Inside

Inside is a puzzle-platformer that is anything but demanding, and the benchmark data for the Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combo confirms this. The pairing produces frame rates that are not just playable but extraordinarily high across all tested configurations, making it a case study in how a modern high-end system utterly trivializes an older, well-optimized title.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a shift in the primary bottleneck. At 1920x1080, the system is heavily CPU-bound, with the RTX 4070 rarely breaking a sweat. The data shows that dropping from High settings to Low at 1080p increases the average frame rate from 230 FPS to 391 FPS, a massive jump that indicates the GPU is not the limiting factor at this resolution. The CPU's strong single-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2064, is what drives these triple-digit figures. The game's simple 2D side-scrolling visuals mean that even a modest GPU can produce high framerates, so the processor's ability to feed frames becomes the constraining element.

Moving to 2560x1440, the balance begins to shift, but the GPU still has ample headroom. The average FPS at High settings drops to 165, which is a 28% decrease from the 230 FPS seen at 1080p. This indicates that the graphics card is starting to take on more work, but the overall performance remains exceptionally high. The scaling from Low to High at this resolution shows a smaller relative gap than at 1080p, suggesting the system is moving toward a more balanced state where both CPU and GPU contribute to the final output. The RTX 4070's 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 192-bit bus are more than sufficient for this title's demands.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. The average FPS at High settings falls to 104, a 37% reduction from the 1440p result. This is a clear sign that the pixel-pushing workload is now entirely on the RTX 4070. The difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K is stark: 208 FPS versus 99 FPS. This shows that the GPU's compute resources are being fully utilized, and the CPU's role is diminished. The data suggests that for a game like this, 4K is where the RTX 4070's raw power is finally put to the test, though it still manages to deliver a fluid experience at even the highest preset.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand database of tested hardware combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-14600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 achieves a combo rank of 624 out of 3716 tested configurations for Inside. This places it in the top 17% of all tested combos, which is a strong showing given the game's age and low system requirements. The rank reflects that while the system is not at the absolute pinnacle of performance, it is far ahead of the vast majority of systems that would be used to play this title.

The CPU's own benchmark percentile supports this high ranking. The i5-14600K sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48618. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H, which scores 48698 (a delta of -0.2%), and the AMD EPYC 4345P, which scores 48470 (a delta of 0.3%). This shows the i5-14600K is essentially performance-equivalent to these high-end server and workstation chips in general compute tasks, though its 14 cores and 20 threads are more than enough for gaming. The RTX 4070 also performs admirably, sitting in the 81st percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, has an average score of 37507, a delta of just 0.4% from the RTX 4070's 37648. This is a surprising comparison, as the Vega 56 is an older architecture, but the synthetic benchmark averages suggest they are close in some metrics. However, the measured FPS in this game shows the RTX 4070 pulling far ahead, which is more indicative of real-world gaming performance. The combination of a top-10% CPU and a top-20% GPU results in a combo that is well above the median for this specific game, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-refresh-rate experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 391 FPS, which is achieved with the Low preset at 1920x1080. This shows the system's immense headroom at lower resolutions.

Q: Can this system maintain a 144 FPS experience at 4K?

A: No, the data shows that at 3840x2160, the highest average frame rate is 208 FPS on Low settingsikuha. However, on the High and Ultra presets, the average drops to 104 FPS and 99 FPS, respectively, which are below the 144 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K has an average benchmark score of 48618, which is nearly identical to the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H's score of 48698, a difference of only -0.2%. This indicates they have very similar overall compute performance.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU more of a limiting factor at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the system is in a transitional state. The average FPS on High settings is 165, which is lower than the 230 FPS seen at 1080p but still very high. This suggests the GPU is becoming more involved, but the CPU's strong single-threaded performance prevents it from becoming a severe bottleneck.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 208 FPS on Low settings to 99 FPS on Ultra settings. This is a performance reduction of over 52%, demonstrating that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to all other tested systems for this game?

