Fivem

Fivem presents a unique challenge for hardware analysis, as its performance is heavily influenced by server-side code and the specific activities of other players. The measured data for the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 9060 combination provides a clear picture of how this system handles the game's demands across different resolutions and quality settings. This analysis breaks down the FPS figures to understand the balance between the CPU and GPU, and what it means for a smooth gameplay experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is stark and reveals a system that shifts from being CPU-bound to heavily GPU-bound. At 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 175 FPS. When moving to 1440p Low, this drops to 115 FPS, a 34% reduction. The jump to 4K Low yields 64 FPS, which is a further 44% decline from the 1440p figure. This scaling pattern is typical for a system where the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck as pixel count increases.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 111 at 1080p to 73 at 1440p (a 34% drop) and then to 40 at 4K (a 45% drop from 1440p). The consistent percentage drops between each resolution step strongly indicate that the graphics card is the limiting factor at these higher resolutions. The data suggests that the RX 9060, with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus, is being saturated by the demands of 4K rendering in Fivem.

However, the less severe drop from 1080p to 1440p compared to 1440p to 4K suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is playing a more significant role in limiting performance. The i5-9400, with its 6 cores and 6 threads, likely struggles to maintain high frame rates in the complex multiplayer environments of Fivem, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs at the lowest resolution. At 4K, the GPU's workload becomes so immense that the CPU's limitations are no longer the primary constraint. The data implies that for users targeting 4K, the Radeon RX 9060 is the component holding back performance, while at 1080p, the Core i5-9400 is more likely to be the bottleneck.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor from the Coffee Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. In Fivem, a game known for being sensitive to single-thread performance, this CPU's capabilities are put to the test. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 935 and multi-core score of 6629 place it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a mid-range performer. The data shows that the CPU's performance is a key factor in the game's frame rates, especially at lower resolutions.

The fact that the 1080p Low preset reaches 175 FPS while the 1080p Ultra preset only hits 86 FPS shows a 51% performance decrease from just a settings change. This gap is much larger than what would be expected from GPU load alone, suggesting that the CPU is struggling to keep up with the increased draw calls and physics calculations at higher settings. The i5-9400's 6 threads are a limiting factor, as Fivem's multiplayer interactions can create significant CPU overhead. The benchmark results indicate that while the CPU is capable of delivering high frame rates at low settings, it becomes a bottleneck as the game's graphical fidelity and simulation complexity increase.

The CPU's 9 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support are standard for its generation, but they don't offer any special advantages for Fivem. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, have nearly identical average benchmark scores, with delta percentages of -0.2% and 0.4% respectively. This indicates that the i5-9400 is right in the middle of its performance class, and its results in Fivem are likely representative of what users can expect from similarly performing CPUs. The data suggests that for a smoother experience at higher settings, a CPU with more threads or higher single-core performance would be beneficial.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 9060 is ranked 1714 out of 3005 tested combos for Fivem. This places it in the 43rd percentile of all possible pairings, which is a solidly mid-pack result. This ranking is a holistic measure of how well the two components work together for this specific game. The data suggests that this is not a top-tier combination, nor is it a poor one; it sits in the middle of the pack, offering a balanced but not exceptional experience.

The ranking reflects the fact that the GPU is a relatively strong performer, sitting in the 59th percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU is a more modest performer, sitting in the 47th percentile. The combination of a slightly above-average GPU with a slightly below-average CPU results in a pairing that is near the middle of the pack. The GPU's performance is a bright spot, with its average benchmark score of 16014 being very close to that of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which has a deltaPct of -0.7%. This suggests the RX 9060 is a capable card, but its potential is not fully realized in this pairing due to the CPU's limitations.

This rank of 1714 indicates that users with this combo will have a playable experience, but they will not be at the top of the performance charts. The data implies that the system is well-balanced for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the CPU and GPU can work in better harmony. However, for 4K gaming, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck, and the combo's ranking would likely be higher if the CPU could feed the GPU more effectively. The ranking serves as a summary of the system's overall capability in Fivem, suggesting it is a dependable but not outstanding choice.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best performance. With Low settings, it achieves an average of 175 FPS, which is exceptionally high and indicates that the CPU is the primary limiter here. Medium settings yield 138 FPS, with a minimum of 117 FPS and a maximum of 159 FPS, showing good frame pacing. High settings drop to 111 FPS, while Ultra settings bring the average down to 86 FPS. The 1080p data shows a clear and predictable scaling with settings, but the overall high numbers suggest that this resolution is where the combo is most comfortable.

