Archeage

The Intel Core i5-14600K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER produces a specific performance profile in Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG. The data shows a combination that is heavily influenced by the GPU's capabilities, with the CPU providing ample headroom. This analysis breaks down the measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions and settings, interpreting the results against the hardware's specifications and its standing among other tested combos.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the primary driver of frame rate in this combo, and its specifications directly explain the observed performance ceiling. The card features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. In a game like Archeage, which relies on texture streaming and large draw distances, this memory configuration is a critical factor. The GPU's base clock is 1470 MHz, boosting to 1650 MHz, which, alongside its 2176 shading units, delivers a raw FP32 performance of 7.181 TFLOPS. These figures suggest a card that can handle 1080p and 1440p gaming with relative ease, but the data shows it begins to struggle at higher resolutions.

The RTX 2060 SUPER's benchmark scores place it in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 18093. Its nearest rivals in the database—the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, AMD Radeon Pro 5700, AMD Radeon RX 460, and Intel Arc A770M—all have average scores within a 1.6% band of the RTX 2060 SUPER. This indicates that the GPU is performing at a level consistent with its class, but it is not a top-tier component. The GPU's own benchmark results, such as a Passmark G3D score of 16462, further reinforce its mid-range positioning. When we look at the measured FPS in Archeage, the GPU's limits become apparent, as the frame rates drop significantly as the resolution increases, a classic sign of a pixel-bound workload.

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

The Intel Core i5-14600K is a far more capable component than the GPU in this pairing for this specific game. It is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. This high boost clock is crucial for single-threaded performance, which is often the bottleneck in MMORPGs like Archeage, where game logic and draw calls are often managed by a few primary threads. The CPU's substantial 24 MB of shared L3 cache also helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency.

The i5-14600K's benchmark results show a processor that sits in the 90th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48618. Its performance is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, with deltas of just -0.2% to 0.7% against models like the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H and AMD EPYC 4345P. In synthetic tests like Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 24491 points in multi-core and 2064 points in single-core, showcasing its strength in both heavily-threaded and lightly-threaded workloads. Given this high level of CPU performance, it is highly unlikely that the i5-14600K is the limiting factor in Archeage. The data suggests the CPU has ample headroom to feed the GPU, meaning the observed FPS drops at higher resolutions are a direct result of the GPU's rendering limits, not a lack of CPU processing power.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-14600K and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER ranks 2624 out of 3708 tested combinations for Archeage. This places the combo in the lower third of all tested systems, which is a direct reflection of the GPU's mid-range standing. A powerful CPU paired with a mid-range GPU does not always result in a top-tier gaming experience, especially in a game that scales with pixel count.

This ranking is not a measure of failure, but rather a position within a vast database of hardware combinations. The 2624th rank out of 3708 means that roughly 70% of the tested combos outperform this one in Archeage. This is consistent with the GPU's 62nd percentile ranking, which indicates that many other GPUs are more powerful. The combo's performance is ultimately gated by the RTX 2060 SUPER, which, while competent at 1080p, is not designed to excel at 4K Ultra settings. The benchmark results indicate that this pairing is a balanced 1080p solution, and the ranking data confirms that it is not a high-end contender for this specific title.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions provides clear evidence of a GPU-bound system. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 129 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 87 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 50 FPS. This represents a 33% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 43% decrease from 1440p to 4K. This steep drop-off is the hallmark of a GPU that is becoming increasingly saturated with pixel work.

The pattern is consistent across all settings presets. At High settings, the average FPS is 78 at 1080p, 52 at 1440p, and 30 at 4K. This scaling is not linear, and the significant drops indicate that the GPU's processing units and memory bandwidth are being pushed to their limits as the render resolution increases. If the system were CPU-bound, we would expect the FPS to remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload would be the limiting factor. Instead, the frame rate plummets as resolution rises, which strongly indicates that the RTX 2060 SUPER is the primary bottleneck in this configuration. The data shows a component that can comfortably handle 1080p but is simply overwhelmed by the pixel count at 4K, especially on higher presets.

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

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of what this combo can deliver in Archeage. The following breakdown details the exact average, minimum, and maximum FPS observed for each resolution and settings preset.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs best. With Low settings, it averages 129 FPS. The Medium preset averages 115 FPS, with a minimum of 97 FPS and a maximum of 132 FPS. The High preset averages 78 FPS. The most demanding Ultra preset at this resolution averages 53 FPS. This shows that 1080p is the sweet spot for this hardware, with all presets except Ultra providing a playable experience.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. The Low preset averages 87 FPS. The Medium preset averages 77 FPS, with a minimum of 66 FPS and a maximum of 89 FPS. The High preset averages 52 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 36 FPS. At this resolution, the GPU is working harder, and the average FPS for High and Ultra settings dips below the 60 FPS threshold that is often considered the standard for a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the RTX 2060 SUPER is pushed to its limits. The Low preset averages 50 FPS. The Medium preset averages 44 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS and a maximum of 51 FPS. The High preset averages 30 FPS. The Ultra preset averages just 20 FPS. These figures clearly show that 4K gaming with this GPU is only viable on the lowest settings, and even then, the frame rate is below 60 FPS.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in Archeage?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution. At this resolution, the combo delivers an average of 129 FPS on Low settings and 78 FPS on High settings, which are both highly playable.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Archeage?

A: The benchmark results show that 4K is challenging for this hardware. At 4K with Low settings, the average FPS is 50, and it drops to 30 FPS on High and 20 FPS on Ultra. This suggests that 4K is only viable on the lowest preset, and even then, it may not provide a consistently smooth experience.

Q: Which component is the bottleneck in this system for Archeage?

A: The data strongly suggests the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER is the limiting factor. The evidence is the significant FPS drop as resolution increases, which is a characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The Intel Core i5-14600K, with its high benchmark scores, appears to have ample headroom.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 SUPER's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The RTX 2060 SUPER has an average benchmark score of 18093. Its nearest rivals, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Mobile, AMD Radeon Pro 5700, AMD Radeon RX 460, and Intel Arc A770M, all have average scores within a 1.6% range, indicating very similar performance levels.

Q: What is the average FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields an average of 87 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields an average of 36 FPS. This is a difference of 51 FPS, showing the significant performance cost of the Ultra preset.

Q: Is the CPU's high performance reflected in the game's frame rates?

A: While the CPU is powerful, its performance is not the primary driver of frame rates here. The system's ranking of 2624 out of 3708 combos and the FPS drops at higher resolutions indicate that the GPU's capabilities are the main factor limiting overall performance in Archeage.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo depends on the user's resolution and performance priorities. For a smooth and responsive experience at 1920x1080, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it delivers an average of 78 FPS while providing a significant visual upgrade over the Low and Medium presets. If a higher frame rate is desired, the Medium preset offers an average of 115 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the best balance of visual quality and performance, averaging 77 FPS with a minimum of 66 FPS. This should provide a consistently smooth gameplay experience. The High preset at this resolution drops to an average of 52 FPS, which may be acceptable for some, but it is more likely to exhibit stutter in busy scenes.

For 3840x2160, the data suggests that the Low preset is the only viable option, with an average of 50 FPS. While this is not ideal for a high-refresh-rate experience, it is the only way to achieve a playable frame rate at this resolution. The Ultra preset, with an average of 20 FPS, should be avoided as it is not a playable experience. In summary, the data supports a clear recommendation: prioritize 1080p High or 1440p Medium for the best overall experience with this hardware.