To The Core

To The Core is an idle game that, despite its modest genre, demonstrates remarkably scalable performance across a wide range of resolutions and settings when paired with the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7600. The benchmark data reveals a configuration that is heavily GPU-bound at lower resolutions but transitions into a more balanced state at 4K, where the CPU's older architecture begins to assert its influence. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS, component roles, and rank to provide a clear picture of what this combo delivers for this specific title.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for this combo in To The Core illustrates a clear and predictable decline as resolution increases, but the rate of that decline reveals important insights about the system's bottleneck. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 194 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 drops that to 131 FPS, a reduction of 63 FPS or roughly 32%. The jump to 3840x2160 further reduces the average to 75 FPS, which is another 56 FPS drop, or approximately 43% from the 1440p figure. This pattern of increasing percentage losses at higher resolutions is classic evidence of a GPU-limited scenario, where the render resolution directly dictates the workload on the graphics card.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is steep, but the scaling from 1440p to 4K is even steeper. This suggests that the AMD Radeon RX 7600, with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 128-bit memory bus, is working progressively harder to fill the larger frame buffer. The data shows that at 1080p, the GPU has ample headroom, as evidenced by the high frame rates. However, at 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor, as the frame rate drops to a level where the CPU's contribution becomes more significant relative to the GPU's workload. The fact that the 4K Ultra setting yields 60 FPS exactly, while 4K High delivers 75 FPS, indicates that the GPU is the primary constraint in this range.

The transition from Medium to High settings at each resolution shows a consistent performance cost. At 1080p, the drop from Medium (224 FPS) to High (194 FPS) is 30 FPS. At 1440p, the same settings transition costs 20 FPS (151 to 131). At 4K, it costs 11 FPS (86 to 75). This diminishing absolute cost at higher resolutions further confirms the GPU-bound nature of the workload. The relative cost, however, stays similar, which means the GPU is handling the increased graphical fidelity proportionally, but the absolute headroom for higher settings shrinks as resolution climbs. The data indicates that for a smooth experience at 4K, users will need to accept lower settings, while 1080p offers a vast performance cushion.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is the central component driving the frame rates in this configuration, and its specifications directly explain the observed performance in To The Core. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1720 MHz and a boost clock of 2655 MHz, with a game clock of 2250 MHz. These clocks, combined with 2048 shading units, allow for substantial throughput. The benchmark scores for the GPU, such as a Passmark G3D score of 16634, place it in the 57th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a solid mid-range performer. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, has an average score of 15199, which is 0.2% lower, showing the RX 7600 holds a slight edge in synthetic tests.

The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is sufficient for the demands of To The Core at 1080p and 1440p, as evidenced by the high frame rates. However, at 4K, the memory bandwidth and capacity may become a more significant factor. The data shows a 4K High average of 75 FPS, which is still playable, but the 4K Ultra setting drops to 60 FPS. This suggests that the higher texture detail and effects at Ultra are likely increasing memory pressure, and while the GPU can still manage it, the performance headroom is thin. The GPU's 21.75 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is more than adequate for this idle title, which is not typically graphically intensive.

The GPU's role is further clarified by its performance relative to its rivals. With an average benchmark score of 15171, the RX 7600 is a capable card, but it is not a high-end model. In the context of To The Core, the data shows it can deliver 265 FPS at 1080p Low, which is an excellent result. The primary takeaway is that the GPU is the dominant factor in frame rate scaling. When the resolution increases, the GPU's workload increases, and the frame rates drop accordingly. The CPU is not the bottleneck at 1080p, as the GPU is clearly able to produce frames faster than the CPU can request them, but at 4K, the GPU's performance becomes the wall that limits the maximum FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate achievable with this combo in To The Core?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 265 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

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

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 60 FPS, which is the lowest average recorded in the dataset.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck for the AMD Radeon RX 7600 in this game?

A: The data indicates the CPU is not a primary bottleneck at lower resolutions, as the GPU is able to reach very high frame rates. However, at 4K, the frame rates are lower, suggesting the GPU is the limiting factor rather than the CPU.

Q: What is the performance difference between Medium and High settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 151 FPS on Medium settings to 131 FPS on High settings, a difference of 20 FPS.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations for this game?

A: The combo ranks 2549 out of 3725 tested combos, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the performance spectrum.

Q: Does the game have a frame rate cap or is it limited by hardware?

A: The data suggests the frame rate is limited by hardware, as it varies significantly with resolution and settings, reaching 265 FPS at 1080p Low and dropping to 60 FPS at 4K Ultra.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7600 combination ranks 2549 out of 3725 tested combos in To The Core. This places the setup in the 68th percentile of all configurations, meaning it outperforms a majority of other systems tested, but it is also clearly not at the top of the charts. The ranking reflects the mid-range nature of both components. The CPU, with a 47th percentile ranking among all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 2254, is a solid but aging processor. The GPU, with a 57th percentile ranking and an average score of 15171, is a more modern and capable part.

