Red Dead Redemption 2

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination delivers a highly playable experience in Red Dead Redemption 2, but the data reveals a pairing where the graphics card is the primary driver of performance. The 3700X, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, provides sufficient processing headroom, while the RTX 4060's capabilities dictate the frame rates across all tested settings and resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured results to show exactly where this combo stands and how to get the most out of it.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is a 3000-series desktop processor built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, using a 7 nm process from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This configuration, paired with a 32 MB L3 cache, provides a solid foundation for gaming. The CPU's benchmark scores support its capability: it achieves a multi-core score of 2092 in Cinebench R15 and a single-core score of 204, while its Passmark multithread score is 22458 and single-thread score is 2656. In the broader market, this processor sits at the 84th percentile versus all CPUs, indicating it is a capable performer.

In the context of Red Dead Redemption 2, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage game logic. The data suggests that the 3700X is not the bottleneck in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the combination hits 110 FPS average, which is a high frame rate that demands strong CPU performance to avoid limiting the GPU. The 3700X's 8-core, 16-thread configuration is well-suited for this task, as the game can utilize multiple threads for various simulation tasks. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 (with a deltaPct of 0.1) and the Intel Core i5-13450HX (with a deltaPct of -0.2), have nearly identical average benchmark scores, confirming that the 3700X is in a performance tier that should not hold back a mid-range GPU like the RTX 4060. The CPU's 65 W TDP also suggests it runs efficiently, leaving thermal headroom for sustained performance.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

Within the database of tested combinations for Red Dead Redemption 2, this pairing of the Ryzen 7 3700X and RTX 4060 holds a rank of 2013 out of 3714 combos. This places it in the 54th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms a slight majority of configurations but is not at the top end. This ranking is a reflection of the mid-range nature of both components. The RTX 4060, which is in the 61st percentile versus all GPUs, is a capable card, but its 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus prevent it from competing with higher-tier cards in a demanding title like this. The CPU's similar mid-to-high percentile ranking (84th) doesn't boost the combo beyond what the GPU can deliver.

The data shows that the combo's performance is constrained by the GPU. For instance, when comparing the GPU's nearest rivals, the AMD Radeon 780M has a deltaPct of 0.3, which is nearly identical in average benchmark score. However, the RTX 4060's dedicated graphics memory and higher power envelope allow it to perform much better in actual gaming scenarios. The rank of 2013 suggests that while this is a solid 1080p and 1440p machine, it will not achieve the highest frame rates in the game. Users with this combo should expect a smooth experience at medium to high settings at standard resolutions, but pushing to 4K Ultra will result in sub-30 FPS performance, as the measured data confirms.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions clearly illustrates the GPU-bound nature of this configuration. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 69 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same High settings, the average drops to 51 FPS, a 26% decrease. At 4K (3840x2160), the average falls to 34 FPS, a further 33% drop from 1440p. This scaling pattern is a textbook example of GPU limitation. As resolution increases, the number of pixels the GPU must render grows exponentially, and the RTX 4060's 8 GB of VRAM and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth become strained.

The trend is even more pronounced at Low settings. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 110 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 82 FPS, and at 4K Low, it plummets to 54 FPS. The fact that even at Low settings the 4K frame rate is below 60 FPS indicates that the GPU's raw compute power is insufficient for 4K rendering in this game. Conversely, the CPU's performance is likely not the limiting factor, as the frame rate scales almost linearly with pixel count, which is a GPU characteristic. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would see diminishing returns when lowering the resolution, but the data shows consistent scaling, confirming the RTX 4060 is the primary constraint.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the combo's performance across all settings and resolutions. Here is the full breakdown:

• 1920x1080 (1080p):
• Low: Average FPS 110
• Medium: Average FPS 82, with minimum 70 and maximum 95
• High: Average FPS 69
• Ultra: Average FPS 49

• 2560x1440 (1440p):
• Low: Average FPS 82
• Medium: Average FPS 61, with minimum 52 and maximum 71
• High: Average FPS 51
• Ultra: Average FPS 37

• 3840x2160 (4K):
• Low: Average FPS 54
• Medium: Average FPS 41, with minimum 35 and maximum 47
• High: Average FPS 34
• Ultra: Average FPS 24

At 1080p, the combo is highly capable. Even at High settings, it maintains a 69 FPS average, which is smooth for most players. The jump from High to Ultra at 1080p costs 20 FPS, dropping from 69 to 49, which is a significant hit for the visual gains. At 1440p, the Medium preset provides a good balance at 61 FPS, while High settings drop to 51 FPS, still playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The 4K results are mostly for reference, as even Low settings only reach 54 FPS, and High and Ultra settings fall below 35 FPS, making them unsuitable for comfortable gameplay.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: Can this combo run Red Dead Redemption 2 at 60 FPS on 1080p?

A: Yes, at 1080p with Low and Medium settings, the combo achieves average frame rates of 110 and 82 FPS respectively. At High settings, the average is 69 FPS, which is still above 60 FPS, but the Ultra preset drops to 49 FPS.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a smooth experience?

A: The data shows that 1440p with Medium settings is a strong option, yielding an average of 61 FPS. For a higher visual quality, 1440p High averages 51 FPS, which is playable, but 1080p High at 69 FPS offers a safer margin for maintaining high frame rates.

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

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate scales consistently with resolution, which is characteristic of a GPU bottleneck. The Ryzen 7 3700X provides enough CPU performance to not hold back the RTX 4060, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p Low.

Q: How does the RTX 4060's performance compare to its nearest rivals in this context?

A: The RTX 4060 has a Passmark G3D score of 19545. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon HD 7790, has a deltaPct of -0.2, meaning the RTX 4060 is slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks. The AMD Radeon 780M is 0.3% slower in these benchmarks, but the RTX 4060's dedicated memory gives it a significant advantage in real gaming workloads.

Q: What is the expected frame rate at 4K with the Ultra preset?

A: The measured data shows an average of 24 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This is not a playable experience for most users, indicating that 4K Ultra is not a viable option for this combo.

Q: Does the combo have enough VRAM for this game?

A: The RTX 4060 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. The data does not show a direct VRAM limitation, but the significant drop in performance at 4K suggests that the 128-bit memory bus and limited capacity are constraints at higher resolutions, as the frame rates fall below 60 FPS even at Low settings.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the best experience for this combo is achieved by prioritizing frame rate stability. For players with a 1080p monitor, the High preset is the recommended starting point, as it delivers an average of 69 FPS, which is smooth and visually appealing. If you prefer a higher refresh rate, the Medium preset at 82 FPS average is an excellent choice, providing a significant performance boost with a minor visual fidelity reduction. The Ultra preset at 1080p is not recommended, as the 49 FPS average falls below the 60 FPS target, and the visual difference between High and Ultra is often marginal in this title.

For 1440p users, the Medium preset is the best balance, yielding an average of 61 FPS. This provides a smooth experience while maintaining a good level of detail. The High preset at 1440p, with an average of 51 FPS, is acceptable for slower-paced exploration but may feel less responsive in combat. The Low preset at 1440p, at 82 FPS, is viable for competitive play, but the visual downgrade is noticeable. For 4K, none of the presets provide a consistently smooth experience; the Low preset at 54 FPS is the only one that approaches playability, but it is still below the standard 60 FPS target. The data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with the Medium and High presets offering the most favorable trade-offs between visual quality and performance.