Hard West

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination delivers a surprisingly robust experience in Hard West, a turn-based tactics title from 2015. The data shows that this pairing is capable of high frame rates at mainstream resolutions, though 4K Ultra remains out of reach. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, offering practical settings guidance based strictly on the benchmark results.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is a 16-core, 32-thread mobile processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range. It operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which are substantial figures for a laptop part. The CPU sits in the 95th percentile of all tested processors, indicating that its raw compute capability is well above the majority of the market. Its average benchmark score of 76212 places it in close competition with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, which scores 76155, a negligible 0.1% difference.

For a game like Hard West, which is fundamentally turn-based and not typically demanding on CPU resources, the Ryzen 9 8945HX provides an enormous amount of headroom. The game’s logic, AI calculations, and unit pathfinding are unlikely to stress a processor with this many threads. The benchmark results confirm this; the frame rates are far more dependent on the graphics settings and resolution than on any CPU bottleneck. The high single-thread performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6030, ensures that even the most complex turn calculations will be processed without introducing lag into the interface.

The CPU’s 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth further contribute to a fluid experience. While these specs are more relevant for productivity or simulation games, they ensure the system is never waiting on memory for a title of this era. The processor’s 55 W TDP is a mobile-class figure, but its boost clock of 5.40 GHz allows it to deliver performance that rivals desktop parts from a few generations ago. In the context of Hard West, the CPU is essentially a non-factor, and the data suggests the gaming experience is entirely dictated by the GPU’s ability to render the scene.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on the optimal settings for different resolution targets. The goal is to maintain a playable frame rate, ideally above 60 FPS, without sacrificing visual quality unnecessarily.

At 1920x1080, the most common resolution, the RTX 5050 has ample power. The Low preset achieves an average of 137 FPS, which is exceptionally smooth. However, the High preset still delivers a very strong 86 FPS average. Given that the jump from Low to High typically provides a significant visual improvement in lighting and texture detail, the High preset at 1080p is the sweet spot for a fluid experience on a standard 60Hz monitor, or even a high-refresh display. The Medium preset, at 112 FPS, is also viable, but High offers a better balance of fidelity without dropping below the refresh rate of most monitors. The Ultra preset, at 64 FPS, is playable but sits close to the edge of 60 FPS, and the visual difference between High and Ultra is often marginal in a top-down tactics game.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales predictably. The Low preset yields 86 FPS, maintaining high fluidity. The High preset drops to 54 FPS. For a turn-based game, 54 FPS is perfectly playable, but for those who prefer absolute smoothness, the Medium preset at 71 FPS is the recommended choice. It provides a good balance, with the measured minimum of 60 FPS ensuring there are no significant hitches during camera pans or combat animations. The Ultra preset at 41 FPS is noticeably less smooth and should be avoided if frame rate consistency is a priority.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the RTX 5050 begins to struggle. The Low preset manages 45 FPS, which is acceptable for a slow-paced tactics game but not ideal. The High preset drops to 29 FPS, and Ultra falls to 21 FPS. For 4K, the only reasonable choice based on this data is the Low preset. Even then, users should expect a lower frame rate than at lower resolutions. The Medium preset at 37 FPS might be preferable for visual clarity, but the 32 FPS minimum indicates potential for noticeable slowdown in busy scenes. For the best experience, 1440p Medium or 1080p High are the clear winners.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Hard West at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. The data shows that at 3840x2160, the Low preset achieves an average of 45 FPS, while the High preset drops to 29 FPS, and Ultra to 21 FPS. To maintain a reasonably smooth experience at 4K, you would need to use the Low preset.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The Medium preset at 2560x1440 provides the best balance, with an average of 71 FPS and a minimum of 60 FPS. This ensures smooth performance while retaining a good level of visual quality. The High preset is also playable at 54 FPS, but Medium offers a more consistent frame rate.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The CPU is a high-end 16-core part with a 95th percentile ranking, while the GPU is a more mainstream mobile offering. The frame rates scale heavily with resolution and graphics settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario.

