Stalker 2 Test: GPU & CPU Benchmarks - My Rig Nearly Melted!
Hey everyone! So, I finally got my hands on Stalker 2 – whew what a game. Let me tell you, this ain't your grandma's shooter. This thing is intense, graphically speaking. And boy, did I learn a few things about my PC's limits along the way. I'm talking meltdown close.
I'm not a professional game tester, just a dude who loves immersive shooters and pushing my hardware. So, take my benchmarks with a grain of salt, but I think you'll find them pretty relatable. Especially if you're like me and you're constantly tweaking settings to get that sweet spot between stunning visuals and playable frame rates.
My Rig: A Beast (Mostly)
Before I dive into the numbers, let me tell you what I was working with. My main battle station consists of:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X – A pretty solid processor, but even it struggled at times.
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 – This bad boy usually handles anything I throw at it, but Stalker 2? A different story.
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 – Plenty of RAM, thankfully, because this game is a RAM hog!
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD – Fast loading times are essential for a game this detailed.
The Benchmarks: Where Things Got Spicy
I ran a bunch of benchmarks using the built-in benchmark tool in the game. I tested at different settings, focusing on the impact of various graphical options on performance.
High Settings: At high settings, I averaged around 50-60 FPS. Not terrible, but I noticed significant stuttering, especially in densely populated areas or during intense firefights. My CPU usage was pegged at 90-100%, which explains the stuttering. My GPU was hanging around 75-85% utilization. This was pretty disappointing, to be honest. I expected better from my 3080.
Medium Settings: Dropping to medium settings made a noticeable difference. My FPS jumped to a more consistent 70-80 FPS. Stuttering was almost completely gone. CPU usage dropped to a more reasonable 70-80%, and my GPU hovered around 65-75%. This is more like it.
Low Settings: I know, I know. Low settings are a last resort for most gamers. But I did a test run just to see the difference. At low settings, my frame rate was a butter-smooth 90-100 FPS. The visual downgrade was significant, of course, but the performance boost was undeniable.
CPU Bottleneck? Based on my tests, it looked like I was hitting a CPU bottleneck at higher settings. The CPU was working way too hard, and that's why I was experiencing stuttering.
Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)
This whole experience taught me a lot about optimizing my system for demanding games like Stalker 2. Here are my top takeaways:
- Monitor your CPU usage: Don't just focus on the GPU. A CPU bottleneck can seriously impact performance, even with a powerful graphics card.
- Tweak settings strategically: Not all graphical settings impact performance equally. Experiment to find the best balance between visuals and frame rate.
- Consider an upgrade (maybe): If your CPU is holding you back, it might be time to consider an upgrade. It might not be all sunshine and rainbows, especially with current GPU prices.
Conclusion: A Beautiful, Demanding Game
Stalker 2 is a gorgeous game with stunning visuals and intense gameplay. But it's also incredibly demanding. It pushed my hardware to its absolute limits, which was both frustrating and rewarding. Hopefully, my experiences and benchmarks will help you optimize your own setup for a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience. Let me know your results in the comments below. Peace out!