Undisputed

Undisputed is a sports title that places distinct demands on both the processor and the graphics card, and the measured data for the Intel Core i5-14400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination reveals a system that is well-matched for high-refresh-rate play at standard resolutions, while showing clear limitations as pixel counts climb. The benchmark results indicate a configuration where the CPU provides a stable foundation and the GPU becomes the primary variable in frame rate scaling across different quality presets.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, operating on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, and it carries a 65 W TDP. The processor’s cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. This configuration, with its mix of performance and efficiency cores, provides a substantial amount of parallel processing headroom that is well-suited for the background simulation and physics calculations that occur in a sports game like Undisputed.

In synthetic benchmarks, the i5-14400F achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21645 and a single-core score of 3055. Its Geekbench scores are 11268 for multi-core and 2058 for single-core. These results place the processor in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs tested in the database, indicating strong overall performance. When compared to its nearest rivals, the i5-14400F is virtually tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, showing only a 0.1% delta in average benchmark score. It also sits just 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i9-11900 and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i7-12800H, while being 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS. This clustering suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, the processor's performance is competitive with a broad range of other high-end desktop and mobile parts.

The data for Undisputed shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck at lower resolutions. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system produces an average of 241 FPS, a figure that far exceeds typical display refresh rates and indicates that the processor can feed the GPU with more than enough data. Even at the highest settings at 1080p, the average FPS of 92 is respectable, though the drop from Low to Ultra suggests that the graphics card is starting to become more involved. The processor's single-threaded performance, evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3055, ensures that the game's main logic thread is handled efficiently, preventing stutters and ensuring consistent frame pacing in a fast-paced boxing simulation where timing is critical.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. Its core clocks are a base of 2317 MHz and a boost of 2572 MHz. The GPU is equipped with 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output pipelines. It also includes 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores, supporting features like DirectX 12 Ultimate. The GPU's transistor count is listed at 16,900 million on a 149 mm² die, which is a dense design reflecting its modern 5 nm process node.

In terms of raw compute, the RTX 5050 posts a Passmark G3D score of 17326 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502. Its Geekbench OpenCL score is 90334, and its Vulkan score is 89381. These scores place the GPU in the 66th percentile of all GPUs in the database. The nearest rival data is interesting, as the RTX 5050 is compared against some older parts. It sits 1.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, but is 0.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL and 1% behind the AMD Radeon HD 8970M. It is also 1.6% behind the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile. This suggests that while the RTX 5050 is a modern part, its raw performance in synthetic tests is closely matched with some established mid-range and even older high-end mobile GPUs.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor in Undisputed. The measured FPS data shows a significant performance cliff when moving from Medium to Ultra settings at 4K resolution, with the average FPS dropping from 79 to 42. This 37 FPS drop is more dramatic than the drops seen between other settings at the same resolution, likely indicating that the Ultra preset is pushing the memory capacity and bandwidth limits of the card. At 1080p, the GPU can handle all presets well, with the Low preset producing an impressive 241 FPS average. The card's boost clock of 2572 MHz helps maintain high throughput in less demanding scenes, but the 8 GB frame buffer becomes a limiting factor as resolution and texture quality increase.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-14400F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is ranked 1722 out of 2813 total tested combos for Undisputed. This places the pairing in a mid-tier position, indicating that while it is capable, there are a significant number of other configurations that produce higher frame rates. The rank suggests that this combo is not at the top of the performance heap, which is consistent with the GPU's 66th percentile standing and the fact that it is often matched with more powerful graphics cards in a full gaming system.

Given the CPU's strong 83rd percentile rating and the GPU's more modest 66th percentile, the ranking suggests that the graphics card is the primary limiter for this combo in this game. The processor has more headroom than the GPU is able to utilize, especially at higher resolutions. This is a common scenario where a strong mid-range CPU is paired with a mid-range GPU, resulting in a balanced system for 1080p and 1440p gaming but showing strain at 4K. The combo's rank of 1722 out of 2813 means it falls in the bottom half of tested configurations, with roughly 61% of combos performing better, but it also means it outperforms about 39% of the field, making it a viable option for many users.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo scales with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally capable. The Low preset yields an average of 241 FPS, while High produces 144 FPS. Medium settings result in an average of 173 FPS with a minimum of 147 and a maximum of 200. The Ultra preset, however, drops the average to 92 FPS, indicating a significant performance cost for the highest visual fidelity.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows a clear dependency on the GPU. The Low preset still delivers a high average of 174 FPS. High settings produce a 104 FPS average, which is still above the 100 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. Medium settings yield 125 FPS on average, with a minimum of 107 and a maximum of 144. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to an average of 67 FPS, which is playable but marks the point where the system is no longer able to maintain high refresh rates.

