Hard West

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 pairing in Hard West places at rank 1728 out of 3722 tested combos, putting it in the lower-middle portion of the database. That ranking reflects a system that is far from the top of the charts, but it is by no means a weak performer. The combo sits roughly in the 46th percentile of all tested hardware pairings for this specific title, meaning a slight majority of configurations deliver better results. However, the data indicates this is a functional pairing for turn-based tactics, where the demands on raw frame generation are less punishing than in fast-paced action genres.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 1728 out of 3722 tested configurations places this system in the middle of the pack for Hard West. This positioning is heavily influenced by the CPU, which, while competent, is not a top-tier processor by modern standards. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 holds a 75th percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database, suggesting it outperforms three-quarters of processors tested. Yet, its average benchmark score of 21484 is nearly matched by its nearest rivals, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V scoring 21440 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core i9-11900H scoring 21367 (0.5% lower), and the AMD EPYC 9454 scoring 21223 (1.2% lower). The only rival that edges it out is the Intel Xeon D-1746TER at 21635, a 0.7% difference.

This clustering of scores around the 21400-21600 mark means the CPU is not a differentiator in this pairing. For Hard West, the data suggests that the GPU is doing most of the heavy lifting, as the game's turn-based nature relies more on consistent frame delivery than on extreme processor throughput. The ranking of 1728 out of 3722 is respectable, but it indicates that many other combos, likely with more modern CPUs, achieve higher frame rates. The results show that the system is capable of smooth gameplay, but it is not a leaderboard-topper. If you are comparing this setup to others in the database, expect it to land in the middle third of all possible configurations, with the CPU being the primary factor holding back higher placement.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 provides 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. This is a Zen architecture chip built on the 12 nm process, and it supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. For Hard West, a turn-based tactics title, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, AI decision-making, and unit pathfinding. The 6-core/12-thread configuration is more than sufficient for these tasks, as the game does not appear to be heavily multi-threaded based on the frame data.

The benchmark results show the CPU excels in multi-threaded workloads, with a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 1248 and a Geekbench multicore score of 5648. However, single-thread performance is more modest, with a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 157.3 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1154. In games like Hard West, single-thread performance often matters more for the main game loop, and the 2600's boost clock of 3.90 GHz is adequate. The PassMark single-thread score of 2239 confirms this is not a high-frequency part, but it is sufficient for the game's requirements.

The data shows that the CPU's performance is tightly clustered with its nearest rivals, all within 1.2% of each other. This means that swapping the 2600 for a comparable chip would yield negligible differences in Hard West frame rates. The 16 MB of shared L3 cache helps with game data reuse, and the 65 TDP indicates this is an efficient part that won't strain a cooling solution. For this game, the CPU is not a bottleneck at any resolution, as the measured FPS scales more with GPU settings than with CPU load. The processor's 75th percentile ranking versus all CPUs suggests it has headroom for other tasks, but in Hard West, it is a supporting player to the GPU.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is the dominant component in this pairing, providing the raw graphical horsepower for Hard West. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 5888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 96 ROPs, with a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 1725 MHz. Built on the Ampere architecture using an 8 nm process, it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is relevant for modern rendering features.

The GPU's benchmark scores show it is a capable mid-range performer. It holds a 61st percentile ranking against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17208. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT at 17083 (0.7% lower), the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 at 17037 (1.0% lower), and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M at 17019 (1.1% lower). The only rival that outperforms it is the NVIDIA Tesla K40c at 17468, which is 1.5% higher. This tight clustering means the RTX 3070 is a solid, predictable performer, but it is not exceptional.

In Hard West, the GPU's role is to render the game's environments and character models. The game is not graphically demanding by modern standards, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p. The RTX 3070's 8 GB of VRAM is ample for this title, even at 4K Ultra settings. The data shows that the GPU's performance scales predictably with settings, and it is the primary driver of the frame rate differences between presets. At 1080p, the GPU is rarely the bottleneck, but at 4K, it becomes the limiting factor, especially at Ultra settings where the average FPS drops to 33. The RTX 3070's 20.31 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is more than enough for this game, and the 46 RT cores are unused in this title, as Hard West does not feature ray tracing.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 133 frames per second. This is a very playable frame rate for a turn-based tactics game, offering smooth camera pans and unit animations.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 scores 21484 on average, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's score of 21440. The performance difference is negligible, meaning in Hard West, you would not notice a difference between these two processors.

