Inside

Inside is a puzzle platformer from 2016, and the measured data for the Intel Core i9-14900K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER shows a combination that is decisively capable of handling the title at high frame rates. The benchmark results paint a picture of a system that is largely GPU-bound at higher resolutions but still delivers a smooth experience across the board, with performance scaling predictably as resolution decreases.

How This Combo Ranks

The data places this specific hardware combination at rank 2087 out of 3716 tested combos for Inside. This places it in the 56th percentile of all tested configurations, which suggests that while this pairing is not at the absolute top tier for this particular game, it sits comfortably above the median performer. The ranking implies that most other tested systems, including those with newer or more powerful GPUs, achieve higher frame rates, but the i9-14900K and RTX 2070 SUPER combination still provides a very playable experience.

Interpreting this rank requires looking at the individual components. The CPU itself is a top-tier part; its average benchmark score places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs tested. However, the GPU, while competent, is in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. The discrepancy between the CPU's high standing and the GPU's more modest position suggests that the RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting factor in this pairing for Inside. The combo rank of 2087 reflects this bottleneck, as the overall performance is constrained by the GPU's capabilities rather than the CPU's immense processing power. The data indicates that in a game like Inside, which may not be heavily multi-threaded, the CPU has significant headroom, and the final frame rate is dictated by the graphics card's ability to render each frame.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER, based on the Turing architecture, is the sole renderer for this system. Its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s, which is a crucial factor for handling the game's textures and effects at higher resolutions. The boost clock of 1770 MHz, up from a base of 1605 MHz, gives a clear indication of its performance ceiling. The GPU's compute capabilities are defined by its 2560 shading units and a FP32 performance of 9.062 TFLOPS, which is the raw horsepower available for processing the game's visuals.

In the context of Inside's benchmark results, the GPU's role is paramount. The data demonstrates that as the resolution increases, the frame rate drops, which is a classic sign of GPU limitation. At 4K Ultra settings, the average FPS falls to 67, while at 1080p Low, it soars to 310 FPS. This scaling shows that the RTX 2070 SUPER is working progressively harder at higher resolutions and graphical fidelity settings. The game's art style, which features a dark, atmospheric 2.5D perspective, relies heavily on lighting and post-processing effects, all of which are rendered by the GPU. The 40 RT cores and 320 tensor cores are present on this chip, but for a game from 2016, they are not directly leveraged for ray tracing or DLSS; the performance is derived from the standard rasterization pipeline. The GPU's 65th percentile rank among all GPUs indicates it is a solid mid-to-high-tier card, and the measured FPS in Inside confirms it can handle the game well, though it is not the fastest option available.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable relationship between resolution and performance. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 and then to 3840x2160 results in a consistent decline in average frame rates across all settings. This pattern strongly indicates that the system is GPU-limited in this game; the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data fast enough, but the GPU's rendering workload increases significantly with each pixel count jump.

For example, at High settings, the average FPS drops from 155 at 1080p to 111 at 1440p, a decrease of 44 FPS. Moving further up to 4K, the average FPS at High settings falls to 70, representing a further drop of 41 FPS from the 1440p result. This halving of performance from 1080p to 4K is a textbook example of GPU scaling. The RTX 2070 SUPER is being pushed to its limits at the highest resolution. The data implies that for the smoothest experience at 4K, one would need to lower the settings, as even the Low preset at 4K yields 140 FPS, which is a significant jump from the 70 FPS at High. The scaling is not linear, but the trend is unmistakable: the GPU is the primary bottleneck, and its workload scales with the number of pixels being rendered.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive look at performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system performs exceptionally well. The Low preset delivers an average of 310 FPS, while Medium averages 248 FPS, with a minimum of 210 and a maximum of 285. High settings yield 155 FPS, and Ultra produces 147 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the game is easily playable on any high-refresh-rate monitor, with even the most demanding Ultra preset maintaining a frame rate well above 144 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains very strong. The Low preset averages 223 FPS, and Medium averages 178 FPS, with a minimum of 151 and a maximum of 205. High settings drop to 111 FPS, while Ultra averages 106 FPS. This resolution is a sweet spot for the RTX 2070 SUPER, as it maintains high frame rates on all presets, with the Ultra settings still providing a comfortable 106 FPS average for a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become apparent. The Low preset averages 140 FPS, showing that the card can still push high frame rates when the visual load is reduced. Medium averages 112 FPS, with a minimum of 95 and a maximum of 129. However, the High preset drops to 70 FPS, and Ultra falls to 67 FPS. These lower numbers are still playable, but they indicate that the RTX 2070 SUPER is nearing its performance ceiling at 4K with higher quality settings. The data suggests that for a locked 60 FPS experience at 4K, one would need to stick to Medium settings or below.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i9-14900K is a flagship 14th Gen processor with 24 cores and 32 threads, capable of boosting up to 6.00 GHz. Its benchmark scores are exceptional, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39399.5 and a single-core score of 2262.5. This CPU is designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads, and its performance in synthetic tests places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. However, for a game like Inside, which is not known for being CPU-intensive, the CPU's role is to ensure that frame times are consistent and that it never becomes a bottleneck.

