Greedfall

Greedfall, a 2019 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload that stresses both processor and graphics hardware. This analysis examines the measured performance of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, using only the provided benchmark data. The combination of a 12-core Zen 5 processor and an Ampere-based GPU yields a specific performance profile across resolutions and settings, with data indicating the RTX 3070 as the primary bottleneck in most scenarios.

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a high-end desktop processor built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. This processor is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC and supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The CPU’s substantial thread count and high clock speeds are designed to handle both lightly-threaded tasks and heavily parallelized workloads.

In the context of Greedfall’s benchmark results, the CPU’s role appears to be secondary to the GPU, as the data shows performance scaling that is more consistent with graphics card limitations. The processor’s single-thread performance, as indicated by a 3dmark_single_thread score of 1286 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2253, is more than sufficient to feed the RTX 3070 in most situations. However, the game’s engine does utilize multiple threads, and the Ryzen 9 9900X’s 24 threads provide ample headroom for background tasks and game logic.

The CPU’s performance relative to other processors is strong, ranking in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 57498 places it in close competition with several server and workstation chips. For instance, the data shows the AMD EPYC 9015 scores 57555, a mere 0.1% difference, while the Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58115, which is 1.1% higher. This indicates that the Ryzen 9 9900X is not a limiting factor in this particular game; the measured frame rates are far more dependent on the GPU’s capabilities.

The benchmark results for Greedfall reveal a key insight: at lower resolutions like 1080p, the CPU must work harder to keep up with the GPU’s frame output. The data shows a 204 FPS average at 1080p Low settings, which is a high frame rate that demands significant CPU processing for draw calls and game state updates. Even at this level, the Ryzen 9 9900X’s architecture, with its 12 cores and 5.6 GHz boost, appears to avoid becoming a bottleneck, as the frame rate continues to scale with settings changes. The processor’s 64 MB of L3 cache and 1 MB per-core L2 cache also help reduce memory latency, which is beneficial for the game’s real-time simulation aspects.

Ultimately, the data suggests that the Ryzen 9 9900X provides a robust foundation for Greedfall, ensuring that the GPU is the primary determinant of performance. The CPU’s high multi-core scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 32172, demonstrate its capability, but in this specific game, its role is to facilitate the GPU’s work without introducing stutter or frame pacing issues. The processor’s 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is also adequate for feeding the GPU with texture and geometry data, further solidifying its position as a non-bottleneck component.

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

Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved by this combo in Greedfall?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 204, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the peak performance point in the measured data.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution with Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 38. This is the lowest average frame rate in the dataset, indicating that the RTX 3070 is heavily taxed at this resolution and preset combination.

Q: Is there a significant difference between Medium and High settings at 1440p?

A: Yes, the data shows a 10 FPS difference. At 2560x1440, Medium settings yield an average of 111 FPS, while High settings yield 101 FPS. The Medium preset also has recorded minimum and maximum FPS of 94 and 128, respectively.

Q: What is the combo’s ranking among all tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 1584th out of 3703 tested combinations, placing it in the upper half of all configurations. This rank is based on the overall measured performance in Greedfall.

Q: Does the RTX 3070 outperform or underperform its nearest rivals on average?

A: The RTX 3070’s average benchmark score is 17208. It is 0.7% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, 1% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690, and 1.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon HD 7970M. However, it is 1.5% behind the NVIDIA Tesla K40c, which scores 17468.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between 1080p and 4K at High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 High settings, the average FPS is 146. At 3840x2160 High settings, the average FPS is 60. This represents a drop of 86 FPS when moving from 1080p to 4K.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 combination holds a rank of 1584 out of 3703 tested combos in Greedfall. This percentile placement indicates that the system performs better than the majority of configurations, but it is not among the top performers. The rank of 1584 suggests that while the combo is capable of delivering playable frame rates, there are many other hardware pairings that achieve higher overall scores in this specific game.

