Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver, an adventure title from 2023, presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination. The measured data reveals a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at lower resolutions, with the CPU only beginning to assert its influence as resolution scales. This analysis breaks down the performance metrics, the role of each component, and how this specific pairing stacks up against the broader field of tested configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a clear and predictable trend: as resolution increases, average frame rates decrease. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers 238 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that to 179 FPS, and at 4K (3840x2160), it falls to 120 FPS. This is a classic sign of a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck, even at lower resolutions where frame rates are exceptionally high.

The scaling pattern is telling. From 1080p High to 1440p High, there is a 59 FPS drop (a 24.8% decrease). From 1440p High to 4K High, the drop is also 59 FPS (a 33.0% decrease). The percentage drop accelerates as resolution increases, which is expected because the pixel count grows quadratically. The RTX 4070's 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth are sufficient to handle the load, but the sheer pixel-pushing demand at 4K takes its toll.

What is more revealing is the scaling of the Low preset. At 1080p Low, the system hits 319 FPS. At 1440p Low, it still manages 240 FPS. At 4K Low, it drops to 161 FPS. The fact that the system can push over 300 FPS at 1080p Low suggests that the CPU is providing ample headroom, and the GPU is the limiting factor in every scenario. If the CPU were the primary constraint, we would expect to see frame rates plateau at lower resolutions, which they do not. The 1080p Low result of 319 FPS is the highest recorded, indicating that the CPU can feed the GPU well beyond what is typically needed for a 60Hz or even 144Hz display.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings also widens with resolution. At 1080p, the difference between Low (319 FPS) and Ultra (211 FPS) is 108 FPS. At 4K, the same gap is only 55 FPS (161 FPS vs. 106 FPS). This indicates that at 4K, the GPU is so saturated that even reducing graphical fidelity does not yield the same relative performance boost as it does at lower resolutions. The data implies that for 4K gaming, the user is firmly in GPU-bound territory, sacrificing Ultra settings for High or Medium to maintain higher frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS rows provide clear guidance on the best settings for different priorities. For players targeting a smooth 60 FPS experience at 4K, the Ultra preset (106 FPS) is more than sufficient, and even High (120 FPS) provides a substantial margin. However, the Medium preset at 4K, with an average of 135 FPS and a minimum of 114 FPS, offers the best balance of visual fidelity and frame rate stability for high-refresh-rate 4K displays.

At 1440p, the story changes. The Ultra preset delivers 158 FPS, which is ideal for 144Hz monitors. The High preset (179 FPS) is also excellent, and the Medium preset (201 FPS) pushes into territory suitable for 200Hz+ displays. The minimum FPS recorded for Medium at 1440p is 171 FPS, which still provides a smooth experience. The data suggests that at 1440p, users can comfortably choose Ultra or High without compromising the high-refresh-rate experience.

For 1080p, all presets exceed 200 FPS, including Ultra (211 FPS). The Medium preset (267 FPS) and Low (319 FPS) are far beyond the refresh rate of most monitors. Given the minimal difference in visual quality between High and Ultra in many titles, High (238 FPS) is the most sensible recommendation for 1080p, as it provides a significant frame rate buffer over Ultra while still offering enhanced visuals over Medium. The minimum FPS data for Medium at 1080p (227 FPS) shows that even the lower presets are consistently smooth.

The data implies that the RTX 4070 is powerful enough to make settings choices a matter of preference rather than necessity. For a 4K60 experience, High is the sweet spot. For competitive play at 1080p, Low or Medium maximizes frame rates, but the margin over High or Ultra is not necessary for most users. The most balanced experience across all resolutions appears to be the High preset, which offers a 120 FPS minimum at 4K and never drops below 179 FPS at 1440p.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235, with its 14 cores and 14 threads, is a modern desktop processor built on a 3 nm process. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz, and it can boost up to 5.00 GHz. While the game’s frame rates are clearly GPU-limited, the CPU’s performance is still a critical factor in ensuring that the GPU is fed with enough data to achieve those high numbers.

The CPU’s benchmark scores, such as 14,769 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,085 in single-core, place it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (0.1% slower) and the Intel Core i9-13900HX (0.1% faster). This indicates that the Ultra 5 235 is a high-performing chip that can handle the game’s logic, physics, and AI without bottlenecking the RTX 4070, especially at 1080p where the GPU is operating at its maximum potential.

The fact that the 1080p Low preset reaches 319 FPS reflects the CPU’s capability. This suggests that the CPU can process frames far faster than the GPU can render them. Even at 1080p Ultra, the system maintains 211 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS target. If the CPU were a weaker model, we would expect to see frame rates plateau or even drop at 1080p, but the data shows a linear scaling with settings, which points to the GPU as the sole limiting factor.

The CPU’s 24 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support (with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth) are adequate for gaming. The data does not show any signs of CPU-related stutters or frame dips, as the minimum FPS values for Medium settings are close to the averages (e.g., 227 min vs. 267 avg at 1080p). This implies a consistent frame pacing that is characteristic of a system with a capable processor. For this game, the Ultra 5 235 is not a performance liability; it is an enabler of high frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 ranks 611th out of 2,867 tested combos in Dave The Diver. This places it in the top 21.3% of all configurations. While this might seem modest, it is important to consider the context of the game. Dave The Diver is not a graphically demanding title, and many lower-end GPUs can achieve high frame rates. The ranking reflects the fact that this combo is overkill for the game, and the performance is capped by the game’s engine and the GPU, not the CPU.

