Archeage

The Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti pairing in Archeage presents a typical high-end desktop configuration with a clear division of labor. The CPU provides six cores and twelve threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, built on Intel's Rocket Lake architecture using a 14 nm process. This processor's multi-threaded capacity is evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14,340 points, while its single-core performance, often critical for MMORPGs, reaches a Geekbench single-core score of 1,777. The GPU, an Ampere-architecture GA102 chip on an 8 nm process, brings 10,240 shading units and 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. In Archeage, the data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is more than capable of feeding the GPU, as frame rates scale dramatically with settings, indicating that the graphics card is the primary variable in performance outcomes at lower resolutions. However, the relationship is not static; at higher resolutions, the workload shifts, and the GPU's raw compute becomes the limiting factor, as evidenced by the substantial FPS drops when moving from 1440p to 4K.

The benchmark results for this combo in Archeage place it at rank 993 out of 3,708 tested configurations, which is a solidly above-average position, given that the CPU and GPU individually sit in the 71st and 83rd percentiles of all tested parts, respectively. The combo's performance is not defined by a single bottleneck, but rather a dynamic balance that shifts with resolution and settings. The absence of min/max FPS data for several settings, particularly High and Ultra across all resolutions, means that frame time consistency can only be assessed for Medium settings, where the data shows stable ranges. For instance, at 1080p Medium, the frame rate holds between 158 and 214 FPS, with an average of 186, suggesting a well-tuned experience. The data underscores a critical point: while the CPU is robust, the game's engine appears to scale significantly with graphical fidelity, making the RTX 3080 Ti's capabilities the dominant factor in determining the playable experience, especially when pushing beyond 1080p.

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

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a six-core, twelve-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture, manufactured on a 14 nm process. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz are standard for its generation, and its 12 MB of shared L3 cache is a key resource for gaming workloads that require rapid data access. In the context of Archeage, an MMORPG, the CPU's role is to manage game logic, physics, and the numerous entities typical of a persistent online world. The processor's single-thread performance, measured at 868 points in 3DMark's single-thread test and 1,777 in Geekbench single-core, is crucial for maintaining consistent frame times in scenarios where a single core is the primary worker. The multi-threaded scores, such as 14,340 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, indicate that the CPU can handle background tasks and other game threads without compromising the main rendering pipeline.

The relationship between the CPU and the game's results is most evident at lower resolutions. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 198 FPS, which is 71 FPS higher than at 1440p Low (141 FPS) and 117 FPS higher than at 4K Low (81 FPS). This scaling suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is able to feed the GPU with enough data to keep it busy, but the GPU is not being fully utilized because the graphical load is low. As the resolution increases, the GPU's rendering workload becomes more demanding, and the CPU's role becomes less about being the primary bottleneck and more about maintaining a stable frame delivery. The data shows that the CPU is not holding the system back at 1080p, as the frame rates are exceptionally high, but the performance drop from 1080p to 1440p at the same settings is significant, indicating that the GPU is starting to become the limiting factor.

The CPU's architecture, with its 14 nm process, is less efficient than newer designs, but its performance in this game is still sufficient to avoid being a major constraint. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 5,619 and the max-thread score of 5,652 are indicative of its ability to handle multi-threaded workloads, but in Archeage, the single-thread performance is more likely to be the deciding factor. The processor's boost clock of 4.40 GHz is a significant advantage for games that rely on high-frequency single-core execution. The benchmark results show that the CPU's performance is stable across different resolutions, with the FPS drops being more attributable to the GPU's rendering capabilities rather than CPU limitations. The data suggests that this CPU is a capable partner for the RTX 3080 Ti, providing enough headroom for the GPU to perform at its best, particularly at 1440p and 4K where the GPU is more heavily utilized.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings for this combo?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 127 FPS.

Q: How does the combo's performance at 4K Ultra compare to its 1080p Ultra performance?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 33, while at 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 86, representing a significant drop of 53 FPS when moving to the higher resolution.

Q: What is the best-performing settings preset at 1440p based on the measured data?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields the highest average FPS at 141, followed by Medium at 125 FPS, and High at 85 FPS.

Q: Is there a frame rate range available for Medium settings at 4K?

