Undisputed

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 paired with the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus presents a fascinating study in bottleneck dynamics for Undisputed. The data reveals a combo that is heavily skewed by the graphics card's performance ceiling, yet the processor's sheer capability ensures that even at the highest settings, the game remains playable. The measured frame rates across three resolutions and four quality presets tell a clear story about where the limits of this system lie, and the ranking among 2,813 tested combinations places it in a specific, competitive context.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and immediately reveals the GPU as the primary limiting factor. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 230 FPS, which drops to 166 FPS at 1440p and further to 105 FPS at 4K. This represents a 54% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K at Low settings, a scaling pattern that is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. The processor is so far ahead of the graphics card that it can feed frames at a rate the RX 7600 simply cannot match, making the GPU the clear bottleneck at every resolution.

The scaling becomes even more pronounced when moving to Ultra settings. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 88 FPS, which falls to 64 FPS at 1440p, and then plummets to 40 FPS at 4K. The 4K Ultra result is a 55% drop from the 1080p Ultra figure, showing that the combination of high resolution and maximum quality settings pushes the RX 7600 to its absolute limit. This is not a case of the CPU struggling; it is purely a graphics compute and memory bandwidth constraint.

Interestingly, the Medium preset shows the most linear scaling curve. From 165 FPS at 1080p, it drops to 119 FPS at 1440p, and then to 76 FPS at 4K. The percentage drops are 28% and 36% respectively, which are less severe than the Low or Ultra presets. This suggests that at Medium settings, the workload is more balanced between the CPU and GPU, though the GPU still exerts the dominant influence on the final frame rate.

The High preset follows a similar pattern, with 137 FPS at 1080p, 99 FPS at 1440p, and 63 FPS at 4K. The 4K High result of 63 FPS is particularly telling, as it sits just above the 60 FPS threshold that many consider the minimum for smooth gameplay. The data implies that for a consistent 60+ FPS experience at 4K, the user must be willing to compromise on settings, as only the Low preset (105 FPS) and Medium preset (76 FPS) comfortably exceed that mark at this resolution.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is an absolute powerhouse, and its specifications suggest it should never be the limiting factor in a gaming scenario. With 24 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 3.70 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, this processor is built for heavy multi-threaded workloads. Its benchmark scores are equally impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51,731 and a single-core score of 7,303. The PassMark multi-thread score of 60,860 and a single-thread score of 4,823 further cement its position as a top-tier CPU.

In the context of Undisputed, a sports game that is likely not optimized to use all 24 cores, the CPU's role is to ensure that frame times are consistent and that the GPU is never starved of data. The data supports this interpretation. At 1080p Low, the 230 FPS average indicates that the CPU is capable of delivering frames far faster than the GPU can render them. Even at 4K Ultra, where the frame rate drops to 40 FPS, the CPU is not the culprit; the GPU is simply overwhelmed.

The CPU's percentile ranking of 96th among all processors, with an average benchmark score of 84,003, places it in the top 4% of all CPUs tested. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (0.2% faster) and the AMD EPYC 4584PX (1.1% slower), showing that it is virtually tied with the best consumer silicon available. This means that in Undisputed, the CPU is providing a massive headroom, and any performance limitations observed are entirely attributable to the graphics card.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus overkill for this game?

A: The data suggests yes. The CPU's benchmark scores are exceptionally high, and the measured FPS in Undisputed is always GPU-limited. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 230 FPS, which far exceeds any display's refresh rate, indicating the CPU could push even higher if the GPU allowed.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Undisputed?*

A: Yes, but with caveats. At 4K High, the average FPS is 63, which is playable. At 4K Ultra, it drops to 40 FPS, which is not ideal for a smooth experience. For a consistent 60+ FPS at 4K, the Medium preset (76 FPS) is the recommended choice.

Q: How does the RX 7600 compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 15,171, putting it at the 57th percentile. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, scores 15,199, which is only 0.2% higher. This indicates the RX 7600 is essentially on par with that card in raw compute power.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: At 1440p, the High preset delivers 99 FPS, which is excellent. The Ultra preset drops to 64 FPS, which is still playable but noticeably lower. For the best balance of visual quality and performance, High is the clear winner.

Q: Does the CPU's multi-core performance matter for this game?

A: The game's genre suggests it may not fully utilize all 24 cores. However, the CPU's single-core performance (7,303 in Cinebench R23) is more relevant for gaming. The high single-thread score ensures that the game's main thread is processed quickly, reducing the chance of CPU-related stutters.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 1,963 out of 2,813 tested combinations. This places it in the lower-middle tier, which is expected given the GPU's mid-range positioning. The CPU is top-tier, but the GPU drags the overall rank down.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1,963 out of 2,813 tested combinations is a direct reflection of its component balance. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a top-4% processor, but the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a mid-range GPU, sitting at the 57th percentile. This creates a significant imbalance, where the CPU's potential is largely untapped in gaming scenarios.

