Archeage

The Intel Core i5-12400F and Intel Arc B570 combination delivers a playable but demanding experience in Archeage, with performance scaling that clearly favors lower resolutions and settings. The data shows a system that can handle the MMO's world at 1080p with high fluidity, but struggles to maintain smooth frame rates at 4K, particularly on higher presets. This pairing occupies a mid-pack position among tested combinations, reflecting a balance of CPU and GPU capabilities that are well-matched for 1440p gaming but not for pushing maximum visual fidelity at ultra-high resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, operating on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. It runs at a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boosts up to 4.40 GHz, with a 65W TDP. The processor's cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This configuration provides solid multi-threaded headroom, which is relevant for an MMORPG like Archeage where numerous entities, player actions, and world events can create significant CPU load.

In synthetic benchmarks, the i5-12400F demonstrates robust single-thread and multi-thread capabilities. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 12380, while the single-core score is 1680. The Geekbench results show a multi-core score of 9472 and a single-core score of 1964. These numbers indicate that the CPU can handle both lightly-threaded game logic and heavily-threaded background tasks. In 3DMark tests, the processor scores 909 in single-thread, 3067 in 4-thread, and 5912 in max-thread tests, showing scalable performance across different thread counts.

For Archeage specifically, the CPU's role is to manage game state, AI, and network data. The 12 threads allow for efficient distribution of these tasks, though the game may not fully utilize all of them. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves 110 FPS, which is the highest recorded in this dataset. This suggests that at lower settings, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough frames to reach high refresh rates. However, as resolution and settings increase, the bottleneck shifts more toward the GPU, which is evident in the FPS drop at 4K Ultra to just 17 FPS.

The CPU's performance percentile is 73, meaning it outperforms roughly three-quarters of all tested processors. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with an average score of 19047 and a delta of 0%, and the Intel Core 3 201E with a score of 19056 and a delta of -0.1%. These comparisons show that the i5-12400F is positioned competitively within its performance class, with negligible differences in average benchmark scores against these peers.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS achievable with this CPU and GPU combination in Archeage?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 110, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This represents the best-case scenario for frame rate in the measured data.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance impact Archeage?

A: The i5-12400F scores 1680 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 909 in 3DMark single-thread. Given that MMORPGs often rely heavily on single-thread performance for game logic, these scores suggest the CPU can handle the core simulation tasks effectively, contributing to the playable frame rates seen at lower resolutions.

Q: What is the most demanding configuration tested for this combo?

A: The most demanding configuration is 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, which yields an average FPS of just 17. This is the lowest performance point in the dataset, indicating that the GPU is significantly overburdened at 4K Ultra.

Q: How does this combination compare to other tested combos in terms of overall rank?

A: This combination is ranked 2222 out of 2761 tested combos in Archeage. This places it in the lower-middle portion of the ranking, suggesting that while it is not among the top performers, it is also not at the very bottom.

Q: Is there a significant difference between 1080p and 1440p performance?

A: Yes, the data shows a notable drop. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 66, while at 1440p High it falls to 45. This represents a reduction of approximately 32% when moving to a higher resolution, indicating the GPU becomes more of a limiting factor.

Q: What is the best settings preset for maintaining smooth gameplay at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, the Low preset provides 74 FPS, which is the highest for that resolution. The Medium preset offers 66 FPS, which is still playable. High drops to 45 FPS, and Ultra falls to 31 FPS, making Low or Medium the more sensible choices for a smoother experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p Low, the combination achieves 110 FPS, which drops to 74 FPS at 1440p Low, and further to 42 FPS at 4K Low. This represents a 33% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a 62% decrease from 1080p to 4K. The scaling is not linear, suggesting that the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth become increasingly critical at higher resolutions.

For the High settings preset, the progression is from 66 FPS at 1080p, to 45 FPS at 1440p, and down to 26 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 32%, and from 1080p to 4K is 61%. This shows that the GPU is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, as the CPU's performance headroom is sufficient to maintain higher frame rates at 1080p.

The Medium settings show a similar trend: 98 FPS at 1080p, 66 FPS at 1440p, and 38 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with 45 FPS at 1080p, 31 FPS at 1440p, and 17 FPS at 4K. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate becomes nearly unplayable, highlighting that this combination is not suited for maximum settings at the highest resolution.

