Archeage

The Intel Core i5-12400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT delivers a mid-pack performance tier for Archeage, ranking 1,079 out of 1,727 tested combos. This places the pairing in the lower half of the database, indicating that while the system is fully capable of running the MMORPG, it does not excel in pushing extreme frame rates at the highest visual fidelity. The ranking reflects a balance where the CPU's strong multi-threaded capabilities, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,935, are sufficient for the game's mechanics, but the GPU's performance ceiling becomes a limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1,079 out of 1,727 tested configurations suggests a solid, mainstream performance level. The Intel Core i5-12400 is a competent processor, sitting in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19,850. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-9700, which scores 19,831 (a 0.1% difference), and the Intel Core i5-11600K at 19,771 (0.4% higher). This indicates the CPU is well within the performance envelope of previous-generation i7 parts, offering comparable compute throughput for a 6-core, 12-thread design with a 4.40 GHz boost clock.

For the GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT holds the 72nd percentile among all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 29,024. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6800M, scores 29,011, a negligible 0% difference, while the Intel Arc A370M is 0.5% behind at 29,175. This suggests the RX 6650 XT is positioned as a capable 1080p and 1440p performer, but its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 128-bit bus width limit its high-resolution potential. The combination of a slightly above-average CPU with a mid-tier GPU results in the observed 1,079th rank, where the system handles the game's demands without being a top-tier contender.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT plays a pivotal role in determining frame rates, particularly as resolution and settings increase. With a base clock of 2,055 MHz, a game clock of 2,410 MHz, and a boost clock of 2,635 MHz, the GPU has a significant clock speed advantage over many competitors. The memory operates at 2,190 MHz, translating to 17.5 Gbps effective, providing a bandwidth of 280.3 GB/s. This bandwidth is crucial for texture streaming in MMORPGs like Archeage, where large open-world environments require rapid data access.

The GPU's 8 GB VRAM capacity is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K Ultra settings, the system's average frame rate drops to 22.8 FPS, suggesting the memory buffer and 128-bit bus become strained. The RX 6650 XT's compute capabilities, with 2,048 shading units and a texture rate of 337.3 GTexel/s, are well-suited for the game's DirectX 11 rendering path, as evidenced by a Passmark DirectX 11 score of 169. However, the GPU's performance relative to its rivals, such as the AMD Radeon RX 470 (0.1% difference in average score), indicates it is not positioned for extreme high-refresh-rate gaming at maximum fidelity.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-12400 bottleneck the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT in Archeage?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck. The i5-12400's multi-core performance, with a Cinebench R23 score of 15,935, far exceeds the demands of the game. The limiting factor is the GPU, as frame rates scale more dramatically with resolution and settings changes than with CPU-bound tasks.

Q: What is the best settings preset for this combo at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 135 FPS, while Medium yields 121.9 FPS. The High preset drops to 82.5 FPS, and Ultra falls to 54.2 FPS. For a balance of visual quality and smoothness, Medium is recommended, but High remains playable.

Q: Can this system handle 1440p gaming?

A: Yes, at 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers 91.3 FPS, and Medium achieves 81.6 FPS. High settings produce 58 FPS, which is still smooth, but Ultra drops to 35.9 FPS, which may feel less responsive in fast-paced scenarios.

Q: How does the RX 6650 XT compare to its nearest rivals in terms of raw GPU compute?

A: The RX 6650 XT has an average benchmark score of 29,024, which is virtually identical to the AMD Radeon RX 6800M at 29,011 (0% difference). It is slightly ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 470 (0.1% faster) and behind the Intel Arc A370M (0.5% slower).

Q: Is 8 GB of VRAM sufficient for Archeage at 4K?

A: The measured results show that at 3840x2160 Ultra, the average frame rate is 22.8 FPS, which is below playable thresholds. Even at High settings, the 4K average is 34.2 FPS, indicating the 8 GB memory and 128-bit bus are insufficient for smooth 4K gameplay.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 135 FPS, while Ultra averages 54.2 FPS. This represents a significant drop of approximately 60% in frame rate, highlighting the GPU's sensitivity to graphical fidelity settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for Archeage show a clear progression across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo performs best on Low settings with an average of 135 FPS. Medium settings reduce this to 121.9 FPS, while High settings yield 82.5 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, drops to 54.2 FPS. These figures indicate that the system is well-suited for high-refresh-rate monitors at 1080p when settings are kept at Medium or below.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales predictably. Low settings produce an average of 91.3 FPS, which is still excellent for competitive play. Medium settings deliver 81.6 FPS, maintaining smooth gameplay. High settings lower the average to 58 FPS, which is acceptable for most users, but Ultra settings fall to 35.9 FPS, making the experience less consistent. The data shows a 33% reduction in frame rate from Low to High at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's limitations become apparent. Low settings average 50.8 FPS, which is borderline playable, but Medium drops to 43.4 FPS. High settings average 34.2 FPS, and Ultra falls to 22.8 FPS. These numbers suggest that 4K gaming is only viable at Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is not ideal for a smooth experience. The RX 6650 XT's 8 GB VRAM and 280.3 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the higher memory demands of 4K textures.

Resolution Scaling

The scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a substantial performance drop that points to the GPU as the primary limiting component. At 1080p Ultra, the average frame rate is 54.2 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, this drops to 35.9 FPS, a reduction of about 34%. At 4K Ultra, the average falls to 22.8 FPS, representing a 58% decrease from the 1080p figure. This steep decline indicates that the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are overwhelmed at higher resolutions.

In contrast, the CPU's role remains relatively stable. The i5-12400's 12 threads and high single-thread performance, as shown by a Passmark single-thread score of 3,456, ensure that the game logic and draw calls are processed efficiently. The bottleneck is clearly the RX 6650 XT, which struggles to maintain frame rates as pixel count increases. The scaling from Low to High settings at each resolution follows a similar pattern, with the GPU's texture fill rate and memory bandwidth becoming the determining factors.

The data suggests that for optimal performance, users should target 1080p or 1440p with Medium or High settings. At these configurations, the combo can deliver smooth gameplay, with frame rates ranging from 58 to 135 FPS. The 4K resolution is not recommended, as even the lowest settings fail to reach 60 FPS, underscoring the GPU's mid-range positioning relative to the game's demands.