Outriders

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 pairing delivers exceptional performance in Outriders, placing 59th out of 2913 tested combinations. The data shows this combo is heavily GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while the CPU's 10 cores and 10 threads provide ample headroom for the game's engine at 1080p. Benchmark results indicate that players can expect a fully playable experience at 4K Ultra, with the system only dipping to 62 FPS average, while lower settings unlock refresh-rate-maxing frame rates.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake-S architecture using a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The processor features 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. In terms of synthetic performance, the CPU scores 25,891 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,655 in single-core, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

The CPU's role in Outriders is evident when analyzing the frame rate scaling across resolutions. At 1920x1080, the low preset yields 272 FPS, while the high preset drops to 218 FPS. This 54 FPS gap demonstrates that the CPU can feed the GPU sufficiently at lower graphical loads. However, the more telling metric is the comparison between 1080p and 1440p at high settings: 218 FPS versus 165 FPS. This 53 FPS drop indicates that the game becomes increasingly GPU-limited as resolution increases, but the Core Ultra 5 225 maintains enough single-thread performance to avoid becoming the primary bottleneck at 1080p.

The processor's nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F with a delta of 0%, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D at -0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 at -0.4%. This tight clustering suggests that the Core Ultra 5 225's performance is on par with these alternatives. When examining the PassMark multi-thread score of 30,459 and single-thread score of 4,412, the data reveals a processor that excels in lightly-threaded workloads, which is beneficial for a looter shooter like Outriders that relies heavily on a few primary threads for game logic and physics.

The boost clock of 4.90 GHz is particularly relevant for Outriders, as the game's frame pacing and enemy AI calculations benefit from high single-core frequency. The PassMark physics score of 2,342 further supports this, indicating the CPU can handle the game's environmental interactions and particle effects without significant frame drops. At 3840x2160, the ultra preset averages 62 FPS, and while this is the lowest measured result, it still demonstrates that the CPU provides sufficient processing power to avoid stutter, as the minimum FPS values for medium settings at 4K are recorded at 97 FPS.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is the dominant component in this pairing, featuring 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus with 1.01 TB/s of bandwidth. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2235 MHz and boosts to 2520 MHz, with memory running at 1313 MHz (21 Gbps effective). Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process, the RTX 4090 includes 16,384 shading units, 512 TMUs, and 176 ROPs, delivering 82.58 TFLOPS of FP32 performance.

In Outriders, the RTX 4090's memory capacity and bandwidth prove decisive at higher resolutions. At 3840x2160, the game consumes significant VRAM for textures and effects, and the 24 GB frame buffer ensures no texture popping or streaming issues occur. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: at 4K, the low preset averages 158 FPS, medium averages 115 FPS, high averages 86 FPS, and ultra averages 62 FPS. This performance curve indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution, as the frame rate drops proportionally with increased graphical demands.

The GPU's percentile ranking of 88th among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 60,347, positions it as a top-tier part. However, the nearest rivals listed—such as the Intel Arc Pro A60 with 0% delta and the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M at -2.5% delta—are professional or workstation cards that do not directly compete in gaming scenarios. The RTX 4090's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 9,223 and Geekbench OpenCL score of 255,416 underscore its raw compute capabilities, which translate directly to Outriders' demanding shader work.

At 2560x1440, the RTX 4090 shows its strength with a 233 FPS average on low settings and 165 FPS on high settings. The medium preset at 1440p records a minimum FPS of 176 and maximum of 239, demonstrating consistent frame delivery. This consistency is crucial for Outriders, where combat encounters with numerous enemies and environmental effects require sustained GPU performance. The 1920x1080 results are equally impressive, with the low preset hitting 272 FPS and ultra still maintaining 188 FPS, showing that the GPU is never fully stressed at this resolution, leaving headroom for the CPU to become the active component.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves at 1080p, and at what settings?

A: The highest 1080p average is 272 FPS on the Low preset. The Medium preset achieves 242 FPS, High reaches 218 FPS, and Ultra delivers 188 FPS.

Q: Does this combo maintain playable frame rates at 4K Ultra settings?

A: Yes, the data shows a 62 FPS average at 3840x2160 on Ultra settings. This is playable, though lower settings provide more headroom: Medium averages 115 FPS, High averages 86 FPS, and Low averages 158 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in overall benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 scores 36,938 on average across benchmarks. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36,945 (0% delta). The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 37,018 (-0.2% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37,093 (-0.4% delta).

