Ready Or Not

The data for Ready Or Not with the Intel Core i7-12700KF and AMD Radeon RX 9060 reveals a configuration that is heavily skewed toward high refresh rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p, with 4K Ultra serving as a significant bottleneck. The measured frames per second (FPS) across the board indicate a system where the GPU's graphical workload and the CPU's processing power interact in specific ways depending on the resolution and quality preset. This analysis explores the scaling behavior, the distinct roles of the processor and graphics card, and the practical implications for players based on the provided benchmark numbers.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 shows a dramatic and predictable drop in performance, but the rate of that drop varies significantly with the graphics settings. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 196 at 1080p to 124 at 1440p, a reduction of 72 FPS. Moving further to 4K, the average drops to 65 FPS, which is a 131 FPS difference from the 1080p result. This steep decline suggests that the rendering pipeline is becoming progressively more saturated with pixel data, placing an increasing burden on the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth.

The scaling pattern becomes even more telling when examining the Low settings. At 1080p Low, the system produces 247 FPS, which is an exceptionally high number. At 1440p Low, it still manages 156 FPS, but the jump to 4K Low results in 81 FPS. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is approximately 67%, which is less severe than the 67% drop at High settings (from 196 to 65 FPS). However, the absolute numbers at 4K Low (81 FPS) versus 4K High (65 FPS) indicate that even at lower quality, the 4K resolution is a heavy load for this GPU.

The data implies that the limiting component shifts depending on the resolution. At 1080p, the high FPS figures suggest that the CPU is keeping pace with the GPU, allowing the graphics card to stretch its legs. The gap between 1080p Low (247 FPS) and 1080p Ultra (138 FPS) is 109 FPS, which is a massive swing driven entirely by the GPU's workload. As resolution increases, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, as evidenced by the 4K Ultra result of 45 FPS, which is less than a third of the 1080p Low score. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Medium settings (136 to 71 FPS) further confirms this, with the 4K resolution halving the performance.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 and a single-core score of 4071. The processor's performance percentile ranks it in the 85th percentile against all CPUs, indicating that it is a high-end part. The nearestRivals data shows it is nearly identical in average benchmark score to the Intel Core i7-13700T (35403 vs 35365, a delta of -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13600T (35305, delta of 0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-12700K (35287, delta of 0.2%).

In the context of Ready Or Not, the CPU's role appears to be most critical at lower resolutions where the frame rates are highest. The 1080p Low result of 247 FPS is a clear indicator that the CPU can feed the GPU with enough data to achieve such high frame rates. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 9282 and the max-thread score of 9983 suggest that the processor has ample multi-threaded capacity for the game's AI and physics calculations, which are common in tactical shooters. The single-thread performance, with a Geekbench single-core score of 2255 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3984, is also robust, ensuring that the game's main thread is not a limiting factor.

The data does not show a scenario where the CPU is the sole bottleneck, as the FPS scales consistently with resolution changes. Even at 4K Ultra (45 FPS), the drop is more likely due to the GPU's inability to process the increased pixel count and effects, rather than the CPU stalling. The core count and high boost clock work together to ensure that the system does not suffer from CPU-related frame hitches, even when the GPU is under heavy load. The benchmark results indicate that this processor is more than sufficient for this game, providing a solid foundation for the GPU to perform at its maximum potential.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is a RDNA 4.0 architecture GPU based on the Navi 44 chip, built on a 4 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The GPU's boost clock is 2990 MHz, with a game clock of 2400 MHz. Its compute capabilities include 1792 shading units and 28 ray tracing cores. The GPU's benchmark performance places it in the 59th percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 16014. Its nearestRivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (average score 16129, delta of -0.7%), the AMD Radeon R9 370X (15862, delta of 1%), and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 (15852, delta of 1%).

The GPU's role in Ready Or Not is clearly the dominant factor at higher resolutions. The measured FPS data shows that the graphics card struggles with 4K, especially at Ultra settings, where it only manages 45 FPS. This is a significant limitation, as the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are likely insufficient for the high-resolution textures and effects at 4K Ultra. The bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s is a potential bottleneck when the game demands large amounts of texture data at high resolutions. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3322 is a moderate result, consistent with a mid-range GPU that performs well at 1080p and 1440p but falls off at 4K.

