Roblox

The data for Roblox, running on an Intel Core i5-9400 with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, reveals a configuration that scales predictably across resolutions, with the CPU and GPU trading the performance bottleneck depending on the workload. This analysis examines the measured frame rates to determine which component is the limiting factor at each setting, and what that implies for the overall gaming experience.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent drop in performance as resolution increases, which is a classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario at higher pixel counts. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces an average of 202.3 FPS. Moving to 1440p reduces that to 135.3 FPS, a drop of 67 FPS, and then at 4K, the average falls to 74.6 FPS. This steep decline indicates that the GTX 1070, with its 8 GB of GDDR5 memory and 256-bit bus, is struggling to fill the increasing pixel count, making the GPU the primary limiting factor at 1440p and 4K.

However, the scaling pattern is different when looking at the lowest settings. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 252.7 FPS, which is only 50.4 FPS higher than at High. This smaller gap between Low and High at 1080p, compared to the larger gaps between resolutions, suggests that at lower resolutions and settings, the CPU begins to play a more significant role. The i5-9400, with its 6 cores and 6 threads, appears to be hitting a ceiling around the 250 FPS mark, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs. The data implies that the CPU is the limiting component at 1080p Low, while the GPU takes over as the resolution climbs.

The difference between 1080p and 4K on High settings is stark: 202.3 FPS versus 74.6 FPS, a reduction to roughly 37% of the original frame rate. This is a massive performance penalty that underscores the GPU's workload. The GTX 1070 is clearly not a 4K powerhouse for this game, but it remains playable, suggesting that Roblox's engine is relatively forgiving on the graphics card even at high pixel densities. The data shows a balanced system that shifts from CPU-limited at low resolutions to GPU-limited at high resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, built on the Coffee Lake architecture. Its benchmark scores place it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2305. This mid-range positioning is reflected in its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i3-10305, which is only 0.2% faster, and the Intel Core i7-8809G, which is 0.6% faster. The i5-9400 is a solid, if unremarkable, performer.

In this game, the CPU's role becomes evident when analyzing the frame rate ceiling. At 1080p, the average FPS across all settings ranges from 164.2 on Ultra to 252.7 on Low. The fact that the frame rate does not exceed 252.7 FPS even on Low settings suggests that the CPU is the bottleneck at this resolution. The processor's 6 cores and 6 threads, while adequate for most tasks, are likely saturated by the game's physics and logic calculations, preventing the GPU from rendering more frames. The data shows that the CPU is the limiting factor at 1080p Low, as the GPU is not being fully utilized.

At higher resolutions, the CPU's role diminishes. The benchmark results show that the i5-9400 has a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969, which is a respectable number for a 6-core chip. However, the game's performance at 4K Ultra drops to 62 FPS, indicating that the GPU is now the primary constraint. The CPU has enough headroom to feed the GPU at 4K, but the GTX 1070 cannot keep up with the pixel workload. The data suggests that the i5-9400 is a capable partner for the GTX 1070, providing enough processing power to avoid severely limiting frame rates at typical gaming resolutions, but it does have its limits at very high refresh rates.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, based on the Pascal architecture, is the other half of this pairing. It features 1920 shading units, 64 ROPs, and a boost clock of 1683 MHz, with 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus providing 256.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU's benchmark percentile is 51, placing it slightly above average, with an average benchmark score of 12331. Its nearest rivals include the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER, which is 1.4% faster, and the Quadro K4200, which is 0.7% slower.

The GPU's influence is most apparent when examining the frame rate differences between settings at a fixed resolution. At 4K, the average FPS ranges from 62 on Ultra to 94.9 on Low, a difference of 32.9 FPS. This indicates that graphical settings have a significant impact on the GPU's workload, as lowering the settings reduces the pixel shading requirements. The GTX 1070 is clearly the dominant factor at 4K, as the CPU is not the primary constraint at this resolution.

The data shows that the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for Roblox, as there are no signs of memory-related performance drops. The memory clock of 2002 MHz, which translates to 8 Gbps effective, provides adequate bandwidth. The GTX 1070's performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Passmark G3D score of 13498, confirms its mid-range standing. In this game, the GPU delivers playable frame rates at 4K, with the lowest setting hitting 94.9 FPS, but it struggles to maintain high refresh rates at that resolution, as seen with the 62 FPS average on Ultra. The GPU is the bottleneck at 1440p and 4K, and the data indicates that a more powerful GPU would be necessary to push higher frame rates at those resolutions.

FAQ

Q: At which resolution is the CPU the primary bottleneck?

