Hard West

The Intel Core i5-10400F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 570 ranks 3,552 out of 3,722 tested combos in Hard West. That places this configuration in the lower percentiles of the database, indicating that while it can run the game, it does so with significant compromises at higher settings. The data shows this combo is best suited for players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, as the gap between playable and unplayable settings is stark.

How This Combo Ranks

In the benchmark database for Hard West, this specific CPU-GPU combination holds a rank of 3,552 out of 3,722 possible combinations. This puts it in the bottom ~5% of all tested pairings. The ranking reflects the GPU's age and the game's heavy reliance on pixel throughput. The data indicates that the RX 570 is the primary bottleneck; the CPU is more than capable of feeding the GPU, but the graphics card cannot push enough frames at higher resolutions.

This rank is largely a consequence of the GPU’s performance ceiling. The RX 570, while a decent card for its era, struggles with Hard West at resolutions beyond 1080p. The combo ranks low because the game engine appears to be more sensitive to GPU fill rate and shading power than to the CPU. The i5-10400F’s high single-thread score does not translate into a high in-game rank when paired with this GPU.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. It belongs to the Comet Lake architecture, built on a 14nm process. This is a desktop-class CPU with a TDP of 65 W. The CPU's cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

In Hard West, a turn-based tactics game, the CPU's role is less about raw frame generation and more about maintaining consistent turn processing and game logic. The data shows the CPU has a 3DMark single-thread score of 688 and a multi-thread score of 4,748 (in the 16-thread test) and 4,735 (max threads). The Cinebench R23 scores are 1,451 (single-core) and 10,283 (multi-core). This indicates a balanced performance that is more than sufficient for the game's logic, which does not seem to rely on multiple threads heavily.

The CPU is ranked in the 68th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 14,185. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon 6756E, which scores 14,163 (0.2% ahead), and the AMD EPYC 7552, which scores 14,115 (0.5% behind). This shows the i5-10400F is a mid-range CPU with enough power to avoid bottlenecking in most games. However, in Hard West, the CPU's performance is not the limiting factor, as the game is not CPU-intensive. The data shows that the CPU's scores are more than enough to handle the game’s logic without causing frame drops.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 570 is built on the Polaris 20 chip, using a 14nm process from GlobalFoundries. It has 2,048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. The GPU's base clock is 1,168 MHz, with a boost clock of 1,244 MHz, and it comes with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. The memory operates at 1,750 MHz (7 Gbps effective).

The GPU's raw output is a pixel rate of 39.81 GPixel/s, a texture rate of 159.2 GTexel/s, and a FP32 compute performance of 5.095 TFLOPS. These specs make it a solid card for 1080p gaming, but they are stretched thin at higher resolutions. The RX 570's average benchmark score is 28,766, which puts it in the 74th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6800M, which scores 0.4% lower, and the AMD Radeon R9 M295X, which scores 0.7% higher.

In Hard West, the GPU's role is critical. The game is turn-based, but the visuals and lighting effects still require substantial pixel processing. At 1920x1080, the RX 570 can handle the load, but at 3840x2160, it drops to 12-16 FPS on Ultra. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: the GPU's performance with resolution and settings, making it the primary factor in the combo rank. The RX 570 is an end-of-life product, released in 2017 with a launch MSRP of 169 USD, but this does not affect its performance in the database.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The FPS measurements are from the database’s tests. The results are as follows:

• 3840x2160 Ultra: 12 FPS average.
• 3840x2160 High: 16 FPS average.
• 3840x2160 Medium: 21 FPS average, with a minimum of 17 and maximum of 24.
• 3840x2160 Low: 25 FPS average.

At 4K, the combo is not playable, with all settings falling below 30 FPS. Even on Low, the average frame rate is just 25 FPS, which is below the standard for fluid gameplay.

• 2560x1440 Ultra: 23 FPS average.
• 2560x1440 High: 30 FPS average.
• 2560x1440 Medium: 39 FPS average, with minimum 33 and maximum 45.
• 2560x1440 Low: 48 FPS average.

At 1440p, the combination is borderline. Medium settings yield a playable average of 39 FPS, but the minimum of 33 FPS indicates occasional stutters. Low settings provide a more stable experience at 48 FPS, but still not ideal for fast-paced action.

• 1920x1080 Ultra: 36 FPS average.
• 1920x1080 High: 47 FPS average.
• 1920x1080 Medium: 62 FPS average, with a minimum of 53 and maximum of 71.
• 1920x1080 Low: 75 FPS average.

At 1080p, the combo becomes viable. Low settings deliver a smooth 75 FPS, while Medium offers a balanced 62 FPS with a minimum of 53, which is still above the 30 FPS threshold. High settings drop to 47 FPS, and Ultra falls to 36 FPS. The data indicates that 1080p is the intended resolution for this hardware.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Hard West?

