Greedfall

The Intel Core i5-11400F paired with the Intel Arc B370 represents a unique configuration in the database, one where the integrated graphics solution is tasked with running a demanding Action RPG. The measured data for Greedfall reveals a system that is strictly bound by its graphics processor, with the CPU’s substantial headroom going largely unused. This analysis breaks down the performance metrics, scaling behavior, and the practical realities of this specific combination.

Resolution Scaling

The performance trajectory across resolutions is the clearest indicator of where this system’s bottleneck lies. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 76 FPS. Moving up to 2560x1440 Low drops that average to 53 FPS, a 30% reduction in frame rate. Pushing further to 3840x2160 Low yields just 31 FPS, which is a 59% decrease from the 1080p result. This steep, near-linear decline in performance as pixel count increases is a textbook symptom of a GPU-limited scenario.

The data shows that the scaling between Medium and High settings is relatively consistent, but the jump to Ultra is catastrophic. At 1080p, the average frame rate falls from 60 FPS at Medium to 54 FPS at High, then plummets to 35 FPS at Ultra. At 1440p, the pattern repeats: 41 FPS at Medium, 38 FPS at High, and 24 FPS at Ultra. However, at 4K, the situation becomes critical. The Medium preset averages 25 FPS with a minimum of 21 FPS, while High averages just 22 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is essentially unplayable, with an average of 14 FPS.

The delta between 1080p and 4K is stark. At High settings, the system loses 32 FPS (from 54 to 22) when moving from 1080p to 4K. At Low settings, it loses 45 FPS (from 76 to 31). This indicates that the rendering pipeline is overwhelmed by the sheer number of pixels at higher resolutions. The fact that the 4K Low result (31 FPS) is significantly lower than the 1080p Ultra result (35 FPS) suggests that raw resolution is a more significant hurdle for this GPU than the visual complexity of the game world itself. The component limiting performance here is unequivocally the GPU, as the scaling pattern shows no signs of CPU interference, such as a plateau at higher resolutions. The Arc B370 simply does not have the pixel throughput to maintain playable frame rates at 1440p and above, making 1080p the only viable target for this configuration.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture. Its benchmark presence is minimal, with a single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is a performance class that sits near the bottom of the database, with nearest rivals including the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, from which it is nearly indistinguishable in raw score (deltaPct of -0.2% and -0.5%, respectively). This context is crucial for understanding the Greedfall results.

The GPU’s specifications explain its behavior. It operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Memory is system-shared, meaning the bandwidth is system dependent and not a dedicated pool. The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is rated at 6.144 TFLOPS. These figures point to a chip designed for basic graphical output, not high-end gaming. The 25 W TDP further confirms its power-constrained, integrated nature.

In Greedfall, this translates to a hard ceiling on performance. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU struggles to maintain fluid motion even at the lowest settings. The 1080p Low average of 76 FPS is the only result that approaches a comfortable experience. The 4K Ultra average of 14 FPS is a clear indication that the GPU’s compute and fillrate capabilities are exhausted. The boost clock of 2400 MHz is evidently not sufficient to compensate for the limited shader count and memory bandwidth. The data suggests that the Arc B370 is the sole arbiter of frame rate in this game, and its capabilities are firmly in the territory of legacy or entry-level hardware, as its 5th percentile ranking implies.

CPU Role

In contrast to the GPU, the Intel Core i5-11400F is a formidable processor that is severely underutilized in this pairing. It is a 6-core, 12-thread Rocket Lake desktop chip with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14340 and a single-core score of 2024. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 5619 and the Passmark multithread score of 16908 illustrate a processor capable of handling substantial workloads. The i5-11400F ranks in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17177, placing it in direct competition with the AMD EPYC 7H12 and Intel Core i5-12450H.

Given this CPU’s power, the Greedfall results show no evidence of a CPU bottleneck. If the processor were the limiting factor, we would expect to see frame rates that remain constant across different resolutions, as the CPU’s workload (draw calls, physics, game logic) does not change with resolution. However, the data shows a dramatic FPS drop from 1080p to 4K, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is effectively waiting on the GPU to finish rendering each frame.

