Hard West

The Intel Core i7-14700K and Intel Arc B370 combination in Hard West represents a stark study in bottlenecking, where a top-tier 20-core processor is paired with an integrated-class GPU. The benchmark data shows this pairing delivers playable frame rates only at 1080p, with performance collapsing as resolution increases, solidifying the GPU as the definitive limiting factor. This analysis examines the measured performance data, contextualizes it against the component specifications, and explains the resulting rank among all tested combinations.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i7-14700K is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, with a 125 W TDP and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The processor integrates UHD Graphics 770, but the benchmark data uses the discrete Intel Arc B370, not the iGPU. The CPU’s cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. Its multi-threading capabilities are extensive, as reflected in its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5 and PassMark multi-thread score of 52392.

In Hard West, a turn-based tactics title from 2015, the CPU’s role is primarily to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage game logic, which is typically not demanding on modern high-end processors. The data strongly suggests the i7-14700K is never the bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves 79 FPS average. When the resolution increases to 4K with Low settings, the average drops to 26 FPS. This 53 FPS drop (a 67% decrease) occurs while the CPU’s workload is largely unchanged, indicating the GPU is the component struggling with the increased pixel count. The CPU’s performance headroom is further evidenced by its benchmark scores; it ranks in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 69355. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (deltaPct -0.2), meaning the i7-14700K is on par with that flagship, and the AMD EPYC 9115 (deltaPct 0.1). In a game like Hard West, which does not heavily utilize multi-threading, the i7-14700K’s strong single-core performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2160, PassMark single-thread score of 4472) is more than sufficient to avoid any frame rate limitations from the processor side. The 28 threads are largely idle, as the game’s turn-based nature does not require the massive parallel throughput the CPU provides. The data indicates that even the weakest measured FPS at 4K Ultra (12 FPS) is not caused by CPU limitations, but by the GPU’s inability to process the scene.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B370 is a mobile-class integrated GPU based on the Panther Lake chip and Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Critically, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on system memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a fundamental limitation for a game rendering at high resolutions. The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance is 6.144 TFLOPS. The GPU’s TDP is just 25 W, and it is an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) with no power connectors, confirming its low-power, integrated nature. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, a very low standing. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (deltaPct -0.5) and the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (deltaPct -0.2), indicating performance comparable to a decade-old discrete graphics card.

The benchmark data in Hard West paints a clear picture of the Arc B370’s capabilities. At 1080p Medium, the combination averages 64 FPS, with a minimum of 55 and maximum of 74. This is the only setting where the frame rate approaches a smooth experience. At 1080p High, it drops to 49 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it falls to 37 FPS. The GPU’s lack of dedicated VRAM and low compute throughput become catastrophic at higher resolutions. At 1440p Medium, the average is 41 FPS, and at 4K Medium, it is just 21 FPS. The 4K Ultra setting yields an unplayable 12 FPS average. The performance scaling from Low to Ultra at any resolution shows the GPU’s fill-rate and shading limitations. For instance, at 1080p, the difference between Low (79 FPS) and Ultra (37 FPS) is a 42 FPS drop, illustrating that the GPU cannot handle the increased shading complexity. The absence of a dedicated frame buffer for textures and geometry is a primary factor in the severe performance degradation at higher resolutions, where memory bandwidth demands increase exponentially.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this CPU/GPU pair in Hard West?*

A: The data shows the highest average frame rate is achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings, producing 79 FPS. For a balance of visual quality and performance, 1080p Medium yields 64 FPS, which is the highest average at a non-Low setting. All 1440p and 4K resolutions produce lower averages, with 4K Ultra being the lowest at 12 FPS.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K has an average benchmark score of 69355. Its closest rival is the AMD EPYC 9115 with a score of 69288, a deltaPct of 0.1, meaning the i7 is slightly ahead. It is also marginally ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (score 69515, deltaPct -0.2) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX (score 69875, deltaPct -0.7).

