Greedfall

The pairing of an Intel Core i7-13700K with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a study in extremes within the context of Greedfall. The processor is a high-end, recent part, while the graphics card is an older, entry-level model. The measured frame rates show that the GTX 1650 is the dominant factor in this configuration, acting as a significant bottleneck that prevents the powerful CPU from being fully utilized. The data reveals a system that can handle the game at lower resolutions and settings but struggles to maintain playable performance at higher presets, making it a pairing suited for 1080p gaming with adjusted expectations.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is stark and clearly indicates that the graphics card is the limiting component. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 73 FPS, but this falls to 50 FPS at 1440p and plummets to 30 FPS at 4K. This pattern continues across all preset levels. For High settings, the average frame rate goes from 52 FPS at 1080p, down to 36 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 21 FPS at 4K. The scaling is consistent: moving from 1080p to 1440p incurs a significant performance hit, and the jump to 4K is even more punishing, often halving the frame rate again.

This behavior is a classic symptom of a GPU-bound scenario. The workload on the graphics card increases exponentially with resolution, and the GTX 1650's 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 128-bit memory bus are quickly overwhelmed. The data shows that the i7-13700K is not the issue; its single-thread and multi-thread scores are exceptionally high, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering demands. Consequently, the frame rate is dictated almost entirely by the GTX 1650's processing power. At 1080p, the GPU is still the bottleneck, but the lower pixel count allows it to produce acceptable frame rates. As the resolution climbs, the GPU's limitations become increasingly pronounced, leading to a rapid and predictable decline in performance.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Greedfall at 4K resolution?

A: Technically, yes, but the experience is not recommended. The measured data shows the best average at 4K is 30 FPS on Low settings, with High at 21 FPS, Medium at 24 FPS, and Ultra at only 14 FPS. These frame rates are below the threshold for smooth, responsive gameplay, indicating that 4K is not a practical resolution for this pairing.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for a playable experience?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates. At 1080p, the Low preset yields an average of 73 FPS, and the Medium preset delivers 57 FPS, which are both suitable for a smooth experience. High settings at 1080p are also viable at 52 FPS, but Ultra drops to 33 FPS, which may feel less fluid.

Q: How does the GTX 1650's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The GTX 1650's average benchmark score is 7472. Its nearest rival, the Intel Arc A310, has a score of 7550, which is 1% better. Conversely, the AMD Radeon HD 8850M is 0.3% slower, and the Intel UHD Graphics 750 is 0.4% slower. This shows the GTX 1650 is positioned in a very tight performance band with these other entry-level options.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-13700K holding back the GTX 1650?

A: No, the data suggests the opposite. The i7-13700K has a percentile ranking of 89 against all CPUs and scores 30,745 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, indicating it is a very powerful processor. In this pairing, it is the GTX 1650, with a 40th percentile ranking among GPUs, that is the limiting factor. The CPU has ample headroom, but the GPU cannot render frames fast enough to utilize it.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this specific CPU and GPU combination in Greedfall?

A: This combo ranks 3581 out of 3703 tested combinations in the database for this game. This places it in the lower percentile of all tested systems, reinforcing that the graphics card severely limits its overall gaming performance.

Q: What are the key specifications of the GTX 1650 that contribute to its performance?

A: The GTX 1650 is based on the TU117 chip and features 896 shading units. It has 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 128.1 GB/s. Its boost clock is 1665 MHz. These specifications are modest by current standards, which explains its performance limitations in a demanding title like Greedfall.

Settings Recommendations

For the optimal balance of visual quality and smooth gameplay, the data strongly points to 1920x1080 resolution. Within this resolution, the Medium preset is the most sensible choice. It achieves an average of 57 FPS with a minimum of 48 FPS, providing a stable and responsive experience that is suitable for an action RPG. The jump from Low to Medium is a significant improvement in visual fidelity, and the 16 FPS difference in average frame rate (73 to 57) is a worthwhile trade-off for a better-looking game.

If a higher frame rate is the priority, the Low preset at 1080p is the only option that delivers a clear advantage, with an average of 73 FPS. However, the visual compromise is substantial. High settings at 1080p are also a valid option, with an average of 52 FPS, which is still playable for most users. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as the average frame rate drops to 33 FPS, which will likely result in noticeable stuttering and a less fluid experience during combat and exploration. At 1440p, the best option is Low, with an average of 50 FPS, but this is still a downgrade from 1080p Medium. All 4K presets are unplayable. Therefore, the best experience is found at 1080p with the Medium preset, offering a solid middle ground.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 ranks 3581 out of 3703 tested combos in Greedfall. This places it in the bottom 3% of all tested systems, which is a clear indication of its overall performance level. The ranking is a direct result of the GPU's low performance relative to the rest of the field. While the CPU is a top-tier part, the GTX 1650's age and specifications hold the entire system back.

The GPU's own benchmark performance, with a 40th percentile ranking among all GPUs, is the primary driver of this low combo rank. Its average benchmark score of 7472 places it in the same league as integrated graphics solutions like the Intel UHD Graphics 750, which is only 0.4% slower. This demonstrates that in Greedfall, the system's performance is anchored by the graphics card. The CPU's high standing, with an 89th percentile ranking, does little to boost the combo's position in this particular game, as the GPU is the bottleneck. The result is a system that is far less capable than the sum of its parts might suggest, and the ranking accurately reflects the real-world gaming experience.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, along with 30 MB of shared L3 cache. These specifications make it an exceptionally powerful CPU for gaming and productivity tasks. Its benchmark results confirm this, with a multi-core score of 30,745 in Cinebench R23 and a single-core score of 2116 in the same test. Its average benchmark score of 46881 places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, just slightly behind the AMD Ryzen 9 5900.

However, in Greedfall, the CPU's role is minimized due to the GPU's limitations. The data shows that the frame rate is almost entirely dependent on the graphics card. The i7-13700K is more than capable of feeding frames to the GTX 1650, but the GPU simply cannot render them quickly enough to make use of the CPU's power. The CPU is effectively idle, waiting for the GPU to complete its work. This is a classic bottleneck scenario where the processor's high core count and clock speeds are irrelevant to the final frame rate. The CPU's performance is so far ahead of the GPU's that it has no measurable impact on the game's performance in this configuration, meaning the GTX 1650 is the sole determinant of the gaming experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data is from measured benchmarks of Greedfall with the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs best. The Low preset averages 73 FPS. The Medium preset averages 57 FPS, with a minimum of 48 FPS and a maximum of 66 FPS. The High preset averages 52 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 33 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance drops significantly. The Low preset averages 50 FPS. The Medium preset averages 40 FPS, with a minimum of 34 FPS and a maximum of 45 FPS. The High preset averages 36 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 23 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the game becomes largely unplayable. The Low preset averages 30 FPS. The Medium preset averages 24 FPS, with a minimum of 20 FPS and a maximum of 27 FPS. The High preset averages 21 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 14 FPS.

These numbers show a clear and consistent trend: the GTX 1650 is only capable of providing a smooth experience at 1080p with lower to medium settings. All other configurations result in frame rates that are either borderline or well below the standard for a playable action RPG. The combination of a high-end CPU and a low-end GPU results in a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics card, making it unsuitable for high-resolution or high-detail gaming.