Inside

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER delivers a playable, if not consistently smooth, experience in Inside. The data shows a puzzle platformer that is heavily GPU-bound at higher settings, where the 6 GB VRAM and mid-range rasterization capabilities of the 1660 SUPER become the primary limiting factor. This combination ranks in the 15th percentile of tested combos, indicating that while it can run the game, most other systems in the database deliver higher frame rates.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Inside at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but only at Low settings, where it achieves an average of 98 FPS. At Medium settings, the average drops to 78 FPS, and at High and Ultra settings, the average falls to 49 FPS and 47 FPS, respectively, which are below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay.

Q: What is the best resolution for a consistently smooth 60+ FPS experience?

A: Both 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 provide average frame rates above 60 FPS at all settings. At 2560x1440, even the most demanding Ultra preset averages 74 FPS, while at 1920x1080, the lowest average is 103 FPS on Ultra.

Q: How does the GTX 1660 SUPER's VRAM buffer affect performance at high resolutions?

A: The GPU has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops significantly between Medium (78 FPS) and High (49 FPS), suggesting that the larger textures and effects at High settings are likely exceeding the comfortable capacity of the VRAM buffer, causing a performance cliff.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D bottlenecking the GTX 1660 SUPER in this game?

A: Benchmark results indicate the CPU is not the limiting factor. The 12-core, 24-thread processor with a 5.50 GHz boost clock has a PassMark single-thread score of 4646 and a multithread score of 56154. The frame rate scaling across resolutions and settings points to the GPU as the primary bottleneck, as the CPU has ample headroom for this title.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 216 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 103 FPS. This represents a drop of over 50% in average frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings.

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

A: The combo ranks 2464 out of 2887 tested combinations. This places it in the lower-performing tier of systems in the database, indicating that while it can run the game, most other pairings will provide higher average frame rates.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is the definitive performance ceiling for this pairing. Built on the 12 nm Turing architecture with the TU116 chip, it offers 1408 shading units and a boost clock of 1785 MHz. Its 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The GPU holds a 53rd percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 12986, placing it in the mid-range tier.

The data from Inside shows a clear pattern of the GPU struggling as resolution and settings increase. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 98 FPS on Low to 47 FPS on Ultra. This is a significant 52% reduction in performance from the lowest to highest settings. The most telling data point is the drop between Medium and High at 4K, where the average falls from 78 FPS to 49 FPS. This steep decline suggests that the High preset's texture detail or other memory-intensive effects are overwhelming the 6 GB frame buffer, forcing the GPU to use slower memory management techniques.

At 2560x1440, the GPU shows more headroom. The Low preset averages 156 FPS, which is exceptionally high. Even the Ultra preset maintains a solid 74 FPS average. This indicates that at 1440p, the GPU is capable of handling the game's demands without hitting the same VRAM or compute limits seen at 4K.

The GTX 1660 SUPER's performance in synthetic benchmarks like Passmark G3D (12699) and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 (1278) reinforces its mid-range positioning. It is a capable card for esports and older titles, but Inside at 4K pushes it to its limits. The data shows that for a consistently smooth experience, the GPU is best paired with a 1080p or 1440p display.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a high-end desktop processor that is vastly overqualified for the demands of Inside. This 12-core, 24-thread CPU, based on the Zen 5 (Granite Ridge) architecture, has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. It features a massive 128 MB of L3 cache and supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, including a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 47737 and a single-core score of 6739. The CPU holds a 91st percentile ranking among all CPUs.

In the context of this game, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The data suggests it does this without breaking a sweat. The frame rates are almost entirely dictated by the GPU's settings and resolution. For example, at 1920x1080, the average FPS scales from 216 on Low to 103 on Ultra. This scaling is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU is capable of delivering frames faster than the GPU can render them.

