Greedfall

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 pairing in Greedfall presents a case study in how a balanced mid-range CPU from 2018 interacts with a high-end GPU from 2020. The measured frame rates reveal a system that scales predictably with resolution, but the data also shows specific bottlenecks that define the experience across the game’s four quality presets.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen+ architecture, fabricated on a 12 nm process. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz and it boosts to 3.90 GHz. This CPU sits in the 75th percentile of all processors in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 21484. In synthetic tests, it scores 1248 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 157.3 in single-core, while Geekbench returns 5648 multi-core and 1154 single-core. These figures indicate a solidly capable processor for its generation, but one that is now several architectural steps behind modern offerings.

In Greedfall, an Action RPG that relies on CPU for game logic, AI, and physics, the Ryzen 5 2600's 12 threads provide adequate throughput. However, the single-thread performance, as reflected in the 2239 Passmark single-thread score, becomes a limiting factor at lower resolutions. The nearest rivals in the CPU benchmark database highlight its positioning: the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V scores 0.2% higher, the Intel Core i9-11900H is 0.5% ahead, and the AMD EPYC 9454 is 1.2% faster. Meanwhile, the Intel Xeon D-1746TER trails by 0.7%. This cluster of scores, all within a 1.2% range, shows the Ryzen 5 2600 delivering performance that is competitive with a diverse set of modern processors in aggregate workloads.

When the resolution is set to 1920x1080, the CPU's influence on frame rate becomes apparent. At Low settings, the system produces 204 FPS average, but at Ultra settings, it drops to 93 FPS. This 111 FPS swing between the lowest and highest quality presets is not purely a GPU limitation; it reflects the CPU's capacity to feed the RTX 3070 with draw calls and scene data. The 3.90 GHz boost clock is the maximum for this chip, and at 1080p, the game often becomes CPU-bound before the GPU can reach its full potential. The difference between 1080p Low at 204 FPS and 1080p Medium at 160 FPS is a 44 FPS drop, which indicates that each setting tier introduces more geometry, effects, and AI calculations that the CPU must process.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is built on the Ampere architecture with the GA104 chip, manufactured on an 8 nm process by Samsung. It features 5888 shading units, 184 TMUs, and 96 ROPs. The GPU has a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 1725 MHz. Memory is 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a key factor in Greedfall, as the game's open-world environments and texture detail can place significant demands on VRAM.

The RTX 3070's 8 GB frame buffer is adequate for the resolutions tested, but the data shows how the GPU's computational power scales with workload. The GPU sits in the 61st percentile of all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 17208. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, which scores 0.7% higher, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, which is 1% ahead. The AMD Radeon HD 7970M is 1.1% faster, while the NVIDIA Tesla K40c trails by 1.5%. These margins are small, placing the RTX 3070 in a tightly contested performance bracket.

In Greedfall, the GPU’s role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 3840x2160, the difference between Low and High settings is a 24 FPS average drop (84 to 60), while the jump from High to Ultra costs another 22 FPS (60 to 38). This indicates that the RTX 3070 is heavily stressed at 4K, particularly with Ultra settings, where the 38 FPS average falls below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The GPU's 20.31 TFLOPS of FP32 compute is substantial, but the 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth are pushed to their limits at 4K with high-quality textures. The boost clock of 1725 MHz is the sustained speed under load, and the data suggests that at 1080p, the GPU is not the primary constraint, as frame rates exceed 200 FPS at Low settings, indicating headroom that the CPU cannot fully utilize.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions tells a clear story about system balance. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are 204 (Low), 160 (Medium), 146 (High), and 93 (Ultra). Moving to 2560x1440, these figures drop to 141 (Low), 111 (Medium), 101 (High), and 64 (Ultra). Finally, at 3840x2160, the averages are 84 (Low), 66 (Medium), 60 (High), and 38 (Ultra).

The scaling pattern is revealing. From 1080p to 1440p, the Low setting drops from 204 to 141 FPS, a 31% reduction. From 1440p to 4K, it drops from 141 to 84 FPS, a further 40% reduction. This accelerating decline with resolution is typical of a system transitioning from CPU-bound to GPU-bound. At 1080p Low, the CPU is the limiting factor, and the GPU has spare capacity. As resolution increases, the GPU becomes more fully utilized, and the frame rate drops proportionally to the increase in pixel count.

For the Ultra preset, the pattern is different. At 1080p, the 93 FPS average is already lower than the High setting at 1440p (101 FPS). This suggests that Ultra settings at 1080p impose a heavy load on both the CPU and GPU, but the bottleneck is more evenly distributed. At 4K Ultra, the 38 FPS average is a 59% drop from the 1080p Ultra figure, showing that the GPU is now the dominant constraint. The Medium setting provides the most consistent scaling: 160 FPS at 1080p, 111 FPS at 1440p, and 66 FPS at 4K. These values represent a near-linear relationship with resolution, indicating a balanced workload where neither component is completely overwhelmed.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 ranks 1584 out of 3703 tested combos for Greedfall, placing it in the 57th percentile of all configurations. This rank suggests a competent but not top-tier pairing. The fact that it falls in the upper half of all tested combos is notable given the age of the CPU, but the ranking also reflects the GPU's mid-tier status in the current landscape.

