Doom

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT delivers a formidable performance profile in Doom, a 2016 FPS. The measured data reveals a configuration that excels at high refresh rates, particularly at 1440p and 1080p, while maintaining playable frame rates at 4K. The results show a clear hierarchy where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck only at the highest resolution, with the CPU’s substantial core count providing ample headroom elsewhere.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals the classic signature of a GPU-bound workload at higher resolutions. At the High preset, the average FPS drops from 231 at 1920x1080 to 149 at 2560x1440, a reduction of 82 frames (or roughly 35.5%). Moving further to 3840x2160, the average falls to 81 FPS, a 64.5% decrease from the 1080p figure. This steep decline indicates that the Radeon RX 9070 XT’s rendering capabilities are the limiting factor as pixel count increases.

The scaling pattern across all presets reinforces this interpretation. For the Low preset, the average FPS drops from 314 at 1080p to 203 at 1440p and then to 110 at 4K. The Medium preset follows suit, with averages of 273, 177, and 96 FPS across the three resolutions. The consistency of this drop—roughly a 35-40% reduction from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 45-50% reduction from 1440p to 4K—suggests that the game’s rendering load scales predictably with resolution, and the GPU’s fill rate and memory bandwidth are the dominant constraints.

At 1080p and 1440p, the frame rates are high enough that the CPU’s performance becomes more relevant. The Ultra preset at 1440p still manages 122 FPS average, and at 1080p it reaches 189 FPS. These numbers are only achievable with a processor that can feed the GPU efficiently. The data implies that while the GPU is the star for 4K, the balance tips toward a more CPU-sensitive scenario at lower resolutions, where the Core Ultra 7 265’s 20 cores and 20 threads help sustain high minimums, as seen in the Medium preset’s min FPS of 232 at 1080p.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, built on the RDNA 4.0 architecture, is the central component driving these results. Its 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 644.6 GB/s, which is crucial for the high-resolution textures and effects in Doom. The GPU’s boost clock of 2970 MHz and game clock of 2400 MHz, alongside its 4096 shading units, contribute to its raw compute power.

The GPU’s role is most evident in the 4K results. At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset yields an average of 66 FPS, while High produces 81 FPS. The performance gap between High and Ultra at 4K (15 FPS difference) is larger than the gap at 1080p (42 FPS difference between 231 and 189). This suggests that the Ultra preset’s added visual effects, likely including higher-quality shadows and post-processing, place a significant strain on the GPU’s processing units at higher pixel counts. The measured minimum of 81 FPS for the Medium preset at 4K indicates that even with variability, the GPU maintains a playable experience.

The GPU’s 55th percentile ranking among all tested GPUs, based on its average benchmark score of 13543, places it in the mainstream-to-high-end tier. Its performance in synthetic tests, such as a Passmark G3D score of 26795 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 7260, corroborates its suitability for modern gaming. In Doom, the data shows that the GPU is capable of driving high refresh rates at 1440p, with the Ultra preset hitting 122 FPS, but it begins to struggle to maintain 60+ FPS at 4K Ultra, making High or Medium the more sensible choices at that resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT ranks 669th out of 2930 tested combos in Doom. This places it in the top 22.8% of all configurations tested, indicating a strong overall performance tier. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, where neither is a severe bottleneck at the tested settings.

This ranking is notable given the CPU’s individual standing. The Core Ultra 7 265 sits in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 64640. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P (scoring 64823, a 0.3% difference) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F (scoring 64438, a 0.3% difference). The fact that the combo ranks in the top quarter suggests that the GPU is not holding back the CPU’s potential, but rather they work well together, especially at 1440p where the combo achieves its most impressive results.

The 4K performance, while playable, is where the combo’s rank is likely dragged down. With an average of 66 FPS on Ultra, it is not in the top tier of 4K performers, but the 81 FPS on High and 96 FPS on Medium show that the configuration is versatile. The data implies that this combo is best suited for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming, where it ranks exceptionally well, rather than being a 4K powerhouse.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are exceptionally high: 314 FPS on Low, 273 FPS on Medium, 231 FPS on High, and 189 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset records a minimum of 232 FPS and a maximum of 314 FPS, showing tight frame pacing. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is far beyond the threshold for competitive play, and the CPU’s role is to ensure these high averages are sustained.

