Archeage

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2453rd out of 2761 tested combos in Archeage, placing it in the bottom 11 percent of all configurations. This is a combination where the GPU is the dominant limiting factor, as the Arc B390’s average benchmark score of 1482 lands it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, while the Core i3-12100F sits in the 68th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 13494. The result is a system that can produce playable frame rates at lower settings and resolutions, but it falls well short of smooth performance at higher presets or 4K output.

The measured FPS data confirms this hierarchy. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 71 FPS, which is the only setting where the frame rate approaches what most players would consider fluid for an MMORPG. Moving to Medium at 1080p drops the average to 64 FPS, while High falls to 43 FPS and Ultra to 29 FPS. At 1440p, the numbers decline further: Low averages 48 FPS, Medium 43 FPS, High 29 FPS, and Ultra 20 FPS. At 4K, the situation becomes marginal at best, with Low at 28 FPS, Medium at 25 FPS, High at 17 FPS, and Ultra at 11 FPS. This pattern indicates that the Arc B390’s limited compute resources—1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs—are being saturated well before the CPU becomes a constraint.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 2453 out of 2761 puts this configuration in the lower 11.2% of all tested pairings for Archeage. That is a low standing, but it is not catastrophic; the data shows that roughly 308 combos perform worse. The ranking reflects the severe imbalance between the CPU and GPU. The Core i3-12100F, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, delivers strong single-thread and multi-thread performance for its class—its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860 and single-core score of 1674 place it well above many older desktop processors. However, the Arc B390 is an integrated graphics solution with a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of only 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This GPU score is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463, deltaPct 1.3) and only marginally ahead of the GeForce 800M (1460, deltaPct 1.5) and GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446, deltaPct 2.5). The nearest rival, the GT 520MX, is a dedicated entry-level GPU from over a decade ago, which underscores how far behind modern discrete graphics the Arc B390 sits.

In Archeage specifically, the measured FPS data shows that the GPU is the bottleneck in virtually every scenario. The CPU’s 3DMark scores—4051 in the 16-thread test, 4026 in the 8-thread test, and 4023 in the max-thread test—indicate that it has enough throughput to feed a much faster GPU. The 2-thread score of 1659 and single-thread score of 893 are respectable for a quad-core part, and the PassMark multi-thread score of 14015 with a single-thread score of 3444 confirms that the CPU is not the primary limiter. The data suggests that pairing this CPU with a stronger discrete GPU would yield significantly higher frame rates in Archeage, whereas the current GPU holds the entire system back.

The percentile rankings reinforce this conclusion. The CPU’s 68th percentile means it outperforms roughly two-thirds of all CPUs in the database, while the GPU’s 9th percentile means it outperforms fewer than one in ten GPUs. In a game like Archeage, which is an MMORPG from 2014 with modest graphical demands, the CPU should be more than adequate; the GPU is what drags the combo down to the bottom 11% of all pairings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best playable setting for this combo in Archeage?

A: The data shows that 1080p Low produces an average of 71 FPS, which is the highest measured frame rate for this configuration. 1080p Medium averages 64 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS and maximum of 73 FPS, making it a viable alternative if visual quality is preferred over raw FPS. At 1440p, only Low (48 FPS) and Medium (43 FPS) approach playable levels, while 4K is not recommended at any setting.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390’s average benchmark score is 1482, which is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M (1460), and 2.5% higher than the GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446). The closest rival, the GT 520MX, is a legacy entry-level part, indicating that the Arc B390’s performance tier is extremely low by modern standards.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F strong enough for Archeage?

A: Yes, the CPU data indicates it is more than sufficient. The Core i3-12100F has a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860 and a single-core score of 1674, with a PassMark single-thread score of 3444. Its 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs means it outperforms most processors in the database, and its 4 cores and 8 threads at base 3.30 GHz and boost 4.30 GHz provide ample compute for an MMORPG. The bottleneck is entirely on the GPU side.

Q: What happens to frame rates when moving from 1080p to 1440p and 4K?

A: At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 71 at 1080p to 48 at 1440p and 28 at 4K. At Medium, it drops from 64 to 43 to 25. At High, the drop is from 43 to 29 to 17. At Ultra, the drop is from 29 to 20 to 11. The percentage declines are steep, especially from 1080p to 1440p, where Low loses 32.4% of its frame rate, indicating that the GPU is heavily stressed by the resolution increase.

