Rust

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER combination delivers a robust experience in Rust, with performance scaling predictably across resolutions and settings. The data indicates a system that is well-balanced for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p, while 4K remains a demanding target for the most visually intensive presets. This analysis breaks down the measured frame rates, the role of each component, and the optimal settings for this specific pairing.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. In Rust, a game known for its simulation and entity-update overhead, the CPU's single-threaded capabilities are often a primary factor in frame rate ceilings, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the bottleneck.

The benchmark data for the CPU shows a strong single-threaded presence. In Cinebench R23, it scores 2085 in single-core and 14769 in multicore tests. The PassMark single-thread score is 4516, while the multithread score is 37816. These figures place the Ultra 5 235 in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it offers competitive performance. Compared to its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with deltaPct values of 0.1% and -0.1%, respectively. This suggests that the CPU's raw processing power is on par with those high-end mobile and desktop parts.

In the measured FPS data, the CPU's influence becomes most apparent at 1080p. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 265 FPS. This high frame rate, which far exceeds what the GPU would be expected to produce at this resolution, indicates that neither the CPU nor GPU is severely limiting the system, but it is a scenario where the CPU's strong single-core performance is essential to avoid holding back the frame rate. The difference between the Low and Medium settings at 1080p is 73 FPS (265 to 192), a significant drop that can be attributed to increased CPU load from additional game logic and draw calls. Even at Ultra settings, the 1080p average of 123 FPS shows that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data for a smooth experience, though the gap between High (162 FPS) and Ultra (123 FPS) at this resolution is substantial, suggesting that the most extreme settings impose a considerable processing burden.

The CPU's 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s are also relevant for Rust. The game's world is persistent and large, requiring frequent memory access for terrain, structures, and entity positions. While the benchmark scores do not directly quantify cache performance in gaming, the overall architectural efficiency of the Ultra 5 235, as reflected in its high PassMark and Cinebench scores, supports its capability to handle these demands without becoming a major bottleneck in most tested configurations.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is the primary driver of visual fidelity in this configuration. It is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 736.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The GPU has a base clock of 2295 MHz and a boost clock of 2550 MHz. With 10240 shading units, it is a high-end graphics card, ranking in the 86th percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's role in Rust is most clearly observed as resolution increases. At 3840x2160 (4K), the rendering load is immense. The measured data shows that the GPU is the clear limiting factor at this resolution for higher settings. At 4K Ultra, the system averages 50 FPS, a figure that is heavily influenced by the GPU's pixel and texture throughput. The RTX 4080 SUPER's pixel rate of 285.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 816.0 GTexel/s are substantial, but the demands of 4K Ultra settings in Rust, which likely includes high-resolution textures and dense shadows, push the card to its limits.

The importance of the 16 GB VRAM buffer becomes critical at 4K. Rust's expansive maps and detailed assets can consume significant video memory. The data shows a clear progression at 4K: Low settings average 116 FPS, Medium 78 FPS, High 66 FPS, and Ultra 50 FPS. The steep drop from Low to Medium (38 FPS) suggests that the Medium preset introduces a major increase in GPU workload, likely from more complex lighting and post-processing. The RTX 4080 SUPER's memory bandwidth of 736.3 GB/s is sufficient to maintain playable frame rates even at 4K, but the sheer compute power required for the highest settings is where it falls short of 60 FPS.

In comparison to its nearest rivals, the RTX 4080 SUPER is essentially tied with the non-SUPER RTX 4080, with a deltaPct of -0.1%. It is also 1.1% behind the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X and 2.7% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB in average benchmark score, though those latter two are less relevant for gaming comparisons. The data shows that the RTX 4080 SUPER is a powerful GPU, but its performance in Rust at 4K Ultra is not sufficient for a locked 60 FPS experience, making it more suited for 1440p gaming where it can deliver high frame rates with ease.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals the shifting bottleneck between the CPU and GPU. The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is not linear and highlights where each component becomes the limiting factor.

At 1080p, the system is primarily CPU-bound or balanced. The average frame rates are high across all settings, ranging from 123 FPS at Ultra to 265 FPS at Low. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p shows a 142 FPS difference, which is a significant reduction caused by increasing the graphical load. However, the fact that even the Ultra preset manages 123 FPS indicates that the CPU is keeping up with the GPU's output.

Moving to 1440p, the GPU begins to take on a more dominant role. The average frame rates drop across the board compared to 1080p. For example, High settings drop from 162 FPS at 1080p to 112 FPS at 1440p, a 31% reduction. Low settings drop from 265 FPS to 197 FPS, a 26% reduction. This scaling is expected as the GPU has to render more pixels. The system is still likely balanced, but the GPU's workload is increasing. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 132 FPS, which is still very smooth and represents a good balance between visual quality and performance.

At 4K, the GPU becomes the undeniable bottleneck. The average frame rates fall sharply. The High preset, which was at 162 FPS at 1080p, drops to 66 FPS at 4K, a 59% reduction. The Ultra preset drops to 50 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The Low preset at 4K averages 116 FPS, which is still playable, but the scaling from 1080p to 4K for Low settings is a 56% reduction (265 to 116 FPS). This data clearly shows that the RTX 4080 SUPER, while powerful, cannot maintain high refresh rates at 4K with the most demanding settings in Rust. The limiting component at 4K is the GPU.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is the most punishing. For instance, the High preset drops from 112 FPS to 66 FPS, a 41% reduction, which is a larger percentage drop than the 1080p to 1440p transition. This is because the pixel count increases by a factor of 2.25 from 1440p to 4K, placing an enormous strain on the GPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a consistent 60+ FPS?

