Greedfall

# Greedfall Performance Analysis: Intel Core i5-14600K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

The Intel Core i5-14600K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 produces a mid-range gaming combination that handles Greedfall with measurable consistency across resolutions. The dataset shows this combo ranks 1776th out of 2938 tested combinations in this game, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the performance spectrum. The measured frame rates reveal a system that can deliver smooth 1080p gameplay at most settings, but struggles to maintain acceptable performance at 4K Ultra. This analysis walks through the resolution scaling behavior, the CPU and GPU contributions, and the practical settings recommendations derived strictly from the measured data.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and revealing about where the bottleneck sits in this pairing. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 114 FPS at 1920x1080 to 79 FPS at 2560x1440, then to 47 FPS at 3840x2160. That represents a 31% reduction from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 41% reduction from 1440p to 4K. The cumulative drop from 1080p to 4K is 59%, which indicates the RTX 5050's rendering capacity is the limiting factor as pixel count increases.

Low settings show a similar scaling pattern but with higher absolute numbers. The average FPS moves from 160 at 1080p, to 111 at 1440p, and down to 66 at 4K. The percentage drops are 31% and 41% respectively, nearly identical to the High preset scaling. This consistency across settings suggests the resolution scaling behavior is driven primarily by the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth rather than by specific graphical features.

Medium settings provide the only complete dataset with minimum and maximum frame times. At 1080p Medium, the average is 126 FPS with a minimum of 107 and maximum of 144. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 87 FPS with a minimum of 74 and maximum of 100. At 4K Medium, the average falls to 52 FPS with a minimum of 44 and maximum of 60. The minimum-to-average gap widens slightly at higher resolutions — from 15% at 1080p to 15% at 1440p and 15% at 4K — indicating frame pacing remains stable even as the load increases.

Ultra settings produce the most dramatic scaling. The average FPS drops from 73 at 1080p, to 50 at 1440p, and finally to 30 at 4K. The 1080p-to-1440p drop is 32%, and the 1440p-to-4K drop is 40%. The 4K Ultra result of 30 FPS is below the threshold for comfortable playability, suggesting this setting is only viable for static scenes or screenshot purposes with this hardware combination.

The data strongly indicates the RTX 5050 is the primary constraint at higher resolutions. The CPU's role becomes more prominent at 1080p Low, where the 160 FPS result approaches the practical ceiling for many mid-range GPU configurations. The fact that 1080p Low exceeds 144 FPS while 4K Ultra barely reaches 30 FPS confirms the GPU's pixel throughput and memory bandwidth (320.0 GB/s on a 128-bit bus) are the governing factors in this game's scaling behavior.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600K brings substantial processing resources to this pairing. With 14 cores, 20 threads, and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, this Raptor Lake-R architecture chip delivers strong single-thread and multi-thread performance. The Cinebench R23 results show 24491 multi-core and 2064 single-core scores, while Geekbench reports 16673 multi-core and 2491 single-core. These numbers place the CPU in the 90th percentile among all tested processors, and its average benchmark score of 48618 sits within 1% of its nearest rivals — the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H (48698, -0.2%), AMD EPYC 4345P (48470, 0.3%), Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX (48287, 0.7%), and Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (48995, -0.8%).

In Greedfall specifically, the CPU's influence is most apparent at 1080p Low settings, where the GPU has less work to do. The 160 FPS average at that configuration suggests the CPU can feed frames well above typical display refresh rates. However, the game does not appear to be heavily CPU-bound at any measured point. The consistent downward scaling across resolutions — even at Low settings where the GPU is least taxed — indicates the i5-14600K never becomes the limiting factor in this title.

The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB L2 per core provide ample working set for game logic and scene management. The CPU's DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, along with dual-channel configuration, gives system integrators flexibility, though the measured data does not differentiate between memory types. The processor's 125 W TDP and Gen 5 PCIe connectivity with 16 lanes ensure it can keep up with the RTX 5050's PCIe 5.0 x8 interface without bandwidth restrictions.

