Hard West

Hard West is a turn-based tactics title from 2015, and the benchmark data for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 reveals a configuration that is heavily influenced by the CPU’s exceptional processing power. The measured frame rates across all resolutions and settings show that this combo is rarely constrained by the processor, which features 24 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz. Instead, the performance ceiling is almost entirely dictated by the GPU, particularly at higher resolutions and graphical presets. The data indicates a system where the CPU provides a massive headroom, allowing the GPU to become the primary bottleneck in most scenarios, which is a typical pattern for a game of this age running on modern hardware.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process node. Its 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a high boost clock of 5.80 GHz, position it as a top-tier part for multithreaded workloads. In synthetic benchmarks, it achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 51731 and a single-core score of 7303, with a Passmark multithread score of 60860 and a single-thread score of 4823. These figures place the CPU in the 96th percentile of all tested processors, indicating that its raw compute capability is among the best available.

For a turn-based tactics game like Hard West, the computational demands are typically far lower than those of a real-time strategy or first-person shooter. The game’s logic, pathfinding, and AI calculations are not likely to stress the 24-core architecture. The benchmark results confirm this; at 1080p with Low settings, the combo reaches 165 FPS, a figure that is likely limited by the GPU or game engine’s frame pacing rather than the CPU. The CPU’s role here is to ensure that there is no bottleneck at lower resolutions and settings, and the data shows that it succeeds. Even at 4K with Ultra settings, where the average FPS drops to 26, the CPU is not the limiting factor—the GPU is. The processor’s 36 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth provide ample data throughput for the game’s assets and logic.

The CPU’s nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, which is 0.2% slower, and the AMD EPYC 4584PX, which is 1.1% slower. These deltas are minimal, suggesting that the 290K Plus is at the very top of its performance class. For Hard West, this means that any difference in frame rates between this CPU and its closest competitors would be negligible, as the game is unlikely to be CPU-bound in any configuration with these high-end parts. The core count and clock speeds are more than sufficient to handle the game’s turn-based logic, leaving the GPU to determine the final output.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the highest average frame rate recorded for this combo in Hard West?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 165 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: At which resolution and settings does the combo dip below 30 FPS?

A: The combo falls to 26 FPS on average at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, which is the only measured configuration below 30 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU’s benchmark score compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has an average benchmark score of 84003, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K’s score of 83807.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory configuration, and how does it affect performance at high resolutions?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is likely a constraint at 4K Ultra settings, where the average FPS drops to 26.

Q: Does the data show a consistent pattern of FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K?

A: Yes, the average FPS drops consistently as resolution increases. For example, at High settings, the average FPS goes from 104 at 1080p to 66 at 1440p, and then to 34 at 4K.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested combinations for this game?

A: The combo ranks 1802 out of 2949 tested combinations in Hard West, placing it in the lower half of all configurations tested.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data shows a clear and expected scaling pattern across resolutions, which provides strong evidence about the system’s bottleneck. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves 104 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the average drops to 66 FPS, a reduction of approximately 36%. At 4K, the average further falls to 34 FPS, which is about 48% lower than the 1440p figure and 67% lower than the 1080p figure. This steep decline is a classic indicator of GPU limitation. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rates would remain relatively flat as resolution increases, because the CPU’s workload stays the same while the GPU’s workload grows.

The pattern is consistent across all settings. For Low settings, the average FPS goes from 165 at 1080p to 104 at 1440p, and then to 55 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 37%, and from 1440p to 4K is 47%. For Medium settings, the numbers are 135, 86, and 45, showing similar percentage declines. Even at Ultra settings, where the average FPS is already low, the scaling continues: 78 at 1080p, 49 at 1440p, and 26 at 4K. The consistent halving of frame rates with each resolution step-up indicates that the GPU’s pixel throughput and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors.

The RTX 5050’s specifications support this conclusion. With 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, the GPU has a pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance is 13.17 TFLOPS. At 4K, the GPU must render over 8.3 million pixels per frame, which strains its 8 GB of VRAM and 320.0 GB/s memory bandwidth. The 4K Ultra preset, which likely increases texture detail and effects, pushes the GPU beyond its comfortable envelope, resulting in an average of 26 FPS. The data makes it clear that for this combo, resolution scaling is a direct reflection of GPU load, with the CPU providing a stable foundation that never becomes a constraint.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is ranked 1802 out of 2949 tested combinations in Hard West. This rank places it in the 61st percentile of all combos, meaning that roughly 39% of the tested configurations performed worse. However, this ranking is not a measure of absolute performance; it is a relative position among a diverse set of hardware pairings. The rank is likely influenced by the fact that the RTX 5050 is a mid-range GPU, while many higher-ranked combos would include more powerful graphics cards.

Given the CPU’s high percentile (96th) and the GPU’s lower percentile (66th), the combo’s overall rank is dragged down by the GPU. The CPU is clearly not the limiting factor, as its nearest rivals—all of which are either equal or slightly slower—would produce nearly identical frame rates in this game. The GPU, on the other hand, has an average benchmark score of 21035 and sits at the 66th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (0.6% faster), the AMD Radeon HD 8970M (1% faster), and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (1.6% slower). These are all older or lower-tier parts, which contextualizes the RTX 5050’s position in the market.

