Fortnite

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs tested, and its average benchmark score of 18683 places it in close competition with processors like the AMD EPYC 7643 and the Intel Core i7-1355U, which score within 0.3% of it. For Fortnite, this CPU’s configuration is more than adequate to feed the GPU at most settings. The data shows that at 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, indicating that the CPU is not a bottleneck at this resolution when paired with this particular GPU. The processor’s 18 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support (DDR4 or DDR5) are standard for a modern desktop chip and contribute to its solid performance in a game that is not typically considered heavily CPU-bound. The 3DMark single-thread score of 910 and 2-thread score of 1692 suggest that the chip’s single-core performance is strong, which is relevant for Fortnite’s primary game thread. At 4K with High settings, the average FPS drops to 96, which is a significant decrease from the 1080p High result of 285 FPS, demonstrating that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor as resolution increases. The CPU’s performance in Cinebench R23 multicore (15989) and single-core (2257) tests indicates it has enough headroom to handle the game’s physics and logic without holding back the frame rate, even in busy end-game scenarios. While the i5-12400 is not a top-tier enthusiast chip, its performance in this combo proves it is a capable partner for a flagship GPU in Fortnite, delivering playable and often very high frame rates across the board.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D ranks 36th out of 2740 tested combos for Fortnite. That places it in the top 1.3% of all configurations in the database, which is an impressive result. The ranking reflects the strength of the GPU, which is in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, but it also shows that the CPU does not drag the system down. The data indicates that this pairing is highly effective, outperforming the vast majority of other CPU and GPU combinations. The i5-12400’s average benchmark score of 18683 is only 0.1% lower than the AMD EPYC 7643, and 0.9% higher than the Intel Core i3-14100F, showing that it is well within the performance envelope of other mid-range processors. In the context of this game, the 36th place ranking out of 2740 combos means that users can expect near-top-tier performance, with the primary differentiators between this combo and those ranked higher likely being more powerful CPUs that can push even higher frame rates at lower resolutions. However, for most practical gaming scenarios, especially at higher resolutions, this combo performs at a level that is indistinguishable from many systems ranked above it. The benchmark results show that the bottleneck in this system is heavily skewed towards the GPU, which is an ideal scenario for a gaming rig, as it means the expensive graphics card is being fully utilized.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable pattern as resolution scales from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 415 FPS, which drops to 285 FPS on High settings and 188 FPS on Ultra. Moving to 1440p, the Low setting average falls to 332 FPS, High to 181 FPS, and Ultra to 120 FPS. At 4K, the averages are 175 FPS on Low, 96 FPS on High, and 63 FPS on Ultra. This scaling indicates a classic GPU-bound scenario. The frame rate drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low is a 58% reduction (from 415 to 175 FPS), which is substantial. In contrast, the difference between the CPU’s performance at different resolutions is negligible; the CPU is not the limiting factor here. The data shows that the RTX 5090 D’s immense power is the primary driver of performance, and as the resolution increases, the GPU’s workload increases proportionally, leading to lower frame rates. The 1440p Medium setting shows an average of 234 FPS with a minimum of 199 FPS, which is a very smooth experience for competitive play. The 4K Medium setting averages 123 FPS with a minimum of 105 FPS, indicating that even at 4K, this combo can maintain high refresh rates on medium settings. The scaling from 1440p High (181 FPS) to 4K High (96 FPS) is a 47% drop, which is consistent with the increased pixel count. These results suggest that for players seeking maximum frame rates, 1080p is the target, but for those prioritizing visual fidelity, 4K is viable with adjusted settings, as the GPU has enough headroom to handle the resolution. The limiting component is unequivocally the GPU, as evidenced by the consistent performance at 1080p where the CPU could potentially bottleneck a lesser graphics card, but does not here.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Fortnite with this CPU and GPU combo for competitive play?

A: For the highest frame rates, 1080p is the best choice. The data shows an average of 415 FPS on Low settings and 285 FPS on High at 1080p, which far exceeds the refresh rate of most monitors. Even 1440p on Low settings averages 332 FPS, which is still excellent for competitive play.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Fortnite?