A: Yes, at 3840x2160 with Medium settings, the measured FPS ranges from a minimum of 61 to a maximum of 83, with an average of 72 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The CPU's 3DMark single-thread score is 868, while its 3DMark max-thread score is 5,652, showing a roughly 6.5x difference in multi-threaded throughput.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank in Archeage out of all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 993rd out of 3,708 total tested combos in the game.

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

The measured FPS data across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of GPU-bound scaling. At 1080p, the system is capable of generating extremely high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting 198 FPS and Medium reaching 186 FPS. When moving to 1440p, these numbers drop to 141 FPS and 125 FPS, respectively, representing a 28.8% decrease for Low and a 32.8% decrease for Medium. This substantial drop indicates that the GPU's rendering pipeline is becoming a more significant factor, as the pixel count increases by 78% from 1080p to 1440p. However, the CPU is still able to maintain high enough frame rates that the experience remains fluid. The High preset at 1440p drops to 85 FPS, which is a 33.1% decrease from the 127 FPS at 1080p, further confirming that the GPU is the primary bottleneck.

The transition from 1440p to 4K shows an even more pronounced effect. At 4K, the Low preset averages 81 FPS, a 42.6% drop from the 141 FPS at 1440p. Medium settings at 4K average 72 FPS, a 42.4% drop from 125 FPS. The High preset at 4K falls to 49 FPS, which is a 42.4% decrease from 85 FPS. These consistent drops across settings suggest that the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU's workload does not increase proportionally with resolution. The RTX 3080 Ti's 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 384-bit bus are capable of handling the bandwidth requirements, but the raw compute power, measured at 34.10 TFLOPS FP32, is insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K with demanding settings. The Ultra preset at 4K drops to 33 FPS, which is a 43.1% decrease from the 58 FPS at 1440p, and a 61.6% decrease from the 86 FPS at 1080p.

The data indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck at any resolution. The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K follows a predictable pattern based on pixel count, with the GPU being the primary driver of performance. The CPU's high single-thread performance, as evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 868, allows it to keep up with the GPU's demands even at lower resolutions where frame rates are high. The fact that the FPS drops are relatively consistent across settings (around 42-43% when moving from 1440p to 4K) suggests that the GPU is operating at its limits, and the CPU is not introducing additional frame time variance. This is a classic sign of a well-balanced system where the GPU is the limiting factor, and the CPU has enough headroom to avoid becoming a secondary constraint.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo of the Intel Core i5-11400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti ranks 993rd out of 3,708 tested combinations in Archeage. This places it in the top 26.8% of all tested systems, which is a solid result for a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU. The ranking reflects the overall system performance, which is heavily weighted toward the GPU's capabilities given the game's scaling behavior. The CPU's individual percentile of 71% among all CPUs and the GPU's percentile of 83% among all GPUs indicate that the GPU is the stronger component in this pairing. The combo rank is not as high as the GPU's percentile would suggest, likely due to the CPU's more modest standing and the fact that the game's engine may not fully utilize the CPU's multi-threading capabilities.

In comparison to other tested combos, this system's performance is above average, but not exceptional. The rank of 993 out of 3,708 means there are 992 combos that outperform it, which likely include systems with more powerful CPUs such as higher-end Core i9 or Ryzen 9 processors that can provide better minimum frame rates in CPU-heavy scenarios. However, the data shows that the i5-11400F is not a weak partner, as its benchmark scores are competitive. The CPU's average benchmark score of 17,177 is very close to its nearest rivals, with the AMD EPYC 7H12 scoring 17,120 (a 0.3% difference) and the Intel Core i5-12450H scoring 17,239 (a -0.4% difference). This indicates that the CPU is performing as expected for its class.

The GPU's rank among all GPUs is 83rd percentile, with an average benchmark score of 41,187. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 (40,870, a 0.8% difference) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (40,377, a 2% difference). This shows that the RTX 3080 Ti is a high-performing GPU, and its performance in Archeage is consistent with its overall benchmark standing. The combo rank of 993 is likely influenced by the CPU's lower percentile, as systems with top-tier CPUs would have a higher combo rank even with the same GPU. The data suggests that to improve the combo's rank, a more powerful CPU would be needed, but the current pairing still delivers a highly playable experience, especially at 1080p and 1440p.