In Undisputed, this imbalance manifests as a situation where the GPU is always the bottleneck. The rank suggests that many other combinations, likely those with more balanced CPU-GPU pairings, achieve higher average frame rates. For instance, a system with a more modest CPU and a stronger GPU would likely rank higher because it would provide a more consistent gaming experience across all settings.

The data implies that this combo is not optimized for maximum gaming performance. It is a pairing that would excel in productivity tasks, given the CPU's immense multi-threaded power, but for gaming, the GPU holds it back. The 1,963rd rank out of 2,813 is a clear indicator that while the system is functional, it is not a top performer for this specific title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's capabilities. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers 230 FPS on Low, 165 FPS on Medium (with a min of 141 and max of 190), 137 FPS on High, and 88 FPS on Ultra. This resolution shows the full potential of the CPU, as even the most demanding Ultra preset stays well above 60 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop predictably. Low yields 166 FPS, Medium averages 119 FPS (min 102, max 137), High averages 99 FPS, and Ultra averages 64 FPS. The 1440p results are all playable, with even Ultra maintaining a solid 64 FPS average, making this resolution the sweet spot for the RX 7600.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become stark. Low averages 105 FPS, Medium averages 76 FPS (min 64, max 87), High averages 63 FPS, and Ultra drops to just 40 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is the only configuration that falls below 60 FPS, indicating that the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus are insufficient for the highest quality settings at this resolution.

The min and max FPS values for Medium settings are particularly informative. At 1080p, the min is 141 and max is 190, showing a 49 FPS spread. At 1440p, the spread is 35 FPS (102 to 137), and at 4K, it narrows to 23 FPS (64 to 87). This tightening of the frame time variance at higher resolutions suggests that the GPU becomes more consistently loaded, reducing the spikes and dips that can occur at lower resolutions when the CPU is feeding frames faster than the GPU can process them.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings preset depends heavily on the target resolution. For 1080p, the High preset at 137 FPS is the best recommendation, as it provides a smooth experience far above the 60 FPS threshold while offering better visual fidelity than Medium (165 FPS) or Low (230 FPS). The Ultra preset at 88 FPS is also viable for those who prioritize visuals, as it still exceeds 60 FPS.

For 1440p, the High preset at 99 FPS is the clear winner. It offers excellent performance and visual quality, and the 99 FPS average is comfortable for most high-refresh-rate monitors. The Ultra preset at 64 FPS is still playable, but the 35 FPS drop from High to Ultra is significant. The Medium preset at 119 FPS is also a strong option for those seeking higher frame rates, but High provides a better balance.

For 4K, the situation is more complex. The Medium preset at 76 FPS is the best recommendation, as it provides smooth gameplay while maintaining a reasonable level of visual quality. The High preset at 63 FPS is also viable, but it is very close to the 60 FPS floor. The Ultra preset at 40 FPS should be avoided for competitive or fast-paced play, as the low frame rate will hinder responsiveness. The Low preset at 105 FPS is an option for those who prioritize performance above all else, but the visual compromise is significant.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the most versatile, as it provides playable frame rates at all three resolutions. However, for the best experience at 1080p and 1440p, High is the recommended preset, while 4K users should stick to Medium to ensure a consistent 60+ FPS experience.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a mid-range graphics card built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture with the Navi 33 chip. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. Its boost clock is rated at 2655 MHz, with a game clock of 2250 MHz. The card's FP32 performance is 21.75 TFLOPS, and it has 32 ray tracing cores.

In Undisputed, the GPU's role is the definitive bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that the card's performance is heavily dependent on both resolution and settings, with the 4K Ultra preset yielding only 40 FPS. This is a clear indication that the GPU's 8 GB VRAM capacity and 128-bit memory interface are insufficient for the game's highest quality settings at 4K.

The GPU's synthetic benchmark scores provide context for its gaming performance. Its PassMark G3D score is 16,634, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 2,310. These scores place it at the 57th percentile, with its nearest rival being the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, which scores 0.2% higher. This indicates that the RX 7600 is a solid mid-range performer, but it lacks the raw power to drive a demanding title like Undisputed at maximum settings in 4K.

The card's 8 GB of VRAM is a critical limitation. At 4K Ultra, the game likely requires more memory than the card can provide, leading to the significant frame rate drop from 76 FPS at Medium to 40 FPS at Ultra. The data shows that the Medium preset at 4K, with its 76 FPS average, is the practical ceiling for this GPU, as it balances memory usage with rendering load. The GPU's 128-bit memory bus and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth are also limiting factors, as higher resolutions require more data to be moved quickly, and the card's bandwidth is simply not sufficient for 4K Ultra settings.