Red Dead Redemption 2

# Red Dead Redemption 2 with Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 produces a predictable scaling pattern in Red Dead Redemption 2, with the measured FPS data showing a clear progression from 1080p through 1440p to 4K. Across the four settings presets available in the data (Low, Medium, High, Ultra), the combo delivers playable frame rates at lower resolutions while struggling to maintain smooth performance at 4K, particularly at higher quality settings. The data also places this combination at rank 1760 out of 2902 tested combos for this game, indicating a mid-tier position in the overall performance hierarchy.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS values show how Red Dead Redemption 2 responds to resolution changes when driven by this specific CPU-GPU pairing. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 98 FPS average, which drops to 73 FPS at Medium, 61 FPS at High, and 44 FPS at Ultra. Moving to 2560x1440, the averages fall to 73 FPS (Low), 55 FPS (Medium), 46 FPS (High), and 33 FPS (Ultra). At 3840x2160, the pattern continues downward: 48 FPS (Low), 36 FPS (Medium), 30 FPS (High), and 22 FPS (Ultra).

The scaling behavior reveals a consistent pattern: each resolution step up from 1080p to 1440p costs roughly 25-30% of the frame rate, while the step from 1440p to 4K costs another 30-35%. For instance, Low settings produce 98 FPS at 1080p, 73 FPS at 1440p, and 48 FPS at 4K — a reduction of 25 FPS for each resolution increase. This linear degradation suggests the GPU is the limiting factor throughout, as the frame rate drops proportionally with pixel count rather than hitting a CPU bottleneck at any point.

The data indicates that the RTX 5050's 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus with 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p rendering, but the 4K results show the GPU running out of headroom. At 4K Ultra specifically, the 22 FPS average is barely above a slideshow, and even 4K Low at 48 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold many users consider the baseline for smooth play. The scaling curve flattens as settings increase — the difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 54 FPS (from 98 to 44), while at 4K that same settings gap is only 26 FPS (from 48 to 22), further confirming that resolution, not settings, is the primary stressor at higher pixel counts.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F brings 6 cores and 12 threads to this pairing, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its 18 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB L2 per core provide the data throughput needed for a game like Red Dead Redemption 2, which is known for its sprawling open world. The CPU's benchmark scores show a solid mid-range performer: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12380 and single-core score of 1680, with Geekbench results of 9472 multi-core and 1964 single-core. These numbers place the i5-12400F at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19039.

The nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark data are closely matched: the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS scores 19047 (0% delta), the Intel Core 3 201E scores 19056 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i5-1335U scores 18982 (+0.3%), and the AMD EPYC 7773X scores 18979 (+0.3%). This tight clustering suggests that the i5-12400F's performance is very much in line with contemporary mid-range options, and any differences in game FPS are more likely attributable to the GPU than the CPU.

In Red Dead Redemption 2 specifically, the CPU's role appears secondary to the GPU at the settings tested. The frame rate drops from 1080p to 4K are consistent with GPU-bound scaling, and the CPU's 3DMark scores — 909 single-thread and 5912 max-threads — indicate it has ample headroom for this title. The 12 threads handle the game's background tasks (AI, physics, streaming) without apparent issues, since even at 1080p Low with 98 FPS, there is no evidence of a CPU ceiling being hit. The 10 nm Alder Lake architecture with a 65 W TDP means the chip runs efficiently while maintaining competitive single-thread performance, which matters for a game that still relies on strong per-core performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 ranks 1760 out of 2902 tested combos for Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the 39th percentile of all tested configurations, meaning roughly 60% of combos perform better in this game. The rank reflects the mid-tier nature of both components: the CPU sits at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU ranks at the 66th percentile among all GPUs, yet their combined performance in this specific title lands lower than those individual percentiles might suggest.

The GPU's nearest rivals in benchmark scores include the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21153, -0.6% delta), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (21237, -1%), AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20713, +1.6%), and NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (21379, -1.6%). These deltas are all within 2% of the RTX 5050's average benchmark score of 21035, indicating that the GPU's raw compute performance is comparable to several previous-generation mobile and desktop parts. However, the RTX 5050's 8 GB VRAM and modern Blackwell 2.0 architecture with 2560 shading units provide features like ray tracing and DLSS that these older rivals lack, though those features are not reflected in the measured FPS data for this game.

