Palworld

Palworld presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER. The data shows a configuration that is heavily balanced toward CPU throughput, allowing the older GPU to become the primary constraint at higher resolutions. This combination ranks in the 2149th position out of 3711 tested combos for this specific game, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the database, which is a direct reflection of the GPU's 65th percentile standing among all graphics cards.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, but the rate of that degradation offers critical insight into the system's bottleneck. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 104 FPS on average. Moving to 1440p drops that to 69 FPS, a reduction of 35 FPS or roughly 34%. The jump to 4K is even more punishing, with the average falling to 38 FPS, which is a 63% decrease from the 1080p figure.

This scaling behavior is a textbook indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. The Core i7-12700KF, with its 12 cores and 20 threads, has ample headroom to feed the RTX 2070 SUPER at 1080p. However, as the pixel count increases, the demand on the graphics card's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 2560 shading units grows exponentially. The 4K performance, hovering around the 38 FPS mark on High, suggests that the RTX 2070 SUPER is simply overwhelmed by the data throughput required at that resolution.

The trend is consistent across all settings. The gap between 1080p and 4K is stark, with the scaling from Low to Ultra at each resolution showing the GPU's limits. The data indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER is the definitive limiting component, as the CPU's performance metrics, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838, would suggest it is not the bottleneck until frame rates reach much higher levels. The 4K Ultra result of 29 FPS confirms this, as it approaches the lower limits of playability, constrained entirely by the graphics processor's fill rate and memory bandwidth.

FAQ

Q: What is the expected performance at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The measured data shows an average of 89 FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, with a minimum recorded of 76 FPS and a maximum of 103 FPS. This suggests a smooth experience for most players, as the frame time variance is relatively contained.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary bottleneck in this configuration?

A: The benchmark results indicate the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting factor. Evidence for this is the significant FPS drop when moving from 1080p to 4K, a classic sign of GPU saturation. The Intel Core i7-12700KF's high multi-threaded scores, such as its Passmark multithread score of 34092, suggest it has significant performance in reserve that is not being utilized at higher resolutions.

Q: How does the RTX 2070 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals in general benchmarks?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 20282. Its closest rival, the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M, scores 20480, putting the RTX 2070 SUPER just 1% behind. It is also within 1.5% of the Intel Arc A750, which scores 20582. This indicates that while the RTX 2070 SUPER is not a top-tier card, it holds its own against direct competitors in its performance class.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: At 4K with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 61 FPS, just barely clearing the 60 FPS threshold. However, at Medium settings, the average drops to 50 FPS, and at High, it falls to 38 FPS. Therefore, achieving a consistent 60 FPS at 4K would require significant reductions in graphical fidelity.

Q: What does the combo's rank of 2149 out of 3711 signify?

A: This rank indicates that the combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER performs in the lower 42% of all tested CPU and GPU pairings for Palworld. This suggests that while the CPU is capable, the overall gaming performance is dragged down by the older GPU's limitations in this specific title.

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

A: The Core i7-12700KF's average benchmark score is 35365. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700T, scores 35403, a negligible difference of -0.1%. It is also effectively tied with the Intel Core i5-13600T, which scores 35305, a 0.2% difference. This shows the 12700KF is firmly in a performance cluster with these other Intel processors.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, running on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its core configuration is a hybrid design, though the data provided does not specify the exact P-core and E-core split. With a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, it offers substantial single-threaded speed, evidenced by a Geekbench single-core score of 2255 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071.

In Palworld, the CPU's role is to manage the game's simulation, including the AI for the creatures, world physics, and entity tracking. The data suggests that the 12700KF is more than adequate for this task. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 9282 and the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 demonstrate a high level of parallel processing capability. In this pairing, the CPU is rarely the limiting factor. The frame rates are far more dependent on the resolution and settings, which is a direct result of the GPU's workload.

The processor's 25 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4 or DDR5 memory help maintain a high level of data throughput to the GPU. The benchmark results indicate that the processor is performing at the 85th percentile compared to all CPUs, which is a strong showing. However, in gaming, its high single-thread performance is often more critical than its multi-thread might, and the scores suggest it has the headroom to push frame rates much higher than what the RTX 2070 SUPER can deliver, particularly at 1080p where the 167 FPS Low setting result is likely still constrained by the GPU's limits.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combination depend heavily on the target resolution and frame rate. At 1080p, the Medium preset offers the best balance, delivering an average of 136 FPS with a minimum of 115 FPS. This ensures a fluid gameplay experience that is well above the 60 FPS standard, making it the recommended choice for high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset also performs admirably at 104 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a more stable minimum frame rate, which is preferable for avoiding hitches during intense moments.

For 1440p gaming, the Medium preset is again the clear winner, with an average of 89 FPS and a minimum of 76 FPS. This provides a smooth experience on a standard 144Hz monitor. The High preset, at 69 FPS, is also viable, but it approaches the lower boundary for competitive play and may result in more noticeable frame drops in busy areas. The Ultra preset, at 52 FPS, is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience and should be avoided.

At 4K, the situation becomes more challenging. The Low preset is the only setting that averages above 60 FPS, with a 61 FPS average. However, this requires sacrificing visual quality. The Medium preset, with a 50 FPS average and a minimum of 42 FPS, is the highest setting that remains playable, though users may experience some stutter. For a playable experience at 4K, the Low preset is the safest choice, while Medium is acceptable for those who prioritize visuals over absolute smoothness. The High and Ultra presets at 4K are effectively unplayable due to their low average frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER combination holds a rank of 2149 out of 3711 tested combos in Palworld. This places it in the bottom 42% of all configurations, which is a significant underperformance compared to what the CPU alone might suggest. The CPU's individual percentile rank is 85, while the GPU's is only 65. This discrepancy highlights that the GPU is the anchor on the system's overall gaming performance.

The combo's rank is a direct consequence of the RTX 2070 SUPER's position in the market. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Arc B570 and Arc A750, have slightly higher average benchmark scores, indicating that the 2070 SUPER is not at the top of its class. In Palworld, which appears to be a demanding title at high resolutions, this mid-tier GPU performance is the deciding factor. The high-performing CPU is unable to boost the combo's standing because the game's frame rate is so heavily dependent on the graphics card's rendering capabilities.

This ranking suggests that for users with this specific CPU, upgrading the graphics card would yield a massive improvement in Palworld performance. The data implies that the CPU is ready to support a much more powerful GPU, as its processing power is not being fully utilized in this configuration. The 2149th rank serves as a clear indicator that the system is not optimized for this game, and the bottleneck is unequivocally the graphics card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete set of measured FPS data for Palworld is as follows:

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS of 61.
• Medium: Average FPS of 50, with a minimum of 42 and a maximum of 57.
• High: Average FPS of 38.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 29.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS of 110.
• Medium: Average FPS of 89, with a minimum of 76 and a maximum of 103.
• High: Average FPS of 69.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 52.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS of 167.
• Medium: Average FPS of 136, with a minimum of 115 and a maximum of 156.
• High: Average FPS of 104.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 79.

These numbers paint a complete picture of the system's performance envelope. The 1080p results show that the system is capable of high refresh rate gaming, with the Low preset exceeding 160 FPS. The 1440p results are solid, with the Medium preset providing a very good experience. The 4K results are the weakest, with only the Low preset reaching the 60 FPS threshold. The data shows a clear and consistent drop in performance as settings are increased at each resolution, confirming the GPU as the primary constraint across all scenarios.