Outriders

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 pairing in Outriders presents a study in balance and bottleneck shifting. The data shows a system that can deliver high refresh rates at mainstream resolutions but struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K with maximum settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, focusing on how the CPU and GPU each handle the load across different resolutions and presets.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 261 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 165 FPS, a reduction of 96 FPS. At 4K Low, the average falls to 86 FPS, which represents a significant 67% decrease from the 1080p Low result. This scaling is typical for a GPU-bound scenario at lower settings, where the rendering resolution heavily dictates the frame rate.

However, the pattern shifts dramatically when examining the higher quality presets. At Ultra settings, the drop from 1080p to 1440p is substantial, going from 103 FPS to 65 FPS. The jump from 1440p Ultra to 4K Ultra is even more punishing, with the average FPS halving from 65 to 34. This steep decline at the highest settings indicates that the RTX 5060's 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory interface become limiting factors at 4K Ultra, where the game demands more memory bandwidth and capacity than the card can efficiently provide.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference is 158 FPS (261 Low vs. 103 Ultra). At 1440p, the gap is exactly 100 FPS (165 Low vs. 65 Ultra). At 4K, the difference narrows to 52 FPS (86 Low vs. 34 Ultra). This narrowing gap at 4K suggests that the GPU is becoming saturated even at Low settings, leaving less headroom for visual quality improvements before hitting a hard performance ceiling.

The 4K Medium preset, with an average of 63 FPS and a minimum of 53 FPS, appears to be the practical limit for a consistent 60 FPS experience at that resolution. The data indicates that the RTX 5060 is not a 4K Ultra card for Outriders; it is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming where it can leverage its strengths without being overwhelmed by pixel count and texture complexity.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 brings a 14-core, 14-thread configuration based on the Arrow Lake architecture. Its boost clock of 5.10 GHz is a critical asset for a game like Outriders, which benefits from strong single-thread performance. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 and multi-core score of 32924 illustrate a processor that is well-rounded, but its single-thread capability is what often dictates minimum frame rates in fast-paced action.

In the measured results, the CPU rarely appears to be the primary bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the 261 FPS average is exceptionally high, and while the CPU is certainly working hard to feed frames that fast, the consistent scaling down to 1440p and 4K suggests the GPU takes over as the limiting component as resolution increases. The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for dual-channel DDR5 memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient to keep the GPU fed without introducing stutter in the tested scenarios.

The Core Ultra 5 245's performance relative to its nearest rivals is tight. It sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-14600K in average benchmark score, and is 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7900. This means in Outriders, the CPU performance headroom is similar to those parts; it is not a weak link, but it is not providing a massive advantage over its competitors either. The processor's 65W TDP suggests efficient operation, which can help maintain boost clocks during extended gaming sessions.

The data shows that the CPU is capable of driving the RTX 5060 to its limits at 1080p and 1440p. The fact that the 1440p Low preset (165 FPS) is significantly lower than 1080p Low (261 FPS) confirms that the GPU is the limiting factor even at lower settings, as the CPU would likely be able to push more frames if the GPU could render them. For Outriders, the Ultra 5 245 provides ample processing power, ensuring it will not hold back the RTX 5060 in most scenarios.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. With a boost clock of 2497 MHz and 3840 shading units, the card is designed for high-throughput 1080p and capable 1440p gaming. Its 19.18 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is a solid figure for its class, but the memory configuration is the primary constraint in Outriders at higher resolutions.

The GPU's role in the measured results is clear. At 1080p High, the card delivers 143 FPS, which is excellent for a smooth experience. At 1440p High, it manages 90 FPS, still very playable. The jump to 4K High drops the average to 47 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold many players target. This pattern directly points to the GPU's memory bandwidth and capacity being insufficient for 4K Ultra textures, which require more than 8 GB of VRAM and a wider bus to maintain performance.

The RTX 5060's performance relative to its rivals is interesting. It is 1.2% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT in average benchmark score, but 0.8% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary. In Outriders, this means the RTX 5060 should offer similar frame rates to those cards, with the NVIDIA driver and feature set potentially providing an edge in specific scenarios. The 72nd percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates it is a mid-to-upper-tier performer, not a flagship part.

The 4K Medium result of 63 FPS reflects the card's raw compute power, but the 4K Ultra result of 34 FPS shows that visual settings that demand more VRAM and bandwidth can cripple performance. The data suggests that for 4K gaming, users must dial back settings to Medium or lower to achieve a playable frame rate. The card's 8 GB memory size is the limiting factor, and the GDDR7 speed cannot compensate for the lack of capacity when the game tries to load high-resolution textures.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Outriders at 4K 60 FPS?

