Rust

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB delivers a fundamentally playable but constrained experience in Rust, with performance that scales predictably across resolutions and settings. The data indicates that this combo ranks at 1548 out of 1717 tested combinations, placing it in the lower-mid tier of the database. The CPU, a 6-core, 6-thread Coffee Lake part with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost of 4.10 GHz, sits at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU similarly holds a 50th percentile standing. The measured results show a system that can hit smooth frame rates at 1080p with lower presets but falls well short of playable thresholds at 4K, making the choice of settings and resolution critical for the end user.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Rust?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates. At Low settings it reaches 94.7 FPS, at Medium 65.6 FPS, and at High 54.8 FPS, whereas even the best 1440p result (68.6 FPS at Low) is marginally playable and 4K results all fall below 40.4 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The CPU has an average benchmark score of 2305, which places it 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i3-10305 (2300) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2299), and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2134 (2295). However, it trails the Intel Core i7-8809G (2319) by 0.6%.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how does it affect 4K performance?

A: The RTX 3050 4 GB has a 128-bit memory bus with a bandwidth of 192.0 GB/s. This limited bandwidth, combined with only 4 GB of GDDR6 memory, correlates with the severe drop in 4K performance, where the best average is just 40.4 FPS at Low settings.

Q: Which settings preset provides the highest frame rate at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers the highest measured average at 68.6 FPS. This is significantly ahead of Medium (44.2 FPS), High (38.9 FPS), and Ultra (28.1 FPS), indicating that the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck as settings increase.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p Ultra?

A: At 1080p Ultra, the combo produces 44.1 FPS, which is lower than 1080p High (54.8 FPS) but not drastically so. Given the CPU’s modest 6-thread configuration and the GPU’s 7.127 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, the data suggests a balanced stall where neither component fully saturates, but the GPU’s 4 GB frame buffer likely limits higher settings.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the GPU?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB had a launch MSRP of 199 USD. This information is provided for reference only, as the analysis focuses on measured performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 1548 out of 1717 tested combinations places it in the bottom 10% of all CPU-GPU pairs tested for Rust. This low ranking is not surprising given the individual component percentiles: both the CPU and GPU sit exactly at the 50th percentile versus all other parts in the database. The i5-9400’s average benchmark score of 2305 puts it in a tight cluster with its nearest rivals, with the largest gap being just 0.6% to the Intel Core i7-8809G. This indicates the processor is a solid mid-range performer for its generation, but the RTX 3050 4 GB, with its limited memory configuration, holds the combo back in a memory-intensive survival game like Rust.

The rank suggests that this pairing is not optimized for high-end play. Benchmark results indicate that at 4K, the combo falls into unplayable territory across all settings, with the Ultra preset yielding only 18.5 FPS. Even at 1440p, the experience is marginal unless the user drops to Low settings. The data positions this combo as a 1080p-oriented solution, where it can achieve decent frame rates on lower presets. Relative to other combos, this rank implies that many alternative pairings, likely with more powerful GPUs or CPUs with higher thread counts, will deliver substantially better performance in Rust’s demanding environments.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 4 GB plays a decisive role in shaping this combo’s performance, primarily due to its memory configuration and clock speeds. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1545 MHz and a boost clock of 1740 MHz, with memory running at 1500 MHz (12 Gbps effective) across a 128-bit bus. This yields a bandwidth of 192.0 GB/s, which is modest for a modern graphics card. The 4 GB GDDR6 frame buffer is the standout limitation; in Rust, which is known for large textures and complex scenes, this capacity is quickly exhausted at higher resolutions and settings.

The data illustrates this role clearly. At 3840x2160, the GPU cannot maintain playable frame rates, with the Low preset achieving 40.4 FPS and the Ultra preset dropping to 18.5 FPS. The step from Low to Medium at 4K results in a 11.7 FPS drop (from 40.4 to 28.7), indicating that the GPU’s shading units (2048) and texture units (64) are overwhelmed. At 1440p, the GPU shows more headroom, with Low hitting 68.6 FPS, but the jump to Medium (44.2 FPS) represents a 35.6% reduction, suggesting that memory bandwidth and capacity become critical. The 8 nm chip, with 8,700 million transistors on a 200 mm² die, provides 7.127 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which is sufficient for 1080p gaming but not for higher resolutions in this title.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear hierarchy for optimizing the experience. For users targeting 1920x1080, the Low preset offers the best raw performance at 94.7 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors or competitive play. However, the Medium preset at 65.6 FPS provides a better balance, likely improving visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness, as it remains above the 60 FPS threshold. The High preset at 54.8 FPS is still playable but may feel less fluid, while Ultra at 44.1 FPS is borderline for fast-paced action.

At 2560x1440, the recommendations shift dramatically. The Low preset is the only viable option, delivering 68.6 FPS, which is smooth. Medium (44.2 FPS) and High (38.9 FPS) are playable but require a tolerance for lower frame rates, while Ultra (28.1 FPS) is poor. For 4K, the data strongly advises against this combo; even the Low preset at 40.4 FPS is below the standard for a good experience, and Ultra at 18.5 FPS is unplayable. The best experience per the measured rows is therefore 1080p Medium, which offers a 65.6 FPS average, balancing visual quality and performance. Users prioritizing frame rate should select 1080p Low, while those with 1440p panels should stick to Low settings to maintain playability.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a consistent pattern of diminishing returns as resolution and settings increase. At 1920x1080, the combo’s performance spans a wide range. The Low preset achieves 94.7 FPS, which is the highest frame rate recorded in any configuration. Medium drops to 65.6 FPS, a 30.7% reduction, while High reaches 54.8 FPS and Ultra falls to 44.1 FPS. This progression shows that the GPU can handle the load at 1080p, but the 4 GB memory limit begins to bite at High and Ultra settings, where larger texture pools are required.

Moving to 2560x1440, the numbers show a significant step down. The Low preset delivers 68.6 FPS, which is still respectable, but Medium drops to 44.2 FPS, High to 38.9 FPS, and Ultra to 28.1 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium at 1440p is 24.4 FPS, indicating that the GPU’s memory bandwidth (192.0 GB/s) is insufficient for the increased pixel count and texture detail. At 3840x2160, the performance collapses. Low yields 40.4 FPS, Medium 28.7 FPS, High 22.9 FPS, and Ultra 18.5 FPS. None of these results meet a 60 FPS target, and even the Low preset is below the 45 FPS threshold many consider the minimum for a playable experience.

The data shows that the combo’s sweet spot is 1080p Low, where it nearly doubles the 1440p Low result. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at the same settings (Low) results in a 26.1 FPS drop (from 94.7 to 68.6), and from 1440p to 4K Low, a further 28.2 FPS drop (from 68.6 to 40.4). This highlights the GPU’s inability to maintain performance as pixel count quadruples. The Ultra preset at 1080p (44.1 FPS) is actually outperformed by the Low preset at 1440p (68.6 FPS), suggesting that users should prioritize resolution over settings when the GPU is stressed. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown positions this combo as a 1080p performer, with acceptable 1440p only on the lowest settings, and 4K effectively out of reach.