Q: What is the combo’s overall rank in Archeage?

A: The combo ranks 2453rd out of 2761 tested combinations, which places it in the bottom 11% of all configurations. This is consistent with the GPU’s low 9th percentile ranking and the CPU’s comparatively strong 68th percentile ranking.

Q: Can this combo maintain 60 FPS in Archeage?

A: No. The only measured setting that reaches 60 FPS or above is 1080p Low, which averages 71 FPS. 1080p Medium averages 64 FPS, which is also above 60, but every other setting and resolution falls below this threshold. At 1440p, the highest average is 48 FPS on Low, and at 4K, the highest is 28 FPS on Low.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of severe performance degradation as resolution increases. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 71 FPS at 1080p to 48 FPS at 1440p, a drop of 23 FPS or 32.4%. From 1440p to 4K, it falls from 48 FPS to 28 FPS, another drop of 20 FPS or 41.7%. The total drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low is 43 FPS, representing a 60.6% reduction in frame rate. This is a massive scaling penalty that points directly to the GPU as the limiting component, as the Arc B390’s memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent" and its memory size and type are both "System Shared," meaning it relies on the CPU’s memory bus for all graphics data.

At Medium settings, the scaling is similar but with lower absolute values. 1080p Medium averages 64 FPS, 1440p Medium averages 43 FPS (a 32.8% drop), and 4K Medium averages 25 FPS (a 41.9% drop from 1440p). The minimum FPS at 1080p Medium is 54, which drops to 36 at 1440p Medium and 21 at 4K Medium. These minimums show that the GPU struggles to maintain consistent frame pacing at higher resolutions, with the 4K Medium minimum of 21 FPS being barely playable for an MMORPG.

High settings show the same trend but with even lower starting points. 1080p High averages 43 FPS, 1440p High drops to 29 FPS (a 32.6% reduction), and 4K High falls to 17 FPS (a 41.4% reduction from 1440p). Ultra settings are the worst, with 1080p Ultra at 29 FPS, 1440p Ultra at 20 FPS, and 4K Ultra at 11 FPS. The 4K Ultra result of 11 FPS is essentially a slideshow, confirming that this combo cannot handle high-fidelity graphics at high resolutions.

The scaling behavior indicates that the GPU’s fill rate and pixel throughput are the primary constraints. The Arc B390 has a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s, which are extremely low figures for a modern GPU. At 4K, the GPU must process over 8 million pixels per frame, and with only 24 ROPs, it simply cannot keep up. The CPU, by contrast, shows no signs of being the bottleneck, as its 3DMark scores remain consistent across thread counts (4051 for 16 threads, 4026 for 8 threads, 4023 for max threads), indicating that it has spare headroom even when the GPU is fully loaded.

Settings Recommendations

The optimal setting for this combo depends on the user’s priority between frame rate and visual quality, but the data clearly favors 1080p Low for most players. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 71 FPS, which is the only measured configuration that exceeds 70 FPS. This provides a smooth experience for an MMORPG where responsiveness matters in combat and group activities. The 1080p Medium setting averages 64 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS, which is also playable, and it offers improved textures and effects over Low. For users who want the best balance, 1080p Medium is the recommended choice, as the 7 FPS difference between Low and Medium is relatively small compared to the visual gains.

At 1440p, the situation is more constrained. Low averages 48 FPS, which is playable for a slower-paced MMORPG, while Medium averages 43 FPS. Both are below 60 FPS, so users will notice some stutter in busy scenes, but they are acceptable for casual play. High and Ultra at 1440p (29 FPS and 20 FPS, respectively) are not recommended, as they fall below the threshold for comfortable gameplay. 4K is not viable for any setting, with the highest average being 28 FPS at Low and the lowest being 11 FPS at Ultra. The data suggests that users should avoid 4K entirely unless they are willing to accept sub-30 FPS performance.