The data indicates that the system is more CPU-bound at 1080p, where the GPU can keep up with lower pixel counts, but becomes GPU-bound at 4K. The Intel Arc B570 has a memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s and a 160-bit bus width, which may not be sufficient to handle the data throughput required at 4K with high settings. The pixel rate of 200.0 GPixel/s and texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s are also limiting factors at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combination shows its strongest performance. The Low preset delivers an average of 110 FPS, which is the highest in the entire dataset. Medium settings reduce this to 98 FPS, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 112 FPS, indicating some frame variance but overall smooth gameplay. High settings yield 66 FPS, which is still playable for most users. Ultra settings drop to 45 FPS, which may be acceptable for some but is noticeably less fluid.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance decreases across all presets. Low settings provide 74 FPS, which remains smooth. Medium settings average 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 FPS and maximum of 76 FPS, showing a wider range of frame times. High settings fall to 45 FPS, which is borderline for a smooth experience. Ultra settings drop to 31 FPS, which is likely too low for comfortable gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles significantly. Low settings yield 42 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings average 38 FPS, with a minimum of 32 FPS and maximum of 43 FPS. High settings drop to 26 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. Ultra settings are nearly unplayable at 17 FPS, making this configuration unsuitable for 4K gaming at high quality.

The data shows that the sweet spot for this combination is 1080p with Medium or Low settings, where frame rates are high and consistent. At 1440p, Low or Medium settings are the best options, while High and Ultra are too demanding. The 4K resolution is only viable with Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is marginal.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and Intel Arc B570 is ranked 2222 out of 2761 tested combos in Archeage. This places it in the 80th percentile of performance rankings, meaning it outperforms about 20% of tested combinations but lags behind the majority. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, which are both mid-range components in their respective categories.

The CPU alone is in the 73rd percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 65th percentile of all graphics cards. The combination's rank in-game is lower than either component's individual percentile, suggesting that the pairing is not optimal for Archeage specifically. This could be due to the game's engine favoring certain hardware configurations, or the GPU being more of a bottleneck than the CPU in most scenarios.

Comparatively, the GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile with an average score of 20534 and a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Arc A750 with a score of 20582 and a delta of -0.1%. These are similar performing cards, but the Arc B570's 10 GB of VRAM and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth may not be fully utilized by Archeage, which could explain the lower in-game rank relative to synthetic benchmarks.

The combo's rank suggests that while it can run the game, there are many other combinations that provide better performance. For users looking to play Archeage, this setup is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming at lower settings, but it is not a top-tier choice for high-refresh-rate or high-resolution play.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and performance priorities. At 1080p, the Medium preset offers the best balance, providing 98 FPS average with a minimum of 83 FPS. This ensures smooth gameplay while maintaining some visual quality. The Low preset at 110 FPS is also excellent for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors, but sacrifices visual fidelity.

For 1440p, the Low preset is the recommended choice, delivering 74 FPS. The Medium preset at 66 FPS is also viable, but the increased visual quality may not justify the lower frame rate for some users. High and Ultra settings should be avoided at this resolution, as they drop below 45 FPS, which can lead to noticeable stuttering in an MMORPG environment.

At 4K, only the Low preset is recommended, providing 42 FPS. This is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. Medium settings at 38 FPS are borderline, and High or Ultra should be avoided entirely. For users with 4K displays, it is advisable to consider a more powerful GPU to achieve better frame rates at this resolution.

Overall, the best experience with this combination is at 1080p with Medium settings, which provides a high frame rate with reasonable visual quality. For 1440p users, Low settings are the safest bet, while 4K users should expect to compromise significantly on quality to maintain playability.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is based on the Xe2-HPG architecture and uses the BMG-G21 chip, manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It has 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 raster operation units, along with 18 ray tracing cores. The GPU operates at a base and boost clock of 2500 MHz, with memory running at 2375 MHz (19 Gbps effective). It has 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s.

The GPU's compute capabilities include 11.52 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 23.04 TFLOPS of FP16 performance (at a 2:1 ratio). Its pixel rate is 200.0 GPixel/s, and its texture rate is 360.0 GTexel/s. These specifications indicate a mid-range graphics card that can handle modern games at 1080p and 1440p, but may struggle at 4K with high settings.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Arc B570 scores 14195 in Passmark G3D and 83514 in Geekbench OpenCL. Its Vulkan score is 96844, and it achieves 2649 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. The GPU's percentile is 65, meaning it outperforms 65% of all tested graphics cards. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile with a delta of 0.1% and the Intel Arc A750 with a delta of -0.1%.

For Archeage, the GPU's role is to render the game world, characters, and effects. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 1080p, the GPU can maintain high frame rates, but at 4K, its 380.0 GB/s bandwidth and 10 GB VRAM are insufficient for high-quality textures and effects. The 160-bit memory bus is narrower than many competing cards, which limits memory bandwidth and can reduce performance at high resolutions.

The GPU's TDP is 150W, and it requires a 450W power supply. It features PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, which may slightly limit data transfer compared to x16, but this is unlikely to be a significant factor in Archeage. The card's dual-slot design and 272 mm length make it compatible with most mid-tower cases. Overall, the Arc B570 is a capable mid-range GPU that pairs well with the i5-12400F for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it is not designed for 4K gaming at high settings.