In the context of Hard West, the combo’s rank of 1802 suggests that while it can play the game, it does so at frame rates that are not exceptional for a 2015 title. The game is not demanding by modern standards, but the GPU’s limitations at 4K and Ultra settings prevent this combo from reaching the top tiers of the ranking. The data shows that the CPU is overqualified for this game, and the GPU is the component that determines the combo’s overall standing. If the same CPU were paired with a higher-end GPU, the rank would likely improve significantly, as the CPU’s headroom is more than sufficient.

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

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its best results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 165, which is the highest of any configuration. Medium settings yield an average of 135 FPS, with a minimum of 115 and a maximum of 155. High settings produce 104 FPS on average, and Ultra settings drop to 78 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p is a 53% reduction in frame rate, which is a substantial hit but still leaves the game perfectly playable.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. Low settings average 104 FPS, which is a 37% drop from the 1080p Low result. Medium settings average 86 FPS, with a minimum of 73 and a maximum of 98. High settings produce 66 FPS, and Ultra settings average 49 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 53 FPS, or a 53% reduction, mirroring the percentage difference seen at 1080p. This consistency suggests that the GPU’s workload scales linearly with settings at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 55 FPS, which is a 47% drop from the 1440p Low result. Medium settings average 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 52. High settings drop to 34 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 26 FPS. The minimum FPS of 38 at 4K Medium indicates that the game can stutter in demanding scenes, but the average remains above playable thresholds for a turn-based tactics game. The Ultra preset at 4K is the only configuration that dips below 30 FPS, making it the least desirable option for smooth gameplay.

The data also shows that the difference between Medium and High settings is smaller than the difference between Low and Medium. For example, at 1080p, the gap between Low and Medium is 30 FPS, while the gap between Medium and High is 31 FPS. At 4K, the gaps are 10 FPS and 11 FPS, respectively. This suggests that the performance cost of increasing quality from Medium to High is roughly equal to the cost of going from Low to Medium, indicating a balanced scaling of graphical features.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the recommended settings depend heavily on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the High preset with an average of 104 FPS offers an excellent balance between visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 78 FPS is also smooth, but the 26 FPS difference may not justify the visual gains in a game like Hard West, where the graphical improvements are likely subtle. For users who prioritize maximum frame rates, the Low preset at 165 FPS is overkill, as the game’s turn-based nature does not require such high refresh rates. Medium at 135 FPS is a solid middle ground, but High provides the best experience for most players.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 66 FPS is the recommended choice. It stays comfortably above 60 FPS, which is the standard for smooth gameplay, and offers high visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 86 FPS is also viable if users prefer a higher frame rate buffer, but the drop to High is only 20 FPS. Ultra at 49 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive, especially if the game has any camera panning or animations that require smoothness. Low at 104 FPS is unnecessary, as the graphical compromises are too severe for a game that is not fast-paced.

At 3840x2160, the recommended preset is Medium, which averages 45 FPS with a minimum of 38 FPS. This is the highest quality setting that stays above 30 FPS on average, providing a playable experience for a turn-based tactics game. The Low preset at 55 FPS is smoother but sacrifices significant visual detail. High at 34 FPS is borderline, and the minimum FPS data is not available, so it is riskier. Ultra at 26 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the 30 FPS threshold that many consider the minimum for acceptable gameplay. For 4K users, Medium offers the best compromise between fidelity and playability.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the primary determinant of the combo’s performance in Hard West. This GPU, built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, has a base clock of 2317 MHz and a boost clock of 2572 MHz, with a memory clock of 2500 MHz (20 Gbps effective). It features 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM on a 128-bit bus, providing 320.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The GPU’s 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs deliver a pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s, with an FP32 performance of 13.17 TFLOPS.

In Hard West, the GPU’s role is to render the game’s 2D and 3D elements, including character models, environmental details, and visual effects. The 8 GB VRAM is likely sufficient for most settings at 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K with Ultra settings, it may become a constraint. The game’s textures and shadow maps can consume significant memory, and the 128-bit bus limits the amount of data that can be transferred per clock cycle. This is reflected in the 4K Ultra result of 26 FPS, which suggests that the GPU is both compute-bound and memory-bound.

The GPU’s benchmark scores provide context for its capabilities. It achieves a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502 and a Passmark G3D score of 17326, with a Passmark GPU compute score of 9184. Its average benchmark score is 21035, placing it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (0.6% faster), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (1% faster), and AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (1.6% slower). These comparisons show that the RTX 5050 is a mid-range part, and its performance in Hard West reflects that positioning.

At 1080p, the GPU has enough headroom to produce high frame rates, but at 4K, it is clearly the limiting factor. The data shows that for this combo, the GPU is the component that users should consider upgrading if they want higher resolutions or more consistent frame rates. The CPU, with its 24 cores and high clocks, is more than capable of feeding the GPU in this game, and its 96th percentile performance means it will not be a bottleneck in any scenario. The RTX 5050’s 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming but are insufficient for 4K Ultra settings in Hard West, as evidenced by the sub-30 FPS average.