Palworld

Palworld, a survival title from January 2024, presents a demanding workload that scales significantly with both resolution and graphical presets. The benchmark data for the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 shows a configuration that is capable of high refresh rate play at 1080p but transitions to a strictly 4K-capable setup only at lower settings. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, focusing on where the bottlenecks emerge and how this specific combination ranks against other tested hardware.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a pronounced impact from resolution scaling, characteristic of a game that becomes increasingly GPU-bound as pixel count rises. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 110 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same High preset, the average drops to 73 FPS, a reduction of 37 FPS or approximately 34%. This is a substantial hit, indicating that the rendering load is scaling heavily with resolution. The trend continues to 4K, where the High preset yields an average of just 40 FPS, a further 33 FPS drop from the 1440p result. This progression from 110 to 73 to 40 FPS highlights a steep curve, suggesting that while the RTX 5070 is powerful, the demands of Palworld at higher resolutions are immense.

The pattern is consistent across all settings presets. At Low settings, the frame rate goes from 177 FPS at 1080p, to 117 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 65 FPS at 4K. This represents a 63% reduction from 1080p to 4K. For Medium settings, the drop is from 144 FPS at 1080p to 95 FPS at 1440p and 52 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset shows the most severe scaling, starting at 84 FPS at 1080p, falling to 55 FPS at 1440p, and bottoming out at 31 FPS at 4K. The consistent steep decline across all presets points to a scenario where the GPU’s fillrate and memory bandwidth are the primary limiting factors as resolution increases, a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload.

The scaling behavior also provides insight into the balance of the system. The fact that the 1080p to 1440p drop is significant (around 34% for High) suggests that even at 1440p, the GPU is already under considerable stress. If the CPU were the primary bottleneck, we would expect the frame rates at 1080p and 1440p to be much closer together, as the CPU’s workload would remain relatively constant. Instead, the consistent and large drops with each resolution increase confirm that the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is the component that dictates performance in this title. The data suggests that for users targeting high refresh rates, 1080p is the optimal resolution, while 1440p offers a good balance for high-fidelity gaming, and 4K requires significant compromises in settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070’s role in these results is central. The GPU is equipped with 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is likely a key factor in the performance seen at higher resolutions, as Palworld’s open-world environments can be demanding on memory capacity and throughput. The 4K results, particularly the 40 FPS average at High settings, suggest that the 12 GB frame buffer is sufficient for the game at these settings, but the overall performance is constrained by the GPU's compute capabilities. The chip, designated GB205, is built on a 5 nm process and features 6144 shading units, 48 RT cores, and 192 tensor cores, with a boost clock of 2512 MHz.

The GPU’s compute power, rated at 30.87 TFLOPS for FP32, is what drives the raw frame rate. The benchmark results show a clear correlation between the GPU’s workload and the FPS numbers. At 1080p Low, the average of 177 FPS indicates the GPU has ample headroom. As the settings increase to Ultra, the 84 FPS average shows the GPU is being pushed harder, but still delivers a playable experience. The transition to 4K is telling; even at Low settings, the average FPS is 65, which is significantly lower than the 1080p result. This demonstrates that the sheer number of pixels at 4K overwhelms the GPU’s processing capacity, regardless of the graphical complexity of the scene.

The RTX 5070’s performance profile is further illuminated by its passmark G3D score of 29137, which places it in the 82nd percentile among all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 40377. In comparison to its nearest rivals, it is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon Pro 580, which has a deltaPct of 0.1, and the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 at 0.8. It is slightly faster than the NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile, which has a deltaPct of 2.0. This indicates that while the RTX 5070 is a high-performing part, it is not at the absolute top of the performance hierarchy, and its ability to handle 4K in a demanding title like Palworld is limited. The GPU’s 80 ROPs and 192 TMUs are responsible for pixel and texture processing, and the data suggests that at 4K, these units are saturated, leading to the observed frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

In the overall database of tested combinations for Palworld, this pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 holds a rank of 1583 out of 2944 combos. This places it in the 54th percentile of all tested systems, indicating a performance level that is slightly above the median but not exceptional. This rank is a holistic measure that considers all tested resolutions and settings, providing a single point of comparison against the wider field.

The rank suggests that while this is a modern and capable setup, many other combinations deliver higher average performance in Palworld. The combination’s ranking is likely held back by the GPU’s performance at 4K, where the average FPS across all settings is relatively low. For instance, a system with a more powerful GPU would likely achieve higher frame rates at 4K, thereby improving its overall rank. Conversely, the combo’s performance at 1080p is strong, which helps to keep the rank from being lower. The rank of 1583 out of 2944 means that there are 1361 tested combos that are faster and 1582 that are slower, putting this system in the middle of the pack.

