1. Introduction
In recent years, I have shared numerous comparisons of gaming performance across processors. However, one recurring question from readers is: why only use 1080p resolution instead of 4K?
Some argue that higher gaming resolutions increase the processor’s workload, making it better for showcasing the differences in gaming performance between processors. Testing at 1080p is seen as an underutilization of the hardware and therefore meaningless.
This perception is incorrect. In reality, as gaming resolution increases, the processor’s workload decreases. At 1080p, the processor is under the most stress, whereas increasing resolution shifts the primary workload to the GPU.
Thus, when comparing processor performance, using 4K resolution effectively measures GPU gaming performance, not CPU performance, which diverges from the intended purpose of the comparison.
To clarify this, I have previously shared data comparing the same setup’s processor workload across 1080p, 1440p, 2K, and 4K resolutions. Interested readers can search for the article “Why Compare CPU Performance Using 1080p Instead of 4K? Here’s the Measured Answer” on my homepage.
Additionally, Figures 2 through 4 offer a quick reference, showing hardware resource utilization for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D paired with the GeForce RTX 4090 running The Last of Us Part I at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions.
A common phrase sums up the situation: “Below 4K, all CPUs are equal.” This means that at 4K resolution, the GPU shoulders the main workload, and even processors with significant performance differences show minimal disparity in gaming performance.
This article aims to verify this claim by comparing gaming performance in 4K between two processors with distinct performance levels: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Core i3-14100F.
2. Specifications Comparison
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, set for release on November 7, is based on the Zen 5 architecture and manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, a base frequency of 4.7 GHz, and a boost frequency of 5.2 GHz. It has 8MB of L2 cache and 96MB of L3 cache, for a total cache capacity of 104MB, with a TDP of 120W and an MSRP of $479.
The Core i3-14100F, released on January 8, 2024, uses Intel’s 10nm process. It includes only 4 performance cores and no efficiency cores, with 8 threads in total. It features 5MB of L2 cache and 12MB of Smart Cache, with a base frequency of 3.5 GHz and a boost frequency of 4.7 GHz. Its TDP is 58W, and it is priced at $109.
3. Test Platform Configuration
The primary configurations are as follows:
- The Core i3-14100F is paired with an ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming motherboard.
- The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is paired with an MSI MPG X670E CARBON motherboard.
- Other components are identical: 32GB DDR5 6000MHz RAM, a GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, two Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSDs, and Windows 11 as the operating system.
4. Gaming Tests between Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Core i3 14100F
The gaming tests were conducted on seven titles using the highest settings at 1080p resolution. In the following comparisons, the Core i3-14100F platform results are on the left, and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D results are on the right.
Game 1: God of War
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 120 | Min FPS: 89 | Frame Time: 8.2ms
CPU Usage: 51% | Power: 42W | Temp: 46°C
Memory: 11.8GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 8.6GB
GPU Power: 397W | Temp: 59°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 120 | Min FPS: 106 | Frame Time: 8.1ms
CPU Usage: 22% | Power: 69W | Temp: 51°C
Memory: 10.8GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 8.6GB
GPU Power: 391W | Temp: 60°C
Summary:
Both platforms delivered equal average FPS. However, Ryzen 7 9800X3D had 17 higher minimum FPS, lower CPU usage, and better stability but consumed 27W more power and ran 5°C hotter.
Game 2: Cyberpunk 2077
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 75 | Min FPS: 50 | Frame Time: 12.1ms
CPU Usage: 87% | Power: 47W | Temp: 48°C
Memory: 11.3GB | GPU Usage: 96% | VRAM: 11.7GB
GPU Power: 380W | Temp: 57°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 73 | Min FPS: 57 | Frame Time: 13.7ms
CPU Usage: 56% | Power: 79W | Temp: 55°C
Memory: 11.5GB | GPU Usage: 98% | VRAM: 11.9GB
GPU Power: 384W | Temp: 57°C
Summary:
Ryzen 7 9800X3D had slightly lower average FPS (-2), higher minimum FPS (+7), and higher GPU utilization but consumed 32W more power and ran 7°C hotter. Both platforms performed similarly overall.
