Outriders

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread Alder Lake desktop processor with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its L3 cache is 18 MB shared, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU posts a single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark and 2249 in Cinebench R23, while its multi-threaded results reach 5890 in 3DMark and 15935 in Cinebench R23. For a game like Outriders, a looter shooter that relies on consistent frame delivery across chaotic combat, the CPU’s 12 threads provide ample headroom for game logic and physics. The data shows that the i5-12400 holds a 77th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19850. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-9700, scores 19831, a negligible 0.1% difference, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX sits 0.4% behind at 19928. This indicates that the i5-12400’s core configuration is more than sufficient to avoid bottlenecking the GPU in most scenarios, as evidenced by the high frame rates achieved in the measured results.

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

The i5-12400’s 6 cores and 12 threads are a balanced configuration for Outriders. The game’s engine benefits from the boost clock of 4.40 GHz for single-threaded tasks, which is reflected in the 3DMark single-thread score of 910. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 213.3 FPS, a figure that suggests the CPU is not the primary constraint at lower graphical loads. However, as resolution increases to 4K, the frame rate drops significantly, indicating that the GPU becomes the limiting factor. With a PassMark multi-thread score of 18747, the CPU shows it can handle the background processes and streaming required by a looter shooter without stuttering. Compared to the Intel Core i7-8700, which scores 19894 (0.2% higher), the i5-12400 is effectively identical in raw benchmark terms, meaning users upgrading from that older chip would see no CPU-side performance difference here. The 65W TDP and dual-channel memory bus are standard for this class, and the lack of an unlocked multiplier suggests it is not designed for overclocking, but the stock clocks are evidently sufficient to feed the RTX 3080 at all tested settings.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is built on the Ampere architecture with the GA102 chip, featuring 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus. Its memory bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s is critical for Outriders, which uses high-resolution textures and effects. The GPU’s boost clock of 1710 MHz and base clock of 1440 MHz drive 8704 shading units, enabling a pixel rate of 164.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 465.1 GTexel/s. In the measured data, the RTX 3080 scores 25086 in Passmark G3D, placing it in the 80th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon Pro Duo, scores 35860, a 0.2% difference, while the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE is 0.9% ahead at 36101. The 10 GB VRAM is adequate for 4K Ultra settings, where the combo produces 43.4 FPS, but the frame rate drops are steep as settings rise. At 1080p Ultra, the GPU still delivers 128.9 FPS, showing it has headroom, but at 4K Ultra, the 43.4 FPS result highlights the GPU’s limits under maximum load. The RTX 3080’s support for DirectX 12 Ultimate ensures compatibility with the game’s modern rendering features, and the 320W TDP requires a robust power supply, as indicated by the suggested 700W PSU.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 ranks 483rd out of 1693 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the top 28.5% of all configurations. This ranking is a strong result, considering the CPU is a mid-range part paired with a high-end GPU. The data indicates that the combo is not limited by the CPU in most cases, as the RTX 3080’s performance is the dominant factor. For instance, at 1440p High, the combo achieves 112.3 FPS, which is a playable and smooth experience. The 483rd rank out of 1693 suggests that while there are faster combinations, this pairing offers a well-balanced experience. Compared to the CPU’s nearest rivals, the i5-12400’s performance is nearly identical to the i7-9700 and i7-8700, meaning the overall rank would not change significantly with those CPUs. On the GPU side, the RTX 3080’s rivals, such as the Radeon RX 7900 GRE, are only 0.9% faster in synthetic benchmarks, so the combo’s ranking is primarily driven by the GPU’s strong 4K and 1440p results. The measured FPS data shows that the combo excels at 1080p and 1440p, where it consistently exceeds 80 FPS even at Ultra settings, but falls below 60 FPS at 4K Ultra, which explains its mid-tier ranking among all combos.

FAQ

*Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 a bottleneck for the RTX 3080 in Outriders?*

A: No. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 213.3 FPS, and at 1440p High, it hits 112.3 FPS. The CPU’s 12 threads and 4.40 GHz boost clock provide enough performance to feed the GPU, and its 3DMark max-thread score of 5890 indicates strong multi-threaded capability.

Q: What is the best setting for this combo at 1440p?

A: The data shows 1440p High yields 112.3 FPS, while Medium gives 150.8 FPS and Low gives 182.4 FPS. Ultra drops to 81.6 FPS, so High is the sweet spot for visual quality and frame rate balance.

Q: How does the RTX 3080’s 10 GB VRAM affect 4K performance?

A: At 4K Ultra, the combo produces 43.4 FPS, while 4K High yields 58 FPS and 4K Medium gives 76.8 FPS. The 10 GB GDDR6X memory with 760.3 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for High settings but struggles to maintain high frame rates at Ultra.

Q: How does this combo compare to one with the Intel Core i7-9700?

A: The i5-12400 and i7-9700 have nearly identical average benchmark scores (19850 vs. 19831), a 0.1% difference. Therefore, the combo’s performance in Outriders would be effectively the same with either CPU.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between 1080p and 4K at Medium settings?

A: At 1080p Medium, the combo achieves 188.9 FPS, while at 4K Medium it drops to 76.8 FPS. This represents a 59.3% decrease, showing that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 a good match for the i5-12400 in this game?

A: Yes. The GPU’s Passmark G3D score of 25086 and the CPU’s 77th percentile ranking create a balanced system. The combo ranks 483rd out of 1693, indicating it outperforms 71.5% of tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of scaling across resolutions. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 213.3 FPS, which drops to 182.4 FPS at 1440p Low and 107.3 FPS at 4K Low. This represents a 49.7% drop from 1080p to 4K, indicating that even at Low settings, the GPU is beginning to struggle with the pixel count. The story is similar at High settings: 168.7 FPS at 1080p, 112.3 FPS at 1440p, and 58 FPS at 4K, a 65.6% reduction. At Ultra settings, the drop is more pronounced: 128.9 FPS at 1080p, 81.6 FPS at 1440p, and 43.4 FPS at 4K, a 66.3% decrease. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would remain relatively flat across resolutions because the CPU’s workload is resolution-independent. Instead, the significant drops at 4K, particularly from 1080p to 4K at Medium (188.9 to 76.8 FPS, a 59.3% drop), demonstrate that the RTX 3080’s rasterization and memory bandwidth are the bottleneck. The GPU’s 760.3 GB/s bandwidth and 164.2 GPixel/s pixel rate are taxed heavily at 3840x2160, especially with High and Ultra settings that increase shading and texture work. The i5-12400’s 12 threads and 18 MB L3 cache are sufficient to maintain consistent frame pacing, but the GPU’s 10 GB VRAM and 8704 shading units cannot keep up with the demands of 4K Ultra. Thus, for users targeting 4K, reducing settings to Medium or High is necessary to maintain playable frame rates, while the combo excels at 1080p and 1440p, where it delivers high refresh-rate performance.