To The Core

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 combo delivers exceptional performance in To The Core, an idle game that is far more demanding than its genre suggests. The data shows a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at lower resolutions but transitions to a more balanced load at 4K, where frame rates remain exceedingly high. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to explain how each component contributes to the results.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. This is a desktop-class chip that sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs tested, indicating it is a high-performing processor in the broader market. While the game’s genre is "Idle," the high frame rates achieved—often exceeding 500 FPS—imply that the CPU must handle a substantial number of draw calls and game logic updates per second. The processor’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache and support for dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s provide the necessary memory throughput to feed the GPU at these extreme frame rates.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Ultra 5 245 scores 32,924 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 4,648 points in single-core. This single-core strength is particularly relevant for an idle game, which often relies on a few primary threads for simulation and input logic. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,394 further confirms the processor's strong per-core performance. The data suggests that the CPU is not a bottleneck at 1080p, where the GPU is heavily utilized, nor at 4K, where the load shifts to the graphics card. The processor’s 65 W TDP also indicates it can maintain its boost clocks without significant thermal throttling, which is crucial for sustaining the high frame rates seen in the measured data.

The nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark database show the Ultra 5 245 is well-positioned. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G, which scores 0.4% higher on average, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which is 0.5% higher. It outperforms the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H by 0.6% and the Intel Core i5-14600K by 0.8%. This grouping indicates that the Ultra 5 245 provides comparable processing power to a range of mid-range and high-end desktop chips, making it a solid foundation for a high-refresh-rate gaming system. The benchmark results show that the CPU’s performance is sufficient to push the RTX 4080 to its limits, especially at 1080p and 1440p.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is the dominant component in this configuration, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using a 5 nm process. It features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz. With 9,728 shading units, 76 RT cores, and 304 tensor cores, it is a high-end graphics card that sits in the 86th percentile of all GPUs tested. For To The Core, this hardware is overwhelmingly powerful, as evidenced by the fact that the lowest average FPS recorded across all settings and resolutions is 125 FPS at 4K Ultra.

The GPU's performance in synthetic tests, such as a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6,567 and a PassMark G3D score of 34,457, supports its high-end positioning. The 16 GB of VRAM is ample for any current game, including To The Core, which is unlikely to require more than 8 GB even at 4K with Ultra settings. The GPU's memory clock of 1400 MHz, or 22.4 Gbps effective, ensures that texture streaming and memory bandwidth are not limiting factors. The RTX 4080 is a triple-slot card with a 320 W TDP, which requires a 700 W power supply, indicating that it is a power-hungry component designed for maximum performance.

Compared to its closest rivals, the RTX 4080 is essentially on par with the RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores only 0.1% higher on average. It also outperforms the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X by 1.1% and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB by 2.6%. The data reveals that the GPU is the primary driver of performance in this combo, especially at 1080p and 1440p, where the frame rates are exceptionally high. At 4K, the GPU is still the main limiting factor, but the CPU's performance ensures that it never becomes a severe bottleneck.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data shows a clear and expected trend: performance decreases as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 552 FPS. This drops to 371 FPS at 1440p and further to 212 FPS at 4K. This represents a 33% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a further 43% drop from 1440p to 4K. This scaling indicates that the system is heavily GPU-bound at all resolutions, as the CPU is powerful enough to maintain high frame rates even at 1080p.

The pattern is similar across all settings presets. For example, at High settings, the frame rate drops from 405 FPS at 1080p to 272 FPS at 1440p (a 33% drop) and then to 156 FPS at 4K (a 43% drop from 1440p). The consistent percentage drops across different settings suggest that the GPU's rendering workload scales linearly with resolution, while the CPU's contribution remains constant. At 4K, the GPU is working harder to fill the additional pixels, but it still manages to produce very high frame rates. The lowest average FPS recorded is 125 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is still well above the 60 FPS target for most gamers.

