Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor from the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. In the context of Red Dead Redemption 2, this CPU's configuration provides a solid foundation for the game's simulation and AI workloads. The benchmark data shows that the CPU's multi-threaded performance, as measured by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16518, is more than adequate to feed the GPU in most scenarios, though the game's engine can be demanding on single-thread performance, where this chip scores 2332 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The processor's 18 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close at hand, which is beneficial for open-world games that stream assets continuously. The i5-12400F sits at the 77th percentile versus all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 19221 places it in a tight cluster with rivals like the Intel Core i7-8700K, which scores 19210 (a 0.1% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS, which scores 19364 (a -0.7% delta). This indicates the processor is a balanced mid-range option that should not bottleneck the GPU in this title, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor. The data supports this: at 1080p Low settings, the combo reaches 194.4 FPS, suggesting the CPU can handle high frame rates without becoming a constraint, even though the GPU is exceptionally powerful.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the dominant component in this pairing, featuring 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 736.3 GB/s. With a boost clock of 2550 MHz, the GPU's raw compute power is substantial, as evidenced by its FP32 performance of 52.22 TFLOPS and its Passmark G3D score of 34245. This GPU sits at the 88th percentile versus all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 53610. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT, scores 53489 (a 0.2% delta), indicating the 4080 SUPER is at the top of its class. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the GPU's role is to handle the demanding rendering tasks, including high-resolution textures, complex lighting, and volumetric effects. The 16 GB VRAM capacity is crucial for this game at 4K resolutions with High or Ultra settings, as the game is known for its heavy VRAM usage. The measured FPS data shows that at 3840x2160, the GPU delivers 60.5 FPS on High settings, but drops to 46.1 FPS on Ultra, indicating that the Ultra preset places a significant burden on the GPU's shading units and memory subsystem. The GPU's memory clock of 1438 MHz (23 Gbps effective) allows for rapid data transfer, which is essential for maintaining smooth frame pacing in the game's expansive environments. The RTX 4080 SUPER is clearly overkill for 1080p gaming, as it achieves 194.4 FPS on Low settings, but its capabilities are fully utilized at 4K, where it maintains playable frame rates even on High settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Red Dead Redemption 2 with this combo?

A: The data shows that at 2560x1440 with High settings, the combo achieves 87.7 FPS, which is a good balance of visual quality and performance. At 3840x2160, the frame rate drops to 60.5 FPS on High, which is still playable but closer to the lower limit of smoothness.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between the Low and Ultra presets?

A: At 1920x1080, the difference is substantial: the Low preset yields 194.4 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields 89.7 FPS, a reduction of 104.7 FPS. This shows the Ultra preset is significantly more demanding on the GPU.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck for the RTX 4080 SUPER in this game?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score of 19221 is comparable to its rivals, and at 1080p Low settings the combo reaches 194.4 FPS, indicating the CPU can keep up with the GPU's output. However, at 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 46.1 FPS, which is primarily a GPU limitation.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A: Yes, at 3840x2160 with High settings, the combo averages 60.5 FPS, which is the standard target for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset is more demanding, averaging 46.1 FPS, which may be less desirable for some users.

Q: What is the performance gap between the Medium and High presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset achieves 108.2 FPS, while the High preset achieves 87.7 FPS. This represents a 20.5 FPS difference, showing that High settings have a meaningful impact on performance.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 SUPER compare to its nearest rival in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 53610, which is 0.2% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT, which scores 53489. In practice, this difference is negligible, but the 4080 SUPER edges ahead.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ranks 113th out of 1687 tested combos for Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the top 7% of all configurations tested, indicating that it is a high-performing setup for this title. The rank is impressive given that the CPU is a mid-range part, but the GPU's immense power compensates, driving the overall combo performance. The data suggests that this pairing is well-balanced for the game, as the CPU does not hold back the GPU at most settings. At 1080p, the combo excels, with the Low preset hitting 194.4 FPS, which is near the top of what any display can handle. At 1440p, the frame rates remain high, with the High preset at 87.7 FPS, making it an excellent choice for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 4K, the combo still delivers playable frame rates, but the Ultra preset drops to 46.1 FPS, which is a notable dip from the High preset's 60.5 FPS. This rank of 113 out of 1687 shows that while there are more powerful combos available, this specific pairing offers strong performance across all resolutions, with the GPU being the primary driver of its high standing.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1920x1080, the High preset at 120.1 FPS offers an excellent balance of visual fidelity and speed, while the Ultra preset at 89.7 FPS is still very smooth and provides the best image quality. For 2560x1440, the High preset at 87.7 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides a high level of detail while maintaining a frame rate that is suitable for most monitors. The Medium preset at 108.2 FPS is also viable for those who prefer higher frame rates over visual quality. For 3840x2160, the High preset at 60.5 FPS is the best experience, as it achieves the 60 FPS target that is considered the standard for smooth 4K gaming. The Ultra preset at 46.1 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive, and the Medium preset at 71.9 FPS offers a good alternative if the user wants a bit more headroom. The data indicates that the High preset is the sweet spot for this combo across all resolutions, providing a consistent balance between performance and visual quality. The Low preset is not recommended for this powerful GPU, as it leaves significant performance on the table, with frame rates exceeding 144 FPS at 1440p and approaching 200 FPS at 1080p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combo in Red Dead Redemption 2 is as follows. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 194.4 FPS, the Medium preset achieves 144.9 FPS, the High preset achieves 120.1 FPS, and the Ultra preset achieves 89.7 FPS. This shows a clear trend: as settings increase, frame rates decrease, with a 104.7 FPS difference between Low and Ultra. At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 144.9 FPS, the Medium preset averages 108.2 FPS, the High preset averages 87.7 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 63.7 FPS. The 1440p resolution shows a similar pattern, with a 81.2 FPS difference between the lowest and highest settings. At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 96.3 FPS, the Medium preset averages 71.9 FPS, the High preset averages 60.5 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 46.1 FPS. The 4K resolution demonstrates the most significant performance impact from settings, with a 50.2 FPS difference between Low and Ultra. Notably, the 1440p Low preset and 1080p Medium preset both achieve the same average of 144.9 FPS, indicating that the GPU is capable of maintaining high frame rates across different resolution and settings combinations. The data shows that the GPU is most challenged at 4K with Ultra settings, where it drops below the 60 FPS threshold, while at 1080p and 1440p, even the Ultra preset remains above 60 FPS.