A: The data indicates that at 1080p, particularly on Low settings where the average FPS is 252.7, the CPU is the limiting factor. The frame rate does not increase significantly beyond this point, suggesting the i5-9400 is reaching its processing limit.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate gaming with this combo?

A: At 1440p, the combo achieves 135.3 FPS on High settings and 169.5 FPS on Low, which are suitable for high refresh rate monitors. The 1080p results are higher, but the CPU limit prevents them from being substantially better.

Q: How does the GTX 1070 perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The GTX 1070 manages an average of 62 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is a playable frame rate for most games, though it is not ideal for competitive play. Lowering the settings to Medium increases the average to 90.1 FPS.

Q: Is the i5-9400 a good match for the GTX 1070 in this game?

A: Yes, the data shows a balanced pairing. The CPU is the bottleneck at 1080p Low, while the GPU is the bottleneck at 4K. At 1440p, the system is well-balanced, with the GPU becoming more significant as settings increase.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 252.7 on Low to 164.2 on Ultra, a difference of 88.5 FPS. This highlights the impact of graphical settings on the GPU's workload, even at lower resolutions.

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

A: The combo ranks 1507 out of 1800 tested combinations, which places it in the lower-middle range. This ranking reflects the mid-range nature of both the CPU and GPU, as indicated by their respective benchmark percentiles.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how the system performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS is 252.7 on Low, 230.9 on Medium, 202.3 on High, and 164.2 on Ultra. This shows a clear trend of decreasing performance as graphical fidelity increases, with a total drop of 88.5 FPS from Low to Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS is 169.5 on Low, 152.3 on Medium, 135.3 on High, and 110.3 on Ultra. The drop from Low to Ultra is 59.2 FPS, which is less severe than at 1080p, indicating that the GPU is starting to become the limiting factor. At 3840x2160, the average FPS is 94.9 on Low, 90.1 on Medium, 74.6 on High, and 62 on Ultra. The difference between Low and Ultra is 32.9 FPS, which is the smallest gap among the three resolutions, confirming that the GPU is heavily constrained at 4K.

The data also shows that the frame rate scaling is not linear across resolutions. For example, at High settings, the FPS drops from 202.3 at 1080p to 135.3 at 1440p, a 33% reduction, and then to 74.6 at 4K, a 45% reduction from 1440p. This non-linear scaling is typical of GPU-bound workloads, where the pixel count increases geometrically with resolution.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the best settings for this combo depend on the user's target resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p gaming, the High preset offers an excellent balance, with an average of 202.3 FPS. This is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate threshold, and the extra visual fidelity compared to Low or Medium is worth the performance cost. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 164.2 FPS, which is still playable, but the performance hit may not be justified for the marginal visual improvement.

For 1440p, the High preset is the recommended choice, delivering 135.3 FPS. This is suitable for 144 Hz monitors, though not quite reaching the 165 Hz or 240 Hz mark. The Medium preset at 152.3 FPS is a viable alternative for users who prefer higher frame rates, but the visual quality is noticeably lower. The Ultra preset at 110.3 FPS is the minimum for smooth gameplay, but it may not be ideal for fast-paced action.

For 4K, the Medium preset is the best option, with an average of 90.1 FPS. This provides a smooth experience for most games, and the visual quality is acceptable. The High preset at 74.6 FPS is also playable, but the Medium preset offers a better balance of performance and fidelity. The Ultra preset at 62 FPS is the least recommended, as the frame rate dips below the 60 FPS threshold, which can lead to noticeable stuttering in some games. The Low preset at 94.9 FPS is an option for users who prioritize frame rate over visuals, but the graphical sacrifices are significant.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 ranks 1507 out of 1800 tested combos in Roblox, placing it in the lower-middle tier of performance. This ranking is consistent with the individual benchmark percentiles of the components: the CPU is at the 50th percentile, and the GPU is at the 51st percentile. The data suggests that this is a mid-range pairing that is capable of handling the game at 1080p and 1440p with high frame rates, but it struggles at 4K.

The ranking implies that there are 293 other combos that perform worse, but also 1506 that perform better. The nearest rivals for the CPU, such as the Intel Core i3-10305, are nearly identical in performance, with a delta of 0.2%, which explains why the combo's ranking is not higher. Similarly, the GPU's rivals, like the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER, are only 1.4% faster, indicating that the GTX 1070 is a solid, but not exceptional, performer.

The data shows that this combo is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where it can deliver high refresh rates. However, for 4K gaming, the user would need to lower settings to achieve playable frame rates. The ranking reflects this reality, as the combo is not among the top performers but is far from being a low-end option. The measured FPS data confirms that the system is balanced, with the CPU and GPU sharing the workload effectively at most resolutions.