The combination of these two components results in a system that is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, as the measured frame rates are high. The rank of 2549 suggests that many other combos, likely with newer or higher-end CPUs and GPUs, can achieve better performance. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 with an average score of 2259, are very close in performance, with a delta of -0.2%, meaning the i5-9400 is essentially on par with them. This indicates that the CPU is not a significant outlier in its performance class.

The GPU's nearest rivals, like the AMD Radeon Pro 560X with an average score of 15082, show a 0.6% delta, again indicating the RX 7600 is performing as expected for its class. The rank of 2549 is a direct consequence of the combination's overall capability. For an idle game like To The Core, which is not typically demanding, this rank suggests the combo provides a good experience, but it is not a top-tier performer. The data shows that the combo is more than capable of handling the game at high frame rates in most scenarios, but the rank places it in a competitive field where other configurations are faster.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo's performance across all tested settings. At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the combo excels. With Low settings, it achieves an average of 265 FPS. Medium settings reduce this to 224 FPS, with a minimum of 190 FPS and a maximum of 258 FPS. High settings yield 194 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 156 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the system has significant headroom, and even the most demanding Ultra setting is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down predictably. Low settings deliver 178 FPS, Medium settings 151 FPS (with a minimum of 128 FPS and a maximum of 173 FPS), High settings 131 FPS, and Ultra settings 105 FPS. This resolution provides a balanced experience, with all settings remaining above 100 FPS. The 1440p results are strong, indicating that this combo is well-suited for high-refresh-rate monitors at this resolution, even on high presets.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear limiting factor. Low settings produce 102 FPS, which is still a solid result. Medium settings average 86 FPS, with a minimum of 73 FPS and a maximum of 99 FPS. High settings drop to 75 FPS, and Ultra settings land exactly at 60 FPS. The 4K results show that while the game is playable at all settings, the Ultra preset is right at the edge of the 60 FPS target. The data reveals a smooth performance curve, with no anomalies, indicating stable operation across all tested configurations.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For users with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is a recommended choice, as it delivers an average of 156 FPS, which is far above the 60 FPS threshold and provides the highest visual fidelity. Even with Ultra settings, there is enough performance headroom to maintain a smooth experience. For those seeking the absolute smoothest experience, the High preset at 194 FPS is also excellent, and the difference in visual quality may not be dramatic in an idle game.

For 1440p displays, the Ultra preset at 105 FPS is the best option for those prioritizing visual quality, as it remains well above the 60 FPS mark. The High preset at 131 FPS offers a good balance, but the performance cost of Ultra is acceptable given the frame rate is still high. The Medium preset at 151 FPS is also viable, but the visual benefits of High and Ultra are likely worth the minor FPS trade-off for most users, given the high baseline performance.

At 4K, the recommendations shift. The Ultra preset at 60 FPS is exactly at the threshold, which may lead to occasional dips below that target, though the data shows no minimum FPS for this setting. The High preset at 75 FPS provides a more comfortable margin and is the recommended choice for 4K, as it offers a better balance between visual quality and performance. The Medium preset at 86 FPS is also a strong option for those who want a more stable frame rate, and the Low preset at 102 FPS is the best for maximizing smoothness. The data suggests that for 4K, users should prefer High or Medium settings to ensure a consistent experience, as the Ultra preset is right at the boundary of playability.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400, with its 6 cores and 6 threads, plays a supporting role in this configuration. Its base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz are modest by today's standards, but they are sufficient for To The Core. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935, place it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. This is a middle-of-the-road result, indicating that the CPU is not a high-end part, but it is also not a weak link. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-10710U, has an average score of 2248, which is 0.3% lower, showing the i5-9400 is competitive with other similar processors.

In To The Core, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is not a bottleneck, as the GPU is able to produce very high frame rates. The fact that the frame rate scales so significantly with resolution confirms that the GPU is the primary constraint. At 4K, the frame rates are much lower, which means the CPU has more time to prepare frames, further indicating it is not the limiting factor. The CPU's 9 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for this game's requirements.

The CPU's generation, Coffee Lake, is from 2018, and while it is older, it still performs adequately in this context. The data shows that the combo's rank of 2549 is more heavily influenced by the GPU than the CPU, as the GPU's performance percentile is higher. The CPU's 6 threads are sufficient for an idle game, which likely has low thread utilization. In summary, the i5-9400 provides enough processing power to keep up with the RX 7600, and its performance is not a limiting factor in this particular title, as evidenced by the high frame rates at lower resolutions and the GPU-bound scaling pattern at higher resolutions.