Rust

The Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 combination delivers a robust, high-refresh-rate experience in Rust, with the data showing a clear progression from CPU-bound limitations at 1080p to GPU-bound constraints at 4K. The measured frames per second (FPS) across the resolution and settings matrix indicate that this pairing is well-suited for competitive play at lower resolutions and offers a playable, visually rich experience at 4K, though the game's optimization for high core counts plays a significant role in overall performance.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. This processor's benchmark data shows strong multi-threaded capabilities, scoring 22,604 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is critical for Rust's server-side simulation and entity processing. The single-core performance, while respectable at 3,191 in Cinebench R23, is less of a bottleneck in this title than the multi-threaded throughput.

The processor's percentile ranking of 77 against all CPUs indicates it outperforms the majority of desktop processors. Its nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS with a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core 5 120 with a -0.3% delta, placing the i5-13400F in a highly competitive mid-range tier. In Rust, the 10-core configuration allows the CPU to distribute the game's various background tasks—such as world simulation, AI, and network handling—across multiple threads, which is evident in the 1080p results where the processor is the primary performance driver.

At 1080p, the CPU's influence is significant. The data shows a 213 FPS average at Low settings, which is a 64% increase over the 136 FPS average at High settings. This scaling is a hallmark of a CPU-bound scenario, where the graphics card is not the limiting factor, and the processor's ability to feed frames is what sets the ceiling. The 3DMark multi-threaded score of 7,307 and the PassMark multi-thread score of 25,032 further corroborate the processor's capability to handle the game's complex simulation workloads. The 65 W TDP suggests that this performance is achieved within a power envelope that is accessible for a wide range of systems.

The processor's memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus, allows for flexible system configuration, though the impact on Rust's performance is not directly measured in this data set. The 20 MB shared L3 cache is beneficial for the game's frequent data access patterns, helping to keep frequently used assets and game state information readily available to the cores. Overall, the CPU role in this combination is to provide a solid foundation for high frame rates, particularly at lower resolutions, by maintaining consistent simulation and draw call throughput.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the graphics component of this pairing, featuring 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 2325 MHz with a boost clock of 2512 MHz, and its memory operates at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). With 6,144 shading units and a FP32 performance of 30.87 TFLOPS, the RTX 5070 is positioned to handle high-fidelity rendering. Its 82nd percentile ranking against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 40,377, places it ahead of rivals like the AMD Radeon Pro 580 (0.1% delta) and the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 (0.8% delta).

In Rust, the GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. The transition from 1080p to 1440p shows a noticeable impact on frame rates, but the greater strain is visible at 4K. At 3840x2160, the average FPS at High settings drops to 55, a 40% reduction from the 94 FPS observed at 2560x1440. This scaling indicates that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions, as the increased pixel count demands more from the 12 GB VRAM and the shading units. The 12 GB frame buffer is adequate for the game's textures and effects at 4K, but the data suggests that the GPU's raw compute power is what limits performance at this resolution.

The GPU's memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s is a critical asset for a game like Rust, which features large, open-world environments with streaming textures. The 48 RT cores and 192 tensor cores, while not heavily utilized in standard rasterization, provide headroom for future graphical updates or if the game's engine leverages these features. The PassMark G3D score of 29,137 reflects the GPU's strong performance in general 3D workloads, which aligns with the measured FPS in Rust. The GPU's boost clock of 2512 MHz allows it to maintain high throughput during sustained gaming sessions, though the 250 W TDP requires adequate cooling.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across the three resolutions reveals a clear trend: the system transitions from being CPU-bound at 1080p to GPU-bound at 4K. At 1920x1080, with Low settings, the average FPS is 213, which drops to 165 at 2560x1440 and further to 98 at 3840x2160. This represents a 54% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K at Low settings, indicating that the GPU is increasingly challenged by the pixel count, but the CPU is still able to keep up with the frame generation demands.

At High settings, the scaling is more pronounced. The 1080p average of 136 FPS falls to 94 FPS at 1440p, a 31% drop, and then to 55 FPS at 4K, a 41% drop from 1440p. This suggests that the GPU's workload is growing super-linearly with resolution, as the shading and texture costs increase. The Ultra settings show the most significant strain, with 104 FPS at 1080p, 71 FPS at 1440p, and 42 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result of 42 FPS is the lowest measured average, indicating that this setting is not optimal for a smooth experience at this resolution.

The frame time consistency, as inferred from the Medium settings data, also degrades with resolution. At 1080p Medium, the min FPS is 137 and max is 186, yielding a range of 49 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the range narrows to 34 FPS (94 to 128), and at 4K Medium, it stretches to 19 FPS (56 to 75). This tightening range at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU is being kept consistently busy, reducing the likelihood of sudden frame drops from CPU-side hitches. The limiting component analysis points to the CPU being the primary constraint at 1080p, as the 213 FPS Low result is well above what the GPU would typically cap, while the GPU becomes the limiting factor at 4K, where the 55 FPS High result is far below the CPU's potential.

