Hard West

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

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. This CPU features a hybrid configuration with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory via a dual-channel memory bus and connects through PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

For a turn-based tactics title like Hard West, the CPU's role is less about sustaining high frame rates under constant physics loads and more about ensuring consistent frame pacing during AI turns, pathfinding calculations, and game state updates. The data indicates this processor performs at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, which places it solidly above average. Its multi-threaded benchmark scores are strong: Cinebench R23 multi-core results show 22,604 points, while the single-core test reaches 3,191 points. These scores suggest the i5-13400F has ample headroom for the logical decision-making processes that dominate turn-based gameplay.

The single-thread performance is particularly relevant. Hard West, like many strategy titles, relies heavily on single-threaded execution for game logic and UI responsiveness. The 3DMark single-thread score of 960 and Geekbench single-core score of 1,996 indicate robust per-core performance. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz ensures that when the game needs a quick response — such as during a unit selecting an action or resolving a combat calculation — the processor can ramp up appropriately.

Comparing to nearest rivals, the i5-13400F's average benchmark score of 25,292 sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (25,201) and is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (25,284). It trails the Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D by 0.3% each (25,362 and 25,365 respectively). These negligible deltas mean that in CPU-bound scenarios, the i5-13400F will perform virtually identically to these alternatives. For Hard West specifically, where the CPU load is moderate and sporadic, this processor will not be the limiting factor in achieving playable frame rates.

The 16 threads available might seem excessive for a game from 2015, but they provide headroom for background processes, streaming, or recording software running concurrently. In practice, the benchmark results show that at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 165 FPS average, which suggests the CPU is not bottlenecking even at high frame rates. The processor's 3DMark 16-thread score of 7,314 and max-thread score of 7,307 show consistent scaling across thread counts, meaning the architecture handles both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads efficiently.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process node, featuring the GB207 chip with 16,900 million transistors on a 149 mm² die. It comes with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2,317 MHz and boosts to 2,572 MHz, with memory running at 2,500 MHz (20 Gbps effective). It has 2,560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, 32 raster output units, 20 ray tracing cores, and 80 tensor cores.

For Hard West, a game that predates the RTX 5050 by a decade, the GPU's raw compute capabilities are more than sufficient. The FP32 throughput of 13.17 TFLOPS and texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s mean that even at high resolutions, the GPU can handle the game's relatively modest graphical demands. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is more than adequate for a 2015 title, as Hard West's textures and geometry are far less demanding than modern AAA releases. The pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s allows for efficient fill-rate performance, which matters when rendering the game's stylized, dark western environments.

The GPU's benchmark scores place it at the 66th percentile among all GPUs, with a PassMark G3D score of 17,326 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,502. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20,713 average score, 1.6% lower than the RTX 5050's 21,035) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21,153, 0.6% higher). The RTX A4000 Mobile scores 21,379 (1.6% higher), while the AMD Radeon HD 8970M scores 21,237 (1% higher). These comparisons show the RTX 5050 is positioned competitively within its performance class, though these deltas are minor and unlikely to produce perceptible differences in Hard West.

The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support and Vulkan 1.4 compatibility mean that even though Hard West was released before these APIs were standard, the card can handle the game's rendering requirements through backward compatibility. The 8 GB VRAM becomes relevant only if the user wants to run the game at 4K Ultra with heavy anti-aliasing, but the measured data shows that even at 4K Ultra, the average frame rate is 26 FPS — a figure that suggests the GPU is reaching its limits at that extreme configuration.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 165 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At Medium settings, the average drops to 135 FPS, while High settings yield 104 FPS and Ultra settings produce 78 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in overall benchmark performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25,292, which is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (25,284, 0% delta). It trails the Intel Core 5 120 (25,362) and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25,365) by 0.3% each, while leading the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H (25,201) by 0.4%.

Q: Is the RTX 5050's 8 GB VRAM sufficient for Hard West at 4K?

A: Yes, the 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for the game's requirements. The measured 4K results show the GPU is compute-limited rather than VRAM-limited: at 4K Medium, the combo achieves 45 FPS average with a minimum of 38 FPS and maximum of 52 FPS, indicating the GPU can handle the memory footprint without stuttering.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combinations for Hard West?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination ranks 1,802 out of 2,949 tested combos for Hard West. This places it in the 61st percentile of all tested configurations, meaning roughly 61% of tested combos perform better.

Q: At which resolution does the combo achieve the most consistent frame pacing?

A: The 2560x1440 Medium setting provides the most balanced result, with an average of 86 FPS, a minimum of 73 FPS, and a maximum of 98 FPS. This 25 FPS spread between minimum and maximum is tighter than the 40 FPS spread seen at 1080p Medium (115 min, 155 max).

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal experience for this combo depends heavily on the target resolution and desired visual quality. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset delivers 78 FPS average, which is playable but not ideal for a game that could benefit from higher frame rates. The High preset at 104 FPS offers a better balance, providing a substantial visual improvement over Medium while still maintaining a smooth experience. However, the Medium preset at 135 FPS is the sweet spot for 1080p: it delivers well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the measured minimum of 115 FPS ensures no noticeable dips during intense on-screen action.

At 2560x1440, the High preset achieves 66 FPS average, which is just above the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset at 86 FPS is the recommended choice here, as it provides a comfortable margin above the minimum playable threshold while maintaining good visual fidelity. The Low preset at 104 FPS is unnecessary for most users at this resolution, as the visual downgrade is not worth the extra 18 FPS over Medium. The Ultra preset at 49 FPS falls below the 60 FPS threshold and should be avoided at 1440p.

