Inside

Inside is a 2016 puzzle platformer, and the measured frame rates for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7600 show a configuration that is overwhelmingly capable of delivering smooth gameplay across all tested settings and resolutions. The data indicates a system that rarely struggles, with performance scaling predictably as graphical loads increase. This analysis breaks down the specific contributions of the CPU and GPU, how the combo ranks among tested configurations, and provides a detailed look at the measured FPS across the board.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which provides substantial single-thread headroom that is often crucial for game logic and physics in titles like Inside. The CPU’s performance percentile versus all CPUs is 89, indicating it sits in the top tier of processors tested, and its average benchmark score of 46062 places it in a dead heat with its nearest rivals. For instance, it is only 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and just 0.1% behind the Intel Core i9-13900HX, while also edging out the AMD EPYC 4364P and AMD EPYC 7303 by 0.2% each. This suggests that from a pure processing standpoint, the Ultra 5 235 is a very high-performing chip, but not an outlier in its class.

In the context of Inside, a game that is not typically demanding on multi-core resources, the CPU’s 14 cores and 14 threads are more than sufficient. The architecture’s lack of hyperthreading (14 cores, 14 threads) means each physical core handles a single thread, which can be beneficial for consistent scheduling in lightly-threaded workloads. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz is likely the primary driver of performance here, ensuring that any single-threaded bottlenecks in the game engine are minimized. The L3 cache is 24 MB shared, which provides a decent buffer for data that needs to be quickly accessed by the cores. While the CPU has a PassMark single-thread score of 4516 and a multi-thread score of 37816, these figures indicate a robust processor that will not be the limiting factor in a game like Inside, especially when compared to the GPU’s performance envelope. The CPU’s TDP is 65 W, a modest figure that suggests efficient operation, but the data shows its raw compute power is what matters most for keeping up with the GPU’s output.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is the primary driver of the frame rates in this configuration. It is based on the RDNA 3.0 architecture (Navi 33 chip) and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1720 MHz, a game clock of 2250 MHz, and a boost clock of 2655 MHz. These clocks are relatively high, and the GPU’s 2048 shading units, 128 TMUs, and 64 ROPs are well-suited for the 2D side-scrolling visuals of Inside, which rely more on fill rate and shader throughput than complex geometry. The GPU’s performance percentile versus all GPUs is 57, placing it in the mid-upper range, and its average benchmark score is 15171. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, is only 0.2% ahead, while the AMD Radeon Pro 560X is 0.6% behind, and the AMD Radeon 680M is 0.7% behind. This shows the RX 7600 is a solid performer in its segment.

The 8 GB of VRAM is a key consideration. In the context of Inside, with its relatively simple textures and limited draw distances, this amount of VRAM is ample, even at 4K resolution. The measured FPS data confirms this, as there are no anomalies that would suggest a VRAM capacity bottleneck. The GPU’s FP32 performance is 21.75 TFLOPS, which is more than enough for a puzzle platformer. The measured frame rates show that the GPU is the dominant factor in determining performance, as scaling the resolution from 1080p to 4K has a significant impact on FPS, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions. The RX 7600’s capabilities are clearly sufficient to push high frame rates in this game, but the data shows it is the component that dictates the performance ceiling as settings and resolution increase.

How This Combo Ranks — comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested CPU and GPU combinations, this specific pairing ranks 1930 out of a total of 2887 combos. This places it in the lower half of all tested configurations, which is an interesting data point given the individual component scores. The CPU is in the 89th percentile, and the GPU is in the 57th percentile, so one might expect a higher combined rank. However, the rank is specific to Inside and takes into account the measured FPS across all resolutions and settings. The relatively low rank suggests that while this combo is perfectly playable, there are many other combinations that achieve higher frame rates in this specific title, likely due to more powerful GPUs. The rank of 1930 is a holistic measure that weighs the entire performance profile, and it shows that this combo is not at the top of the heap for Inside.

