Greedfall

Greedfall, a 2019 Action RPG, presents a demanding workload that clearly separates CPU and GPU capabilities. The pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 produces a combination that ranks 2313 out of 2938 tested combos, placing it in the bottom quarter of all systems tested. This ranking, while low in the absolute sense, is not indicative of a broken experience, but rather a system where the graphics card is the primary determinant of performance, especially at higher resolutions. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can deliver playable frame rates, but it struggles to maintain smooth performance at 1440p and is largely unsuitable for 4K gaming. The following analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions and settings, interprets the CPU's role, and provides actionable recommendations based solely on the provided data.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of all tested processor and graphics card combinations for Greedfall, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 sits at a rank of 2313 out of 2938. This places it in the 21st percentile of all tested combos, meaning roughly 79% of other system configurations deliver higher average frame rates in this game. This relatively low rank is almost entirely attributable to the GPU, as the RTX 2060 is a previous-generation part that is now end-of-life, while the CPU is a high-end, current-generation desktop processor.

The Core Ultra 7 265, on its own, is a top-tier performer. Its average benchmark score of 64640 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs tested. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 4464P, which scores 64823, a difference of -0.3%, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, which scores 64438, a difference of 0.3%. This puts the CPU in a performance class with server-grade and enthusiast desktop parts, indicating it has ample processing headroom. Conversely, the RTX 2060's average benchmark score of 15290 puts it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 (scoring 15283, a 0% delta), the AMD Radeon 680M (scoring 15270, a 0.1% delta), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM (scoring 15199, a 0.6% delta). This shows the GPU is a mid-range part that is roughly on par with an integrated graphics solution like the Radeon 680M, which underscores the bottleneck it represents.

The disparity in their respective percentile rankings is the core story. The benchmark results show a system that is severely unbalanced for this title. The CPU is capable of far more than the GPU can deliver, so the measured FPS in Greedfall is a direct reflection of the GPU's limits. The combo's rank of 2313 confirms the fact that, in this specific game, the experience is dictated by the RTX 2060's performance ceiling, not the Core Ultra 7 265's considerable compute capabilities.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in Greedfall?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo consistently delivers high frame rates. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 138 on Low settings to 63 on Ultra, which are all playable. At 2560x1440, the average drops to a range of 96 (Low) to 44 (Ultra), and at 3840x2160, the average falls to between 57 (Low) and 26 (Ultra), making 4K largely unplayable.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score is 64640. It is 0.3% slower than the AMD EPYC 4464P, which scores 64823, and 0.3% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, which scores 64438. It also scores 0.7% higher than the AMD EPYC 7343 (64202) and 0.7% lower than the AMD EPYC 9124 (65104). These are all very close scores, indicating the 265 is a high-performing processor.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The RTX 2060's 58th percentile ranking among all GPUs is far lower than the CPU's 93rd percentile ranking. Furthermore, the average FPS drops significantly as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, which is characteristic of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU has enough headroom to push more frames, but the GPU cannot render them.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the difference is substantial. On Low settings, the average FPS is 96. On Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 44. This represents a 54% reduction in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: Does the RTX 2060 perform better than its closest rivals?

A: The RTX 2060's average benchmark score is 15290. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580, scores 15283, meaning the RTX 2060 is effectively tied with it (0% delta). It also performs nearly identically to the AMD Radeon 680M, which scores 15270 (a 0.1% delta), and it is only 0.6% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, which scores 15199.

Q: What are the clock speeds of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265?

A: The processor has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. It also features 20 cores and 20 threads, which are relevant to its multi-threaded performance in various benchmarks.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data illustrates a classic GPU-bound scaling pattern. As the resolution increases, the number of pixels the GPU must render multiplies, and the average frame rate drops accordingly. This is the primary evidence that the RTX 2060 is the performance bottleneck in this combo.

At 1080p, the system is capable of high frame rates. On High settings, the average FPS is 99. Moving to 1440p High settings, the average FPS drops to 68, a reduction of 31 FPS (or roughly 31%). Moving to 4K High settings, the average FPS plummets to 41, a further reduction of 27 FPS from the 1440p result and a 59% drop from the 1080p figure. This consistent and sharp decline with each resolution step is a clear indicator that the GPU's rendering throughput is the limiting factor.

This is contrasted with what the CPU could theoretically provide. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz and 20 cores, and its benchmark scores (like a 42216 in Cinebench R23 multicore) show it has immense processing power. However, Greedfall's frame rate is not determined by these CPU capabilities at these resolutions; it is determined by how fast the RTX 2060 can fill the screen. The fact that the 4K Ultra preset yields an average of just 26 FPS, while the 1080p Low preset yields 138 FPS, shows that the GPU is being overwhelmed by pixel count and graphical fidelity, not by the game's CPU-side logic. The CPU is waiting on the GPU, not the other way around.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data is directly from the measured FPS for this specific combo. The table below breaks down the average frame rates for each resolution and settings preset.

