Inside

Inside is a puzzle platformer with a restrained visual style, yet the benchmark data for the Intel Core i9-14900K paired with the Intel Arc B570 reveals a surprisingly wide performance spread across resolutions and presets. The measured frame rates show that this combination is not merely adequate, but capable of delivering high refresh rate experiences at lower settings, while demanding a strategic choice of preset at 4K. The data suggests a system that is heavily influenced by the GPU's capabilities, though the CPU's headroom is never a limiting factor in the tested scenarios.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Intel Core i9-14900K sits in a peculiar position among its nearest rivals. Its average benchmark score of 79097 places it a mere 0.3% behind the Intel Core i9-14900KF, which scores 79371. This is an expected result, as the KF variant typically omits integrated graphics, but the performance delta is negligible. The data shows the i9-14900K is also 0.6% behind the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus (score 79574) and 1.2% behind the AMD EPYC 7413 (score 80041). However, it is 1.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which scores 77740. In practical terms for Inside, any of these processors would deliver identical frame rates, as the game's demands are unlikely to differentiate between them. The CPU's 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs further confirms that its performance class is far above what this title requires.

On the graphics side, the Intel Arc B570's average score of 20556 places it in a tight cluster of rivals. It is essentially tied with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, which scores 20534 (a 0.1% difference), and the Intel Arc A750, which scores 20582 (a -0.1% difference). The data also shows it is 0.4% ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (score 20480) and 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon R9 M390X (score 20662). For Inside, the Arc B570's performance is the primary driver of frame rates. A system with any of these rival GPUs would likely produce similar results, with the Arc A750 being the most direct desktop comparison. The GPU's 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates it is a mid-range performer, which aligns with the observed scaling between presets.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data for Inside indicates a clear division of labor. The GPU is the dominant factor in determining frame rates, while the CPU's role is to ensure the GPU is never starved of data. This is evident from the frame rate scaling at 3840x2160, where the average FPS drops from 108 at Low settings to 52 at Ultra. This 56 FPS swing is a direct result of the GPU's workload increasing with each preset. The Intel Core i9-14900K, with its 24 cores and 32 threads, provides substantial headroom, but the game's engine does not appear to leverage this capacity to boost frame rates at higher resolutions. Instead, the GPU's fill rate and shading power become the limiting factors.

At 2560x1440, the pattern continues. The average FPS at Low is 172, which drops to 82 at Ultra. This 90 FPS difference again points to the GPU being the bottleneck. The CPU's performance is consistent, but the GPU's ability to render the scene at higher quality settings is what changes. The same logic applies at 1920x1080, where the average FPS at Low is 240 and at Ultra is 114. The 126 FPS difference underscores that even at 1080p, the GPU is the limiting component. The data suggests that the i9-14900K is more than capable of feeding the Arc B570, but the game's visual complexity is what dictates the final frame rate. The CPU's role is to provide a stable platform, which it does, but the measurable performance differences between presets are attributable to the GPU.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the Intel Core i9-14900K and Intel Arc B570 combination shows a significant sensitivity to settings. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 108 FPS, which is well above the playable threshold. Medium settings produce an average of 87 FPS, with a minimum of 74 FPS and a maximum of 100 FPS. High settings see a substantial drop to 54 FPS average, which falls below the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra settings are the most demanding, yielding an average of 52 FPS. The data indicates that the GPU struggles to maintain smooth performance at 4K with High or Ultra presets.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance improves considerably. Low settings deliver an average of 172 FPS, while Medium settings produce 138 FPS, with a minimum of 117 FPS and a maximum of 159 FPS. High settings average 86 FPS, and Ultra settings average 82 FPS. All settings at this resolution remain above the 60 FPS threshold, showing the GPU has enough headroom for a smooth experience. The frame time consistency at Medium, with a narrow range between minimum and maximum, suggests a stable experience.

At 1920x1080, the combination performs exceptionally well. Low settings achieve an average of 240 FPS, which is likely capped by the display or game engine. Medium settings average 192 FPS, with a minimum of 163 FPS and a maximum of 221 FPS. High settings produce an average of 120 FPS, and Ultra settings average 114 FPS. Every preset at this resolution delivers frame rates far above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the most flexible resolution for this game.

The Verdict

The data shows that this PC can run Inside, but the experience varies significantly by resolution and preset. At 3840x2160, the system is only playable with Low and Medium settings, which achieve average frame rates of 108 FPS and 87 FPS, respectively. The High and Ultra presets fail to clear the 60 FPS threshold, with averages of 54 FPS and 52 FPS, making them unsuitable for a smooth experience. The verdict for 4K is clear: stick to Medium settings for the best balance, as it is the most demanding preset that remains above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the system is playable at all presets. The data shows that Low, Medium, High, and Ultra settings all produce average frame rates above 60 FPS, with Ultra achieving 82 FPS. This makes 1440p the sweet spot for visual fidelity and performance, as the user can select the highest quality preset without sacrificing smoothness. At 1920x1080, the system is equally capable, with all presets clearing 60 FPS. Ultra settings achieve an average of 114 FPS, providing a high refresh rate experience. The verdict is that the system is fully playable at 1080p and 1440p, but requires a compromise at 4K.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Inside at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but only with Low or Medium settings. The data shows average frame rates of 108 FPS and 87 FPS, respectively, which are above the 60 FPS threshold. High and Ultra settings do not meet this standard.

Q: What is the best setting to use at 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is the best choice, as it maintains an average frame rate of 82 FPS, which is above the playable threshold. This provides the highest visual quality without performance issues.

Q: How does the frame rate change from Medium to High at 1920x1080?

A: The average frame rate drops from 192 FPS at Medium to 120 FPS at High. This is a significant decrease, but both remain well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for Inside?

A: The GPU is the primary factor. The frame rate scaling between presets shows a clear dependence on the GPU's workload. The Intel Core i9-14900K provides sufficient processing power, but the Arc B570 dictates the final frame rates.

Q: Are there any settings at 3840x2160 that provide a smooth experience?

A: Yes, Medium settings with an average of 87 FPS, and Low settings with an average of 108 FPS, are both smooth. The minimum frame rate at Medium is 74 FPS, which is still above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: What is the average frame rate difference between Low and Ultra at 2560x1440?

A: The average frame rate drops from 172 FPS at Low to 82 FPS at Ultra. This is a 90 FPS difference, showing the impact of the Ultra preset on the GPU.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i9-14900K and Intel Arc B570 combination ranks 2983 out of 3716 tested combos for Inside. This places the system in the lower half of all tested configurations, which is a surprising result given the high-end CPU. The data suggests that while the CPU is a top-tier performer, the GPU's mid-range positioning pulls the overall ranking down. The Arc B570's 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs is the likely cause, as the game's frame rates are heavily dependent on the graphics card. This ranking is not a measure of playability, but rather a comparison of overall performance against other CPU and GPU pairings. The system is still capable of running the game smoothly at many settings, but it does not compete with high-end GPU combinations.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS is Medium, which achieves an average of 87 FPS. The data also shows that Low settings achieve 108 FPS, but Medium offers a better visual experience while maintaining a comfortable margin above the threshold.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is the best choice, with an average of 82 FPS. All other presets also clear 60 FPS, but Ultra provides the highest quality. The High preset achieves 86 FPS, but Ultra's 82 FPS is still a strong performance.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best, delivering an average of 114 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a high refresh rate experience. The data confirms that no compromise is needed at this resolution, as the system has ample performance headroom.