The i5-11400F’s 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide ample bandwidth for feeding the GPU, but the GPU cannot utilize it efficiently. The game’s CPU load is likely well within the i5’s capabilities, meaning the processor is running at a fraction of its potential. The data confirms this: the 1080p Low score of 76 FPS is likely close to the maximum achievable with this GPU, and the CPU could easily push much higher frame rates if paired with a more powerful graphics card. In this configuration, the CPU is a silent partner, providing a stable platform while the GPU struggles to keep up.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank in Greedfall is 2699 out of 2938 tested combinations. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems in the database for this game. This ranking is a direct reflection of the GPU’s limited performance, as the CPU’s high percentile ranking (71st) cannot overcome the GPU’s low ranking (5th percentile). The combination of a strong processor with a very weak graphics solution results in a system that is profoundly unbalanced for gaming.

This ranking is not a judgment on the CPU, but rather on the synergy of the two components. A system with this CPU and a discrete GPU would likely rank much higher, as the i5-11400F has the processing power to support a mid-range graphics card. However, the Arc B370’s integrated nature and 5th percentile standing drag the entire combo down. The delta between the CPU’s and GPU’s performance tiers is immense, and the final rank of 2699 indicates that this is one of the least effective pairings for Greedfall in the database. It is a clear case of a severe imbalance, where the system’s overall capability is determined by its weakest link.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides a clear hierarchy of playable settings for this combo. The primary goal for any user is to achieve a frame rate that is responsive and smooth. Based on the average FPS values, the only resolution that offers a viable experience is 1920x1080.

At 1080p, the Low preset is the only setting that delivers a truly fluid experience, with an average of 76 FPS. The Medium preset, at 60 FPS, is the next best option and offers a better visual balance. However, the High preset drops to 54 FPS, which is still playable but begins to show the GPU’s strain. The Ultra preset, at 35 FPS, should be avoided, as the frame pacing will likely feel inconsistent.

At 1440p, the situation deteriorates. The Low preset averages 53 FPS, which is borderline, but the Medium preset (41 FPS) and High preset (38 FPS) are not recommended for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 24 FPS is unplayable. At 4K, all presets are below acceptable thresholds, with the highest average being 31 FPS at Low.

Therefore, the recommended configuration is 1920x1080 with Medium settings, which offers a 60 FPS average and a minimum of 51 FPS. This provides the best compromise between visual fidelity and performance. If a higher frame rate is a priority, dropping to Low yields a 76 FPS average, but the visual quality reduction is significant. Users should avoid 1440p and 4K resolutions entirely, as the data shows that the GPU lacks the necessary fillrate and memory bandwidth to maintain playable frame rates. The game is fundamentally a 1080p experience for this hardware.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for this combo in Greedfall?

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 with the Medium preset is the optimal choice, delivering an average of 60 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS. Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K result in average frame rates below 53 FPS, which are not recommended.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1184, which is nearly identical to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190). It is only 1.4% faster than the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168). This places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the limiting factor in this system?

A: The GPU is the definitive limiting factor. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of GPU limitation. The Intel Core i5-11400F, which ranks in the 71st percentile of CPUs, is not being fully utilized.

Q: Can this system handle 1440p gaming in Greedfall?

A: The data suggests it cannot handle 1440p effectively. At 1440p Low, the average FPS is 53, but this drops to 41 FPS at Medium and 38 FPS at High. The Ultra preset only manages 24 FPS, making 1440p a poor choice for this game.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 76 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages only 35 FPS. This is a 41 FPS difference, representing a significant performance cost for the highest visual quality. The Medium preset offers a middle ground at 60 FPS.

Q: How does this system rank overall for Greedfall?

A: This combination ranks 2699 out of 2938 tested combos for Greedfall. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems in the database, primarily due to the low performance of the Intel Arc B370 integrated graphics.