Outriders

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the AMD Radeon RX 570 presents a stark example of a modern CPU constrained by an older graphics card in Outriders. The data shows a system where the graphical processor is the definitive bottleneck, with the CPU's substantial headroom remaining unused at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, focusing on how the component roles shift across settings and resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is severe, indicating a classic GPU-bound scenario. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 99 FPS at 1920x1080 to 63 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 36 FPS. Pushing further to 3840x2160, the average plummets to 33 FPS, which is exactly one-third of the 1080p performance. This steep, linear decline is a clear signature of the Radeon RX 570 being overwhelmed by pixel count.

The scaling pattern intensifies with higher graphical presets. At High settings, the transition from 1080p (54 FPS) to 1440p (34 FPS) costs 20 FPS, while moving to 4K High yields only 18 FPS. The gap between Low and High settings also widens dramatically at 4K; at 1080p, the difference is 45 FPS (99 vs 54), but at 4K, it shrinks to just 15 FPS (33 vs 18). This compression of performance at 4K confirms that the GPU's raw throughput, not the settings complexity, is the limiting factor.

This behavior implies that the i5-12600KF is not contributing to the frame rate drop. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the scaling between resolutions would be far less pronounced. The data suggests that at 1440p and 4K, the RX 570 is working at its absolute limit, leaving the processor largely idle in terms of frame generation. The result is that users see a performance cliff that is entirely attributable to the graphics card's capabilities.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 570 is the dominant component in this pairing for Outriders. Its specifications reveal why it struggles at higher resolutions. The GPU features 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is likely a primary constraint, as modern looter shooters often require more capacity and bandwidth at high resolutions. The data supports this, as the frame rates at 4K are consistently below playable thresholds regardless of preset.

Clock speeds for the RX 570 are listed with a base of 1168 MHz and a boost of 1244 MHz. The relatively modest clock speed, combined with the GCN 4.0 architecture's 2048 shading units, results in a fill rate that is insufficient for 4K. The measured pixel rate of 39.81 GPixel/s and texture rate of 159.2 GTexel/s are the theoretical limits, and the benchmark results show these limits being hit. For instance, the 4K Ultra preset averages only 13 FPS, which is a direct consequence of the GPU's inability to process the required geometry and textures.

The GPU's percentile ranking of 74 versus all other GPUs suggests it is a mid-range performer, but its age is evident. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 470, which has an average benchmark score just 0.8% higher, and the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 8000, which is 1.2% higher. This indicates the RX 570 is firmly in a performance tier that is not designed for 4K gaming. The 4 GB VRAM is a particular concern, as the jump from Medium to High settings at 1440p results in a 12 FPS drop (46 to 34), suggesting memory pressure or bandwidth limitations are beginning to impact performance beyond just raw compute.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Outriders, this specific combination of the Core i5-12600KF and Radeon RX 570 ranks 3533 out of 3710 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 5% of all configurations, a position that reflects the GPU's limitations rather than the CPU's capabilities. The rank is a holistic measure of the system's ability to run the game, and the data indicates that this setup is far from optimal for a smooth experience.

The combo's low rank is understandable when considering the individual components. The CPU's average benchmark score is 27799, placing it in the 79th percentile, while the GPU's average score is 28766, placing it in the 74th percentile. However, the game's performance is not an average of these two numbers; it is heavily weighted toward the GPU. The i5-12600KF's nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-10900K, has an average score just 0.3% higher, showing the CPU is a top-tier performer. In contrast, the RX 570's rival, the Radeon RX 470, is only 0.8% lower, but both are in a lower performance class.

This ranking highlights a fundamental mismatch. The data implies that the CPU is capable of pushing frame rates far higher than what the GPU can deliver. The system is effectively held back by the graphics card, making the combo rank a reflection of the weakest link. For users, this means the i5-12600KF provides no tangible benefit in Outriders over a much weaker processor when paired with an RX 570, as the GPU is the sole determinant of the final frame rate.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the system's performance across all settings and resolutions. The most playable experience is found at 1920x1080 with Low settings, achieving an average of 99 FPS. This is the only configuration that approaches high refresh rate territory. Moving to Medium settings at 1080p yields 72 FPS, with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS, indicating a stable experience. High settings at 1080p drop to 54 FPS, while Ultra falls to 39 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance becomes more constrained. Low settings average 63 FPS, which is still smooth but noticeably lower than 1080p. Medium settings average 46 FPS (min 39, max 53), which is borderline for a fast-paced game. High settings drop to 34 FPS, and Ultra is only 25 FPS. These numbers show that 1440p is only viable at Low or Medium presets for a playable frame rate.