Looking at the individual component rankings, the CPU is a top-tier performer, but the GPU is more of a mid-range part. In a game like Inside, where the GPU load is moderate, a stronger GPU would push this combo’s rank significantly higher. The data shows that the combo’s performance is consistent with what one would expect from a strong CPU paired with a mid-range GPU; it will not set records, but it provides a stable and enjoyable experience. The fact that the combo ranks 1930 out of 2887 means that roughly two-thirds of the tested combos perform better, which is a direct reflection of the RX 7600’s position in the GPU hierarchy. This is not a criticism of the combo, but rather a factual observation of where it stands in the broader landscape of tested hardware.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of how this combo handles Inside. At 1920x1080, the performance is exceptional. With Low settings, the average FPS is 282, which is extraordinarily high. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 226 FPS, with a minimum of 192 FPS and a maximum of 259 FPS. At High settings, the average is 141 FPS, and at Ultra, it is 134 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the combo is heavily CPU-limited in the lower settings, but still provides incredibly smooth gameplay even at Ultra, with frame rates well above the refresh rate of most monitors.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales as expected. Low settings yield an average of 203 FPS, Medium produces 162 FPS (with a min of 138 and max of 186), High drops to 101 FPS, and Ultra settles at 97 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is significant, showing that the GPU is starting to become more of a factor. At this resolution, all settings remain highly playable, with even Ultra maintaining an average above 90 FPS. At 3840x2160 (4K), the GPU is clearly the limiting factor. Low settings produce an average of 127 FPS, Medium yields 102 FPS (with a min of 87 and max of 117), High drops to 64 FPS, and Ultra falls to 61 FPS. While 4K Ultra is still technically playable, the frame rate is getting closer to the threshold where some users might notice a lack of smoothness, though it stays above 60 FPS on average.

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

The scaling of frame rates from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound progression. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 282 at 1080p to 203 at 1440p, and then to 127 at 4K. This is a reduction of 28% from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 37% from 1440p to 4K. The total drop from 1080p to 4K is 55%. This steep decline indicates that the GPU is working much harder at higher resolutions, as the pixel count increases. At Ultra settings, the average FPS drops from 134 at 1080p to 97 at 1440p (a 28% decrease), and then to 61 at 4K (a 37% decrease from 1440p). The total drop from 1080p to 4K at Ultra is 54%.

The consistency of these percentage drops across different settings is telling. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect the FPS to remain relatively flat when increasing resolution, especially at lower settings where the GPU load is lighter. However, the data shows a steep decline, which is the hallmark of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU has enough headroom to feed the GPU at 1080p, but as the resolution increases, the GPU’s rendering time becomes the dominant factor, causing the FPS to drop. This is typical for a game like Inside, which is not overly complex, and it confirms that the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is the primary determinant of the performance ceiling at higher resolutions, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 easily keeps pace.

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

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend on the user’s resolution and refresh rate. At 1920x1080, even Ultra settings provide an average of 134 FPS, which is smooth for most displays. However, for users with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the Medium preset, with an average of 226 FPS, offers a substantial boost in smoothness. High settings at 141 FPS is also a strong choice, providing a good balance between visual fidelity and frame rate. For competitive or extremely responsive play, Low settings at 282 FPS is the clear winner, but it sacrifices visual quality for a frame rate that is likely beyond the capability of the display.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 101 FPS is a solid recommendation for a 100Hz or 120Hz monitor, offering a good visual experience. The Ultra preset at 97 FPS is nearly identical in performance and could be chosen for maximum quality if the user prefers slightly better visuals over a few extra frames. The Medium preset at 162 FPS is ideal for 144Hz displays, providing a very responsive experience. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset at 102 FPS is the sweet spot for 4K gaming, as it delivers a high frame rate while maintaining decent visual quality. The High and Ultra presets at 64 and 61 FPS are playable but sit right at the 60 FPS threshold, which might not feel as smooth to some users. For 4K, Low settings at 127 FPS is the best option for those prioritizing frame rate over visual detail, but Medium offers a better balance.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with High settings?

A: The average frame rate is 141 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings.

Q: Does the combo maintain 60 FPS at 4K Ultra settings?

A: Yes, the average frame rate at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 61 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: Which resolution and settings combo provides the highest average frame rate?

A: The highest average frame rate is 282 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested configurations in this game?

A: It ranks 1930 out of 2887 total combos tested for Inside.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded in the measured data?

A: The minimum FPS recorded is 87 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Medium settings.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, as frame rates drop significantly from 1080p to 4K, a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck.