Outriders

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT produces a distinct performance profile in Outriders, a looter shooter released on 2021-03-31. The data shows a system where the GPU consistently dominates the workload, delivering playable frame rates across most settings, while the CPU’s six cores and six threads provide a stable baseline that rarely becomes the limiting factor. This analysis breaks down the measured results, component roles, and optimal configurations based strictly on the provided benchmark data.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 89.1. This is the lowest result at that resolution, indicating that Ultra settings impose a significant load on the system.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rival in overall benchmark score?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT has an average benchmark score of 38358. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile, has an average score of 38349, resulting in a deltaPct of 0. This indicates the two are statistically tied in aggregate performance.

Q: What is the CPU’s percentile ranking among all tested processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs. This places it squarely in the middle of the pack, suggesting it is an average-performing processor relative to the broader database.

Q: Does the 4K resolution deliver a smooth experience at High settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with High settings, the average FPS is 66.5. This is above the 60 FPS threshold, indicating a generally smooth experience, though it leaves less headroom for demanding scenes compared to lower resolutions.

Q: What is the best-performing settings preset at 2560x1440?

A: The highest average FPS at 2560x1440 is achieved with Low settings, hitting 113.1 FPS. The Medium preset follows at 99.3 FPS, while Ultra drops to 80.2 FPS.

Q: How many combinations does this system rank 1098th out of?

A: The combo of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT ranks 1098th out of 1693 tested combinations in Outriders. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the overall ranking list.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT is the primary driver of frame rates in this configuration. Its 20 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 320-bit bus provides 800.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is substantial for the high-resolution textures and effects in Outriders. The GPU’s boost clock of 2394 MHz and game clock of 2025 MHz allow it to process the looter shooter’s particle effects and enemy density efficiently. The benchmark data supports this, as the frame rate scales predictably with resolution and settings, a hallmark of a GPU-bound system.

At 1920x1080, the GPU delivers 127.8 FPS on Low, 114.2 FPS on Medium, 105.1 FPS on High, and 89.1 FPS on Ultra. The spread from Low to Ultra is 38.7 FPS, showing that the GPU has ample headroom at this resolution. Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high: 113.1 FPS on Low, 99.3 FPS on Medium, 90.9 FPS on High, and 80.2 FPS on Ultra. The performance drop from 1080p to 1440p is modest, ranging from roughly 9% to 15% depending on the preset. This indicates the GPU’s memory bandwidth and 5376 shading units are well-suited for this resolution.

The 3840x2160 results reveal the GPU’s limits. Here, the RX 7900 XT produces 87.6 FPS on Low, 77 FPS on Medium, 66.5 FPS on High, and 48.9 FPS on Ultra. The Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS, making it unsuitable for smooth 4K gameplay. The GPU’s 82nd percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 38358, places it in the upper tier, but the data shows that 4K Ultra is beyond its comfortable range for this title. The GPU’s performance is consistent with its position near the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile, which has a deltaPct of 0.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 provides the computational foundation for this combo. With 6 cores and 6 threads, it lacks hyper-threading, which can be a limitation in heavily threaded titles. Its base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz offer reasonable single-thread performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1125. The 9 MB of shared L3 cache helps maintain data locality for the game’s physics and AI routines.

In Outriders, the CPU’s role appears secondary to the GPU. The frame rates at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 are consistently high, suggesting the CPU is not a bottleneck at these settings. For instance, at 1080p Low, the system achieves 127.8 FPS, which is a demanding scenario for any processor. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969 and its 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicate it is an average performer. This is corroborated by its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i3-10305 with a deltaPct of 0.2 and the Intel Xeon E-2134 with a deltaPct of 0.4, which are all closely matched.

