Greedfall

Greedfall, the 2019 action RPG, presents a demanding workload that stresses both processor and graphics hardware. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, interpreting the data to explain how this combination behaves across resolutions and settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and RTX 3080 Ti combination holds the 744th position out of 2938 tested combos in Greedfall. This places the pairing in the top quartile of all systems, indicating a high-performing configuration that should deliver a smooth experience in most scenarios. The rank reflects the synergy between the two components in this specific title, where the balance of CPU and GPU capabilities determines the final frame rates.

While the rank is strong, it is not at the very top of the chart, suggesting that there are faster configurations available. The gap to the top is likely filled by more recent, higher-end GPUs, as the RTX 3080 Ti, while still potent, is from the previous generation. However, for the vast majority of users, a rank of 744 out of 2938 signifies a system that is well above average and more than capable of handling Greedfall's demands. The data indicates that this combo provides a robust foundation for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and solid 4K performance, as will be detailed in the following sections.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is a critical component in this configuration, built on the Ampere architecture and the GA102 chip. Its performance is defined by its 10240 shading units and 112 ROPs, which are fundamental to its rasterization capabilities. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1365 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz, with these frequencies being the primary drivers of its compute throughput in Greedfall.

Memory bandwidth is a significant asset for this GPU, especially at higher resolutions. The 12 GB of GDDR6X memory is accessed via a 384-bit bus, providing a substantial 912.4 GB/s of bandwidth. This is a crucial specification for a game like Greedfall, which features large, detailed environments that can quickly fill the frame buffer. The high bandwidth ensures that textures and geometric data can be streamed to the GPU cores without becoming a bottleneck. The GPU's memory clock speed is listed as 1188 MHz with a 19 Gbps effective data rate, which, combined with the wide bus, achieves the impressive total bandwidth figure.

In the context of Greedfall, the RTX 3080 Ti's role scales with resolution and settings. At 1080p and 1440p, the GPU's raw compute power is sufficient to push frame rates to very high levels, as seen in the measured data. At 4K, the demands on the memory subsystem and the shading units increase dramatically, and the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor. The data shows a significant performance drop at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS falls to 46, indicating that the GPU is working at its limits. The 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores, while not directly utilized in traditional rasterization, contribute to the GPU's overall feature set and modern API support, but their specific impact on Greedfall's standard rendering is indirect. Overall, the RTX 3080 Ti provides the muscle for this combo, with its performance being the defining factor in the game's most demanding configurations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, which helps identify the system's bottleneck. At 1080p, the system is heavily CPU-bound, with the GPU having significant headroom. For instance, at High settings, the average FPS is 176. Moving to 1440p, the average drops to 122, a reduction of about 31%. This is a substantial decrease, indicating that the GPU is starting to become more of a limiting factor. The trend continues at 4K, where the average FPS at High settings is 73, a further drop of 40% from the 1440p result.

This scaling from 176 FPS at 1080p to 73 FPS at 4K demonstrates that the RTX 3080 Ti, while powerful, is not able to maintain the same frame rates as the resolution increases. The workload on the GPU scales with the number of pixels, and the data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K. At 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting component, as the GPU is capable of producing more frames than the CPU can feed it. This is a classic sign of a well-balanced system where the bottleneck shifts from the CPU to the GPU as resolution increases.