Q: What is the difference in FPS between 1080p and 1440p at High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 High, the average FPS is 218. At 2560x1440 High, the average FPS drops to 165. This represents a 53 FPS reduction, indicating the GPU becomes more loaded at the higher resolution.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how does it affect performance?

A: The RTX 4090 has 1.01 TB/s of memory bandwidth across a 384-bit bus. This high bandwidth supports the 24 GB GDDR6X frame buffer, ensuring smooth texture streaming and high frame rates even at 4K resolutions.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combinations for this game?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and RTX 4090 pairing ranks 59th out of 2913 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the top 2% of all configurations.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For players seeking the best balance of visual fidelity and performance, the Medium preset offers the most compelling experience across all resolutions. At 1920x1080, Medium delivers 242 FPS average with a minimum of 206 FPS and maximum of 278 FPS, providing smooth gameplay without sacrificing too much visual quality. At 2560x1440, Medium achieves 207 FPS average with a minimum of 176 FPS and maximum of 239 FPS, which is still well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors.

For 4K gaming, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it yields 115 FPS average with a minimum of 97 FPS and maximum of 132 FPS. This provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS while maintaining solid visual detail. The High preset at 4K drops to 86 FPS average, which is still playable but leaves less headroom for demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 62 FPS, which is borderline for competitive play but acceptable for single-player experiences.

Players with 1080p displays should consider the High preset, which delivers 218 FPS average and allows the RTX 4090 to showcase its capabilities without exceeding typical 240 Hz monitor refresh rates. The Low preset at 272 FPS offers no practical benefit over High unless the player has a 360 Hz display and prioritizes maximum frame rate over visuals. At 1440p, the High preset at 165 FPS is the sweet spot for most users, as it balances the 170 FPS average of Medium with superior image quality, though the 119 FPS Ultra preset remains viable for those who prioritize graphics.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear performance hierarchy across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional results: the Low preset averages 272 FPS, Medium averages 242 FPS with a minimum of 206 FPS and maximum of 278 FPS, High averages 218 FPS, and Ultra averages 188 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra shows a 84 FPS drop, which is substantial but still leaves every preset comfortably above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high: Low averages 233 FPS, Medium averages 207 FPS with a minimum of 176 FPS and maximum of 239 FPS, High averages 165 FPS, and Ultra averages 119 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p costs approximately 39 FPS on Low settings, 35 FPS on Medium, 53 FPS on High, and 69 FPS on Ultra. This scaling indicates that the RTX 4090's GPU load increases significantly at higher resolutions, but the Core Ultra 5 225 keeps up without introducing CPU-bound frame drops.

At 3840x2160, the system shows its limits: Low averages 158 FPS, Medium averages 115 FPS with a minimum of 97 FPS and maximum of 132 FPS, High averages 86 FPS, and Ultra averages 62 FPS. The 4K results demonstrate that the RTX 4090 is the primary performance driver, as the frame rate drops by 43% from Low to Ultra. The minimum FPS at 4K Medium (97 FPS) ensures that even the most demanding scenes stay well above 60 FPS, which is critical for maintaining smooth gameplay in Outriders' chaotic combat sequences.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ranks 59th out of 2913 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the top 2% of all configurations. This high ranking is primarily driven by the GPU's exceptional performance, as the RTX 4090's 24 GB VRAM and 1.01 TB/s memory bandwidth allow it to handle the game's demanding textures and effects at any resolution. The CPU's contribution is secondary but still significant, as its 4.90 GHz boost clock and high single-thread performance ensure that the game's logic and physics calculations do not bottleneck the GPU.

In comparison to other tested combos, this pairing excels in high-resolution scenarios. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the system maintains 62 FPS, which is a playable frame rate for a looter shooter. At 1440p, the combo delivers between 119 FPS (Ultra) and 233 FPS (Low), making it suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming. The 1080p results are even more impressive, with all presets exceeding 188 FPS, which means the combo is never CPU-limited at this resolution, even with the game's most demanding settings.

The ranking of 59th out of 2913 is notable when considering the CPU's modest 85th percentile rating. The RTX 4090's 88th percentile GPU rating and its average benchmark score of 60,347 far exceed the CPU's 36,938 average, indicating that the GPU carries the bulk of the performance load in this pairing. The nearest GPU rivals, such as the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M with a -2.5% delta, do not offer the same gaming performance, reinforcing the RTX 4090's dominance in this specific game. Overall, this combo is a top-tier choice for Outriders, delivering excellent frame rates across all resolutions and settings.