Valorant

This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 in Valorant. The data provided is derived from direct measurement, offering a clear picture of how this specific combination handles the game across various settings and resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 combination ranks 1367 out of 1650 tested combos for Valorant. This places the pairing in the lower-middle portion of the database, indicating that while it is not a top-tier performer for this title, it is far from the bottom. The ranking suggests that many other hardware configurations can achieve higher frame rates, but this specific pairing is by no means a poor performer.

To contextualize this rank, it is useful to examine the individual components. The CPU sits at the 50th percentile when compared to all CPUs, meaning it is squarely in the middle of the pack. Its average benchmark score is 2305, which puts it in a very tight cluster with its nearest rivals. For instance, the Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2300, a mere 0.2% difference, and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 also scores 2299, another 0.2% delta. The Intel Xeon E-2134 is similarly close with a score of 2295 (0.4% delta). The only rival that edges it out is the Intel Core i7-8809G with a score of 2319, representing a -0.6% delta. This data indicates that the i5-9400's processing power is entirely average for its class.

The GPU, on the other hand, performs slightly better relative to its peers. The RTX 2060 is at the 58th percentile for all GPUs and has an average benchmark score of 16074. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S, scores 15996, placing the RTX 2060 a mere 0.5% ahead. The AMD Radeon Pro 5600M and Pro 5700 both score 16351, which is 1.7% higher than the RTX 2060. The AMD Radeon Pro W5500 scores 15786, meaning the RTX 2060 is 1.8% ahead. Given that the GPU is ranked slightly higher than the CPU, it is likely the more capable component in this pairing for gaming workloads. The overall combo rank reflects the combined, but not exceptional, capabilities of both parts.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is built on the Turing architecture and utilizes the TU106 chip. It features 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 1365 MHz, with a boost clock of 1680 MHz. The memory operates at 1750 MHz, which translates to 14 Gbps effective. These specifications are more than sufficient for a competitive title like Valorant, which is not known for being graphically demanding.

The benchmark results confirm this. At 4K resolution with Ultra settings, the combo still manages an average of 222.1 FPS. This suggests the GPU is rarely the limiting factor, even at high resolutions and detail levels. The data shows that the RTX 2060 provides a substantial amount of headroom, allowing the CPU to become the primary determinant of performance. The GPU's role here is to ensure that frame rates remain high across all settings, and it does so effectively, never dropping below the 200 FPS mark in any measured configuration.

Furthermore, the GPU's capabilities are reflected in its synthetic benchmarks. It scores 14111 in Passmark's G3D test and 71278 in Geekbench's OpenCL test. While these are not game-specific, they confirm the card's overall compute and rendering prowess. The RTX 2060's performance in this title is a clear demonstration that it is a capable piece of hardware for esports, providing ample power to drive high-refresh-rate monitors without breaking a sweat.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user's refresh rate and resolution. The data clearly shows that Low settings provide the highest frame rates, but the differences between presets are relatively small, especially at lower resolutions. For players with a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor, the choice of settings will have a significant impact on performance.

At 1920x1080, the most common resolution for competitive play, the difference between Low and Ultra is notable but not massive. Low settings yield an average of 369.9 FPS, while Ultra still delivers a very high 303.9 FPS. The Medium (316.8 FPS) and High (311.9 FPS) presets sit in between. Given that even Ultra settings provide over 300 FPS, players can prioritize visual quality without sacrificing competitive viability on standard 144Hz displays. For those with 240Hz or higher refresh rate monitors, dropping to Low or Medium settings will help ensure the frame rate stays well above the monitor's maximum refresh rate.

