Inside

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is a mobile combination aimed at balancing high-core-count processing with modern graphics features. In Inside, a 2D puzzle platformer, this pairing produces a wide range of frame rates that scale predictably with resolution and settings, from a highly playable 55 FPS at 4K High to a blistering 245 FPS at 1080p Low. The data indicates that this combo is positioned in the lower half of tested configurations for this title, ranking 2971 out of 3716, which suggests that while it can handle the game, many other systems deliver higher absolute performance.

FAQ

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

A: The highest recorded average frame rate is 245 FPS, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is more than double the frame rate achieved at the same resolution with Ultra settings, which yields 117 FPS.

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

A: Yes, it can. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average frame rate is 55 FPS, which is above the standard 60 FPS threshold for smoothness. Lowering to Medium settings increases the average to 88 FPS, and using Low settings pushes it to 111 FPS, indicating that 4K is viable across all tested presets.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H has an average benchmark score of 44466. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, scores 44573, making the Intel chip 0.2% slower. Conversely, it is 0.3% faster than the Intel Core i9-13950HX, which scores 44342.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking among all tested graphics cards?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 falls into the 66th percentile of all GPUs. This places it ahead of the majority of cards but indicates that it is not a top-tier performer, with its average benchmark score of 21035.

Q: Is there a significant performance difference between Medium and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: Yes, the difference is substantial. At 2560x1440, Medium settings produce an average of 141 FPS, while Ultra settings drop that average to 84 FPS. This represents a 40% reduction in frame rate when moving from Medium to Ultra.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how does it relate to performance?

A: The RTX 5050 has a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s, paired with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. For a game like Inside, which is not graphically demanding, this bandwidth is sufficient to maintain high frame rates, as evidenced by the 111 FPS average at 4K Low settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the primary driver of frame rate in Inside, though the game's simple 2D visuals do not heavily tax the GPU. The card operates with a base clock of 2317 MHz and a boost clock of 2572 MHz, which are the speeds responsible for processing the game's rendering tasks. With 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and a 128-bit bus, the GPU has a bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s, which is ample for the texture and sprite data used in this puzzle platformer.

The benchmark results show that the GPU's performance scales strongly with settings. At 1920x1080, the average frame rate drops from 245 FPS on Low to 122 FPS on High, a 50% reduction. This trend continues at higher resolutions; at 3840x2160, the average is 111 FPS on Low but only 53 FPS on Ultra. The minimum frame rate recorded for the Medium preset at 1080p is 166 FPS, with a maximum of 225 FPS, showing that the GPU maintains a consistent frame pacing even under variable load. The RTX 5050's percentile ranking of 66 places it in the mid-range of GPUs, which aligns with its performance in this title—it is not a flagship part, but it is more than capable of delivering high frame rates in less demanding games.

The GPU's architecture, Blackwell 2.0, and its 2560 shading units contribute to its raw compute power of 13.17 TFLOPS. While this figure is not directly tested in Inside, it supports the card's ability to handle the game's effects and lighting without issue. The measured FPS data indicates that the GPU is rarely the bottleneck at lower settings, as the frame rates reach values typically associated with CPU-limited scenarios, such as 245 FPS at 1080p Low. This suggests that the RTX 5050 has enough headroom to push far beyond the refresh rates of most displays in this specific game.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H plays a supporting role in Inside, a game that is not known for heavy CPU demands due to its 2D nature. The processor features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This combination of high core count and high boost speed ensures that the CPU can handle any background tasks or physics calculations the game might throw at it, though the game's simple mechanics rarely require such resources.

In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU scores 18911 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2200.5 in single-core, reflecting a balanced performance profile. Its average benchmark score of 44466 places it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, which is significantly higher than the GPU's 66th percentile. This indicates that the CPU is relatively more powerful than the GPU in this pairing, making it unlikely to be the limiting factor in Inside. The CPU's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, has a nearly identical average score of 44573, showing that the two are effectively tied in overall compute performance.

For gaming, the CPU's single-thread performance is often more critical, and the Core Ultra X9 388H's boost clock of 5.10 GHz ensures rapid response times. The L3 cache of 18 MB (shared) and L2 cache of 3 MB per core provide fast data access, which helps maintain smooth frame delivery. In the measured FPS data, the impact of the CPU is most visible at 1080p Low settings, where the 245 FPS average is likely approaching the CPU's maximum frame output capability. At higher settings and resolutions, the GPU becomes the primary determinant of performance, as seen in the drop from 245 FPS at 1080p Low to 117 FPS at 1080p Ultra.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 ranks 2971 out of 3716 tested combos for Inside. This places the system in the bottom 20% of all configurations, which is a notable finding given the CPU's high percentile ranking of 88. The discrepancy suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor in this pairing, as the RTX 5050's 66th percentile ranking is significantly lower. In practical terms, this means that many other systems, particularly those with higher-end GPUs, will deliver higher frame rates in Inside.

