To The Core

The Intel Core i7-14700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination delivers the absolute top-tier performance in To The Core, holding the rank of #1 out of 2,991 tested combos. This pairing produces staggering frame rates across all settings and resolutions, with the data showing a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher resolutions but still capable of triple-digit FPS even at 4K Ultra. The benchmark results indicate that this is the definitive hardware pairing for maximizing the idle-game experience, leaving no measurable headroom for improvement within the current hardware landscape.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a 20-core, 28-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, running on a 10 nm process node. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz can boost up to 5.60 GHz, providing substantial single-thread and multi-thread capability. The CPU's 33 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache further bolster its ability to handle complex game logic and background tasks. While To The Core is an Idle genre game, which typically does not stress the CPU as heavily as fast-paced action titles, the processor’s massive 44,167 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 6,235 score in single-core tests ensure that it is never a bottleneck.

The CPU's performance percentile of 94 vs all CPUs places it firmly in the high-end tier. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, has an average score of 70,879, which is 1% higher than the i7-14700KF's average of 70,163. However, this negligible difference does not translate to any meaningful advantage in To The Core, as the measured FPS data shows the system hitting incredibly high frame rates at all settings. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X sits 0.9% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is a mere 0.2% behind, indicating that the i7-14700KF is at the center of a tightly contested performance cluster for CPU-centric workloads.

In the context of this game, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with enough data to maintain the high frame rates observed. At 1080p Low, where the GPU load is lightest, the system achieves 667 FPS. This suggests that even at these extreme frame rates, the i7-14700KF's 5.60 GHz boost clock is sufficient to keep up with the RTX 5090 D. The processor's robust multi-threading (28 threads) also ensures that any background processes or game simulation logic do not introduce stutters, even when the frame rate is pushing past 600 FPS. The data shows that the CPU is not a limiting factor at any resolution or settings preset in this title.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is the clear driver of performance in To The Core. Built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm process, this GPU is a monolithic powerhouse with 21,760 shading units and 170 RT cores. Its 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus provides a massive 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth, ensuring that even the highest resolution textures and effects are handled with ease. The GPU's boost clock of 2407 MHz and base clock of 2017 MHz allow it to sustain high throughput across all workloads.

This GPU sits in the 92nd percentile for all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 77,712. Interestingly, its nearest rivals in the database are not modern high-end cards but rather the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (1.6% behind), the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (2.4% behind), and the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT (1.1% behind). This data suggests that while the RTX 5090 D is a top-tier consumer card, its benchmark scores are closely matched by some mobile and data-center parts, though the sheer memory capacity and bandwidth of the 5090 D are in a different class for gaming.

The GPU's role is evident in the FPS scaling. At 4K Ultra, the system still produces 151 FPS, which reflects the card's raw power. The 32 GB VRAM is particularly relevant for an idle game, as it allows for unlimited asset streaming and high-resolution UI elements without any concerns about memory pressure. The data shows that the GPU is the primary scaling factor when moving from 1080p to 4K, with FPS dropping proportionally to the increase in pixel count, which is expected behavior for a system where the GPU is the limiting component at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and consistent pattern of scaling across the three tested resolutions. At 1080p, the system achieves extraordinarily high frame rates, peaking at 667 FPS on Low settings. Moving to 1440p, the average FPS across all settings drops by roughly 32-33% compared to 1080p. For example, High settings go from 489 FPS at 1080p to 329 FPS at 1440p, and Ultra goes from 393 FPS to 265 FPS. This drop is directly proportional to the 1.78x increase in pixel count (1,920x1,080 vs 2,560x1,440), indicating that the GPU is now the primary limiting factor.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K (3840x2160) is even more pronounced. High settings drop from 329 FPS to 188 FPS, a 43% reduction, while Ultra drops from 265 FPS to 151 FPS, a 43% reduction as well. The pixel count increases by 2.25x from 1440p to 4K, and the FPS drop is significant but not perfectly linear, suggesting that the GPU's memory bandwidth and compute capacity are being fully utilized. The fact that the system still maintains over 150 FPS at 4K Ultra confirms that the RTX 5090 D is the dominant component, and the i7-14700KF is not creating a bottleneck even at these demanding settings.

