Greedfall

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the Intel Arc B370 presents a stark study in bottlenecking within Greedfall. The data indicates a system where a high-end CPU is severely constrained by an entry-level integrated GPU, resulting in a performance profile that collapses as resolution and graphical fidelity increase. This combination ranks 2699th out of 2938 tested combos in the game, placing it in the bottom percentile of all configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The most revealing metric from the measured FPS data is the dramatic scaling of performance across resolutions. At 1080p, the combination manages playable, albeit modest, frame rates, but the transition to higher resolutions exposes a severe GPU limitation. The average frame rate at 1080p Low is 76 FPS, which drops to 53 FPS at 1440p, a 30% reduction. Moving to 4K Low yields 31 FPS, a further 41% decrease from the 1440p result. This scaling pattern is the classic signature of a system where the graphics processor is the primary limiting factor; the CPU has ample headroom, but the GPU cannot maintain its throughput as pixel count rises.

The trend is consistent across all quality presets, but the absolute frame rate collapse is most pronounced at the highest settings. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 35 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 24 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it plummets to a slideshow-like 14 FPS. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Ultra represents a 42% performance drop, indicating that the GPU is being overwhelmed by the sheer pixel count and the associated memory bandwidth demands. The data suggests that Greedfall at 4K is entirely out of reach for this configuration, regardless of settings, as even the lowest preset fails to reach 35 FPS.

The frame time consistency also degrades with resolution. At 1080p Medium, the minimum FPS is 51 against an average of 60, a variance of 15%. At 1440p Medium, the minimum drops to 35 FPS against an average of 41, a variance of 14.6%. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 21 FPS against an average of 25, a variance of 16%. While the relative variance is similar, the absolute frame times become longer and more noticeable at lower frame rates, making the experience feel less fluid at 1440p and 4K. The data clearly indicates that the limiting component for this combo is the GPU, as its performance dictates the entire scaling curve.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process. Its specifications reveal a part designed for efficiency rather than high-end gaming. With a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, it has a theoretical FP32 performance of 6.144 TFLOPS. The GPU's memory is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the host system's RAM for both capacity and bandwidth, which is a significant bottleneck for a game like Greedfall that requires substantial texture and geometry data. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which, in a system with a capable CPU like the i7-13700K, might be relatively high, but the latency and shared nature of the resource still hamper performance.

The benchmark data for the GPU alone is sparse, with only a single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184. This score places the Arc B370 in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is among the weakest graphics solutions on the market. Its nearest rivals in this benchmark are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (scoring 1186, a 0.2% difference) and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (scoring 1190, a 0.5% difference). This comparison is damning; the Arc B370 is performing on par with integrated and low-end discrete graphics solutions from over a decade ago. This relative performance is the primary explanation for the low FPS figures observed in Greedfall.

The GPU's role in the measured results is definitive. At 1080p, it can occasionally produce playable frame rates, but its 20 ROPs and 40 TMUs are insufficient for higher resolutions. The 4K results, with a maximum average of 31 FPS on Low settings, demonstrate that the GPU is simply not capable of filling the frame buffer fast enough. The system shared memory, with its "System Dependent" bandwidth, likely causes significant stuttering when the game world streams in new assets, further degrading the experience beyond the average FPS numbers. The data shows a clear ceiling imposed by the GPU, and the high-end CPU in the system cannot compensate for this fundamental hardware limitation.

CPU Role

In contrast to the GPU, the Intel Core i7-13700K is a high-performance desktop processor. It features 16 cores and 24 threads based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745 and a single-core score of 2116. It holds an average benchmark score of 46881, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 (scoring 46971, a 0.2% difference) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 (scoring 47022, a 0.3% difference), showing it is a top-tier performer in synthetic tests.

However, in the context of this Greedfall benchmark, the CPU's role is largely passive. Because the GPU is so weak, the CPU is likely sitting idle waiting for the graphics pipeline to complete its work. The game is being rendered at frame rates between 14 and 76 FPS, which are well within the capabilities of the i7-13700K. The CPU's 30 MB of shared L3 cache and high clock speeds would easily handle the game's logic and draw calls at these frame rates. There is no evidence in the data to suggest that the CPU is a limiting factor; the FPS is not varying based on scene complexity in a way that would indicate a CPU bottleneck, but rather is consistently low across the board due to the GPU.

