Archeage

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. In Archeage, the data shows a clear pattern: at 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 209.7 FPS, which drops to 143.3 FPS at 1440p and 79.6 FPS at 4K. This scaling indicates that at lower resolutions and settings, the CPU has ample headroom, as the frame rate is likely limited by the graphics card rather than the processor. The CPU’s multi-threaded performance is respectable, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16518 and a PassMark multithread score of 19433. However, the single-thread score of 3481 in PassMark and 2332 in Cinebench R23 suggests that while the processor handles light threading well, it is not a top-tier performer in single-core tasks, which can matter in an MMORPG with many simultaneous players.

The i5-12400F sits at the 77th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 19221. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-8700K, which scores 19210 (a delta of 0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS at 19364 (a delta of -0.7%). This places the i5-12400F in a tight cluster where performance differences are negligible, meaning its role in Archeage is largely dependent on the GPU and settings. In the measured data, the CPU does not appear to be the bottleneck at 1080p, as frame rates exceed 200 FPS on Low, but at 4K Ultra, the frame rate collapses to 34.4 FPS, suggesting that the GPU is the primary limiting component, not the processor. The 3DMark scores further contextualize this: the processor scores 5895 in the 16-thread test and 909 in single-thread, which are moderate figures that align with its mid-range positioning.

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

Archeage is an MMORPG that historically relies on a mix of single-threaded game logic and multi-threaded rendering tasks. The i5-12400F’s 6 cores and 12 threads provide a balanced foundation, but the data from this combo suggests that the CPU is rarely the limiting factor in the measured results. At 1080p Low, the system pushes 209.7 FPS, which is a high frame rate that indicates the CPU can feed the GPU efficiently at lower graphical loads. The boost clock of 4.40 GHz is crucial here, as higher clocks help maintain frame pacing in scenarios with many on-screen characters, a common occurrence in MMORPGs. The L3 cache of 18 MB shared is adequate for the game’s data access patterns, though not exceptional.

Comparing to its nearest rivals, the i5-12400F’s average score of 19221 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-8700K (19210, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-1335U (19167, delta 0.3%). This means that in pure CPU benchmarks, the i5-12400F is indistinguishable from older high-end parts, but the real-world Archeage results show a different story. At 1440p High, the combo hits 83.6 FPS, which is 34% lower than the 1080p High result of 126.7 FPS. This drop is more attributed to the GPU workload than CPU limits, as the processor’s thread utilization is unlikely to change with resolution. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 1699 and 4-thread score of 3067 indicate that at lower thread counts, the CPU performs adequately, but the game’s performance at 4K Ultra (34.4 FPS) suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck—otherwise, we would see a more uniform scaling across settings.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured frames per second provide a clear hierarchy of settings. At 1080p, the Low preset yields 209.7 FPS, Medium delivers 185.4 FPS, High drops to 126.7 FPS, and Ultra falls to 86.3 FPS. The jump from High to Ultra is a 32% reduction in frame rate, which is significant for a settings change that may not offer proportional visual improvements in an older game. At 1440p, the pattern repeats: Low gives 143.3 FPS, Medium 128.5 FPS, High 83.6 FPS, and Ultra 58.7 FPS. The most balanced experience appears to be Medium or High at 1440p, as they provide frame rates above 80 FPS, which is smooth for an MMORPG. At 4K, the options are more constrained: Low yields 79.6 FPS, Medium 72.6 FPS, High 51.4 FPS, and Ultra 34.4 FPS. For a playable experience at 4K, the Low preset is recommended, as it stays above 60 FPS, while Medium is close at 72.6 FPS but still playable. The data suggests that High at 1080p (126.7 FPS) is a sweet spot, offering a balance between visual quality and performance, but if the user prioritizes maximum fluidity, Low at 1080p is the best option.

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

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K is revealing. At High settings, the FPS drops from 126.7 at 1080p to 83.6 at 1440p (a 34% reduction) and then to 51.4 at 4K (a 59% reduction from 1080p). This scaling is typical of a GPU-bound scenario, where the increased pixel count places more strain on the graphics card. At Low settings, the drop is from 209.7 at 1080p to 143.3 at 1440p (a 32% drop) and then to 79.6 at 4K (a 62% drop). The consistent percentage drops across settings suggest that the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU’s workload does not change with resolution. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect frame rates to remain relatively flat across resolutions, especially at lower settings where the GPU is less stressed. The fact that 4K Ultra yields only 34.4 FPS, while 1080p Ultra yields 86.3 FPS, further reinforces that the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the primary constraint at higher resolutions. The GPU’s 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and 644.6 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient, but the raw compute power is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K Ultra in this title.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for this system in Archeage?

A: Based on the measured data, 1080p with Low settings provides the highest average FPS at 209.7, while 1440p Medium offers a strong balance at 128.5 FPS. For 4K, Low settings are recommended to stay above 60 FPS at 79.6 FPS.

Q: How does the i5-12400F compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-8700K?

A: The i5-12400F has an average benchmark score of 19221, which is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-8700K’s score of 19210, indicating virtually identical CPU performance.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in Archeage at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, as frame rates drop significantly from 1080p to 4K (e.g., from 126.7 to 51.4 FPS at High settings), while the CPU’s workload remains constant across resolutions.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Ultra and Low settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, Low settings produce 143.3 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 58.7 FPS, a difference of 84.6 FPS, showing that Ultra is 59% slower.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-12400F?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core i5-12400F is $174.

Q: How does the RX 9070 XT’s performance in Archeage compare to its rivals?

A: The RX 9070 XT has an average benchmark score of 39647, which is 0.1% lower than the AMD Radeon Pro 575 (39703) and 0.2% higher than the NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile (39568), showing a tight competition.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture with a Navi 48 chip, featuring 4096 shading units and 128 ROPs. Its boost clock of 2970 MHz and game clock of 2400 MHz are high, which helps in pushing frame rates in an MMORPG like Archeage, which is not heavily GPU-intensive at lower settings. The 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides 644.6 GB/s of bandwidth, which is more than adequate for the game’s textures and assets, even at 4K. The GPU’s performance in Archeage is reflected in the measured FPS: at 1080p Low, it achieves 209.7 FPS, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 34.4 FPS. This is a 83% reduction in frame rate, indicating that the GPU is heavily taxed by the combination of high resolution and high settings. The GPU’s PassMark G3D score of 26795 and 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 7260 place it in the 82nd percentile among all GPUs, but its nearest rivals—the AMD Radeon Pro 575 (39703, delta -0.1%) and NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile (39568, delta 0.2%)—show that it is not a top-tier performer in absolute terms.

The GPU’s VRAM of 16 GB is a key asset, as Archeage with many players and effects can consume significant memory. The 644.6 GB/s bandwidth ensures that texture streaming does not become a bottleneck at 1440p or 4K, but the compute power limits the frame rate. At 1080p High, the GPU can sustain 126.7 FPS, but moving to 4K High drops it to 51.4 FPS, a 59% reduction. This scaling is consistent with the GPU being the limiting factor, as the CPU’s role remains static. The GPU’s high boost clock helps at lower resolutions, but at 4K, the pixel fill rate and shading units are overwhelmed. The data suggests that for optimal performance, the user should target 1440p with Medium or High settings, where the GPU can deliver 128.5 or 83.6 FPS respectively, providing a smooth experience without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.