Doom

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT combination delivers a robust experience in Doom, with the data indicating that the GPU is the primary scaling factor across resolutions. This pairing of a 20-core Arrow Lake processor with a 16 GB RDNA 3.0 graphics card produces high frame rates that scale predictably with resolution and settings, making it a versatile setup for both high-refresh 1080p and smooth 4K play.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 brings substantial processing resources to this pairing, with 20 cores and 20 threads operating on the Arrow Lake architecture. Its base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.30 GHz provide the headroom needed to keep up with high frame rates in a fast-paced FPS like Doom. The processor is built on a 3 nm process node and supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s that keeps data flowing to the GPU.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Core Ultra 7 265 performs strongly. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 42216 and single-core score of 5960 indicate a balanced processor capable of handling both lightly-threaded game logic and background tasks. The PassMark multithread score of 49682 and single-thread score of 4689 further confirm its capability. The processor sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, which shows it is positioned well above the median for overall compute performance.

Looking at nearest rivals, the data shows the Core Ultra 7 265 is closely matched with other high-end processors. Its average benchmark score of 64640 is only 0.3% lower than the AMD EPYC 4464P, which scores 64823. It is also 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F at 64438, and 0.7% higher than the AMD EPYC 7343 at 64202. The AMD EPYC 9124 leads this group with a score of 65104, putting the Core Ultra 7 265 0.7% behind. These margins are negligible in real-world gaming scenarios, meaning the CPU is rarely the bottleneck in this system.

For Doom specifically, the game's engine is known for scaling well with single-thread performance, and the Core Ultra 7 265's 5960 Cinebench R23 single-core score ensures that the CPU can feed frames to the GPU without stalling. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache provide quick access to frequently used data, which helps maintain consistent frame pacing. With 20 threads available, the processor also has ample capacity for the game's background processes and any streaming or recording software running simultaneously.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is the driving force behind the visual output in this configuration. Built on the Navi 32 chip with RDNA 3.0 architecture, this GPU features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s. The 16 GB frame buffer is particularly relevant for Doom at higher resolutions, allowing the card to hold large textures and geometry without spilling into slower system memory.

Clock speeds are generous, with a base clock of 1295 MHz, a boost clock of 2430 MHz, and a game clock of 2124 MHz. The memory runs at 2438 MHz, which translates to 19.5 Gbps effective. This combination of high core clocks and fast memory allows the RX 7800 XT to process the game's demanding effects, including its Vulkan-based rendering path. The GPU has 3840 shading units, 240 texture mapping units, and 96 render output units, with 60 ray tracing cores available for games that use them.

In benchmark tests, the RX 7800 XT posts a PassMark G3D score of 24176 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 54228. These scores place the GPU at the 51st percentile among all GPUs, indicating it is an average-to-slightly-above-average performer in the broader market. Interestingly, the nearest rivals in the data show a mixed picture. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 has an average score of 11680, which is 0.5% higher than the RX 7800 XT's average of 11627. The AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT scores 11842, which is 1.8% higher. Conversely, the AMD Radeon Pro 5500M and NVIDIA Tesla K20c score lower, at 11528 and 11479, respectively.

These rival comparisons are based on average benchmark scores across all tests, and they do not reflect the RX 7800 XT's strengths in a modern title like Doom. The 16 GB VRAM and RDNA 3.0 architecture give it a distinct advantage in real-world gaming scenarios, particularly at 4K where memory capacity and bandwidth matter most. The measured FPS data confirms that the GPU is capable of delivering high frame rates, with the card handling 4K Ultra at 60 FPS and 1080p Low at 284 FPS, showing excellent scalability.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of resolution scaling that points to the GPU as the limiting component in most scenarios. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 and then to 3840x2160, the average frame rates drop consistently across all settings, which is the expected behavior when the graphics card is under increasing load.

At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 284 at 1080p to 184 at 1440p, a reduction of 100 FPS or roughly 35%. Continuing to 4K, the average drops to 99 FPS, another 46% decrease from the 1440p figure. This steep decline indicates that the GPU is being pushed harder as pixel count increases, and the 16 GB VRAM is being utilized more fully. The CPU, with its 20 cores and high boost clock, maintains its performance across these resolutions, as evidenced by the fact that the frame rate drops are proportional to the pixel count increase.

At Medium settings, the pattern is similar. The 1080p average of 247 FPS drops to 160 at 1440p and then to 87 at 4K. The minimum FPS also scales, from 210 at 1080p to 136 at 1440p and 74 at 4K. This consistency suggests that the CPU is not introducing frame pacing issues, as the minimums stay reasonably close to the averages.

High settings show the same trend, with averages of 209 FPS at 1080p, 135 FPS at 1440p, and 73 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 74 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is 62 FPS, showing a slightly different ratio than Low settings but still indicating GPU-bound behavior.

Ultra settings exhibit the most pronounced scaling, with 171 FPS at 1080p dropping to 110 FPS at 1440p and then to 60 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of exactly 60 FPS suggests that the GPU is hitting a performance ceiling, likely due to the combination of maximum visual effects and 4K resolution. The fact that the RX 7800 XT maintains playable frame rates at 4K Ultra is notable, but the sharp drop from 171 FPS at 1080p shows how demanding the Ultra preset is on the GPU.