A: The data shows 1920x1080 as the only resolution where the combo can achieve above 60 FPS average. At 1080p Low, it hits 75 FPS, and at Medium, it stays at 62 FPS. Higher resolutions result in average FPS below 50.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 12 on Ultra to 25 on Low, which is below playable standards. The GPU is the limiting factor.

Q: How does the RX 570 perform relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The RX 570's average score is 28,766. Its rivals include the RX 6800M, which scores 28,874 (0.4% lower), the R9 M295X at 28,580 (0.7% higher), and the RX 470 at 28,996 (0.8% lower). This puts the RX 570 in a similar performance tier.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck in this game?

A: No. The CPU has a 3DMark single-thread score of 688 and a multi-thread score of 4,735. It is ranked in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. The game's logic is not CPU-heavy, so the CPU does not limit performance.

Q: What is the minimum FPS on Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 Medium, the minimum is 53 FPS. At 1440p Medium, it drops to 33 FPS. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 17 FPS.

Q: How does the game scale with settings?

A: The data shows a linear scaling with settings. At 1080p, going from Low to Ultra drops the average from 75 to 36. At 1440p, it drops from 48 to 23. At 4K, it drops from 25 to 12. The GPU's performance is the determining factor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the only viable settings for a smooth experience are at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset yields an average of 62 FPS, with a minimum of 53 FPS, ensuring consistent frame times. The Low preset is also excellent, at 75 FPS, but it may reduce visual quality more than necessary. The High preset at 1080p is playable at 47 FPS, but it is close to the 45 FPS that some players may find less fluid.

For players who prioritize smoothness over visual fidelity, the Low preset at 1080p is the best choice. For a more balanced experience, Medium is recommended. The data shows that Ultra settings at any resolution above 1080p result in average FPS below 30, which is not recommended. The Medium preset at 1440p is borderline at 39 FPS, but the minimum of 33 FPS suggests it may stutter. The 4K resolution is not playable, even on Low. The game is best played at 1080p, where the RX 570's strengths are most apparent.

The benchmark data indicates that the GPU's 4 GB VRAM is not a limiting factor, as the game does not appear to require more. The CPU does not need to be upgraded for this game. The combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can deliver a solid experience. The low rank in the database is a reflection of the GPU's performance in higher resolutions, not a reflection of the combo's ability at 1080p. The data supports the conclusion that this is a capable 1080p, not a 1440p or 4K solution. The game's turn-based nature means that drops below 30 FPS are less impactful than in fast-paced action games, but the data still shows a clear limit. The best settings for this combo are 1920x1080 with Medium or Low, and the game is not recommended at higher resolutions. The benchmark data is clear: the combo is best at 1080p, with Medium settings providing the optimal balance of visual quality and fluidity. The game's low system requirements are reflected in the CPU's high percentile, but the GPU's limitations are the primary constraint.

The combo ranking of 3,552 out of 3,722 is a result of the GPU's performance ceiling. The CPU's scores are mid-range, but the GPU is the bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p, the GPU can handle the game, but at higher resolutions, it struggles. The game's art style and settings do not require high-end hardware, but the GPU's 4 GB of VRAM and 256-bit bus are not enough for 1440p or 4K. The game's turn-based nature means that lower FPS is more tolerable, but the data shows that 1080p is the sweet spot.

In terms of settings, the Medium preset at 1080p is the best choice for most players. It provides a stable 62 FPS average with a minimum of 53 FPS, which is sufficient for a smooth experience. The Low preset is also viable, but it may reduce the visual quality of the game's environments. The High preset at 1080p is playable but may be too demanding for some systems. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as it drops the average to 36 FPS.

The CPU's performance is not a concern. The 6-core, 12-thread design is more than enough for the game's logic. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10,283 indicates strong multi-threaded performance, but the game does not use many threads. The single-thread score of 1,451 is also solid. The CPU's 68th percentile rank reflects its mid-range status. The data shows that the CPU is not a limiting factor in this game.

The GPU's performance is the key. The 5.095 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is enough for 1080p, but the 39.81 GPixel/s pixel rate is insufficient for higher resolutions. The 224 GB/s of memory bandwidth is also a factor. The GPU's score of 28,766 is in the 74th percentile, but the game's requirements are higher than the GPU's capabilities at resolutions above 1080p. The nearest rivals are all within 1.2% of the GPU's score, indicating a tight performance cluster.

The benchmark data shows a clear trend: the combo is best at 1080p, with Medium settings offering the best balance. The game's turn-based nature means that FPS drops are less impactful, but the data still shows a clear threshold. At 1440p, the Medium preset is borderline, and at 4K, the game is unplayable. The settings recommendations are clear: 1080p with Medium or Low. The game is a classic turn-based tactics title, and the combo is capable of running it well at 1080p. The data suggests that the GPU is the primary bottleneck, and the CPU is more than sufficient. The combo's rank in the database is low, but that is a reflection of the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions. The game is best played at 1080p, where the GPU's strengths are showcased. The data supports this conclusion, and the settings recommendations are based on the measured FPS.