A: The combo rank for this CPU and GPU pairing in Inside is 624 out of 3716 tested combinations. This places it in the top 17% of all systems tested for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a clear picture of performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. The Low preset yields an average of 391 FPS, while the Medium preset averages 361 FPS with a minimum of 307 FPS and a maximum of 415 FPS. The High preset averages 230 FPS, and even the Ultra preset maintains a high 219 FPS average. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is never stressed, and any of these settings will provide a buttery-smooth experience on any high-refresh-rate monitor.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains very strong. The Low preset averages 330 FPS, and the Medium preset averages 264 FPS, with a minimum of 225 FPS and a maximum of 304 FPS. The High preset drops to 165 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 157 FPS. While these numbers are lower than at 1080p, they are still more than sufficient for smooth gameplay. The 1440p results show a clear scaling trend, with the GPU becoming more of a factor as the pixel count increases.

At 3840x2160, the true cost of 4K rendering is visible. The Low preset averages 208 FPS, which is still very high. The Medium preset averages 166 FPS, with a minimum of 141 FPS and a maximum of 191 FPS. The High preset averages 104 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 99 FPS. This shows that while the RTX 4070 can handle 4K, it requires dropping to Medium or Low settings to maintain a triple-digit frame rate. The data indicates that for a locked 60 FPS experience at 4K, even the Ultra preset is more than capable, but for 120+ FPS, users will need to make compromises.

Settings Recommendations

For players targeting the highest refresh rates on a 1080p or 1440p monitor, the Ultra preset is the clear choice. At 1080p, the Ultra preset still delivers a 219 FPS average, which is far beyond the refresh rate of most monitors. At 1440p, the Ultra preset's 157 FPS average remains exceptionally high and will satisfy even the most demanding high-refresh-rate displays. The data shows no reason to compromise on visual quality at these resolutions, as the system has massive headroom.

For 4K users, the decision depends on the target frame rate. If the goal is a locked 60 FPS, the Ultra preset at 99 FPS average is more than sufficient and will provide the best visual experience. However, for those seeking a 120 FPS or higher experience, the Medium preset is the sweet spot. It produces an average of 166 FPS, which is a 68% improvement over the Ultra preset, while still maintaining a high level of visual fidelity. The High preset at 104 FPS is also viable, but it offers only a marginal average gain over Ultra while potentially sacrificing some visual polish.

The Low preset is generally not recommended for this game, as the visual downgrade is significant and unnecessary given the hardware's capability. Even at 4K, the Low preset's 208 FPS average is overkill for most display setups, and the Medium or High presets provide a much better balance of image quality and performance. The data suggests that the Medium preset at 4K is the optimal choice for a high-refresh-rate experience, while Ultra is the best for those prioritizing image quality above all else.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600K is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It features a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. These specifications, combined with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2064, highlight the CPU's exceptional single-threaded performance. This is crucial for a game like Inside, which relies heavily on a single main thread for game logic and physics.

The benchmark results for Inside show that the CPU is the primary driver of performance at 1080p. The massive frame rate jumps when lowering the resolution from 1440p to 1080p, and the significant leap from 230 FPS to 391 FPS when going from High to Low settings at 1080p, are clear indicators that the GPU is not the limiting factor at this resolution. The CPU's ability to process draw calls and game logic at a rapid pace is what allows the RTX 4070 to output such high frame rates.

However, the CPU's role diminishes as the resolution increases. At 4K, the performance differences between presets are more pronounced, and the GPU becomes the bottleneck. The i5-14600K's 14 cores and 20 threads are far more than this game needs, meaning that even with background tasks running, the processor will not hinder performance. The data shows that this CPU provides a rock-solid foundation that allows the RTX 4070 to perform at its best, particularly in less demanding titles like Inside, where its high clock speeds and strong IPC are the most valuable assets.