Outriders

The pairing of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 in Outriders produces a heavily GPU-bound experience at every resolution tested, with the older six-core Zen processor still managing to feed the flagship Blackwell card enough headroom to deliver playable frame rates even at 4K. Measured results show average FPS ranging from 64 at 4K Ultra to 138 at 1080p Low, indicating that the RTX 5090’s raw compute power dominates the rendering pipeline, while the Ryzen 5 2600’s 12 threads provide sufficient baseline throughput for this looter shooter’s engine. This combination ranks 2048 out of 3710 tested combos in the game, placing it in the middle of the pack despite the GPU’s top-tier standing, which suggests that the CPU’s older Zen architecture limits overall system potential in ways that become more apparent at lower resolutions.

FAQ

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 2600 perform relative to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 5 2600 has an average benchmark score of 21484, which puts it 0.2% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V (21440) and 0.5% above the Intel Core i9-11900H (21367). It also sits 0.7% below the Intel Xeon D-1746TER (21635) and 1.2% above the AMD EPYC 9454 (21223), indicating that its multi-threaded performance is closely clustered with these very different processors.

Q: What is the RTX 5090’s standing among all GPUs in the benchmark database?

A: The RTX 5090 ranks in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79842. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB at 79605 (0.3% slower), followed by the Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB at 79396 (0.6% slower), and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT at 78940 (1.1% slower). The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X is 1.4% faster at 80959.

Q: Which resolution and settings combo delivers the highest average FPS for this pairing?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 138, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. The next best is 123 average FPS at 1080p Medium, followed by 118 at 2560x1440 Low. At 4K, the best result is 95 average FPS with Low settings, while 4K Ultra drops to 64 average FPS.

Q: Are there any measured minimum FPS values that indicate potential stuttering?

A: Yes, the only rows with min FPS data are the Medium settings at each resolution. At 3840x2160 Medium, the min FPS is 72 with an average of 85; at 2560x1440 Medium, the min is 89 with an average of 105; at 1920x1080 Medium, the min is 104 with an average of 123. These minimums suggest that Medium preset maintains a stable frame delivery without severe dips.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested CPU-GPU pairings in Outriders?

A: This specific combination of Ryzen 5 2600 and RTX 5090 ranks 2048 out of 3710 total tested combos in Outriders. That places it in the 55th percentile of all combinations, meaning a slim majority of other pairings perform better in this game, despite the RTX 5090’s high overall GPU percentile.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the RTX 5090?

A: The RTX 5090 has a launch MSRP of 1,999 USD. The Ryzen 5 2600 has a launch MSRP of $199. No further pricing analysis is provided here.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the 2000 series, built on the Zen+ architecture (Pinnacle Ridge) using a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz with a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, and it supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The CPU has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. In synthetic tests, it scores 1248 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 157.3 in single-core, while Geekbench results show 5648 multi-core and 1154 single-core. Its Passmark multi-thread score is 13160, and it sits in the 75th percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Outriders, the Ryzen 5 2600’s role is to maintain a stable frame pacing floor while the RTX 5090 does the heavy lifting. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low, the system reaches 138 average FPS, which is a strong result for a CPU from 2018. However, the gap between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 40 FPS (138 vs 98), and at 4K that gap narrows to 31 FPS (95 vs 64). This pattern indicates that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, where GPU load increases and the Ryzen 5 2600’s 12 threads are sufficient to keep the RTX 5090 fed. At 1080p, the CPU’s single-thread performance (157.3 in Cinebench R15) may start to limit the maximum achievable FPS, but the data shows that even at 1080p Ultra the average remains a playable 98 FPS.

The benchmark scores for the Ryzen 5 2600 place it in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals: 0.2% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V)Skip, 0.5% above the Intel Core i9-11900H, 0.7% below the Intel Xeon D-1746TER, and 1.2% above the AMD EPYC 9454. These are all vastly different processors in terms of architecture and market position, yet their average scores are within a couple of percent of each otherebb. For Outriders, this means the Ryzen 5 2600 provides enough multi-threaded throughput for the game’s enemy AI, physics, and particle effects, but it does not have the high single-core boost clocks of newer CPUs. The 3.90 GHz boost clock is modest by 2025 standards, and the Zen architecture’s older memory controller (DDR4, 46.9 GB/s) may add latency in CPU-bound scenes. Still, the measured data shows no sub-60 FPS averages at any setting, so the CPU does not cause a playability failure.

