Greedfall

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the Intel Arc B390 in Greedfall presents a study in extreme imbalance. The benchmark data reveals a configuration where a top-tier CPU is paired with an entry-level integrated GPU, producing a predictable but instructive set of performance bottlenecks. The measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions and settings paint a clear picture of a system that is entirely limited by its graphics solution, while the CPU operates far below its potential.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data shows a stark and consistent decline as resolution increases, which is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 84 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops this to 58 FPS, and at 4K it falls to 35 FPS. This represents a 31% decrease from 1080p to 1440p and another 40% decrease from 1440p to 4K, demonstrating that the rendering load is scaling almost directly with the pixel count. This is the signature of a component that is saturated by the sheer volume of pixels it must process, rather than being limited by CPU-side game logic.

This pattern is consistent across all quality presets. For instance, at High settings, the drop is from 60 FPS at 1080p to 42 FPS at 1440p, a 30% reduction, and then to 25 FPS at 4K, a further 40% reduction. The uniformity of these percentage drops across different settings is telling. If the CPU were a significant factor, we would expect the gap between resolutions to narrow at lower settings where the CPU has relatively more work to do. Instead, the consistent scaling suggests the GPU is the sole limiting factor at every resolution tested. The data implies that even at 1080p, the Arc B390 is already working at its maximum capacity, and any increase in pixel count directly translates to a proportional decrease in frame rate.

The only exception to this smooth scaling is the Ultra preset, where the performance falls off a cliff. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 38, which is a 37% drop from High settings. At 4K Ultra, the system can only manage 16 FPS. This disproportionate penalty suggests that the Ultra preset introduces effects that are particularly taxing on the Arc B390's limited resources, possibly related to its low 24 ROPs or its 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power. The data indicates that the transition to Ultra is not a linear step but a geometric increase in rendering complexity that this iGPU cannot handle.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the definitive bottleneck in this configuration. Its benchmark data shows a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is an exceptionally low score, and the nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, and GeForce GT 625 OEM, all of which are over a decade old. The data suggests this iGPU is not designed for modern gaming at playable frame rates, and the Greedfall results confirm this.

The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main memory rather than having its own dedicated VRAM. This has significant implications for performance, as the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent." In a game like Greedfall, which streams large textures, the shared memory interface can cause severe stuttering and low average FPS, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory access. The measured FPS data, with lows of 23 FPS at 4K Medium, reflects this potential for frame time inconsistency.

The card's clock speeds, with a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 2500 MHz, show a wide dynamic range. However, the data implies that even at its maximum boost clock, the sheer lack of compute units (1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, 24 ROPs) limits its ability to fill pixels. The measured texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s and pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s are theoretical maximums that are unlikely to be sustained in a real-world workload like Greedfall. The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is simply overwhelmed by the game's rendering demands, regardless of the resolution or settings, making it the primary factor in the low FPS figures.

CPU Role

In stark contrast to the GPU, the Intel Core i7-14700K is a high-end desktop processor that is vastly overqualified for the task at hand. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and a single-core score of 2160. It sits in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X and the AMD EPYC 9115. This is a processor with 20 cores and 28 threads, capable of handling massive multi-threaded workloads.

However, in Greedfall, the CPU's role is almost entirely passive. The game is clearly not CPU-bound at any resolution. For example, at 1080p Low, the CPU could theoretically push hundreds of frames, but the GPU can only manage 84. The data shows that the CPU is never the limiting factor; the performance ceiling is set entirely by the GPU. This is evident from the fact that the FPS drops as resolution increases, a phenomenon that would not occur if the CPU were the bottleneck. With a CPU bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively flat regardless of resolution, as the CPU would be the constraining factor.

The data suggests that the i7-14700K's high single-thread performance, reflected in its Geekbench single-core score of 2569, is more than sufficient to handle Greedfall's game logic, AI, and physics. The CPU's 33 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support are also ample for the game's data streaming needs. This configuration is a prime example of a CPU being "wasted" due to a vastly weaker GPU. The processor is ready to deliver a high-refresh-rate experience, but the Arc B390 simply cannot supply the frames. The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is a silent observer in this test, waiting for a GPU that can keep up.

FAQ

Q: Why is the FPS so low even at 1080p with Low settings?

A: The average FPS of 84 at 1080p Low is primarily limited by the Intel Arc B390. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is an entry-level integrated graphics solution. The CPU is not the bottleneck, as the Core i7-14700K is a high-end processor with a 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs.

Q: What is the biggest performance bottleneck in this system?

A: The data clearly shows the GPU is the sole performance bottleneck. This is evident from the resolution scaling: FPS drops from 84 at 1080p Low to 35 at 4K Low, which is a direct result of the GPU struggling with more pixels. The CPU's performance is far above what this game requires, so it is not a contributing factor to the low frame rates.

Q: Is the Core i7-14700K a good match for the Arc B390 in Greedfall?

A: No, this is a highly unbalanced pairing. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5, are in the top 6% of all processors. The GPU, with a 3DMark score of 1482, is in the bottom 9% of all graphics cards. The CPU's potential is entirely untapped, as the GPU cannot render frames fast enough to utilize it.

