Archeage

Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG, presents an interesting scaling profile for the Intel Core i5-12600KF and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT combination. The measured data shows a clear progression where performance is heavily influenced by both resolution and the graphics preset. At 1080p, the system demonstrates substantial headroom, with average frame rates ranging from 84.9 FPS on Ultra to 212.8 FPS on Low. Moving to 1440p, the frame rates remain robust but begin to show the GPU's increasing workload, while at 4K, the demands of the higher pixel count significantly cap performance, particularly at the more demanding settings.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 reveals a predictable yet pronounced impact on frame rates, underscoring the GPU's role as the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At the "Low" preset, the average frame rate drops from 212.8 FPS at 1080p to 142.8 FPS at 1440p, a substantial reduction, and then further to 78.3 FPS at 4K. This pattern indicates that even at the lowest graphical settings, the sheer pixel count at 4K imposes a significant load on the RX 9070 XT.

For the "High" preset, the scaling is similar: 124.3 FPS at 1080p falls to 87.3 FPS at 1440p, and then to 48.1 FPS at 4K. This represents a 61% drop in frame rate when moving from 1080p to 4K, signifying that the GPU is the limiting component in this scenario. The "Ultra" preset demonstrates the most extreme scaling, with 84.9 FPS at 1080p dropping to 61 FPS at 1440p and finally to a demanding 31.5 FPS at 4K. The data suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU sufficiently, but as resolution increases, the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth become the constraining factors.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT, with its 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, provides a substantial 644.6 GB/s of bandwidth. This memory configuration is a critical asset for Archeage, as the game's environments and textures can be demanding at higher resolutions. The GPU's 4096 shading units and boost clock of 2970 MHz are key contributors to its processing power. Benchmark scores for the GPU show a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 7260, indicating strong modern API performance. Its PassMark G3D score of 26795 places it in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs, suggesting it is a high-tier part.

However, the GPU's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Radeon Pro 575 and NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile, with delta percentages of -0.1 and 0.2, respectively. This close grouping in average benchmark scores (around 39,647) is noteworthy, as it places the RX 9070 XT in a competitive bracket, despite its architectural advantages. The GPU's performance in this game, particularly at 4K, shows that while it has the bandwidth for high-resolution textures, the computational load of the Ultra preset at 3840x2160 is still a formidable challenge, yielding just 31.5 FPS. The data indicates the GPU is a very capable 1440p performer, but 4K Ultra demands more than this configuration can deliver for a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the measured average FPS at 1080p with the "High" preset?

A: The average frame rate at 1920x1080 with the "High" preset is 124.3 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p compare to 4K on the "Low" preset?

A: At 2560x1440, the "Low" preset yields an average of 142.8 FPS, while at 3840x2160, the average drops to 78.3 FPS. This indicates a 64.5 FPS difference, showing the significant impact of resolution at lower settings.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the primary limiting factor at 4K Ultra?

A: At 3840x2160 with the "Ultra" preset, the average FPS is 31.5. Given the dramatic drop from the 1440p Ultra score of 61 FPS, the data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting component, as the increased pixel count and graphical load overwhelm its capabilities.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between the "Low" and "Ultra" presets at 1080p?

A: The "Low" preset at 1080p achieves 212.8 FPS, while "Ultra" achieves 84.9 FPS. The difference is 127.9 FPS, demonstrating that graphical settings have a massive impact on performance, even at a lower resolution.

Q: What is the rank of this specific CPU and GPU combination for Archeage?

A: This combo ranks 471 out of 1727 tested combinations in the database for this game.

Q: Does the GPU's benchmark percentile align with its in-game performance?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score places it in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs. In-game, it performs well at 1080p and 1440p but struggles at 4K Ultra, suggesting that while it is a high-tier card, the most demanding scenarios in Archeage can still challenge it.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a comprehensive view of the configuration's performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates across the board. The "Low" preset averages 212.8 FPS, "Medium" averages 187.8 FPS, "High" averages 124.3 FPS, and "Ultra" averages 84.9 FPS. These figures indicate that at 1080p, the user has significant flexibility to prioritize visual fidelity without sacrificing a smooth experience, as even the "Ultra" preset remains above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance scale shifts down. The "Low" preset averages 142.8 FPS, "Medium" averages 125.6 FPS, and "High" averages 87.3 FPS. The "Ultra" preset drops to an average of 61 FPS. This resolution is a sweet spot, offering a balance between visual quality and performance, with the "High" preset still providing a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. At 3840x2160, the impact of 4K resolution becomes evident. The "Low" preset averages 78.3 FPS, "Medium" averages 69.8 FPS, and "High" averages 48.1 FPS. The "Ultra" preset falls to 31.5 FPS, which is likely not smooth enough for a demanding MMORPG environment.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations for Archeage, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT holds a rank of 471 out of 1727. This places it in the top 27% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a strong performer. The CPU itself has an average benchmark score of 27,827 and sits in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i9-10900K and the Intel Core i5-12600K, showing near-identical average scores. This suggests the processor is not a bottleneck in most scenarios.

The GPU's rank is also a factor. With an average benchmark score of 39,647, it is in the 82nd percentile of all GPUs. The combined rank of 471 out of 1727 suggests that while each component is individually strong, their interaction in Archeage is not at the very top tier. The data implies that higher-ranked combos likely feature more powerful GPUs that can handle 4K Ultra settings more effectively. This combo's rank reflects its excellent 1080p and 1440p performance, but its limitations at 4K Ultra prevent it from reaching the upper echelons of the ranking.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate. For users with a 1080p display, the "High" preset is an excellent choice, delivering an average of 124.3 FPS. This provides a high level of visual detail while maintaining a frame rate well above the standard 60 FPS target, and there is enough headroom to even consider the "Ultra" preset, which still averages 84.9 FPS, for a more visually rich experience.

For 1440p displays, the "High" preset is again the recommended starting point, achieving an average of 87.3 FPS. This offers a strong balance of image quality and smoothness. For those who prioritize frame rate, the "Medium" preset at 125.6 FPS would suffice, but "High" is the sweet spot for most. The "Ultra" preset at 61 FPS is borderline, but for a game like an MMORPG where action can be fast-paced, the slightly lower frame rate might be noticeable. At 4K, the "Medium" preset is the most viable option, with an average of 69.8 FPS, providing a playable experience. The "High" preset at 48.1 FPS may be acceptable for some, but the "Ultra" preset at 31.5 FPS is not recommended for competitive or smooth gameplay.