The fact that the frame rate drops by roughly a third from 1080p to 1440p, and then by another third from 1440p to 4K, is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see a smaller drop in FPS as resolution increases, because the CPU's work would be the same regardless of resolution. Here, the data shows that the RTX 4080 is doing the heavy lifting, and its performance scales as expected with the pixel count. The CPU, therefore, is not a bottleneck at any resolution tested, allowing the GPU to perform to its full potential.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS achieved by this combo in To The Core?*

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 552 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

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

A: At 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average FPS of 125, which is still a very playable frame rate.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data shows the system is GPU-bound. The frame rate drops consistently as resolution increases, indicating the GPU is the primary workload driver, while the CPU is powerful enough to keep up.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 371 on Low settings to 219 on Ultra settings, a difference of 152 FPS.

*Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested configurations in To The Core?*

A: This combo ranks 226th out of 3,725 tested combinations, placing it in the top 6% of all configurations.

Q: Does the RTX 4080 have enough VRAM for this game at 4K?

A: The RTX 4080 has 16 GB of GDDR6X memory. Given the high frame rates at 4K, this is more than sufficient for To The Core.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for To The Core, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 pairing ranks 226th out of 3,725 total combos. This places it in the top 6% of all configurations, which is a strong result given the game's relatively low system requirements compared to AAA titles. The high rank is primarily driven by the RTX 4080's raw power, which ensures that the combo can achieve very high frame rates even at 4K.

The rank of 226 suggests that there are 225 other combinations that perform better, likely featuring higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4090 or newer flagship models. However, the 4080's performance is still excellent, and the combo's position in the top percentile reflects its capability to deliver a smooth gaming experience. The CPU's 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs ensures that it is not dragging down the overall performance. The data shows that this is a well-balanced high-end system, and its rank reflects the GPU's strength in this specific title.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience in To The Core depends on the resolution and the user's preference for visual quality versus maximum frame rate. At 1080p, all settings presets yield exceptionally high frame rates, with even Ultra settings achieving 326 FPS. For a 1080p display with a 144Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, the Medium preset at 467 FPS or the High preset at 405 FPS would be ideal, as they offer a good balance of visual fidelity and performance. The Ultra preset at 326 FPS is also viable, but the visual difference between High and Ultra may not be worth the 79 FPS drop.

At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers 314 FPS, while High delivers 272 FPS. Both are excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Ultra preset at 219 FPS is still very smooth and provides the best visual quality. For a 1440p 165Hz monitor, the High preset is recommended to leave headroom for demanding scenes. At 4K, the High preset at 156 FPS is the best choice for a smooth experience. The Medium preset at 180 FPS offers even higher frame rates, but the visual quality is lower. The Ultra preset at 125 FPS is still playable but is the most demanding option.

The data suggests that the High preset is the sweet spot for this combo across all resolutions. It provides a strong balance between visual quality and performance, with average FPS ranging from 156 at 4K to 405 at 1080p. For users who prioritize maximum frame rates, the Low preset provides a significant boost, especially at 4K where it jumps from 156 FPS to 212 FPS. However, for most users, the High preset will offer the best overall experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination. The data shows a clear hierarchy, with higher resolutions and higher settings presets resulting in lower frame rates.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS |

|:--------- |:------- | ------: |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 552 |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 467 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 405 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 326 |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 371 |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 314 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 272 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 219 |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 212 |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 180 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 156 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 125 |

The Medium preset at all resolutions has additional data points for minimum and maximum FPS. At 1080p, the minimum is 397 FPS and the maximum is 537 FPS. At 1440p, the minimum is 267 FPS and the maximum is 361 FPS. At 4K, the minimum is 153 FPS and the maximum is 207 FPS. These figures indicate that even the minimum FPS is well above 60 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience without stutters. The spread between minimum and maximum FPS is relatively consistent, suggesting stable performance. The data confirms that this combo provides a highly capable platform for To The Core, with performance that scales predictably with resolution and settings.