Outriders

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 presents a compelling mobile setup for Outriders. The data shows a system capable of high refresh-rate play at 1080p and solid 60+ FPS experiences at 1440p, while 4K demands careful settings management. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, scaling behavior, and how this specific combo stacks up against the broader field of tested hardware.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Outriders reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, highlighting where the performance bottleneck shifts. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 227 FPS, which drops to 195 FPS at 1440p and further to 102 FPS at 4K. This is a substantial 55% performance reduction from 1080p to 4K at the lowest settings, indicating that even with a high-end GPU like the RTX 4080, the resolution demand significantly impacts the frame rate.

The scaling behavior changes dramatically when moving to higher graphical presets. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 169 at 1080p to 107 at 1440p, and then to 56 at 4K. The transition from 1080p to 1440p represents a 37% performance hit, while the jump to 4K from 1440p is a 48% reduction. This steeper decline at higher resolutions and settings points to the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor, as the rendering load increases faster than the CPU can feed frames.

Examining the Ultra preset reveals an even more pronounced bottleneck shift. The system delivers 122 FPS at 1080p, 77 FPS at 1440p, and only 40 FPS at 4K. The 4K result is particularly telling—a 67% drop from the 1440p figure. This suggests that at Ultra settings and 4K resolution, the RTX 4080 is being pushed to its absolute limits, and the frame rate becomes heavily dependent on the GPU's raw compute and memory bandwidth. The CPU, while capable, is not the limiting factor at these higher resolutions.

The data indicates that for competitive or high-refresh gaming, 1080p is the sweet spot, with all settings capable of exceeding 120 FPS. For a balanced 1440p experience, Medium and High settings provide excellent frame rates above 100 FPS. At 4K, only the Low setting achieves a playable average above 100 FPS, while Medium drops to 74 FPS and High to 56 FPS. The performance scaling follows a consistent pattern where each resolution increase demands a corresponding settings reduction to maintain a target frame rate.

FAQ

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

A: Based on the measured data, 1440p offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. At High settings, it delivers an average of 107 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. While 1080p can achieve higher frame rates (169 FPS at High), the visual fidelity is lower, and 4K struggles to maintain playable frame rates above Medium settings.

Q: Can this system run Outriders at 4K?

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. The data shows that at 4K, only the Low preset achieves a high average of 102 FPS. Medium settings drop to 74 FPS, High to 56 FPS, and Ultra to just 40 FPS. For a consistently smooth 60+ FPS experience at 4K, users will need to stick to Low or Medium settings.

Q: How does the Ultra preset compare to High at 1440p?

A: There is a substantial performance cost for the Ultra preset. At 1440p, High settings deliver 107 FPS, while Ultra drops to 77 FPS. This is a 28% performance reduction for the visual improvements offered by Ultra. The Medium preset sits between them at 142 FPS, making it the best option for those prioritizing frame rate over maximum visual detail.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck in this game?

A: The bottleneck shifts depending on resolution and settings. At 1080p with Low settings, the 227 FPS result suggests the CPU may be a limiting factor, as the GPU is not fully taxed. However, at 4K with Ultra settings, the 40 FPS result clearly indicates the GPU is the primary constraint, as the rendering load overwhelms the RTX 4080.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 227 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is followed by 202 FPS at 1080p Medium and 195 FPS at 1440p Low. These results show the system's capability for high refresh rate gaming when graphical demands are minimized.

Q: How does the 4K Medium result compare to the 1080p Ultra result?

A: The 4K Medium average of 74 FPS is significantly lower than the 1080p Ultra average of 122 FPS, representing a 39% performance deficit. This illustrates the substantial cost of rendering at higher resolutions, even when reducing settings from Ultra to Medium.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a 16-core, 22-thread processor based on the Meteor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. In Outriders, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic, and the data suggests it does this effectively at lower resolutions. The 1080p Low result of 227 FPS indicates that the CPU can keep up with the RTX 4080's output, as this frame rate is likely beyond what the GPU can render at higher settings.

The CPU's multi-core performance is evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17984.5, while its single-core score of 1810.5 is more relevant for gaming workloads. In Outriders, a looter shooter with many on-screen enemies and effects, the CPU's ability to handle multiple threads is important. The Passmark multi-thread score of 29376 and physics score of 1956 suggest robust processing power for game logic and particle effects.

The processor's performance relative to its nearest rivals is tightly clustered. The data shows its average benchmark score of 35670 is within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (35909) and just 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 (35719). This indicates that for CPU-bound scenarios, the Core Ultra 9 185H performs on par with these alternatives, meaning any significant frame rate differences in Outriders are more likely attributable to the GPU or settings rather than CPU capabilities.

The L3 cache of 24 MB shared is substantial for a mobile processor, and the dual-channel DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth provides adequate data throughput for game assets. The measured results show that at 1440p and 4K, the CPU is not the bottleneck. For example, at 1440p High, the 107 FPS result is likely GPU-limited, as the RTX 4080 is rendering a high-resolution image with complex shading.

