Outriders

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

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread Raptor Lake-S part with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. It features a 30 MB shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache, with 80 KB per-core L1 cache. This configuration places the CPU in the 89th percentile among all tested processors, with an average benchmark score of 46,881.

In Outriders, the CPU's role is substantial but secondary to the GPU at most settings. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 267 FPS, while at 4K with Low settings it drops to 172 FPS — a 95 FPS gap that is primarily GPU-driven. However, the CPU's multi-threaded headroom ensures that even at lower resolutions and settings, frame rates remain high enough to avoid bottlenecking the GPU.

Benchmark data for the i7-13700K shows strong multi-threaded performance: Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 30,745, while single-core scores 2,116. The 3DMark 16-thread test yields 10,717, and the max-thread test reaches 12,412. These numbers indicate that the CPU can handle the game's AI, physics, and streaming tasks without becoming a limiting factor, especially since Outriders is a looter-shooter with numerous on-screen entities and particle effects.

Compared to its nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark database, the i7-13700K sits within a tight performance band. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 by 0.2% (average score 46,971 vs. 46,881) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 by 0.3% (average score 47,022). Conversely, it leads the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX by 0.5% (46,654) and the Intel Xeon w3-2535 by 0.5% (46,653). These sub-1% deltas mean the CPU's performance in Outriders is essentially equivalent to its closest competitors — the game's frame rates are not sensitive to the small differences between these processors.

The CPU's 125W TDP and active production status indicate it is a mainstream desktop part, but the benchmark results show it is more than sufficient for Outriders. The game's measured FPS at 1080p Ultra (189 FPS) versus 1080p Low (267 FPS) suggests that even at the highest settings, the CPU keeps up with the GPU's output. The data indicates a balanced pairing where the CPU provides a solid foundation without becoming the bottleneck at any tested resolution or setting.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a Blackwell 2.0 architecture GPU with 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, delivering 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. Its base clock is 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and memory runs at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The GPU has 21,760 shading units, 680 TMUs, and 176 ROPs, with 170 RT cores and 680 tensor cores. This places the RTX 5090 D in the 92nd percentile among all tested GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 77,712.

In Outriders, the GPU is the dominant performance driver. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: at 1080p High, the combo achieves 214 FPS; at 1440p High, it drops to 180 FPS; and at 4K High, it falls to 94 FPS. This 120 FPS difference from 1080p to 4K at High settings demonstrates that the GPU's rendering load increases dramatically with resolution, and the RTX 5090 D's capabilities are the primary determinant of these results.

The GPU's 32 GB VRAM is more than sufficient for Outriders at any setting. The game's highest tested preset (Ultra) at 4K yields 68 FPS, which is the lowest measured result across all configurations. This suggests that the Ultra preset imposes significant rendering demands beyond just memory capacity — the GPU's compute throughput and memory bandwidth are the limiting factors, not VRAM size. The 1.79 TB/s bandwidth is particularly relevant for high-resolution textures and effects, but the game's engine appears to scale performance based on shader complexity rather than memory pressure.

Benchmark comparisons show the RTX 5090 D leads the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT by 1.1% (average score 76,904 vs. 77,712) but trails the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT by 1.6% (78,940) and the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB by 2.1% (79,396). These small deltas are surprising given the RTX 5090 D's specifications, but they reflect the benchmark database's aggregate scoring rather than game-specific performance. In Outriders, the measured FPS data shows the GPU performing strongly, with the 4K Medium result of 125 FPS being particularly notable for a high-resolution setting.

The GPU's 575W TDP and dual-slot design indicate a high-power part, but the measured FPS in Outriders shows no thermal-related performance degradation. The game's results are consistent across all tested configurations, with no anomalous dips that would indicate power or thermal throttling.

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

Examining the measured FPS across resolutions reveals a predictable scaling pattern that identifies the GPU as the limiting component at higher resolutions. At Low settings, the combo delivers 267 FPS at 1080p, 229 FPS at 1440p, and 172 FPS at 4K. This represents a 14.2% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 24.9% drop from 1440p to 4K, totaling a 35.6% reduction from 1080p to 4K.

At Medium settings, the scaling is similar: 237 FPS at 1080p, 204 FPS at 1440p, and 125 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 13.9%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 38.7%, totaling a 47.3% reduction. This steeper decline at 4K Medium suggests that the GPU's rendering load increases disproportionately at higher resolutions when more effects and textures are enabled.

High settings show 214 FPS at 1080p, 180 FPS at 1440p, and 94 FPS at 4K. The 1080p-to-1440p drop is 15.9%, and the 1440p-to-4K drop is 47.8%, totaling a 56.1% reduction. Ultra settings yield 189 FPS at 1080p, 130 FPS at 1440p, and 68 FPS at 4K, with drops of 31.2% and 47.7% respectively, totaling a 64.0% reduction.

The pattern is clear: as settings increase, the FPS drop from 1080p to 4K becomes more severe. At Low, the 4K result is still 64.4% of the 1080p result; at Ultra, it falls to 36.0%. This indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings, as the CPU's performance headroom remains constant regardless of resolution. The CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads are sufficient to feed the GPU at 1080p, but at 4K Ultra, the GPU's rendering pipeline becomes the bottleneck, resulting in the largest FPS deficit.

The data also shows that the gap between resolution tiers widens with higher settings. At Low, the 1440p-to-4K drop is 57 FPS; at Medium, it's 79 FPS; at High, it's 86 FPS; and at Ultra, it's 62 FPS. This non-linear progression suggests that the game's engine has specific optimization points, and the Ultra preset at 4K represents a particularly demanding configuration.

