Outriders

The Intel Core i5-11400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 delivers a highly playable Outriders experience at 1080p and 1440p, but the data shows a stark performance cliff at 4K Ultra settings. The combination ranks in the 36th percentile of tested combos, indicating that while it handles the game's looter-shooter action well at mainstream resolutions, it is not optimized for maximum visual fidelity at extreme resolutions. Benchmark results indicate that the best experience is found at 1440p Medium, where the system balances frame rate and visual quality effectively.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this hardware in Outriders?

A: The measured data shows that 2560x1440 with Medium settings provides the most balanced experience, achieving an average of 100 FPS with a minimum of 85 FPS and a maximum of 115 FPS. This is the only tested configuration at 1440p that maintains an average above 100 FPS while still offering moderate visual enhancements over Low settings.

Q: Can this combo run Outriders at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 3840x2160, the system averages 39 FPS on High settings and 52 FPS on Medium settings. Ultra settings at 4K drop the average to only 28 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. Low settings at 4K achieve 72 FPS, but the visual quality trade-off is significant.

Q: How does the CPU perform relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has an average benchmark score of 17177. It is 0.3% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7H12 (17120) and 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U (17074). It trails the Intel Core i5-12450H by 0.4% (17239) and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 8300G by 0.6% (17278). These are all very close margins, indicating a highly competitive mid-range performance tier.

Q: What is the GPU's standing among its peers?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 has an average benchmark score of 21035. It is 1.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20713). It falls behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL by 0.6% (21153), the AMD Radeon HD 8970M by 1.0% (21237), and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile by 1.6% (21379). The performance gaps are minimal, placing it in a tight cluster with these competitors.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and High settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the difference is substantial. Low settings achieve an average of 184 FPS, while High settings average 119 FPS. This represents a 65 FPS drop, or roughly a 35% reduction in frame rate, when moving from the lowest to the high preset. Ultra settings further reduce the average to 86 FPS.

Q: Does the combo's ranking suggest it is a top-tier performer?

A: No. The combo ranks 1877 out of 2913 tested combinations, placing it in the 36th percentile. This indicates that while it is capable of running the game, a majority of tested hardware configurations deliver better overall performance in Outriders.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This configuration provides a solid foundation for Outriders, a game that benefits from multi-threaded processing for handling enemy AI, physics, and game logic. The processor's 12 MB of shared L3 cache helps maintain fast access to frequently used data, which is crucial for maintaining consistent frame pacing in a fast-paced looter shooter.

In terms of raw processing power, the CPU scores 14,340 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2,024 in single-core tests. These scores place it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, indicating it outperforms the majority of processors on the market. This is reflected in its gaming performance, where the 6-core/12-thread configuration is well-suited for the demands of Outriders, particularly at lower resolutions where the CPU is more likely to be a limiting factor.

The data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this system for most tested settings. At 1080p, the frame rates scale predictably with graphical settings, suggesting the GPU is the primary constraint. For instance, the CPU's 3DMark 16-thread score of 5619 and max-thread score of 5652 demonstrate its ability to handle simultaneous workloads, which is essential for maintaining high frame rates when many on-screen elements are present. The processor's memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s via dual-channel DDR4 provides adequate throughput for feeding the GPU with data.

At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 28, a sign that the GPU is overwhelmed, but the CPU's role is still critical. The processor's single-thread performance, evidenced by a Geekbench single-core score of 1777, ensures that the game's main thread can keep up with the rendering demands, preventing stutter even when the overall frame rate is low. The i5-11400F proves to be a capable partner for the RTX 5050, offering sufficient headroom to prevent CPU-induced frame drops in most scenarios.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for the optimal settings at each resolution. For players prioritizing a high refresh rate experience at 1920x1080, the Low preset is the only option that exceeds 180 FPS on average, delivering 184 FPS. However, for a balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset at 158 FPS is a strong recommendation, offering improved visuals over Low while still maintaining frame rates well above 144 FPS for high-refresh monitors. High settings at 119 FPS are also viable for standard 60Hz displays, but Ultra at 86 FPS is the choice for maximum fidelity, provided the player accepts a lower frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the recommendation shifts. The Medium preset is the standout, with an average of 100 FPS and a minimum of 85 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay even in intense combat scenarios. This is the sweet spot for this resolution, as High settings drop to 75 FPS and Ultra falls to 54 FPS, which may be less desirable for fast-paced action. Low settings at 1440p achieve 137 FPS, but the visual compromise is often too great for a game like Outriders, which emphasizes environmental detail and effects.