In summary, the Core Ultra 9 185H provides ample processing headroom for Outriders. Its high boost clock and multi-core design ensure that it won't hold back the RTX 4080 at standard gaming resolutions. The performance deltas between this CPU and its rivals are negligible in the context of this game, making the GPU the primary determinant of frame rate at settings above Low.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combination is ranked 763rd out of 2913 tested combos in Outriders, placing it in the 74th percentile of all systems. This is a strong showing, indicating that this combo outperforms the majority of tested hardware configurations. However, the ranking also reveals that there are many systems capable of higher performance, particularly those with more powerful desktop CPUs and GPUs.

The combo's ranking is likely influenced by the mobile nature of the CPU. While the RTX 4080 is a high-end GPU (86th percentile of all GPUs), the Core Ultra 9 185H is a mobile processor (85th percentile of all CPUs). In a game like Outriders, which can be CPU-intensive at lower resolutions, the mobile CPU may limit performance compared to a desktop equivalent. The 1080p Low result of 227 FPS is high, but it may not reach the heights achieved by combos with desktop-class CPUs.

The ranking of 763 out of 2913 suggests that this combo is well above average but not at the very top tier. The deltaPct values for the CPU's nearest rivals are all negative (-0.1% to -0.7%), meaning the Core Ultra 9 185H is slightly slower than these alternatives in synthetic benchmarks. However, these differences are small and unlikely to cause noticeable frame rate variations in Outriders.

Compared to other combos, the RTX 4080's GPU-centric performance is the dominant factor. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 34457 and 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 6567 indicate strong rasterization performance. In Outriders, the measured FPS results at 1440p and 4K are competitive, but the 4K Ultra result of 40 FPS suggests that even this powerful GPU struggles with the most demanding settings at high resolutions.

Overall, the combo ranks in the top quarter of all tested systems, which is a solid result for a mobile platform. Users seeking higher rankings would need to consider desktop components with higher performance ceilings, but for a laptop, this combo delivers excellent Outriders performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers high frame rates across the board. The Low preset achieves an average of 227 FPS, Medium reaches 202 FPS with a minimum of 171 FPS and maximum of 232 FPS, High hits 169 FPS, and Ultra manages 122 FPS. These results show that 1080p is well within the system's comfort zone, with all settings capable of exceeding 120 FPS for smooth high-refresh gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows the expected scaling. The Low preset averages 195 FPS, which is still very high. Medium delivers 142 FPS with a minimum of 121 FPS and maximum of 164 FPS. High settings produce 107 FPS, and Ultra drops to 77 FPS. The Medium result's minimum of 121 FPS is notable, indicating that even in demanding scenes, the system maintains a frame rate above 120 FPS at this preset.

The 4K results at 3840x2160 reveal the system's limits. Low settings achieve an average of 102 FPS, which is playable but lower than the 1080p and 1440p results. Medium drops to 74 FPS with a minimum of 63 FPS and maximum of 86 FPS. This minimum of 63 FPS is just above the 60 FPS target, suggesting occasional dips below 60 FPS may occur in intense moments. High settings produce 56 FPS, which is below the ideal 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings deliver only 40 FPS, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

The data reveals a consistent pattern: each settings tier at a given resolution costs a predictable percentage of performance. At 1080p, moving from Low to Medium reduces frame rate by 11%, from Medium to High by 16%, and from High to Ultra by 28%. At 1440p, the deltas are 27% (Low to Medium), 25% (Medium to High), and 28% (High to Ultra). At 4K, the deltas are 27% (Low to Medium), 24% (Medium to High), and 29% (High to Ultra). This consistency suggests the game scales predictably with graphical load.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, the Medium preset at 202 FPS offers an excellent balance, providing a high frame rate with a minimum of 171 FPS. Users with 144Hz or 165Hz monitors can comfortably use High settings at 169 FPS to maximize visual quality while staying above refresh rate. The Ultra preset at 122 FPS is also viable for 120Hz displays, offering the best visual fidelity.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the clear recommendation for most users. It delivers 142 FPS with a minimum of 121 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay even in action-heavy scenes. The High preset at 107 FPS is suitable for users with 100Hz or 120Hz displays, providing a good balance of quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 77 FPS is playable but may result in occasional stutters on high-refresh displays; it is best reserved for users prioritizing visual detail over frame rate.

For 4K gaming, the Low preset at 102 FPS is the only option that guarantees a smooth experience above 100 FPS. The Medium preset at 74 FPS is acceptable for 60Hz displays, with a minimum of 63 FPS that should keep gameplay fluid in most situations. The High preset at 56 FPS is borderline, and users may notice dips below 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 40 FPS is not recommended for serious gameplay, as it falls well below the smoothness threshold.

The data suggests that the Medium preset offers the most consistent performance across all resolutions. It maintains a minimum FPS above 60 at both 1080p (171) and 1440p (121), and just above 60 at 4K (63). For users who want a single settings profile that works across multiple resolutions, Medium is the safest choice. However, for those with high-refresh monitors, prioritizing frame rate at 1080p or 1440p with High settings will yield the best experience without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.