Archeage

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 presents an unusual combination for Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG. The benchmark data shows a system where the GPU dramatically outperforms the CPU in raw compute, yet the game’s performance scaling reveals a complex interaction between resolution, preset, and component bottleneck. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data, compares the combo against similar hardware, and provides clear guidance on the best settings for a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo achieves in Archeage at 1920x1080?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system reaches an average of 229 FPS. The Medium preset yields 220 FPS average, while High drops to 163 FPS and Ultra to 111 FPS.

Q: Can this system run Archeage at 60 FPS on Ultra settings at 2560x1440?

A: Yes. At 2560x1440 with Ultra settings, the measured average FPS is 75, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold. This makes Ultra the best playable preset at that resolution.

Q: At what resolution does the 60 FPS target become impossible to hit on the highest preset?

A: At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset averages only 43 FPS, falling below the 60 FPS threshold. The highest playable setting at 4K is High, which averages 63 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU’s performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core 3 N355, scores 13492 (0% difference), while the Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452 (0.3% slower). The Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594 (0.7% faster), and the Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351 (1.1% slower).

Q: What is the GPU’s rank among all tested graphics cards?

A: The RTX 4080 sits in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 54247. Its closest rival is the RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54209 (0.1% lower), while the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X scores 54828 (1.1% higher).

Q: Are there any settings where the FPS drops below the playable threshold?

A: Yes. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 43, which is below the 60 FPS playable threshold. All other tested combinations of resolution and preset stay above 60 FPS.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The Core i3-12100F’s benchmark performance is very tightly clustered with several other processors. The Intel Core 3 N355 is virtually identical, with a score of 13492 against the i3-12100F’s 13494, representing a 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-9500 is also nearly equivalent, scoring 13452 (0.3% slower). These two would likely yield almost indistinguishable frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios. Slightly faster alternatives include the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (0.7% faster), while the Intel Core i7-1250U at 13351 (1.1% slower) is marginally behind. For gaming, any of these processors should provide a similar baseline, though the i3-12100F’s 4 cores and 8 threads might be a limiting factor in newer titles.

On the GPU side, the RTX 4080 is closely matched with the RTX 4080 SUPER, which scores 54209 compared to the 4080’s 54247, a mere 0.1% difference. This means users would see practically identical performance. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X is slightly faster at 54828 (1.1% higher), and the AMD Radeon RX 6750 GRE 12 GB scores 55698 (2.6% higher). The AMD Radeon 8060S is also ahead at 55757 (2.7% higher). In practice, swapping the RTX 4080 for any of these would result in very similar frame rates in Archeage, with differences well within the margin of measurement error.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The dataset provides average, minimum, and maximum FPS for specific settings at each resolution. At 1920x1080, the Low preset hits an average of 229 FPS, Medium averages 220 FPS with a minimum of 187 and maximum of 253, High averages 163 FPS, and Ultra averages 111 FPS. This shows a clear downward trend as visual fidelity increases, but all settings remain far above the 60 FPS threshold.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance scales down as expected. Low averages 181 FPS, Medium averages 161 FPS with a range of 137 to 186, High averages 110 FPS, and Ultra averages 75 FPS. The Ultra setting still clears the 60 FPS bar comfortably. The step from High to Ultra at this resolution costs 35 FPS on average, which is a significant drop but leaves a playable result.

At 3840x2160, the strain on the system becomes evident. Low averages 104 FPS, Medium averages 92 FPS with a minimum of 79 and maximum of 106, High averages 63 FPS, and Ultra plummets to 43 FPS. The gap between Medium and High is 29 FPS, and the gap between High and Ultra is 20 FPS. This is the only resolution where the Ultra preset fails to maintain 60 FPS, making High the ceiling for a playable experience.

The Verdict

This system is fully capable of running Archeage at 60 FPS across most settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, all four presets—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—average above 60 FPS, with Ultra delivering 111 FPS. At 2560x1440, the same is true: Ultra averages 75 FPS, and every preset is playable. The situation changes at 3840x2160, where Ultra averages 43 FPS and is not playable. The highest playable setting at 4K is High, which averages 63 FPS, just barely clearing the threshold. The verdict by resolution is clear: for 1080p and 1440p, users can max out the settings; for 4K, they must settle for High or below.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling across resolutions reveals a classic pattern of shifting bottlenecks. At 1920x1080, the CPU is likely the limiting factor. The frame rates are extremely high—229 FPS on Low—but the drop from Low to Ultra is only 118 FPS (from 229 to 111), which is a 51% reduction. This suggests that while the GPU is handling more work at Ultra, the CPU is still able to feed it enough data to maintain over 100 FPS. The RTX 4080’s immense power is not fully utilized at this resolution because the i3-12100F’s 4 cores become the constraint.

At 2560x1440, the balance shifts. The Low preset drops from 229 FPS to 181 FPS, a 48 FPS reduction, while Ultra drops from 111 FPS to 75 FPS, a 36 FPS reduction. The GPU is now doing more work per frame, which relieves some pressure on the CPU. The fact that Ultra still hits 75 FPS indicates that the GPU is capable of handling the load, but the CPU’s single-thread performance is still a factor.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the dominant bottleneck. The Low preset falls to 104 FPS, and Ultra averages only 43 FPS. The 61 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 4K (from 104 to 43) shows that the GPU is struggling with the higher resolution and settings. The CPU’s role diminishes as the GPU’s pixel-pushing workload increases. In simple terms, at 1080p the CPU matters more, at 1440p both matter, and at 4K the GPU is the primary driver of performance.

How This Combo Ranks

Among all tested hardware combinations for Archeage, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ranks 309th out of 3708 combinations. This places it in the top 8.3% of all tested systems, which is a strong showing. The high rank is largely attributable to the RTX 4080’s exceptional performance, as the CPU is only in the 68th percentile. This suggests that while the GPU is a top-tier component, the CPU holds the combo back from reaching even higher ranks. In a game like Archeage, which is an older MMORPG, the GPU’s raw power is more than sufficient, but the CPU’s limited core count may prevent the system from achieving the absolute highest frame rates seen in the top-ranked combos.

Best Settings per Resolution

For users seeking the most demanding visual preset that still maintains at least 60 FPS, the data provides a clear answer for each resolution.

At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 111 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. There is no need to compromise on visual quality at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, Ultra remains the best option, averaging 75 FPS. This is still comfortably above the playable threshold, though users sensitive to frame drops should note the minimum FPS data is not provided for this preset. The Medium preset, with a minimum of 137 FPS, offers a more consistent experience for those who prioritize frame stability.

At 3840x2160, the best playable setting is High, which averages 63 FPS. This is just 3 FPS above the threshold, so users may experience occasional dips below 60 FPS in heavy scenes. For a more comfortable margin, the Medium preset averages 92 FPS with a minimum of 79 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience. The Ultra preset is not recommended at 4K, as its 43 FPS average falls well below the playable standard.