Outriders

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This configuration lacks hyper-threading, meaning each core handles a single thread. In Outriders, a looter shooter that typically relies on a handful of heavily utilized threads for game logic and physics, this CPU's high boost clock is a critical asset. The single-core performance, as measured by a Cinebench R23 score of 4648, ensures that the primary game thread is processed efficiently. The processor's 24 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency. For this game, the CPU's role is to maintain a stable frame pacing floor, ensuring that even when the GPU is not saturated, the frame rate does not collapse due to a bottleneck in the main thread. The data indicates this is less of a concern than with lower-clock processors, as the measured frame rates at lower resolutions and settings are exceptionally high, suggesting the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU without becoming the limiting factor in most scenarios.

The Core Ultra 5 245's multi-core capabilities, while robust with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32924, are less relevant for Outriders than its single-threaded prowess. The game engine does not appear to scale perfectly across all 14 cores, as the performance difference between 1080p and 4K is more pronounced than what a heavily multithreaded title might exhibit. The processor's 65-watt TDP and 3 nm process node from TSMC indicate high power efficiency, allowing for sustained boost clocks during extended gaming sessions without significant thermal throttling. In terms of synthetic benchmarks, the processor sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48995. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which it trails by only 0.5%, and the Intel Core i5-14600K, which it leads by 0.8%. This places the Ultra 5 245 in a competitive position, providing performance that is statistically indistinguishable from those alternatives in general compute tasks. For Outriders specifically, the high boost clock is the key differentiator, as it directly translates to lower latency in the game's primary simulation loop.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the dominant force in this configuration, and the benchmark data shows that it is the primary driver of frame rates across all settings. With a massive 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s, this GPU is built to handle high-resolution textures and complex geometry with ease. The memory capacity is far beyond what Outriders requires, but it ensures that there is no risk of a VRAM-related performance drop, even at 4K Ultra settings. The GPU's architecture, Blackwell 2.0, features 21,760 shading units and 170 RT cores, providing immense raw computational power for both rasterization and ray tracing effects if the game utilizes them. The boost clock of 2407 MHz is relatively high for a flagship card, and the 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 compute ensures that pixel and texture throughput is not a constraint in this title.

The RTX 5090's role in Outriders is to provide the visual fidelity and high frame rates that the CPU cannot limit. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: as resolution increases, the average frame rate drops, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario at higher pixel counts. At 1080p, the GPU is often underutilized, resulting in frame rates that exceed 280 FPS on Low settings. However, at 4K Ultra, the frame rate falls to 64 FPS, indicating that the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are being fully exercised. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 39650 places it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79842. Its nearest rivals in synthetic tests are the NVIDIA Tesla P100 and AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, which it outperforms by 0.3% and 1.1%, respectively. While these rivals are not gaming-focused cards, the comparison highlights the RTX 5090's position in the top tier of performance. In practical terms for Outriders, the GPU is the component that determines the ceiling for visual quality at high resolutions, and its 32 GB of VRAM makes it future-proof for any texture mods or high-resolution packs.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern that identifies the limiting component at each resolution. At 1920x1080 (1080p), the average frame rates are exceptionally high, with Low settings hitting 283 FPS and High settings at 226 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 90 FPS (283 vs 193), which is relatively small in percentage terms compared to higher resolutions. This suggests that at 1080p, the system is not fully GPU-bound; the CPU is able to keep up with the GPU's output, and the frame rate is influenced by both components. However, the fact that Ultra still achieves 193 FPS indicates that even at the highest settings, the GPU is not the absolute bottleneck, as the frame rate remains far above what a typical 144Hz or 240Hz monitor can display.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), the frame rates remain high but show a more pronounced drop-off as settings increase. Low settings average 243 FPS, which is a 14% decrease from 1080p, while Ultra settings average 122 FPS, a 37% decrease from 1080p. This widening gap between resolutions at higher settings indicates that the GPU is beginning to become the primary limiting factor. The transition from Medium to Ultra at 1440p shows a 94 FPS drop (216 to 122), which is a 44% reduction. This is a significant performance cost for the visual improvements that Ultra settings provide. At 3840x2160 (4K), the GPU is unequivocally the bottleneck. The average frame rate on Low settings is 161 FPS, which is a 43% drop from 1080p Low. More tellingly, the gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is 97 FPS (161 to 64), and the Ultra setting only achieves 64 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold that many players consider the minimum for smooth gameplay. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings is a 67% reduction in frame rate (193 to 64), which is a direct result of the GPU having to render four times the number of pixels. This data confirms that the RTX 5090 is the limiting component at 4K, while at 1080p and 1440p, the CPU and GPU are more balanced, with the CPU becoming less relevant as resolution increases.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 ranks 35th out of 2,913 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the top 1.2% of all configurations. This is an exceptional ranking that reflects the high-end nature of both components. The rank is a holistic measure of the system's ability to run the game, and it puts this combo ahead of the vast majority of systems, including those with older flagship GPUs and high-end CPUs. The top 34 combos ahead of this one likely consist of CPUs with higher single-core performance, such as the fastest Core Ultra 9 or Ryzen 9 models, paired with the same RTX 5090. The difference in rank is likely marginal, given that the Ultra 5 245's single-core score is already within a few percentage points of the top-tier desktop processors.