Q: How many frames per second can I expect at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average is 86 FPS at 1920x1080 with the High preset. This is a very fluid experience that will feel responsive on most monitors, including those with a 144Hz refresh rate.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among tested systems?

A: This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is ranked 2350 out of 2949 tested combos for Hard West. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the database, reflecting its performance at higher resolutions.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset?

A: Only if you are playing at 1080p and prioritize maximum visual fidelity over absolute frame rate consistency. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 64 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 41 FPS, which is less fluid. The visual gains from Ultra over High may not be worth the performance cost in this title.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 holds a rank of 2350 out of 2949 tested combos in Hard West. This places it in the lower 20% of the database, which might seem surprising given the modern hardware. However, this ranking reflects the game's age and the relative performance of the components. The RTX 5050, while a capable part, is positioned in the 66th percentile of all GPUs, and its performance is comparable to older cards like the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which has a delta of 1.6% in its favor.

The ranking is a function of the GPU's performance, as the CPU is unlikely to be a bottleneck. The RTX 5050’s average benchmark score of 21035 is close to that of the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile, which scores 21379 (a 1.6% difference). This puts the RTX 5050 in a performance class that is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming but not for high-refresh 4K. The high CPU rank of 95th percentile does not compensate for the GPU's mid-range standing in a game that is primarily graphically bound. The data shows that this combo is best suited for 1080p High or 1440p Medium, which aligns with its overall position in the rankings.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is a 50-series mobile GPU built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process node. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base clock is 2317 MHz with a boost clock of 2572 MHz. These specifications are moderate for a modern GPU, and the data suggests they are directly reflected in the game’s performance scaling.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is not a limiting factor in Hard West, a title from 2015 with relatively modest texture requirements. At 1080p and 1440p, the memory bandwidth and capacity are sufficient to handle the High and Ultra presets without issue, as evidenced by the playable frame rates. However, at 4K, the GPU’s raw compute power becomes the bottleneck. The drop from 45 FPS at Low to 21 FPS at Ultra at 3840x2160 shows that the RTX 5050’s processing units are overwhelmed by the pixel count, rather than its memory being insufficient.

The GPU's FP32 performance of 13.17 TFLOPS and its 2560 shading units are adequate for a game of this generation. The measured results show a linear scaling of performance across settings, which is typical for a GPU-bound title. The RTX 5050’s 66th percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 21035, places it in a solid mid-range tier. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21153 score, -0.6% delta) and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20713 score, 1.6% delta), confirm that it is a competent performer for its class, capable of delivering high frame rates in older or less demanding games like Hard West at mainstream resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following table details the exact measured frame rates for the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination in Hard West.

At 1920x1080:

• Low: Average 137 FPS.
• Medium: Average 112 FPS, with a minimum of 95 FPS and a maximum of 129 FPS.
• High: Average 86 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 64 FPS.

This resolution shows the RTX 5050 operating in its comfort zone. The jump from Low to High costs 51 FPS but provides a much richer visual experience. The Ultra preset, while still averaging above 60 FPS, does not offer the same headroom as High.

At 2560x1440:

• Low: Average 86 FPS.
• Medium: Average 71 FPS, with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 81 FPS.
• High: Average 54 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 41 FPS.

At 1440p, the performance drops are more pronounced. The Medium preset is the best option here, as it maintains an average above 70 FPS with a minimum that never dips below 60. The High preset is still playable but begins to show the GPU's limitations.

At 3840x2160:

• Low: Average 45 FPS.
• Medium: Average 37 FPS, with a minimum of 32 FPS and a maximum of 43 FPS.
• High: Average 29 FPS.
• Ultra: Average 21 FPS.

At 4K, the RTX 5050 is clearly overburdened. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently playable, albeit not perfectly smooth, experience. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 32 FPS, which can be felt during intense combat sequences. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for this resolution. The data clearly shows that 1080p High or 1440p Medium are the optimal configurations for this hardware pairing, providing the best balance of visual quality and smooth, responsive gameplay.