Settings Recommendations

For this specific pairing of Ryzen 5 2600 and RTX 5090, the Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and frame stability across all three resolutions. At 3840x2160 Medium, the average FPS is 85 with a minimum of 72, which provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold for a looter shooter. The 4K High preset drops to 76 average FPS with no min FPS recorded, while 4K Ultra falls to 64 average FPS. The Medium preset at 4K is the only one that reports a min FPS (72), indicating that the frame pacing is consistent enough to avoid major stutters. At 2560x1440 Medium, the average is 105 FPS with a min of 89, which is excellent for a high-refresh monitor. The 1440p High preset achieves 95 average FPS, while Ultra drops to 84. At 1920x1080 Medium, the average is 123 FPS with a min of 104, which is ideal for 120 Hz displays. The 1080p High preset delivers 110 average FPS, and Low reaches 138 average FPS.

The data suggests that Low settings provide the highest frame rates but sacrifice visual fidelity. At 4K Low, the system hits 95 average FPS, which is 10 FPS higher than Medium and 31 FPS higher than Ultra. However, for a game like Outriders with dense combat and environmental effects, the Medium preset’s min FPS values (72 at 4K, 89 at 1440p, 104 at 1080p) are the most reliable indicator of a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at any resolution yields the lowest average FPS (64 at 4K, 84 at 1440p, 98 at 1080p), and while these are still playable, they leave no headroom for demanding scenes. Given that the RTX 5090 is a top-tier GPU (92nd percentile), users should prioritize Medium or High settings to leverage its power without pushing the Ryzen 5 2600 into a bottleneck. The Medium preset’s min FPS values are the only ones recorded in the data, which adds confidence in its stability. For competitive play, 1080p Medium at 123 average FPS is the recommended choice, while 4K Medium at 85 average FPS suits a more cinematic experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 ranks 2048 out of 3710 tested combos in Outriders. This position places it just above the midpoint of all tested systems, which is surprising given the RTX 5090’s 92nd percentile GPU ranking. The discrepancy between GPU standing and combo rank highlights the influence of the older CPU. The Ryzen 5 2600 sits in the 75th percentile of all CPUs, but its average benchmark score of 21484 is closely matched by its nearest rivals: the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V (21440, 0.2% slower), Intel Core i9-11900H (21367, 0.5% slower), Intel Xeon D-1746TER (21635, 0.7% faster), and AMD EPYC 9454 (21223, 1.2% slower). These rivals span mobile, server, and enterprise segments, yet their scores are within 1.2% of each other, indicating that the Ryzen 5 2600’s performance level is common across many processor types.

In Outriders, the combo rank of 2048 suggests that a large number of other CPU-GPU pairings achieve higher FPS, likely due to newer CPUs with higher single-core clocks. The RTX 5090’s nearest GPU rivals include the Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (79605, 0.3% slower), Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB (79396, 0.6% slower), and AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (78940, 1.1% slower), none of which are modern gaming GPUs. This indicates that the RTX 5090’s raw score is extraordinary, but when paired with a 2018 mid-range CPU, the system does not crack the top half of Outriders rankings. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the combo achieves 138 average FPS, which is strong, but many newer CPUs paired with lower-end GPUs could match or exceed that due to better per-core performance. For a user with this pairing, the combo rank means that the GPU is underutilized in CPU-limited scenarios, particularly at 1080p. At 4K, the rank would likely improve if measured separately, but the overall 2048 rank reflects an average across all settings and resolutions. The takeaway is that the RTX 5090 is far ahead of the Ryzen 5 2600 in capability, and the CPU is the limiting factor in this pairing’s overall standing.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is a flagship GPU based on the GB202 chip and Blackwell 2.0 architecture, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It features 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, 176 ROPs, 170 RT cores, and 680 tensor cores. Its base clock is 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and it has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s. The GPU’s pixel rate is 423.6 GPixel/s, texture rate is 1,636.8 GTexel/s, and FP32 performance is 104.8 TFLOPS. It uses a dual-slot cooler with a 16-pin power connector and a suggested PSU of 950 W. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 18355 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, 334370 in Geekbench OpenCL, 376728 in Geekbench Vulkan, and 39650 in Passmark G3D.

