Palworld

Palworld, a survival title released in early 2024, presents a unique challenge for hardware analysis due to its blend of open-world exploration, base building, and creature collection. The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 produces a compelling dataset, showing a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at lower resolutions but reveals surprising CPU limitations at the highest settings. This analysis examines the measured frame rates to understand how this specific pairing handles the game's demands.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achieved by this combo in Palworld?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 341.3 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the RTX 4090's performance rank compared to other GPUs?

A: The RTX 4090 sits in the 91st percentile for all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 66473. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA Tesla T4, scores 66733, which is a 0.4% difference.

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

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 128.9 FPS on Low settings to 62.1 FPS on Ultra settings, representing a significant performance cost for maximum visual fidelity.

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Core i5-13400F have?

A: The processor features 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: What is the RTX 4090's memory configuration?

A: The GPU is equipped with 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among tested systems in Palworld?

A: This specific combination of CPU and GPU ranks 51st out of 1718 tested combos in the game, placing it in the top 3% of all systems.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is the undisputed performance driver in this configuration. Its specifications are formidable: a massive 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, a 384-bit memory bus, and a peak bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. The GPU's raw compute power, with 16,384 shading units and an FP32 throughput of 82.58 TFLOPS, allows it to process the complex geometry and lighting of Palworld's environments with ease. The data confirms this, as the system's performance scales directly with resolution, a classic sign of GPU-bound operation.

At 1080p, the GPU is so powerful that it pushes frame rates into the hundreds, with a peak of 341.3 FPS on Low settings. This indicates that the graphics card has substantial headroom even in a demanding survival game. The RTX 4090's boost clock of 2520 MHz and its Ada Lovelace architecture are designed for high-throughput rendering, which is evident in the 4K results where the card still manages to deliver playable frame rates at High settings (81.9 FPS). The data suggests that for this game, the RTX 4090 is rarely the limiting factor, except when the resolution is pushed to its absolute limits with maximum graphical fidelity. Its 91st percentile ranking among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 66473, firmly establishes it as a top-tier component that is more than capable of handling Palworld's graphical demands.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and expected trend: performance decreases as resolution increases, but the magnitude of the drop is highly dependent on the settings preset. At Low settings, the frame rate falls from 341.3 FPS at 1080p to 128.9 FPS at 4K, a 62% reduction. This dramatic scaling indicates that at lower graphical loads, the system's performance is being throttled by the CPU, not the GPU. The processor cannot feed the RTX 4090 enough data to keep it fully occupied at 1080p, so the frame rate is artificially capped.

However, at Ultra settings, the scaling pattern changes. The frame rate drops from 169.3 FPS at 1080p to 62.1 FPS at 4K, a 63% reduction as well, but the absolute numbers are much lower. This suggests that as the graphical load increases, the bottleneck shifts from the CPU to the GPU. The RTX 4090 is now working harder to render the more complex scenes, and its performance becomes the primary constraint. The data implies that for this specific combo, playing at 1440p is the sweet spot, as the frame rate remains high (231.4 FPS on Low, 112.3 FPS on Ultra) while the load is balanced between the two components. The transition from 1080p to 1440p is not as punishing as the jump to 4K, highlighting where the GPU's immense power is best utilized.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive view of the system's capabilities across different settings and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the system produces exceptionally high frame rates. Low settings yield an average of 341.3 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. Medium settings reduce this to 284.1 FPS, while High settings still deliver a very smooth 217.8 FPS. Even at Ultra settings, the system maintains an average of 169.3 FPS, which is far above the standard 60 FPS target.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains impressive. Low settings average 231.4 FPS, Medium settings drop to 186.5 FPS, and High settings produce 142.7 FPS. Ultra settings at this resolution are still very playable, with an average of 112.3 FPS. This resolution appears to be the most balanced, offering high frame rates without pushing the GPU to its absolute limit.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 4090 begins to show its limits. Low settings still manage an excellent 128.9 FPS, and Medium settings are playable at 106.6 FPS. High settings drop to 81.9 FPS, which is still smooth for most players. However, Ultra settings bring the average down to 62.1 FPS, which is just at the threshold of what many consider the minimum for a fluid experience. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p is for maximum frame rates, 1440p is the optimal balance, and 4K is for visual fidelity over raw speed.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a high-performing one, securing a rank of 51st out of 1718 tested combos in Palworld. This places the system comfortably in the top 3% of all configurations, indicating that it is more than capable of delivering an excellent gaming experience. The high rank is largely attributable to the GPU's immense power, as the CPU is a mid-range part that is not the primary driver of the system's overall score.

The data suggests that while the CPU does play a role, the GPU's performance ceiling is what ultimately determines the system's standing. This is supported by the fact that the RTX 4090 ranks in the 91st percentile for all GPUs, while the i5-13400F ranks in the 82nd percentile for all CPUs. The gap in percentile rankings indicates that the system's top-tier status is a direct result of the graphics card. For users looking to replicate this performance, the data implies that the GPU is the critical component, and the CPU is a capable but secondary partner.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F, with its 10 cores and 16 threads, is a solid mid-range processor. Its benchmark scores are respectable, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21279 and a single-core score of 3004. The processor's 20 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support (DDR4 and DDR5) provide a robust foundation for gaming. However, in Palworld, the data suggests that the CPU is not the primary performance driver.

This is most evident at 1080p with Low settings, where the system achieves 341.3 FPS. This high frame rate is likely limited by the CPU's ability to process game logic and draw calls, as the RTX 4090 is not being fully utilized at this low graphical load. The CPU's boost clock of 4.60 GHz is helpful for this, but it cannot match the raw throughput of the GPU. In contrast, at 4K with Ultra settings, the frame rate drops to 62.1 FPS, clearly showing that the GPU is now the bottleneck. The CPU's role is to feed the GPU, and while it does this effectively, it is not the component that determines the system's peak performance. The i5-13400F's performance relative to its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-13620H (0.1% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (0.5% slower), confirms that it's a competitive, but not exceptional, part.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the user's display and performance goals.

For 1080p displays, the data shows that High settings (217.8 FPS) offer a massive performance headroom. Even Ultra settings (169.3 FPS) are far above the refresh rate of most monitors, making them a viable choice for maximum visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. The low settings preset is unnecessary for this resolution, as the system is already CPU-bound and will not benefit from reduced graphical loads.

For 1440p displays, the Medium (186.5 FPS) or High (142.7 FPS) presets are the best choices. They provide high frame rates that will satisfy even the most demanding users. Ultra settings (112.3 FPS) are also a strong option, offering a good balance between visual fidelity and performance.

For 4K displays, the recommendation is more nuanced. High settings (81.9 FPS) provide a great experience, offering a significant visual upgrade over Medium (106.6 FPS) while still maintaining a frame rate that is well above 60 FPS. Ultra settings (62.1 FPS) are only recommended for users who prioritize graphics above all else, as the frame rate dips closer to the minimum threshold for a smooth experience. The data suggests that High settings at 4K is the sweet spot, offering the best visual quality without compromising on playability.