Greedfall

Greedfall, an Action RPG released in 2019, places significant demands on both the processor and graphics card. This analysis examines the performance of the Intel Core i5-12400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 570. The data shows a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics card at higher resolutions, while the CPU provides a solid foundation at 1080p. This pairing ranks 1600th out of 1705 tested combos in this game, placing it in the lower percentile of systems.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 51.9 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops this to 38.6 FPS, a reduction of 13.3 frames. The most dramatic decline occurs at 4K, where the average FPS falls to just 20.2. This pattern indicates that the AMD Radeon RX 570's 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are overwhelmed by the pixel throughput required at 3840x2160.

The scaling from Low to Ultra settings at each resolution further clarifies the bottleneck. At 1080p, the difference between Low (74.6 FPS) and Ultra (36 FPS) is substantial, showing that the GPU has headroom to work with at this resolution. However, at 4K, the spread narrows to a range of just 15.5 FPS (Ultra) to 27.6 FPS (Low). This compression of frame rates at 4K strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting component; the settings have less impact because the card is already saturated just filling pixels.

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-12400 is not the primary constraint in this title until very low resolutions and settings are used. The transition from 1440p to 4K at Low settings sees FPS drop from 53.7 to 27.6, a performance halving that aligns with the quadrupling of pixel count. This is a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario. The 6-core, 12-thread processor, with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, has sufficient compute to feed the RX 570 at these resolutions, but the graphics card cannot keep pace as the workload scales.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. With a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, its benchmark scores position it as a capable mid-range part. Its PassMark multithread score is 18747, and its single-thread score is 3456. This places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs tested, indicating strong all-around performance.

In the context of Greedfall, the CPU's role appears to be supportive. The benchmark results show that at 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 74.6 FPS, a figure that suggests the CPU is capable of driving the frame rate higher if the GPU allowed. The processor's 3DMark scores are telling: it scores 1692 in the 2-thread test and 5873 in the 16-thread test. This scaling shows good multi-threading capability, which is beneficial for a modern Action RPG that may use multiple cores for game logic and AI.

However, the CPU does not become the primary bottleneck in this configuration. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 15935 and single-core score of 2249 indicate a processor that can handle a wide range of tasks. The fact that the FPS at 1440p High (38.6) is lower than at 1080p High (51.9) confirms that the GPU is the limiting factor in most scenarios. Only at the lowest settings and resolutions might the i5-12400's performance ceiling come into play, but the RX 570's 5.095 TFLOPS compute capability is simply too modest to allow the CPU to be fully taxed in this title.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400 + AMD Radeon RX 570 combination ranks 1600th out of 1705 tested combos in Greedfall. This places it in the bottom 6% of all systems tested, which is a low position for a modern setup. This rank is likely a direct consequence of the GPU's age and performance class, rather than a reflection of the CPU's capabilities.

The GPU's benchmark scores support this finding. The AMD Radeon RX 570 has an average benchmark score of 30158, placing it in the 74th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in synthetic tests include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (avgScore 30109, deltaPct 0.2) and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT (avgScore 30097, deltaPct 0.2). This is surprising, as it suggests the RX 570's synthetic scores are similar to much newer cards, though this may be due to the specific tests used. However, in real-world gaming, the 4 GB VRAM capacity and older GCN 4.0 architecture likely limit its performance in modern titles.

The CPU, on the other hand, is a strong performer. The Intel Core i5-12400's average benchmark score of 19850 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-9700 (avgScore 19831, deltaPct 0.1) and the Intel Core i5-11600K (avgScore 19771, deltaPct 0.4). The i5-12400 is essentially neck-and-neck with these older i7 and i5 parts, showing that it holds its own in synthetic tests. The low combo rank is therefore attributable to the GPU dragging down the overall system performance in this specific game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this combo performs across resolutions and settings. At 1080p, the system is capable of playable frame rates. With Low settings, it averages 74.6 FPS. Medium settings reduce this to 57.7 FPS, and High settings bring it to 51.9 FPS. Ultra settings drop the average to 36 FPS, which is borderline playable for some but not ideal for a smooth experience.

At 1440p, the performance becomes more demanding. Low settings yield an average of 53.7 FPS, which is still smooth. Medium settings average 42.4 FPS, and High settings drop to 38.6 FPS. Ultra settings at 1440p are demanding, with an average of just 24.9 FPS, which would be noticeable as stuttery in fast-paced action.

At 4K, the system is not recommended for gaming. Low settings produce an average of 27.6 FPS, which is below the standard threshold for smooth gameplay. Medium settings average 22.7 FPS, High settings average 20.2 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to a nearly unplayable 15.5 FPS. The data shows a clear trend: this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, can handle 1440p at lower settings, and is not viable at 4K for this title.

The delta between settings is also informative. At 1080p, the jump from Low to Ultra is 38.6 FPS, showing that the GPU has significant headroom to adjust quality. At 4K, the same jump is only 12.1 FPS, indicating that the GPU is already at its limit and reducing settings yields diminishing returns.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1080p is the most suitable resolution. It achieves an average of 51.9 FPS at High settings and 74.6 FPS at Low settings, providing the best balance of visual quality and smooth gameplay.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming?

A: No. At 4K, the highest average FPS is 27.6 at Low settings, which is below the acceptable threshold for smooth gameplay. Ultra settings at 4K yield just 15.5 FPS average, making it unplayable.

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

A: The GPU is the limiting factor in most scenarios. The FPS drops significantly from 1080p to 1440p and 4K, indicating the graphics card cannot keep up with the increased pixel load, while the CPU has more headroom.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-12400 compare to its rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The i5-12400 has an average benchmark score of 19850, which is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-9700 and 0.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-11600K. It is nearly identical in performance to these parts.

Q: What are the frame rates at 1440p with High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, this combo averages 38.6 FPS. This is playable but not ideal for a fast-paced Action RPG, as it may not maintain a consistent frame rate.

Q: Is the AMD Radeon RX 570 considered a high-performing GPU in this context?

A: Its average benchmark score of 30158 places it in the 74th percentile of all GPUs, but its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (deltaPct 0.2) and AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT (deltaPct 0.2). The synthetic scores are close, but its 4 GB VRAM limits its real-world gaming performance in modern titles like Greedfall.