For Greedfall's Action RPG gameplay, which typically involves NPC interactions, inventory management, and real-time combat calculations, the i5-14600K's single-thread performance is more relevant than its multi-core might. The 2064 Cinebench R23 single-core score and 4270 Passmark single-thread score indicate robust per-core efficiency. The Passmark physics score of 2473 further suggests the CPU handles game physics workloads competently. None of the measured FPS results show any indication of CPU-induced stutters or bottlenecks, as the minimum frame rates at Medium settings remain proportionally close to the averages across all resolutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the decisive component in this analysis. Built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process from TSMC, this GPU features 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus provides 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is modest by modern standards but sufficient for Greedfall's 2019-era graphics requirements. The boost clock of 2572 MHz and base clock of 2317 MHz drive a texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s and a pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s.

The GPU's benchmark results place it in the 66th percentile among all tested graphics cards. Its average benchmark score of 21035 is closely matched by its nearest rivals: the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21153, -0.6%), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (21237, -1%), AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20713, 1.6%), and NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (21379, -1.6%). These rivals are a mix of older desktop parts and mobile variants, indicating the RTX 5050 occupies a distinctive position in the performance hierarchy — it is competitive with previous-generation mid-range cards but does not break new ground.

In Greedfall, the GPU's memory configuration becomes a critical factor at higher resolutions. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is adequate for 1080p and 1440p at all settings, as evidenced by the playable frame rates. At 4K, however, the combination of increased pixel count and higher texture detail likely pushes against the memory capacity and bandwidth limits. The 4K Ultra result of 30 FPS suggests the GPU is severely constrained, while 4K High at 47 FPS and 4K Medium at 52 FPS show incremental improvements as memory pressure reduces.

The RTX 5050's 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 80 tensor cores provide support for modern rendering techniques, though the measured data does not include ray tracing or DLSS-specific results. The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support ensures compatibility with Greedfall's rendering requirements. The 300 W suggested PSU and single 8-pin power connector indicate this is a power-efficient card, with a 130 W TDP that aligns well with the i5-14600K's 125 W TDP for a balanced system draw.

The performance deltas between the RTX 5050 and its nearest rivals are all within 1.6%, confirming that the GPU's behavior in Greedfall is representative of its class. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2502 and Passmark G3D score of 17326 provide additional context, but the game-specific measurements are the most reliable indicators of real-world performance.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 achieves a rank of 1776 out of 2938 tested combos in Greedfall. This places it in the 60th percentile of all tested systems, meaning roughly 40% of combinations perform worse and 60% perform better. The rank reflects the GPU's mid-tier positioning more than the CPU's high-tier standing, as the i5-14600K's 90th percentile CPU rank is significantly stronger than the RTX 5050's 66th percentile GPU rank.

The combo ranking highlights an imbalance in this pairing. The CPU is capable of supporting substantially higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 1080p Low result of 160 FPS, but the GPU holds the system back at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K Ultra, the 30 FPS result is a clear indicator that the RTX 5050 cannot fully utilize the i5-14600K's processing headroom. Conversely, at 1080p Low, the system approaches the practical limits of what this GPU can deliver, suggesting the CPU is not a limiting factor in any measured scenario.

Compared to other combos, this pairing's 1776th rank means it falls in the lower half of tested systems. The delta between this combo and more capable configurations likely stems from the RTX 5050's 8 GB memory capacity and 128-bit bus, which restrict performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The CPU's contribution to the overall rank is positive — a weaker processor would likely push this combo lower, while a stronger GPU would push it significantly higher.

Settings Recommendations

Based strictly on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1920x1080, all settings produce playable averages: Low at 160 FPS, Medium at 126 FPS, High at 114 FPS, and Ultra at 73 FPS. The High preset offers the best balance for most users, providing 114 FPS average, which is well above the 60 FPS standard and close to 120 Hz display capabilities. Ultra at 73 FPS is also viable for those prioritizing visual quality over headroom.

