Inside

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti pairing delivers a remarkably fluid experience in Inside, a puzzle platformer from 2016. The measured data shows that this combination is capable of high frame rates across all tested resolutions, though the performance scaling between settings reveals a clear hierarchy in where the bottleneck lies. This analysis breaks down the 12 measured FPS data points to understand the components' roles.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals a classic pattern of diminishing returns as resolution increases, but the magnitude of the drop is heavily dependent on the graphics preset. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 268 FPS at 1920x1080 to 240 FPS at 2560x1440, a drop of 28 FPS, and then further down to 156 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a substantial 112 FPS difference between 1080p and 4K at Low, suggesting that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is still being pushed hard by the sheer pixel count of 4K.

The scaling story changes dramatically when looking at Ultra settings. Here, the average drops from 165 FPS at 1080p to 118 FPS at 1440p, and then to 74 FPS at 4K. The 91 FPS gap between 1080p and 4K at Ultra is significant, but the relative drop from 1440p to 4K is what stands out. At 1440p Ultra, the combo produces 118 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, it manages only 74 FPS. This 44 FPS reduction for a 2.25x increase in pixel count indicates that the RTX 3060 Ti is becoming the limiting factor at higher resolutions, especially when the visual workload is maximized.

Medium settings show a similar trend, with averages of 247 FPS at 1080p, 199 FPS at 1440p, and 125 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1440p to 4K here is a 74 FPS drop, which is less severe than the 91 FPS drop at Ultra but still substantial. The High preset, which is the only other setting with data, shows averages of 173 FPS at 1080p, 124 FPS at 1440p, and 78 FPS at 4K. The performance difference between High and Ultra is relatively small, with only an 8 FPS gap at 1080p and a 4 FPS gap at 4K, suggesting that the Ultra preset adds visual features that are not particularly taxing on this hardware.

The data implies that the CPU, the Ryzen 5 5500X3D, is not the primary constraint at any resolution. The consistent frame rate drops as resolution climbs point directly to the GPU's rendering workload. However, the fact that the combo can still hit 74 FPS at 4K Ultra indicates that the RTX 3060 Ti has enough headroom for this specific game, which is not a graphically intensive title by modern standards.

CPU Role

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its defining feature is the large 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is likely a significant factor in its performance in Inside, a game that may benefit from high cache capacity for level data and physics calculations. The CPU's benchmark scores support its capability, with a Passmark single-thread score of 2941 and a multithread score of 20363.

In the context of Inside, the CPU's role appears to be one of consistent support rather than a bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, the lowest resolution where the GPU has the least work, the frame rates are exceptionally high. At 1080p Low, the average is 268 FPS, which is close to the 240 Hz refresh rate of some high-end monitors. Even at 1080p Ultra, the average stays at 165 FPS. These numbers suggest that the Ryzen 5 5500X3D is capable of feeding the RTX 3060 Ti with enough data to keep the GPU busy, even at high frame rates.

The CPU's relative performance is also noteworthy. Its average benchmark score of 37018 places it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36945, a delta of only 0.2%. This indicates that the 5500X3D is a solid performer in its class, but not an outlier. For a game like Inside, which is not known for heavy CPU simulation, the 6-core/12-thread configuration is more than sufficient. The data shows no evidence of CPU-related frame drops, as the minimum FPS values recorded at Medium settings (210 FPS at 1080p, 169 FPS at 1440p, 106 FPS at 4K) are all well above playable thresholds.

The processor's TDP of 105 W and its socket compatibility with AM4 suggest it is a straightforward upgrade for existing platforms, but the benchmark results are what matter here. The data implies that the CPU is a quiet, efficient partner to the GPU, never becoming the limiting factor in this title.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti ranks 1491 out of 2887 tested combos for Inside. This puts it in the 48th percentile, meaning that just over half of the tested combinations perform better. This is an interesting data point because it suggests that while this combo is capable of high frame rates, the overall ranking is pulled down by the fact that many other combinations feature more powerful GPUs or CPUs.

The combo's rank is not a reflection of poor performance in absolute terms, as the measured FPS numbers are high. Instead, it reflects the competitive landscape of the database. For context, the RTX 3060 Ti itself has an average benchmark score of 16129, placing it in the 59th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 9060 with a score of 16014 and a delta of 0.7%, are closely matched. This means the GPU is a mid-to-upper tier part, but not a flagship.

The CPU's ranking is higher, in the 85th percentile, but the combo's overall rank is a blended metric. The fact that the combo ranks in the middle of the pack suggests that for Inside, the GPU is the more limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the combo would likely rank higher, as the CPU is in a higher percentile. The data shows that to improve the combo's rank, a more powerful GPU would be the logical upgrade path, rather than a different CPU.

