Palworld

Palworld presents a demanding workload for the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H paired with the AMD Radeon 760M, a combination that ranks 2933 out of 2944 tested configurations for this title. The benchmark data reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its integrated graphics, with frame rates that struggle to maintain playability even at lower resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions and settings, examining the specific roles of the GPU and CPU in shaping the final experience.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a steep and predictable decline as resolution increases, a clear indicator of the GPU being the primary bottleneck. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system averages 52 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings drops the average to 34 FPS, a reduction of 18 frames. Pushing to 3840x2160 at Low settings further cripples performance to an average of 19 FPS. This scaling pattern demonstrates that the AMD Radeon 760M is quickly overwhelmed by the pixel count, with each step up in resolution exacting a heavy toll on frame rates.

The trend continues across all quality presets. At Medium settings, the frame rate falls from 42 FPS at 1080p to 28 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 15 FPS at 4K. The High preset shows a similar trajectory, moving from 32 FPS at 1080p to 21 FPS at 1440p and 12 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, starting at just 24 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 16 FPS at 1440p, and bottoming out at 9 FPS at 4K. These numbers indicate that the scaling is nearly linear, with performance roughly halving as the resolution quadruples, which is characteristic of a system where the GPU's fill rate and shading power are the limiting factors.

The implications for gameplay are significant. The data suggests that 4K resolution is not a viable option for this hardware, as even the lowest settings yield an average of only 19 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth, responsive action. The 1440p resolution offers a marginal improvement but remains challenging, with only the Low preset achieving an average above 30 FPS. The 1080p resolution is the only tier where playable performance is attainable, and even then, it requires careful selection of graphics settings. This scaling behavior underscores that the integrated Radeon 760M, with its system-shared memory, is the dominant factor limiting Palworld's performance at higher resolutions.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon 760M is an integrated graphics processor built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture, featuring 512 shading units and a boost clock of 2599 MHz. Its performance, as measured by the benchmark data, places it in the 35th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 6019. This places it in close competition with the AMD Radeon RX 6400 (0.3% delta) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M (0.3% delta), while being slightly behind the NVIDIA Quadro P2000 (-0.5% delta). These figures establish the 760M as a low-end performer, and Palworld's measured FPS is consistent with this classification.

The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the main system's DDR5 memory for its frame buffer. This setup creates a significant performance constraint, as the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent" rather than a dedicated high-speed interface. The Radeon 760M's TDP is a modest 15 W, further indicating its design for efficient, low-power operation rather than high-end gaming. The combination of shared memory, limited power envelope, and a narrow 128-bit memory bus (inferred from the shared architecture) explains why the GPU struggles so severely with the demands of Palworld.

The DirectX 12 benchmark scores for the GPU are particularly telling. A Passmark DirectX 12 score of 25 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 400 highlight its weak geometry and pixel processing capabilities. These scores directly correlate with the poor performance seen in Palworld, which is a modern title with detailed environments and complex shaders. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the GPU can muster 52 FPS, but this is its peak. Any increase in graphical fidelity or resolution causes a rapid performance collapse, as the GPU's limited compute units and memory bandwidth become saturated. The GPU is unequivocally the performance bottleneck in this configuration.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is a high-end mobile processor with 16 cores and 22 threads, capable of boosting up to 5.10 GHz. Its benchmark scores are robust, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 17984.5 and single-core score of 1810.5 demonstrate substantial processing power. In the Geekbench tests, it scores 11657 in multicore and 1794 in single-core. The Passmark multithread score of 29376 and single-thread score of 3697 further illustrate its strong all-around performance, rivaling the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, which it trails by only -0.7% in average benchmark score.

Given this CPU's capabilities, it is clear that it is not the limiting factor in Palworld performance. The measured FPS data shows a consistent pattern of GPU-bound behavior, where performance scales with resolution and settings, not with CPU workload. The CPU's high single-thread performance is more than sufficient to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic data. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth ensure that the processor can handle the game's simulation and world-streaming tasks without creating a bottleneck.

The data suggests that the Core Ultra 9 185H is idling in terms of its potential, waiting on the Radeon 760M to render frames. For instance, at 1080p Low, the CPU could likely push far beyond the 52 FPS average if the GPU were faster. The fact that the frame rate drops to 9 FPS at 4K Ultra is not a reflection of CPU weakness, but rather of the GPU being completely overwhelmed. The CPU's performance is essentially a constant in this equation; it is the GPU's varying load across different settings that dictates the final frame rate. Therefore, while the CPU is highly capable, its contribution to Palworld's performance is effectively neutral, as it is never the component that determines the playable frame rate.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for playing Palworld with this hardware?