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

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. As resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the average FPS at High settings drops from 49 to 16, a 33 FPS decrease. The CPU’s workload does not scale with resolution in the same way, and its high benchmark scores (94th percentile) indicate it has ample headroom, making the Intel Arc B370 the bottleneck.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p and 4K at Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 Medium, the average FPS is 64, with a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 74. At 3840x2160 Medium, the average FPS is 21, with a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 25. This represents a 43 FPS drop, or a 67% reduction in average frame rate.

Q: Does the GPU have dedicated VRAM, and how does that affect performance?

A: The Intel Arc B370 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and shares system memory. Its bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent." This is a significant limitation in Hard West, contributing to the severe frame rate drops at higher resolutions, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth.

*Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations in Hard West?*

A: The combination ranks 2721 out of 2949 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems. This poor ranking is directly attributable to the GPU's low performance, as the CPU is a high-performance part.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700K + Intel Arc B370 combination ranks 2721 out of 2949 tested combos in Hard West. This places it in the 8th percentile of all tested combinations, a very low standing. The ranking is almost entirely due to the GPU’s performance, which sits in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. The CPU is in the 94th percentile, showing a massive disparity between the two components. This is a classic example of a severe bottleneck, where a top-tier processor is held back by a low-end integrated graphics solution. The combination’s rank is not a reflection of the CPU’s capability, but rather the GPU's inability to render the game at acceptable frame rates. The data indicates that the i7-14700K could easily support a much more powerful discrete GPU, as its benchmark scores are on par with flagship rivals like the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X. The 2721st rank out of 2949 means that a vast majority of other tested combinations, likely with more balanced GPU choices, deliver better performance in this specific title. This pairing is fundamentally mismatched, with the CPU’s potential completely untapped.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K clearly identifies the limiting component. At High settings, the average frame rate is 49 FPS at 1920x1080, drops to 31 FPS at 2560x1440, and falls to 16 FPS at 3840x2160. This is a 33 FPS drop (67% reduction) from 1080p to 4K. The scaling is nearly linear with the increase in pixel count, which is a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. The GPU must process approximately 2.25 times more pixels at 1440p than 1080p, and 4.2 times more at 4K. The Arc B370’s compute throughput (6.144 TFLOPS) and memory bandwidth (System Dependent) are insufficient to handle this load. At Low settings, the drop is from 79 FPS at 1080p to 50 FPS at 1440p and 26 FPS at 4K. While the absolute numbers are higher due to reduced shading work, the relative drop is similar, reinforcing that the GPU is the sole bottleneck. The CPU’s performance is constant across these resolutions, as the game logic and draw calls are the same; only the GPU’s rendering load changes. The data shows that the only way to achieve a playable frame rate (above 60 FPS) with this combo is to use 1080p with Low or Medium settings. Any attempt to play at 1440p or 4K will result in sub-60 FPS averages, with 4K Ultra being unplayable at 12 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination in Hard West.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 3840x2160 | High | 16 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 26 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 21 | 18 | 25 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 12 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 31 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 50 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 41 | 35 | 47 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 23 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 49 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 79 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 64 | 55 | 74 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 37 | - | - |

The data shows a clear and consistent pattern. At 1080p, the combo can achieve an average of 79 FPS on Low, which is the only setting that breaks the 60 FPS barrier. The Medium setting at 1080p provides a playable 64 FPS average, with a minimum of 55 FPS. However, the High setting drops to 49 FPS, and Ultra falls to 37 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the average FPS for Medium is 41, which is below the 60 FPS threshold, and the Low setting yields 50 FPS. The High setting at 1440p is 31 FPS, and Ultra is 23 FPS. At 4K, all settings produce averages below 30 FPS, with Low at 26 FPS, Medium at 21 FPS, High at 16 FPS, and Ultra at a very low 12 FPS. The minimum and maximum FPS data for the Medium settings shows that even the peak frame rates at 1440p (47 FPS) and 4K (25 FPS) are below the 60 FPS target, confirming that this GPU cannot handle Hard West at those resolutions. The only viable path to a smooth experience is to play at 1080p with Low or Medium settings, accepting the reduced visual fidelity.