Greedfall

Greedfall, the 2019 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study when paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. The measured FPS data reveals a system that is decisively GPU-bound at higher resolutions but hints at the substantial headroom the CPU provides. This analysis breaks down the performance metrics across resolutions and settings, interpreting what the numbers indicate about the component roles and the overall effectiveness of this particular combo.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is stark and tells a clear story about where the bottleneck lies. At High settings, the average frame rate plummets from 213 FPS at 1920x1080 to 148 FPS at 2560x1440, a significant 30.5% reduction. Moving from 1440p to 3840x2160 yields a further drop to 88 FPS, which is another 40.5% decrease from the 1440p figure. This progressive and substantial decline with each resolution step is the classic signature of a GPU-limited scenario.

The pattern is consistent across all settings presets. With Low settings, the system produces 299 FPS at 1080p, which falls to 207 FPS at 1440p and then to 124 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset shows a similar trajectory, starting at 136 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 94 FPS at 1440p, and finally hitting 56 FPS at 4K. The fact that the frame rate is so sensitive to resolution changes, even when the graphical load is low, strongly indicates that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is the primary limiting factor in this configuration.

This scaling behavior implies that the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is not the constraining component in this game. At 1080p, where CPU overhead is typically more pronounced, the system still achieves frame rates well above 200 FPS. The data suggests that the CPU has ample headroom to feed the GPU at lower resolutions, but as the pixel count increases, the GPU's rendering workload becomes the dominant factor, causing the observed FPS to decline in a predictable, linear fashion. The performance cliff between 1440p and 4K on the Ultra preset, falling from 94 to 56 FPS, further emphasizes the immense strain placed on the GPU at 4K resolution.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 896.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. In a game like Greedfall, this memory configuration is likely a key asset, as high-resolution textures and detailed environments can consume VRAM quickly. The data shows that even at 4K with High settings, the GPU can maintain an average of 88 FPS, suggesting that its 16 GB frame buffer is sufficient to handle the game's demands without causing a significant performance penalty due to memory swapping.

The GPU's clock speeds, with a base of 2295 MHz and a boost of 2452 MHz, are relatively high. The boost clock behavior is a critical factor in the measured results. The fact that the frame rate scales so dramatically with resolution implies that the GPU's compute and memory throughput are being fully utilized. The benchmark results for the GPU itself, such as a Passmark G3D score of 32974 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6604, position it as a high-performance part, which is reflected in its 86th percentile ranking among all GPUs.

The average FPS figures across all settings and resolutions point to a GPU that is capable of delivering high refresh rate gameplay at 1440p but is pushed to its limits at 4K. For instance, at 1440p with High settings, the 148 FPS average is well-suited for a high-refresh-rate monitor. However, the 56 FPS average at 4K Ultra suggests that this preset is too demanding for a consistently smooth experience, despite the GPU's considerable power. The data indicates that the RTX 5070 Ti is the decisive component in determining the playable experience, especially as resolution and graphical fidelity increase.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, with its 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, provides the computational foundation for this system. Its high boost clock of 5.50 GHz and strong single-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2211 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4654, are particularly relevant for gaming. Greedfall, like many Action RPGs, likely benefits from strong single-core performance for game logic and physics calculations.

The data from the measured FPS suggests that the CPU is not a bottleneck in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 299 FPS. This incredibly high frame rate indicates that the CPU is capable of processing game frames far faster than the GPU can render them at this resolution. Even at 1080p Ultra, the CPU is able to feed the GPU enough data to sustain 136 FPS, a figure that remains very high. The CPU's multi-core strength, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 20485, also ensures that background tasks and the game's multi-threaded elements are handled without issue.

The CPU's 32 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth further contribute to its ability to keep the GPU supplied with data. The fact that the FPS drops so consistently with resolution, rather than showing inconsistencies or stutters that might indicate CPU limitations, reinforces the conclusion that the Ryzen 7 9700X is more than adequate for this game. Its 86th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37943, places it as a top-tier performer that easily keeps pace with the RTX 5070 Ti.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Greedfall, this specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is ranked 409th out of 3703 tested combinations. This places it in the top 11% of all systems tested for this game, a strong showing that underscores the capability of this hardware pairing.

