Inside

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 produces a compelling, high-refresh-rate experience in Inside, but the data reveals a system where the CPU, not the GPU, is the primary limiter at lower resolutions. Across all settings, the combo delivers playable frame rates, yet the scaling pattern from 1080p to 4K shows a platform that is increasingly GPU-bound as resolution rises. The benchmark results indicate a strong pairing for a 2016 puzzle platformer, with the RTX 5070's raw power being held back by the six-core processor in lighter loads.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent pattern: as resolution increases, the performance drop is significant, but the system remains fluid at every step. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 171.7 FPS. Moving to 1440p, that figure drops to 151.8 FPS, a reduction of roughly 12%. At 4K, the average falls further to 110.6 FPS, which is about 36% lower than the 1080p result. This scaling indicates that the RTX 5070 is doing progressively more work as pixel count rises, which is expected for a GPU with a 672.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 12 GB of GDDR7 memory.

The pattern is even more pronounced at lower settings. With Low settings, the system hits 221.9 FPS at 1080p, 199.9 FPS at 1440p, and 170.4 FPS at 4K. The 4K figure is 23% below the 1080p number, a smaller gap than the High preset's 36% drop. This suggests that at Low settings, the CPU is starting to become a bottleneck, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs at higher resolutions. The data shows a system that is well-balanced for 1440p gaming, where the FPS drop from 1080p is moderate but still leaves a huge margin above 60 FPS.

The limiting component shifts depending on the resolution. At 1080p, the i5-9400's six threads and 2.90 GHz base clock are likely the ceiling, as the GPU is not being fully utilized. At 4K, the RTX 5070's 30.87 TFLOPS of FP32 performance becomes the dominant factor, and the CPU has enough headroom to feed it. This is a classic sign of a CPU that is adequate for high-resolution gaming but not ideal for esports-style low-resolution play, where the processor's limitations are exposed.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a six-core, six-thread processor from the Coffee Lake architecture, running at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its benchmark results place it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, with an average score of 2305. This is a mid-range processor that is not going to win any performance crowns, but it is perfectly adequate for a game like Inside, which is not a multi-threaded showcase. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969 and single-core score of 1125 confirm that this chip is competitive with its peers, sitting within 0.6% of rivals like the Intel Core i7-8809G.

In this game, the CPU's role is to maintain frame pacing and avoid bottlenecking the GPU. The data suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is the limiting factor. The jump from Low to High settings at 1080p only drops the FPS from 221.9 to 171.7, a 23% reduction, which is less than the 36% drop seen at 4K. This indicates that the CPU is holding the system back at lower resolutions, where the GPU could otherwise produce even higher frame rates. The processor's 9 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for this title, but they do not provide the headroom that a newer, higher-clock part might offer.

The six threads are a notable limitation. Many modern games benefit from more threads, but Inside is a 2016 puzzle platformer that does not heavily tax the processor. The measured results show that the i5-9400 can sustain over 220 FPS at 1080p Low, which is far beyond what most displays can show. This suggests that for this specific game, the CPU is not a major weakness, but it does cap the maximum achievable frame rate. The 65 W TDP and 14 nm process node are irrelevant to performance here, but they do indicate that this is a power-efficient part that runs cool.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the star of this pairing, and its role is to provide massive headroom that the CPU cannot always exploit. With a boost clock of 2512 MHz, 6144 shading units, and 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, this GPU is designed for high-resolution gaming. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5077 and Passmark G3D score of 29137 place it at the 83rd percentile among all GPUs, making it a top-tier component. The nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, is only 0.6% behind in average score, showing that the 5070 is in elite company.

In Inside, the GPU's power is evident in the 4K results. At 4K Ultra, the combo still manages 108.9 FPS, which is a smooth experience for a puzzle platformer. The 4K High preset yields 110.6 FPS, and even the most demanding settings do not push the GPU to its limit. The 672.0 GB/s memory bandwidth is more than enough for this game's textures, and the 80 ROPs ensure that pixel fill rates are not a concern. The data shows that the GPU is the dominant component at 4K, where the FPS drop from High to Ultra is minimal (110.6 to 108.9), indicating that the GPU is still not fully saturated.