A: At 4K Medium settings, the average FPS is 63, with a minimum of 53 FPS. This is close to 60 FPS but not a locked 60. At 4K High, the average drops to 47 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it falls to 34 FPS. To achieve a consistent 60 FPS, you would need to use Medium settings or lower at 4K.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: The data shows the system excels at 1440p. At High settings, it produces 90 FPS, and at Medium settings, it reaches 120 FPS with a minimum of 102 FPS. This provides a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience without the performance compromise seen at 4K.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for Outriders performance?

A: Based on the scaling, the GPU is the dominant factor. At 1080p Low, the system hits 261 FPS, but at 4K Low, it only manages 86 FPS. This significant drop at the same settings across resolutions indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The CPU, with a strong single-core score of 4648 in Cinebench R23, is sufficient to support these frame rates.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 compare to the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT?

A: The RTX 5060 has an average benchmark score of 26331, which is 1.2% higher than the RX 6750 XT's score of 26011. In practice, this suggests the RTX 5060 may perform slightly better in Outriders, though the difference is within a few frames per second.

Q: What settings should I use for 1440p gaming?

A: For 1440p, the High preset offers 90 FPS, which balances visual quality and performance. The Medium preset provides a higher frame rate of 120 FPS with a minimum of 102 FPS, which is ideal for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors. Ultra at 65 FPS is playable but may not be as smooth.

Q: Does the 8 GB VRAM limit performance?

A: Yes, the evidence strongly suggests it does. The massive drop from 4K Medium (63 FPS) to 4K Ultra (34 FPS) is a 46% performance penalty. This is likely due to the 8 GB frame buffer being exceeded at Ultra settings, forcing the GPU to handle memory paging, which severely impacts frame rates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data presents the exact average FPS for each resolution and settings preset combination. Minimum and maximum FPS are only available for Medium settings.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 86 FPS
• Medium: Average 63 FPS, Minimum 53 FPS, Maximum 72 FPS
• High: Average 47 FPS
• Ultra: Average 34 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 165 FPS
• Medium: Average 120 FPS, Minimum 102 FPS, Maximum 138 FPS
• High: Average 90 FPS
• Ultra: Average 65 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 261 FPS
• Medium: Average 190 FPS, Minimum 162 FPS, Maximum 219 FPS
• High: Average 143 FPS
• Ultra: Average 103 FPS

The data shows a consistent hierarchy: Low > Medium > High > Ultra at every resolution. The Medium settings are the only ones with recorded minimum and maximum values, indicating they provide the most stable frame pacing in the test data.

Settings Recommendations

For a 1080p monitor, the Ultra preset at 103 FPS is a strong choice, offering the best visual fidelity while maintaining a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. If you have a 144Hz or higher refresh rate display, the High preset at 143 FPS is a better fit, ensuring you can take full advantage of the display's capabilities without sacrificing too much visual quality. The Medium preset at 190 FPS is optimal for competitive play where maximum frame rates are prioritized over graphical detail.

At 1440p, the High preset provides the best overall experience with 90 FPS. This is a sweet spot that balances visual richness and performance. The Medium preset at 120 FPS is an excellent alternative for those who prefer higher frame rates, and the data shows it maintains a minimum of 102 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience even in demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 65 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive on high-refresh-rate monitors; it is suitable for slower-paced exploration or when you prioritize screenshots over gameplay smoothness.

At 4K, the Medium preset is the only viable option for a playable experience, averaging 63 FPS. This is the recommended starting point for 4K users. The High preset at 47 FPS may be acceptable for those who prioritize visuals over frame rate, but it will not provide a fluid experience on a 60Hz display. The Low preset at 86 FPS is a better choice than High for 4K if you want a smoother frame rate, but the visual downgrade is significant. Ultra settings at 4K should be avoided, as the 34 FPS average makes the game feel unresponsive and is not recommended for any serious play.

The Core Ultra 5 245 and RTX 5060 pairing is best utilized at 1080p and 1440p. In these ranges, the system offers a wide range of playable settings, from high-refresh-rate competitive presets to visually rich Ultra settings. For 4K, the system is limited to Medium settings to maintain a 60 FPS experience, making it a secondary consideration rather than a primary target for this hardware configuration.