Palworld

Palworld with an Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER presents a classic pairing of a high-end modern CPU with a mid-range older GPU. The measured frame rates across resolutions reveal a system where the graphics card is the primary bottleneck, but the strong processor ensures that frame pacing remains consistent even when the GPU is saturated. This analysis focuses strictly on the measured data and the specifications of these two components.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and consistent, clearly identifying the GPU as the limiting factor. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 96.1 FPS, which is a very playable number for a survival title. Moving to 1440p drops that to 60.4 FPS, and at 4K, the average falls to 32.1 FPS. This represents a 66% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K, which is a typical pattern for a GPU with 8 GB of VRAM and the bandwidth of the RTX 2060 SUPER.

The scaling across settings at each resolution amplifies this point. At 1080p, the difference between Low (155 FPS) and Ultra (70.4 FPS) is a massive 84.6 FPS. This wide gap indicates that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU far more frames than it can render at higher settings. At 4K, the spread narrows significantly: Low yields 56.3 FPS, Medium 46.1 FPS, High 32.1 FPS, and Ultra 24.1 FPS. The narrowing gap at 4K suggests that every setting increase adds substantial pixel shading work, overwhelming the 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power.

For a monitor at 1440p, the data shows that Medium settings are the ceiling for a smooth 60 FPS target, hitting 81.9 FPS, while High dips just above the line at 60.4 FPS. At 4K, the card cannot maintain a consistent 30 FPS on High, so users should expect to drop to Medium or Low for playable frame rates. The data suggests that this pairing is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can handle Ultra at 70.4 FPS, or 1440p gaming with moderate settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Its benchmark results show exceptional multi-threaded capability, scoring 39000 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 45887 in Passmark multithread. This is a processor that ranks in the 93rd percentile against all CPUs, indicating it is far more powerful than what Palworld requires.

The game’s results reflect this surplus of CPU power. Even at 1080p Low, where the GPU is least stressed, the CPU still delivers 155 FPS, showing that it is not a limiting factor. The single-thread performance, scoring 5505 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 1136 in 3DMark single_thread, is also strong, which helps maintain consistent frame times in a game that likely has a primary simulation thread. The data shows that the i7-13700K is effectively a non-factor in this pairing; it provides a massive headroom that prevents any CPU-bound stutters, allowing the RTX 2060 SUPER to be the sole determinant of performance.

The processor’s 30 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory also contribute to its ability to feed data quickly, but the measured frame rates suggest that even at 1080p, the GPU’s rendering pipeline is the limiting factor. This is a textbook example of a balanced pairing for a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU’s role is to ensure the GPU never waits for data.

How This Combo Ranks

Among all tested CPU and GPU combinations for Palworld, this pairing ranks 1255 out of 1718. This places it in the lower-middle tier of performance, which is expected given the age and tier of the RTX 2060 SUPER. The GPU itself sits in the 63rd percentile against all GPUs, and its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, which scores 0.5% higher in average benchmark score. This indicates that the GPU is the bottleneck in this combo, as the CPU is far more capable.

The combo rank of 1255 suggests that while the i7-13700K is a top-tier processor, its performance is wasted in this specific configuration. The data implies that this pairing would score significantly higher with a more powerful GPU, as the CPU has ample headroom. Conversely, the RTX 2060 SUPER would likely perform nearly identically when paired with a much weaker CPU, as the GPU is the limiting factor in the vast majority of the measured scenarios. The rank reflects the overall FPS output, which is constrained by the GPU’s 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 1650 MHz boost clock.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo handle Palworld at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but only at lower settings. The measured data shows an average of 56.3 FPS at 4K Low and 46.1 FPS at 4K Medium. High and Ultra settings drop to 32.1 FPS and 24.1 FPS, respectively, which are below the typical 30 FPS playability threshold.

Q: What is the best resolution for this setup?

A: 1080p is the sweet spot. The data shows that at 1080p, the combo can achieve 96.1 FPS on High and 70.4 FPS on Ultra, providing a smooth experience. At 1440p, you can achieve 60.4 FPS on High, but Ultra drops to 49.2 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-13700K holding back the RTX 2060 SUPER?

A: No. The data shows that frame rates scale consistently with GPU settings and resolution, which indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The CPU’s high benchmark scores (e.g., 39000 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) and 93rd percentile ranking suggest it is far more capable than the GPU needs.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER compare to its nearest rivals in this game?

A: The benchmark data shows it is very close to the RTX 2070, with a deltaPct of 0.5% in average score. The GTX TITAN is 0.3% behind, and the Quadro K5200 is 0.8% behind. This suggests performance in Palworld would be nearly identical to these cards.

Q: What is the impact of the CPU’s 16 cores on Palworld’s performance?

A: The 16 cores and 24 threads provide massive multi-threading headroom. However, the measured FPS does not improve with lower settings at 1080p beyond 155 FPS, indicating that the game is not CPU-bound and the extra cores are not the limiting factor.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset?

A: Only if you are at 1080p. The data shows 70.4 FPS at 1080p Ultra, which is playable. At 1440p, Ultra drops to 49.2 FPS, and at 4K, it falls to 24.1 FPS, making it unplayable. For higher resolutions, stick to Medium or High.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER, based on the Turing architecture, is the definitive performance limiter in this configuration. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. Its boost clock of 1650 MHz and 7.181 TFLOPS of FP32 compute are modest by today’s standards, and its 63rd percentile ranking reflects its mid-range status. The GPU is end-of-life, and its performance in Palworld is consistent with its age.

The measured FPS data directly correlates with the GPU’s capabilities. At 1080p Low, the card is able to push 155 FPS, but this is likely near its maximum output, as the CPU is not the constraint. The 4K results are the most telling: at 24.1 FPS on Ultra, the card is completely overwhelmed by the pixel count and shading complexity. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and likely 1440p, but the data suggests that the card’s raw compute power, not the memory capacity, is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

The GPU’s nearest rivals, such as the RTX 2070, are within 0.5% of its average benchmark score, which confirms that this is a performance tier that struggles with modern titles at high resolutions. The 34 RT cores and 272 tensor cores are present, but Palworld’s engine does not appear to leverage them heavily, as the frame rates are dictated by traditional rasterization performance. The 175 W TDP and 450 W suggested PSU are typical for this class, but the performance ceiling is clear.

Settings Recommendations

For the best experience, the data points to a clear hierarchy based on resolution. At 1080p, the Ultra preset is the best choice, delivering 70.4 FPS, which is smooth and visually impressive. If you prefer maximum frame rates for competitive play, the Low preset at 155 FPS is available, but High at 96.1 FPS offers a strong balance of quality and speed.

At 1440p, the High preset at 60.4 FPS is the recommended target, as it achieves the 60 FPS standard. Medium at 81.9 FPS is also viable if you want a higher frame rate, but the visual fidelity drop may not be worth it. Ultra at 49.2 FPS is too close to the 60 FPS target and may cause noticeable dips, so it is best avoided.

For 4K, the data suggests that the Low preset at 56.3 FPS is the only option for a playable experience, as Medium drops to 46.1 FPS and High falls to 32.1 FPS. Given the GPU’s limitations, 4K gaming should be reserved for titles that are less demanding, or you should accept a significant compromise in visual quality. In practical terms, this combo is best used at 1080p Ultra or 1440p High, where the CPU’s headroom ensures that the GPU is the only thing you need to manage.