At 2560x1440, the recommendations tighten. High settings produce 79 FPS average, which is playable but not ideal for high-refresh displays. Medium at 87 FPS offers a slight improvement, while Low at 111 FPS provides the smoothest experience. Ultra at 50 FPS is borderline, dipping below the 60 FPS threshold. For 1440p, Medium is the recommended preset — it delivers 87 FPS average with a minimum of 74 FPS, ensuring consistent frame delivery without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the options are limited. Low at 66 FPS is the only preset that maintains a playable average above 60 FPS. Medium at 52 FPS and High at 47 FPS are marginal, while Ultra at 30 FPS is not recommended for active gameplay. For 4K, the data suggests Low is the only viable choice, and users seeking better visuals should consider lowering the resolution to 1440p.

The Medium preset stands out as the most consistent across all three resolutions, with minimum frame rates that closely track the averages. This predictability makes Medium the safest choice for users who prioritize stable performance over peak visuals. High settings are acceptable at 1080p and 1440p, but the 4K High result of 47 FPS indicates the GPU cannot maintain playable performance at that resolution.

FAQ

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

A: The 1920x1080 resolution provides the most comfortable experience, with averages ranging from 73 FPS at Ultra to 160 FPS at Low. At 2560x1440, only Low (111 FPS) and Medium (87 FPS) exceed 60 FPS, while at 3840x2160, only Low (66 FPS) maintains playability.

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

A: The data shows 4K is only viable at Low settings, where the average is 66 FPS. Medium (52 FPS), High (47 FPS), and Ultra (30 FPS) all fall below the 60 FPS threshold, making them less suitable for active gameplay.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in overall benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K has an average benchmark score of 48618, which is within 0.8% of its four nearest rivals. It trails the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H by 0.2% and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 by 0.8%, while leading the AMD EPYC 4345P by 0.3% and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX by 0.7%.

Q: What is the GPU's performance standing relative to other cards?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 scores 21035 on average, placing it in the 66th percentile. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT (20713, 1.6% slower), while the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL (21153, 0.6% faster), AMD Radeon HD 8970M (21237, 1% faster), and NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (21379, 1.6% faster) are all within 1.6%.

Q: Which settings preset provides the most consistent frame delivery?

A: Medium settings show the most consistent performance across all resolutions. At 1080p, the minimum is 107 FPS against a 126 FPS average; at 1440p, the minimum is 74 FPS against an 87 FPS average; at 4K, the minimum is 44 FPS against a 52 FPS average.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 1776th out of 2938 tested combinations in Greedfall, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the performance spectrum. This ranking reflects the GPU's mid-tier positioning relative to the CPU's high-tier capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 3840x2160, the measured average frame rates are as follows: Low settings produce 66 FPS, Medium produces 52 FPS (minimum 44, maximum 60), High produces 47 FPS, and Ultra produces 30 FPS. The Medium preset is the only 4K configuration with reported minimum and maximum values, showing a range of 16 FPS between the lowest and highest recorded frames.

At 2560x1440, the averages increase substantially: Low reaches 111 FPS, Medium reaches 87 FPS (minimum 74, maximum 100), High reaches 79 FPS, and Ultra reaches 50 FPS. The Medium preset again provides the only complete frame range data, with a 26 FPS spread between minimum and maximum.

At 1920x1080, the system achieves its best results: Low averages 160 FPS, Medium averages 126 FPS (minimum 107, maximum 144), High averages 114 FPS, and Ultra averages 73 FPS. The Medium preset shows a 37 FPS range between minimum and maximum, indicating more variance at lower resolutions where the GPU has additional headroom.

The progression across resolutions shows a consistent pattern: Low settings maintain roughly 2.4x the frame rate of Ultra settings at each resolution (160 vs 73 at 1080p, 111 vs 50 at 1440p, 66 vs 30 at 4K). The Medium preset consistently delivers about 79% of the Low preset's performance and 1.7x the Ultra preset's performance across all resolutions. These ratios suggest the graphical settings scale linearly in their impact on the RTX 5050's workload in Greedfall.