# How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i7-13700K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination ranks 40th out of 2,913 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the top 1.4% of all configurations. This ranking reflects the strong synergy between the CPU and GPU, both of which are high-performing parts in their respective categories.

The rank of 40 is notable because the GPU's benchmark percentile (92nd) and CPU's percentile (89th) are both high, but the combo ranking is even more impressive. This suggests that the pairing works particularly well in Outriders, with the CPU's multi-threaded capabilities complementing the GPU's raw rendering power. The 16-core, 24-thread CPU provides enough parallel processing headroom to keep the GPU fed at all but the most demanding settings.

Compared to other combos in the database, this configuration outperforms the vast majority of systems. The 2,913 combos include a wide range of hardware, from entry-level parts to flagship components, and ranking 40th places this pairing in the elite tier. The measured FPS data supports this ranking: even at 4K Ultra, the combo maintains 68 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold commonly associated with smooth gameplay.

The combo's ranking is particularly strong given that the GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database (AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, RX 6850M XT) are mobile parts, while the RTX 5090 D is a desktop flagship. This suggests that the desktop GPU's performance in Outriders is more representative of its capabilities than the aggregate benchmark scores might indicate. The CPU's nearest rivals are similarly close, but the combo's rank of 40 shows that the specific pairing of these two parts yields better game-specific results than their individual benchmark scores would predict.

# Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the Medium preset at 1440p offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. At 1440p Medium, the combo achieves 204 FPS with a minimum of 173 FPS and a maximum of 234 FPS. This provides a smooth experience with minimal frame drops, and the 1440p resolution offers a significant visual upgrade over 1080p.

For players prioritizing the highest frame rates, 1080p Low delivers 267 FPS, which is ideal for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors. However, the visual compromises of Low settings may not be worth the performance gain for most players, especially given that the game is a looter-shooter where visual feedback is important.

At 4K, the Medium preset provides 125 FPS (minimum 106, maximum 144), which is playable and visually impressive. The High preset at 4K drops to 94 FPS, which is still above 60 FPS but represents a 24.8% performance reduction from Medium. The Ultra preset at 4K yields only 68 FPS, which may be acceptable for some players but represents a significant frame rate penalty.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the sweet spot across all resolutions. At 1080p Medium, the combo delivers 237 FPS (minimum 202, maximum 273), which is only 11.2% lower than Low but provides substantially better visuals. At 1440p Medium, the 204 FPS result is 10.9% lower than Low's 229 FPS, but again offers improved image quality. The consistency of the Medium preset's performance across resolutions (237 FPS at 1080p, 204 FPS at 1440p, 125 FPS at 4K) indicates that it scales predictably and avoids the steep drops seen at High and Ultra.

# FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Outriders?

A: The data shows 1440p Medium provides the best balance, with 204 FPS average (minimum 173, maximum 234). At 1080p Medium, the combo achieves 237 FPS, while 4K Medium delivers 125 FPS. For the highest frame rates, 1080p Low yields 267 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its rivals in this context?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46,881, which is 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 (46,971) and 0.3% lower than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 (47,022). It outperforms the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX by 0.5% (46,654) and the Intel Xeon w3-2535 by 0.5% (46,653).

Q: Is the GPU's 32 GB VRAM sufficient for Outriders?

A: Yes, the 32 GB GDDR7 memory is more than adequate. The game's most demanding configuration (4K Ultra) yields 68 FPS, indicating that GPU compute and bandwidth, not VRAM capacity, are the limiting factors.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking in Outriders?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination ranks 40th out of 2,913 tested combos, placing it in the top 1.4% of all configurations tested.

Q: How does the GPU's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 5090 D has an average benchmark score of 77,712, which is 1.1% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT (76,904) but 1.6% lower than the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (78,940) and 2.1% lower than the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB (79,396).

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K?

A: At 4K, Low settings achieve 172 FPS, while Ultra settings achieve 68 FPS. This represents a 104 FPS difference, or a 60.5% reduction in frame rate when moving from Low to Ultra.

# Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 267 FPS average
• Medium: 237 FPS average, 202 FPS minimum, 273 FPS maximum
• High: 214 FPS average
• Ultra: 189 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 229 FPS average
• Medium: 204 FPS average, 173 FPS minimum, 234 FPS maximum
• High: 180 FPS average
• Ultra: 130 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 172 FPS average
• Medium: 125 FPS average, 106 FPS minimum, 144 FPS maximum
• High: 94 FPS average
• Ultra: 68 FPS average

The data shows a consistent pattern where Medium settings provide the most detailed FPS information (including minimum and maximum values), while Low, High, and Ultra only report average FPS. This suggests that the Medium preset was tested with more comprehensive frame time recording, providing a clearer picture of performance variability.

Across all resolutions, the Medium preset offers the most stable performance, with the smallest gap between minimum and maximum FPS. At 1080p Medium, the range is 71 FPS (202-273); at 1440p Medium, it's 61 FPS (173-234); and at 4K Medium, it's 38 FPS (106-144). This narrowing range at higher resolutions further confirms that the GPU becomes the limiting factor as resolution increases, reducing the impact of CPU-side frame time spikes.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at each setting is: Low drops 38 FPS (14.2%), Medium drops 33 FPS (13.9%), High drops 34 FPS (15.9%), and Ultra drops 59 FPS (31.2%). From 1440p to 4K: Low drops 57 FPS (24.9%), Medium drops 79 FPS (38.7%), High drops 86 FPS (47.8%), and Ultra drops 62 FPS (47.7%). These percentages highlight that Ultra settings at 1440p experience a particularly steep drop (31.2%) compared to other settings, suggesting the Ultra preset has a non-linear performance cost at that resolution.