The data supports this interpretation. The CPU's massive headroom is evident when looking at the lower resolutions. At 1080p, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor, as frame rates are high but not limited by the CPU; the i9-14900K can easily supply the RTX 2070 SUPER with all the draw calls and physics calculations it needs. The CPU's 36 MB of shared L3 cache and per-core L2 cache of 2 MB help in reducing memory latency, which is beneficial for game logic. The fact that the combo rank is not higher is not a reflection of the CPU's performance but rather a consequence of the GPU's mid-range position. The data implies that if this CPU were paired with a more powerful GPU, the frame rates in Inside would be significantly higher, as the CPU would not be the limiting factor. The i9-14900K is overkill for this game, but it ensures that the system will not experience any CPU-related stuttering or frame drops.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i9-14900K a bottleneck for the RTX 2070 SUPER in Inside?

A: No, the benchmark data indicates the CPU is not the limiting factor. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K shows the GPU is the bottleneck. The CPU's high benchmark scores, such as a 95th percentile ranking, suggest it has ample headroom for this game.

Q: What is the best resolution to play Inside with this combo for a high refresh rate monitor?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS on High settings is 111, and on Ultra it is 106. This provides a good balance for a 144Hz monitor. At 1920x1080, the average FPS exceeds 147 on Ultra, which is ideal for even the fastest refresh rate displays.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Inside?

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 4K Medium settings, the average FPS is 112, which is a good experience. However, at 4K High and Ultra, the average FPS drops to 70 and 67 respectively, which is still playable but not as smooth as the lower resolutions.

Q: How does this combo's performance compare to other systems tested?

A: The combo ranks 2087 out of 3716 tested combinations, placing it in the 56th percentile. This means it performs better than the median system but is not in the top tier. The GPU's 65th percentile rank is the primary reason for this position.

Q: Which setting provides the largest performance jump?

A: The data shows the biggest jump comes from lowering the preset. At 4K, moving from High (70 FPS) to Low (140 FPS) doubles the frame rate. The difference between High and Ultra is generally small, suggesting High is the most efficient preset for visual quality vs. performance.

Q: Does the game utilize the CPU's multi-core capabilities?

A: The data suggests it does not need to. The i9-14900K has 24 cores, but the frame rates are primarily determined by the GPU. The game's 2016 release date indicates it was designed for systems with far fewer cores, so the CPU's single-thread performance is more than sufficient.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, as it delivers an average of 147 FPS while providing the best visual quality. The data shows that the performance cost from High to Ultra is minimal, only an 8 FPS drop, making it a worthwhile trade-off for the enhanced graphics.

At 2560x1440, the High preset is the best balance. It provides an average of 111 FPS, which is ideal for a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience. While Ultra is also viable at 106 FPS, the difference is small, and High may offer slightly better frame time consistency. For a more competitive or high-refresh experience, the Medium preset at 178 FPS is an excellent option, but High is the recommended setting for visual fidelity.

For 3840x2160, the Medium preset is the most sensible choice. It provides a solid 112 FPS average, which is a good experience for 4K gaming. The High and Ultra presets, at 70 and 67 FPS respectively, are closer to the 60 FPS threshold and may not feel as fluid. The Low preset offers a massive performance boost to 140 FPS, but the visual compromise is significant. Therefore, Medium is the recommended setting for 4K, as it offers a strong balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring a consistently smooth experience without pushing the GPU to its limits.