Greedfall

Greedfall, the 2019 Action RPG, presents an interesting case study in hardware scaling. When paired with the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, the benchmark data reveals a system that is heavily influenced by resolution and presets, showcasing the distinct workloads placed on the CPU and GPU. The measured FPS across 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions paints a detailed picture of where the performance ceiling lies for this specific configuration.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a predictable, yet steep, decline in average FPS as resolution increases, which strongly suggests that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 becomes the primary bottleneck at higher pixel counts. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 172.1 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that number by nearly 33% to 116.6 FPS, and pushing to 4K results in a further ~39% reduction to 71.6 FPS. This significant drop-off is a classic indicator of GPU-bound performance, where the renderer's workload increases exponentially with resolution.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At Low settings, the system achieves 238.5 FPS at 1080p, which falls to 167.8 FPS at 1440p and eventually 95.7 FPS at 4K. The pattern is unmistakable. The gap between 1080p and 1440p performance is substantial, and the gap to 4K is even more pronounced. This indicates that while the Intel Core i7-14700KF is capable of feeding frames at lower resolutions, the RTX 3080's raw pixel-pushing power is the limiting factor when the resolution demands more from the graphics card.

Interestingly, the scaling from 1440p to 4K is less aggressive than from 1080p to 1440p. For example, on High settings, the drop from 1080p to 1440p is 55.5 FPS, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 45 FPS. This implies that at 1080p, the CPU is still contributing significantly to the frame rate, but by 1440p, the GPU is already under heavy load, making the incremental cost of 4K less severe in relative terms. The data implies that for this game, the most significant performance transition occurs when moving from Full HD to Quad HD, after which the system settles into a more consistently GPU-limited state.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700KF, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, appears to provide a robust foundation for Greedfall. The benchmark data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the system hits a very high 238.5 FPS, a figure that is unlikely to be constrained by a 20-core processor. This suggests that the CPU's strong single-thread performance, indicated by its 6290 score in Cinebench R23 single-core, is more than sufficient for the game's logic and draw calls. The high frame rates at lower resolutions confirm that the CPU is not the primary limiter in this configuration.

However, the CPU's role becomes more apparent when examining the scaling from Low to Ultra settings at 1080p. The system moves from 238.5 FPS on Low to 107.1 FPS on Ultra, a drop of 131.4 FPS. While much of this is GPU-driven due to increased visual complexity, the sheer volume of frames at Low settings indicates that the processor is capable of handling the game's simulation at a very high rate. The processor's robust multi-threaded capability, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 44557, ensures that background tasks and game engine threads don't cause stutters or hitches that would impact the average FPS.

The data suggests that the i7-14700KF is not a bottleneck in Greedfall, even at 1080p with lower graphical settings. The system is clearly GPU-bound, as the FPS scales primarily with resolution and preset. The processor's high boost clock of 5.60 GHz and its 33 MB of shared L3 cache contribute to its ability to feed the GPU efficiently. It ranks in the 96th percentile against all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 70104 places it right alongside the Intel Core i7-14700K, which has a delta of 0%, indicating virtually identical overall performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is the defining component in this system's gaming performance. Its 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 320-bit bus interface provide a bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s, which is crucial for high-resolution textures and modern game assets. The benchmark data shows that the GPU's performance is directly tied to resolution. At 1080p, it can deliver 172.1 FPS on High settings, but at 4K, that drops to 71.6 FPS. This is a clear indication of the GPU's pixel throughput limits.

The RTX 3080's clock speeds, with a base of 1440 MHz and a boost of 1710 MHz, allow it to handle the load at 1440p and 4K, but the Ultra preset at 4K proves to be a significant challenge, resulting in only 44.3 FPS. This suggests that the Ultra preset's effects, such as advanced shadows and post-processing, are particularly taxing on the GPU's 8704 shading units. The data indicates that while the GPU is powerful, it is not an absolute top-tier part in the current landscape, ranking in the 80th percentile against all GPUs.

