's single-thread performance affect Doom?

A: The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 and PassMark single-thread score of 4394 indicate strong per-core performance. This is important for Doom's engine, which relies on single-thread responsiveness, and supports the high frame rates observed at 1080p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combo is organized by resolution and settings, providing a comprehensive view of performance.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates across all settings:

• Low: 202 FPS average
• Medium: 176 FPS average, with minimum 150 FPS and maximum 203 FPS
• High: 149 FPS average
• Ultra: 122 FPS average

The Medium setting provides the most detailed data, with a frame time variance that suggests stable performance. The difference between Low and Ultra is 80 FPS, representing a 39.6% performance penalty for the highest visual quality.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates decrease significantly but remain playable:

• Low: 131 FPS average
• Medium: 114 FPS average, with minimum 97 FPS and maximum 131 FPS
• High: 96 FPS average
• Ultra: 79 FPS average

The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across settings, with an average reduction of about 35%. The Ultra setting still maintains 79 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates:

• Low: 71 FPS average
• Medium: 62 FPS average, with minimum 52 FPS and maximum 71 FPS
• High: 52 FPS average
• Ultra: 43 FPS average

The 4K data shows that only Low and Medium settings achieve average FPS above 60, and even then, the Medium setting's minimum FPS of 52 indicates potential dips below playable levels. The Ultra setting at 43 FPS is notably below the 60 FPS threshold, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a consistent pattern: a 35% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 45% drop from 1440p to 4K (relative to 1440p). This compounding reduction highlights the GPU's limited ability to handle higher pixel densities.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1080p gaming, the Ultra setting at 122 FPS provides the best experience, as it achieves a high frame rate that exceeds the refresh rate of most monitors while offering the highest visual quality. If a user prefers maximum frame rates, the Low setting at 202 FPS is the best choice, but the visual compromise may not be worth the additional 80 FPS. The Medium setting at 176 FPS offers a balanced approach, with a minimum FPS of 150 ensuring no dips below playable levels.

For 1440p gaming, the High setting at 96 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides a good balance of visual fidelity and performance. The Ultra setting at 79 FPS is also acceptable, but the 17 FPS difference may be noticeable in fast-paced action. The Medium setting at 114 FPS offers a higher frame rate with a slight visual reduction, making it a viable alternative for competitive play. The Low setting at 131 FPS is best for maximizing performance, but the visual quality is significantly reduced.

For 4K gaming, the Low setting at 71 FPS is the only option that consistently stays above the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium setting at 62 FPS is borderline, with a minimum FPS of 52 that could cause stuttering in demanding scenes. High and Ultra settings at 52 FPS and 43 FPS respectively are not recommended for smooth gameplay, as they fall below the 60 FPS target. Users prioritizing 4K resolution should accept the visual quality of Low settings or consider lowering the resolution to 1440p.

The data suggests that the best overall experience for this combo is 1440p with High settings, providing 96 FPS average with good visual quality. This configuration maximizes the system's capabilities without exposing the GPU's limitations at 4K or leaving performance headroom unused at 1080p.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination ranks 1766th out of 2930 tested combos for Doom, placing it in the lower-middle tier of configurations. This ranking reflects the system's performance relative to other CPU-GPU pairings in the database, with the GPU's 66th percentile performance being the primary factor that limits the overall ranking.

The CPU's 90th percentile ranking among all processors indicates that the Core Ultra 5 245 is a strong performer, but its contribution to this combo's gaming performance is secondary to the GPU. The RTX 5050's 66th percentile ranking, combined with its 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus, puts it in a position where it struggles with higher resolutions, as evidenced by the measured FPS data.

Compared to the CPU's nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 5 245 performs within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-14600K and within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, meaning that swapping to these CPUs would yield negligible performance differences in Doom. Similarly, the GPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (1.6% faster) and the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (1% slower), show that the RTX 5050's performance is tightly clustered with these alternatives.

The rank of 1766 out of 2930 indicates that approximately 60% of tested combos perform better than this configuration in Doom. This is consistent with the GPU's mid-range positioning, as higher-performing GPUs with more VRAM and wider memory buses would achieve higher frame rates at 1440p and 4K. The combo's performance is sufficient for 1080p gaming at high settings and 1440p at medium to high settings, but it is not competitive with high-end configurations that can maintain 60 FPS at 4K with Ultra settings.

For users considering this combo, the data suggests that it is a capable mid-range setup for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it will require compromises at higher resolutions. The ranking reflects this, as it sits in the lower half of tested configurations, with the GPU being the primary limiting factor in achieving higher frame rates and better visual quality at demanding resolutions.