Rust

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 presents a stark contrast in capability. The CPU is a 12-core, 24-thread Zen 5 part based on the Granite Ridge architecture, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It operates with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, while its large 128 MB L3 cache is a key feature for gaming workloads. In contrast, the GTX 1650 is an older Turing-architecture GPU on a 12 nm process, with a base clock of 1485 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz. The benchmark results in Rust show a system heavily constrained by the graphics card, where the CPU’s substantial processing power is largely left untapped, resulting in a combo rank of 2854 out of 2953 tested combinations.

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

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a high-end desktop processor with 12 cores and 24 threads, a configuration designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its Zen 5 architecture and 4 nm process allow for high clock speeds, with a base of 4.40 GHz and a boost of 5.50 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU shows strong single-thread performance, scoring 1269 in 3dmark_single_thread and 4646 in passmark_single_thread. Multi-threaded scores are also impressive, with a cinebench_r23_multicore score of 47737 and a passmark_multithread score of 56154. These figures place the CPU in the 91st percentile of all processors, indicating it is a top-tier part.

However, the data from Rust reveals a different story. At 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 66 FPS, which is the highest average across all tested configurations. This suggests that even at the lowest resolution and settings, the GTX 1650 is the limiting factor. The CPU’s 3dmark_16_threads score of 12490 and its 3dmark_max_threads score of 13795 indicate it can handle many simultaneous threads, but Rust’s performance here does not scale with this capability. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF with an average score of 55093 (deltaPct -0.6), show that the 9900X3D is competitive in general processing tasks, but this has little bearing on the game’s frame rates.

The gameplay data suggests that Rust is not heavily CPU-bound in this configuration. The CPU’s strong single-core performance, as evidenced by its cinebench_r15_singlecore score of 679 and geekbench_singlecore score of 3041, would typically benefit game logic and physics. Yet, the measured FPS does not improve dramatically when moving from High to Low settings, indicating that the GPU is the bottleneck. For instance, at 1440p, the average FPS goes from 26 on High to 45 on Low, a difference that is more attributable to reduced GPU load than to CPU speed. The CPU’s 128 MB L3 cache is a notable asset for gaming, but in this pairing, it cannot overcome the GPU’s limitations.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is an entry-level GPU with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 128.1 GB/s. Its Turing architecture, while older, supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The GPU’s base clock is 1485 MHz, with a boost clock of 1665 MHz, and it has 896 shading units. In synthetic benchmarks, the GTX 1650 scores 7880 in passmark_g3d and 305 in 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12, placing it in the 40th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Arc A310 with an average score of 7550 (deltaPct -1) and the AMD Radeon HD 8850M with a score of 7447 (deltaPct 0.3), showing that the GTX 1650 is near the bottom of the performance spectrum.

The GPU’s 4 GB VRAM is a significant constraint in Rust. At 4K resolution, the average FPS drops to 15 on High settings and 27 on Low, with Ultra settings yielding just 12 FPS. The low VRAM capacity likely causes texture thrashing and reduced performance at higher resolutions and settings. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern: as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the frame rates fall dramatically. At 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 44, while at 4K Medium, it is just 18. This is a 59% drop, indicating the GPU’s memory bandwidth and capacity are overwhelmed. The GPU’s 8 Gbps effective memory speed and 128.1 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for 4K gaming in Rust, which is a demanding survival title with large open-world environments.

The GTX 1650’s performance in Rust is also reflected in its low passmark_directx_12 score of 35, which suggests poor DirectX 12 optimization. This is particularly relevant because Rust often benefits from modern API features. The GPU’s 75 W TDP and lack of power connectors indicate it is a low-power part, but this does not translate to efficiency in gaming. The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck across all tested settings, with even the lowest settings at 1080p failing to achieve 70 FPS. The 4 GB VRAM is a critical weakness, as Rust’s assets and draw distances require more memory for smooth performance.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1080p Low settings yield the highest average FPS at 66. At 1440p Low, the average drops to 45 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 27 FPS. Therefore, 1080p is the only resolution where the combo approaches playable frame rates.

Q: How does the GTX 1650’s 4 GB VRAM affect performance in Rust?

A: The 4 GB VRAM is a limiting factor, particularly at higher resolutions. At 4K Medium, the average FPS is 18, with a minimum of 15 and maximum of 21. This low performance is consistent with VRAM capacity issues, as the GPU cannot hold the necessary textures and geometry for smooth rendering.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 9900X3D bottlenecked by the GTX 1650 in Rust?

A: Yes, the benchmark data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The CPU’s high multi-threaded scores, such as 47737 in cinebench_r23_multicore, do not translate to higher frame rates. The FPS remains low across all settings, showing that the GTX 1650 cannot keep up with the CPU’s potential.

Q: What settings provide the most balanced experience between visual quality and performance?