However, the CPU’s limitations may surface in specific scenarios. The 6-thread configuration means that if Outriders scales beyond 6 threads, the CPU could struggle to feed the GPU. The data does not show a clear CPU bottleneck, as frame rates do not plateau unexpectedly across resolutions. The i5-9400’s memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s on a dual-channel DDR4 interface is modest, but it does not appear to restrict the GPU’s performance in the measured results. The CPU’s performance is adequate for the GPU’s output, but it is not a high-end part, ranking 1098th out of 1693 combos in this game.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT ranks 1098th out of 1693 tested combinations in Outriders. This places it in the 35th percentile of the ranking list, meaning roughly 65% of tested combos perform better. This ranking is notable because the GPU alone sits at the 82nd percentile, while the CPU sits at the 50th percentile. The disparity suggests that the CPU is dragging the overall combo down relative to what the GPU could achieve with a stronger processor.

The data indicates that this is a GPU-heavy pairing with a mid-range CPU. In practical terms, the combo performs well at 1080p and 1440p, as shown by the high frame rates, but it is not competitive with top-tier combos in the database. The rank of 1098 out of 1693 reflects the CPU’s average performance, which limits the system’s overall standing. A comparison of the CPU’s nearest rivals shows how close it is to other mid-range parts: the Intel Core i3-10305 is 0.2% slower, the Intel Core i3-1125G4 is 0.2% slower, and the Intel Xeon E-2134 is 0.4% slower, while the Intel Core i7-8809G is 0.6% faster.

This ranking also highlights that the GPU’s potential is not fully realized. In a system with a higher-tier CPU, the RX 7900 XT would likely rank higher. However, within this specific combo, the results are what they are: solid mid-pack performance. The system is not a top contender, but it is far from the bottom, and its rank is consistent with a CPU that is at the 50th percentile of all processors.

Settings Recommendations

The optimal settings depend on the target resolution and the desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, all presets deliver playable frame rates, with Ultra still hitting 89.1 FPS. The best experience at this resolution is likely High settings, which offer a balance of visual quality and performance at 105.1 FPS, leaving headroom for demanding combat sequences. Low settings at 127.8 FPS are unnecessary unless the user prioritizes maximum refresh rate.

At 2560x1440, the High preset provides 90.9 FPS, which is excellent for a 1440p experience. Medium settings at 99.3 FPS are also viable, but High offers better visuals without a significant performance penalty. Ultra at 80.2 FPS is still smooth and may be preferred for visual fidelity, but the data shows High is the sweet spot for maintaining a high frame rate while maximizing graphical detail.

For 3840x2160, the recommendations change. High settings produce 66.5 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS target and provides a good 4K experience. Medium at 77 FPS is also acceptable, but High is the better choice for image quality. Ultra at 48.9 FPS is not recommended for smooth gameplay, as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold. Low at 87.6 FPS is viable for competitive play, but it sacrifices significant visual quality. In summary, High settings at 4K are the best compromise, offering a playable frame rate with strong visuals. For 1080p and 1440p, High is the recommended preset for the best overall experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 127.8 on Low to 89.1 on Ultra. The specific results are: Low at 127.8, Medium at 114.2, High at 105.1, and Ultra at 89.1. The performance drop from Low to Ultra is 38.7 FPS, indicating that Ultra settings impose a 30% performance penalty compared to Low.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS ranges from 113.1 on Low to 80.2 on Ultra. The results are: Low at 113.1, Medium at 99.3, High at 90.9, and Ultra at 80.2. The drop from Low to Ultra is 32.9 FPS, which is a 29% penalty. Compared to 1080p, the 1440p results are lower by approximately 10-13% across all presets, showing a consistent scaling with resolution.

At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 87.6 on Low to 48.9 on Ultra. The results are: Low at 87.6, Medium at 77, High at 66.5, and Ultra at 48.9. The drop from Low to Ultra is 38.7 FPS, a 44% penalty. This is a steeper decline than at lower resolutions, indicating that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and compute resources become more strained at 4K. The jump from High to Ultra at 4K is particularly sharp, from 66.5 to 48.9 FPS, a 17.6 FPS decrease. This suggests that Ultra settings at 4K require more than the GPU can comfortably deliver, making High the highest recommended preset for that resolution.