The Long Drive

The Long Drive, a driving simulation released in 2019, presents an interesting case study for the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 combination. This pairing represents a top-tier desktop platform, with the CPU's 20 cores and 28 threads providing substantial processing headroom and the GPU's Blackwell architecture delivering immense graphics throughput. The measured frame rates across different resolutions and settings offer a clear view into how this hardware handles the game's demands and where its performance boundaries lie.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals a significant shift in performance characteristics as resolution increases, a classic indicator of where the system's bottleneck resides. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high, with the Low preset reaching 406.6 FPS and even the demanding Ultra preset hitting 148.6 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra at this resolution shows a steep drop, indicating that while the GPU is capable of incredible speed, it is still the primary driver of performance, as the CPU can easily feed it frames.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance curve becomes steeper. The Low preset still delivers a very high 271.1 FPS, but the Ultra preset falls to 98.1 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium (220.9 FPS) and High (137.2 FPS) is substantial. This suggests that at this resolution, the GPU is working much harder to fill the additional pixels, and the scaling of graphics settings has a more pronounced effect on the final frame rate.

The transition to 3840x2160 (4K) is where the system's character is most clearly defined. The Ultra preset drops to 51.4 FPS, a demanding load that pushes the GPU to its limits. The High preset manages a solid 76.8 FPS, while Medium and Low reach 125.3 FPS and 149.3 FPS, respectively. The difference between the 1080p Low (406.6 FPS) and 4K Low (149.3 FPS) is a 63% reduction, which is a direct consequence of the GPU having to render over four times the number of pixels. This pattern confirms that in The Long Drive, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the limiting component at 4K, with its performance scaling down predictably as resolution increases.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 holds a rank of 5 out of 1734 tested combos for this game. This places it in the top 0.3% of all tested systems, indicating that it is one of the most powerful configurations available for The Long Drive. The data suggests that this pairing is exceptionally well-suited for high-refresh-rate gameplay, particularly at more moderate settings.

The strong ranking is supported by the individual component performance. The CPU's benchmark scores are particularly relevant here. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44557 and single-core score of 6290 are robust figures. In the database, it holds a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700K, has a nearly identical average score, with a deltaPct of 0. This near-identical performance between the two Intel parts suggests that the "KF" variant's lack of integrated graphics is the primary differentiator in this comparison.

The GPU also performs at a high level, holding a 94th percentile ranking among all GPUs. While its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D, are extremely close in average score (a deltaPct of 0.1), the overall system ranking confirms that this specific CPU and GPU combination is highly effective. The fact that the combo ranks 5th out of a pool of 1734 systems underscores that it is a top-tier choice for this title, with only a handful of other configurations providing a better overall experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo can achieve in The Long Drive?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 406.6 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor at 3840x2160. The frame rate drops from 406.6 FPS at 1080p Low to 149.3 FPS at 4K Low, a significant reduction that is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload as pixel count increases.

Q: How does this combo compare to other tested systems in the database?

A: This combination of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 ranks 5th out of 1734 tested combos for The Long Drive, placing it in the top percentile of all systems.

Q: Can this system handle the Ultra preset at 1440p?

A: Yes, it can. At 2560x1440 with the Ultra preset, the measured average frame rate is 98.1 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 406.6 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves 148.6 FPS. This represents a 63% reduction in frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the components in this combo?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has a launch MSRP of $384, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 has a launch MSRP of 1,999 USD.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a high-refresh-rate 1080p or 1440p monitor, the data suggests that the High preset offers the best balance of visual fidelity and performance. At 1920x1080, the High preset delivers a very high 209.1 FPS, and at 2560x1440, it maintains a smooth 137.2 FPS. This preset provides a significant visual upgrade over the Medium settings while still offering frame rates that can fully utilize a 144Hz or even 240Hz display.

For 4K gaming, the High preset is the most reasonable choice for a consistently playable experience, producing an average of 76.8 FPS. While the Medium preset at 4K offers a higher frame rate of 125.3 FPS, the visual quality trade-off from High to Medium is more substantial. The Ultra preset at 4K is not recommended, as it drops the frame rate to 51.4 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for many users and represents a significant performance cost for the highest level of graphical detail. The Low preset, while capable of high frame rates at all resolutions, is not recommended as it would negate the visual capabilities of this high-end hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 406.6 FPS
• Medium: 340.9 FPS
• High: 209.1 FPS
• Ultra: 148.6 FPS

At 1080p, the system is clearly CPU-bound at lower settings, with the Low preset reaching over 400 FPS. The performance scales down as settings increase, with the Ultra preset still delivering a very playable 148.6 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 271.1 FPS
• Medium: 220.9 FPS
• High: 137.2 FPS
• Ultra: 98.1 FPS

The 1440p results show a more balanced workload. The Low and Medium presets provide exceptional frame rates for competitive play, while High and Ultra remain very smooth for a more visually rich experience. The 98.1 FPS at Ultra settings makes this a viable option for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 149.3 FPS
• Medium: 125.3 FPS
• High: 76.8 FPS
• Ultra: 51.4 FPS

At 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck. While Low and Medium settings offer high frame rates, the High preset is the recommended setting for a balanced 4K experience, and the Ultra preset is the only one that dips below the 60 FPS threshold. The data shows that this combination is capable of high-refresh-rate 4K gaming on lower presets, but for maxed-out settings, a 60Hz display would be the target.