Greedfall

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor from the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. In the context of Greedfall, a 2019 Action RPG, this CPU’s configuration is adequate for feeding frames to the paired GPU. Its multi-threaded performance, reflected in a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 7969, places it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a mid-pack standing. The single-core score of 1125 in the same test suggests that its per-thread strength is modest but sufficient for the game’s logic and physics.

The data shows that the i5-9400’s nearest rivals in aggregate benchmark performance are the Intel Core i3-10305 and the Intel Core i3-1125G4, both of which trail by only 0.2%, and the Intel Xeon E-2134, which is 0.4% behind. The Intel Core i7-8809G sits slightly ahead at 0.6% faster. These deltas are minuscule, meaning that for Greedfall, the i5-9400’s processing power is effectively interchangeable with these competitors. Given that the CPU’s 6 threads align with the era of the game’s release, it is unlikely to be the primary bottleneck, especially at higher resolutions where the GPU’s workload dominates. The 65 W TDP and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth are typical for this class, providing enough headroom for consistent frame pacing without exotic requirements.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the dominant component in this pairing, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The GPU’s boost clock of 2475 MHz and base clock of 1920 MHz are high for its generation, and its 5888 shading units provide substantial raw compute power, rated at 29.15 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. In Greedfall, this hardware translates to high average frame rates across all tested settings, as the GPU’s capability far exceeds the CPU’s output in most scenarios.

Benchmark results indicate that the RTX 4070 sits at the 81st percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37283. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, is only 0.6% slower, while the NVIDIA GeForce MX570 A is 1.9% slower. The RTX 4080 Mobile is 2.2% faster, and the AMD Radeon RX 5300M is 2.5% slower. These narrow margins suggest that the RTX 4070’s performance in synthetic tests is well-balanced, but in Greedfall, the measured FPS reveals a more nuanced story. The GPU’s 12 GB VRAM is ample for the game’s textures, even at 4K, where the highest setting still achieves playable rates. The 192-bit bus and high memory clock ensure that data transfer is not a limiting factor, allowing the GPU to maintain high utilization.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Greedfall shows a clear scaling pattern across resolutions, with the CPU and GPU roles shifting as pixel count increases. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 247.8 FPS, which drops to 114.8 FPS at Ultra settings. This indicates that at 1080p, the CPU is often the limiting component, as the GPU has enough headroom to render frames faster than the processor can issue draw calls. Moving to 2560x1440, the Low setting yields 170.7 FPS, and Ultra drops to 77.4 FPS. The reduction from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings is a 31% decrease, while at Ultra it is a 33% decrease, showing that the GPU begins to take on more responsibility.

At 3840x2160, the scaling becomes more pronounced. Low settings produce 100.5 FPS, Medium 83.4 FPS, High 72.2 FPS, and Ultra only 44.7 FPS. The drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low is 59%, and from 1080p Ultra to 4K Ultra is 61%, which is a near-linear relationship with the increase in pixel count. This pattern indicates that at 4K, the GPU is the primary bottleneck, as the CPU’s frame generation capability is no longer the constraint. The 44.7 FPS at 4K Ultra is below the 60 FPS threshold, suggesting that the RTX 4070’s raw power is insufficient for maximum settings at this resolution, while the i5-9400 remains capable of feeding it at lower settings. The data shows that for a smooth 4K experience, Medium settings at 83.4 FPS are the practical ceiling, as High drops to 72.2 FPS and Ultra falls off a cliff.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain 60+ FPS?

A: The data shows that at 1920x1080, all settings including Ultra (114.8 FPS) exceed 60 FPS. At 2560x1440, Ultra (77.4 FPS) also stays above 60 FPS. At 3840x2160, only Low (100.5 FPS), Medium (83.4 FPS), and High (72.2 FPS) achieve this, while Ultra drops to 44.7 FPS.

Q: How does the i5-9400 compare to its closest rivals in CPU benchmarks?

A: The i5-9400’s average benchmark score is 2305, which is 0.2% higher than the Intel Core i3-10305 (2300) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2299), 0.4% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2134 (2295), and 0.6% lower than the Intel Core i7-8809G (2319). These differences are negligible for gaming performance.

Q: Is the RTX 4070’s VRAM sufficient for Greedfall at 4K?

A: Yes, the 12 GB of GDDR6X memory is adequate, as the measured FPS at 4K does not indicate a VRAM capacity bottleneck. The performance drop from High (72.2 FPS) to Ultra (44.7 FPS) is more likely due to rendering complexity, not memory exhaustion.

Q: Which component limits performance at 1080p with Low settings?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the limiting factor, as the 247.8 FPS achieved at 1080p Low is likely near the i5-9400’s maximum frame output. The RTX 4070 is capable of higher rates, but the processor’s single-thread performance (1125 in Cinebench R23) caps the result.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested configurations in Greedfall?

A: The combo ranks 455th out of 1705 tested combinations, placing it in the top 27% of systems. This indicates a strong pairing, though not at the absolute top tier due to the CPU’s mid-pack standing.

Q: What is the FPS difference between 1440p High and 4K High?

A: At 2560x1440 High, the average FPS is 126.2, while at 3840x2160 High it is 72.2. This represents a 43% reduction in frame rate, showing the significant impact of resolution on the GPU’s workload.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 achieves a rank of 455 out of 1705 tested combos in Greedfall, placing it in the upper quartile of systems. This ranking is driven primarily by the GPU’s strong performance, as the i5-9400’s 50th percentile CPU standing is a moderating factor. Compared to other combos, this system outperforms the majority, but the data shows that the CPU holds back the GPU in certain scenarios, particularly at 1080p where the FPS ceiling is reached. At 4K, the rank improves relative to other systems, as the GPU’s workload becomes the dominant factor, allowing the CPU’s limitations to be masked.

The nearest GPU rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 and the NVIDIA GeForce MX570 A, would likely produce similar frame rates in this game, but the RTX 4070’s higher bandwidth and newer architecture give it a slight edge in more demanding scenes. The combo’s rank of 455 suggests that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast build, it is well above average for Greedfall, offering a smooth experience at 1440p and playable 4K at reduced settings. The 1705 total combos include both older and newer hardware, so this ranking reflects the i5-9400’s age but also the RTX 4070’s relevance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and frame rate. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset provides the best experience with 114.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold and leaves headroom for any future driver overhead or background tasks. The High preset at 179.8 FPS and Medium at 197.2 FPS are unnecessary, as the visual gains from Ultra are worth the slight FPS reduction. At 2560x1440, Ultra yields 77.4 FPS, which is still smooth, making it the recommended preset for this resolution. The High setting at 126.2 FPS offers a higher refresh rate for competitive play, but for a single-player Action RPG, the visual fidelity of Ultra is preferable.

At 3840x2160, the choice is more constrained. Ultra at 44.7 FPS is below the playable threshold, so it should be avoided. High at 72.2 FPS is the best balance, providing a stable 60+ FPS experience with decent visuals. Medium at 83.4 FPS is also viable for those prioritizing frame rate over detail, but High is the sweet spot. Low at 100.5 FPS is only for competitive or high-refresh-rate scenarios, which are unlikely for this game genre. The data shows that the RTX 4070 can handle 4K High without issue, making it the recommended preset for this combo at that resolution. For 1080p and 1440p, Ultra is the clear winner, as the CPU does not bottleneck at these settings, allowing the GPU to shine.