The combo's rank of 1760 suggests that while the individual components are respectable, they do not combine into a top-tier experience for Red Dead Redemption 2. The game's demanding nature at 4K and the GPU's 8 GB memory capacity likely contribute to the mid-pack ranking. For context, the combo outperforms configurations with weaker GPUs but falls behind those with higher-end graphics cards or more VRAM, which is consistent with the resolution scaling data showing the GPU as the primary bottleneck.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers playable performance across all settings. Low settings produce an average of 98 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay. Medium settings yield 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS and maximum of 84 FPS, indicating stable frame times. High settings average 61 FPS, just barely clearing the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings drop to 44 FPS average, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action sequences.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance becomes more constrained. Low settings average 73 FPS, still comfortably above 60 FPS. Medium settings average 55 FPS with a range of 46 to 63 FPS, meaning the experience will dip below 60 FPS during demanding scenes. High settings drop to 46 FPS, and Ultra falls to 33 FPS. At this resolution, only Low settings maintain a consistent 60+ FPS experience, with Medium being borderline.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playability. Low settings average 48 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target but still acceptable for a slower-paced game like Red Dead Redemption 2. Medium settings average 36 FPS with a minimum of 31 FPS and maximum of 41 FPS, creating noticeable stutter in busy areas. High settings average 30 FPS, and Ultra drops to 22 FPS, which is effectively unplayable for most users. The 4K results clearly show the GPU hitting its limits, with the 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth insufficient for the high-resolution textures and effects this game demands at higher settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with the GB207 chip, manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, 32 ROPs, 20 ray tracing cores, and 80 tensor cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2317 MHz with a boost clock of 2572 MHz, and its memory runs at 2500 MHz (20 Gbps effective) across a 128-bit bus, delivering 320.0 GB/s bandwidth. The 8 GB GDDR6 memory is the most significant constraint for Red Dead Redemption 2 at high resolutions.

The GPU's benchmark scores show a mixed profile: a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502, Geekbench OpenCL of 90334, and Vulkan of 89381. Its Passmark G3D score of 17326 and GPU compute score of 9184 indicate solid compute performance, but the 8 GB VRAM becomes a limiting factor in a game like Red Dead Redemption 2, which is known for large textures and detailed environments. The GPU's pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s and texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s are adequate for 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K the fill rate requirements exceed what this GPU can deliver, explaining the significant FPS drop.

The RTX 5050's TDP of 130 W and dual-slot design with a single 8-pin power connector make it a power-efficient card, but the PCIe 5.0 x8 interface and 16,900 million transistors on a 149 mm² die indicate a mid-range part. The GPU's performance in this game aligns with its 66th percentile ranking among all GPUs, meaning it sits comfortably in the middle of the performance spectrum. The nearest rival comparison shows the RTX 5050 within 1.6% of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which is a notable reference point for understanding its relative capability.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, High settings at 61 FPS average provide the best balance of visual quality and performance, as it stays just above the 60 FPS threshold while offering improved visuals over Medium's 73 FPS. For users who prioritize smoothness, Medium at 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS is the safest choice, ensuring no drops below 60 FPS. Ultra at 44 FPS is not recommended for action sequences, though it may be acceptable for exploration.

At 2560x1440, Low settings at 73 FPS are the only option that consistently exceeds 60 FPS. Medium settings at 55 FPS with a 46 FPS minimum will cause noticeable frame drops in dense scenes, making Low the recommended preset for a consistent experience. High and Ultra at 46 FPS and 33 FPS respectively are too demanding for the GPU to maintain smooth gameplay. Users with variable refresh rate monitors may find Medium acceptable, but the data suggests Low is the safer choice.

At 3840x2160, none of the settings achieve 60 FPS. Low settings at 48 FPS are the most playable option, providing a relatively stable experience for a game like Red Dead Redemption 2 where precise timing is less critical. Medium at 36 FPS (31-41 FPS range) is borderline, and High at 30 FPS or Ultra at 22 FPS are not recommended. Given the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and bandwidth constraints, 4K should be avoided for this title unless the user accepts Low settings. The best overall experience for this combo is 1080p with High settings, or 1440p with Low settings, depending on the user's preference for resolution versus visual fidelity.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this CPU-GPU pairing?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo averages 61 FPS, which meets the 60 FPS standard. For a more comfortable margin, 1080p Medium delivers 73 FPS with a 62 FPS minimum. At 1440p, only Low settings (73 FPS) consistently exceed 60 FPS.

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

A: The data shows 4K performance is limited: Low settings average 48 FPS, Medium 36 FPS, High 30 FPS, and Ultra 22 FPS. None of these achieve 60 FPS, so 4K is only viable at Low settings for users tolerant of lower frame rates.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The RTX 5050's average benchmark score is 21035, with rivals within 1.6%: the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT scores 20713 (+1.6% for the RTX 5050), while the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL scores 21153 (-0.6% for the RTX 5050).

Q: Is the Core i5-12400F a bottleneck for the RTX 5050 in this game?

A: The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K shows consistent GPU-bound behavior, with no evidence of a CPU bottleneck. The CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads, with a 4.40 GHz boost clock, provide sufficient headroom for this title.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking for this game?

A: The combo ranks 1760 out of 2902 tested configurations for Red Dead Redemption 2, placing it in the mid-range of tested combos.

Q: What settings should be avoided with this hardware?

A: At 4K, Ultra settings (22 FPS) and High settings (30 FPS) should be avoided. At 1440p, Ultra (33 FPS) and High (46 FPS) are also below the 60 FPS threshold. At 1080p, Ultra at 44 FPS is the only setting that dips below 60 FPS.