Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 presents an extreme asymmetry in Red Dead Redemption 2. The data shows a combination where a top-tier GPU is harnessed to a quad-core processor, yielding frame rates that range from a playable 44.5 FPS at 4K Ultra to a fluid 207.2 FPS at 1080p Low. This analysis breaks down the measured performance metrics, the roles of each component, and the optimal settings based strictly on the provided benchmark data.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved by this combo in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 207.2 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. The next best is 160.6 FPS at the same resolution with Medium settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rates are 104.3 FPS on Low, 81.2 FPS on Medium, 63.3 FPS on High, and 44.5 FPS on Ultra settings. This indicates that a smooth 60 FPS experience is only available at the Low and Medium presets at this resolution.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset yields an average of 101.7 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 70.7 FPS. This represents a significant performance cost for the increased visual fidelity of the Ultra preset.

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

A: The data suggests the CPU is the primary constraint. The i3-12100F scores 11,912 in Cinebench R23 multicore and has a Passmark single-thread score of 3,444, while the RTX 4090 has a Passmark G3D score of 38,194. The CPU's lower relative scores, especially in multithreaded workloads, likely cap the frame rates, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is less stressed.

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

A: The combination ranks 59th out of 1,687 tested combos in Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the top 3.5% of all tested systems for this specific title.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between the Low and Medium presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 207.2 FPS, while the Medium preset achieves 160.6 FPS. This is a difference of 46.6 FPS, showing that even moving from Low to Medium has a substantial impact on performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is the dominant component in this pairing, and its specifications heavily influence the high frame rate ceilings observed. The GPU features 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. This vast memory pool and bandwidth are critical for handling the detailed textures and large draw distances in Red Dead Redemption 2 at high resolutions. The card's architecture is Ada Lovelace, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, with a die containing 76,300 million transistors.

The core clock speeds are also substantial, with a base clock of 2235 MHz and a boost clock of 2520 MHz. These high clocks, combined with 16,384 shading units, allow the GPU to process the game's complex shading and lighting effects efficiently. The benchmark results reflect this power, with a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 9,223 and a Passmark G3D score of 38,194. The GPU's 91st percentile ranking among all GPUs confirms its top-tier status.

In the measured results, the GPU's capability is evident at 4K resolution. The RTX 4090 can push the game from 44.5 FPS at Ultra to 104.3 FPS at Low settings, a range that shows the GPU is capable of handling the game's heaviest loads, but the frame rates are still constrained by other factors at the highest settings. The data indicates that the GPU has enough headroom to deliver high frame rates, but the CPU becomes a bottleneck, preventing it from reaching its full potential, especially at lower resolutions like 1080p.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a quad-core processor with 8 threads, based on the Alder Lake architecture. Its base clock is 3.30 GHz, which can boost up to 4.30 GHz. It features a 12 MB shared L3 cache. While this is a capable processor for many tasks, its 4-core/8-thread configuration presents a significant limitation for a demanding title like Red Dead Redemption 2, which can utilize more cores for physics, AI, and world simulation.

The CPU's benchmark scores provide context for its performance. It achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11,912 and a single-core score of 1,681. Its Geekbench scores are 7,413 (multicore) and 2,224 (single-core). These numbers place it at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs. The data shows that its multithreaded performance is limited by the low core count, which is a likely bottleneck in this game.

This CPU limitation is most apparent when analyzing the frame rate scaling. At 1920x1080, the difference between Low (207.2 FPS) and Medium (160.6 FPS) settings is a 46.6 FPS drop. However, the jump from High (137.1 FPS) to Ultra (97.9 FPS) is a less severe 39.2 FPS drop. This pattern suggests that at lower settings, the CPU is struggling to feed the GPU with enough data, capping the maximum frame rate. The CPU's Passmark multithread score of 14,015 and a very low 3DMark 16-thread score of 4,051 further illustrate its performance ceiling in heavily threaded scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

In the context of all 1,687 tested combinations for Red Dead Redemption 2, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 achieves a rank of 59. This is a strong result, placing it comfortably within the top percentile of all tested systems. The high average FPS across multiple resolutions and settings is the primary driver of this high ranking.

The ranking is particularly notable given the CPU's specifications. The i3-12100F's nearest rivals, based on average benchmark score, include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (deltaPct of -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-1250U (deltaPct of 0.4%), and the Intel Core i3-10105 (deltaPct of 0.6%). This shows the i3-12100F performs on par with much more expensive and powerful processors in general benchmarks, but its 4-core limit still holds it back in gaming.

The GPU's ranking is even more impressive. The RTX 4090's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Tesla T4 (deltaPct of -0.4%), the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 (deltaPct of -0.9%), and the NVIDIA Quadro P6000 (deltaPct of -1.3%). This indicates that the RTX 4090 is a top-tier performer. However, the combo's rank of 59, rather than higher, suggests that the CPU is preventing the system from achieving a top-10 position, as the GPU alone would likely be capable of much higher frame rates in a less CPU-bound scenario.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. The data shows a clear trade-off between visual fidelity and performance.

For a 1920x1080 display, the High preset delivers an excellent average of 137.1 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset offers even higher performance at 160.6 FPS. The Ultra preset, while visually superior, still provides a very playable 97.9 FPS. For the most competitive or fluid experience, the Medium preset at 1080p offers the best balance of high frame rate and visual quality, as the jump from Medium to High costs 23.5 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended choice, delivering an average of 101.7 FPS. This provides a smooth experience with high visual quality. The Medium preset offers a higher frame rate of 118 FPS, but with reduced visual fidelity. The Ultra preset, at 70.7 FPS, is the only option that dips below the 100 FPS mark, making it less ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors.

For 3840x2160 (4K) resolution, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, achieving an average of 81.2 FPS. This is a playable frame rate for a story-driven game. The High preset drops to 63.3 FPS, which is still playable but not as fluid. The Low preset at 104.3 FPS is an option for those who prioritize frame rate above all else, but the visual compromise is significant. The Ultra preset at 44.5 FPS is not recommended for a consistent experience, as it falls below the 60 FPS standard. In summary, for the best overall experience, the data suggests using High settings at 1080p or 1440p, and Medium settings at 4K to maintain a high and consistent frame rate.