For 3840x2160, the situation is more constrained. The Medium preset produces 45 FPS average with a minimum of 38 FPS, which is playable for a turn-based tactics game where frame rate consistency matters less than in fast-paced genres. The High preset at 34 FPS is borderline, while Low at 55 FPS is the highest achievable. For 4K, the Low preset at 55 FPS is the recommended configuration, as it maintains a playable frame rate while enabling the higher resolution. The Ultra preset at 26 FPS is not recommended, as the visual gains do not justify the substantial performance penalty.

Across all resolutions, the Medium preset offers the best performance-per-visual-quality trade-off. At 1080p Medium, the combo delivers 135 FPS, which is 73% higher than the 78 FPS at Ultra. At 1440p Medium, the 86 FPS is 75% higher than the 49 FPS at Ultra. The pattern is consistent: Medium provides the most headroom for smooth gameplay without sacrificing too much visual detail.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-13400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination holds a rank of 1,802 out of 2,949 tested combos for Hard West. This means the combo outperforms roughly 1,147 tested configurations, placing it in the upper 39% of all tested systems. While this rank might seem modest, it is important to contextualize this within the game's release date and the hardware landscape.

Hard West launched in 2015, and many of the higher-ranked combos likely include more recent flagship GPUs and CPUs. The RTX 5050, despite being a current-generation card, is positioned in the mid-range segment. Its 66th percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates it sits above the median but below the top-tier cards. Similarly, the i5-13400F's 77th percentile ranking among CPUs shows it is a solidly above-average processor, but not a top-tier enthusiast chip.

The combination's rank of 1,802 suggests that in the broader ecosystem of tested systems, this combo delivers competent but not exceptional performance for Hard West. The measured frame rates confirm this: at 1080p, the combo can exceed 100 FPS at High settings, which is more than sufficient for a turn-based tactics game. At 1440p, it maintains playable frame rates at High and Medium settings. The bottleneck becomes apparent at 4K Ultra, where the average dips to 26 FPS — a figure that places this combo firmly in the mid-range category.

When compared to the GPU's nearest rivals, the RTX 5050's performance delta is minimal. The AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which scores 1.6% lower in average benchmark score, would likely produce nearly identical frame rates in Hard West. The RTX A4000 Mobile, scoring 1.6% higher, would offer a marginal improvement. These small deltas suggest that the combo's rank is more heavily influenced by the CPU choice, which sits within 0.4% of its nearest rivals.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rate data provides a comprehensive picture of how this combo performs across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings produce an average of 165 FPS, Medium settings produce 135 FPS with a minimum of 115 FPS and maximum of 155 FPS, High settings produce 104 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 78 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a consistent scaling pattern, with each preset tier representing roughly a 25-30 FPS step down.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales as expected: Low settings achieve 104 FPS average, Medium settings achieve 86 FPS with a minimum of 73 FPS and maximum of 98 FPS, High settings achieve 66 FPS, and Ultra settings achieve 49 FPS. The 1440p results show the combo maintains over 60 FPS at High settings, which is a solid result for this resolution. The Medium preset's tight frame range (73-98 FPS) indicates stable performance without significant dips.

At 3840x2160, the performance drops considerably: Low settings produce 55 FPS average, Medium settings produce 45 FPS with a minimum of 38 FPS and maximum of 52 FPS, High settings produce 34 FPS, and Ultra settings produce 26 FPS. The 4K results demonstrate that this combo is not ideal for ultra-high-resolution gaming, though the Low preset at 55 FPS remains playable for the turn-based genre.

The data reveals several notable trends. First, the frame rate scaling between resolutions is not linear. Moving from 1080p to 1440p at High settings reduces the average from 104 to 66 FPS, a 36.5% decrease. Moving from 1440p to 4K at High settings reduces the average from 66 to 34 FPS, a 48.5% decrease. This suggests the GPU becomes increasingly bottlenecked as resolution increases, which is expected given the RTX 5050's mid-range positioning.

Second, the Medium preset at each resolution provides the most stable frame pacing, as evidenced by the minimum and maximum values recorded. At 1080p Medium, the spread is 40 FPS (115 to 155). At 1440p Medium, the spread is 25 FPS (73 to 98). At 4K Medium, the spread is 14 FPS (38 to 52). This tightening of frame variance at higher resolutions indicates the GPU is more consistently loaded, reducing the likelihood of sudden frame drops.

Third, the Low preset at 1080p achieves 165 FPS, which is 25% higher than the Medium preset's 135 FPS. This suggests the combo can easily handle high-refresh-rate displays (144Hz or above) when visual quality is reduced. At 1440p Low, the 104 FPS average still supports high-refresh-rate monitors, while at 4K Low, the 55 FPS average is suitable for standard 60Hz displays.

The Ultra preset data shows the steepest performance penalties. At 1080p Ultra, the 78 FPS average is 53% lower than Low. At 1440p Ultra, the 49 FPS is 53% lower than Low. At 4K Ultra, the 26 FPS is 53% lower than Low. This consistent 53% reduction across resolutions indicates that the Ultra preset imposes a uniform additional load on the GPU, likely due to increased anti-aliasing, shadow quality, and post-processing effects that scale with resolution.