The disparity in performance class between the CPU and GPU is extreme. The i7-13700K is designed to pair with high-end discrete graphics cards, but it is here paired with an IGP. This creates a massive imbalance where the system's potential is wasted. The CPU's benchmark scores suggest it could drive frame rates several times higher if paired with a capable GPU. In this specific configuration, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with data, but the GPU is unable to process it quickly enough, making the powerful CPU a silent partner in a system that is fundamentally GPU-bound in Greedfall.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of this combo's performance in Greedfall. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings yield an average of 76 FPS, Medium yields 60 FPS (with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69), High yields 54 FPS, and Ultra drops to 35 FPS. This shows a clear and steep penalty for increasing graphical quality. The 1080p Low result is the only configuration that approaches what could be considered a high refresh rate experience, while the Ultra preset falls below the 60 FPS threshold that is generally considered the target for smooth gameplay.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. Low settings produce an average of 53 FPS, Medium produces 41 FPS (with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 48), High produces 38 FPS, and Ultra falls to 24 FPS. At this resolution, even the Low preset is no longer comfortably above 60 FPS, and the Ultra preset is borderline unplayable. The step from 1080p to 1440p at High settings is a 30% performance loss, from 54 FPS to 38 FPS, highlighting the GPU's struggle with the increased pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the configuration is effectively non-functional for gaming. Low settings produce an average of 31 FPS, Medium produces 25 FPS (with a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 28), High produces 22 FPS, and Ultra produces a mere 14 FPS. All of these averages are below the minimum threshold for playable frame rates, and the Ultra preset is a slideshow. The data shows a consistent and predictable degradation of performance as resolution increases, with no setting combination at 4K providing a viable experience. The gap between the 1440p and 4K results at all settings is substantial, confirming that the GPU is the sole arbiter of this system's performance.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2699th out of 2938 tested combos in Greedfall. This ranking places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested, a poor result that underscores the fundamental mismatch between the CPU and GPU. The rank is not a reflection of the CPU's capability, but rather a direct consequence of the GPU's severe performance limitations in this title. The combo is being dragged down by the integrated graphics, which cannot handle the game's demands at higher resolutions.

The ranking becomes even more telling when compared to the individual component standings. The CPU is in the 89th percentile, while the GPU is in the 5th percentile. This 84-point gap between the two components is immense and illustrates that the system's overall performance is dictated almost entirely by its weakest link. The combo's rank is far closer to the GPU's percentile than the CPU's, confirming that the i7-13700K is not contributing to the gaming experience in a meaningful way. The data suggests that any system with a discrete GPU, even a low-end one, would likely outperform this configuration, making the combo rank proof of the wasted potential of the high-end processor.

The nearest rivals for the GPU, such as the ATI Radeon HD 5770, are products from a different era, and their presence in the same performance class explains the low FPS figures. The benchmark results indicate that this combo is not suitable for modern gaming at standard resolutions and settings. While the CPU is a top-tier performer, its pairing with the Arc B370 creates a system that is fundamentally outclassed in Greedfall, resulting in a rank that is near the bottom of the database. The combination is a clear example of a severe bottleneck, where the GPU cannot keep pace with the demands of the game or the potential of the CPU.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo are those that prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, and even then, compromises are necessary. At 1920x1080, the Low preset is the only one that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, with an average of 76 FPS. The Medium preset, averaging 60 FPS, is technically playable, but the minimum of 51 FPS suggests potential stutters in demanding scenes. Given the data, the 1080p Low preset offers the best playable experience for this system, as it is the only configuration that consistently delivers smooth frame rates. The High and Ultra presets at this resolution, with averages of 54 and 35 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a fluid experience.

At 2560x1440, the situation becomes more challenging. The Low preset, with an average of 53 FPS, is the only viable option, though it falls short of 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 41 FPS is on the edge of playability, but the minimum of 35 FPS makes it risky. The High and Ultra presets at 38 and 24 FPS respectively are not recommended. The data suggests that users should stick to 1080p if they want a consistent experience, as 1440p requires dropping to Low settings and accepting frame rates in the 50s. For a more stable experience, 1080p Medium might be preferred over 1440p Low, as the higher resolution does not compensate for the lower frame rate.

At 3840x2160, no settings are recommended. The data shows that even the Low preset averages only 31 FPS, which is below the threshold for acceptable gameplay. The Ultra preset at 14 FPS is unplayable. The conclusion is clear: this combo should be used for Greedfall at 1080p with the Low or Medium preset. The 1080p Low preset offers the best balance of frame rate and stability, with an average of 76 FPS. The Medium preset offers a small visual upgrade at the cost of 16 FPS, but its minimum of 51 FPS still keeps it in a playable range. For the best experience per the measured rows, the 1080p Low preset is the top recommendation, with 1080p Medium as a secondary option for those who prefer better visuals and can tolerate a lower frame rate.