The combo’s rank is influenced by the RTX 4070’s position in the GPU hierarchy. The GPU has an average benchmark score of 37,648, placing it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (0.1% faster) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (0.4% slower). This suggests that the GPU is a solid mid-to-high-end performer, but it is not a flagship. The combo’s 611th rank out of 2,867 indicates that there are many other combinations that can match or exceed its performance in this specific title, likely due to more powerful GPUs.

However, the ranking is also a reflection of the CPU’s strength. The Ultra 5 235’s 89th percentile ranking among CPUs ensures that it is not holding the system back. If the combo were paired with a weaker CPU, the rank would likely be lower. The data shows a well-balanced system where both components are capable, and the performance is limited by the GPU in this particular game. The 611th rank out of 2,867 means that this combo is in the top quarter, which is a strong result for a mainstream processor paired with a mid-range high-end GPU. The ranking suggests that for this game, users would need a significantly more powerful GPU to see a meaningful improvement in frame rates, as the CPU is already providing ample headroom.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Dave The Diver with this combo for a 144Hz monitor?

A: At 1440p, the Ultra preset delivers 158 FPS, and the High preset delivers 179 FPS, both of which are well above the 144Hz threshold. At 4K, the High preset (120 FPS) and Medium preset (135 FPS) are just below 144Hz, so 1440p is the ideal choice for a 144Hz display.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Dave The Diver?

A: Yes, the data shows that at 4K, the Ultra preset averages 106 FPS, and the High preset averages 120 FPS. This is more than sufficient for a smooth 60 FPS experience and even allows for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming on displays that support it.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 319 FPS, which is exceptionally high. As resolution increases, frame rates drop consistently, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU’s high benchmark scores support this conclusion.

Q: How does the RTX 4070 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37,648. The NVIDIA Tesla P4 is 0.1% faster, while the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is 0.4% slower. The RTX 4080 Mobile is 1.3% faster, and the AMD Radeon PRO W6400 is 1.3% slower.

Q: What is the difference in FPS between High and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the High preset averages 238 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 211 FPS. This is a 27 FPS difference, which is a small percentage but may be noticeable on a very high refresh rate monitor.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1440p?

A: The minimum FPS for the Medium preset at 2560x1440 is 171 FPS, with an average of 201 FPS and a maximum of 231 FPS. This indicates consistent performance without significant frame drops.

Measured FPS Breakdown

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: Average 106 FPS
• High: Average 120 FPS
• Medium: Average 135 FPS, Minimum 114 FPS, Maximum 155 FPS
• Low: Average 161 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: Average 158 FPS
• High: Average 179 FPS
• Medium: Average 201 FPS, Minimum 171 FPS, Maximum 231 FPS
• Low: Average 240 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: Average 211 FPS
• High: Average 238 FPS
• Medium: Average 267 FPS, Minimum 227 FPS, Maximum 307 FPS
• Low: Average 319 FPS

The data shows a consistent hierarchy: Low > Medium > High > Ultra at every resolution. The Medium preset is the only one with min/max data, showing a tight range of about 80 FPS across all resolutions, which indicates stable performance. The jump from High to Ultra is consistently around 11-13% (e.g., 120 to 106 FPS at 4K), while the jump from Low to Medium is larger, around 15-19% (e.g., 161 to 135 FPS at 4K). This suggests that the Ultra preset has diminishing returns in this game, and High is the most efficient setting for visual quality per frame.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the central component in this system’s gaming performance. Its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus provides 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth, which is ample for Dave The Diver’s textures and assets. The GPU’s boost clock of 2475 MHz and its 5,888 shading units allow it to handle the game’s rendering demands with ease, as evidenced by the high frame rates across all settings.

The GPU’s benchmark results are consistent with its performance in the game. It scores 26,927 in Passmark G3D and 14,720 in Passmark GPU Compute, placing it in the 81st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in average score are the NVIDIA Tesla P4 (0.1% faster) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 (0.4% slower). This confirms that the RTX 4070 is a solid performer, but not an extreme one, which explains why it ranks 611th out of 2,867 combos in this game.

In Dave The Diver, the GPU’s role is to render the 2D/3D hybrid art style, which is not overly demanding. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor, as frame rates scale inversely with resolution. The 4K Ultra setting (106 FPS) is the lowest measured, while 1080p Low (319 FPS) is the highest. This indicates that the GPU’s raw fill rate and pixel processing power are what determine the final frame rate, not the CPU. The RTX 4070’s support for DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4 ensures it can handle any modern rendering technique the game uses. With a TDP of 200 W, it is a power-efficient solution that delivers high performance without requiring an excessive power supply, as the suggested PSU is 550 W. The GPU’s end-of-life production status means it is being phased out, but its performance in this title remains strong, making it a capable choice for this game.