Analyzing the rank in context, the RTX 3070’s performance percentile of 61 places it below many more modern or higher-tier GPUs. The CPU’s 92nd percentile ranking is significantly higher, reinforcing the idea that the GPU is the limiting factor for this combo's overall position. The combo rank is a combined metric, and the GPU’s lower standing pulls the overall rank down from what the CPU alone would achieve.

The rank of 1584 also implies that the combo sits in the middle of the pack when considering all possible CPU and GPU pairings. For a game like Greedfall, which can be demanding on both components, this rank is expected for a mid-to-high-end GPU from the previous generation paired with a current-generation high-end CPU. The data shows the CPU is not holding the system back, as its rival comparisons are within 1.4% of its score, but the GPU’s position relative to other graphics cards is more varied.

In practical terms, a rank of 1584 out of 3703 means the combo is in the 57th percentile of all tested systems. This is a respectable position, indicating that the system will run Greedfall smoothly at most settings, but users seeking the absolute highest frame rates at 4K Ultra would need a more powerful GPU. The combo’s rank is a direct result of the RTX 3070’s 8 GB of VRAM and its compute capabilities, which are sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming but become strained at 4K.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 204. Moving to Medium settings reduces the average to 160, with a minimum of 136 and a maximum of 184. High settings yield an average of 146 FPS, and Ultra settings drop the average to 93 FPS. This shows a clear scaling pattern where each increase in preset level costs a significant number of frames.

At 2560x1440, the performance decreases as expected. Low settings produce an average of 141 FPS. Medium settings result in an average of 111 FPS, with minimum and maximum values of 94 and 128 respectively. High settings average 101 FPS, and Ultra settings average 64 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is substantial, with the Low preset losing 63 FPS and the Ultra preset losing 29 FPS. This indicates that the GPU is becoming more stressed as the pixel count increases.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 3070 begins to show its limitations. Low settings still manage an average of 84 FPS, which is playable. Medium settings average 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 and a maximum of 76. High settings average exactly 60 FPS, which is a common target for console-like experiences but may be considered borderline for competitive play. Ultra settings drop the average to 38 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay on many displays. The data shows a steep decline at 4K, particularly when moving from Low to Ultra settings.

The data also reveals that the Medium preset at each resolution provides a balanced experience. At 1080p, the 160 FPS average is high, and at 1440p, the 111 FPS average is still very smooth. The minimum FPS values for Medium settings are also provided, showing 136 FPS at 1080p, 94 FPS at 1440p, and 56 FPS at 4K. These minimums indicate that the combo can maintain a reasonably stable frame rate, though the 4K minimum of 56 FPS suggests occasional dips below the average.

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

The resolution scaling behavior is a clear indicator of the GPU being the primary bottleneck. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 at High settings, the average FPS drops from 146 to 101, a reduction of 45 FPS or approximately 31%. This is a significant decrease that aligns with the increased pixel workload on the RTX 3070. The GPU must render 78% more pixels at 1440p compared to 1080p, and the frame rate drop reflects this additional burden.

Continuing from 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 at High settings, the average FPS drops from 101 to 60, a reduction of 41 FPS or approximately 41%. This steeper decline is consistent with the GPU hitting its limits, as 4K requires 2.25 times the pixels of 1440p. The fact that the frame rate does not scale linearly with pixel count suggests that memory bandwidth and fill rate are becoming constrained. The RTX 3070’s 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 165.6 GPixel/s pixel rate are being fully utilized at 4K.

The pattern is similar across all settings presets. At Low settings, the drop from 1080p to 4K is from 204 to 84 FPS, a 59% reduction. At Medium settings, the drop is from 160 to 66 FPS, a 59% reduction. At Ultra settings, the drop is from 93 to 38 FPS, a 59% reduction. This consistent 59% reduction across all presets strongly indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the scaling is uniform regardless of the graphical complexity. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller percentage drop at lower resolutions where the CPU has to work harder.