FAQ

Q: Is this CPU-GPU combination better suited for 1080p or 4K gaming in Rust?

A: The data shows the combination is best suited for 1080p, where it achieves an average of 136 FPS at High settings and 213 FPS at Low settings. At 4K, performance drops significantly, with the High preset averaging 55 FPS, indicating the GPU becomes the limiting factor at that resolution.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-13400F compare to its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25,292, which is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (delta of 0%) and the Intel Core 5 120 (delta of -0.3%). It holds a slight edge over the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, which has a delta of 0.4%.

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable with this combination, and at what settings?

A: The maximum average FPS measured is 213, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the highest recorded value in the data set, indicating a CPU-bound scenario where the processor is the primary performance driver.

Q: Does the RTX 5070's 12 GB of VRAM provide sufficient performance at 4K?

A: The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for the game at 4K, as evidenced by the playable 55 FPS average at High settings. However, the GPU's compute limits are apparent, as the Ultra preset drops to 42 FPS, suggesting that the VRAM capacity is not the primary constraint at this resolution.

Q: How does the frame rate scale from Medium to Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 111 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 71 FPS. This represents a 36% reduction in performance, indicating that the Ultra preset imposes a significant graphical load that the GPU can handle, but with a notable frame rate cost.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among tested configurations in Rust?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 ranks 715th out of 3,723 tested combos in Rust, placing it in the top 19% of all tested configurations for this game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's priority for frame rate versus visual fidelity. For competitive play at 1080p, the Low preset delivers the highest average FPS at 213, ensuring maximum responsiveness and minimal input lag. The Medium preset at 1080p offers a balanced experience, with an average of 161 FPS and a frame time range of 137 to 186 FPS, providing a smoother visual experience without sacrificing too much performance.

At 1440p, the High preset, with an average of 94 FPS, is the recommended choice for a high-refresh-rate monitor, as it balances visual quality with a frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset at 1440p, averaging 111 FPS, is also a strong option for those who prefer higher frame rates, though the visual fidelity is reduced. For 4K gaming, the Medium preset, at 66 FPS, is the most viable option, as it provides a playable frame rate with a consistent frame time range of 56 to 75 FPS. The High preset at 4K, at 55 FPS, is playable but on the edge of smoothness, while the Ultra preset, at 42 FPS, is not recommended for a responsive experience.

The data suggests that the High preset is the best overall choice for this combination, offering a good balance across all resolutions. At 1080p, it achieves 136 FPS, at 1440p it achieves 94 FPS, and at 4K it achieves 55 FPS, making it a versatile setting that scales reasonably well with resolution. For users with a 1440p or 1080p monitor, the High preset provides a high-quality image with excellent frame rates. For 4K users, the Medium preset is the safest recommendation to ensure a consistently smooth experience, as the Ultra preset's 42 FPS average is below the threshold for comfortable gameplay.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 ranks 715th out of 3,723 tested combos in Rust, placing it in the top 19.2% of all configurations tested for this game. This rank indicates that the combination is well above average, outperforming the majority of other CPU-GPU pairings in the database. The rank is a composite measure that considers the overall performance across all measured resolutions and settings, and it reflects the strong synergy between the 10-core processor and the 12 GB graphics card.

The CPU's percentile rank of 77 and the GPU's percentile rank of 82 both contribute to this high overall placement. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and Intel Core 5 120, have near-identical average scores, suggesting that the processor is a consistent performer. The GPU's nearest rivals, including the AMD Radeon Pro 580 and AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100, also show similar average scores, indicating that the GPU is a reliable mid-to-high-tier option. This combination's rank in the top 19% of all tested combos demonstrates that it is a capable and balanced pairing for Rust, capable of delivering high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, and playable performance at 4K.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 213 FPS, the Medium preset averages 161 FPS with a range of 137 to 186 FPS, the High preset averages 136 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 104 FPS. These figures show a clear scaling pattern, with the Low preset providing a 57% performance advantage over the Ultra preset at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 165 FPS, a 22.5% reduction from 1080p, while the Medium preset averages 111 FPS with a range of 94 to 128 FPS. The High preset averages 94 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 71 FPS. The performance gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 57%, which is consistent with the 1080p scaling, indicating a uniform load increase across settings.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 98 FPS, representing a 40.6% drop from 1440p, while the Medium preset averages 66 FPS with a range of 56 to 75 FPS. The High preset averages 55 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 42 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 57.1%, which is consistent with the other resolutions, but the absolute frame rates are significantly lower, highlighting the GPU's limitation at this resolution. The data across all resolutions shows a consistent pattern: the Low preset is the most performant, followed by Medium, High, and Ultra, with the frame rate differences between each preset remaining relatively stable as resolution increases.