Palworld

The Intel Core i5-14400F paired with the Intel Arc B390 is a combination that sits near the bottom of the database’s tested configurations for Palworld. With a combo rank of 3297 out of 3711 tested combos, this system falls into the lower 11th percentile of all recorded pairings. That ranking places it firmly in the territory of hardware that can run the game, but only with significant compromises to visual fidelity and resolution. The data shows a system that is clearly CPU-bound in synthetic benchmarks but GPU-limited in real-world gaming scenarios, as the Arc B390’s integrated graphics architecture struggles to keep pace with the demands of Palworld’s open-world survival mechanics.

The Intel Core i5-14400F itself is a solid mid-range processor, scoring in the 83rd percentile against all CPUs in the database. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21645 and single-core score of 3055 indicate strong computational headroom. However, this CPU’s capabilities are largely wasted when paired with the Arc B390, which ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. The graphics solution, built on the Xe3-LPG architecture with a 3 nm process, delivers a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of just 1482. This massive imbalance between CPU potential and GPU output defines the entire performance profile of this combo. For Palworld, the bottleneck is overwhelmingly the graphics processor, not the central processor.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 3297 out of 3711 tested combinations places it in the bottom 11% of all recorded system pairings for Palworld. This is not a configuration that any player would choose for a smooth experience at high settings. The data indicates that the system clears the 60 FPS playable threshold only at 1080p with Low or Medium settings. At every higher resolution, the combo fails to reach playable frame rates, with 1440p and 4K results falling well below the 60 FPS mark.

The ranking reflects a fundamental mismatch. The CPU’s percentile rank of 83 indicates it outperforms the vast majority of processors in the database, yet the GPU’s percentile of 9 shows it is outperformed by 91% of graphics cards. This pairing creates a situation where the processor is never the limiting factor, but the graphics solution cannot deliver the visual performance needed for modern titles. In Palworld’s case, the game’s large environments and physics-based interactions require consistent GPU throughput, and the Arc B390 simply does not have the raw fill rate or shading power to provide it beyond entry-level settings.

Comparatively, the combo sits just above the very worst configurations in the database. The 3711 total combinations include many budget and integrated graphics solutions, and this pairing lands in the lower echelon of that group. Players considering this setup should expect to treat Palworld as a light, low-resolution experience rather than a visually rich one.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the CPU, the Intel Core i5-14400F’s average benchmark score of 32279 is extremely close to several other processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U scores 32233, a delta of just 0.1%, meaning these two CPUs are effectively interchangeable in performance. The Intel Core i9-11900 comes in at 32226, also a 0.2% delta. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS scores 32354, which is 0.2% higher than the i5-14400F. Finally, the Intel Core i7-12800H scores 32121, a 0.5% deficit. For any of these processors, the gaming experience would be nearly identical when paired with the same GPU, as none of them would meaningfully change the frame rate in a GPU-bound scenario like Palworld.

For the GPU side, the Intel Arc B390’s nearest rivals are all older, low-end NVIDIA parts. The GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463, a 1.3% delta from the Arc B390’s 1482. The GeForce 800M scores 1460, a 1.5% delta, and the GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446, a 2.5% delta. The GeForce GT 710 scores 1443, a 2.7% delta. These comparisons show that the Arc B390, despite being a newer architecture, performs at the level of decade-old entry-level discrete GPUs. In practical terms, swapping between any of these GPUs would yield nearly identical frame rates in Palworld, all hovering in the same narrow band of performance. The data does not show any nearby GPU that would provide a meaningful upgrade, meaning users of this combo should not expect alternative low-end parts to rescue the experience.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Palworld at 4K resolution?

A: No. The recorded data shows average frame rates of 19 FPS at High, 31 FPS at Low, 25 FPS at Medium, and 15 FPS at Ultra at 3840x2160. None of these settings approach the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best playable setting at 1080p for this system?

A: The highest preset that maintains at least 60 FPS is Medium, with an average of 68 FPS. Low also clears the threshold at 84 FPS, but Medium provides better visual quality while staying above the 60 FPS mark.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-14400F’s average benchmark score of 32279 is within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, Intel Core i9-11900, AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS, and Intel Core i7-12800H. These processors are effectively performance equivalents.

Q: Is the GPU or the CPU the main bottleneck for this combo?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. The CPU ranks in the 83rd percentile of all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 9th percentile. The Arc B390’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is the limiting factor in gaming workloads.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The recorded data shows an average of 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS and a maximum of 52 FPS. This falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold, so 1440p is not recommended for this combo.

Q: Does the Arc B390 outperform any modern discrete GPUs?

A: The nearest rivals listed are the GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, GeForce GT 625 OEM, and GeForce GT 710. All of these are older entry-level parts, and the Arc B390’s performance delta ranges from 1.3% to 2.7% against them, indicating it is only marginally faster than these legacy products.

The Verdict

The verdict from the measured data is clear: this combo can run Palworld, but only at 1080p with reduced settings. The verdict by resolution shows that at 3840x2160 and 2560x1440, there are no playable settings that reach 60 FPS. At 1920x1080, the system clears the threshold with both Low and Medium presets, with Medium being the best playable option at an average of 68 FPS. Ultra at 1080p drops to 40 FPS, which is not playable by the 60 FPS standard.

Players using this configuration should set their expectations accordingly. The game will run, but it will not look its best. The combination of a powerful processor and a weak graphics solution means that any attempt to increase resolution or graphical fidelity will result in sub-60 FPS performance. For a survival game that benefits from seeing distant landmarks and creatures, the limited visual range at Low or Medium settings could impact gameplay awareness, though the frame rate remains sufficient for responsive controls.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the data shows a steep drop in performance across all settings. High averages 19 FPS, Low averages 31 FPS, Medium averages 25 FPS with a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 29, and Ultra averages 15 FPS. None of these results are remotely playable. The 4K resolution demands far more from the Arc B390 than it can deliver, and even the lowest settings cannot push the frame rate above 31 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the situation improves slightly but remains below the playable threshold. High averages 35 FPS, Low averages 56 FPS, Medium averages 45 FPS with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 52, and Ultra averages 26 FPS. The Low preset comes closest to 60 FPS, but it still falls short by 4 FPS, meaning this resolution is not viable for consistent smooth gameplay.

At 1920x1080, the combo finally reaches playable territory. High averages 53 FPS, Low averages 84 FPS, Medium averages 68 FPS with a minimum of 58 and a maximum of 79, and Ultra averages 40 FPS. Low and Medium both exceed the 60 FPS threshold, while High and Ultra do not. The Medium preset offers the best balance of visual quality and performance, as its 68 FPS average stays comfortably above the threshold.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 3840x2160, no preset achieves 60 FPS, so there is no recommended setting. The closest option is Low at 31 FPS, but that is still far below playable.

At 2560x1440, no preset achieves 60 FPS either. Low comes closest at 56 FPS, but it misses the mark, so the database lists no best settings for this resolution.

At 1920x1080, the best playable preset is Medium, which delivers an average of 68 FPS. This setting provides the highest visual quality while still maintaining a frame rate above the 60 FPS threshold. Low is also playable at 84 FPS, but Medium offers better textures and lighting effects without sacrificing smoothness. Players who prioritize frame rate stability over visuals can use Low for an even larger margin, but Medium is the recommended choice for the best overall experience.