The measured minimum FPS values provide additional guidance. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 54 FPS, which means the frame rate rarely dips below playable levels. At 1440p Medium, the minimum drops to 36 FPS, which can be noticeable in crowded areas. At 4K Medium, the minimum of 21 FPS is borderline unplayable. For a game like Archeage, where large player gatherings and intense combat can cause frame drops, the 1080p Medium setting with its 54 FPS minimum is the safest recommendation. Users who prioritize smoothness above all else should choose 1080p Low, while those who want better visuals can try 1080p Medium and adjust based on their tolerance for occasional dips.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data covers three resolutions (1920x1080, 2560x1440, 3840x2160) and four settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra), for a total of 12 configurations. At 1080p, the results are as follows: Low averages 71 FPS, Medium averages 64 FPS with a minimum of 54 and maximum of 73, High averages 43 FPS, and Ultra averages 29 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 42 FPS, with each step up in settings costing a significant portion of performance. The transition from Low to Medium costs 7 FPS (a 9.9% drop), from Medium to High costs 21 FPS (a 32.8% drop), and from High to Ultra costs 14 FPS (a 32.6% drop). This shows that the Medium to High transition is the most expensive in terms of frame rate, likely due to increased texture and shadow quality.

At 1440p, the results are: Low averages 48 FPS, Medium averages 43 FPS with a minimum of 36 and maximum of 49, High averages 29 FPS, and Ultra averages 20 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 28 FPS. The drop from Low to Medium is 5 FPS (10.4%), from Medium to High is 14 FPS (32.6%), and from High to Ultra is 9 FPS (31.0%). The pattern is consistent, with the Medium to High step being the largest single drop in both absolute and percentage terms. At 1440p, even Low fails to reach 50 FPS, indicating that the GPU is already struggling at this resolution.

At 4K, the results are: Low averages 28 FPS, Medium averages 25 FPS with a minimum of 21 and maximum of 28, High averages 17 FPS, and Ultra averages 11 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 17 FPS. The drop from Low to Medium is 3 FPS (10.7%), from Medium to High is 8 FPS (32.0%), and from High to Ultra is 6 FPS (35.3%). The 4K results are uniformly poor, with no setting reaching 30 FPS. The maximum FPS at 4K Medium is 28, which is the same as the average for 4K Low, confirming that the GPU has hit a hard ceiling at this resolution.

Comparing across resolutions, the 1080p Low result of 71 FPS is more than double the 4K Low result of 28 FPS, and the 1080p Ultra result of 29 FPS is nearly identical to the 4K Low result of 28 FPS. This means that a user who wants 4K performance would need to drop to Low settings to match what 1080p Ultra achieves. The data shows that the combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with acceptable performance at Medium settings and playable performance at Low settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a quad-core processor with 8 threads, based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, with a TDP of 58 watts. The CPU’s cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a modest configuration by modern standards, but for an MMORPG like Archeage, which was released in 2014 and does not require high core counts, it is more than adequate. The CPU’s benchmark scores support this: its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860 and single-core score of 1674 are strong for a budget part, and its PassMark multi-thread score of 14015 with a single-thread score of 3444 place it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

The CPU’s performance in the 3DMark thread scaling tests is particularly telling. The 16-thread score of 4051, 8-thread score of 4026, and max-thread score of 4023 are nearly identical, indicating that the CPU hits its performance ceiling at 8 threads (which corresponds to its 4 physical cores with hyperthreading). The 2-thread score of 1659 and single-thread score of 893 are roughly half of the 4-thread score of 2859, showing that the CPU scales well with thread count. For Archeage, which likely uses only a few threads for its game logic, the CPU’s single-thread performance is crucial, and the 3DMark single-thread score of 893 is respectable.

In the measured FPS data, the CPU’s role is secondary to the GPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect frame rates to remain relatively flat across resolutions, since the CPU’s workload does not change with resolution. Instead, the frame rates drop dramatically as resolution increases, from 71 FPS at 1080p Low to 28 FPS at 4K Low. This is a classic sign of GPU limitation. The CPU is capable of producing much higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 71 FPS at 1080p Low, but the GPU cannot keep up at higher resolutions. The CPU’s 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for Archeage’s MMO workload, which involves player positions, NPC AI, and game state updates, but these tasks are not as demanding as the GPU’s rendering tasks.

The CPU’s memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus. The GPU uses system shared memory, which means that the CPU’s memory bandwidth directly impacts GPU performance. With a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost of 4.30 GHz, the CPU can feed the GPU quickly, but the GPU’s rendering capabilities are the limiting factor. The CPU’s 12 MB of L3 cache is shared across all cores, which helps with game data that is accessed frequently. Overall, the Core i3-12100F is a competent processor that is wasted in this configuration; it would perform much better with a discrete GPU, but in Archeage, the Arc B390 holds it back from achieving its full potential.