Overpower

Overpower, the 2023 action title, presents a demanding workload that stresses both the processor and graphics card. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, based on measured frame rate data. The combination ranks 1789th out of 2980 tested combos, placing it in the lower half of all tested systems for this specific game. This position indicates that while the hardware is capable of playable frame rates, it is not optimized for maximum performance in Overpower, and users should temper expectations regarding high-refresh-rate gameplay at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 1789 out of 2980 places this system in the 40th percentile of all tested configurations for Overpower. This is a relatively low standing, suggesting that many other CPU-GPU pairings deliver higher frame rates. The data shows a clear pattern: the system is more competitive at lower settings, but its position drops as graphical demands increase. The ranking reflects a balance where the GPU is the primary constraint, as the CPU has sufficient headroom to feed it at lower resolutions, but the GPU's performance ceiling limits the overall results.

Benchmark results indicate that this pairing is not a top-tier performer for this title. The CPU, while a strong mobile part, does not compensate for the GPU's limitations at higher settings. The combination's ranking suggests that for users seeking the highest possible frame rates in Overpower, alternative configurations with more powerful GPUs would be necessary. However, for a mobile platform, this combo provides a competent, if not exceptional, gaming experience. The data does not show any specific bottlenecks in the CPU, as its performance metrics are robust, but the GPU consistently becomes the limiting factor.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is a 16-core, 16-thread mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, with 18 MB of shared L3 cache. In terms of raw compute, it achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18911 and a single-core score of 2200.5. These numbers place the CPU in the 88th percentile of all processors, indicating strong performance. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, has an average benchmark score of 44573, which is a 0.2% difference from this CPU's average score of 44466, showing they are virtually tied in general compute.

For Overpower, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and AI. The high boost clock of 5.10 GHz is beneficial for single-threaded tasks, which many action games rely on for primary game logic. The multi-core performance, demonstrated by a Passmark multithread score of 36811, ensures that background tasks and heavily threaded game systems do not cause frame drops. The data suggests that this processor is more than capable of keeping up with the RTX 4060 in this game. At 1080p with Low settings, the average frame rate of 137 FPS suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck, as the GPU is able to render frames quickly. Even at 1080p Ultra, the 66 FPS average indicates the CPU is still providing enough data to the GPU, which is likely the limiting factor.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is an Ada Lovelace architecture GPU with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth. It has a boost clock of 2460 MHz and 3072 shading units. Its Passmark G3D score is 19545, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, has a score of 17666, which is a 0.2% difference, showing that this GPU is marginally ahead of that older card but still in the same performance tier. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM is a crucial factor for Overpower, as higher resolutions and settings can easily exceed this capacity.

The benchmark data clearly shows the GPU is the primary constraint in this system. At 4K Ultra, the average frame rate drops to 50 FPS, while at 4K Low, it jumps to 104 FPS. This significant scaling with settings indicates a GPU-bound scenario. The GPU's 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is moderate, and it struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with high settings. The 8 GB VRAM is also likely a limiting factor at 4K Ultra, potentially causing texture thrashing, which would explain the significant performance drop. The GPU's performance relative to its rivals suggests that it is a mid-range part that is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming but not for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming in this demanding title.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Overpower?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination ranks 1789th out of 2980 tested combos, placing it in the lower half of all systems tested for this game.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The CPU has an average benchmark score of 44466. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, scores 44573, a negligible 0.2% difference. It is also 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13950HX, which scores 44342.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The GPU has an average benchmark score of 17639. Its closest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, scores 17666, which is a 0.2% difference. It is also 0.3% ahead of the AMD Radeon 780M, which scores 17588.

Q: What is the best frame rate achievable at 1080p?

A: The highest average frame rate at 1920x1080 is 137 FPS, achieved with Low settings. At High settings, the average drops to 79 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor. For example, dropping from Ultra to Low settings at 4K increases the average frame rate from 50 FPS to 104 FPS, a massive 108% improvement, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload.

Q: What is the frame rate at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the average frame rate is 76 FPS, with a minimum of 65 FPS and a maximum of 88 FPS.

Resolution Scaling

The measured data shows a clear trend in frame rate scaling across resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system achieves an average of 137 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 122 FPS, an 11% decrease. At 4K Low, the average is 104 FPS, a 24% decrease from 1440p. This scaling is relatively gentle at Low settings, suggesting that the CPU is able to keep up with the GPU's output.

However, the scaling becomes more pronounced at higher settings. For example, at High settings, the average frame rate is 79 FPS at 1080p, 71 FPS at 1440p, and 60 FPS at 4K. This represents a 24% drop from 1080p to 4K. At Ultra settings, the frame rates are 66 FPS at 1080p, 59 FPS at 1440p, and 50 FPS at 4K, a 24% drop from 1080p to 4K. The consistent drop in performance across resolutions, particularly at higher settings, points to the GPU being the limiting component. The CPU's performance is adequate, as the frame rates scale predictably with the number of pixels, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The 8 GB VRAM on the GPU is likely a contributing factor at 4K, as the higher resolution demands more memory for textures and frame buffers.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity. For a target of 60 FPS, the system can achieve this at 4K with High settings, averaging exactly 60 FPS. However, this is a borderline result, and any demanding scene could cause drops. A safer option for a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K would be Medium settings, which averages 65 FPS with a minimum of 55 FPS.

At 1440p, the system performs well. High settings provide an average of 71 FPS, which is smooth for most players. For a higher refresh rate experience, Low settings offer an average of 122 FPS, but this sacrifices visual quality. The best balance of visual fidelity and performance at 1440p is High settings, as it provides a solid frame rate without significant graphical compromises. At 1080p, the system is very capable. High settings yield 79 FPS, while Low settings push to 137 FPS. For the best experience at 1080p, High settings are recommended, as they provide a good balance. Ultra settings at 1080p drop to 66 FPS, which is still playable but does not offer a significant visual improvement over High to justify the performance loss.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete breakdown of measured average frame rates for the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo in Overpower.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 137 FPS
• Medium: Average 85 FPS, with a minimum of 73 FPS and a maximum of 98 FPS
• High: Average 79 FPS
• Ultra: Average 66 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 122 FPS
• Medium: Average 76 FPS, with a minimum of 65 FPS and a maximum of 88 FPS
• High: Average 71 FPS
• Ultra: Average 59 FPS

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 104 FPS
• Medium: Average 65 FPS, with a minimum of 55 FPS and a maximum of 74 FPS
• High: Average 60 FPS
• Ultra: Average 50 FPS

The data shows that the system is most comfortable at 1080p, where it can maintain high frame rates across all settings. At 1440p, it remains playable, but the 60 FPS target is only reliably met at Medium and High settings. At 4K, the system is only capable of achieving a 60 FPS average at High settings, and this is with a minimum frame rate that could be lower. The Ultra preset at any resolution provides the lowest frame rates, and at 4K, it falls below the 60 FPS threshold, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset offers a balanced experience at 1440p and 4K, with the minimum frame rates staying above 55 FPS.