Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a six-core, six-thread desktop processor from the Coffee Lake architecture, running at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. With a 65 W TDP and support for DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus, this CPU sits in the mid-range of the database’s tested processors, holding a 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its benchmark results, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6,629 and a single-core score of 935, place it in close competition with chips like the Intel Core i7-10710U, which scores 2,248 versus the i5-9400’s average of 2,254, a mere 0.3% difference. For Red Dead Redemption 2, these specifications translate into a capable foundation for the game’s open-world simulation, though the six threads may limit performance in scenes with heavy physics or AI workloads.

The CPU’s role in this specific benchmark pairing is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic data. The data shows that at lower resolutions, where the graphics card is less stressed, the CPU becomes a more significant factor in determining frame rates. However, the measured results for this combo reveal that the i5-9400’s performance is sufficient to keep up with the RTX 3080 in most scenarios, as the frame rate drops are more pronounced when increasing graphical settings rather than when moving between resolutions. The processor’s 9 MB of shared L3 cache and 64 KB per-core L1 cache provide reasonable data locality for the game’s assets, but the lack of hyper-threading means that the six cores must handle all background tasks alongside the game, which could introduce occasional stutters in crowded towns or during intense firefights, though the measured average FPS does not indicate a hard bottleneck.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the dominant component in this pairing, featuring the GA102 chip on an 8 nm process with 28,300 million transistors. Its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus delivers a bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s, which is more than sufficient for Red Dead Redemption 2’s detailed textures at 4K resolution. The GPU’s boost clock of 1710 MHz, combined with 8,704 shading units and 96 ROPs, gives it a 68th percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23,172. This places it in the same performance tier as the AMD Radeon RX 6600M (delta of -0.4%), though the RTX 3080’s desktop-oriented design and higher memory bandwidth suggest it should excel in sustained gaming workloads.

In this game, the RTX 3080’s role is to render the vast landscapes, dynamic lighting, and detailed character models that Red Dead Redemption 2 is known for. The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the primary driver of performance at higher settings, as the frame rate drops significantly when moving from Low to Ultra presets. For instance, at 4K, the average FPS falls from 72 on Low to 32 on Ultra, a clear sign that the GPU’s rasterization and memory bandwidth are being taxed by the game’s visual fidelity. The 10 GB VRAM capacity is adequate for the game’s high-resolution textures, and the data does not show any signs of memory-related frame drops, as the minimum FPS values stay relatively close to the averages. The RTX 3080’s 465.1 GTexel/s texture rate and 164.2 GPixel/s pixel rate are well-matched to the game’s requirements, though the Ultra preset at 4K pushes the GPU to its limits, resulting in a playable but not smooth 32 FPS average.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across the three tested resolutions. At 1080p, the combo achieves 144 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 91 FPS on High and 65 FPS on Ultra. Moving to 1440p, the same settings yield 108, 68, and 49 FPS respectively. At 4K, the numbers fall further to 72, 45, and 32 FPS for Low, High, and Ultra. This progression shows that the frame rate penalty from 1080p to 4K is substantial, with the High preset dropping from 91 to 45 FPS, a 50% reduction. This steep decline indicates that the RTX 3080 is the limiting component at higher resolutions, as the GPU’s workload increases exponentially with pixel count.

The data also suggests that the CPU’s influence diminishes as resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the 144 FPS result is likely near the CPU’s maximum output for this game, given the six-core processor’s single-thread performance. However, at 4K, even the Low preset (72 FPS) is far below the 1080p Low result, confirming that the GPU is now the bottleneck. The Medium preset provides an interesting middle ground, with minimum FPS values recorded at 92 FPS (1080p), 69 FPS (1440p), and 46 FPS (4K), alongside maximums of 125, 93, and 62. This consistency in the spread between minimum and maximum FPS across resolutions suggests that the game’s frame pacing remains stable, and the limiting factor shifts entirely to the GPU’s ability to fill pixels. For players targeting 4K, the data shows that only the Low preset (72 FPS) approaches a smooth 60+ FPS experience, while High and Ultra require acceptance of sub-60 FPS averages.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database’s comprehensive testing of 3,714 processor and graphics card combinations, this pairing of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 holds the 1,097th position for Red Dead Redemption 2. This rank places it in the top 30% of all tested combos, which is a strong result given the CPU’s mid-range standing (47th percentile) and the GPU’s high-end positioning (68th percentile). The ranking suggests that the RTX 3080’s raw power compensates for the i5-9400’s modest multi-core capabilities, as the game’s graphics demands are more taxing than its CPU requirements.

