Inside

Inside, the 2016 puzzle platformer, is not a typical stress test, but the measured data for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER combination reveals a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings. The dataset shows a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-limited at higher resolutions, while at 1080p the CPU begins to show its influence. This analysis breaks down the measured frames per second to identify where the bottleneck lies and how to best configure the game for this specific hardware pairing.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a dramatic and consistent drop as resolution increases, which is the primary indicator of a GPU-bound workload. At the High preset, the average frame rate falls from 109 FPS at 1920x1080 to 79 FPS at 2560x1440, and finally to 52.1 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a steep decline of 27.5% when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 34% drop when moving from 1440p to 4K. The pattern is even more pronounced at the Low preset, where the frame rate plummets from 218.6 FPS at 1080p to 155 FPS at 1440p and then to 99.6 FPS at 4K. These numbers indicate that the pixel throughput demand is the dominant factor; the GTX 1660 SUPER's shading units and memory bandwidth are being saturated as the resolution increases.

The scaling behavior also tells us about the component limiting performance. At 1080p, the Low preset's 218.6 FPS is a very high frame rate, suggesting that the GPU is not fully taxed. However, the jump to 1440p at Low still yields 155 FPS, which is a substantial drop. The fact that the frame rate at 4K High (52.1 FPS) is less than half of the 1080p High (109 FPS) confirms that the GPU is the primary constraint. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a much smaller difference between resolutions, as the CPU's workload is relatively resolution-independent. Instead, the data shows a near-linear scaling with pixel count, a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario, particularly in a game with simple geometry like Inside.

This is not a case where the CPU is holding back performance. The Ryzen 5 5500's 6 cores and 12 threads are more than capable of feeding the GPU at these frame rates. The data points to the GTX 1660 SUPER's 6 GB of GDDR6 memory and 192-bit bus, which provides a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s, being the limiting factor. At 4K, the demands on this memory subsystem are immense, causing the average FPS to dip below the 60 FPS threshold even on the High preset. The only way to achieve a 4K experience above 60 FPS is to use the Low preset, which achieves 99.6 FPS, but that comes with a significant visual compromise.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. In a game like Inside, which is not known for heavy multi-threaded CPU usage, the role of the processor is to maintain a high minimum frame rate and ensure the GPU is fed with draw calls. The benchmark results for the CPU show a solid single-threaded performance, with a 3DMark single-thread score of 836 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2319. These scores are relevant because game logic and physics are often tied to single-thread performance.

The data from the measured FPS does not show the CPU becoming a bottleneck even at 1080p. The maximum frame rate recorded at 1080p Low is 218.6 FPS, which is a very high number and suggests the CPU is keeping up with the GPU's output. The CPU's average benchmark score of 20875 places it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-12500, is only -0.1% different in average score. This indicates that the Ryzen 5 5500 is a strong mid-range performer, but its capabilities are not fully utilized in this specific title.

The CPU's 16 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support are sufficient for the demands of a puzzle platformer. While the CPU has a TDP of 65 W, the game does not appear to push it to its limits. The difference between the Medium and Ultra presets at 1080p (172.6 FPS vs 101.5 FPS) is more likely due to GPU workload than CPU load, as the CPU's role is mostly static regardless of the graphics settings. The data suggests that the Ryzen 5 5500 is a capable partner for the GTX 1660 SUPER in this game, providing enough headroom to ensure that the GPU is the sole performance limiter.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the clear workhorse in this pairing, and the measured FPS data is a direct reflection of its capabilities. With 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, it provides a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The GPU's core clocks are a base of 1530 MHz and a boost of 1785 MHz, and it features 1408 shading units. In Inside, these specifications translate into a performance envelope that is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but struggles at 4K.

The GPU's benchmark scores provide context for its performance. Its Passmark G3D score is 12699, and its average benchmark score is 14286, placing it in the 55th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11, is only -0.2% different in average score. This suggests that the GTX 1660 SUPER is an upper-mid-range part. The measured FPS data aligns with this, showing that the GPU can handle 1080p Ultra at 101.5 FPS and 1440p High at 79 FPS, which are solid results for a demanding title.

However, the 4K results highlight the GPU's limitations. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 48.7 FPS, which is not a smooth experience. Even at 4K High, the average FPS is only 52.1, which is below the 60 FPS target. The GPU's VRAM capacity of 6 GB is also a factor; while Inside does not have massive texture requirements, the higher resolutions increase memory pressure. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting component at 4K, but it is not a failure at lower resolutions. The 14 Gbps effective memory speed and the Turing architecture's efficiency allow it to deliver playable frame rates at 1440p, making it a versatile card for this game's visual style.

Settings Recommendations

The measured rows provide a clear picture of how to balance visual quality and performance. For a 60 FPS target, the best experience is found at 1920x1080 with the Ultra preset, which delivers an average of 101.5 FPS. This provides a high level of visual detail without any performance concerns. If the user prefers a higher refresh rate monitor, the Medium preset at 1080p offers 172.6 FPS, which is a massive improvement and shows the game is not too demanding on the GPU at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the optimal choice, as it achieves 79 FPS, which is comfortably above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 71.6 FPS, which is still playable, but the High preset offers a better margin of safety. The Low preset at 1440p yields 155 FPS, but the visual downgrade is likely not worth the frame rate increase for a game like Inside, which relies on atmosphere and lighting.

For 4K, the data suggests that the High preset is not viable for a smooth experience, as it only produces 52.1 FPS. The Ultra preset is even worse at 48.7 FPS. The only way to get a smooth 4K experience is to use the Low preset, which produces 99.6 FPS. This is a significant compromise, but it demonstrates that the GTX 1660 SUPER can handle 4K in this title if the user is willing to sacrifice visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 4K provides a middle ground at 79.3 FPS, which may be a better compromise than Low, offering some visual improvements while still maintaining a frame rate above 60. Based on the data, the recommended path is to prioritize 1080p or 1440p for the best balance, and only consider 4K with the Low or Medium presets.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Inside at 4K with a smooth frame rate?

A: Yes, but only with significant settings compromises. The measured data shows that at 4K, the Low preset achieves an average of 99.6 FPS, while the Medium preset drops to 79.3 FPS. The High and Ultra presets fall below 60 FPS, at 52.1 and 48.7 FPS respectively.

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

A: The High preset is the best choice for 1440p. It delivers an average of 79 FPS, which is well above a 60 FPS target. The Ultra preset is also playable at 71.6 FPS, but High offers a better performance buffer with minimal visual difference.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 the bottleneck in this configuration?

A: No, the data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 218.6 FPS, which shows the CPU can feed the GPU at very high frame rates. The frame rate drops significantly with resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 SUPER compare to its nearest rival in terms of overall benchmark score?

A: The GTX 1660 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 14286. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 11, has an average score of 14314, which is a -0.2% difference. This shows they are statistically tied in overall performance.

Q: What is the maximum frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The highest average frame rate in the measured data is 218.6 FPS, which occurs at 1920x1080 with the Low preset. This demonstrates that the system has significant headroom at lower resolutions.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset at 1080p?

A: Yes, the Ultra preset at 1080p is highly recommended. It achieves an average of 101.5 FPS, providing a smooth and visually rich experience. This is the best way to experience the game's art style without any performance issues.