The fact that this combo achieves a top 35 ranking out of nearly 3,000 possibilities suggests that the Ultra 5 245 does not significantly bottleneck the RTX 5090 in Outriders. If the CPU were a severe constraint, the combo would rank much lower, perhaps in the hundreds or thousands. The data supports this interpretation, as the measured frame rates at 1080p are extremely high, approaching 300 FPS, which is near the practical limit for most CPUs. The ranking also implies that for gamers with high-refresh-rate monitors, this combo is among the best available for Outriders, as it can consistently deliver frame rates above 200 FPS at 1080p and above 120 FPS at 1440p on high settings. The 4K Ultra performance, while lower, is still competitive, and the 64 FPS average is only slightly below the 70 FPS mark that would be expected from a top-tier system. Overall, this combo is a high-performance pairing that maximizes the potential of the RTX 5090 without leaving significant performance on the table.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are as follows: Low settings achieve 283 FPS, Medium settings achieve 251 FPS (with a minimum of 214 FPS and a maximum of 289 FPS), High settings achieve 226 FPS, and Ultra settings achieve 193 FPS. The Medium setting has a narrower range between its minimum and maximum (214 to 289) compared to the average, which indicates a smooth frame time delivery without major spikes. The drop from Low to Ultra is 90 FPS, which is a 32% reduction, but even at Ultra, the frame rate is far above the refresh rate of standard 144Hz monitors. This suggests that at 1080p, the system is rarely GPU-bound, and the CPU is doing most of the work to maintain high frame rates.

At 2560x1440, the average frame rates are: Low at 243 FPS, Medium at 216 FPS (with a minimum of 183 and a maximum of 248), High at 168 FPS, and Ultra at 122 FPS. The Medium setting shows a wider range (183 to 248) than at 1080p, which could indicate slight frame pacing issues as the GPU load increases. The drop from Low to Ultra is 121 FPS, a 50% reduction, which is more substantial than at 1080p. This indicates that the GPU is starting to become a more significant factor, particularly at Ultra settings. The High setting at 168 FPS is still excellent for high-refresh-rate gaming, but Ultra at 122 FPS is closer to the edge of what a 120Hz monitor can display without VRR. At 3840x2160, the average frame rates are: Low at 161 FPS, Medium at 117 FPS (with a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 135), High at 88 FPS, and Ultra at 64 FPS. The Medium setting has a range of 100 to 135 FPS, which is a 35 FPS spread, indicating that the GPU is under significant load. The drop from Low to Ultra is 97 FPS, a 60% reduction, which is the largest percentage drop across all resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the system is heavily GPU-bound, and the 64 FPS average is the only result below 60 FPS, making it unsuitable for 60Hz displays with V-sync enabled.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the resolution and the target frame rate. For 1920x1080, all presets are viable, but the Ultra preset at 193 FPS is the best choice for players with 144Hz or 165Hz monitors, as it provides the highest visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. The High preset at 226 FPS is recommended for players with 240Hz monitors, as it offers a significant frame rate boost (33 FPS) over Ultra while still looking excellent. The Low preset at 283 FPS is only necessary for competitive players with 360Hz monitors, as the visual downgrade is not worth the extra 57 FPS over High for most users. For 2560x1440, the High preset at 168 FPS is the sweet spot for 144Hz monitors, providing a balance of visual fidelity and performance. The Ultra preset at 122 FPS is also viable for 120Hz displays, but the drop to 122 FPS from the High setting's 168 FPS is a 27% reduction, which may not be worth the visual improvements for all players. The Medium preset at 216 FPS is recommended for 240Hz monitors, as it maintains a high frame rate while still offering decent visuals.

For 3840x2160, the settings recommendations are more constrained. The Low preset at 161 FPS is the only option that exceeds 144 FPS, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate 4K monitors, but the visual quality is significantly reduced. The Medium preset at 117 FPS is the best balance for 120Hz displays, as it provides a smooth experience with moderate visual enhancements over Low. The High preset at 88 FPS is suitable for 60Hz monitors with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), as it stays above the 60 FPS threshold and provides good visual quality. The Ultra preset at 64 FPS is only recommended for 60Hz monitors without VRR, as it is just above the 60 FPS line but may exhibit occasional drops below it. Given that the minimum FPS data is only available for Medium settings, it is importantly the 4K Medium preset has a minimum of 100 FPS, which guarantees a smooth experience for most of the game. Therefore, for 4K gaming, the Medium preset is the safest recommendation for maintaining a high frame rate without stutters, while the Ultra preset is for players who prioritize image quality over performance and have a VRR display to mitigate frame rate fluctuations.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Outriders with this combo for a 144Hz monitor?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 168 FPS, which is above the 144Hz refresh rate and provides a smooth experience. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, it achieves 193 FPS, also exceeding 144Hz, but 1440p offers better image clarity.

Q: Can this system run Outriders at 4K Ultra settings?

A: Yes, the measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 64 FPS. This is above the 60 FPS threshold, but it is the lowest performance point among all tested settings, and a VRR-capable display is recommended to handle potential frame rate dips.

Q: How does the CPU affect performance at 1080p compared to 4K?

A: At 1080p, the CPU is more relevant, as the frame rates are high (up to 283 FPS on Low), and the GPU is not fully saturated. At 4K, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, as evidenced by the frame rate dropping to 64 FPS at Ultra, indicating the CPU has less influence on the final result.

Q: A setting of Medium at 1440p provides 216 FPS, but what is the minimum FPS?

A: The measured minimum FPS for Medium settings at 2560x1440 is 183 FPS. This indicates that even during demanding scenes, the frame rate stays well above 144 FPS, ensuring a consistent experience.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The average frame rate drops from 283 FPS on Low to 193 FPS on Ultra, a difference of 90 FPS. This represents a 32% reduction in performance for the highest visual quality preset.

Q: How does this combo's rank compare to other tested systems?

A: This combo ranks 35th out of 2,913 tested combinations in Outriders, putting it in the top 1.2% of all systems. This indicates that it is one of the highest-performing configurations for this game, with only a few CPU and GPU pairings ahead of it.