A: Based on the data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution that offers a playable experience. At this resolution, the system achieves an average of 52 FPS on Low settings and 32 FPS on High. The 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 resolutions all result in average frame rates below 34 FPS, with the 4K resolution dipping to as low as 9 FPS on Ultra settings.

Q: How does the AMD Radeon 760M compare to its closest rivals in terms of raw GPU score?

A: The Radeon 760M's average benchmark score of 6019 is nearly identical to that of the AMD Radeon RX 6400 (6001, 0.3% delta) and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M (6000, 0.3% delta). It is slightly behind the NVIDIA Quadro P2000, which scores 6049, a difference of -0.5%. This places it firmly in the entry-level segment.

Q: Does the CPU's performance bottleneck the GPU in this game?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, with its 16 cores and 5.10 GHz boost clock, demonstrates high processing power in benchmarks (e.g., a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 17984.5). The FPS scaling pattern, which drops with resolution, indicates the GPU is the sole bottleneck. The CPU's performance is more than adequate to handle the game's logic.

Q: What is the average FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate on Low settings is 34 FPS. On Ultra settings, the average drops to 16 FPS. This represents a performance reduction of 18 FPS when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: Is the 4K resolution usable for this game on this system?

A: The data suggests it is not. Even on the lowest settings, the average FPS at 3840x2160 is only 19, which is below the level needed for smooth gameplay. On Ultra settings, the average plummets to 9 FPS, making the game essentially unplayable and more of a slideshow.

Q: Which component is more responsible for the low frame rates in Palworld?

A: The AMD Radeon 760M is entirely responsible. The GPU's 35th percentile ranking and low scores in tests like Passmark DirectX 12 (25) indicate its weakness. The CPU is a high-performance part in the 85th percentile, so it is not the limiting factor. The integrated GPU's shared memory and limited power (15 W TDP) cause it to be overwhelmed by the game's rendering demands.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following table details the exact average frame rates measured for Palworld across all tested resolution and settings combinations. The data shows a clear hierarchy, with performance decreasing as both resolution and graphical fidelity increase.

| Resolution | Settings | Avg FPS | Min FPS | Max FPS |

| :--------- | :------- | :------ | :------ | :------ |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 52 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 42 | 36 | 48 |

| 1920x1080 | High | 32 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 24 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 34 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 28 | 23 | 32 |

| 2560x1440 | High | 21 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 16 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 19 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 15 | 13 | 18 |

| 3840x2160 | High | 12 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 9 | - | - |

The 1080p results show a usable range, with the Low preset being the only one to exceed 50 FPS. The Medium preset offers a decent balance at 42 FPS, while High and Ultra drop to 32 and 24 FPS respectively, which may feel sluggish. At 1440p, all presets fail to maintain a solid 60 FPS, with Low averaging 34 FPS and Ultra only 16 FPS. The 4K results are universally poor, with even the Low preset failing to reach 20 FPS. The minimum FPS values recorded for the Medium preset at each resolution (36 at 1080p, 23 at 1440p, and 13 at 4K) show that frame pacing can be erratic, leading to noticeable stutters during intense moments.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only viable path to a smooth experience is to operate at 1920x1080 resolution. Within this resolution, the Low preset provides the best performance, with an average of 52 FPS. This is the only configuration that approaches a standard 60 FPS target and is recommended for gameplay where responsiveness is key. While the Medium preset offers a more visually detailed experience at 42 FPS, the drop in frame rate may be noticeable in a game that requires quick reactions.

For users who prioritize visual quality over frame rate, the High preset at 1080p is the highest setting that maintains an average above 30 FPS (32 FPS). This provides a more immersive visual experience at the cost of smoothness. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 24 FPS, is not recommended for active play, as the low frame rate will likely impair the gameplay experience. At 1440p, users should stick to the Low preset (34 FPS) if they must use that resolution, but the frame rate is below what is generally considered smooth. The 4K resolution is not recommended for playable frame rates under any settings.

Ultimately, the data points to a single sensible recommendation: play Palworld at 1920x1080 with the Low preset. This setting offers the highest frame rate and the most consistent performance. Users who are willing to trade some fluidity for better visuals can try the Medium or High presets, but should be prepared for frame rates in the 30-40 FPS range. The higher resolutions and presets should be avoided, as the AMD Radeon 760M simply does not have the rendering power to provide an acceptable experience at those levels.