Inside

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT pairing delivers a remarkably consistent experience in Inside, a game that, despite its 2016 release, proves demanding enough to be limited by the GPU at higher resolutions. The data shows a combo that can easily push past 144 FPS at 1080p but settles into a more modest, yet still smooth, performance envelope at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It features a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, with a 65W TDP. This is a modern desktop CPU, and its benchmark results place it in the 90th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a very strong overall performer. Its multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 32924 and single-core score of 4648 suggest it has ample headroom for gaming workloads.

In the context of Inside, a 2D puzzle-platformer, the CPU's role is primarily to maintain a high and stable frame rate by quickly processing game logic and physics. The game's art style, while visually striking, does not require the complex AI or simulation tasks that would stress a CPU in a large open-world title. The data suggests the Core Ultra 5 245 is more than sufficient for this task, as the measured frame rates at 1080p are extremely high. The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support (with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth) provide a solid foundation for feeding the GPU.

The benchmark results indicate this CPU is not the bottleneck in this system. Even at 4K with Ultra settings, where the GPU is most stressed, the frame rate drops to 63 FPS, which is likely a GPU limitation rather than a CPU one. The processor's high single-thread performance, which is often crucial for game logic, is evidenced by its PassMark single-thread score of 4394. This ensures that the game's main thread rarely becomes a limiting factor, allowing the GPU to work as the primary determinant of performance.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Inside with this combo for a 144Hz monitor?*

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 146 FPS, which meets a 144Hz refresh rate. For a 1440p display, you would need to lower settings to Low to reach 210 FPS, or stick with High for 105 FPS, which is better suited for a 60Hz or 100Hz monitor.

Q: How much of a performance drop is there from 1080p to 4K?

A: The data shows a significant drop. At Ultra settings, the average FPS falls from 139 at 1080p to 63 at 2160p, a reduction of 76 FPS. This is a clear indication that the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT becomes the limiting component at higher resolutions.

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

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate scales inversely with resolution, dropping as pixel count increases. This is the classic behavior of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU's high benchmark scores also support this, as it is unlikely to be the source of the performance drop.

Q: Can this combo handle the highest settings at 1080p?

A: Yes, at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 139 FPS. This is a very playable frame rate and indicates the system can handle the game's maximum visual fidelity at this resolution without issue.

Q: How does this combo's performance rank compared to other tested systems?

A: It ranks 1826 out of 2887 tested combos for this game. This places it in the 63rd percentile of all tested system configurations, suggesting it is a mid-to-upper-tier performer for Inside specifically.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 2560x1440, the average FPS on Low settings is 210, while on Ultra settings it drops to 100. This 110 FPS gap highlights how impactful the graphics settings are on the system's performance.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Inside shows a clear and predictable trend: performance decreases as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system is capable of producing extremely high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting an average of 292 FPS. This suggests a well-optimized game that allows the hardware to stretch its legs. Moving to 1440p, the average FPS on Low drops to 210, and at 4K, it falls to 132.

This scaling is more pronounced at lower settings. The difference between 1080p and 4K on Low settings is 160 FPS (292 to 132). However, on the Ultra preset, the difference is 76 FPS (139 to 63). This narrower gap at higher settings is a key indicator of a GPU bottleneck. When the GPU is already heavily loaded with Ultra settings, increasing the resolution further has a comparatively smaller impact on the frame rate than it does when the GPU is less stressed at Low settings.

The data implies that the limiting component shifts based on settings. At Low settings, the frame rates are so high that the CPU's processing speed might start to influence the maximum achievable FPS. But at Ultra and at higher resolutions, the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT's rendering capabilities are the definitive constraint. The 4K Medium preset's average of 106 FPS, with a minimum of 90 FPS, shows that even at the highest resolution, the combo can maintain a playable experience if settings are managed.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is ranked 1826 out of 2887 tested combos for Inside. This equates to a rank in the bottom third of the tested pool. While this might sound poor, it is important to contextualize this ranking. The combo's rank is determined by its absolute performance in the game, and many of the combos above it likely feature higher-end GPUs.