However, the rank does not tell the full story. The measured FPS data shows that this combo still delivers playable performance at all tested settings and resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the average is 53 FPS, which is borderline but usable, while dropping to High settings brings it to 55 FPS. The system truly shines at lower resolutions, where it joins the ranks of high-refresh-rate capable machines. The fact that it ranks low among all combos is a reflection of the competitive landscape, not a condemnation of its ability to run this game well.

Comparing the CPU and GPU to their nearest rivals provides context for the combo's rank. The CPU is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, differing by only -0.2%, while the GPU is 0.6% slower than the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL and 1.6% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. These close margins suggest that the combo's performance is consistent with what one would expect from these components, and the low rank is more a function of the wide array of higher-end GPUs in the database than a deficiency in this specific pair.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for Inside covers three resolutions and four settings presets, providing a comprehensive view of performance scaling.

At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the combo delivers exceptional frame rates. Low settings produce an average of 245 FPS, which is the highest recorded in the dataset. Medium settings yield 196 FPS, with a minimum of 166 FPS and a maximum of 225 FPS, indicating smooth performance. High settings drop the average to 122 FPS, and Ultra settings reduce it further to 117 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the system is capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors, even at the highest quality preset.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows a clear impact from the increased pixel count. Low settings average 176 FPS, which is a 28% reduction from the 1080p Low result. Medium settings average 141 FPS, with a minimum of 120 FPS and a maximum of 162 FPS. High settings produce 88 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 84 FPS. The step from Medium to High is particularly notable, with a 38% drop in average frame rate, suggesting that the GPU's shading units are becoming a limiting factor.

At 3840x2160, the system still manages to deliver playable frame rates, though the gap between settings narrows in relative terms. Low settings average 111 FPS, which is quite good for 4K. Medium settings average 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 102 FPS. High settings drop to 55 FPS, and Ultra settings average 53 FPS. The difference between High and Ultra is minimal, only 2 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset adds visual features that have a negligible performance cost at this resolution. The 4K results show that the RTX 5050 has enough bandwidth and compute power to handle the game's visuals, even at the highest resolution tested.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's display and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity.

For users with a 1080p 60Hz display, the Ultra preset at 1920x1080, with an average of 117 FPS, is the clear choice. This provides the highest visual quality while still delivering nearly double the refresh rate of a standard monitor, ensuring no frame drops below 60 FPS. The Medium preset is also viable, offering 196 FPS, but the visual upgrade to Ultra is worth the 40% reduction in frame rate for a more polished image.

For users with a 1080p 144Hz or higher display, the Medium preset is the best balance. At 196 FPS, it exceeds the refresh rate of most high-end monitors, and the minimum of 166 FPS ensures that frame times remain consistent even during complex scenes. High settings at 122 FPS are also acceptable, but they fall below the 144Hz threshold, which may result in occasional screen tearing if V-Sync is not enabled.

For users with a 1440p 60Hz display, the High preset is the recommended starting point. The average of 88 FPS provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 84 FPS is also viable, offering a minor visual improvement at a small cost. The Medium preset, at 141 FPS, is overkill for a 60Hz display and sacrifices visual quality unnecessarily.

For users with a 4K 60Hz display, the Medium preset is the best choice. The average of 88 FPS and a minimum of 75 FPS guarantee a consistently smooth experience, while the visual fidelity is still high. The High preset, at 55 FPS, is on the edge of playability and may be acceptable for users who prioritize visuals over smoothness. The Low preset at 111 FPS is also an option, but it significantly reduces visual quality for a frame rate that exceeds the display's refresh rate, making Medium the more sensible pick.

In summary, the data suggests that Medium settings offer the most balanced experience across all resolutions, providing high frame rates with a solid minimum FPS. For users who prioritize maximum visual quality, High settings at 1440p or Ultra at 1080p are the best options, as they maintain frame rates above 60 FPS. The system is versatile enough to handle Inside well at any settings, but the measured numbers indicate that Medium is the sweet spot for overall performance.