Red Dead Redemption 2

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and Intel Arc B570 pairing in Red Dead Redemption 2 presents a clear study in balance and limitation. At 1080p, the combo shows strength, but as resolution climbs, the data reveals a system increasingly constrained by its graphics component. The benchmark results across the three tested resolutions and four quality presets provide a detailed map of where this combo excels and where it falls short.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is built on the Zen 3 architecture, a 7 nm design from TSMC housing 12 cores and 24 threads. Its base clock is 3.70 GHz, boosting up to 4.80 GHz, and the processor supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The CPU’s benchmark scores indicate a strong multi-threaded performer, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16262 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 14118. Single-thread performance is also respectable, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1527 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2083.

In the context of Red Dead Redemption 2, a game known for its demanding open-world simulation, the CPU’s 12 cores and 24 threads provide substantial headroom. The game’s AI, physics, and world streaming benefit from multi-threading, and the Ryzen 9’s PassMark multi-thread score of 39002 and data compression score of 499968 suggest it can handle these background tasks without bottlenecking the frame pipeline. The CPU’s 64 MB of L3 cache is another asset, potentially improving data access times for the game’s large world assets.

However, the measured FPS data shows the CPU is likely not the primary constraint in most scenarios. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 79 FPS average, a figure that suggests the CPU can push frames well beyond that if the GPU allowed. The CPU’s percentile ranking at 87 versus all CPUs places it in the top tier, and its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H and Intel Core i7-14650HX, with deltas of 0.3% and -0.5% respectively. This proximity indicates that the Ryzen 9 5900X is performing as expected for its class, providing a solid foundation for the game’s CPU-intensive elements.

The question the data raises is whether the CPU’s power is fully utilized. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 18, a figure that points squarely at the GPU as the limiting factor. The CPU’s high multi-core scores, including a PassMark physics score of 1994 and a 3DMark max threads score of 10075, suggest it could feed a more powerful GPU with data at higher resolutions. The benchmark results indicate a processor that is ready for more demanding graphical loads, but the current pairing holds it back at higher settings.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is a Battlemage generation GPU, built on TSMC’s 5 nm process with 19,600 million transistors. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base and boost clocks are both set at 2500 MHz, with memory running at 2375 MHz (19 Gbps effective). Its architecture supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.4, and OpenGL 4.6, ensuring compatibility with modern game APIs.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the GPU’s role is critical, as the game’s detailed environments and lighting effects place heavy demands on the graphics processor. The Arc B570’s PassMark G3D score of 14195 and its percentile ranking of 65 versus all GPUs indicate a mid-range performer. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile and Intel Arc A750, with deltas of 0.1% and -0.1% respectively. This suggests the Arc B570 is closely matched to these cards in general compute tasks.

The measured FPS data, however, reveals that the GPU is the bottleneck in this pairing. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 79 FPS, but this drops to 49 FPS at High settings. At 4K, the situation worsens dramatically, with a High preset yielding only 24 FPS average. The GPU’s 10 GB of VRAM might also be a factor, as Red Dead Redemption 2 at higher resolutions and settings can consume significant memory. While the data does not show VRAM usage directly, the performance drop from Medium to Ultra at 1440p (from 44 FPS to 27 FPS) suggests that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and capacity are being stretched.

The Arc B570’s compute capabilities, including an FP32 performance of 11.52 TFLOPS and a texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s, are moderate for its class. The benchmark results indicate a GPU that can handle 1080p gaming comfortably at lower presets but struggles to maintain playable frame rates at 4K. The gap between 1080p Low (79 FPS) and 4K Low (39 FPS) is a 50.6% reduction, highlighting the GPU’s scaling limitations as pixel count increases.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data across resolutions provides a clear picture of how this combo scales. From 1080p to 1440p to 4K, the average FPS at each setting drops consistently, but the rate of decline varies by preset. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 79 at 1080p, to 59 at 1440p, and finally to 39 at 4K. This represents a 25.3% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 33.9% drop from 1440p to 4K. The pattern indicates that the GPU is increasingly the limiting factor as resolution rises.

At High settings, the scaling is similar but more pronounced. The average FPS drops from 49 at 1080p, to 37 at 1440p, and to 24 at 4K. The percentage drops are 24.5% and 35.1% respectively. The Medium preset shows a similar trend, with 59 FPS at 1080p, 44 FPS at 1440p, and 29 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, starting at 36 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 27 FPS at 1440p, and collapsing to 18 FPS at 4K.