At 2560x1440, the same pattern holds. Low settings produce 351.8 FPS, while Ultra still manages 273.2 FPS. The High (291.4 FPS) and Medium (298.7 FPS) presets are closely grouped. This resolution is a good middle ground for those wanting sharper visuals. Even at 4K, the combo is playable, with Low settings hitting 322.6 FPS and Ultra maintaining 222.1 FPS. For the best balance of visual fidelity and high frame rates, the High preset is a strong recommendation at 1080p and 1440p, as it delivers frame rates that are only slightly lower than Low but with better image quality. For maximum competitive performance, Low is the clear choice.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. The numbers show a consistent trend: lower settings and lower resolutions yield higher frame rates.

1920x1080: This is where the combo performs best. The average FPS ranges from 369.9 on Low to 303.9 on Ultra. The Medium and High presets deliver 316.8 and 311.9 FPS, respectively. The performance is consistently high, with a spread of only 66 FPS between the lowest and highest quality settings. This indicates the system is well-balanced for this resolution.

2560x1440: At this resolution, performance remains excellent, though slightly lower than 1080p. The Low preset achieves 351.8 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 273.2 FPS. The Medium and High presets are nearly identical, at 298.7 and 291.4 FPS, respectively. The gap between Low and Ultra widens to 78.6 FPS, suggesting the GPU is starting to work a bit harder.

3840x2160: The 4K resolution sees the largest performance drop, but the frame rates are still very high. Low settings produce 322.6 FPS, which is impressive. The Medium preset delivers 239.4 FPS, and High drops to 232.6 FPS. Ultra is the lowest at 222.1 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is now 100.5 FPS, showing that the GPU is becoming more of a limiting factor at this resolution, though it still handles the game with ease.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 + RTX 2060 combo good for high-refresh-rate Valorant?

A: Yes. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers over 300 FPS on all presets, and at 2560x1440 it stays above 270 FPS even on Ultra. This makes it well-suited for 144Hz and 240Hz monitors.

Q: What is the best settings preset to use at 1080p?

A: For maximum frame rates, the Low preset is best, yielding 369.9 FPS. For a balance of visual quality and performance, the High preset at 311.9 FPS is a strong option, as it is only 58 FPS slower than Low.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S?

A: The RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 16074, which is 0.5% higher than the RX 7600S's score of 15996. This makes the two GPUs essentially equivalent in overall performance.

Q: How does the Core i5-9400 compare to the Intel Core i3-10305?

A: The Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2305, which is 0.2% higher than the Core i3-10305's score of 2300. The performance difference is negligible.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Valorant?

A: Yes. Even at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the combo achieves an average of 222.1 FPS. With Low settings, it reaches 322.6 FPS, making 4K playable and smooth.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU more of a bottleneck for this game?

A: The CPU is ranked at the 50th percentile for all CPUs, while the GPU is at the 58th percentile. This suggests the CPU is the relatively weaker component, and in a less demanding title like Valorant, it is more likely to be the limiting factor, especially at lower resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The CPU has 9 MB of shared L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. These specifications are typical for a mid-range desktop processor from its generation.

In Valorant, which is heavily CPU-bound due to its simple graphics and reliance on draw calls, the CPU's single-threaded performance is crucial. The i5-9400 scores 1125 in Cinebench R23's single-core test and 472 in the R20 single-core test. These scores are decent, but not outstanding, placing it in the middle of the pack. Its multi-core scores are 7969 (R23) and 3346 (R20), which are respectable for a 6-core part. The CPU's 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs underscores its average standing.

The benchmark results indicate that the i5-9400 is sufficient to feed the RTX 2060 in this game, as frame rates are exceptionally high across all settings. However, the data suggests that the CPU is the primary determinant of performance. This is evident in the relatively small performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p (66 FPS), which indicates that the CPU is reaching its limit before the GPU does. The fact that the combo ranks 1367 out of 1650 also suggests that many other CPUs, likely with higher single-thread performance, can achieve higher frame rates when paired with a similar GPU. The i5-9400 is a functional but unexceptional partner for the RTX 2060 in Valorant, providing enough power for a highly enjoyable experience, but it is not a top-tier pairing for this specific esports title.