A: At 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 44, with a minimum of 38 and maximum of 51. This offers a reasonable balance, as High settings drop to 37 FPS and Low settings reach 66 FPS. Medium provides a compromise between visual fidelity and playability.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems in Rust?

A: The combo ranks 2854 out of 2953 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 3.4% of systems. This low rank is primarily due to the GTX 1650’s weak performance, as the CPU is in the 91st percentile of all processors.

Q: Does the CPU’s 128 MB L3 cache improve gaming performance in Rust?

A: While the large L3 cache is beneficial for many gaming workloads, the data does not show a significant benefit here. The FPS is consistently low across all settings, suggesting that the GPU’s limitations overshadow any cache advantages the CPU provides.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 combination ranks 2854 out of 2953 tested combos in Rust, placing it in the bottom percentile. This rank is a direct reflection of the GPU’s poor performance, as the CPU is a high-end part. The CPU’s percentileVsAllCpus is 91, meaning it outperforms 91% of all processors, while the GPU’s percentileVsAllGpus is 40, meaning it only outperforms 40% of all GPUs. The disparity between these two components is stark, and the overall combo rank is dragged down by the GPU.

In comparison to other combos, this system’s performance is severely limited. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (avgScore 55093, deltaPct -0.6) and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K (avgScore 54053, deltaPct 1.3), have similar processing power, but the GPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel UHD Graphics 750 (avgScore 7441, deltaPct 0.4) and AMD Radeon R7 350 (avgScore 7425, deltaPct 0.6), are also low-end parts. This suggests that the combo is not an outlier in terms of GPU choice, but rather a typical pairing of a high-end CPU with a low-end GPU, which results in a poor gaming experience. The rank of 2854 out of 2953 indicates that nearly all other tested combinations offer better performance in Rust.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed view of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 66 on Low to 28 on Ultra. Specifically, Low settings yield 66 FPS, Medium yields 44 FPS (with a minimum of 38 and maximum of 51), High yields 37 FPS, and Ultra yields 28 FPS. This shows a clear trend: higher settings reduce performance, but even at Low, the frame rate is not high enough for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops significantly. Low settings produce 45 FPS, Medium produces 30 FPS (with a minimum of 26 and maximum of 35), High produces 26 FPS, and Ultra produces 20 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is substantial, with a 32% reduction in FPS at Low settings (from 66 to 45). This indicates the GPU is struggling to maintain performance at higher resolutions.

At 3840x2160, the performance is largely unplayable. Low settings achieve 27 FPS, Medium achieves 18 FPS (with a minimum of 15 and maximum of 21), High achieves 15 FPS, and Ultra achieves 12 FPS. The 4K resolution overwhelms the GTX 1650, with even Low settings failing to reach 30 FPS. The data shows a consistent pattern of declining performance as resolution increases, confirming the GPU as the limiting component.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the best experience for this combo is at 1080p with Low settings. This configuration yields an average FPS of 66, which is the highest across all tested scenarios. While Low settings reduce visual fidelity, they provide the only playable frame rates. At 1080p Medium, the average FPS drops to 44, which is still playable but may feel less smooth. The Medium preset offers a better visual experience with a 33% reduction in FPS compared to Low, but the minimum FPS of 38 ensures some stability.

For users who prioritize visual quality over frame rate, 1080p High is an option, with an average of 37 FPS. However, this is below the 60 FPS threshold that most gamers consider smooth, and the experience may be inconsistent. Ultra settings at 1080p yield only 28 FPS, which is not recommended. At 1440p, even Low settings only achieve 45 FPS, which is marginal. The data suggests that this combo should be run at 1080p Low or Medium for the best balance of performance and visuals. The Medium preset provides a 44 FPS average, which is a reasonable compromise between the 66 FPS of Low and the 37 FPS of High.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is severe, illustrating the GPU’s limitations. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 66 at 1080p to 45 at 1440p and 27 at 4K. This represents a 32% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 59% drop from 1080p to 4K. At Medium settings, the FPS falls from 44 at 1080p to 30 at 1440p and 18 at 4K, a 32% and 59% drop, respectively. The consistent percentage drops across settings indicate that the GPU’s pixel throughput and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints.

This scaling behavior is typical of a GPU-bound system. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D has ample processing power to handle higher resolutions, but the GTX 1650 cannot render the increased number of pixels. The GPU’s 128.1 GB/s memory bandwidth is insufficient for 4K textures and geometry, leading to the observed frame rate collapse. At 1080p, the GPU is less stressed, allowing the CPU to push frames to 66 FPS on Low. However, as resolution increases, the GPU becomes the sole bottleneck, and the CPU’s high performance has no impact on the final frame rate. The data clearly shows that this combo is not suitable for 1440p or 4K gaming in Rust, and even at 1080p, users must sacrifice settings to achieve playable performance.