These numbers indicate that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively flat across resolutions as the GPU waits for data. Instead, the significant FPS drops suggest that the GPU’s rendering capabilities are being overwhelmed. The data implies that the Arc B570 is designed for 1080p gaming, with 1440p possible at lower settings, but 4K is only viable at Low settings, and even then, the 39 FPS average is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo shows its best performance. The Low preset delivers an average of 79 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset. The Medium preset achieves 59 FPS average, with a minimum of 50 FPS and a maximum of 68 FPS. The High preset drops to 49 FPS average, while the Ultra preset falls to 36 FPS average. These results suggest that 1080p is the native resolution for this pairing, with playable frame rates available up to High settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance takes a noticeable hit. The Low preset averages 59 FPS, a 25.3% drop from 1080p. The Medium preset averages 44 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS and a maximum of 51 FPS. The High preset averages 37 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 27 FPS average. At this resolution, the Low preset remains playable, but the Medium and High presets are borderline, with average frame rates below 60 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles significantly. The Low preset averages 39 FPS, which is the only setting above 30 FPS at this resolution. The Medium preset averages 29 FPS, with a minimum of 25 FPS and a maximum of 34 FPS. The High preset averages 24 FPS, and the Ultra preset bottoms out at 18 FPS average. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming is not a viable option for this combo in Red Dead Redemption 2, as even the lowest preset fails to reach 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank for this pairing in Red Dead Redemption 2 is 2335 out of 2902 tested combinations. This places it in the lower 20th percentile of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, it does not deliver top-tier performance. The rank reflects the combined capabilities of the CPU and GPU, and the data suggests that the GPU is holding back the overall score.

The CPU’s individual percentile ranking of 87 versus all CPUs is strong, but the GPU’s ranking of 65 versus all GPUs is more modest. This disparity suggests an unbalanced pairing, where the CPU is capable of supporting a more powerful GPU. The combo’s rank in the game is likely dragged down by the GPU’s performance at higher resolutions and settings.

In comparison to other combos, this pairing sits in the lower third of the rankings. The data implies that users seeking higher frame rates in Red Dead Redemption 2 would need to either reduce resolution or lower settings, or consider a more powerful GPU. The combo’s rank of 2335 indicates that many other tested systems deliver better performance, making this pairing a mid-to-low tier option for this specific game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s resolution and performance goals. At 1080p, the High preset offers the best balance, with an average of 49 FPS. This is below the 60 FPS target, but the Medium preset at 59 FPS average is closer. For a smoother experience, the Medium preset at 1080p is recommended, as it provides near-60 FPS performance with a minimum of 50 FPS.

At 1440p, the Low preset is the only option that approaches playable frame rates, with an average of 59 FPS. The Medium preset at 44 FPS average is playable but may feel less smooth, especially in demanding scenes. The data suggests that users at 1440p should stick to Low or Medium settings, with Low offering the most consistent performance.

At 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option, with an average of 39 FPS. This is below the 60 FPS target but may be acceptable for users prioritizing visual fidelity over frame rate. The Medium preset at 29 FPS average is borderline, and the High and Ultra presets are not recommended due to their sub-30 FPS averages. The data indicates that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Red Dead Redemption 2, and users should consider lowering resolution or upgrading the GPU.

The best overall experience, per the measured rows, is the Medium preset at 1080p, which delivers 59 FPS average with a minimum of 50 FPS. This provides a good balance of visual quality and smoothness, making it the recommended setting for most users.

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.

*Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Red Dead Redemption 2?*

A: At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 39 at Low settings. The Ultra preset drops to 18 FPS average, indicating that 4K is not a viable option for this game with this hardware.

Q: How does the CPU’s performance compare to its rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has an average benchmark score of 41376. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H, scores 41263, a delta of 0.3%. The Intel Core i7-14650HX scores 41576, which is 0.5% higher.

Q: What is the GPU’s performance relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20556. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile scores 20534, a delta of 0.1%, while the Intel Arc A750 scores 20582, a delta of -0.1%.

Q: What is the recommended setting for the smoothest experience at 1080p?

A: The Medium preset at 1920x1080 delivers 59 FPS average with a minimum of 50 FPS, making it the best option for a smooth experience at this resolution.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested systems?

A: This combo ranks 2335 out of 2902 tested combinations in Red Dead Redemption 2, placing it in the lower 20th percentile of all tested systems.