Greedfall

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) using TSMC's 4 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, with a 120 W TDP. The CPU's cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. Memory support is DDR5 via a dual-channel bus, providing 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and the chip connects through PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes.

For Greedfall, an Action RPG released in 2019, the Ryzen 9 9900X's multi-threaded prowess is substantial but not necessarily the decisive factor. The CPU's benchmark scores show strong synthetic performance: Cinebench R23 multi-core reaches 32,172, while single-core hits 2,253. Geekbench multi-core scores 22,174, and single-core 3,010. PassMark multi-thread is 54,643, with single-thread at 4,672. These numbers place the CPU in the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 57,498.

The nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are telling. The AMD EPYC 9015 scores 57,555, a delta of -0.1%, meaning the Ryzen 9 9900X is essentially tied. The AMD EPYC 7313 scores 57,399, putting the Ryzen ahead by 0.2%. Against the Intel Core i9-14900, which scores 58,115, the Ryzen trails by 1.1%. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 58,323, leaving the Ryzen 1.4% behind. These deltas are small, all within a 1.5% band, indicating that the Ryzen 9 9900X is competitively positioned in raw compute, though not leading its class.

In the context of Greedfall's measured FPS, the CPU's role is primarily to feed the Intel Arc B570 GPU without becoming a bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 130 FPS average, which is the highest measured across all settings and resolutions. This suggests that at lower settings, the CPU is capable of driving high frame rates, and the GPU is not yet saturated. The fact that 1080p Ultra drops to 59 FPS indicates that GPU load increases significantly with settings, but the CPU remains capable of sustaining 60+ FPS in most scenarios.

The Ryzen 9 9900X's 24 threads and high boost clock are relevant for Greedfall's engine, which can utilize multiple cores for AI, physics, and world streaming. However, the measured data does not show a scenario where the CPU is the limiting factor: even at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS is 24, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck given the Arc B570's mid-range positioning. The CPU's 3DMark scores—12,552 for 16 threads, 9,114 for 8 threads, 4,886 for 4 threads, and 2,519 for 2 threads—demonstrate scalable performance that scales well with thread count, which is beneficial for games that use more than a few cores.

The CPU's single-thread performance, as measured by 3DMark single-thread (1,286) and Cinebench R15 single-core (353), is strong enough to avoid stuttering in Greedfall's gameplay, which often relies on a few primary threads for game logic. The PassMark physics score of 3,381 further indicates robust computational throughput for game physics, which can be a factor in open-world RPGs. Overall, the Ryzen 9 9900X provides ample headroom, and the measured FPS deltas across resolutions are more attributable to GPU capability than CPU limitations.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 92 FPS. This is a solid frame rate for smooth gameplay, and it reflects a balance between visual quality and performance.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900?

A: In synthetic benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 9900X has an average score of 57,498, while the Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58,115. This means the Ryzen trails by 1.1%. The difference is minor, but it indicates that the i9-14900 holds a slight edge in raw compute.

Q: What is the best FPS result for this CPU-GPU combo?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 130, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This shows that at lower graphical loads, the combo can deliver very high frame rates, likely making the CPU the primary driver.

Q: Is the Arc B570 the bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, the data indicates GPU limitation. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 24, while at Low settings it is 54. The steep drop from 1080p to 4K across all settings suggests the GPU's rendering capacity is the limiting factor, not the CPU.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combos in Greedfall?

A: The combo ranks 2,344 out of 2,938 tested combinations. This places it in the lower-middle percentile, indicating that while it is not top-tier, it is far from the bottom, and the performance is adequate for many users.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X's multi-threaded performance compare to the AMD EPYC 7313?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X scores 57,498 on average, while the AMD EPYC 7313 scores 57,399. The Ryzen is ahead by 0.2%. This is a negligible difference, showing they are effectively equal in multi-threaded synthetic workloads.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend in how performance scales from 1080p to 4K. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers high frame rates across all settings: Low averages 130 FPS, Medium 102 FPS, High 92 FPS, and Ultra 59 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440, the averages drop significantly: Low is 90 FPS, Medium 71 FPS, High 64 FPS, and Ultra 41 FPS. At 3840x2160, the performance falls further: Low averages 54 FPS, Medium 42 FPS, High 38 FPS, and Ultra 24 FPS.

The scaling pattern is consistent: each resolution step reduces FPS by roughly 30-40% at each setting level. For instance, from 1080p Low to 1440p Low, the FPS drops from 130 to 90, a 30.8% decrease. From 1440p Low to 4K Low, it drops from 90 to 54, a 40% decrease. At Ultra settings, the drop from 1080p (59 FPS) to 1440p (41 FPS) is 30.5%, and from 1440p to 4K (24 FPS) is 41.5%. This consistent pattern indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting component, as the FPS scales inversely with pixel count.

