Rust

The Intel Core i7-14700K is a 20-core, 28-thread desktop processor with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. This configuration places it in the top tier of consumer CPUs, with a benchmark percentile of 96 against all processors. In Rust, this high core count and clock speed are significant because the game frequently has to process numerous entities, building structures, and player interactions simultaneously. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 250.3 FPS, a figure that is less likely to be bottlenecked by the GPU and showcases the CPU’s ability to feed frames rapidly. The processor’s performance is closely matched by its direct rival, the Intel Core i7-14700KF, with a delta of 0%, while it holds a -0.5% delta against the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and a 1.4% lead over the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270. This indicates that the 14700K is a very balanced performer in its class, with no single rival offering a massive advantage in average benchmark scores.

The CPU’s substantial 33 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache are also relevant to Rust’s gameplay. The game’s world is dynamic, and the cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency. The processor’s 125 W TDP and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory provide flexibility, though the measured FPS data does not differentiate between memory types. The strong single-core performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6287, is crucial for the game’s main thread, which handles physics and game logic. This is reflected in the high frame rates at lower resolutions where the CPU’s role is more pronounced. The data suggests that the 14700K is more than capable of handling Rust’s computational demands, as the frame rates scale well with reduced graphical settings, moving from 110.3 FPS at 1080p Ultra to 250.3 FPS at 1080p Low.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. With a boost clock of 2475 MHz, the card is designed for high-refresh-rate gaming at mainstream resolutions. In Rust, the GPU’s role becomes more critical as resolution and graphical settings increase. The data demonstrates this clearly: at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 45, which is below the 60 FPS threshold often considered the minimum for smooth gameplay. This indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor at this extreme setting. However, at 4K Low, the average FPS jumps to 100.7, showing that the card has ample headroom when the graphical load is reduced. The 12 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for Rust at these settings, as the game does not appear to exceed this limit at the measured configurations, given the consistent performance scaling.

The GPU’s benchmark scores place it in the 84th percentile among all GPUs. Its closest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include the NVIDIA RTX A6000 with a -0.2% delta and the AMD Radeon RX 7650 GRE with a -0.3% delta. The performance difference between these cards is negligible in synthetic tests, but the RTX 4070 SUPER’s specific architecture and driver optimizations may yield different results in a game like Rust. The data shows that the GPU can handle 1440p High at 100.8 FPS and 1080p Ultra at 110.3 FPS, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors at those settings. The card’s 220 W TDP and suggested 550 W PSU are notable for system planning, but the measured FPS is the primary focus here. The transition from 1080p to 4K shows a clear dependency on the GPU, as the frame rate drops significantly when the pixel count increases, reinforcing that the RTX 4070 SUPER is a strong 1440p performer but less ideal for 4K Ultra settings in Rust.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of how performance scales with resolution. At 1080p, the system achieves 250.3 FPS on Low, 169.7 FPS on Medium, 139.6 FPS on High, and 110.3 FPS on Ultra. Moving to 1440p, the frame rates decrease to 171.5 FPS on Low, 114.9 FPS on Medium, 100.8 FPS on High, and 73.2 FPS on Ultra. At 4K, the numbers drop further to 100.7 FPS on Low, 65.4 FPS on Medium, 60.7 FPS on High, and 45 FPS on Ultra. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial: at Low settings, the frame rate falls by approximately 60% (from 250.3 to 100.7), and at Ultra settings, it falls by roughly 59% (from 110.3 to 45). This consistent drop across all settings indicates that the GPU becomes progressively more of a bottleneck as resolution increases.

This scaling behavior has important implications for identifying the limiting component. At 1080p Low, the frame rate of 250.3 FPS is likely CPU-limited, as the GPU has excess capacity to render frames quickly. The CPU’s strong performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44534, allows it to push high frame rates when the GPU is not strained. However, at 4K Ultra, the frame rate of 45 FPS shows that the GPU is fully saturated, and the CPU is no longer the primary constraint. The data suggests a balanced system where the CPU is strong enough to avoid bottlenecking at lower resolutions, but the GPU’s limits are exposed at higher resolutions and settings. The 14700K’s performance relative to its rivals, with a 0% delta to the 14700KF and a -0.5% delta to the Ryzen 9 9950X, confirms that it is not a weak link in this pairing. The RTX 4070 SUPER, with its 84th percentile ranking, is the component that determines the upper limits of performance at 4K.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS achieved with this CPU and GPU combination in Rust?