The 3840x2160 results are largely unplayable. Low settings average 33 FPS, which is stuttery. Medium averages 24 FPS (min 20, max 27), High averages 18 FPS, and Ultra averages just 13 FPS. The data clearly shows that this combo is not intended for 4K gaming, as even the lowest settings fail to provide a consistent 30 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium at 4K is 9 FPS, which is significant, but the overall performance is so low that it makes little practical difference.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a high-end processor that is vastly underutilized in this configuration. It features 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its benchmark results are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23391 and a single-core score of 3302. The processor's average benchmark score of 27799 places it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which is 0.3% lower.

In Outriders, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and physics data. The data suggests that the i5-12600KF is more than capable of handling this task, even at 1080p Low where the frame rate hits 99 FPS. The fact that the frame rate does not improve with a stronger GPU (since the GPU is the bottleneck) means the CPU is not the limiting factor. The processor's high single-thread performance, evidenced by a Passmark single-thread score of 3925, ensures that it can quickly process the game's logic.

The CPU's massive headroom is a key finding. Even at the highest frame rate measured (99 FPS), the i5-12600KF is likely not breaking a sweat. The data implies that if a more powerful GPU were installed, the CPU could support significantly higher frame rates. However, with the RX 570, this potential is locked away. The processor's 20 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4/DDR5 memory are moot points in this scenario, as the GPU's 4 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are the true performance ceilings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Outriders with this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can achieve a consistently high frame rate. At 1080p Low, it averages 99 FPS, and at Medium, it averages 72 FPS. Higher resolutions result in significant performance drops.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12600KF holding back the Radeon RX 570?

A: No. The benchmark results indicate the CPU is not the bottleneck. The frame rates are primarily determined by the GPU's performance, as evidenced by the dramatic FPS drops at higher resolutions. The CPU's high benchmark scores (e.g., 23391 in Cinebench R23) suggest it has ample power unused.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Outriders?

A: According to the measured data, no. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate ranges from 33 FPS on Low to 13 FPS on Ultra. These results are below playable thresholds for a looter shooter, making 4K an unviable option for this hardware.

Q: How does the RX 570 compare to its nearest rivals in benchmark scores?

A: The Radeon RX 570 has an average benchmark score of 28766. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 470, has a score 0.8% higher, while the AMD Radeon R9 M295X has a score 0.7% lower. This shows the RX 570 is positioned in a tight performance cluster.

Q: What settings preset is recommended for a smooth 60 FPS experience?

A: At 1920x1080, only Low settings (99 FPS) comfortably exceed 60 FPS. Medium settings at 1080p average 72 FPS, which also provides a smooth experience. No other resolution or preset combination in the data achieves a 60 FPS average.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank compared to other systems?

A: This specific combo ranks 3533 out of 3710 tested combinations for Outriders. This places it in the lower percentile of all systems, largely due to the GPU's performance ceiling.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience with this hardware, the data points to 1920x1080 as the primary resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset provides the highest average frame rate at 99 FPS, which is ideal for competitive play or high refresh rate monitors. If visual fidelity is a priority, the Medium preset at 1080p is the optimal balance, delivering 72 FPS with a minimum of 61 FPS, ensuring a stable and responsive experience.

The High preset at 1080p (54 FPS) is a compromise that may be acceptable for players who prefer better graphics, but it dips below the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset at 1080p (39 FPS) should be avoided, as the performance hit is substantial without a proportional visual benefit. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset (63 FPS) is recommended for playable frame rates; Medium (46 FPS) is borderline, and higher presets are too demanding.

All 4K presets are not recommended due to the low frame rates. The data suggests that users should either lower their resolution to 1080p or consider a GPU upgrade to fully utilize the i5-12600KF. The Medium preset at 1080p is the most sensible choice for a balanced experience, as it maintains a high frame rate while offering improved visual quality over Low. This configuration yields an average of 72 FPS, which is a significant improvement over the 54 FPS at High, making it the best setting for consistent gameplay.