A: The data shows that 2560x1440 is the sweet spot. At 1440p, the average FPS for all settings (Low: 197, Medium: 132, High: 112, Ultra: 85) is above 60, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Rust?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K, the average FPS is 116 on Low, 78 on Medium, 66 on High, and 50 on Ultra. For a 60 FPS experience, users must stick to High settings or below.

Q: How does the RTX 4080 SUPER compare to the standard RTX 4080 in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 4080 SUPER's average benchmark score is 54209, while the RTX 4080's is 54247. The deltaPct is -0.1%, indicating that the SUPER model is 0.1% slower in this specific aggregate benchmark.

Q: What is the impact of the Ultra preset on performance compared to High?

A: The Ultra preset causes a significant frame rate drop. At 1080p, the average FPS drops from 162 (High) to 123 (Ultra). At 1440p, it drops from 112 to 85. At 4K, it drops from 66 to 50. This represents a performance penalty of 24% at 1080p, 24% at 1440p, and 24% at 4K.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1080p High, the average FPS is 162. Given that the CPU has strong single-threaded performance and the GPU is powerful, the system appears balanced. However, the high frame rate suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU, and the GPU is not being fully utilized, which points towards a CPU-bound scenario at this resolution and setting.

Q: What is the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 compared to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has an average benchmark score of 46062, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 46030. The deltaPct is 0.1%, meaning the Intel CPU is 0.1% faster on average.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER ranks 153rd out of 2953 tested combos in Rust. This places the system in the top 5.2% of all configurations in the database for this game. The high ranking reflects the balance between the CPU's strong single-threaded performance and the GPU's high-end capabilities.

The rank of 153 out of 2953 means that there are 152 other combinations that perform better in Rust, likely featuring more powerful CPUs or GPUs, such as the top-tier Core i9 or Ryzen 9 processors paired with RTX 4090-class graphics cards. However, the data shows that this combo is not far behind the top performers. The 89th percentile CPU and 86th percentile GPU rankings indicate that both components are near the top of their respective categories, and their combined performance is excellent for a high-end gaming system.

The measured FPS data reinforces this ranking. At 1440p, the system delivers an average of 112 FPS on High settings, which is a very strong result. Even at 4K, it manages 66 FPS on High, which is playable. This combo is clearly positioned for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming and capable of 4K gaming at reduced settings. The ranking suggests that for most players, this configuration will provide a premium experience in Rust without needing to compromise heavily on visual quality.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's resolution and frame rate target. The goal is to maintain a stable frame rate while maximizing visual quality.

For 1920x1080 users, the High preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 162 FPS, which is more than enough for a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor. The Ultra preset drops the average to 123 FPS, which is still sufficient for a 120Hz display, but the 24% performance hit may not be worth the marginal visual improvement in a game like Rust where visibility of distant players is often more important than shadows. For maximum competitive performance, the Low preset offers 265 FPS, but this sacrifices too much visual information for most players.

For 2560x1440 users, the High preset is the standout recommendation. With an average of 112 FPS, it provides an excellent balance of visual fidelity and smoothness. The Medium preset offers 132 FPS, which could be preferred for a 144Hz monitor, but the visual upgrade to High is substantial. The Ultra preset drops to 85 FPS, which is playable but may not feel as fluid on a high-refresh-rate monitor. For the best experience, High is the sweet spot, offering high detail and a frame rate that comfortably exceeds 100 FPS.

For 3840x2160 users, the High preset is the maximum viable option for a 60 FPS experience, averaging 66 FPS. The Medium preset, at 78 FPS, provides a more comfortable margin above 60 FPS and is recommended for a smoother experience. The Ultra preset drops to 50 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target and should be avoided for competitive play. The Low preset, at 116 FPS, is an option for players who prioritize a high frame rate over visual quality. For a balanced experience, the Medium preset is the best choice at 4K, while High is acceptable if the user is content with frame rates in the mid-60s.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the average FPS for each resolution and settings combination. The Medium preset also includes minimum and maximum FPS values.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 116 FPS
• Medium: Average 78 FPS, Minimum 66 FPS, Maximum 90 FPS
• High: Average 66 FPS
• Ultra: Average 50 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 197 FPS
• Medium: Average 132 FPS, Minimum 112 FPS, Maximum 152 FPS
• High: Average 112 FPS
• Ultra: Average 85 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 265 FPS
• Medium: Average 192 FPS, Minimum 163 FPS, Maximum 221 FPS
• High: Average 162 FPS
• Ultra: Average 123 FPS

The data shows a consistent pattern: as resolution and settings increase, frame rates decrease. The Medium preset's minimum FPS values are close to the average FPS of the next higher preset, indicating that the performance is consistent and not prone to severe stutters. For instance, at 1080p, the Medium preset's minimum of 163 FPS is nearly identical to the High preset's average of 162 FPS. This consistency suggests a stable gaming experience across the tested configurations.