Red Dead Redemption 2

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) using TSMC's 4 nm process. Its base clock is 4.70 GHz with a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, and it carries a 96 MB shared L3 cache, which is a defining characteristic of the X3D line. The processor operates on the AMD Socket AM5 platform with DDR5 memory support over a dual-channel bus offering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. These specifications place it firmly in the high-end desktop segment, with a launch MSRP of $479.

In the context of Red Dead Redemption 2, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls, handle game logic, and manage the open-world simulation. The 8-core/16-thread configuration is well-suited for modern titles that scale across multiple threads. The 3DMark benchmarks show strong scaling: the 16-thread score is 10081, while the 8-thread score is 8252, indicating that the processor extracts meaningful performance from additional threads. The single-thread score of 1212 (3DMark) and 2080 (Cinebench R23 single-core) reflect solid per-core performance, which is critical for games that rely on a few heavily loaded threads.

The benchmark results show the CPU's percentile ranking at 87 among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 39768. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (avg score 39603, delta 0.4%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (avg score 40048, delta -0.7%), the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 (avg score 39485, delta 0.7%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (avg score 40081, delta -0.8%). These deltas are all within 0.8%, indicating that the 9800X3D sits in a tightly contested performance band. However, in Red Dead Redemption 2, the measured FPS numbers suggest that the GPU is the dominant constraint at most settings, as the CPU's high-end capabilities are not the primary limiter.

The processor's 120 W TDP and unlocked multiplier indicate headroom for overclocking, but the data does not include overclocked results. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23230 shows substantial multi-threaded throughput, which can help maintain frame pacing in scenes with many NPCs or dynamic weather effects. Yet, the measured FPS at 1080p Low (79 avg) versus 4K Ultra (18 avg) demonstrates that resolution and settings scale the load heavily onto the GPU, leaving the CPU with ample capacity.

# GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B570 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture (Battlemage generation) using a 5 nm TSMC process. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, delivering 380.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output units, along with 18 ray tracing cores. Its base and boost clocks are both 2500 MHz, with memory clocked at 2375 MHz (19 Gbps effective). The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, and connects via PCIe 4.0 x8. The launch MSRP is 219 USD.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the GPU's role is to render the vast landscapes, character models, and lighting effects. The 10 GB VRAM is a notable asset for a game known for its high-resolution textures. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low, the combo achieves 79 avg FPS, but this drops to 49 avg at High settings and 36 avg at Ultra. This pattern indicates that the GPU is heavily taxed by higher settings, particularly at 1440p and 4K. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is just 18, which is below playable thresholds.

The GPU's benchmark scores position it at the 65th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20556. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (avg score 20534, delta 0.1%), Intel Arc A750 (avg score 20582, delta -0.1%), NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (avg score 20480, delta 0.4%), and AMD Radeon R9 M390X (avg score 20662, delta -0.5%). These deltas are minimal, showing that the B570 performs in a narrow band around these cards. In the game, the GPU's 11.52 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 360.0 GTexel/s texture rate are the likely bottlenecks at higher resolutions, as the CPU can clearly deliver more frames than the GPU can render.

The 150 W TDP and dual-slot design suggest a mid-range power profile, but the measured FPS data reveals that the GPU struggles with the demands of Red Dead Redemption 2 at higher settings. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2649 is a synthetic indicator, but the real-world game results show a consistent pattern: the GPU is the limiting component across all tested resolutions.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the combo scales across resolutions. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 79. Moving to 1440p Low, it drops to 59, and at 4K Low, it falls to 39. This represents a 25% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 51% drop from 1080p to 4K. For High settings, the progression is 49 (1080p), 37 (1440p), and 24 (4K) — a 24% drop to 1440p and a 51% drop to 4K. Medium settings show 59 (1080p), 44 (1440p), and 29 (4K), while Ultra settings show 36 (1080p), 27 (1440p), and 18 (4K).

The scaling pattern indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU workload does not increase with resolution. Instead, the FPS drops consistently as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. The 4K Ultra result of 18 avg FPS is particularly telling — the GPU simply cannot handle the pixel count and settings complexity at that level.

However, the CPU's strong multi-threaded performance (Cinebench R23 multicore 23230) suggests it can handle the game's simulation load without becoming a constraint. The 1080p Low result of 79 avg FPS is respectable, but it is not exceptionally high for a top-tier CPU paired with a mid-range GPU, reinforcing that the GPU's limits are reached well before the CPU's. The Medium settings at 1080p (59 avg) versus Low (79 avg) shows a 25% drop, indicating that the GPU is sensitive to settings changes even at the lowest resolution.

The data suggests that for higher resolutions, the GPU's 10 GB VRAM and 380 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to maintain playable frame rates at High or Ultra settings. The 4K Medium result (29 avg) with min FPS of 25 shows that even moderately demanding settings push the GPU to its limits. This resolution scaling analysis points to the GPU as the definitive bottleneck in this combo for Red Dead Redemption 2.

# FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A: The highest average FPS is 79, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This drops to 59 at Medium, 49 at High, and 36 at Ultra for the same resolution.

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

A: The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768. It is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (39603), 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 (39485), 0.7% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048), and 0.8% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081).

Q: What is the GPU's nearest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20556. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 0.1% ahead), followed by the Intel Arc A750 (20582, 0.1% behind), the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (20480, 0.4% ahead), and the AMD Radeon R9 M390X (20662, 0.5% behind).