The combo's high rank is consistent with the individual performance of its components. The CPU's average benchmark score of 37943 puts it in a virtual tie with its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i9-14901E and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with deltas of only 0.1%. Similarly, the GPU's average score of 49957 is on par with the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 and Intel Arc A550M, showing a performance delta of -0.1% and 0.4% respectively. This combination of a top-tier CPU and a high-end GPU results in a system that performs exceptionally well in Greedfall, as the FPS data confirms.

The rank of 409 suggests that while there are many systems that can run the game, this particular combo is among the more powerful options. It indicates that users with this hardware can expect a high level of performance, particularly at 1440p where the system seems to hit a sweet spot between visual quality and frame rate. The data implies that the system is well-balanced for this title, with neither component holding the other back to a significant degree.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance, with frame rates ranging from an average of 136 FPS on Ultra to 299 FPS on Low. The Medium preset at this resolution yields an average of 235 FPS, with a minimum of 200 FPS and a maximum of 270 FPS. The High preset produces an average of 213 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains very strong. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 94 FPS, while High delivers a smooth 148 FPS. Low settings at 1440p produce an average of 207 FPS, and the Medium preset offers 163 FPS, with a minimum of 138 FPS and a maximum of 187 FPS. These numbers indicate that 1440p is the ideal resolution for high-refresh-rate gaming with this combo, provided the user selects appropriate settings.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to feel the strain. The Low preset still achieves a respectable 124 FPS average, and High settings maintain an average of 88 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K yields a 97 FPS average, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 112 FPS. However, the Ultra preset drops to an average of just 56 FPS, which is likely to feel less fluid, especially in fast-paced combat. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy: 1080p is for maximum frame rates, 1440p is the balanced sweet spot, and 4K is viable but requires a compromise on settings to achieve higher frame rates.

FAQ

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Greedfall?

A: Yes, it can. The data shows an average FPS of 88 at 4K High settings and 97 at 4K Medium. However, the Ultra preset at 4K drops to 56 FPS, which may be too low for some users seeking a consistently smooth experience.

Q: What is the best resolution for high-refresh-rate monitors?

A: The 2560x1440 resolution is ideal. At High settings, the system produces an average of 148 FPS, and at Low settings, it reaches 207 FPS. These frame rates are well-suited for 144Hz or 165Hz displays.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the average FPS jumps from 136 on Ultra to 299 on Low, a difference of 163 FPS. This shows the game's settings have a massive impact on performance.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck in this configuration?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The FPS scales dramatically with resolution, which is a primary indicator of GPU-bound performance. The CPU is able to deliver very high frame rates at lower resolutions, showing it is not the constraining component.

Q: What kind of frame rates can I expect with Medium settings at 1440p?

A: With Medium settings at 2560x1440, the system delivers an average of 163 FPS, with minimum and maximum figures of 138 and 187 FPS respectively. This provides a very smooth and responsive gaming experience.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other systems tested in Greedfall?

A: This combo ranks 409th out of 3703 tested combinations. This places it in the top 11% of all systems, indicating a very high level of performance in this specific game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and performance goals. For users with a 1080p display, the High preset at 213 FPS offers an excellent balance of visual fidelity and performance, well above the threshold for any high-refresh-rate monitor. The Ultra preset, at 136 FPS, is also a viable choice for those prioritizing image quality above all else, as it still provides a very playable frame rate.

For 1440p, the High preset is the clear recommendation, delivering an average of 148 FPS. This combination provides a significant upgrade in visual detail over Medium while maintaining a frame rate that is ideal for competitive and immersive gameplay. The Medium preset, at 163 FPS, is also a strong option for users who want to prioritize frame rate stability, as its minimum FPS of 138 is notably higher than the High preset's unspecified minimum.

At 4K, the choice is more nuanced. The Medium preset, with an average of 97 FPS and a minimum of 83 FPS, appears to be the sweet spot for a smooth experience, as it offers a substantial improvement over the 56 FPS average of the Ultra preset. The High preset at 88 FPS is also a viable option. The Ultra preset at 4K, with its 56 FPS average, is only recommended for users who prioritize maximum visual fidelity and are comfortable with lower, potentially less consistent, frame rates. The data indicates that the Medium preset at 1440p or the High preset at 4K are the most balanced choices for a consistently smooth experience.