A: Yes, it can. The measured results show an average of 96 FPS at 4K with High settings and 175 FPS with Low settings. While 4K Ultra averages 63 FPS, which is playable, dropping to High or Medium settings provides a much smoother experience, with Medium averaging 123 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-12400 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of CPU performance?

A: The i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 18683. It is 0.1% slower than the AMD EPYC 7643 and 0.3% slower than the Intel Core i7-1355U, but it is 0.9% faster than the Intel Core i3-14100F. These differences are minor and unlikely to cause noticeable performance variations in Fortnite.

Q: Is the RTX 5090 D the main bottleneck in this system at 1080p?

A: No. At 1080p, the frame rates are extremely high (up to 415 FPS on Low), which indicates the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU quickly enough. The bottleneck shifts to the GPU as resolution increases, with a significant drop in FPS from 1080p to 4K, confirming the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the average FPS difference between High and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the High preset averages 181 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 120 FPS. This is a 61 FPS difference, which is significant for players with high refresh rate monitors. The Medium preset sits in between at 234 FPS, which is actually higher than High due to the specific settings in the preset.

Q: Does the CPU’s 6-core/12-thread configuration hold back the GPU in this game?

A: The data does not suggest a CPU bottleneck. The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K is consistent with a GPU-bound workload. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15989 and single-core score of 2257 are sufficient to keep up with the RTX 5090 D in Fortnite, as evidenced by the high frame rates at all tested resolutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a flagship graphics card built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, featuring 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a massive 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. It has 21760 shading units and 170 RT cores, with a boost clock of 2407 MHz. This hardware makes it one of the most powerful GPUs in the database, ranking in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score of 77712 places it just 1.1% above the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT and 2.4% above the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB, though those are not direct gaming competitors. In Fortnite, the GPU’s role is dominant. The data shows that the RTX 5090 D is the primary driver of frame rates, with the CPU playing a secondary role. At 1080p Low, the GPU pushes out 415 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it drops to 63 FPS, demonstrating the GPU’s workload scaling with resolution. The card’s 32 GB of VRAM is more than sufficient for Fortnite at any settings, and the high memory bandwidth ensures textures load quickly without stutter. The 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is overkill for this game, but it ensures that the GPU never becomes a bottleneck at lower resolutions. The measured results show that the RTX 5090 D provides a smooth experience even at 4K Medium, with an average of 123 FPS and a minimum of 105 FPS, indicating consistent frame pacing. For players using high refresh rate 1440p monitors, the GPU can easily deliver over 180 FPS on High settings, providing a competitive edge. The GPU’s performance is so high that the primary limitation in this combo is not the graphics card but the game’s engine or the CPU at very high frame rates, though the data does not show a CPU bottleneck at the tested settings.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data across different presets and resolutions provides clear guidance for optimizing the gaming experience. For players with 1080p monitors, the High preset offers an average of 285 FPS, which is excellent for any display, while the Medium preset averages 364 FPS and Low averages 415 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 188 FPS, which is still very playable. At 1440p, the High preset averages 181 FPS, which is ideal for 144Hz or 165Hz monitors, while Medium averages 234 FPS and Low averages 332 FPS. The 1440p Ultra preset averages 120 FPS, which is also viable for high refresh rate gaming. At 4K, the High preset averages 96 FPS, which is suitable for 60Hz displays but may not satisfy players with 120Hz+ monitors. The Medium preset at 4K averages 123 FPS with a minimum of 105 FPS, making it the best choice for 4K gamers seeking a balance between visual quality and smoothness. The Low preset at 4K averages 175 FPS, which is remarkably high for 4K and would be the preferred choice for competitive players who prioritize frame rate over graphics. Considering the data, the Medium preset provides the best overall experience across all resolutions, as it maintains high average FPS with a minimum frame rate that is still above 100 FPS at 4K and 199 FPS at 1440p. The High preset is a good alternative for those who want better visuals and have a monitor with a lower refresh rate, as it still delivers 96 FPS at 4K and 181 FPS at 1440p. The Ultra preset, while visually the most demanding, results in a significant FPS hit (63 FPS at 4K), which may not be worth the sacrifice for most players. Therefore, the data suggests that Medium settings offer the best performance-to-quality ratio for this combo, with High settings as a strong secondary option for users with standard 60Hz displays or those who prefer higher fidelity.