The RTX 5070's 12 GB of VRAM is a non-issue for Inside, as the game is not VRAM-hungry. The GPU's 5 nm process node and 31,100 million transistors make it a powerful chip, but in this title, it is often waiting on the CPU. The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the component to keep if upgrading, as it provides the headroom for future titles. The measured FPS at 1440p High (151.8) and 4K High (110.6) show that the GPU can handle high refresh rates at 1440p and solid 4K performance, making it a versatile choice.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on the best settings for different scenarios. For a 60 Hz 4K display, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers 108.9 FPS, which is well above the refresh rate. The High preset at 4K offers 110.6 FPS, a marginal improvement, but Ultra provides the best visual fidelity without a meaningful performance penalty. The data shows that the drop from High to Ultra is only 1.7 FPS at 4K, making Ultra the obvious pick for maximum quality.

For 1440p users, the Ultra preset is also recommended, as it produces 148.6 FPS, which is sufficient for high-refresh-rate monitors up to 144 Hz. The High preset at 151.8 FPS is nearly identical, so the choice between High and Ultra is a matter of personal preference for visual effects. The Medium preset at 184.9 FPS is unnecessary unless aiming for a 165 Hz or higher display, but the visual quality trade-off is not worth it for a game like Inside.

At 1080p, the situation is different. The Ultra preset yields 166.3 FPS, which is still excellent, but the CPU is the limiting factor. The Low preset hits 221.9 FPS, but the visual downgrade is significant. The best experience per the measured rows is the High preset at 171.7 FPS, which balances visual quality with a frame rate that exceeds most 144 Hz displays. The Medium preset at 203.3 FPS is a good middle ground for those with 240 Hz monitors, but the High preset is the sweet spot for most users.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Inside at 4K with maximum settings?*

A: Yes. The measured data shows an average of 108.9 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is well above 60 FPS and suitable for most displays.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck for the RTX 5070?

A: The data suggests yes at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system hits 221.9 FPS, but the scaling to 4K Low (170.4 FPS) shows a smaller drop than expected, indicating the CPU limits the GPU at lower pixel counts.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p 144 Hz monitor?

A: The Ultra preset is recommended, as it produces 148.6 FPS, which is just above 144 Hz. The High preset at 151.8 FPS is also viable, but Ultra offers better visuals for a negligible FPS cost.

Q: How does the RTX 5070 compare to the RTX 3090 in this context?

A: The RTX 5070 has an average benchmark score of 41687, which is 0.6% higher than the RTX 3090's 41441. In Inside, the 5070's performance is more than sufficient, with no measurable difference in gameplay.

*Q: Does the CPU's six threads limit performance in Inside?*

A: Not significantly. The game is not heavily threaded, and the i5-9400 delivers over 220 FPS at 1080p Low. The six threads are adequate for this title, though they may limit maximum frame rates.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The measured data shows a difference of 55.6 FPS, from 221.9 FPS on Low to 166.3 FPS on Ultra. This is a 25% reduction, indicating that the GPU is still handling the graphical load well.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data is organized by resolution and settings, providing a complete picture of performance. At 1080p, the results are: Low 221.9 FPS, Medium 203.3 FPS, High 171.7 FPS, and Ultra 166.3 FPS. This shows a clear progression, but the gap between High and Ultra is only 5.4 FPS, which is minimal.

At 1440p, the numbers are: Low 199.9 FPS, Medium 184.9 FPS, High 151.8 FPS, and Ultra 148.6 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across settings, averaging about 13% for Low and Medium, but only 12% for High and Ultra. This indicates that the GPU is handling the resolution increase efficiently.

At 4K, the results are: Low 170.4 FPS, Medium 157.3 FPS, High 110.6 FPS, and Ultra 108.9 FPS. The drop from 1440p to 4K is more pronounced, with High and Ultra seeing a 27% reduction, while Low and Medium see a 15% reduction. This suggests that the higher settings are more dependent on GPU fill rate, while the lower settings are still partially CPU-bound. The data shows a system that is capable of excellent performance at all resolutions, with the RTX 5070 providing the necessary power for 4K gaming.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-9400 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combo ranks 885th out of 1671 tested combinations for Inside. This places it in the 53rd percentile of all combos, which is a solid mid-tier ranking. The ranking is likely held back by the CPU, which is at the 50th percentile among all processors, while the GPU is at the 83rd percentile. The performance is still excellent, as the measured FPS shows, but the CPU prevents this combo from reaching the top echelons.

The ranking suggests that there are many combos with faster processors that can push higher frame rates at 1080p, but the RTX 5070 ensures that this pairing is never a weak link at higher resolutions. The combo's rank is a reflection of the CPU's limitations, not the GPU's. For a game like Inside, which is not demanding, the rank is less important than the actual playability, and the data shows a smooth experience across all settings. The combination of a mid-range CPU and a high-end GPU is a common pairing, and this ranking confirms that it works well for this title, even if it is not the absolute best.