Fortnite

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance rank of this CPU and GPU combination in Fortnite?

A: This combo ranks 137th out of 1,564 tested combinations in Fortnite, placing it in the top 8.8% of all tested systems.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-10400F compare to its nearest rival in average benchmark score?

A: The CPU’s average benchmark score is 14,168, which is 0.4% higher than the AMD EPYC 7552 (14,115) and 1.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-8500 (14,332 is actually higher, so the i5-10400F trails by 1.1%).

Q: What is the highest average FPS measured for this combo, and at what settings?

A: The highest average FPS is 302.8, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS measured, and under what conditions?

A: The lowest average FPS is 52.3, recorded at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: Does the RTX 5080 outperform its closest competing GPU in aggregate benchmarks?

A: The RTX 5080’s average benchmark score is 59,188, which is 1.6% higher than the Intel Arc A570M (58,239) and 2.5% higher than the Intel Arc A580 (57,756).

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 5080 have, and what memory type does it use?

A: The GPU features 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 960.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Comet Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boosts up to 4.30 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The CPU’s L3 cache is 12 MB shared, and it supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, offering 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth. These specifications place the chip in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 14,168.

In Fortnite, the CPU’s role is most evident at lower resolutions and settings, where the GPU is less stressed. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo reaches 302.8 FPS, but the difference between Low and Medium settings is just 37.5 FPS (302.8 vs 265.3). This suggests the CPU is beginning to cap performance even at 1080p, as the GPU headroom is not fully exploited. The single-thread benchmark score of 688 in 3DMark and 1,453 in Cinebench R23 indicate adequate per-core performance, but the 6-core/12-thread configuration is not a top-tier gaming processor by modern standards.

The CPU’s multi-threaded scores, such as 10,297 in Cinebench R23 and 12,115 in Passmark multithread, show it can handle background tasks, but Fortnite’s engine benefits more from strong single-core performance. The 2-thread 3DMark score of 1,350 and 4-thread score of 2,560 reveal scaling that is less efficient than newer architectures, which affects frame pacing in fast-paced Battle Royale scenarios. Benchmark results indicate the i5-10400F is a capable mid-range CPU, but it can become a limiting factor when paired with an ultra-high-end GPU like the RTX 5080.

How This Combo Ranks

With a rank of 137 out of 1,564 tested combos in Fortnite, this system sits comfortably in the top decile of all configurations. The RTX 5080’s 89th percentile standing among all GPUs (average score 59,188) is the primary driver of this ranking, while the CPU’s 73rd percentile position (average score 14,168) is comparatively weaker. This disparity suggests the combo’s rank is buoyed by GPU prowess, but the CPU prevents it from reaching the very top echelons.

Compared to other tested combos, the data shows that the i5-10400F + RTX 5080 pairing delivers strong absolute performance, but the CPU’s relative weakness becomes apparent when pushing high frame rates at lower resolutions. For instance, the gap between 1440p Low (263.9 FPS) and 1080p Low (302.8 FPS) is only 38.9 FPS, indicating diminishing returns as resolution drops—a hallmark of CPU limitation. The combo’s rank of 137 suggests it outperforms the vast majority of systems, but users seeking maximum competitive frame rates might find the CPU holding back the GPU’s full potential.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data spans three resolutions and four settings presets, providing a comprehensive view of performance scaling. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers 302.8 FPS on Low, 265.3 FPS on Medium, 244.8 FPS on High, and 167.1 FPS on Ultra. The drop from Low to Ultra is 135.7 FPS, or 44.8%, showing that even at 1080p, Ultra settings impose a significant load. The transition from High to Ultra is particularly steep, with a 77.7 FPS decrease, indicating that Ultra’s additional effects are disproportionately demanding.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates are 263.9 FPS on Low, 205.9 FPS on Medium, 157.7 FPS on High, and 106.4 FPS on Ultra. The gap between Low and Ultra is 157.5 FPS, a 59.7% reduction. Notably, the difference between 1440p Low and 1080p Low is only 38.9 FPS, while the difference between 1440p High and 1080p High is 87.1 FPS. This suggests that at higher settings, resolution scaling becomes more impactful, likely due to increased GPU load.

