I. Introduction
The Core i5-9400F was released in 2019, offering great value for money at the time and becoming a popular choice for PC builds. It may still be in service as a backup machine for many users today.
This article will test whether the Core i5-9400F paired with the GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER can still smoothly run mainstream games, to evaluate whether an upgrade is necessary.
II. Specifications Review
The Core i5-9400F was released on January 8, 2019, using a 14nm process. It features 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock speed of 2.9GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.1GHz. It comes with 9MB of Smart Cache, a standard TDP of 65W, and a suggested retail price of $182.
III. Test Platform Configuration
The main configuration is as follows:
- Processor: Core i5-9400F
- Motherboard: Gigabyte B360M
- Memory: 32GB DDR4
- Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER
- Storage: Crucial BX500
IV. Game Testing (Core i5 9400F with RTX 2060 SUPER)
Seven games were tested, all at 1080p resolution.
1. God of War
- Average FPS: 94
- Minimum FPS: 53
- Frame Time: 9.6ms
- CPU Usage: 90%
- CPU Power: 42W
- CPU Temperature: 53°C
- Memory Usage: 8.8GB
- GPU Usage: 98%
- VRAM Usage: 4.5GB
- GPU Power: 160W
- GPU Temperature: 66°C
In this game, CPU usage is around 90%, memory usage ranges between 8GB and 9GB, GPU is nearly maxed out, and VRAM usage is between 4GB and 5GB. The average FPS exceeds 90, with minimum FPS around 50, and frame time near 10ms. It runs smoothly, though the overall platform load is quite high.
2. Alan Wake 2
- Average FPS: 51
- Minimum FPS: 40
- Frame Time: 14.5ms
- CPU Usage: 52%
- CPU Power: 30W
- CPU Temperature: 51°C
- Memory Usage: 7.3GB
- GPU Usage: 97%
- VRAM Usage: 4.9GB
- GPU Power: 165W
- GPU Temperature: 67°C
Here, CPU usage is around 50%, memory usage slightly above 7GB, GPU usage nearly maxed, and VRAM usage around 5GB. The game maintains an average of 50 FPS with minimums around 40 FPS, and a frame time of 15ms, ensuring smooth gameplay.
3. Horizon Forbidden West
- Average FPS: 62
- Minimum FPS: 58
- Frame Time: 17.5ms
- CPU Usage: 97%
- CPU Power: 47W
- CPU Temperature: 56°C
- Memory Usage: 8.3GB
- GPU Usage: 94%
- VRAM Usage: 6.7GB
- GPU Power: 155W
- GPU Temperature: 66°C
In this game, CPU is almost fully utilized, memory usage is just over 8GB, GPU usage is high but not maxed, and VRAM usage is between 6GB and 7GB. Average FPS is around 60, with minimum FPS also near 60, and frame time at 18ms. The game runs smoothly.
4. Spider-Man
- Average FPS: 89
- Minimum FPS: 54
- Frame Time: 11.5ms
- CPU Usage: 92%
- CPU Power: 44W
- CPU Temperature: 56°C
- Memory Usage: 9.0GB
- GPU Usage: 67%
- VRAM Usage: 5.4GB
- GPU Power: 122W
- GPU Temperature: 62°C
CPU usage exceeds 90%, memory usage is around 9GB, but GPU usage is only at 67%, with VRAM usage just over 5GB. The game achieves over 80 FPS on average, with minimum FPS above 50, and frame time around 12ms. Gameplay is smooth.
5. Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Average FPS: 98
- Minimum FPS: 44
- Frame Time: 9.7ms
- CPU Usage: 65%
- CPU Power: 32W
- CPU Temperature: 50°C
- Memory Usage: 8.9GB
- GPU Usage: 98%
- VRAM Usage: 5.2GB
- GPU Power: 169W
- GPU Temperature: 67°C
CPU usage is around 65%, memory usage close to 9GB, GPU is nearly maxed out, and VRAM usage slightly over 5GB. The game averages over 90 FPS, with minimum FPS above 40, and frame time around 10ms, delivering smooth performance.
6. Cyberpunk 2077
- Average FPS: 66
- Minimum FPS: 50
- Frame Time: 15.3ms
- CPU Usage: 93%
- CPU Power: 45W
- CPU Temperature: 53°C
- Memory Usage: 8.0GB
- GPU Usage: 71%
- VRAM Usage: 4.7GB
- GPU Power: 135W
- GPU Temperature: 62°C
CPU usage is over 90%, memory usage is around 8GB, GPU usage is about 70%, and VRAM usage is between 4GB and 5GB. The game averages over 60 FPS, with minimum FPS around 50, and frame time around 15ms, ensuring smooth gameplay.
7. The Last of Us Part I
- Average FPS: 68
- Minimum FPS: 43
- Frame Time: 12.5ms
- CPU Usage: 98%
- CPU Power: 47W
- CPU Temperature: 55°C
- Memory Usage: 11.7GB
- GPU Usage: 91%
- VRAM Usage: 5.0GB
- GPU Power: 146W
- GPU Temperature: 63°C
CPU is nearly maxed out, memory usage is close to 12GB, GPU usage is high but with some headroom, and VRAM usage is around 5GB. The game averages over 60 FPS, with minimum FPS above 40, and frame time around 13ms, providing smooth gameplay.
V. Test Conclusion
Based on the final test results, the Core i5-9400F + GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER configuration still delivers decent gaming performance, capable of smoothly running most mainstream games. The only downside is the high overall system load, making the platform feel somewhat strained.
If you’re reluctant to upgrade, this setup could conservatively last another two years.
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