At 2560x1440, the averages are still very strong: 203 FPS on Low, 177 FPS on Medium, 149 FPS on High, and 122 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 150 FPS and a maximum of 203 FPS. This resolution is the sweet spot for this combo, as it balances visual fidelity with high refresh rates, making it ideal for 144Hz monitors. The drop from High to Ultra at 1440p (27 FPS) is noticeable, but both settings remain highly playable.

At 3840x2160, the averages are more moderate: 110 FPS on Low, 96 FPS on Medium, 81 FPS on High, and 66 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset records a minimum of 81 FPS and a maximum of 110 FPS. While the Ultra preset drops to 66 FPS, which may be borderline for some users, the High and Medium presets provide smooth experiences. The data shows that the 4K High preset, with its 81 FPS average, is the optimal choice for 4K gaming if a consistent 60+ FPS is desired, whereas Ultra is for those who prioritize visual quality over frame rate.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265, with its 20 cores and 20 threads, plays a crucial role in ensuring the GPU is not starved of data, particularly at lower resolutions. Its base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.30 GHz provide strong single-thread performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5960. This is essential for Doom, which relies on a primary game thread for physics and game logic.

The CPU’s multi-threaded capabilities, shown by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216, are less critical for this game, but they prevent background tasks from causing frame hitches. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache also helps with data locality. The CPU’s high percentile ranking (93rd) and its average benchmark score of 64640, which is only 0.3% lower than its closest rival, the AMD EPYC 4464P, confirm its top-tier status.

In Doom, the CPU’s influence is most apparent at 1080p. The jump from 189 FPS on Ultra to 231 FPS on High, and further to 314 FPS on Low, shows that as GPU load decreases, the CPU can push frame rates higher. This indicates that the Core Ultra 7 265 is not a bottleneck even at low settings, maximizing the GPU’s potential. The data suggests that for this game, the CPU provides ample headroom, ensuring stable performance across all settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s resolution and refresh rate goals. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset at 189 FPS is the best choice, as it offers the highest visual quality while still delivering frame rates far above the 144Hz threshold. If a user has a 240Hz monitor, the High preset at 231 FPS would be preferred, but the visual compromise is minimal.

For 2560x1440, the High preset at 149 FPS is the recommended starting point, as it balances visual fidelity with a frame rate that exceeds most high-refresh-rate monitors. The Ultra preset at 122 FPS is also viable, especially for those who prioritize image quality over raw speed. The Medium preset at 177 FPS is an excellent choice for competitive players seeking maximum responsiveness, though it sacrifices some visual details.

For 3840x2160, the High preset at 81 FPS is the best overall experience, providing smooth gameplay with good visual quality. The Medium preset at 96 FPS is a strong alternative for those who want higher frame rates, while the Ultra preset at 66 FPS is only recommended for gamers who are comfortable with frame rates in the low 60s. The Low preset at 110 FPS is not recommended at 4K, as the visual downgrade is significant for only a modest FPS gain over Medium.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in Doom?

A: The highest average FPS is 314, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Does this configuration maintain 60 FPS at 4K resolution on all settings?

A: No, the data shows that at 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages 66 FPS, while the Low, Medium, and High presets average 110, 96, and 81 FPS respectively, all above 60 FPS.

Q: How does the combo rank compared to other tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 669th out of 2930 tested combos, placing it in the top 22.8% of all configurations tested for this game.

Q: At which resolution does the combo offer the best balance of frame rate and visual quality?

A: The 2560x1440 resolution with the High preset, averaging 149 FPS, offers the best balance, providing high visual fidelity and a frame rate suitable for fast-paced gaming.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 4K?

A: The minimum FPS for the Medium preset at 3840x2160 is 81, with a maximum of 110 and an average of 96.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the GPU is less of a limiting factor at 1080p, as frame rates scale significantly with lower settings (314 FPS on Low vs 189 FPS on Ultra), indicating the CPU has enough headroom to push high frame rates when the GPU load is reduced.