Outriders

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) using a 4 nm process from TSMC. It features a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, with a 120 W TDP. This CPU sits in the top percentile of all processors, ranking at the 92nd percentile, which indicates it has substantial headroom for demanding workloads. In Outriders, a looter shooter that relies heavily on consistent frame pacing and physics calculations, this processor's high single-thread performance is crucial. The 3DMark single-thread score of 1286 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2253 demonstrate its strength in tasks that require low latency and quick response times, which directly translate to smoother gameplay in CPU-bound scenarios.

The 9900X's multi-threaded capabilities are equally impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32172 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 22174. However, Outriders is not a game that scales perfectly with 24 threads; it typically utilizes fewer cores. This means that while the CPU has the raw power to handle background tasks and streaming, the game's performance will primarily be dictated by the speed of its fastest cores. The L3 cache of 64 MB also helps with keeping frequently accessed game data close to the cores, reducing memory latency and improving frame times. The processor's memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, paired with DDR5 dual-channel support, ensures that the GPU has a steady stream of data to work with, which is particularly important in a fast-paced game where the action can change rapidly.

When comparing this CPU to its nearest rivals, the data shows it is extremely competitive. The AMD EPYC 9015 has an average score of 57555, which is 0.1% higher than the 9900X's average benchmark score of 57498. The Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58115, which is 1.1% higher, while the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 58323, which is 1.4% higher. These deltas are remarkably small, indicating that the 9900X is within a hair's breadth of the top performers in this synthetic metric. For Outriders, this means that the CPU is unlikely to be the bottleneck in any scenario, as even the slight differences between these processors are negligible in real-world gaming. The benchmark results suggest that the 9900X provides enough computational power to feed the RTX 3070 at all but the most extreme resolutions.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X a good match for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 in Outriders?

A: Yes, the data indicates a balanced pairing. The CPU's 92nd percentile ranking and high single-thread scores (Cinebench R23 single-core 2253) ensure it can keep up with the GPU's demands. The measured FPS shows smooth performance across resolutions, with the combo ranking 1227 out of 3710 tested combinations, placing it in the top third of all configs.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900 has an average benchmark score of 58115, which is only 1.1% higher than the 9900X's average of 57498. This difference is minimal and unlikely to produce a noticeable difference in Outriders' frame rates, as the game is more dependent on GPU performance at higher settings.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Ryzen 9 9900X?

A: The launch MSRP is $499. This positions it as a high-end desktop processor, though the performance data suggests it delivers top-tier results in synthetic benchmarks and gaming workloads.

Q: Does the 9900X's 12-core/24-thread configuration benefit Outriders?

A: While Outriders doesn't fully utilize all 24 threads, the high core count ensures that the CPU never becomes a limiting factor. The multi-core strength (Cinebench R23 multi-core 32172) allows for smooth operation even with other applications running in the background, but the game's frame rate is ultimately determined by the GPU at most settings.

Q: What does the combo rank of 1227 out of 3710 mean for this system?

A: This ranking places the Ryzen 9 9900X + RTX 3070 combo in the 67th percentile of all tested combos. It indicates that while this is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, it outperforms the vast majority of systems tested, delivering a strong gaming experience in Outriders.

Q: Is the RTX 3070 the bottleneck at 1080p or 1440p?

A: The data suggests the GPU becomes the limiting factor at lower resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the system hits 278 FPS, but this drops to 109 FPS at Ultra. This scaling shows that the CPU can push very high frame rates, but the GPU's rendering capabilities cap the maximum output.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of how the Ryzen 9 9900X and RTX 3070 scale across resolutions. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 278 FPS. This incredibly high number indicates that the CPU is more than capable of feeding the GPU, and the frame rate is limited by the GPU's raw pixel-pushing power. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average drops to 175 FPS, a 37% decrease. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average falls to 92 FPS, which is a 67% decrease from the 1080p result. This steep drop-off from 1440p to 4K highlights the GPU's memory bandwidth and compute limitations at higher pixel counts.

For Medium settings, the scaling is similar. At 1080p, the average is 202 FPS, which drops to 128 FPS at 1440p (a 37% decrease) and then to 67 FPS at 4K (a 67% decrease from 1080p). This consistency across settings suggests that the limiting factor is the GPU's rendering pipeline, not the CPU or memory subsystem. The 9900X's high single-thread performance ensures that even at 1080p, where the CPU load is relatively higher, it does not become a bottleneck. The RTX 3070's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are the primary constraints at 4K, as the pixel fill rate and texture throughput (165.6 GPixel/s and 317.4 GTexel/s respectively) struggle to maintain high frame rates at that resolution.

