Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination produces a clear pattern in Red Dead Redemption 2: performance scales predictably with resolution, but the rate of decline reveals where the bottleneck shifts. At 1920x1080, the system delivers an average of 110 FPS on Low settings, which drops to 69 FPS on High and 49 FPS on Ultra. Moving to 2560x1440, those figures fall to 82 FPS (Low), 51 FPS (High), and 37 FPS (Ultra). At 3840x2160, the averages are 54 FPS (Low), 41 FPS (Medium), 34 FPS (High), and 24 FPS (Ultra).

The scaling from 1080p Low to 1440p Low represents a 25% reduction in average FPS, while the jump from 1440p Low to 4K Low costs another 34%. This steepening decline as resolution increases is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. The RTX 4060, with its 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus, is being pushed harder at higher pixel counts, and the frame rate erosion reflects that stress. At 1080p, the CPU has more headroom to feed frames, but by 4K, the GPU’s workload dominates, and the average FPS at High settings (34) sits barely above the 30 FPS threshold for playable performance.

The data shows a noteworthy gap between Low and Medium at 4K: 54 FPS versus 41 FPS, a 24% drop. This suggests that even modest settings increases at this resolution have an outsized impact on the GPU. Conversely, the difference between High and Ultra at 4K is only 10 FPS (34 vs 24), indicating diminishing returns at the top end. The limiting component at 4K is unambiguously the GPU; the CPU’s role becomes less relevant as pixel count rises, and the measured numbers confirm this by showing a consistent, resolution-driven decline across all settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. It lacks hyper-threading, so its 10 threads match its 10 cores. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 25,891 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,655 in single-core, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (delta -0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (delta -0.4%), showing it is tightly clustered with these parts.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the CPU’s contribution is most visible at the lowest resolution and settings. At 1920x1080 Low, the combination achieves 110 FPS, which is the highest measured average in the entire dataset. This suggests that at this setting, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU without becoming a limiting factor. However, at 1080p Ultra, the average drops to 49 FPS, which is a 55% reduction from Low. This is not a CPU limitation; rather, the GPU is struggling with the increased graphical load. The CPU’s 20 MB of shared L3 cache and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth are sufficient for this game’s open-world streaming, and the benchmark results indicate no CPU-specific bottleneck at any resolution.

The single-core performance of 3,655 in Cinebench R23 is strong for a modern desktop chip, and Red Dead Redemption 2 benefits from such single-threaded responsiveness in its game logic and draw-call processing. Yet, the measured FPS at 1440p High (51) versus 1080p High (69) shows a 26% drop, which is more than the CPU’s workload would account for. The data points to the GPU as the primary constraint beyond 1080p. The CPU’s 65 W TDP and 3 nm process node make it an efficient part, but efficiency does not translate into higher FPS when the GPU is saturated. In short, the Core Ultra 5 225 provides a solid foundation, but it is not the component that sets the performance ceiling in this title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with 3,072 shading units, 96 texture mapping units, and 48 raster operation units. Its base clock is 1830 MHz with a boost clock of 2460 MHz, and it features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth. In synthetic tests, it scores 19,545 in Passmark G3D and 2,302 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (delta -0.2%), AMD Radeon 780M (delta 0.3%), and AMD Radeon Pro 560 (delta 0.5%), which are markedly older or integrated parts.

The RTX 4060’s role in Red Dead Redemption 2 is decisive. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p at most settings, but at 4K Ultra, the combination drops to 24 FPS, which is unplayable. The 128-bit memory bus and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth are modest for 4K workloads, and the benchmark results reflect this. At 4K Medium, the average is 41 FPS with a minimum of 35 FPS, indicating that even mid-range settings push the GPU to its limits. The card’s 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is respectable, but it is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K in this demanding title.

The data shows a consistent pattern: the RTX 4060 delivers playable performance at 1080p and 1440p, with High settings yielding 69 FPS and 51 FPS respectively. At 4K, only Low settings (54 FPS) approach a smooth experience, while Medium and High fall below the 60 FPS threshold. The GPU’s 115 W TDP and 300 W suggested PSU indicate it is a power-efficient card, but efficiency does not compensate for the memory bandwidth limitations at high resolutions. The 24 RT cores and 96 tensor cores are present, but their impact on frame rate in this rasterized title is minimal. Overall, the RTX 4060 is the dominant factor in this combination’s performance, and its capabilities define the playable envelope.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 1,544 out of 2,902 tested combos in Red Dead Redemption 2. This places it in the 53rd percentile of all tested systems, meaning it outperforms slightly more than half of the database’s combinations. This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the individual component percentiles: the CPU sits in the 85th percentile, while the GPU is in the 61st percentile. The GPU’s lower relative standing drags the combo down, as the CPU has more headroom than the graphics card can exploit.

