Road 96

Road 96 is an adventure title that, on the surface, does not demand the absolute peak of hardware, yet the measured data for this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D reveals performance characteristics that are anything but average. The benchmark results show a system that scales from exceptionally high refresh rates at 1080p to still-very-playable frame rates at 4K, with the data indicating a clear shift in bottleneck behavior as resolution increases. This analysis walks through the CPU and GPU roles, scaling patterns, and ranking to provide a methodical breakdown of what these numbers mean for gameplay.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. It features 24 MB of shared L3 cache and supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. In the context of Road 96, a game that is not typically thread-heavy, the CPU's single-thread performance is the primary driver of frame rates, especially at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the limiting factor.

Benchmark data for the CPU shows a strong single-core showing, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4394. These numbers place the processor in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, indicating that it is capable of feeding frames to the GPU without becoming a significant bottleneck in most scenarios. The multi-threaded scores are also robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32924, but for a game like Road 96, the efficiency of the individual cores is more relevant.

The CPU's nearest rivals, based on average benchmark score, include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 trailing them by a mere 0.4% and 0.5% respectively. It also leads the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H by 0.6% and the Intel Core i5-14600K by 0.8%. This tight grouping suggests that in raw computational power, the Core Ultra 5 245 is on par with its direct competition, which means that any performance differences in the game are likely attributable to the GPU or the game's engine itself.

In the measured FPS data, the CPU's influence is most apparent at 1080p. At the Low preset, the system achieves an average of 428 FPS, which is a staggeringly high number that indicates the CPU is capable of issuing draw calls and processing game logic at a rate that far exceeds standard display refresh rates. As settings increase to Medium and High, the average FPS drops to 313 and 253 respectively, which still indicates a CPU that is not breaking a sweat. It is only when the resolution jumps to 4K that the GPU begins to take over the primary workload, allowing the CPU's headroom to become less of a factor. The data shows a processor that is more than adequate for this title, providing a stable foundation for the GPU to perform at its best.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a monstrous GPU with 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a staggering 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. Its architecture is Blackwell 2.0, built on a 5 nm process, with a boost clock of 2407 MHz. This hardware configuration is designed for extreme throughput, and the Passmark G3D score of 44065 places it in the 92nd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in benchmarking are the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, with the RTX 5090 D outperforming the former by 1.1% and trailing the latter by 1.6%.

In Road 96, the GPU's role becomes the defining factor at higher resolutions. The massive frame rates at 1080p, such as 428 FPS on Low, demonstrate that the GPU is not the limiting component at that resolution. However, as the resolution increases, the pixel fill rate and shading requirements grow, and the GPU's workload becomes more significant. At 4K, the GPU's performance is the sole determinant of the final frame rate, as the CPU's headroom is more than sufficient to keep up.

The 32 GB of VRAM is far beyond what Road 96 requires, as the game's textures and assets are not particularly demanding. This means that there is no risk of running out of memory, and the GPU can operate without the performance penalties associated with memory swapping. The high memory bandwidth also ensures that texture streaming and data transfer are not bottlenecks, allowing the GPU to consistently deliver high frame rates. The data shows that the RTX 5090 D is overkill for this specific title, but it ensures that the frame rate is only limited by the engine's own logic and the resolution, not by any hardware constraint.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system's performance scales with resolution. Looking at the High preset, the average FPS drops from 253 at 1080p to 161 at 1440p, and then to 85 at 4K. This represents a drop of 36.4% from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 47.2% drop from 1440p to 4K. This pattern is typical of a system where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck as resolution increases.

At 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting factor, as the GPU is capable of producing far more frames than the CPU can issue commands for. This is evident in the Low preset, where the average FPS at 1080p is 428, but at 4K it is 144. The difference between these two is a 66.4% drop, which is much larger than the drop seen in the High preset. This is because at Low settings, the GPU's workload is reduced, and the CPU's limitations become more pronounced even at lower resolutions.

The scaling from Medium to Ultra at each resolution also highlights the GPU's role. At 1080p, the Medium preset averages 313 FPS, while Ultra averages 198 FPS, a drop of 36.7%. At 4K, the Medium preset averages 106 FPS, while Ultra averages 67 FPS, a drop of 36.8%. The consistency of this drop across resolutions suggests that the GPU is handling the additional graphical load from higher settings in a predictable manner, and that the CPU is not introducing any unexpected stutters or frame pacing issues. The data clearly shows that the limiting component shifts from the CPU at 1080p to the GPU at 4K, which is a classic sign of a well-balanced system.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D achieves a rank of 1 out of 2903 tested combos for Road 96. This is the top position, indicating that this specific hardware pairing delivers the highest average frame rates in the database for this game. This is a significant achievement, as it places this combo above all other tested configurations, regardless of the CPU or GPU used.