At 2560x1440, the performance is still strong but shows the increasing load on the GPU. Low settings average 115 FPS, a significant drop from 1080p but still very playable. Medium settings average 91 FPS, with a minimum of 77 FPS and a maximum of 105 FPS. High settings bring the average to 73 FPS, and Ultra settings drop it to 56 FPS. The 1440p results indicate that the system can handle most settings presets smoothly, though Ultra settings may present some challenges in highly populated areas.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become apparent. Low settings are the only playable option, with an average of 64 FPS. Medium settings drop to 50 FPS, with a minimum of 43 FPS, which is starting to feel less smooth. High settings average 40 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to an average of just 31 FPS. The 4K data clearly shows that the RX 9060 is not powerful enough to deliver a consistently smooth experience at this resolution, especially at higher quality presets. The drop from 64 FPS at Low to 31 FPS at Ultra is a massive 52% reduction, highlighting the GPU's struggle with the pixel count and graphical load.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to play Fivem smoothly?

A: The data suggests that 1920x1080 is the sweet spot, with all settings presets achieving an average FPS above 86. At 2560x1440, the system is also capable, with most presets above 56 FPS. For a consistent 60+ FPS experience, 1080p is the safest choice.

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

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 4K Low settings, it achieves an average of 64 FPS. However, at Medium settings, the average drops to 50 FPS, and at High, it falls to 40 FPS. For a smooth experience, 4K Low is the only viable option.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance in Fivem?

A: The data indicates the CPU is a significant factor, especially at lower resolutions. The 1080p Low preset (175 FPS) to 1080p Ultra preset (86 FPS) shows a 51% performance drop, which is largely attributed to the CPU's 6 cores and 6 threads being unable to keep up with the increased simulation load at higher settings.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the main bottleneck for this system?

A: The bottleneck shifts with resolution. At 1080p, the CPU is more likely the limiting factor, as the FPS is very high and the GPU has less work to do. At 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck, as its performance drops dramatically due to the high pixel count.

Q: How does this combo compare to others in the database?

A: This combo is ranked 1714 out of 3005, placing it in the middle of the pack. This indicates a balanced but not top-tier system. The GPU performs better than average, but the CPU holds the overall ranking back.

Q: What is the ideal settings preset for a 1440p experience?

A: For 1440p, the High preset offers a good balance, with an average of 73 FPS. The Medium preset provides a higher average of 91 FPS, which may be preferable for a smoother experience. The Ultra preset, at 56 FPS, may be too demanding for consistent smoothness.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends entirely on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a high-refresh-rate 1080p monitor, the Low preset, with its 175 FPS average, is ideal for maximizing competitive performance. However, for a more visually rich experience without sacrificing smoothness, the High preset at 111 FPS is an excellent choice, offering a significant improvement in graphical fidelity while maintaining a high frame rate.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice for a balanced experience, providing an average of 91 FPS with a minimum of 77 FPS. This ensures that the frame rate remains above the 60 FPS threshold in most situations. The High preset is also viable at 73 FPS, but users may experience more noticeable dips in busy multiplayer scenarios. The Ultra preset, at 56 FPS, is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience at this resolution.

For 4K gaming, the data clearly indicates that the Low preset is the only sensible choice. With an average of 64 FPS, it provides a playable experience, but users should be prepared for potential frame rate dips. The Medium preset at 50 FPS and High at 40 FPS are not recommended for action-heavy gameplay, as they will likely result in noticeable stuttering. The Ultra preset at 31 FPS should be avoided. For this combo, 4K gaming is a compromise, and prioritizing frame rate over graphical detail is essential.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is a modern graphics card based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture, featuring the Navi 44 chip. It comes with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The GPU's performance in Fivem is clearly a strong point, but its role as the bottleneck at higher resolutions is undeniable. Its benchmark scores, such as a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3322 and a Passmark G3D score of 17631, place it in the 59th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a solid mid-to-upper-range performer.

The GPU's memory is a critical factor in Fivem, especially at 4K. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for most scenarios, but the 128-bit bus width is a limiting factor for high-resolution textures and detailed environments. The data shows a dramatic performance drop from 1440p to 4K, which is a direct result of the GPU's memory bandwidth and processing power being overwhelmed. The card's boost clock of 2990 MHz and game clock of 2400 MHz provide ample processing speed, but the physical limits of the memory subsystem and the 1792 shading units become apparent at 4K Ultra settings.

The RX 9060's performance relative to its rivals further clarifies its role. With an average benchmark score of 16014, it is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which has a deltaPct of -0.7%. This indicates that the RX 9060 is a comparable performer to that card. However, in the context of this CPU pairing, the GPU's potential is not fully realized at lower resolutions. The data shows that at 1080p, the system's performance is more dependent on the CPU, meaning the GPU is not the primary limiting factor. Conversely, at 4K, the GPU's limitations are the sole reason for the low frame rates, highlighting its critical role in determining the overall experience at higher resolutions.