Q: Is the RTX 3070 better than the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT?

A: Yes, the RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 17208, which is 0.7% higher than the RX 7600 XT's score of 17083. This small margin means the RTX 3070 is slightly faster, but both cards will deliver similar experiences in Hard West.

Q: What is the minimum FPS at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 93, with an average of 109 and a maximum of 126. This indicates that the system maintains consistent frame times, with no major drops.

Q: Does the CPU's 6-core, 12-thread configuration matter for this game?

A: The data suggests it is sufficient but not critical. The CPU's multi-threaded scores are strong, but Hard West likely relies more on single-thread performance, where the 2600's boost clock of 3.90 GHz is adequate. The 12 threads provide headroom for background tasks, but they do not significantly impact frame rates.

Q: How does the RTX 3070's 8 GB VRAM hold up at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 33, which is playable but not ideal. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for the game's textures at 4K, as the frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is more related to the GPU's compute load than memory capacity.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of scaling from 1080p to 4K, with the GPU becoming the limiting factor at higher resolutions. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the system achieves 133 FPS on average. Moving to 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS drops to 84, a 36.8% decrease. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS further drops to 44, a 47.6% decrease from 1440p. This steep decline indicates that the RTX 3070 is being pushed harder at 4K, and the CPU is not the bottleneck.

The pattern holds across other settings. At 1080p Low, the system hits 158 FPS, which drops to 133 FPS at 1440p (a 15.8% decrease) and 70 FPS at 4K (a 47.4% decrease from 1440p). The Medium settings show a similar trend: 148 FPS at 1080p, 109 FPS at 1440p (a 26.4% decrease), and 57 FPS at 4K (a 47.7% decrease from 1440p). The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with 99 FPS at 1080p, 63 FPS at 1440p (a 36.4% decrease), and 33 FPS at 4K (a 47.6% decrease from 1440p).

The consistent ~47-48% drop from 1440p to 4K across all settings strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting component at 4K. The RTX 3070's 448.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth and 20.31 TFLOPS of compute power are being saturated at that resolution. The CPU, with its modest single-thread performance, is not holding back the system at 4K, as the frame rate drops are purely proportional to the increase in pixel count. At 1080p, the system is likely CPU-limited in some scenarios, as the frame rates are high enough that the GPU is not fully utilizedikuha. However, the data indicates that for the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, 1440p is the sweet spot, as the frame rates remain above 60 FPS at High and Medium settings.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data across the four presets and three resolutions provides clear guidance for optimizing the experience. At 1920x1080, all presets deliver playable frame rates, with Low hitting 158 FPS, Medium at 148 FPS, High at 133 FPS, and Ultra at 99 FPS. Since Hard West is a turn-based game, even the Ultra preset's 99 FPS is more than sufficient for smooth gameplay. The recommendation at 1080p is to use Ultra settings, as the 99 FPS average provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold, and the visual improvements are worth the 25% performance cost over High.

At 2560x1440, the choice becomes more nuanced. Ultra settings drop to 63 FPS, which is still playable but leaves little headroom for demanding scenes. High settings at 84 FPS offer a better balance, while Medium at 109 FPS is the safest option for consistent performance. The data shows that High settings at 1440p provide a 33% FPS increase over Ultra, with minimal visual difference in a turn-based game where action is not fast-paced. Medium settings at 1440p, with a minimum FPS of 93, ensure no noticeable stutters even in complex scenarios.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 3070 struggles to maintain high frame rates. Ultra settings yield only 33 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and may feel sluggish during camera movements. High settings improve to 44 FPS, but this is still not ideal. Medium settings at 57 FPS are the playable option at 4K, as they maintain a minimum of 49 FPS. Low settings at 70 FPS provide the smoothest experience but sacrifice visual quality. For 4K, the recommendation is Medium settings, as it offers the best compromise between visual fidelity and playability, with the 57 FPS average being just below the 60 FPS target but acceptable for a turn-based title.

For the overall best experience, the data points to 1440p with High settings as the optimal configuration. This delivers 84 FPS average, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the visual quality is high enough to appreciate the game's art style. If you prefer maximum visual fidelity, 1080p with Ultra settings at 99 FPS is the best choice. Avoid 4K Ultra, as the 33 FPS average is not worth the visual gains in a game where precision is not time-critical. The Medium preset at 4K is a viable fallback if you must play at that resolution, but the 1440p High setting is the recommended balance of performance and quality.