At 1080p and 1440p, the GPU shows its strengths. The 1080p High average of 196 FPS and the 1440p High average of 124 FPS demonstrate that the GPU is capable of delivering smooth, high-refresh-rate experiences at these resolutions. The DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 Passmark scores (182 and 44, respectively) are less indicative of real-world gaming performance, but the measured FPS data is the definitive source. The pixel rate of 191.4 GPixel/s and texture rate of 334.9 GTexel/s are adequate for the game's demands at lower resolutions, but the 4K Ultra result of 45 FPS shows that the GPU is overwhelmed when the pixel count quadruples. The data suggests that this GPU is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K being a stretch that requires significant settings reductions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system achieves high frame rates across the board. The Low preset yields an average of 247 FPS, which is the highest recorded score for this configuration. The Medium preset averages 215 FPS with a minimum of 183 FPS and a maximum of 248 FPS, showing a stable performance range. The High preset averages 196 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 138 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is well-suited for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors, with even the Ultra preset providing a playable frame rate.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset averages 156 FPS, which is still excellent for fast-paced action. The Medium preset averages 136 FPS with a minimum of 115 FPS and a maximum of 156 FPS, maintaining a smooth experience. The High preset averages 124 FPS, which is a solid result for most players. The Ultra preset, however, drops to 87 FPS, which is still playable but begins to show the GPU's limits as the resolution increases. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 69 FPS, illustrating the significant impact of settings on performance.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly under stress. The Medium preset is the only one with min/max data, averaging 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 82 FPS. The Low preset averages 81 FPS, which is surprisingly higher than Medium, indicating that the lower settings reduce the load enough to improve performance. The High preset averages 65 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 45 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth 4K gaming. The data shows that at 4K, players must choose between Low settings for a playable 60+ FPS experience or accept lower frame rates with higher quality presets. The difference between 1080p Low (247 FPS) and 4K Ultra (45 FPS) is stark, highlighting the GPU's limitations at high resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve high frame rates?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution for high frame rates, with the Low preset achieving 247 FPS and the High preset achieving 196 FPS. Even at Ultra, the system manages 138 FPS, making 1080p the clear choice for maximum performance.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35365, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-13700T (35403, delta of -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13600T (35305, delta of 0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-12700K (35287, delta of 0.2%). It is effectively tied with these processors in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: Is the GPU capable of running Ready Or Not at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: The data indicates that 4K is challenging for the AMD Radeon RX 9060. The Low preset averages 81 FPS, which is playable, but the High preset drops to 65 FPS and the Ultra preset falls to 45 FPS. For a smooth 4K experience, players would need to use Low or Medium settings, with Medium averaging 71 FPS.

Q: What is the performance difference between the High and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset averages 124 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 87 FPS. This is a difference of 37 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset places a significant additional load on the GPU, likely due to higher-quality shadows and effects.

Q: How does the GPU's benchmark score compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has an average score of 16129. The delta is -0.7%, indicating that the RX 9060 is essentially on par with the RTX 3060 Ti in overall synthetic performance.

Q: Does the CPU's core count affect gameplay performance in Ready Or Not?

A: The CPU has 12 cores and 20 threads, with a 3DMark max-thread score of 9983. The data suggests that this is more than sufficient, as the frame rates at 1080p are very high, indicating the CPU is not a limiting factor. The multi-threaded capacity likely helps with the game's AI and simulation tasks, but the measured FPS is more dependent on the GPU.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For players with a 1080p monitor, the High preset at 196 FPS is an excellent balance, but those seeking the highest possible frame rates for competitive play should consider the Low preset at 247 FPS. The Ultra preset at 138 FPS is also viable, providing a visual upgrade without sacrificing playability. The Medium preset at 215 FPS is a strong middle ground, offering stability with a minimum of 183 FPS and a maximum of 248 FPS.

At 1440p, the High preset at 124 FPS is the recommended choice for a smooth experience, as it provides a significant visual boost over the Medium preset (136 FPS) with only a small performance loss. The Low preset at 156 FPS is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors, but the Ultra preset at 87 FPS is still playable for those who prioritize visual fidelity. The data shows that the Medium preset at 1440p, with a minimum of 115 FPS, offers a good balance for most players, but the High preset's 124 FPS average is the better choice for consistency.

For 4K gaming, the situation is more restrictive. The Low preset at 81 FPS is the only setting that consistently exceeds 60 FPS, making it the recommended choice for a playable experience. The Medium preset at 71 FPS is also viable, though its minimum of 60 FPS means it can dip below 60 FPS in demanding scenes. The High preset at 65 FPS and the Ultra preset at 45 FPS are not recommended for smooth gameplay, as they fall below the 60 FPS threshold. Given the GPU's limitations at 4K, players should prioritize the Low or Medium presets to maintain frame rates above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and AMD Radeon RX 9060 ranks at 1695 out of 2947 tested combinations for Ready Or Not. This ranking places it in the upper half of all tested systems, but it is not a top-tier configuration for this specific game. The rank reflects the GPU's mid-range performance, as the CPU is a high-end part that is not the limiting factor. The data suggests that this combo is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it delivers high frame rates, but it falls short of the performance needed for 4K Ultra settings.

The rank of 1695 indicates that there are 1252 other combinations that perform better, likely featuring higher-end GPUs with more VRAM and bandwidth. The GPU's 59th percentile ranking against all GPUs is a key factor, as it shows that the RX 9060 is an average performer. The CPU's 85th percentile ranking, however, shows that the processor is a strong component, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's limitations at higher resolutions. The measured FPS data confirms this, with 4K Ultra being the weakest point for this combo. In the context of the nearestRivals, the GPU is nearly identical to the RTX 3060 Ti, so systems with that GPU would likely score similarly in this game. Overall, this combo is a solid mid-range option that excels at lower resolutions but requires settings compromises for 4K gaming.