The rank of 1584 indicates that while this setup delivers playable frame rates at most settings, there are 2119 other combinations that perform better. The data shows that the RTX 3070 is capable of high frame rates, but the Ryzen 5 2600 holds back the system in CPU-limited scenarios, such as 1080p Low and Medium settings. Conversely, at 4K Ultra, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, and the CPU's age is less relevant. This dual-bottleneck characteristic is typical of a pairing where the components are from different performance tiers and generations.

When compared to the CPU's nearest rivals, the Ryzen 5 2600's performance is within 1.2% of several modern processors, but this does not translate to significant differences in Greedfall's frame rates. The combo rank of 1584 is an aggregate measure that accounts for all tested configurations, and it positions this pairing as a solid mid-range option. The data indicates that users with this combo should expect consistent performance at 1440p, with playable results at 4K on lower presets.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain 60 FPS or higher?

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset delivers 101 FPS average, and Medium delivers 111 FPS, both comfortably above 60 FPS. At 3840x2160, only the Low preset (84 FPS) and Medium preset (66 FPS) exceed 60 FPS, while High is exactly at 60 FPS and Ultra drops to 38 FPS.

Q: How does the Ultra preset affect performance compared to High?

A: At 1920x1080, Ultra averages 93 FPS versus 146 FPS for High, a 53 FPS difference. At 2560x1440, the gap is 37 FPS (64 vs 101). At 3840x2160, Ultra averages 38 FPS versus 60 FPS for High, a 22 FPS drop. The Ultra preset consistently reduces frame rates by 37-53% compared to High.

Q: Is this CPU a bottleneck for the GPU in Greedfall?

A: The data suggests yes at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the system produces 204 FPS, which is very high but likely CPU-limited. At 1080p Ultra, the 93 FPS average is lower than the 101 FPS achieved at 1440p High, indicating that the CPU's single-thread performance constrains the GPU's output when settings are increased.

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

A: The Medium preset has measured minimum FPS values: 136 FPS at 1920x1080, 94 FPS at 2560x1440, and 56 FPS at 3840x2160. These minimums are substantially lower than the averages, indicating periodic frame drops.

Q: How does the RTX 3070 compare to its nearest rivals in the GPU database?

A: The RTX 3070 has an average benchmark score of 17208. The AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT is 0.7% higher, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 is 1% higher, and the AMD Radeon HD 7970M is 1.1% higher. The NVIDIA Tesla K40c is 1.5% lower.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: Yes, but with caveats. At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 84 FPS, Medium averages 66 FPS, and High averages exactly 60 FPS. Ultra averages 38 FPS, which is not ideal for smooth gameplay. For 4K, Medium or High settings are the viable options.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1920x1080, the High preset at 146 FPS offers a strong balance of visual quality and frame rate, while Ultra at 93 FPS is still playable but with a significant performance cost. The Medium preset at 160 FPS is an option for those prioritizing high refresh rates, but the 136 FPS minimum is still acceptable.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 101 FPS is the recommended choice. It provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium (111 FPS) while staying well above 60 FPS. Ultra at 64 FPS is borderline playable but dips could be problematic; the data shows the average is just above the 60 FPS threshold. For 1440p, High settings offer the best experience.

At 3840x2160, the High preset at exactly 60 FPS is the sweet spot, but the Medium preset at 66 FPS provides a safety margin. Ultra is not recommended, as the 38 FPS average will result in a stuttery experience. The Low preset at 84 FPS is smooth but sacrifices too much visual fidelity. For 4K, Medium or High are the best choices, with High being the preferred option for visual quality if the 60 FPS average is acceptable.

Overall, the High preset is the most consistent performer across all three resolutions. It delivers 146 FPS at 1080p, 101 FPS at 1440p, and 60 FPS at 4K. This preset represents the best trade-off between image quality and performance for this CPU-GPU combination.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

At 1920x1080, the measured average FPS values are as follows: Low settings produce 204 FPS, Medium produces 160 FPS with a minimum of 136 FPS and a maximum of 184 FPS, High produces 146 FPS, and Ultra produces 93 FPS. The frame rate drops are 44 FPS from Low to Medium, 14 FPS from Medium to High, and 53 FPS from High to Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the average FPS values are: Low at 141 FPS, Medium at 111 FPS with a minimum of 94 FPS and a maximum of 128 FPS, High at 101 FPS, and Ultra at 64 FPS. The transition from Low to Medium costs 30 FPS, from Medium to High costs 10 FPS, and from High to Ultra costs 37 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the average FPS values are: Low at 84 FPS, Medium at 66 FPS with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS, High at 60 FPS, and Ultra at 38 FPS. The performance drop from Low to Medium is 18 FPS, from Medium to High is 6 FPS, and from High to Ultra is 22 FPS.

The data shows that the Ultra preset is the most demanding, with the largest relative performance penalty at every resolution. The Medium preset is the only one with measured minimum and maximum FPS values, and it shows a 48 FPS spread between minimum and maximum at 1080p, a 34 FPS spread at 1440p, and a 20 FPS spread at 4K. This indicates that the Medium preset is more consistent at higher resolutions.