At 3840x2160, the limitations of the RTX 5050 become apparent. The Low preset produces an average of 110 FPS, which is still very playable. Medium settings drop to a 79 FPS average with a minimum of 67 and a maximum of 91. High settings result in a 66 FPS average, and the Ultra preset falls to just 42 FPS. This data shows a clear pattern: at 4K, the GPU is the dominant factor, and only the Low and Medium presets provide a consistently smooth experience. The 1080p Low result of 241 FPS compared to the 4K Ultra result of 42 FPS represents a massive 199 FPS drop, underscoring the GPU's struggle with higher pixel counts and complex shading.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a high refresh rate?

A: The data shows that at 1920x1080, the combo can achieve an average of 144 FPS on High settings and 173 FPS on Medium, making it ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 2560x1440, the average FPS on High is 104, which is still smooth but less future-proof for 144Hz displays.

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

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the primary limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 241 FPS, showing the CPU can drive a high frame rate, but at 4K Ultra, the FPS drops to 42, demonstrating the GPU's constraints with memory bandwidth and capacity.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RTX 5050 is 1.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT in average benchmark score. However, it is 0.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL and 1% behind the AMD Radeon HD 8970M, indicating that its raw compute performance is very close to these older parts.

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

A: At 2560x1440, Medium settings produce an average of 125 FPS, while Ultra settings produce an average of 67 FPS. This is a drop of 58 FPS, suggesting that the Ultra preset adds significant graphical load that the GPU struggles to handle.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 3840x2160, the Low preset achieves an average of 110 FPS, and Medium achieves 79 FPS. High and Ultra are less viable, with averages of 66 and 42 FPS respectively, making them unsuitable for smooth play on most displays.

Q: How does the CPU's performance affect the game's frame rate?

A: The CPU's strong single-core performance, with a Cinebench R23 score of 3055, helps ensure the game's logic runs smoothly. The 1080p Low result of 241 FPS demonstrates that the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions, allowing the GPU to operate at its full potential.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience depends heavily on the user's resolution and refresh rate. For 1920x1080, the High preset is the best choice, offering an average of 144 FPS, which is perfect for a standard 144Hz monitor. The Medium preset also provides a higher frame rate of 173 FPS, which could be beneficial for 165Hz or 240Hz displays, but the visual quality difference between Medium and High is often noticeable in a sports game where character detail and arena atmosphere matter. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 92 FPS, is not recommended for high-refresh play but is playable on a 60-90Hz display.

For 2560x1440, the High preset provides a solid 104 FPS average, which is suitable for 100Hz or 120Hz monitors. The Medium preset, at 125 FPS, is a better option for 144Hz displays, and the data shows it maintains a minimum of 107 FPS, ensuring minimal dips. The Ultra preset at 67 FPS is a significant compromise and is only recommended if visual fidelity is prioritized over frame rate, as it may not feel as responsive in the fast-paced combat of Undisputed.

At 3840x2160, the choices are more restricted. The Low preset, with a 110 FPS average, offers the best balance of smoothness and playability. The Medium preset, at 79 FPS, is adequate for a 60Hz or 75Hz display and provides a notable visual upgrade over Low. High and Ultra settings at 4K are not recommended for general play, as the 66 and 42 FPS averages respectively can lead to a less fluid experience that could hamper reaction times during matches. The data suggests that the Medium preset at 1440p is the sweet spot for this combo, delivering a high frame rate with good visual fidelity, while the Low preset at 4K is the fallback for those prioritizing performance on a 4K display.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern across resolutions. The drop from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on High settings is from 144 FPS to 104 FPS, a reduction of 40 FPS or approximately 27.8%. The drop from 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 on the same settings is from 104 FPS to 66 FPS, a reduction of 38 FPS or approximately 36.5%. This shows that the scaling penalty becomes more severe as resolution increases, which is typical of a system where the GPU is the bottleneck.

The most dramatic scaling is seen at the Ultra preset. The average FPS drops from 92 at 1080p to 67 at 1440p, a 25 FPS decrease, and then plummets to 42 at 4K, another 25 FPS decrease. The total drop from 1080p Ultra to 4K Ultra is 50 FPS, representing a 54.3% reduction in performance. This severe drop at 4K Ultra strongly suggests that the 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s memory bandwidth of the RTX 5050 are insufficient to handle the combined load of high resolution and maximum texture quality, leading to memory swaps and reduced frame rates.

In contrast, the scaling at the Low preset is less severe, with a drop from 241 FPS at 1080p to 174 FPS at 1440p, and then to 110 FPS at 4K. This is a total reduction of 131 FPS, but the percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is 54.4%, which is similar to the Ultra preset. This indicates that even with low graphical complexity, the GPU's rendering capacity, particularly its pixel fill rate of 82.30 GPixel/s, is heavily taxed at 4K. The data points to the conclusion that this combo is optimized for 1080p and capable at 1440p, but it is not designed for high-fidelity 4K gaming. The limiting component is unequivocally the graphics card, as the CPU's performance scales consistently and does not show signs of saturation until the GPU is already at its limit.