dGPU Gaming Performance: 720p And Lower

The reason we test games in CPU reviews at lower resolutions such as 720p and below is simple; titles are more likely to be CPU bound than they are GPU bound at lower resolutions. This means there are more frames for the processor to process as opposed to the graphics card doing the majority of the heavy lifting.

There are some variances where some games will still use graphical power, but not as much CPU grunt at these smaller resolutions, and this is where we can show where CPU limitations lie in terms of gaming.

We are using DDR5-5200 memory as per the JEDEC specifications on the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G, as well as DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700G and Ryzen 5 5600G. The same methodology is also used for the AMD Ryzen 7000 series and Intel's 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen processors. Below are the settings we have used for each platform:

  • DDR5-5200 CL44 - Ryzen 8000G
  • DDR4-3200 CL22 - Ryzen 5000G
  • DDR5-5600B CL46 - Intel 14th & 13th Gen
  • DDR5-5200 CL44 - Ryzen 7000
  • DDR5-4800 (B) CL40 - Intel 12th Gen

World of Tanks

(b-1) World of Tanks - 768p Min - Average FPS

(b-2) World of Tanks - 768p Min - 95th Percentile

Borderlands 3

(c-1) Borderlands 3 - 360p VLow - Average FPS

(c-2) Borderlands 3 - 360p VLow - 95th Percentile

Red Dead Redemption 2

(f-1) Red Dead 2 - 384p Min - Average FPS

(f-2) Red Dead 2 - 384p Min - 95th Percentile

F1 2022

(g-1) F1 2022 - 720p Low - Average FPS

(g-2) F1 2022 - 720p Low - 95th Percentile

Hitman 3

(h-1) Hitman 3 - 720p Low - Average FPS

(h-2) Hitman 3 - 720p Low - 95th Percentile

Total War: Warhammer 3

(i-1) Total War Warhammer 3 - 720p Low - Average FPS

Looking at performance with a discrete graphics card and at 720p and lower, we start to see the limitations of having a more power-efficient mobile Zen 4 core, as performance doesn't come close to that of the regular and higher-powered desktop processors. While we generally see an uplift in performance going from the Ryzen 8000G to the Ryzen 5000G processors, they don't quite show the raw grunt of the other desktop processors.

With STAPM limitations removed, we see nearly identical performance when testing with a discrete graphics card as we did with STAPM implemented.

iGPU Gaming Performance: 1080p dGPU Gaming Performance: 1080p
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  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Whoa, 428 watts at peak for the i9-14900K? I have not paid close attention to the last few rounds of releases and I knew it was bad but wholly crap. WTF Intel?
  • jrbales@outlook.com - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Yeah, they definitely get pretty toasty, of it's imperative to plan out a cooling strategy to keep the CPU and other components from roasting. Of course, it does allow you to use it as a space heater in addition to a computer in cold weather. The highest TDP Ryzen 7000 CPUs run "cool" by comparison.
  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Yes, it would make a good "Winter PC" LOL
  • shabby - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Are they available in russia? They need them desperately to heat their frozen homes 😂
  • GeoffreyA - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    Maybe the US should donate a few out of the kindness of their hearts.
  • ricebunny - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Peak power is an irrelevant metric. It’s more of a motherboard feature than anything else - Intel’s Raptor Lake will pull as much power as you give them.

    For those who are concerned about power, there is a TDP ceiling feature. Once set, the Intel CPU will adhere closely to the limit. Laptop tests have shown the Intel Raptor Lake to be about as power efficient as the Zen 4. Take a look at Ars’s review of Framework 13.
  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    It is not irrenevant and is not a mobo feature. It is how much power is drawn under heavy load. When under heavy load for short bursts it can be fine, but under sustained load, it will get too hot and therefore not operate at or near turbo, it will run closer to the base clock, which is lame.
  • TheinsanegamerN - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    You are ignorant. A 14900k will shovel gobs of power if you let it. Set it to a 250 watt TDP and it will stick to 250 watt while losing MAYBE 2% peak performance.

    Turbo isnt SUPPOSED to be sustained, that's a MOBO feature. Have you tried reading?
  • goatfajitas - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    Dont be so pedantic... I didnt say it was supposed to sustain it, I am saying the power draw is too damn high period. Intel is compensating for inefficient design and has been doing it since they got stuck on 14nm several years back.

    Are you trying to claim Intel doesnt have issues with heat here or just being pissy?
  • temps - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    He's not being pedantic. Not in the slightest.

    If you can dissipate hundreds of watts of heat there is no issue. If you let the chip run uncapped and it draws lots of power... who cares... if you're willing to pay the electrical bill, I'm sure you're very happy to have that last few percent of performance.

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