This top ranking is not surprising given the individual components' performance metrics. The CPU is in the 90th percentile, and the GPU is in the 92nd percentile, and when combined, they create a system that is unmatched in this game's benchmark. The rank of 1 out of 2903 means that there is no other tested combination that can match the frame rates achieved here, making it the definitive setup for maximum performance in Road 96.

It is important to note that the ranking is based on the average FPS across all tested settings and resolutions. While the system excels at every resolution, the margin of victory over the second-place combo is not specified in the data. However, the fact that it is ranked first suggests that the performance is not just marginally better, but is a clear step above the rest. For a game like Road 96, which is not typically a benchmark staple, this level of dominance is noteworthy and indicates that the hardware is not the limiting factor in any way.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in Road 96?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 428, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset, the combo achieves an average FPS of 67, with no minimum or maximum values provided.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between 1080p and 4K on High settings?

A: On High settings, the average FPS drops from 253 at 1920x1080 to 85 at 3840x2160, a difference of 168 FPS.

Q: Is there a risk of VRAM limitations with the RTX 5090 D in this game?

A: No, the RTX 5090 D has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory, which is far more than Road 96 requires, so there is no risk of VRAM-related performance issues.

Q: What is the combo's ranking compared to other tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 1st out of 2903 tested combinations, making it the highest-performing setup in the database for Road 96.

Q: Which resolution and settings combination provides the highest frame rate above 200 FPS?

A: Several combinations achieve over 200 FPS, including 1080p Medium (313 FPS), 1080p High (253 FPS), 1440p Low (272 FPS), and 1440p Medium (200 FPS).

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data is presented in a grid format, covering three resolutions and four settings presets each. The numbers below are the exact average FPS values from the FACT PACK, with minimum and maximum values listed where available.

1920x1080:

• Low: 428 FPS average
• Medium: 313 FPS average, with a minimum of 266 FPS and a maximum of 360 FPS
• High: 253 FPS average
• Ultra: 198 FPS average

2560x1440:

• Low: 272 FPS average
• Medium: 200 FPS average, with a minimum of 170 FPS and a maximum of 229 FPS
• High: 161 FPS average
• Ultra: 126 FPS average

3840x2160:

• Low: 144 FPS average
• Medium: 106 FPS average, with a minimum of 90 FPS and a maximum of 121 FPS
• High: 85 FPS average
• Ultra: 67 FPS average

These numbers show a consistent pattern of performance scaling. At each resolution, the Low preset offers the highest frame rate, followed by Medium, High, and then Ultra. The frame rate drops are more pronounced when moving from 1080p to 1440p than from 1440p to 4K, which is indicative of the GPU becoming the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. The minimum and maximum values for the Medium preset at each resolution provide an insight into frame time consistency, with the spread being relatively narrow compared to the average.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the target display resolution and refresh rate. The data indicates that this combo is capable of driving high refresh rate monitors at 1080p and 1440p, and even at 4K, it can maintain playable frame rates.

For a 1080p display with a 240Hz refresh rate, the High preset is the best choice, as it averages 253 FPS, which is above the refresh rate and ensures smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 198 FPS can also be used if the monitor is 144Hz, as it provides a better visual experience. The Medium preset at 313 FPS is only necessary if the display has a 300Hz refresh rate, but the visual compromise may not be worth it.

For a 1440p display with a 165Hz refresh rate, the High preset is ideal, with an average of 161 FPS. This is just below the refresh rate, so a slight reduction to Medium (200 FPS) would provide a more comfortable margin, but High should be sufficient for most users. The Ultra preset at 126 FPS is also viable on a 120Hz display, offering a higher visual fidelity without dropping below the refresh rate threshold.

For a 4K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, the Low preset at 144 FPS is the only option that matches the refresh rate. However, the visual quality at Low settings will be noticeably reduced. The Medium preset at 106 FPS is a better visual compromise and is still very playable, especially on a 120Hz display. The High preset at 85 FPS is also acceptable for a 60Hz monitor, providing a good balance between visuals and performance. The Ultra preset at 67 FPS is the most visually demanding option, but it may not be ideal for fast-paced gameplay, as it is closer to the lower end of the smoothness threshold.

In summary, for the best balance of visual quality and performance, the High preset is recommended for 1080p and 1440p, while the Medium preset is the sweet spot for 4K. The Ultra preset is only recommended for 1080p and 1440p if the display's refresh rate is 120Hz or lower. The data shows that this combo is so powerful that the user can prioritize visual fidelity without sacrificing a playable frame rate at most resolutions.