The data also shows that the gap between settings narrows at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 71 FPS (130 vs. 59). At 1440p, the gap is 49 FPS (90 vs. 41). At 4K, the gap is 30 FPS (54 vs. 24). This narrowing suggests that at 4K, the GPU is so heavily loaded that even reducing settings to Low cannot fully compensate, and the CPU's role becomes less significant. Conversely, at 1080p, the GPU is less taxed, and the CPU's performance allows for a wider range of FPS depending on settings.

For the limiting component analysis, the evidence points to the Intel Arc B570 as the bottleneck. The GPU's average benchmark score is 20,556, placing it in the 65th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (score 20,534, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Arc A750 (score 20,582, delta -0.1%). These comparably performing GPUs are mid-range, and the FPS drops at 4K reflect this. The CPU, with its high benchmark scores, does not show signs of bottlenecking, as even at 4K Low (54 FPS), the frame rate is not CPU-limited given the GPU's capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers a range of performance depending on settings. With Low settings, the average FPS is 130, providing an exceptionally smooth experience for fast-paced action. Medium settings yield an average of 102 FPS, with a minimum of 87 and maximum of 117, indicating stable frame times. High settings drop to 92 FPS on average, which is still very playable. Ultra settings reduce the average to 59 FPS, which is on the edge of smoothness but acceptable for a slower-paced RPG.

At 2560x1440, performance remains respectable but begins to show GPU strain. Low settings average 90 FPS, which is excellent for 1440p. Medium settings average 71 FPS, with a minimum of 60 and maximum of 81, ensuring a consistent experience. High settings drop to 64 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive play. Ultra settings average 41 FPS, which is a significant drop and may cause noticeable stuttering in action sequences.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low settings average 54 FPS, which is borderline acceptable for a single-player RPG. Medium settings average 42 FPS, with a minimum of 36 and maximum of 48, indicating occasional dips below smooth thresholds. High settings average 38 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 24 FPS, which is not recommended for a playable experience. The data shows that 4K gaming is only viable at Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is not ideal.

The Medium settings rows are the only ones with min and max FPS data. At 1080p, the min is 87 and max is 117, showing a tight range. At 1440p, the min is 60 and max is 81, with a 21 FPS spread. At 4K, the min is 36 and max is 48, a 12 FPS spread. This narrowing range at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is consistently maxed out, reducing frame time variance but also limiting peak performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Arc B570 combo ranks 2,344 out of 2,938 tested combinations in Greedfall. This places it in the 79.8th percentile from the bottom, or roughly the top 20% of the worst performers. The rank suggests that this combo is not optimized for high-end performance in this game, and many other CPU-GPU pairings deliver better results.

Interpreting this rank requires context. The combo's average FPS across all settings and resolutions is relatively low, especially at 4K, where it fails to reach 60 FPS at any setting. The rank reflects this: it is in the lower half of tested combos, indicating that users seeking high frame rates at high resolutions will be disappointed. However, for 1080p gaming, the combo performs adequately, with most settings achieving 60+ FPS, which may be sufficient for many players.

The rank also implies that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the Ryzen 9 9900X is a high-end CPU. The GPU's percentile rank of 65 among all GPUs is modest, and its performance in Greedfall is consistent with its mid-range positioning. The combo rank of 2,344 is likely driven by the GPU's inability to handle higher resolutions, rather than any CPU deficiency. Users with this combo should target 1080p or 1440p for the best experience, as 4K is not viable.

Compared to other combos, this pairing is not competitive at the top end. The rank indicates that there are 594 combos that perform worse, but 2,343 that perform better. This puts it in the bottom quarter of tested configurations, which is a significant consideration for potential buyers or users evaluating their system's capability.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, the High settings (92 FPS) provide the best balance between visual quality and performance, as it is well above the 60 FPS threshold and offers improved graphics over Medium. For players who prioritize frame rate, Medium settings (102 FPS) are a strong choice, with Low (130 FPS) available for competitive play or maximum smoothness. Ultra at 1080p (59 FPS) is just below 60, so it is not recommended unless the user can tolerate slight dips.

At 2560x1440, the Medium settings (71 FPS) are the best recommendation, as they deliver a smooth experience with a minimum of 60 FPS. High settings (64 FPS) are also viable, but the lower minimum FPS (not measured) could introduce occasional stutters. Low settings (90 FPS) are excellent for those who prefer higher frame rates, while Ultra (41 FPS) should be avoided due to poor performance.

At 3840x2160, only Low settings (54 FPS) are playable, but even this is below the ideal 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings (42 FPS) are borderline, and High (38 FPS) and Ultra (24 FPS) are not recommended for a satisfactory experience. For 4K users, the best approach is to use Low settings and accept the frame rate, or consider lowering the resolution to 1440p for a better experience.

The best overall experience per the measured rows is at 1920x1080 with High settings, achieving 92 FPS. This provides a high-quality visual presentation while maintaining a frame rate that is well above the minimum for smooth gameplay. For users with 1440p monitors, Medium settings at 71 FPS is the sweet spot, balancing visuals and performance. The data clearly indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming, and users should avoid Ultra settings at any resolution, as the FPS drops are significant.