Outriders

Outriders is a game that scales dramatically with both resolution and graphics presets, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D proves to be a top-tier pairing, ranking 3rd out of 2,913 tested combinations. The measured data shows a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, while the CPU’s substantial headroom becomes apparent only when the graphical load is reduced. The following analysis breaks down how this specific hardware configuration behaves across the game’s settings, providing a clear picture of what to expect from this high-end setup.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a classic resolution scaling curve, but with some notable nuances specific to Outriders. At 1080p, the system is pushing extremely high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting an average of 298 FPS. Moving up to 1440p, that same Low preset average drops to 255 FPS, a decrease of 43 FPS. When stepping up to 4K, the Low preset average falls further to 172 FPS. This progression indicates that even at Low settings, the resolution increase from 1080p to 4K introduces a significant workload that reduces performance by roughly 42%.

However, the scaling behavior changes dramatically when looking at the higher quality presets. At 1080p High, the average is 238 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 180 FPS, and at 4K High, it plummets to 94 FPS. The gap between 1440p and 4K is particularly stark, suggesting that 4K resolution places an immense demand on the GPU that goes beyond simple pixel count scaling. The data shows that the RTX 5090 D is the primary limiting factor at 4K, as the frame rate is cut by nearly half when jumping from 1440p to 4K on the High preset.

The scaling from Medium to Ultra settings at each resolution further reinforces this trend. At 1440p, the Medium preset averages 227 FPS while Ultra drops to 130 FPS. At 4K, the Medium preset averages 125 FPS, but Ultra falls to just 68 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is particularly revealing, as it shows a frame rate that is less than a third of the 1080p Low result. This suggests that the combination of 4K resolution and Ultra settings creates a workload that severely taxes the GPU, causing the performance to crater. The min FPS data available for Medium settings shows a consistent pattern: at 1080p the minimum is 225 FPS, at 1440p it is 193 FPS, and at 4K it is 106 FPS, showing that frame time consistency also degrades with resolution.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Outriders with this hardware for a balance of visual quality and high frame rates?

A: The data suggests 1440p is the sweet spot. At 1440p High, the system averages 180 FPS, which is well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate displays. Moving to 4K High drops the average to 94 FPS, which is still playable but represents a significant performance cost for the resolution increase.

Q: How much of a performance hit does enabling Ultra settings over High settings incur?

A: The penalty is substantial. At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 238 on High to 206 on Ultra, a 32 FPS reduction. At 1440p, the drop is from 180 FPS to 130 FPS, a 50 FPS reduction. At 4K, the drop is from 94 FPS to 68 FPS, a 26 FPS reduction, showing that the relative cost of Ultra is steep but the absolute cost varies by resolution.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in Outriders for this system?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck, especially at higher resolutions. Frame rates scale significantly with resolution changes, which is a hallmark of GPU limitation. The CPU’s high benchmark scores suggest it has ample headroom, but the GPU is the component that determines the final frame rate in most scenarios.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Outriders?

A: Yes, but with caveats. On the High preset, it averages 94 FPS, which is smooth for most players. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 68 FPS, which is still playable but may not be ideal for competitive play. The Low preset at 4K averages 172 FPS, showing that the GPU can push high frame rates if visual fidelity is sacrificed.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p Low compare to 4K Ultra?

A: The difference is enormous. The 1080p Low preset averages 298 FPS, while the 4K Ultra preset averages 68 FPS. This represents a 230 FPS difference, highlighting the extreme range of performance available depending on the chosen settings.

Q: Is the RTX 5090 D's performance in line with its benchmarks?

A: The GPU’s in-game performance appears consistent with its synthetic benchmark scores. It ranks in the 92nd percentile among all GPUs and its average benchmark score of 77,712 is competitive, though the game data shows it is not invulnerable to demanding settings like 4K Ultra, where it drops below 70 FPS.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the undisputed workhorse in this configuration, and its specifications directly explain the observed frame rates. The GPU features 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a massive 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. This memory subsystem is crucial for Outriders at 4K resolution, where texture data and geometry demands are high, and it allows the card to maintain playable frame rates even when the game’s visual complexity is at its peak.

