Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER delivers a playable, though not flawless, experience in Red Dead Redemption 2, landing at rank 1031 out of 1687 tested combos for this specific title. This placement puts it in the lower-middle tier of the database, meaning that while the hardware is competent, it is far from the top of the leaderboard for this demanding game. The data indicates that this is a combination built for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can hit solid frame rates, but it struggles to maintain a smooth experience at 4K, particularly on higher presets. The bottleneck shifts from the CPU to the GPU as resolution increases, making the graphics card the primary limiting factor for the most demanding settings.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations for Red Dead Redemption 2, this pairing sits at rank 1031 out of 1687, placing it in the bottom 39% of all systems. This is a clear signal that while the components are individually capable, their combined performance is not exceptional for this specific workload. The ranking suggests that a significant portion of other tested combos, likely featuring more powerful GPUs, deliver higher average frame rates. The i7-12700KF is a high-performing CPU, but the RTX 2070 SUPER holds this combo back from climbing higher in the rankings. The data positions this as a mid-range performer, adequate for standard gaming sessions but not a top-tier choice for enthusiasts seeking maximum fidelity and frame rates in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the defining component in this pairing for Red Dead Redemption 2. It is built on the Turing architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The card operates at a base clock of 1605 MHz and a boost clock of 1770 MHz, with a peak FP32 performance of 9.062 TFLOPS. While the 8 GB of VRAM is generally sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, the data suggests it becomes a limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings. Benchmark results show the GPU sits in the 65th percentile compared to all other GPUs, and it is nearly identical in performance to the NVIDIA RTX A400, being only 0.5% behind it. The RTX 2070 SUPER is the workhorse here, and its performance directly dictates the frame rates seen in the measured FPS data.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which confirms that the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher pixel counts. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 103.5 FPS, but this drops to 75.9 FPS at 1440p and further to 51 FPS at 4K. This scaling is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial, with the average FPS nearly halving on Low settings. However, on Ultra settings, the impact is even more dramatic, with the frame rate falling from a playable 47.5 FPS at 1080p to a barely functional 21.4 FPS at 4K. This steep decline indicates that while the CPU is more than capable, the RTX 2070 SUPER's compute and memory resources are overwhelmed by the sheer pixel count of 4K resolution, especially when visual effects are maxed out.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark data provides a detailed look at performance across three resolutions and four quality presets.

At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. With Low settings, it achieves an average of 103.5 FPS, offering a very smooth experience. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 79.8 FPS, which is still excellent for a high-refresh-rate monitor. On the High preset, the average frame rate is 65.9 FPS, providing a solid and stable experience for most players. The most demanding Ultra preset brings the average down to 47.5 FPS, which is playable but starts to show the GPU's limits.

At 2560x1440, the performance takes a noticeable hit. The Low preset yields an average of 75.9 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium settings produce an average of 57 FPS, a good result for this resolution. The High preset averages 46.6 FPS, which is on the border of smoothness for fast-paced action. The Ultra preset falls to an average of 35.3 FPS, which is where the experience becomes more demanding and less fluid.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the RTX 2070 SUPER clearly struggles. The Low preset is the only one that approaches smoothness, with an average of 51 FPS. Medium settings drop the average to 39 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. The High preset averages just 29.4 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to a stuttery 21.4 FPS, making it nearly unplayable for most users.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the High preset at 1920x1080 is the strongest recommendation from the measured data. It delivers an average of 65.9 FPS, which is smooth and responsive while still looking significantly better than the Medium or Low presets. This provides a great experience for the majority of players.

For those with a 1440p monitor, the Medium preset is the optimal choice, yielding an average of 57 FPS. This is a solid frame rate that offers a good compromise between visuals and smoothness. The High preset at this resolution is borderline, with its 46.6 FPS average being acceptable for slower-paced exploration but potentially too choppy for intense firefights.

At 4K, the data suggests that only the Low preset is viable, with an average of 51 FPS. Even then, the experience may not be perfectly smooth. Any higher preset will result in an average below 40 FPS, which is generally considered too low for a satisfying gaming experience. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it only achieves a playable average frame rate at 1080p and quickly becomes a slideshow at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Red Dead Redemption 2 at 4K?

A: Technically, yes, but the data shows it is not a good experience. At 4K with High settings, the average FPS is 29.4, and on Ultra it drops to 21.4. Only the Low preset, with an average of 51 FPS, approaches a playable level.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for a smooth experience?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 with High settings, which averages 65.9 FPS, is the best combination for a smooth and visually appealing experience. At 1440p, the Medium preset at 57 FPS is the most balanced.

Q: How does this CPU and GPU combo rank against other systems for this game?

A: It ranks 1031 out of 1687 tested combos for Red Dead Redemption 2, placing it in the lower-middle percentile of all tested systems.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: The benchmark results clearly indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, with the average FPS falling from 47.5 at 1080p Ultra to 21.4 at 4K Ultra, indicating the graphics card is overwhelmed.

Q: What performance can I expect at 1440p with High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average frame rate is 46.6 FPS. This is a playable experience, though it may not be ideal for fast-paced competitive play.

Q: How does the RTX 2070 SUPER compare to its closest rivals in this data?

A: The GPU sits at the 65th percentile of all GPUs. It is essentially on par with the NVIDIA RTX A400, being only 0.5% slower, and slightly slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile, which is 2.3% faster according to the average benchmark scores.