The data also shows that the CPU is not causing a bottleneck even at 1080p Low settings, where the frame rate is highest. The 204 FPS average is a high number, but the CPU’s 12 cores and 24 threads can handle it. The uniform scaling across resolutions confirms that the RTX 3070’s compute units and memory interface are the constraints. For users looking to play at 4K, the data suggests that even Medium settings will require compromises, as the 66 FPS average is achievable but the 56 FPS minimum could be noticeable in demanding scenes.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1920x1080, the Medium preset offers an excellent balance, delivering an average of 160 FPS with a minimum of 136 FPS. This is far above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a very smooth experience. High settings at 1080p yield 146 FPS, which is also excellent, but the Medium preset’s higher minimum FPS makes it a safer choice for maintaining consistent frame times. Ultra at 1080p still achieves 93 FPS, which is playable, but the jump from High to Ultra costs 53 FPS, which is a significant trade-off for visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is again the recommended choice, with an average of 111 FPS and a minimum of 94 FPS. This ensures that the frame rate stays above 90 FPS even in demanding scenes, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. High settings at 1440p average 101 FPS, which is also good, but the minimum FPS is not listed, making the Medium preset the more reliable option based on the data. Ultra at 1440p drops to 64 FPS, which is still playable but may not provide a consistent experience on a 144Hz display. Low settings at 1440p offer 141 FPS, but the visual quality reduction is often not worth the extra frames.

For 3840x2160, the choices become more constrained. High settings average exactly 60 FPS, which is the standard for console gaming and is acceptable for many users. However, the Medium preset averages 66 FPS with a minimum of 56 FPS, which provides a slightly higher average and a documented minimum, making it a more stable choice. Low settings at 4K average 84 FPS, which is the best performance at this resolution, but the visual compromise is substantial. Ultra at 4K is not recommended, as the 38 FPS average falls below the playable threshold for most users.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the “sweet spot” for this combo across all resolutions. It consistently provides the best balance of high average FPS and documented minimum FPS, ensuring a stable experience. For users with 1080p or 1440p monitors, Medium settings will provide a highly responsive experience. For 4K users, Medium settings offer a playable 66 FPS average, but they should be prepared for occasional dips to 56 FPS. High settings are a viable alternative at 4K for those who prefer visual quality, as the 60 FPS average is still playable.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is built on the Ampere architecture and features the GA104 chip, manufactured on an 8 nm process by Samsung. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base clock is 1500 MHz, with a boost clock of 1725 MHz. It contains 5888 shading units, 184 texture mapping units, and 96 raster operation units, along with 46 ray tracing cores and 184 tensor cores. The card’s FP32 performance is rated at 20.31 TFLOPS.

In Greedfall, the RTX 3070’s 8 GB of VRAM is a critical factor at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 38, which is likely due to both compute limitations and VRAM capacity. The game’s high-resolution textures can exceed 8 GB, forcing the GPU to use slower system memory, which severely impacts performance. The data does not provide VRAM usage, but the significant drop from 66 FPS at 4K Medium to 38 FPS at 4K Ultra suggests that the Ultra preset’s texture quality is likely exceeding the VRAM buffer.

The GPU’s clocks and memory bandwidth are also important. The 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth is adequate for 1080p and 1440p, as evidenced by the high frame rates. However, at 4K, the bandwidth becomes a limiting factor, as the GPU must move more texture and frame buffer data. The boost clock of 1725 MHz is typical for this class of GPU, and the card’s performance relative to its rivals is shown in the data. The RTX 3070 scores 17208 on average, which is 0.7% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT and 1% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690. It is 1.5% lower than the NVIDIA Tesla K40c, which scores 17468.

The GPU’s 61st percentile ranking among all GPUs indicates that it is a mid-range performer in the current landscape. This is reflected in the Greedfall results, where the card excels at 1080p and 1440p but struggles at 4K, particularly with high settings. The data suggests that the RTX 3070 is well-matched with the Ryzen 9 9900X for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but for 4K, users should consider lowering settings to Medium or Low to achieve playable frame rates. The GPU’s 8 GB of VRAM is the most likely cause of the 4K Ultra performance drop, and users should be aware of this limitation when configuring the game.