The card's clock speeds, with a base of 2017 MHz and a boost of 2407 MHz, are relatively high, and its 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power provides the raw processing capability needed to render the game's effects. The data shows that the GPU's performance scales predictably with workload. At 1080p Low, the GPU is not fully taxed, resulting in 298 FPS. As the resolution and settings increase, the GPU's utilization rises, and the frame rate drops accordingly. The 4K Ultra result of 68 FPS is a clear indicator that even this flagship GPU can be brought to its knees by the most demanding settings.

The GPU's role is also highlighted by its benchmark performance relative to its nearest rivals. Its average benchmark score of 77,712 is slightly higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT's 76,904, a 1.1% difference, and slightly lower than the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT's 78,940, a -1.6% difference. This places it in a competitive tier, but the in-game data for Outriders shows that its real-world performance is subject to the specific demands of the title. The launch MSRP of the RTX 5090 D is 2,299 USD, and its 92nd percentile ranking among all GPUs confirms its position as a high-end part.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's display and performance priorities. For players with a 1080p high-refresh-rate monitor, the High preset is an excellent choice, delivering an average of 238 FPS. This provides a smooth experience that exceeds the refresh rate of most monitors. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 206 FPS, is also viable if visual fidelity is paramount, as the performance remains exceptionally high.

For 1440p displays, the High preset is the recommended starting point, offering an average of 180 FPS. This is an ideal balance of visual quality and speed. The Medium preset pushes the average to 227 FPS, which could be beneficial for competitive players seeking maximum frame rates, but the High preset provides a significant visual upgrade for a relatively modest 47 FPS cost. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 130 FPS, which is playable but introduces a noticeable reduction in smoothness compared to High.

At 4K, the situation is more delicate. The High preset, averaging 94 FPS, is the best choice for a quality experience, providing a solid frame rate that is close to the 100 FPS mark. The Medium preset averages 125 FPS, which is smoother but involves a reduction in visual detail. The Ultra preset at 4K, with an average of 68 FPS, is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience, as frame pacing may suffer. The Low preset at 4K should be avoided unless maximum frame rate is the sole objective, as the visual compromise is severe.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across all tested configurations. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 298 FPS, the Medium preset averages 265 FPS with a minimum of 225 FPS and a maximum of 304 FPS, the High preset averages 238 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 206 FPS. This shows a clear hierarchy where each step up in quality costs a measurable amount of performance.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 255 FPS, the Medium preset averages 227 FPS with a minimum of 193 FPS and a maximum of 261 FPS, the High preset averages 180 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 130 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is consistent, with an average reduction of roughly 15-20% across all presets. The Medium preset's min FPS of 193 FPS indicates that even during demanding scenes, the frame rate remains high.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 172 FPS, the Medium preset averages 125 FPS with a minimum of 106 FPS and a maximum of 144 FPS, the High preset averages 94 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 68 FPS. The jump to 4K introduces the most significant performance penalties, particularly for the High and Ultra presets. The Medium preset's min FPS of 106 FPS shows that the system can still maintain a playable frame rate, but the Ultra preset's lack of min FPS data suggests it may be less stable under load.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus plays a supporting role in Outriders, but its capabilities ensure the GPU is never starved of data. With 24 cores and 24 threads, this processor provides substantial parallel processing power. Its boost clock of 5.80 GHz is exceptionally high, which is beneficial for the game's single-threaded tasks, such as physics calculations and game logic. The CPU's 36 MB of shared L3 cache helps reduce memory latency, which can improve frame pacing.

The CPU's benchmark scores are excellent, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 51,731 and single-core score of 7,303 indicate top-tier performance in both heavily threaded and lightly threaded workloads. In the context of Outriders, this means the CPU can easily handle the game's background tasks, such as asset streaming and AI, without becoming a bottleneck. The fact that frame rates scale so heavily with resolution confirms that the GPU, not the CPU, is the limiting factor in this configuration.

The CPU's performance relative to its nearest rivals is also strong. It is 0.2% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 1.1% faster than the AMD EPYC 4584PX, and 1.2% faster than the AMD EPYC 9135, while being 1.3% slower than the AMD EPYC 7F72. These margins are small, but they show that the 290K Plus is at the top of the performance heap. In practice, this means that the CPU will not hold back the RTX 5090 D in Outriders, allowing the GPU to perform to its full potential. The CPU's 125 W TDP is a modest power draw for its performance level, making it a practical choice for a high-end gaming system.