At 1920x1080:

• Low: Average FPS is 138.
• Medium: Average FPS is 109, with a minimum of 92 and a maximum of 125.
• High: Average FPS is 99.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 63.

At 2560x1440:

• Low: Average FPS is 96.
• Medium: Average FPS is 75, with a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 87.
• High: Average FPS is 68.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 44.

At 3840x2160:

• Low: Average FPS is 57.
• Medium: Average FPS is 45, with a minimum of 38 and a maximum of 52.
• High: Average FPS is 41.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 26.

The data shows a clear and consistent hierarchy. At every resolution, the Low preset provides the highest average FPS, followed by Medium, then High, with Ultra being the most demanding and providing the lowest frame rates. The gap between Low and Ultra is significant at every resolution. For example, at 1440p, the difference is 52 FPS (96 vs 44). At 4K, the Ultra preset's average of 26 FPS is below the threshold for smooth, playable gameplay, while the Low preset's 57 FPS is at least marginally playable.

The Medium preset is the only one that provides minimum and maximum FPS data points. At 1080p, the minimum stays above 90 FPS (92), and at 1440p it stays above 60 FPS (64). This suggests that the Medium preset offers a more stable frame time experience in the lower resolution ranges, though the average FPS is still lower than High. The lack of min/max data for other presets makes it difficult to assess their frame time consistency, but the average FPS provides a solid basis for comparison. The 4K Medium data shows a minimum of 38 FPS, which indicates noticeable stuttering is likely.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured average FPS, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and the user's preference for visual quality versus frame rate smoothness.

For 1920x1080, the system has enough headroom to prioritize visual fidelity. The High preset, with an average of 99 FPS, offers an excellent balance, providing a smooth experience on high refresh-rate monitors while maintaining good graphical quality. The Ultra preset, at 63 FPS, is also playable, but the significant drop from High (36 FPS difference) may not be worth the visual gains for all users, especially since the Medium preset's minimum FPS of 92 suggests it is very stable. For the smoothest possible experience, the Low preset at 138 FPS is an option, but the visual compromise is substantial.

At 2560x1440, the High preset's average of 68 FPS is playable, but it is on the lower end of the smoothness spectrum. The Medium preset, with an average of 75 FPS and a minimum of 64 FPS, provides a more consistent and safer experience for maintaining a 60+ FPS target, which is often the standard for action RPGs. The Ultra preset, at 44 FPS, should be avoided as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold and will likely feel sluggish. The Low preset at 96 FPS is very smooth, but again, at a significant visual cost. The Medium preset appears to be the sweet spot for 1440p, balancing a solid frame rate with acceptable visual quality.

For 3840x2160, the data clearly shows this combo is not suited for high-quality 4K gaming. The Ultra preset's 26 FPS average is unplayable. The High preset at 41 FPS is also not recommended, as it will feel choppy. The Medium preset, at 45 FPS, is only marginally better. Even the Low preset, at 57 FPS, is not consistently smooth and represents a major downgrade in graphical fidelity. The benchmark results indicate that 4K is not a viable option for a satisfying experience with this hardware in Greedfall.

The best overall experience, considering the trade-off between frame rate and visual quality, is the High preset at 1080p or the Medium preset at 1440p, depending on the user's display resolution. These settings provide the best chance of maintaining a frame rate that is both smooth and responsive without completely sacrificing the game's visual presentation.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a flagship desktop processor from the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. This hardware provides a massive amount of computational throughput, as evidenced by its benchmark scores. For instance, it scores 42216 in the Cinebench R23 multicore test and 5960 in the single-core test. These numbers place it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs.

However, in the context of Greedfall with this specific GPU, the CPU's role is to feed the RTX 2060 with data and instructions. The benchmark results suggest that the CPU is more than capable of doing this, as it is not the limiting factor. The frame rate scaling with resolution is a textbook sign of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would be more consistent across resolutions, as the CPU's workload would remain relatively constant. Instead, the FPS drops dramatically as resolution increases, showing that the GPU is struggling to render more pixels.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals reinforces this point. Its average benchmark score of 64640 is nearly identical to that of the AMD EPYC 4464P (64823, -0.3% delta) and AMD EPYC 9124 (65104, -0.7% delta), which are server processors. This shows that the 265 is not a weak component. Its 20 cores and 30 MB of L3 cache are far more than what a game like Greedfall would need to utilize fully, especially at higher resolutions where the GPU is the primary constraint. The processor is ready for a much more powerful GPU; in this pairing, it is essentially idle, waiting for the RTX 2060 to catch up. The data shows that upgrading the GPU would yield a far more significant performance increase in Greedfall than any CPU change.