Overall, the resolution scaling data clearly indicates that the RX 7800 XT is the primary limiter in this system. The CPU's performance is consistent across resolutions, as shown by the proportional FPS drops, and the GPU's workload increases predictably with pixel count. For users seeking maximum frame rates, lower resolutions are the way forward, while 4K is reserved for those who prioritize visual fidelity over raw FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at how this system performs across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance across all settings. Low settings produce an average of 284 FPS, which is the highest figure recorded in the entire dataset. Medium settings follow with 247 FPS average, and the minimum drops to 210 FPS with a maximum of 284 FPS. High settings yield 209 FPS average, and Ultra settings still manage a strong 171 FPS average. At 1080p, even the most demanding preset comfortably exceeds the refresh rate of most high-end monitors, making this resolution ideal for competitive play.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high but show the expected reduction. Low settings average 184 FPS, which is still excellent for fast-paced action. Medium settings average 160 FPS, with a minimum of 136 FPS and a maximum of 184 FPS. High settings produce 135 FPS average, and Ultra settings deliver 110 FPS average. These figures show that 1440p is a sweet spot for this configuration, offering a good balance between visual quality and performance, with even the Ultra preset staying above 100 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system demonstrates its capability for 4K gaming, though the frame rates are more modest. Low settings average 99 FPS, which is smooth for most players. Medium settings average 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS. High settings drop to 73 FPS average, and Ultra settings hit exactly 60 FPS average. The 4K results show that the RX 7800 XT can handle the resolution, but users will need to make trade-offs between visual fidelity and frame rate, as the difference between Low and Ultra is 39 FPS.

The Ultra preset at 4K, with its 60 FPS average, is the only configuration that dips to the threshold commonly considered the minimum for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset at 4K, with an 87 FPS average, offers a better balance for users who want higher frame rates without sacrificing too much visual quality. The data shows that the system is versatile enough to adapt to different user preferences, whether that means chasing 284 FPS at 1080p Low or settling for 60 FPS at 4K Ultra.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this system achieves in Doom?

A: The highest recorded average frame rate is 284 FPS at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the peak performance figure in the measured data.

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

A: Yes, the system can play at 3840x2160. The average FPS ranges from 99 at Low settings to 60 at Ultra settings, with Medium settings at 87 FPS and High at 73 FPS. All presets are playable, though Ultra hits the 60 FPS threshold.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has an average benchmark score of 64640. It is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F (64438) and 0.7% higher than the AMD EPYC 7343 (64202). It trails the AMD EPYC 4464P (64823) by 0.3% and the AMD EPYC 9124 (65104) by 0.7%.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is at the 51st percentile among all GPUs, based on its average benchmark score of 11627. This places it slightly above the median performer.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings average 184 FPS, while Ultra settings average 110 FPS. This represents a difference of 74 FPS between the two presets.

Q: Does the system maintain smooth minimum frame rates at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the only preset with recorded minimum FPS is Medium, which has a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS. The other presets did not record minimum FPS values, but the averages suggest consistent performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display and performance priorities. For users with a 1080p monitor, the High preset at 209 FPS average is an excellent choice, offering a strong visual experience while staying well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. Those with high-refresh 1080p displays (240 Hz or higher) may prefer the Low preset at 284 FPS to maximize frame rates, though the visual trade-off is significant. The Medium preset at 247 FPS provides a middle ground, but the High preset offers a better balance of image quality and performance for most users.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset delivers 110 FPS average, which is more than sufficient for a smooth experience and provides the best visual quality. Users who prioritize higher frame rates can step down to High at 135 FPS or Medium at 160 FPS. The Medium preset with its recorded minimum of 136 FPS ensures no noticeable stutters during intense action. For most 1440p users, the High preset at 135 FPS is the recommended choice, as it offers excellent visual fidelity while maintaining a comfortable performance cushion above 100 FPS.

For 4K gaming at 3840x2160, the Ultra preset at 60 FPS average is playable but leaves no headroom for demanding scenes. The High preset at 73 FPS provides a safer margin and is the recommended choice for users who want a smooth 4K experience with high visual quality. The Medium preset at 87 FPS is ideal for those who prioritize frame rate over maximum graphical detail, offering significantly smoother gameplay than High or Ultra. The Low preset at 99 FPS is the best option for users who want the highest possible 4K performance, though it sacrifices visual richness.

Considering the full dataset, the High preset at 1440p (135 FPS) appears to be the best overall experience, balancing visual quality and performance. For users who want maximum visual fidelity and have a 1440p display, the Ultra preset at 110 FPS is also highly viable. The 4K Ultra preset at exactly 60 FPS is the most demanding configuration and should only be used by users who prioritize image quality above all else and are comfortable with the lower frame rate. The measured data shows that this system is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of preferences, from competitive 1080p play to cinematic 4K visuals.