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 target resolution and desired frame rate. At 1080p, the Medium preset offers an excellent balance, with an average FPS of 186 and a minimum of 158 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay without the need for the highest graphical fidelity. The High preset at 1080p yields 127 FPS, which is still very smooth, but the jump from Medium to High results in a 31.7% performance drop for likely marginal visual improvements. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 86 FPS, which is playable but not as fluid as the lower presets. For competitive or fast-paced gameplay, the Low preset at 198 FPS provides the highest frame rate, but the visual quality is significantly reduced.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, delivering an average of 125 FPS with a minimum of 107 FPS. This provides a high refresh rate experience with good visual quality. The High preset at 1440p averages 85 FPS, which is still playable but represents a 32% drop from Medium. The Low preset at 141 FPS is the best for maximum frame rates, but it sacrifices visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 58 FPS, which may be acceptable for some users but is not ideal for fast-paced action. At 4K, the Medium preset is the only viable option for a smooth experience, with an average of 72 FPS and a minimum of 61 FPS. The High preset at 4K averages 49 FPS, which is on the edge of playability, while the Low preset at 81 FPS offers the best performance but with reduced graphics. The Ultra preset at 4K is not recommended, as the 33 FPS average is too low for a smooth experience.

The data suggests that Medium settings provide the best overall experience across all resolutions, as they offer a good balance between visual quality and performance. The measured min/max FPS for Medium settings at all resolutions show stable frame times, with the 1080p Medium having a range of 158-214 FPS, 1440p Medium having 107-144 FPS, and 4K Medium having 61-83 FPS. This consistency indicates that the system can maintain a stable frame rate without significant drops, making Medium the most reliable preset. For users with high refresh rate monitors at 1080p or 1440p, the Low preset can provide even higher frame rates, but the visual compromise may not be worth it for all players. The High preset is a good middle ground for those who prioritize visuals over raw frame rate, but the performance hit is notable.

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

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS of 198. No min/max data recorded.
• Medium: Average FPS of 186, with a minimum of 158 FPS and a maximum of 214 FPS.
• High: Average FPS of 127. No min/max data recorded.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 86. No min/max data recorded.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS of 141. No min/max data recorded.
• Medium: Average FPS of 125, with a minimum of 107 FPS and a maximum of 144 FPS.
• High: Average FPS of 85. No min/max data recorded.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 58. No min/max data recorded.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS of 81. No min/max data recorded.
• Medium: Average FPS of 72, with a minimum of 61 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS.
• High: Average FPS of 49. No min/max data recorded.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 33. No min/max data recorded.

The data reveals a clear hierarchy in performance. At 1080p, the system is capable of delivering high frame rates across all settings, with the Low preset exceeding 200 FPS on average and the Medium preset staying above 150 FPS even at its minimum. The High preset at 1080p is still very smooth at 127 FPS, while Ultra drops to 86 FPS. At 1440p, the performance scales down proportionally, with the Low preset at 141 FPS and the Medium preset at 125 FPS. The High preset at 1440p is 85 FPS, which is a 33.1% drop from 1080p High. The Ultra preset at 1440p is 58 FPS, which is a 32.6% drop from 1080p Ultra. At 4K, the performance drops further, with the Low preset at 81 FPS and the Medium preset at 72 FPS. The High preset at 4K is 49 FPS, which is a 42.4% drop from 1440p High, and the Ultra preset at 4K is 33 FPS, a 43.1% drop from 1440p Ultra.

The min/max FPS data for Medium settings provides insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p, the range from 158 to 214 FPS indicates a stable performance with minimal variance. At 1440p, the range from 107 to 144 FPS shows similar consistency, with the average sitting near the middle of the range. At 4K, the range from 61 to 83 FPS is narrower, suggesting that the GPU is more consistently loaded at higher resolutions. The lack of min/max data for Low, High, and Ultra presets means that frame time stability cannot be fully assessed for those settings, but the average FPS figures provide a reliable performance indicator. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown shows that the system is capable of delivering a highly playable experience at 1080p and 1440p across all settings, while at 4K, only the Low and Medium presets provide acceptable performance.