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

A: The measured FPS scaling indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. As resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, FPS drops consistently (e.g., Low settings: 79 to 59 to 39), which is characteristic of GPU-bound performance. The CPU's high multi-threaded scores (Cinebench R23 multicore 23230) suggest it has ample headroom.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS values recorded?

A: The only settings with min/max data are Medium presets: at 1080p, min FPS is 50 and max is 68; at 1440p, min is 38 and max is 51; at 4K, min is 25 and max is 34. All other settings report only average FPS.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations for this game?

A: The combo ranks 2335 out of 2902 tested combos for Red Dead Redemption 2, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the database.

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

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers the following average FPS: Low 79, Medium 59 (min 50, max 68), High 49, and Ultra 36. The Medium preset shows a 68 FPS maximum, which is the highest single-frame value recorded across all configurations. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a 54% drop (from 79 to 36), demonstrating the significant impact of settings on performance.

At 2560x1440, the results are: Low 59, Medium 44 (min 38, max 51), High 37, and Ultra 27. The drop from Low to Ultra is 54% (from 59 to 27), consistent with the 1080p scaling. The Medium preset at 1440p shows a tighter min/max range (38-51) compared to 1080p, indicating more consistent frame pacing.

At 3840x2160, the results are: Low 39, Medium 29 (min 25, max 34), High 24, and Ultra 18. The drop from Low to Ultra is 54% (from 39 to 18), matching the percentage drops at lower resolutions. The 4K Medium min FPS of 25 is notably low, suggesting occasional stutters or heavy scenes that tax the GPU.

Comparing across resolutions, the 1080p Low result (79) is more than double the 4K Low result (39), and the 1080p Ultra result (36) is exactly double the 4K Ultra result (18). This consistent halving of FPS from 1080p to 4K across all settings confirms the GPU's scaling behavior. The Medium preset at 1080p (59) is identical to the Medium preset at 1440p Low (59), showing that resolution and settings trade-offs can produce similar frame rates.

The data indicates that the combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates across all settings, though Ultra dips to 36 avg FPS. At 1440p, only Low and Medium settings exceed 40 avg FPS, while High and Ultra fall below 40. At 4K, no setting achieves 40 avg FPS, with Low being the only setting above 30.

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

The measured FPS data suggests that the Medium preset at 1080p offers the most balanced experience. It delivers 59 avg FPS with a minimum of 50 and maximum of 68, which provides smooth gameplay while maintaining visual fidelity above Low settings. The 59 avg FPS is identical to the 1440p Low result, but Medium settings at 1080p offer better visuals for the same frame rate, making it the optimal choice for players seeking a smooth experience.

For players prioritizing frame rate above all, the 1080p Low preset at 79 avg FPS is the clear winner. This is the only configuration that approaches high-refresh-rate territory, though it does so at the cost of reduced visual quality. The 1080p High preset at 49 avg FPS is acceptable for players who want better visuals, but the 20 FPS drop from Medium to High (from 59 to 49) is significant relative to the visual improvements.

At 1440p, the Low preset (59 avg) is the only configuration that matches the 1080p Medium experience. The Medium preset at 1440p (44 avg) is playable but has a lower minimum of 38, which may cause noticeable dips in demanding scenes. Players with 1440p monitors should consider the Low preset for a smoother experience, as the jump to Medium only yields a 15 FPS improvement but sacrifices visual quality.

At 4K, the data shows that no preset provides a consistently playable experience. The Low preset at 39 avg FPS is the only configuration above 30, but it still falls short of the 60 FPS target. Players with 4K displays would need to rely on upscaling or lower internal resolutions, which are not covered in this data. The Medium preset at 4K (29 avg) with a 25 min FPS is risky for competitive play or action sequences.

The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it yields 36 avg FPS at 1080p, 27 at 1440p, and 18 at 4K. These results are below the playable threshold for most users, and the visual gains over High are marginal relative to the performance cost. The High preset offers a middle ground, but the Medium preset provides the best balance of frame rate and visual quality across all resolutions.

# How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + Intel Arc B570 combination ranks 2335 out of 2902 tested combos in Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the 80th percentile of all tested combinations (calculated as 2335/2902), meaning that roughly 80% of tested combos perform better in this game. The rank reflects the GPU's mid-range positioning, as the CPU is a high-end part that is not the limiting factor.

The rank of 2335 suggests that the combo is better suited for less demanding titles or lower resolutions. In the context of the database, this rank places it alongside other mid-range GPU pairings, even though the CPU is in the top 87th percentile of all CPUs. The disparity between the CPU's percentile (87) and the combo's rank (80th percentile of combos, but 2335th in absolute terms) indicates that the GPU drags down the overall performance.

The combo's rank is consistent with the measured FPS data, which shows sub-60 FPS at 1440p and above for most settings. The 1080p Low result of 79 avg FPS is respectable, but it is not sufficient to boost the combo's rank significantly, as many other combos achieve higher frame rates at higher settings. The GPU's 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs, combined with the CPU's 87th percentile, results in a combo that underperforms relative to what the CPU alone can achieve.

The nearest GPU rivals (RTX 3070 Mobile, Arc A750) have similar synthetic scores, but the B570's real-world performance in this game is limited by its 10 GB VRAM and 160-bit bus. The combo's rank of 2335 reflects these hardware constraints, positioning it as a 1080p-focused configuration. Players seeking higher resolutions or settings would need to consider a stronger GPU, as the CPU has demonstrated ample headroom in synthetic tests. This rank serves as a baseline for understanding the combo's capabilities in Red Dead Redemption 2, with the data showing a clear GPU-bound scenario.