When compared to other combos, this system is neither a top-tier performer nor a weakling. The rank of 1,544 suggests that many combinations with higher-end GPUs or more balanced pairings will outperform it, particularly at higher resolutions. The data shows that the combo’s strength lies in 1080p gaming, where it achieves 110 FPS on Low settings, but its weakness emerges at 4K, where it falls to 24 FPS on Ultra. This is a classic mid-range pairing: capable but not exceptional.

The rank also reflects the GPU’s end-of-life production status, as noted in the fact pack. The RTX 4060 was released in May 2023 and has since been succeeded, which may explain why it does not rank higher. However, within the context of this database, the combo’s 1,544th position out of 2,902 is a reasonable outcome for a 10-core CPU and 8 GB GPU pairing. It is not a combination that will win any awards for 4K performance, but it holds its own in the mainstream segment.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of this combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 110 (Low) to 49 (Ultra). The Medium preset delivers 82 FPS with a minimum of 70 FPS and a maximum of 95 FPS, showing a stable frame delivery. High settings produce 69 FPS, which is a 16% drop from Medium, indicating that the High preset is a reasonable middle ground.

At 2560x1440, the averages are 82 FPS (Low), 61 FPS (Medium), 51 FPS (High), and 37 FPS (Ultra). The Medium preset shows a minimum of 52 FPS and a maximum of 71 FPS, which is a 19 FPS variance. This suggests some frame pacing instability at this resolution, but the average remains playable. The jump from Medium to High costs 10 FPS, while the jump from High to Ultra costs 14 FPS, showing that Ultra is a significant step down.

At 3840x2160, the averages are 54 FPS (Low), 41 FPS (Medium), 34 FPS (High), and 24 FPS (Ultra). The Medium preset has a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS, which is a 12 FPS variance. This is the only 4K row with min/max data, and it indicates that the GPU is struggling to maintain a consistent frame rate. The Low settings at 4K (54 FPS) is the only playable option, while High and Ultra are below the 30 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

Across all resolutions, the pattern is clear: Low settings provide the highest FPS, while Ultra provides the lowest. The delta between Low and Ultra is 61 FPS at 1080p, 45 FPS at 1440p, and 30 FPS at 4K. This narrowing delta at higher resolutions confirms that the GPU becomes more constrained as pixel count increases, limiting the impact of settings changes.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the best experience for this combo depends on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the High preset (69 FPS) offers a good balance of visual quality and smoothness, while Medium (82 FPS) is preferable if a higher frame rate is desired. Ultra (49 FPS) is playable but sacrifices 20 FPS compared to High, making it less ideal for fast-paced action. Low (110 FPS) is unnecessary unless aiming for the highest possible refresh rate.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset (61 FPS) is the recommended choice, as it delivers a smooth experience with a minimum of 52 FPS. High (51 FPS) is acceptable but sits close to the 50 FPS mark, which may be noticeable in demanding scenes. Ultra (37 FPS) is not recommended, as it falls below the 40 FPS threshold for comfortable play. Low (82 FPS) is viable for competitive play but sacrifices visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, only the Low preset (54 FPS) provides a playable experience, and even it is borderline. Medium (41 FPS) and High (34 FPS) are below the 60 FPS target, and Ultra (24 FPS) is unplayable. For 4K gaming, the data suggests that this combo is not suitable for anything beyond Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is not ideal. The minimum FPS for 4K Medium is 35, which indicates occasional stutters.

The overarching recommendation is to stick to 1080p or 1440p with High or Medium settings for the best balance. At 1080p, High delivers 69 FPS, which is smooth for most players. At 1440p, Medium delivers 61 FPS, which is also smooth. The Ultra preset at any resolution is a poor trade-off, as it provides marginal visual improvements for a significant FPS loss. For players prioritizing frame rate, Low settings at 1440p (82 FPS) or 1080p (110 FPS) are the optimal choices.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 110, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

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

A: At 3840x2160, the combo only reaches 54 FPS on Low settings, which is the only playable option. Medium (41 FPS), High (34 FPS), and Ultra (24 FPS) are below the 60 FPS target.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested systems in this game?

A: The combo ranks 1,544 out of 2,902 tested combinations, placing it in the 53rd percentile.

Q: What is the recommended settings preset for 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset provides 61 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS, making it the recommended choice for a smooth experience.

Q: Which component is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions?

A: The data shows that the GPU becomes the limiting factor at 4K, as FPS drops sharply (e.g., 34 FPS at High) while the CPU has more headroom.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1920x1080?

A: At 1920x1080, Low delivers 110 FPS and Ultra delivers 49 FPS, resulting in a 61 FPS difference between the two presets.