At 3840x2160, the measured FPS drops to 154.4 on Low, 109.8 on Medium, 85.4 on High, and 52.3 on Ultra. The 4K Low result is still highly playable, but 4K Ultra dips below 60 FPS, making it unsuitable for competitive play. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at High settings shows a 72.3 FPS drop (157.7 to 85.4), a 45.8% reduction, which is consistent with the increased pixel count and shading demands.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is the dominant component in this combo, featuring 10,752 shading units, 336 TMUs, and 112 ROPs. It is built on TSMC’s 5 nm process with 45,600 million transistors on a 378 mm² die. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2295 MHz and boosts to 2617 MHz, with memory clocked at 1875 MHz (30 Gbps effective). Its 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus provides 960.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is ample for Fortnite’s texture-heavy environments.

The GPU’s compute capabilities include 56.28 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 84 RT cores, making it overkill for Fortnite’s rasterization-based rendering. Its aggregate benchmark score of 59,188 places it in the 89th percentile of all GPUs, and it outperforms its nearest rivals by 1.6% to 2.6%. In Fortnite, the GPU’s role becomes more pronounced at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K Ultra, the combo manages only 52.3 FPS, while at 4K Low it reaches 154.4 FPS—a 102.1 FPS swing that is almost entirely GPU-driven, as the CPU’s workload remains similar across settings.

The RTX 5080’s high texture rate (879.3 GTexel/s) and pixel rate (293.1 GPixel/s) ensure it can handle Fortnite’s stylized graphics with ease, but the CPU can starve it at lower resolutions. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the GPU is likely underutilized, as the frame rate is capped by the CPU’s ability to feed it draw calls. This is a classic high-end GPU pairing with a mid-range CPU, where the GPU’s potential is only fully realized at higher resolutions or settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For competitive play at 1920x1080, Low settings deliver 302.8 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings at 265.3 FPS still offer excellent responsiveness, with a modest visual upgrade. High settings at 244.8 FPS are a good balance, but Ultra at 167.1 FPS introduces a significant frame rate penalty for marginal visual gains—avoid Ultra if frame rate is a priority.

At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 263.9 FPS, which is still extremely high. Medium at 205.9 FPS is a strong choice for most gamers, offering smooth gameplay with better visuals. High at 157.7 FPS is playable but begins to dip below the 165 Hz threshold many 1440p monitors use. Ultra at 106.4 FPS is not recommended for competitive play, as the drop from High is 51.3 FPS.

At 3840x2160, Low settings yield 154.4 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive play. Medium at 109.8 FPS is a reasonable compromise, while High at 85.4 FPS is suitable for casual play. Ultra at 52.3 FPS should be avoided entirely, as it falls below 60 FPS and introduces noticeable stutter in fast-paced scenarios. Overall, the best experience is achieved at 1440p Medium or 1080p High, depending on monitor refresh rate and visual preference.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals the limiting component at each resolution. At Low settings, the frame rates are 302.8 FPS (1080p), 263.9 FPS (1440p), and 154.4 FPS (4K). The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 38.9 FPS (12.8%), while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 109.5 FPS (41.5%). This pattern indicates that at Low settings, the CPU is the primary limiter at 1080p and 1440p, as the GPU has ample headroom to render frames quickly. Only at 4K does the GPU become the bottleneck, as the pixel count increases dramatically.

At High settings, the frame rates are 244.8 FPS (1080p), 157.7 FPS (1440p), and 85.4 FPS (4K). The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 87.1 FPS (35.6%), and from 1440p to 4K is 72.3 FPS (45.8%). Here, the GPU’s load increases more rapidly, and the CPU’s limitation is less pronounced. At Ultra settings, the frame rates are 167.1 FPS (1080p), 106.4 FPS (1440p), and 52.3 FPS (4K), with drops of 60.7 FPS (36.3%) and 54.1 FPS (50.8%) respectively.

The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is the limiting factor across all settings, as the frame rates do not scale linearly with GPU load. At 1440p, the balance shifts toward the GPU, and at 4K, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck. This analysis indicates that users with high-refresh 1080p monitors will be CPU-bound, while those with 4K displays will be GPU-bound. The RTX 5080’s power is best utilized at 1440p or 4K, where its strengths are most apparent.