Hard West

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor from the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. It sits in the 77th percentile of all CPUs benchmarked, with an average benchmark score of 25292, placing it in direct competition with chips like the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and the Intel Core 5 120, both of which have near-identical average scores within a 0.3% delta. For a game like Hard West, a turn-based tactics title, the CPU’s role is often less about raw multi-core throughput and more about maintaining consistent frame pacing and avoiding stutter during AI turns or environmental calculations. The processor’s single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 960 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3634, is strong enough to handle the game’s logical threads without becoming a bottleneck.

However, the data suggests that the CPU is rarely the limiting factor in this pairing. Looking at the benchmark results, the CPU’s multi-threaded capabilities, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22604, are substantial, but Hard West is not a title known for heavily taxing all 16 threads. The 65W TDP and dual-channel memory support (DDR4 and DDR5) are adequate for this workload. The key takeaway is that the i5-13400F provides a stable foundation, with its 10 cores offering enough headroom for background tasks without interfering with game performance. In the measured results, the CPU’s influence is most apparent at lower resolutions and settings where frame rates are exceptionally high, but even then, the GPU takes over as the primary performance driver. The processor’s performance is not the differentiator between playable and unplayable frame rates; instead, it ensures that the GPU can operate without waiting on data, a critical factor in a strategy game where consistent frame delivery is more important than peak FPS.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti is the dominant component in this configuration, and its specifications directly dictate the performance envelope seen in the measured FPS data. The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 608.3 GB/s, with a boost clock of 1770 MHz. It is built on the Ampere architecture with 6144 shading units and 48 RT cores, giving it a substantial 21.75 TFLOPS of FP32 compute. This hardware places the RTX 3070 Ti in the 75th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 29945, making it comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Mobile (0.1% delta) and the AMD Radeon RX 6800 (-0.5% delta). For Hard West, a game with a 2015 release date, the GPU’s raw power is more than sufficient to push high frame rates, but the 8 GB VRAM capacity becomes a point of analysis at higher resolutions and settings.

The data shows that the GPU’s performance scales predictably with settings. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 221, which drops to 104 at Ultra. This indicates that the GPU is the primary renderer, and its compute throughput is the main constraint when increasing graphical fidelity. The memory bandwidth of 608.3 GB/s is a critical asset here; it prevents texture streaming bottlenecks in a game that, while older, can still utilize high-resolution assets. The VRAM capacity of 8 GB is sufficient for the tested settings, as the game’s asset complexity is not as demanding as modern AAA titles. The GPU’s 48 RT cores are largely irrelevant for this title, as Hard West does not utilize ray tracing, meaning the processing power is directed entirely toward rasterization and pixel shading. The measured results confirm that the RTX 3070 Ti is a capable performer, but its 8 GB frame buffer is a consideration for future titles, not for the current game’s performance metrics.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent scaling pattern across resolutions, which tells a story about which component is the limiting factor. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 139, which is already high. Moving to 1440p High, the average drops to 88, a reduction of approximately 36.7%. At 4K High, the average falls further to 46, which is a 67% drop from the 1080p result. This steep decline as resolution increases is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU, with its strong single-thread performance, is not the bottleneck; instead, the RTX 3070 Ti is being tasked with rendering an increasing number of pixels, and its fill rate and compute resources are being saturated.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is particularly telling. At 1440p Low, the average FPS is 140, but at 4K Low it is 74, a 47% drop. This shows that even at the lowest settings, the resolution increase alone is enough to halve performance, confirming that the GPU’s pixel throughput is the primary constraint. The difference between settings at a given resolution also highlights this. For example, at 1080p, the gap between Low (221 FPS) and Ultra (104 FPS) is 117 FPS, while at 4K, the gap between Low (74 FPS) and Ultra (35 FPS) is only 39 FPS. This compression of the performance range at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU is hitting a hard limit based on pixel count, and the settings adjustments have diminishing returns. For a turn-based game, this means that players targeting 60 FPS will need to balance resolution and settings carefully, as 4K Ultra is not achievable, but 4K Medium (60 FPS) is right at the threshold.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti ranks 1321 out of 3722 tested combos in Hard West. This places it in the upper third of all configurations, indicating a strong performance level. The rank is a composite measure that considers both CPU and GPU performance, and given the data, it is clear that the GPU is the primary driver of this ranking. The CPU’s 77th percentile performance is solid, but the GPU’s 75th percentile is the more influential factor for this game’s frame rates. The combo’s position suggests that it outperforms a majority of systems, particularly those with older or lower-tier components.

The ranking also implies a balance between the two parts. The i5-13400F is not so powerful that it is wasted on the RTX 3070 Ti, nor is the GPU so fast that it is held back by the CPU. The benchmark results show that the combo achieves playable frame rates at almost all settings, with 4K Medium being the most demanding playable configuration at an average of 60 FPS. The rank of 1321 out of 3722 indicates that while there are many faster combos, this one is far from the bottom. It offers a level of performance that is well-suited for the game’s requirements, and the data shows no signs of a significant bottleneck in either direction. This is a well-matched pairing, where the GPU’s memory bandwidth and compute power are fully utilized without the CPU lagging behind.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For players using a 1080p display, the data shows that High settings provide an average of 139 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and offers a smooth experience. Pushing to Ultra at 1080p yields 104 FPS, which is still excellent, but the visual difference between High and Ultra may not justify the 25% performance drop for a turn-based game where motion smoothness is less critical than in fast-paced action titles. For maximum visual fidelity without sacrificing responsiveness, 1080p Ultra is viable, but 1080p High is the sweet spot for a balance of quality and headroom.

At 1440p, the data suggests that High settings (88 FPS) are the best choice, as they provide a comfortable margin above 60 FPS while maintaining good visual quality. Medium settings at 1440p offer 115 FPS, but the upgrade to High is likely worth the performance cost for better textures and effects. Ultra at 1440p drops to 66 FPS, which is playable but close to the edge of the 60 FPS target, making it a risky choice if frame drops are a concern. For 4K displays, the situation is more constrained. Medium settings (60 FPS) is the only configuration that hits the 60 FPS target, while High drops to 46 FPS. The recommendation is to use 4K Medium as the primary setting, as it provides a playable experience. 4K Low (74 FPS) is also an option for those who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, but Medium offers a better balance. Avoid 4K Ultra (35 FPS) as it is not a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 60 FPS experience at 1440p?

A: The data shows that High settings at 2560x1440 produce an average of 88 FPS, which is comfortably above 60 FPS. Medium settings yield 115 FPS, and Ultra drops to 66 FPS, so High is the recommended preset for a balance of visual quality and performance.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Hard West?*

A: Yes, but only at lower presets. The measured results show 4K Medium achieving an average of 60 FPS, while 4K High drops to 46 FPS and 4K Low reaches 74 FPS. 4K Ultra is not playable, with an average of 35 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in terms of overall score?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25292. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (25284, 0% delta) and the Intel Core 5 120 (25362, -0.3% delta), indicating nearly identical overall performance.

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. As resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the average FPS drops significantly (e.g., from 139 to 46 at High settings), which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The CPU’s single-thread score is strong enough to keep up.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average FPS is 221, which is achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This demonstrates the GPU’s raw capability when pixel count and graphical effects are minimized.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 Ti’s performance compare to the AMD Radeon RX 6800?

A: The RTX 3070 Ti has an average benchmark score of 29945, while the AMD Radeon RX 6800 scores 30095, resulting in a delta of -0.5%. This means the RX 6800 is marginally faster in synthetic benchmarks, but the difference is negligible in real-world gaming.