The GPU, in particular, is a significant factor in this ranking. The Radeon RX 6650 XT has an average benchmark score of 19765 and sits in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA Tesla K40m (-0.6%) and AMD FirePro W7000 (-0.7%), have nearly identical average scores. This shows the GPU is a solid mid-range performer. However, the CPU is a more exceptional part, with a 90th percentile ranking. The system's overall rank for this game is therefore likely dragged down by the GPU's mid-tier status relative to the highest-end cards.

The data suggests that while the CPU is capable of competing with much more powerful systems, the GPU limits the combo's overall standing. The 63 FPS average at 4K Ultra is the key data point here; a more powerful GPU would push this number higher, improving the combo's rank. This combo is a balanced mid-range system, and its ranking reflects that it is outclassed by systems with more powerful graphics cards, but it still provides a strong gaming experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a comprehensive look at performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. The Low preset achieves an average of 292 FPS, Medium 234 FPS (with a minimum of 199 and maximum of 269), High 146 FPS, and Ultra 139 FPS. These numbers indicate that the combo is fully capable of taking advantage of high-refresh-rate monitors at this resolution, with even the most demanding preset staying well above 120 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains strong but sees a noticeable reduction. The Low preset averages 210 FPS, while Medium averages 168 FPS (minimum 143, maximum 193). High settings yield an average of 105 FPS, and Ultra drops to 100 FPS. This resolution presents a good balance, allowing for high frame rates on lower settings and a comfortable 100 FPS experience on the highest settings.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck. The Low preset still manages a respectable 132 FPS, and Medium drops to 106 FPS. However, the High and Ultra presets fall to 66 FPS and 63 FPS, respectively. The data shows that for a 4K experience, users will need to stick to Medium or Low settings to maintain a smooth frame rate, as the High and Ultra presets dip to around 60 FPS, which is the bare minimum for a playable experience on many displays.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal settings depend entirely on the user's target resolution and refresh rate. For a 1080p display with a 144Hz or higher refresh rate, the High preset (146 FPS) is the best choice, offering a significant visual upgrade over Medium (234 FPS) while still providing more than enough performance. The Ultra preset (139 FPS) is also viable and offers the maximum visual fidelity, but the 7 FPS difference between High and Ultra is minor.

For 1440p users with a 144Hz monitor, the Medium preset (168 FPS) is the recommended choice, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The Low preset (210 FPS) is also an option for competitive play, but Medium offers a better balance of visual quality and speed. For those with a 60Hz or 75Hz display, the Ultra preset (100 FPS) is the best option, as it delivers the highest visual quality while still exceeding the monitor's refresh rate.

For 4K resolution, the Medium preset (106 FPS) is the clear winner. It is the only preset that maintains an average frame rate above 100 FPS, and its minimum of 90 FPS ensures a consistent experience. The Low preset (132 FPS) is an alternative for those who prioritize frame rate above all else, but the Medium preset provides a substantial visual improvement. The High (66 FPS) and Ultra (63 FPS) presets are not recommended for 4K, as they fall below the 70 FPS threshold that many consider necessary for a smooth experience.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT is based on the RDNA 2.0 architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 280.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It has 2048 shading units, 32 ray accelerators, and a boost clock of 2635 MHz. Its benchmark scores show it to be a competent mid-range card, with a PassMark G3D score of 17166 and a percentile rank of 65. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, ensuring compatibility with modern rendering techniques.

In Inside, the GPU's role is to render the game's distinct 2D silhouetted art style and atmospheric lighting effects. The data shows that the GPU is the primary determinant of performance at higher resolutions and settings. The FPS drops from 292 at 1080p Low to 132 at 4K Low, and from 139 at 1080p Ultra to 63 at 4K Ultra. This scaling is a direct result of the GPU's workload increasing with resolution.

The card's 8 GB of VRAM is likely sufficient for Inside, even at 4K, as the game's art style is not texture-heavy in the traditional sense. The consistent frame rates, with the 1440p Medium preset showing a minimum of 143 FPS, indicate that the card is not running out of memory. The GPU's performance, while not top-tier, is more than adequate for this game. It is the clear bottleneck at 4K Ultra, where it delivers 63 FPS, but this is a demanding scenario for any mid-range card. The GPU's FP32 performance of 10.79 TFLOPS is a good indicator of its raw compute power, which is more than enough to handle the rendering demands of this 2D title.