Red Dead Redemption 2

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination delivers a playable, though not spectacular, experience in Red Dead Redemption 2. The data shows a system that is firmly balanced between CPU and GPU capabilities, with performance scaling predictably as resolution and settings increase. The Core Ultra 5 235, with its 14 cores and 14 threads, provides a solid foundation, while the RTX 4060’s 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 272.0 GB/s bandwidth become the primary constraint at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured frame rates, compares the combo against other tested systems, and offers practical settings guidance based solely on the provided data.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and expected trend: performance degrades significantly as resolution climbs from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 69 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same High preset drops the average to 51 FPS, a reduction of 18 FPS. At 3840x2160, the average falls further to 34 FPS. This pattern indicates that the RTX 4060 is the limiting component at higher resolutions, as the pixel count increases demand on the GPU’s rendering capabilities.

The scaling between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution further illustrates this GPU-bound behavior. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 110 at Low to 49 at Ultra, showing a 61 FPS spread. At 2560x1440, the spread narrows to 45 FPS, from 82 at Low to 37 at Ultra. At 3840x2160, the spread is 30 FPS, from 54 at Low to 24 at Ultra. This narrowing spread at higher resolutions suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data, but the GPU’s processing power becomes the bottleneck, preventing it from fully utilizing the CPU’s potential.

The data indicates that at 1080p, the system is well-balanced, with the CPU able to push the GPU to its limits. However, as resolution increases, the GPU’s 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus become more significant constraints. The 24 FPS average at 4K Ultra is below playable thresholds, while the 34 FPS at 4K High is borderline. For a smooth experience, users should consider 1440p as the practical ceiling for this combo, where the 51 FPS average at High settings is more acceptable, though still not ideal for high-refresh-rate displays.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a playable frame rate?

A: Based on the measured data, 2560x1440 with Medium settings provides an average of 61 FPS, which is the most balanced option. At 1920x1080, High settings yield 69 FPS, but the visual fidelity is lower. 3840x2160 is only playable at Low settings, where the average is 54 FPS.

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 235 compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The CPU’s average benchmark score is 46062, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-13900HX with a score of 46098, a delta of -0.1%. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 46030, a 0.1% delta. These differences are negligible, indicating the Core Ultra 5 235 performs on par with these competitors.

Q: Is the RTX 4060 a bottleneck for this CPU in Red Dead Redemption 2?

A: The data suggests the GPU becomes the bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the FPS spread between Low and Ultra is 61 FPS, showing the GPU is being utilized heavily. At 4K, the spread narrows to 30 FPS, indicating the GPU is struggling to keep up. The CPU’s strong single-thread score of 2085 in Cinebench R23 suggests it is not the limiting factor at these resolutions.

Q: What is the performance delta between the RTX 4060 and its closest GPU rivals?

A: The RTX 4060 has an average benchmark score of 17639, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon HD 7790 with a score of 17666, a delta of -0.2%. The AMD Radeon 780M scores 17588, a 0.3% delta. These differences are minor, indicating the RTX 4060 is slightly above or below its closest competitors depending on the specific workload.

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

A: Yes, but only at Low settings, where the average is 54 FPS. At Medium settings, the average drops to 41 FPS, and at High it falls to 34 FPS. Ultra settings are not recommended, as the average is only 24 FPS. For a consistent experience, 1440p is a more suitable resolution.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 1544 out of 2902 tested combinations. This places it in the middle of the pack, indicating it is neither a top-tier nor a bottom-tier performer. The rank reflects the balanced nature of the CPU and GPU, which is capable of handling most games at 1080p and 1440p but struggles at 4K.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 plays a critical role in determining the overall performance in Red Dead Redemption 2. The GPU’s 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus width provide a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s, which is a limiting factor at higher resolutions. The data shows that at 3840x2160, the average FPS drops significantly compared to 1920x1080, indicating that the GPU’s memory bandwidth and capacity are being taxed.

The GPU’s boost clock of 2460 MHz and base clock of 1830 MHz are respectable for its class, but the 15.11 TFLOPS FP32 performance is modest compared to higher-tier cards. This is reflected in the measured FPS at 4K, where even Low settings only achieve 54 FPS. The GPU’s 3072 shading units and 48 ROPs are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but they struggle to maintain high frame rates at 4K with demanding settings.

The RTX 4060’s performance in synthetic benchmarks, with a Passmark G3D score of 19545, places it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Radeon HD 7790 and Radeon 780M, have scores within 0.5% of the RTX 4060, confirming that it is a mid-range GPU. The data indicates that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as the CPU’s performance is sufficient to feed it with data. For users aiming for higher resolutions, the 8 GB VRAM will be a hard limit, especially with Ultra textures and high draw distances.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 1544 out of 2902 tested combinations in Red Dead Redemption 2. This rank places the combo in the 53rd percentile, meaning it outperforms slightly more than half of all tested systems. The rank is a reflection of the balanced nature of the components, where neither the CPU nor the GPU is a standout performer, but together they provide a competent gaming experience.

The CPU’s average benchmark score of 46062 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a strong performer. However, the GPU’s average score of 17639 places it in the 61st percentile, which is lower. This discrepancy suggests that the GPU is the weaker link in this combo, and upgrading it would likely yield a more significant performance improvement in this game. The rank of 1544 reflects this imbalance, as systems with higher-ranked GPUs would likely achieve better frame rates.

Compared to other combos, this one is not at the top of the charts, but it is far from the bottom. The rank suggests that it is a viable choice for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates. At 4K, the combo’s performance is less competitive, with only Low settings providing a playable experience. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for gamers who prioritize resolution over ultra-high settings, or those who are willing to tweak settings to achieve a balance between visual fidelity and performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how the combo performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 110 at Low settings to 49 at Ultra. The Medium settings provide an average of 82 FPS, with a minimum of 70 and a maximum of 95. High settings yield an average of 69 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1080p is well within the combo’s comfort zone, with even Ultra settings providing a playable frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. Low settings provide an average of 82 FPS, while Medium settings average 61 FPS, with a minimum of 52 and a maximum of 71. High settings average 51 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 37 FPS. The data shows that 1440p is still playable, but users will need to compromise on settings to maintain a smooth experience. Medium or High settings are recommended for this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Low settings provide an average of 54 FPS, while Medium settings drop to 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 47. High settings average 34 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to 24 FPS. The data clearly shows that 4K is only viable at Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is borderline. For a consistent 60 FPS experience, users should stick to 1080p or 1440p.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo is achieved at 2560x1440 with Medium settings. This configuration provides an average of 61 FPS, which is smooth and playable, while still offering a decent level of visual fidelity. The minimum FPS of 52 ensures that there are no significant drops that would disrupt gameplay. This is the recommended balance between performance and quality.

For users who prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate, 1920x1080 with Ultra settings provides an average of 49 FPS. While this is below the 60 FPS threshold, it is still playable and offers the best visual experience at this resolution. Alternatively, 1920x1080 with High settings provides an average of 69 FPS, which is a good compromise for those who want a smoother experience without sacrificing too much quality.

At 3840x2160, users are limited to Low settings, which provide an average of 54 FPS. This is the only way to achieve a playable frame rate at 4K, but the visual quality will be significantly reduced. For most users, 1440p with Medium settings is the sweet spot, as it offers a good balance of performance and visuals. The data suggests that this combo is not ideal for 4K gaming, and users should consider lowering their resolution or upgrading their GPU if 4K is a priority.