This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the GPU’s own performance percentile of 82. While the RTX 5070 is a strong GPU, it is not the top-tier part in the database, and its performance in Palworld reflects that. The CPU’s percentile of 93 is higher than the GPU’s, suggesting that the processor is less of a limiting factor in this game. The combination of a very fast CPU with a fast, but not flagship, GPU results in a system that is balanced but ultimately constrained by the graphics card in this specific title. The data shows that to achieve a higher rank, a more powerful GPU would be necessary to improve the 4K performance, which is the weakest aspect of this combo.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a precise look at performance across all four presets and three resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is clearly capable of high refresh rate gaming. The Low preset achieves an average of 177 FPS, while Medium delivers 144 FPS, with a minimum of 122 FPS and a maximum of 165 FPS. High settings yield an average of 110 FPS, and Ultra still maintains a smooth 84 FPS average. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the combo is well-suited for fast-paced gameplay, with all presets providing a fluid experience.

At 2560x1440, the performance takes a noticeable step down. The Low preset is still very playable, averaging 117 FPS. Medium settings produce an average of 95 FPS, with a minimum of 80 FPS and a maximum of 109 FPS. High settings drop to a 73 FPS average, which is still acceptable for most players. The Ultra preset, however, falls to 55 FPS, which may be considered borderline for some. This resolution presents a trade-off between visual fidelity and frame rate, with High being a reasonable choice for a balanced experience.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is heavily taxed. The Low preset is the only one that approaches a playable frame rate, with an average of 65 FPS. Medium settings drop to 52 FPS, with a minimum of 45 FPS and a maximum of 60 FPS, which can lead to noticeable stuttering in demanding scenes. High settings average just 40 FPS, and Ultra falls to 31 FPS, making these presets largely unplayable for a smooth experience. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p is for high refresh rate, 1440p is for high quality at acceptable speeds, and 4K is only viable at the lowest settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p gaming, the Ultra preset is recommended, as it delivers an 84 FPS average while providing the best visual quality. This ensures a smooth and immersive experience without sacrificing graphical detail. If a higher frame rate is preferred for competitive play, the Low preset at 177 FPS is the best choice, but most users will find the Ultra preset to be the best balance.

For 1440p, the High preset is the sensible recommendation. It provides a 73 FPS average, which is a good balance between visual fidelity and smoothness. The Medium preset offers a higher frame rate at 95 FPS, but the visual reduction may be noticeable. The Ultra preset at 55 FPS is playable but may not be ideal for all users, as it approaches the threshold where frame pacing can become an issue. The Low preset at 117 FPS is an option for those who prioritize frame rate above all else.

For 4K gaming, the choices are constrained by the GPU’s performance. The Low preset is the only viable option for a reasonably smooth experience, with a 65 FPS average. The Medium preset at 52 FPS is playable but may have occasional dips to 45 FPS. High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K, as their average frame rates of 40 FPS and 31 FPS, respectively, will result in a subpar experience. The data indicates that for 4K, users must make significant compromises on visual settings to maintain playable performance.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. It has a substantial 30 MB of shared L3 cache and a TDP of 55 W. In Palworld, the CPU’s role is to handle game logic, physics, and AI, which can be demanding in a survival game with many dynamic elements. The benchmark scores for this CPU are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40642 and a single-core score of 5737. This indicates a high level of performance in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in this game. The significant FPS drops when moving to higher resolutions are a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see similar frame rates regardless of resolution, as the CPU’s workload would be the same. Instead, the frame rates scale inversely with resolution, which points to the GPU being the component that determines the final output. The CPU’s high single-core and multi-core scores provide ample headroom for the game’s logic.

The CPU’s percentile of 93 among all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 63173, place it in the top tier of processors. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13790F, has a nearly identical average score, with a deltaPct of 0.1. This indicates that the 265HX is a very capable processor that is unlikely to hold back the RTX 5070 in most scenarios. In Palworld, the CPU’s job is to feed the GPU with data, and the performance data confirms that it does so effectively, allowing the GPU to become the sole limiting factor at higher resolutions. The CPU’s 20 cores and high clock speeds ensure that even complex simulation scenarios in the game do not become a constraint.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a high frame rate?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the best resolution for high frame rates. At this resolution, the Low preset achieves an average of 177 FPS, and even the Ultra preset maintains a smooth 84 FPS average.

Q: Can this system run Palworld at 4K with high settings?

A: The data indicates that 4K with High settings is not recommended, as it only produces a 40 FPS average. For a playable 4K experience, the Low preset must be used, which yields a 65 FPS average.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This combination ranks 1583 out of 2944 tested combos for Palworld. This places it slightly above the median, indicating a mid-pack performance level overall.

Q: Is the performance bottleneck in this game on the CPU or the GPU?

A: The benchmark results strongly indicate that the GPU is the bottleneck. The frame rates show a large drop when moving from 1080p to 4K, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU, with its high benchmark scores, has ample headroom.

Q: What are the FPS averages for the Medium preset across all resolutions?

A: For the Medium preset, the average FPS is 144 at 1080p, 95 at 1440p, and 52 at 4K. The 4K result also has a minimum of 45 FPS and a maximum of 60 FPS.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the RTX 5070, and how does it relate to performance?

A: The RTX 5070 has a memory bandwidth of 672.0 GB/s, provided by 12 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 192-bit bus. This high bandwidth is likely crucial for handling the game’s textures and geometry at higher resolutions, though it is not enough to prevent the significant FPS drops seen at 4K.