In Outriders, the RTX 5090’s role is to render the game’s high-resolution textures, volumetric effects, and particle systems without breaking a sweat. The measured FPS data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average is 64 FPS, which is a heavy load, but the GPU still delivers playable performance. At 4K Low, the average jumps to 95 FPS, indicating that the GPU is not the primary constraint at lower settings. The 32 GB of VRAM is far more than Outriders requires, but it ensures no texture swapping or stutter in any scenario. The 512-bit memory bus and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth allow the GPU to feed its 21,760 shading units efficiently, which is why the 4K Medium preset achieves 85 average FPS with a min of 72. The RTX 5090’s 92nd percentile ranking places it among the top GPUs in the database, and its nearest rivals are all data center or mobile parts, not consumer gaming cards. This means that in terms of pure compute, the RTX 5090 is unmatched by any other GPU in this test group.

The GPU’s boost clock of 2407 MHz is the key to its high FPS at 1080p, where the CPU’s 3.90 GHz boost may limit frame rates. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 138 average FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it still manages 98 average FPS. The RTX 5090’s FP32 throughput of 104.8 TFLOPS is more than enough to handle Outriders’ rendering at any resolution, and the measured data confirms that the GPU maintains high averages even in the most demanding 4K Ultra setting. The 575 W TDP and 950 W suggested PSU indicate that this GPU requires a robust power supply, but the benchmark data does not include power consumption metrics. The GPU’s memory clock of 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective) and 32 GB capacity mean that Outriders’ asset streaming is never a bottleneck. The RTX 5090’s performance in this game is so strong that the only limitation is the CPU, which is why the combo rank is 2048 rather than higher.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160 (4K), the measured average FPS varies from 64 to 95 depending on settings. With Low settings, the average is 95 FPS, which is the highest 4K result. Medium settings yield an average of 85 FPS with a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 97, making it the only 4K preset with recorded min/max values. High settings drop the average to 76 FPS, and Ultra settings produce the lowest average of 64 FPS. The 31 FPS spread between Low and Ultra at 4K shows that the RTX 5090 has significant headroom, but the Ryzen 5 2600 does not appear to bottleneck here, as the FPS scales consistently with settings.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the results are higher across the board. Low settings achieve an average of 118 FPS. Medium settings average 105 FPS with a minimum of 89 and a maximum of 121, providing smooth gameplay on high-refresh monitors. High settings average 95 FPS, and Ultra settings average 84 FPS. The 34 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1440p is similar to the 4K spread, indicating that GPU load is still dominant. The min FPS of 89 at Medium is the lowest recorded at this resolution, but it remains well above 60 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the average FPS reaches its peak. Low settings deliver 138 average FPS, which is the highest measurement in the entire data set. Medium settings average 123 FPS with a minimum of 104 and a maximum of 141, making it the best balance of performance and stability. High settings average 110 FPS, and Ultra settings average 98 FPS. The 40 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is the largest spread among all resolutions, which suggests that the CPU’s single-thread performance (157.3 in Cinebench R15) begins to cap the maximum FPS at lower settings. At 1080p Low, the 138 average FPS is 20 FPS higher than 1440p Low (118) and 43 FPS higher than 4K Low (95). The min FPS values at Medium (104 at 1080p, 89 at 1440p, 72 at 4K) show a consistent pattern: lower resolution and Medium settings provide the most stable frame delivery. The maximum FPS values are only recorded for Medium settings, with 141 at 1080p, 121 at 1440p, and 97 at 4K, indicating that Medium is the only preset where the system’s peak performance is captured. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown confirms that this pairing is capable of 60+ FPS at every combination of resolution and settings, with the best experience at 1080p Medium or 1440p Medium.