The delta between resolutions is notable. The jump from 1080p to 1440p results in a 54 FPS loss, while the jump from 1440p to 4K results in a 49 FPS loss. This shows that the scaling is not linear, and the performance hit is more pronounced at higher resolutions. The data suggests that for users prioritizing high refresh rates, 1080p and 1440p are the sweet spots, while 4K requires a compromise in settings to achieve playable frame rates. The pattern confirms that this combo is most effective when the GPU is not fully saturated, allowing the powerful CPU to drive performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at how the combo performs under various conditions. We will examine the results by resolution and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates across all settings. The Low preset yields an average of 247 FPS, which is exceptionally high and indicates a CPU-bound scenario. Medium settings produce an average of 194 FPS, with a minimum of 165 and a maximum of 223 FPS. High settings average 176 FPS, and the Ultra preset, which is the most demanding, still manages an average of 112 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the combo is more than capable of driving high-refresh-rate monitors, with even the Ultra preset providing a smooth experience. The spread from 112 to 247 FPS demonstrates the scalability of the GPU and the strength of the CPU in lower-resolution workloads.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high but show a clear reduction from 1080p. The Low preset averages 171 FPS, a significant drop from the 247 FPS at 1080p. Medium settings average 134 FPS, with a minimum of 114 and a maximum of 155 FPS. High settings produce an average of 122 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 78 FPS. The performance at 1440p High and Ultra is still very playable, with the Ultra preset providing a good balance between visual fidelity and frame rate. The data indicates that 1440p is a strong resolution for this combo, offering a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining high performance.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck. The Low preset averages 102 FPS, which is a substantial drop from the 171 FPS at 1440p. Medium settings average 80 FPS, with a minimum of 68 and a maximum of 92 FPS. High settings produce an average of 73 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to an average of 46 FPS. The 4K results show that while the combo can handle the resolution, the Ultra preset is not playable for a smooth experience, and even High settings may require some compromises for users sensitive to frame drops. The data clearly shows that 4K Ultra is too demanding for this GPU, and users should consider High or Medium settings for a more consistent frame rate.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, featuring 24 cores and 24 threads. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, which are key to its performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The processor's cache hierarchy includes a 36 MB shared L3 cache, which helps reduce memory latency and improve data access speeds. This is particularly relevant for Greedfall, where the game world and AI computations can benefit from a large, fast cache.

In Greedfall, the CPU's role is most apparent at lower resolutions, where the GPU is not the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the average FPS of 247 is a strong indicator of CPU performance, as the GPU has significant headroom. The high boost clock of 5.80 GHz is likely the primary driver of this performance, as it ensures that the game's main thread and physics calculations are processed quickly. The processor's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731 and a single-core score of 7303, place it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, confirming its high-end status. This is reflected in the game, where the CPU is able to feed the GPU effectively at 1080p and 1440p.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is marginally ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, with a deltaPct of 0.2 higher in average benchmark score. It is also 1.1 ahead of the AMD EPYC 4584PX and 1.2 ahead of the AMD EPYC 9135. The data indicates that the CPU is a very strong performer, and in Greedfall, it provides the necessary compute power to avoid being a bottleneck until the GPU is fully saturated at 4K. The 125 W TDP and support for DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s further contribute to its overall capability, ensuring that the system has a solid foundation for gaming.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Greedfall?

A: The highest average FPS is 247, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

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

A: It can run at 4K, but not at the highest settings. At 4K High, the average FPS is 73, which is playable. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 46 FPS, which is not ideal for a smooth experience.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the main bottleneck at 1080p. The frame rates are very high, and the performance difference between Low and High settings is relatively small, indicating the GPU has headroom.

Q: How much does the average FPS drop from 1440p to 4K at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops from 122 at 2560x1440 to 73 at 3840x2160, which is a reduction of 49 FPS.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the Core Ultra 9 285K?

A: The Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has an average benchmark score that is 0.2% higher than the Core Ultra 9 285K, indicating very similar performance.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for this combo at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS recorded at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 114 FPS, with a maximum of 155 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and performance priorities.

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it provides an average of 112 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. The visual fidelity gains from Ultra are worthwhile, as the combo has enough performance headroom to maintain high frame rates. Users with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or higher) can also consider High settings at 176 FPS for an even smoother experience, but Ultra is recommended for the best visual quality without sacrificing playability.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is also recommended, as it delivers an average of 78 FPS. This is a good balance for most users, providing a significant visual upgrade over High settings while maintaining a frame rate that is still smooth on most displays. For those seeking higher frame rates, the High preset at 122 FPS is an excellent alternative, offering a substantial performance boost with a minor visual compromise. The Medium preset at 134 FPS is another option for users who prioritize performance above all else.

For 3840x2160, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it provides an average of 73 FPS, which is just at the edge of what is considered smooth. The Ultra preset's average of 46 FPS is too low for a consistent experience and should be avoided. The Medium preset at 80 FPS is a viable alternative for users who want a slightly higher frame rate, but the High preset offers a better balance of visual quality and performance. The Low preset at 102 FPS is the most performant option, but it significantly reduces visual fidelity and is not recommended for most users. In summary, for the best experience, users should play at 1080p Ultra, 1440p Ultra, or 4K High, depending on their display's native resolution and refresh rate.