Game 3: Ghostwire: Tokyo
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 84 | Min FPS: 74 | Frame Time: 11.4ms
CPU Usage: 34% | Power: 37W | Temp: 44°C
Memory: 11.5GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 8.7GB
GPU Power: 357W | Temp: 56°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 84 | Min FPS: 64 | Frame Time: 12.4ms
CPU Usage: 18% | Power: 63W | Temp: 51°C
Memory: 10.3GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 8.6GB
GPU Power: 358W | Temp: 57°C
Summary:
Both platforms matched in average FPS, but Core i3-14100F had a 10 higher minimum FPS and lower power consumption. Ryzen 7 9800X3D used less memory but consumed 26W more power and ran 7°C hotter.
Game 4: Silent Hill 2
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 96 | Min FPS: 56 | Frame Time: 9.5ms
CPU Usage: 44% | Power: 37W | Temp: 46°C
Memory: 12.1GB | GPU Usage: 98% | VRAM: 9.5GB
GPU Power: 358W | Temp: 59°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 94 | Min FPS: 61 | Frame Time: 11.1ms
CPU Usage: 31% | Power: 63W | Temp: 48°C
Memory: 10.9GB | GPU Usage: 98% | VRAM: 9.6GB
GPU Power: 355W | Temp: 58°C
Summary:
Core i3-14100F achieved 2 higher average FPS, but Ryzen 7 9800X3D had a higher minimum FPS (+5). CPU power consumption was significantly higher on the Ryzen platform.
Game 5: Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 82 | Min FPS: 63 | Frame Time: 12.1ms
CPU Usage: 44% | Power: 42W | Temp: 46°C
Memory: 10.8GB | GPU Usage: 91% | VRAM: 9.1GB
GPU Power: 358W | Temp: 57°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 89 | Min FPS: 79 | Frame Time: 11.5ms
CPU Usage: 22% | Power: 65W | Temp: 48°C
Memory: 11.5GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 9.2GB
GPU Power: 385W | Temp: 59°C
Summary:
Ryzen 7 9800X3D outperformed Core i3-14100F in both average (+7) and minimum FPS (+16) with slightly better frame times. However, it consumed 23W more power.
Game 6: Hogwarts Legacy
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 58 | Min FPS: 33 | Frame Time: 17.9ms
CPU Usage: 60% | Power: 40W | Temp: 47°C
Memory: 21.0GB | GPU Usage: 88% | VRAM: 13.6GB
GPU Power: 354W | Temp: 56°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 62 | Min FPS: 36 | Frame Time: 15.7ms
CPU Usage: 31% | Power: 69W | Temp: 54°C
Memory: 21.2GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 13.5GB
GPU Power: 370W | Temp: 59°C
Summary:
Ryzen 7 9800X3D had better average FPS (+4) and minimum FPS (+3) with lower frame times. However, it consumed 29W more power and ran 7°C hotter.
Game 7: Starfield
- Core i3-14100F:
Avg FPS: 72 | Min FPS: 57 | Frame Time: 13.0ms
CPU Usage: 88% | Power: 45W | Temp: 49°C
Memory: 13.3GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 7.7GB
GPU Power: 369W | Temp: 58°C - Ryzen 7 9800X3D:
Avg FPS: 73 | Min FPS: 61 | Frame Time: 13.7ms
CPU Usage: 46% | Power: 74W | Temp: 47°C
Memory: 12.7GB | GPU Usage: 99% | VRAM: 7.6GB
GPU Power: 365W | Temp: 56°C
Summary:
Both platforms achieved similar average FPS, with Ryzen 7 9800X3D having a higher minimum FPS (+4). Ryzen consumed more power (+29W) but ran cooler by 2°C.
5. Comparative Conclusion
When tested at 1080p resolution, the Core i3-14100F platform consistently shows significantly higher CPU utilization compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform. Meanwhile, the Core i3-14100F struggles to fully utilize the performance of the GeForce RTX 4090, resulting in substantially lower overall gaming performance compared to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform.
However, at 4K resolution, the situation changes. The Core i3-14100F platform is generally able to achieve near-maximum utilization of the GeForce RTX 4090, similar to the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform.
Key Findings:
- At 4K, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform still maintains a slight performance advantage over the Core i3-14100F platform. However, the margin is small, and the results are close to a draw, validating the saying: “Below 4K, all CPUs are equal.”
- Even in scenarios where the GPU usage and overall gaming performance are similar, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform exhibits significantly lower CPU utilization compared to the Core i3-14100F, highlighting its superior overall gaming capability.
It’s evident that for comparing CPU gaming performance, using 4K resolution is inappropriate. At 4K, the GPU carries the majority of the workload, masking the true differences in gaming performance between processors. This explains why testing CPU gaming performance is primarily conducted at 1080p resolution instead of 4K.
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