Comparing the GPU to its nearest rivals, its average benchmark score of 35787 is nearly identical to that of the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE, which has a delta of -0.9%. This suggests that the RTX 3080 offers comparable raw compute performance to that card. However, in Greedfall specifically, the GPU's performance scaling with settings is consistent, confirming that the RTX 3080 is the main driver of FPS fluctuations. The data points to a component that is well-suited for 1440p gaming, but it will require compromises at 4K to maintain high frame rates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear matrix of performance. At 1920x1080, the system delivers 238.5 FPS on Low, 186.9 FPS on Medium, 172.1 FPS on High, and 107.1 FPS on Ultra. These figures show a direct correlation between graphical fidelity and frame rate, with the Ultra preset nearly halving the performance compared to Low. The delta between Low and High is 66.4 FPS, while the delta from High to Ultra is 65 FPS, indicating that the Ultra preset's additional features are just as demanding as the cumulative upgrades from Low to High.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance is still robust but clearly lower. The system achieves 167.8 FPS on Low, 131 FPS on Medium, 116.6 FPS on High, and 77.4 FPS on Ultra. The 1440p results are approximately 70% of the 1080p results across the board, which aligns with the increased pixel count. For example, the High preset drops from 172.1 FPS to 116.6 FPS, a clear cost of higher resolution.

At 3840x2160, the system's limitations become evident. The RTX 3080 manages 95.7 FPS on Low, 78.2 FPS on Medium, 71.6 FPS on High, and only 44.3 FPS on Ultra. The 4K Ultra result is the only one that dips below the 60 FPS threshold, suggesting that this setting is too demanding for a consistent high-refresh-rate experience. The scaling from 1080p to 4K on High settings shows a reduction from 172.1 FPS to 71.6 FPS, a significant 100.5 FPS drop. These numbers indicate that the system is perfectly capable of high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming but is better suited for 60 FPS gaming at 4K with adjusted presets.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested configurations, this particular combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 holds a rank of 521 out of 1705 combos in Greedfall. This places it in the upper third of all systems tested, indicating that it is a high-performing setup. The rank reflects the balanced nature of the components, where the strong CPU supports the powerful GPU well, but the GPU is not the absolute fastest available.

This ranking suggests that while the combo is capable, there are 520 other configurations that achieve higher average FPS in this specific game. This is not surprising given the GPU is from the previous generation and is now end-of-life. The data implies that the system is a strong 1440p performer, but it may not be the top choice for those seeking the absolute highest frame rates at 4K Ultra settings. The rank confirms the system's overall ability, showing that it outperforms the majority of configurations while acknowledging that newer, more powerful hardware exists.

The ranking also contextualizes the measured FPS. A rank of 521 out of 1705 means that the system is ahead of roughly 70% of all recorded combos. This is a solid position, suggesting that users with this hardware will have a very playable experience in Greedfall, especially if they target 1080p or 1440p with high refresh rate monitors.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1440p with High settings?

A: The system achieves an average of 116.6 FPS at 2560x1440 resolution with High settings.

Q: Can this configuration handle 4K Ultra settings?

A: The data shows an average of 44.3 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which is below the standard 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay.

Q: How much faster is 1080p compared to 4K on High settings?

A: At 1080p High, the system produces 172.1 FPS, while at 4K High, it produces 71.6 FPS. This represents a difference of 100.5 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-14700KF compare to its closest rival, the i7-14700K?

A: The two processors have nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the i7-14700K showing a delta of 0% compared to the i7-14700KF.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate gaming with this combo?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 on Low settings yields 238.5 FPS, and even on High settings it delivers 172.1 FPS, making it the best choice for very high refresh rate displays.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 or the i7-14700KF the main bottleneck at 4K?

A: The significant FPS drop from 1440p to 4K across all settings indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at that resolution.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal experience depends heavily on the user's display and performance goals. For 1080p gaming, the High preset offers an excellent balance, delivering 172.1 FPS, which is well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Ultra preset, while providing the best visual quality, drops the frame rate to 107.1 FPS, which is still very playable but may be less desirable for competitive play. For maximum performance, the Medium preset at 186.9 FPS is a viable alternative to High if a few extra frames are needed.

At 1440p, the High preset is the recommended choice, providing 116.6 FPS. This is a smooth experience for most monitors. The Ultra preset, at 77.4 FPS, is also acceptable for slower-paced games, but the High preset offers a significant performance boost with a relatively minor visual compromise. The Medium preset at 131 FPS is a good option for those with 144Hz monitors who want to ensure they can hit the higher refresh rates consistently.

For 4K gaming, the data suggests that compromises are necessary. The High preset yields 71.6 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS target and provides a good experience. The Medium preset at 78.2 FPS is also viable, offering a small performance gain. The Ultra preset, at 44.3 FPS, should be avoided if a smooth frame rate is a priority. Therefore, for a consistent 60+ FPS experience at 4K, High settings are the clear winner, while at 1440p, High settings offer the best blend of visual fidelity and performance. For 1080p, High settings are recommended for the best overall experience.