Palworld

Palworld, a Survival title released on 2024-01-18, presents a unique scalability challenge for high-end hardware. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. The data shows a configuration capable of extreme frame rates, but the balance between the 14-core CPU and the flagship GPU shifts dramatically depending on resolution and preset.

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

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor from the Core 14th Gen series, built on the Raptor Lake-R architecture using a 10 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, features 24 MB of shared L3 cache, and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. With a TDP of 125 W and a launch MSRP of $294, it sits in the upper mid-range of desktop processors, achieving a percentile rank of 90 against all CPUs.

In Palworld, the CPU's role is most evident at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 359 FPS average, a figure that heavily relies on the i5-14600KF's single-thread performance and high boost clock. The processor's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4594 and multi-core score of 32544 indicate strong per-thread capabilities, which are critical for the game's simulation and AI logic. For context, the nearest CPU rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, which has an average benchmark score of 49228, a mere 0.3% behind the i5-14600KF's average of 49394. This tight competition suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, the i5-14600KF is on par with a higher-tier rival, making the 14-core configuration more than adequate for Palworld's demands.

The data indicates that as resolution increases, the CPU's influence on average FPS diminishes. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 62, and the limiting factor shifts almost entirely to the GPU. However, the CPU's 20 threads and high boost clock ensure that frame pacing remains consistent, avoiding the severe drops that could occur with a less capable processor. The processor's Passmark multi-thread score of 38697 reinforces that it can handle the background tasks and game logic without choking the graphics pipeline.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is a flagship GPU based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and the GB202 chip, fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a massive 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. The GPU's base clock is 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and it contains 21,760 shading units, 170 RT cores, and 680 tensor cores. It achieves a percentile rank of 92 against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 79842.

In Palworld, the RTX 5090's immense compute power is the primary driver of high frame rates at 1440p and 4K. The GPU's 32 GB VRAM is a significant asset, ensuring that texture streaming and asset loading at Ultra settings do not cause stutters or memory-related bottlenecks. The measured FPS at 1440p High is 148, and at 4K High it is 82, showing a predictable scaling pattern. The GPU's nearest rival, the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB, has an average score of 79605, just 0.3% behind, but the RTX 5090's real advantage lies in its consumer-focused feature set and higher memory capacity.

The data shows that the GPU is the clear limiting factor at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS falls to 62. This is not a reflection of the GPU's weakness but rather the extreme demands of Palworld's Ultra preset at 2160p. The RTX 5090's 104.8 TFLOPS FP32 performance is pushed to its limit, yet it still maintains a playable frame rate. At 1080p Low, the GPU is underutilized, with the CPU taking over as the bottleneck, as evidenced by the 359 FPS average.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination ranks 77th out of 3711 tested combos in Palworld. This top 2% placement indicates that this pairing is exceptionally well-suited for the game, outperforming the vast majority of other CPU-GPU configurations in the database.

The high rank confirms the synergy between the i5-14600KF's strong single-thread performance and the RTX 5090's raw graphical power. While the CPU is not the absolute fastest available, its 0.3% delta from the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 ensures that it does not hold back the GPU in most scenarios. The combo's rank of 77 suggests that it sits just behind configurations with more expensive CPUs, but the performance gap is minimal in practice.

In terms of FPS, the combo delivers over 60 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is a demanding benchmark for any system. At 1440p, it exceeds 100 FPS on all presets except Ultra (112 FPS), and at 1080p, it breaks 170 FPS even at Ultra. This level of performance places the combo in the top echelon for Palworld, with only a handful of other configurations achieving similar results. The rank of 77 out of 3711 is a strong indicator that this pairing offers near-flagship performance without the need for a top-tier CPU.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 224 FPS, with no min or max FPS data recorded.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF has an average benchmark score of 49394, which is 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900's score of 49228, indicating near-identical performance.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the minimum FPS is 163, with an average of 192 FPS and a maximum of 221 FPS.

Q: Does the GPU support DirectX 12 Ultimate?

A: Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 5090 have?

A: The RTX 5090 has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.79 TB/s.

Q: What is the combo's rank in Palworld?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combo ranks 77th out of 3711 tested combinations in Palworld.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern across resolutions. At 1080p High, the combo achieves 224 FPS, which drops to 148 FPS at 1440p High, and further to 82 FPS at 4K High. This represents a 34% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a 45% decrease from 1440p to 4K, highlighting the increasing load on the GPU as pixel count rises.

The scaling behavior indicates that the RTX 5090 is the primary limiting component at higher resolutions. The 32 GB VRAM and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth are sufficient to handle the data, but the sheer number of pixels at 4K requires more shading and texture work, driving the FPS down. At 1080p, the CPU's role becomes more pronounced; the i5-14600KF's boost clock of 5.30 GHz and 14 cores ensure that the game's logic can keep up with the GPU's output, but the FPS ceiling is still high.

The FPS drop from 1080p Low (359 FPS) to 4K Low (131 FPS) is a 63% reduction, which is steeper than the drop at High settings (63% from 224 to 82 FPS). This suggests that at Low settings, the GPU is less stressed by graphics effects, but the resolution still imposes a significant workload. The data supports the conclusion that this combo is well-balanced for 1440p gaming, where it delivers 148 FPS at High, but at 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck, especially at Ultra where it drops to 62 FPS.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

For the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combo in Palworld, the best experience depends on the target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1080p, the Ultra preset provides 170 FPS average, which is more than sufficient for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset offers 291 FPS, and Low reaches 359 FPS, but the visual fidelity at Ultra is worth the FPS trade-off for most players.

At 1440p, the High preset delivers 148 FPS, which is an excellent balance between visual quality and smoothness. The Ultra preset drops to 112 FPS, which is still playable but may not be ideal for competitive play. The Medium preset at 192 FPS is the best option for those prioritizing frame rate, but High is recommended for a better visual experience without sacrificing too much performance.

At 4K, the High preset gives 82 FPS, which is the sweet spot for a balance of quality and performance. The Medium preset offers 106 FPS, but the visual difference is noticeable. The Ultra preset, at 62 FPS, is only recommended for players who value maximum graphical fidelity over frame rate and have a display that supports VRR to smooth out the lower FPS. The Low preset at 131 FPS is the only way to exceed 120 FPS at 4K, but it significantly reduces visual quality. For most users, the High preset at 4K is the recommended choice, offering a smooth and visually appealing experience.