The combo’s rank is particularly notable when considering the CPU’s nearest rivals. The i5-9400’s average score of 2,254 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2,259, delta -0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2,246, delta 0.4%). This indicates that the CPU is not a unique bottleneck, and pairing it with a high-end GPU like the RTX 3080 yields predictable results. The GPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6600M (delta -0.4%), show similar average scores, but the RTX 3080’s higher memory bandwidth and shading unit count provide an advantage in this game’s demanding scenarios. The 1,097th rank out of 3,714 combos means that 2,617 other pairings performed worse, while 1,096 performed better, placing this setup firmly in the upper-middle tier of the database. This is a sensible match for players who prioritize graphical fidelity over maximum frame rates, as the GPU can handle the load while the CPU stays out of the way.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and frame rate preference. At 1080p, the High preset delivers 91 FPS, which is smooth for most displays, while the Medium preset offers 109 FPS with a minimum of 92 FPS, ensuring a consistent experience. The Ultra preset at 65 FPS is still playable, but the 26 FPS drop from High to Ultra suggests diminishing returns for the visual uplift. Therefore, for 1080p, the Medium preset provides the best balance of visual quality and performance, with the High preset being a good choice for those who prefer more detail.

At 1440p, the High preset’s 68 FPS is adequate, but the Medium preset’s 81 FPS (minimum 69 FPS) is a safer bet for maintaining a smooth frame rate during action sequences. The Ultra preset’s 49 FPS is borderline, and the Low preset’s 108 FPS is excessive, leaving extra performance on the table. Thus, Medium is the recommended preset for 1440p, as it keeps the average FPS above 80 while still providing decent visual fidelity. For 4K, the situation is more challenging. The Low preset’s 72 FPS is the only setting that achieves a fluid experience, while the Medium preset (54 FPS) and High preset (45 FPS) require a tolerance for lower frame rates. The Ultra preset’s 32 FPS is not recommended for most players. Given that the RTX 3080 is capable of ray tracing, but the data does not include such settings, the Medium preset at 4K (54 FPS) offers a compromise, though players prioritizing smoothness should stick with Low. Overall, the data indicates that the Medium preset is the most consistent choice across all resolutions, offering a balance that avoids the low FPS of Ultra and the visual compromise of Low.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck for the RTX 3080 in this game?

A: The data shows that the CPU is not a primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 4K, the FPS drops from 72 (Low) to 32 (Ultra), indicating the GPU is the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the 144 FPS result may approach the CPU’s limit, but the six cores and 4.10 GHz boost clock are sufficient for the game’s demands.

Q: What is the best resolution to play this game with this combo?

A: The data suggests 1440p with Medium settings is the sweet spot, yielding an average of 81 FPS with a minimum of 69 FPS. This provides a high frame rate while maintaining good visual quality. At 4K, the Low preset (72 FPS) is the only way to achieve a smooth experience, while at 1080p, the Medium preset (109 FPS) offers the best margin.

Q: How does the RTX 3080’s 10 GB VRAM affect performance at 4K?

A: The measured results do not show signs of VRAM limitations. The frame rates at 4K High (45 FPS) and Ultra (32 FPS) decline consistently with increased settings, and the minimum FPS values on Medium (46 FPS) are close to the average, suggesting the 10 GB capacity is sufficient for the game’s textures.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to all tested combinations?

A: This pairing ranks 1,097th out of 3,714 tested combos for Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the top 30% of all configurations, which is a strong result given the CPU’s mid-range standing and the GPU’s high-end positioning.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset for this game?

A: The Ultra preset yields lower frame rates across all resolutions: 65 FPS at 1080p, 49 FPS at 1440p, and 32 FPS at 4K. While the 1080p result is playable, the 1440p and 4K results are below 60 FPS, making the Medium or High presets better choices for smoother gameplay.

Q: How does the i5-9400 compare to its closest CPU rivals in performance?

A: The i5-9400’s average benchmark score is 2,254, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2,259, -0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2,246, 0.4% delta). This means the CPU’s performance is on par with these chips, and the choice between them would have a negligible impact on this game’s FPS.