The data shows that the system is balanced at 1440p, where the CPU and GPU work in tandem to deliver high frame rates. At 1080p, the GPU is the clear bottleneck, as evidenced by the 278 FPS Low setting result, which is far beyond what most monitors can display. At 4K, the system is still playable but requires lower settings to maintain a smooth experience. The 50 FPS average at 4K High settings is a marginal experience, while the 36 FPS at 4K Ultra falls below the threshold for comfortable gameplay in a fast-paced looter shooter. The scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a 67% performance drop at Low settings, which is typical for a mid-range GPU like the RTX 3070, indicating that this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system demonstrates its full potential. With Low settings, the average FPS is 278, providing an incredibly smooth experience that far exceeds the refresh rate of most monitors. Medium settings yield an average of 202 FPS, with a minimum of 172 and maximum of 232 FPS, showing excellent frame consistency. High settings reduce the average to 152 FPS, which is still exceptionally smooth for competitive gameplay. Ultra settings bring the average down to 109 FPS, which remains playable but begins to show the GPU's limitations as it struggles to maintain high frame rates with maximum visual fidelity. This progression from 278 to 109 FPS demonstrates a 61% performance penalty for enabling Ultra settings over Low.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high but show a noticeable step down. Low settings average 175 FPS, which is still excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings average 128 FPS, with a minimum of 108 and maximum of 147 FPS, providing a good balance between visual quality and performance. High settings drop to 96 FPS, which is just below the 100 FPS mark but still smooth for most gamers. Ultra settings bring the average down to 69 FPS, which is the first setting where the system dips below the 70 FPS threshold, indicating that the GPU is being pushed harder. The drop from 175 FPS at Low to 69 FPS at Ultra represents a 61% reduction, consistent with the 1080p scaling.

At 3840x2160, the system's performance is more constrained. Low settings average 92 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for a competitive shooter. Medium settings average 67 FPS, with a minimum of 57 and maximum of 77 FPS, providing a playable experience but with occasional frame dips. High settings drop to 50 FPS, which is on the edge of playability for a game that requires quick reactions. Ultra settings bring the average down to 36 FPS, which is not recommended for gameplay as it falls below the standards for smooth motion. The 4K results show that the RTX 3070's 8 GB memory is a limiting factor, as the higher resolution demands more memory bandwidth and storage, causing the frame rate to drop significantly as settings increase.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 achieves a combo rank of 1227 out of 3710 tested combinations in Outriders. This places the system in the top 33% of all tested setups, which is a strong showing for a mid-range GPU paired with a high-end CPU. The ranking indicates that this combo outperforms 2483 other tested combinations, making it a viable choice for gamers who want to play Outriders at high settings without investing in a top-tier GPU. The data suggests that the CPU's high performance (92nd percentile) helps to boost the overall ranking, as many systems with similar GPUs might be held back by weaker processors.

When considering the GPU's percentile rank of 61, it's clear that the RTX 3070 is not the most powerful card on the market, but it is adequate for this game. The combo rank is likely higher than what the GPU alone would suggest, thanks to the 9900X's ability to maintain high frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios. The nearest rival GPUs, such as the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (0.7% higher average score) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (1% higher), show that the RTX 3070 is competitive within its class. However, the 9900X's strong multi-core performance (Cinebench R23 multi-core 32172) ensures that the system doesn't experience stutters or frame drops due to CPU limitations.

The rank of 1227 also reflects the system's versatility. It can handle 1080p Ultra at 109 FPS and 1440p High at 96 FPS, making it suitable for both competitive play and immersive single-player experiences. The data shows that this combo is not designed for 4K Ultra gaming (36 FPS), but it excels in the mid-range resolutions where most gamers play. The combination of a high-end CPU and mid-range GPU is a classic pairing that maximizes frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, and the ranking confirms that this is one of the better configurations for Outriders in terms of overall performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the resolution and the player's priorities. At 1920x1080, the High settings preset provides an average of 152 FPS, which is an excellent balance between visual quality and performance. This is the recommended preset for most gamers, as it offers a smooth experience with good graphical fidelity. For players with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or above), the Medium preset at 202 FPS is also a strong choice, ensuring that the frame rate stays above the monitor's refresh rate with headroom to spare. Ultra settings at 109 FPS are playable but offer diminishing returns in visual quality for the 28% performance drop from High.

At 2560x1440, the High settings preset is the clear recommendation, with an average of 96 FPS. This provides a near-100 FPS experience that is smooth and responsive. The Medium preset at 128 FPS is also excellent for players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, especially for competitive play. Ultra settings at 69 FPS are borderline, and the data suggests that the visual upgrade from High to Ultra is not worth the 28% performance penalty. For a balanced experience, High is the sweet spot, offering a 39% performance improvement over Ultra while maintaining most of the visual enhancements.

At 3840x2160, the Medium settings preset is the most viable option, with an average of 67 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that provides a consistently playable experience, with a minimum of 57 FPS that stays above the stutter threshold. Low settings at 92 FPS are also an option for players who want a smoother experience, but the visual downgrade is significant. High settings at 50 FPS are playable but may cause discomfort for some players due to the lower frame rate. Ultra settings at 36 FPS are not recommended for gameplay, as the frame rate is too low for a game that requires quick reactions. The overall recommendation is to use High settings at 1080p and 1440p, and Medium settings at 4K, as these presets offer the best balance of visual quality and performance based on the measured data.