The rank of 1491 out of 2887 is a useful baseline, but the measured FPS data provides a more actionable picture. The combo is not in the top tier of performers, but it is far from the bottom, and for a game like Inside, the absolute frame rates are what matter most for the player experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a complete matrix of results across three resolutions and four settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 268 at Low to 165 at Ultra. The Medium setting shows an average of 247 FPS with a minimum of 210 and a maximum of 285, while High averages 173 FPS. The jump from Low to Medium is a 21 FPS drop, while the jump from High to Ultra is only 8 FPS. This suggests that the visual differences between High and Ultra are less demanding than the differences between Low and Medium.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 240 FPS at Low, 199 FPS at Medium, 124 FPS at High, and 118 FPS at Ultra. The Medium settings at 1440p show a minimum of 169 FPS and a maximum of 229 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is 41 FPS, which is larger than the 21 FPS gap at 1080p. This indicates that the Medium preset's additional effects are more taxing at higher resolutions.

At 3840x2160, the averages drop to 156 FPS at Low, 125 FPS at Medium, 78 FPS at High, and 74 FPS at Ultra. The Medium settings at 4K show a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 144 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is severe, with the Low setting dropping by 84 FPS and the High setting dropping by 46 FPS. The 4K Ultra result of 74 FPS is still playable, but it is the only setting where the combo dips below the 100 FPS threshold.

The data reveals that the Medium preset offers a balanced experience, with high frame rates at all resolutions. The minimum FPS values for Medium are also recorded, showing that the combo maintains a stable performance without significant drops. For example, at 4K Medium, the minimum FPS is 106, which is well above the 60 FPS standard. This consistency is a positive indicator for the combo's stability in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is an Ampere architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1410 MHz with a boost of 1665 MHz, and it features 4864 shading units. The GPU's performance in Inside is clearly resolution-bound, as the data shows a direct correlation between pixel count and frame rate.

The GPU's benchmark scores are moderate, with a Passmark G3D score of 20349 and a DirectX 12 score of 78. Its average benchmark score of 16129 places it in the 59th percentile of all GPUs, and its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 9060, scores 16014, a delta of 0.7%. This indicates that the RTX 3060 Ti is a competent performer, but it is not a high-end card.

In Inside, the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is not a limiting factor, as the game is not texture-heavy. The data shows that the GPU can handle 4K resolution, but the frame rates at Ultra settings (74 FPS) suggest that it is approaching its limits. The difference between High and Ultra at 4K is only 4 FPS, which indicates that the Ultra preset's additional effects are not heavily taxing the GPU. However, the difference between Low and Medium at 4K is 31 FPS, suggesting that the Medium preset introduces significant rendering changes.

The GPU's role in this combo is to be the primary determinant of frame rates at higher resolutions. The data shows that the CPU is not holding it back, as the frame rates scale consistently with resolution. The RTX 3060 Ti's performance is sufficient for a smooth experience in Inside, but it is not overkill. The 4K Ultra result of 74 FPS is playable, but players seeking higher frame rates at 4K would need to adjust settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance for this combo. At 1920x1080, Medium produces an average of 247 FPS, which is only 21 FPS less than Low but provides a significant visual upgrade. At 2560x1440, Medium averages 199 FPS, which is still well above the 144 Hz refresh rate of many monitors. At 3840x2160, Medium averages 125 FPS, which is a comfortable margin above 60 FPS.

The High preset is a viable alternative for players prioritizing visual fidelity, but the data shows that the jump from Medium to High is costly. At 1080p, High averages 173 FPS, which is 74 FPS less than Medium. At 1440p, High averages 124 FPS, a drop of 75 FPS from Medium. At 4K, High averages 78 FPS, which is 47 FPS less than Medium. The Ultra preset offers minimal gains over High, with only 4-8 FPS differences across resolutions, making it a poor choice for the visual cost.

For players with a 60 Hz monitor, the Ultra preset at 4K is acceptable with an average of 74 FPS. However, for players with high refresh rate displays, the Medium preset is the clear recommendation. It provides the highest frame rates that are still visually superior to Low, and it maintains a minimum FPS of 106 at 4K, ensuring a consistent experience. The Low preset is only recommended for players seeking the absolute highest frame rates, such as 268 FPS at 1080p, but the visual compromise is substantial. The data strongly suggests that Medium is the sweet spot for this hardware combination in Inside.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo achieves in Inside?*

A: The highest average frame rate is 268 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K resolution in Inside?*

A: Yes, it can. At 4K with Medium settings, it averages 125 FPS, and at 4K with Ultra settings, it averages 74 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for this combo?

A: The Medium preset offers the best balance, with average FPS of 247 at 1080p, 199 at 1440p, and 125 at 4K, while maintaining minimum FPS above 106 at 4K.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested combinations?

A: It ranks 1491 out of 2887 tested combos for Inside, placing it in the 48th percentile of all tested combinations.

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions, as frame rates drop significantly from 1440p to 4K, while the CPU's performance is more than adequate.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between High and Ultra settings?

A: The difference is small. At 1080p, Ultra is 8 FPS lower than High, and at 4K, Ultra is 4 FPS lower than High.