Q: How does the Ultra preset affect performance compared to High?

A: The Ultra preset has a disproportionately large performance penalty. At 1440p, the average FPS drops from 42 on High to 27 on Ultra, a 36% decrease. At 4K, it drops from 25 on High to 16 on Ultra, a 36% decrease. This suggests the Ultra settings introduce effects that are especially demanding on the Arc B390's limited 24 ROPs and 7.680 TFLOPS of compute power.

Q: What is the best resolution to play this game with this hardware?

A: Based on the data, 1080p is the only resolution that provides an average FPS above 60, and only on Low settings (84 FPS) and High settings (60 FPS). At 1440p, the best average FPS is 58 on Low, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. 4K is not viable for playable frame rates on any preset.

Q: Does the "System Shared" memory of the GPU impact performance?

A: Yes, it is a likely contributing factor. The GPU's memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," meaning it shares the main system memory with the CPU. This can lead to performance degradation compared to a dedicated VRAM solution, especially in a game with large textures. The low average FPS and measured minimums, such as 23 FPS at 4K Medium, could be exacerbated by this memory contention.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact measured average FPS for the Intel Core i7-14700K and Intel Arc B390 combination in Greedfall.

At 1920x1080:

• Low: 84 FPS average.
• Medium: 66 FPS average, with a minimum of 56 and a maximum of 76 FPS.
• High: 60 FPS average.
• Ultra: 38 FPS average.

At 2560x1440:

• Low: 58 FPS average.
• Medium: 46 FPS average, with a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 53 FPS.
• High: 42 FPS average.
• Ultra: 27 FPS average.

At 3840x2160:

• Low: 35 FPS average.
• Medium: 27 FPS average, with a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 32 FPS.
• High: 25 FPS average.
• Ultra: 16 FPS average.

The data shows a clear and consistent hierarchy. Lower resolutions and settings yield higher FPS, but even the best case scenario of 84 FPS at 1080p Low is modest by modern standards. The gap between Low and High settings at 1080p is 24 FPS, while the gap between 1080p Low and 1440p Low is 26 FPS. This shows that both resolution and settings have a significant impact, but neither can overcome the fundamental performance limits of the GPU. The Ultra preset is the worst performer at every resolution, with a significant drop-off from High settings, making it unsuitable for any playable experience.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data points to a clear and pragmatic approach for this specific hardware combination. The primary goal should be to achieve a playable frame rate, which the data suggests is only feasible at 1080p. At this resolution, the Low preset is the only one that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, with an average of 84 FPS. This should be the default recommendation for users seeking a smooth experience, as it offers the most headroom for demanding scenes.

For users who desire better visual fidelity, the High preset at 1080p is a viable option, with an average FPS of exactly 60. This is the threshold for "smooth" gameplay on most standard displays. However, the data shows there is zero headroom, meaning any complex scene with many enemies or effects could cause the frame rate to dip below 60 FPS. The Medium preset, with an average of 66 FPS, offers a small buffer and a slight visual improvement over Low, making it a more stable choice than High if visual quality is a priority.

The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution. The performance penalty is significant, with a 37% drop from High at 1080p (60 to 38 FPS) and a 36% drop at 1440p (42 to 27 FPS). The visual improvement does not justify the severe loss in playability. At 1440p, the best option is the Low preset with an average of 58 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS target. The Medium and High presets at 1440p offer average FPS of 46 and 42, respectively, which are likely to feel stuttery. 4K resolution is not viable for this combo, as even the Low preset only achieves an average of 35 FPS. The data suggests that players should stick to 1080p and choose between Low for maximum performance or High for balanced visuals, avoiding Ultra entirely.

How This Combo Ranks

The overall ranking for this specific combination in Greedfall is poor. The combo is ranked 2595 out of 2938 tested configurations, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems. This low rank is almost entirely attributable to the Intel Arc B390's performance. The GPU's 3DMark score of 1482 and its 9th percentile ranking among all GPUs is the primary driver of this result. This is a bottom-tier graphics solution, and the FPS data reflects that.

In contrast, the CPU is a top-tier component. The Core i7-14700K's 94th percentile ranking and its benchmark scores, such as the Passmark multi-thread score of 52392, are among the best available. However, its contribution to gaming performance is nullified by the GPU. The data shows that the combo's rank is a direct consequence of the weakest link. The system is essentially performing as if it had a much older, low-end dedicated GPU or even a modern iGPU, not a high-end desktop CPU.

The deltaPct values for the GPU's nearest rivals provide context. The Arc B390's score is a mere 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, a GPU from over a decade ago. This shows that, in terms of raw compute, the Arc B390 is competing with hardware from a different era. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, have scores that are within 0.7% of the i7-14700K, but this has no impact on the Greedfall results. The combo's rank of 2595 suggests that for this game, the CPU is irrelevant, and the experience is entirely defined by the GPU's inability to render frames, making this one of the most unbalanced configurations in the database.