A: The highest average FPS is 250.3, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-14700K compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700KF?

A: The two processors have an identical average benchmark score, with a deltaPct of 0%, indicating they perform at the same level in synthetic benchmarks.

Q: Is the RTX 4070 SUPER capable of running Rust at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: The data shows an average FPS of 60.7 at 4K with High settings, which is playable, but it drops to 45 FPS at Ultra settings, which may be less smooth.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p and 1440p at High settings?

A: At 1080p High, the average FPS is 139.6, while at 1440p High, it is 100.8, representing a decrease of about 28%.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU become the limiting factor at 1080p Low settings?

A: At 1080p Low, the frame rate of 250.3 FPS suggests the CPU is the limiting factor, as the GPU has enough headroom to render frames faster if the CPU could provide them.

Q: What is the GPU’s benchmark percentile compared to all other GPUs?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is in the 84th percentile among all GPUs, based on its average benchmark score.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers an average of 250.3 FPS on Low, 169.7 FPS on Medium, 139.6 FPS on High, and 110.3 FPS on Ultra. These numbers show a clear trend of diminishing returns as settings increase, with the gap between Low and Ultra being 140 FPS. At 2560x1440, the averages are 171.5 FPS on Low, 114.9 FPS on Medium, 100.8 FPS on High, and 73.2 FPS on Ultra. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is most pronounced at Low settings, where the frame rate falls by 78.8 FPS, indicating a significant increase in GPU load. At 3840x2160, the averages are 100.7 FPS on Low, 65.4 FPS on Medium, 60.7 FPS on High, and 45 FPS on Ultra. The 4K results show that only Low settings achieve frame rates above 100 FPS, while Ultra settings fall below 60 FPS.

The data also reveals the scaling efficiency of the GPU. Moving from 1080p Low to 4K Low results in a 59.8% reduction in FPS, while moving from 1080p Ultra to 4K Ultra results in a 59.2% reduction. This consistency suggests that the GPU’s performance scales predictably with resolution, which is typical for a rasterization-bound workload. The 1440p results show a more moderate drop, with a 31.5% reduction from 1080p to 1440p at Low settings and a 33.6% reduction at Ultra settings. This makes 1440p a sweet spot for this hardware, as it offers a substantial visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining high frame rates across all settings. The 4K results, while lower, are still usable for less demanding settings, with 60.7 FPS at High being a viable option for those prioritizing visual fidelity.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p, all settings presets deliver playable frame rates, but the High preset at 139.6 FPS offers a good balance between visual quality and performance, while Ultra at 110.3 FPS is still smooth for most displays. For 1440p, the High preset at 100.8 FPS is recommended as it provides a strong visual experience without dipping below the 100 FPS threshold, though Medium at 114.9 FPS is a viable alternative for those seeking higher refresh rates. The Ultra preset at 73.2 FPS is playable but may not be ideal for competitive play where higher frame rates are preferred. For 4K, the High preset at 60.7 FPS is the recommended choice, as it meets the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay, while Medium at 65.4 FPS offers a slight performance boost. The Ultra preset at 45 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and should be avoided for most users, while Low at 100.7 FPS is the best option for maximizing frame rate at this resolution, albeit with reduced visual fidelity.

The data indicates that the system is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with the RTX 4070 SUPER providing sufficient power for high settings at these resolutions. At 4K, the GPU’s limitations become apparent, and users should opt for High or Medium settings to maintain smooth gameplay. The CPU’s strong performance ensures that it does not bottleneck the GPU at lower resolutions, but at 4K, the GPU is the clear limiting factor. For the best overall experience, the 1440p High preset offers the most balanced combination of visual quality and performance, with an average FPS of 100.8. This setup allows the hardware to showcase its capabilities without pushing the GPU to its limits, as seen at 4K Ultra. The choice between settings should also consider the refresh rate of the display; for 144Hz monitors, the 1440p Medium preset at 114.9 FPS is a better fit than High at 100.8 FPS.