For 4K resolution, the data suggests that Medium settings are the maximum viable option, with an average of 52 FPS and a minimum of 44 FPS. This is playable but not ideal for competitive play. High settings at 39 FPS are borderline, while Ultra at 28 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience. Low settings at 4K achieve 72 FPS, but the reduction in texture quality and effects severely detracts from the visual presentation. Therefore, the best experience at 4K is Medium settings, balancing frame rate with a reasonable level of visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 places this system at rank 1877 out of 2913 tested combinations in Outriders. This ranking, which puts the combo in the 36th percentile, indicates that it performs below the median of all tested hardware configurations. This is a significant finding, suggesting that while the individual components are competent, their combination does not yield top-tier results in this specific game.

The ranking reflects the system's performance across all resolutions and settings. The data shows strong performance at 1080p and 1440p, but the system struggles at 4K Ultra, which likely pulls down its overall standing. The CPU's 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs and the GPU's 66th percentile ranking among all GPUs are higher than the combo's overall rank, indicating that the game's performance is not solely determined by the sum of its parts. The interaction between the two components, particularly at higher resolutions, is a limiting factor.

When compared to other combos, this system is not in the top tier for Outriders. The rank of 1877 means that 1036 other tested configurations perform better. This is not a poor result, but it positions the system as a mid-range performer rather than a high-end one. The data suggests that for players who prioritize high frame rates at 1080p or 1440p, this combo is more than adequate. However, for those who want to push 4K Ultra settings, other hardware combinations would be more suitable.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is a Blackwell 2.0 architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2317 MHz and a boost clock of 2572 MHz. These specifications are adequate for Outriders at 1080p and 1440p, but the 8 GB VRAM capacity and 128-bit memory interface become limiting factors at 4K resolution, particularly with higher texture quality settings.

The GPU's compute capabilities are defined by its 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs. It achieves a FP32 performance of 13.17 TFLOPS. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck in this system at 4K resolution. The average FPS at 4K Ultra is 28, which is a significant drop from the 86 FPS at 1080p Ultra. This scaling indicates that the GPU's memory bandwidth and VRAM capacity are insufficient for the demands of 4K Ultra settings.

The GPU's performance in standard benchmarks shows it is a capable mid-range card. It scores 17,326 in Passmark G3D and 90,334 in Geekbench OpenCL. In the context of Outriders, the GPU performs well at lower resolutions, with the 1080p Low setting reaching 184 FPS. However, the 4K results highlight its limitations. The 8 GB VRAM is likely a constraint at 4K, where high-resolution textures can exceed this capacity, leading to performance degradation. The 320.0 GB/s bandwidth is also relatively modest for 4K, requiring more efficient data compression to maintain frame rates.

The GPU's role is clear: it provides excellent performance for mainstream gaming resolutions but struggles with extreme resolutions and settings. The data shows that the RTX 5050 is best utilized at 1080p and 1440p, where it can deliver high frame rates without being overwhelmed. At 4K, the GPU requires significant settings reductions to maintain playable frame rates, as evidenced by the 72 FPS at Low settings versus 28 FPS at Ultra settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for Outriders with this hardware combination provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four quality presets.

At 1920x1080, the system excels. Low settings deliver an average of 184 FPS. Medium settings achieve 158 FPS, with a minimum of 135 FPS and a maximum of 182 FPS. High settings average 119 FPS. Ultra settings produce 86 FPS. This shows a clear progression, with each settings tier reducing performance by approximately 25-30 FPS, except for the jump from High to Ultra, which is a 33 FPS drop.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong but shows the expected impact of increased resolution. Low settings average 137 FPS. Medium settings achieve 100 FPS, with a minimum of 85 FPS and a maximum of 115 FPS. High settings drop to 75 FPS. Ultra settings average 54 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a reduction of approximately 47 FPS on Low, 58 FPS on Medium, 44 FPS on High, and 32 FPS on Ultra, indicating that the GPU is being pushed harder at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations become apparent. Low settings average 72 FPS. Medium settings achieve 52 FPS, with a minimum of 44 FPS and a maximum of 60 FPS. High settings drop to 39 FPS. Ultra settings average just 28 FPS. The performance cliff from 1440p to 4K is significant, with frame rates roughly halving across all settings. This confirms that 4K gaming with this combo requires substantial compromises in visual quality to achieve playable frame rates.