The data indicates a classic GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p, the CPU has more room to work, and the FPS is higher because the GPU can render frames faster. As resolution increases, the GPU's workload grows, and FPS drops accordingly. The consistency of the proportional drops across all four settings presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) reinforces that the GPU is the limiting component at 1440p and 4K, while the CPU's performance headroom is sufficient to avoid becoming a constraint.

FAQ

*Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in To The Core?*

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 667, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D's average benchmark score compare to its nearest rival?

A: The RTX 5090 D has an average benchmark score of 77,712, which is 1.1% higher than the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT's score of 76,904.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded across all tested settings and resolutions?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 151, achieved at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between 1080p Medium and 4K Medium?

A: The average FPS at 1080p Medium is 564, while at 4K Medium it is 217, representing a 347 FPS drop when moving to the higher resolution.

Q: What is the CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF scores 44,167 in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark.

Q: How does the i7-14700KF's average score compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X?

A: The i7-14700KF has an average score of 70,163, which is 0.9% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X's average score of 69,515.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across all combinations of resolution and settings. For 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. On Low settings, the average FPS is 667. Moving to Medium, the average FPS is 564, with a minimum of 479 and a maximum of 648. High settings yield an average of 489 FPS, and Ultra settings produce an average of 393 FPS. These numbers show that even at 1080p Ultra, the system is well above the refresh rate of any mainstream monitor.

At 2560x1440, performance remains extremely high. The Low preset averages 448 FPS. The Medium preset averages 379 FPS, with a minimum of 322 and a maximum of 436. High settings average 329 FPS, and Ultra settings average 265 FPS. The 1440p results indicate that users with high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors can max out the game's settings and still achieve frame rates well in excess of 240 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system still delivers smooth, high-refresh-rate gameplay. Low settings average 256 FPS. Medium settings average 217 FPS, with a minimum of 184 and a maximum of 249. High settings average 188 FPS, and Ultra settings average 151 FPS. The 4K data confirms that this combo is capable of driving 4K Ultra at 151 FPS, which is more than sufficient for a 144Hz 4K display. The minimum FPS recorded for 4K Medium is 184, indicating that even in the most demanding scenes, the frame rate does not dip below the refresh rate of most 4K monitors.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the user's display resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p, the Ultra preset at 393 FPS is the clear recommendation. The performance headroom is so vast at this resolution that there is no reason to lower settings, as even the most demanding preset delivers a frame rate that far exceeds any monitor's refresh rate. The data shows that the difference between Low and Ultra is 274 FPS, but since both are far above 240 Hz, the visual fidelity of Ultra is the better choice.

For 1440p, the Ultra preset at 265 FPS is also recommended for users with 240Hz or higher refresh rate displays. However, for those with a 144Hz monitor, the High preset at 329 FPS offers a substantial performance buffer while still providing excellent visual quality. The Medium preset at 379 FPS is a viable option for users who prioritize maximum frame rates over visual detail, but the difference between High and Ultra is only 64 FPS, making Ultra the better value for most users.

For 4K, the recommendation is more nuanced. The Ultra preset at 151 FPS is perfect for users with a 144Hz 4K monitor, as it sits just above the refresh rate threshold. The High preset at 188 FPS provides additional headroom and is recommended for those who want to ensure no frame drops below 144 FPS. The Medium preset at 217 FPS is the best choice for users with a 240Hz 4K monitor, as it is the only preset that comes close to that refresh rate. The Low preset at 256 FPS is unnecessary unless the user has a 360Hz 4K display, which is not yet standard. In all cases, the data shows that the RTX 5090 D has ample power to run To The Core at maximum settings, and the choice of preset should be dictated by the monitor's refresh rate to avoid wasted performance.