The 9900X3D's single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 1269 and Geekbench single-core score of 3041, ensures that the game's main thread is never a bottleneck. Even at 1080p Low, where the GPU is under minimal load and frame rates are highest, the CPU is able to keep up. This processor provides an immense amount of headroom, meaning that any future GPU upgrade would be fully supported without the CPU becoming a limiting factor. The data shows that the CPU is not just adequate for this game; it is a performance surplus.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings. All data points are measured averages, with some entries including minimum and maximum frame rates.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the system is pushed hardest. The Low preset delivers an average of 98 FPS. The Medium preset averages 78 FPS, with a minimum of 66 FPS and a maximum of 90 FPS. The High preset averages 49 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 47 FPS. The data shows a clear performance cliff between Medium and High settings, suggesting a VRAM or bandwidth limitation.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the experience is much smoother. The Low preset averages 156 FPS. The Medium preset averages 125 FPS, with a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 143 FPS. The High preset averages 78 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 74 FPS. All presets at this resolution maintain an average above 60 FPS, making it a viable option for high-refresh-rate monitors.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the system performs exceptionally well. The Low preset averages 216 FPS. The Medium preset averages 173 FPS, with a minimum of 147 FPS and a maximum of 199 FPS. The High preset averages 108 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 103 FPS. This is the resolution where the system shines, providing high frame rates even at the most demanding settings.

The FPS deltas between resolutions are telling. For example, at Ultra settings, the average frame rate drops from 103 FPS at 1080p to 74 FPS at 1440p, a 28% reduction. From 1440p to 4K, it drops from 74 FPS to 47 FPS, a 36% reduction. This indicates that the GPU's rendering load scales non-linearly with resolution, particularly at the highest quality presets.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations, this pairing of AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER ranks 2464 out of 2887 total combos. This places it in the bottom 15th percentile of all systems tested.

This ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU. The GTX 1660 SUPER's 53rd percentile ranking among GPUs is a clear indicator of its mid-range status. In contrast, the CPU's 91st percentile ranking shows it is a top-tier component. The combination of a top-tier CPU with a mid-range GPU results in a system that is bottlenecked by the graphics card in almost every gaming scenario, including this one.

The nearest rivals to the GTX 1660 SUPER in the GPU database include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (0.4% faster), the AMD Radeon RX 580 (0.4% faster), and the AMD Radeon 740M (0.9% faster). These rivals are all within a 1% performance margin, indicating that the 1660 SUPER is functionally equivalent to these parts in overall compute power. However, the specific requirements of Inside may favor one over the other, and the data shows this combo's specific frame rates.

The system's low combo rank means that users will find the majority of other tested systems deliver higher average frame rates in this title. This is not a system that will top any performance charts, but its ranking is consistent with its component makeup. The CPU is a future-proofing investment, while the GPU is the current limiting factor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's target resolution and frame rate preference.

For 1920x1080 users with a 60 Hz or 144 Hz monitor, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. It averages 103 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a smooth experience on high-refresh-rate displays. Even the most demanding settings leave ample performance headroom. The High preset is also viable, averaging 108 FPS, but the Ultra preset offers a richer visual experience for only a 5 FPS average cost.

For 2560x1440 users, the High preset is the sweet spot for a 60 FPS experience, averaging 78 FPS. If the user has a 144 Hz monitor, the Medium preset, which averages 125 FPS, is the better choice. The Ultra preset also clears the 60 FPS bar at 74 FPS, so it is a viable option for those who prioritize visual quality over headroom. The Low preset offers a high frame rate of 156 FPS but significantly reduces visual fidelity.

For 3840x2160 users, the options are more constrained. The Low preset is the only one that can guarantee a 60+ FPS average, hitting 98 FPS. The Medium preset is playable, averaging 78 FPS, but the minimum FPS of 66 shows it can dip close to the 60 FPS line. The High and Ultra presets, averaging 49 and 47 FPS respectively, should be avoided if a consistent 60 FPS is required, as they will exhibit noticeable stutter and frame pacing issues.

In summary, the system provides the best overall experience at 1080p Ultra or 1440p High. At 4K, users must compromise with Low or Medium settings to maintain playability. The data clearly indicates that the GTX 1660 SUPER is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can fully stretch its legs, while the CPU ensures there are no frame delivery issues.