Archeage

Archeage, an MMORPG from 2014, presents an interesting test for the Intel Core i5-14600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060. The benchmark data for this combination reveals a system that is heavily influenced by graphics settings and resolution, with the CPU showing significant headroom. This analysis walks through the measured FPS data, how this specific combo ranks, and what it means for gameplay.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and expected pattern: performance degrades as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 155 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings drops the average to 102.4 FPS, a reduction of approximately 34%. Pushing further to 4K at Low settings yields an average of 56.6 FPS, which is another substantial drop from the 1440p figure.

This scaling pattern indicates that at lower resolutions, the system is likely less constrained by the GPU. The jump from 1080p to 1440p on Low settings shows a significant FPS loss, suggesting that even at 1440p, the RTX 4060 is beginning to become a limiting factor. The RTX 4060 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is a modest configuration for higher resolutions. The data suggests the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 1440p and 4K, while the CPU, with its high boost clock of 5.30 GHz, is likely able to keep up with the frame generation demands at 1080p.

The difference between settings at 4K is particularly telling. The Ultra preset yields an average of just 23.2 FPS, while Low settings produce 56.6 FPS. This wide gap highlights how demanding the higher visual presets are on the GPU's resources. At 1080p, the spread is also large, from 155 FPS on Low to 60.3 FPS on Ultra, but the absolute values are much higher. This suggests that the RTX 4060 has ample power for lower settings at 1080p but is quickly overwhelmed by the combination of higher resolution and more complex visual effects.

The scaling from Medium to High settings also shows a consistent trend. At 1440p, Medium averages 94.7 FPS, while High averages 60.8 FPS. This is a substantial drop, indicating that the High preset includes effects that are significantly more taxing on the GPU. Overall, the resolution scaling analysis points to a system where 1080p is the most comfortable territory for high frame rates, while 1440p is playable with adjusted settings, and 4K requires significant compromises to maintain playable frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Archeage, the combination of the Intel Core i5-14600KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks at 993 out of 1727 tested combos. This places it in the lower-middle portion of all tested system configurations for this specific game. The percentile rank puts it just above the middle of the pack, indicating that while it is not a top-tier performer for this title, it is far from the bottom.

The CPU itself performs well in general benchmarks, with a percentile rank of 93 against all CPUs. Its average benchmark score is 49367, and it sits close to rivals like the Intel Core i5-14600K, which has an average score of 49166 and a deltaPct of 0.4, and the AMD EPYC 4345P, with a score of 49595 and a deltaPct of -0.5. This shows the i5-14600KF is a strong processor, but the combo's rank in Archeage is likely dragged down by the GPU's performance in this particular title.

The GPU, while competent, has a lower percentile rank of 66 against all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 23181, with close rivals including the AMD Radeon RX 6600M (deltaPct -0.6) and the Intel Arc B580 (deltaPct 0.7). This suggests the RTX 4060 is a mid-range graphics card. The combo's rank of 993 out of 1727 suggests that many other CPU and GPU pairings deliver better performance in Archeage, likely due to the game's specific engine and how it utilizes the hardware. The data indicates that this combination is not optimized for maximum performance in this MMORPG, sitting in a crowded middle ground.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to achieve a high frame rate?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo consistently exceeds 60 FPS across most settings. At 1440p, only the Low preset manages to stay above 100 FPS, while High and Ultra drop to 60.8 and 40.1 FPS, respectively.

Q: Can this system handle Archeage at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: No. The benchmark data shows an average FPS of 23.2 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This is below the threshold for smooth, playable gameplay, indicating that the RTX 4060 is not powerful enough for this configuration.

Q: How much of a performance difference is there between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 155 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 60.3 FPS. This represents a drop of over 60% in average frame rate when moving to the highest visual quality settings.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p with High settings?

A: At 1080p with High settings, the average FPS is 91.1. Given that the CPU has high single-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4643, it is unlikely to be the bottleneck at this resolution. The GPU is more likely the limiting component, as its relative performance is lower.

Q: What is the average FPS on Medium settings at 1440p?

A: The measured data shows an average FPS of 94.7 at 2560x1440 with Medium settings. This is a playable frame rate, suggesting that 1440p is viable if the user is willing to use a moderate preset.

Q: How does this combo's rank in Archeage compare to its potential?

A: The combo ranks 993 out of 1727 tested combos. While the CPU is in the 93rd percentile, the combination's overall rank in this game is lower, indicating that the GPU's performance is a significant factor in the pairing's final standing.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this Intel Core i5-14600KF and RTX 4060 combo depends heavily on the target resolution. For a high-refresh-rate monitor at 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 155 FPS, which is excellent for competitive play. However, the Medium preset still provides a very high 137.4 FPS average, offering a better visual experience without a massive performance penalty. The High preset at 91.1 FPS is a solid choice for a balanced experience, while Ultra at 60.3 FPS is playable but pushes the system to its limits.

At 2560x1440, the options become more constrained. The Low preset is the only one that offers a frame rate above 100 FPS, averaging 102.4. Medium is also playable at 94.7 FPS, making it a good choice for those wanting better visuals without sacrificing too much smoothness. The High preset drops to 60.8 FPS, which is on the border of playability for many, while Ultra at 40.1 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience.

For 3840x2160, the data suggests that only the Low preset is viable, with an average of 56.6 FPS. Medium at 50.6 FPS is borderline, while High at 34.8 FPS and Ultra at 23.2 FPS are too slow for a playable frame rate. The best experience at 4K would be to use the Low preset, though users should expect a less visually rich environment. For most users, the Medium preset at 1440p or the High preset at 1080p provides the best compromise between visual fidelity and performance, as both yield averages above 90 FPS. The Ultra preset is only suitable for 1080p, where it maintains a playable 60.3 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete measured FPS data for the combo at various resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the Low settings produce an average of 155 FPS. The Medium preset averages 137.4 FPS. High settings yield an average of 91.1 FPS, while the Ultra preset brings the average down to 60.3 FPS. This shows a clear progression of decreasing performance with increasing visual quality.

At 2560x1440, the Low settings average 102.4 FPS. Medium settings are close behind at 94.7 FPS. High settings drop significantly to an average of 60.8 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 40.1 FPS, which is the lowest playable figure in this resolution range.

At 3840x2160, the Low settings average 56.6 FPS. Medium settings average 50.6 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 34.8 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of only 23.2 FPS. This data confirms that 4K resolution is only viable with the lowest settings, and even then, the frame rate is below 60 FPS.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor from the Core 14th Gen series, based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its cache configuration includes 24 MB of shared L3 cache, which is a significant amount for gaming. In this pairing, the CPU's role is to feed the RTX 4060 with frames. At lower resolutions and settings, the CPU's high clock speeds are crucial for achieving high frame rates.

Benchmark results show the CPU's strength. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 32889, and its single-core score is 4643. A high single-core score is often more relevant for games, and this result indicates the i5-14600KF can handle the main game logic and draw calls efficiently. The CPU's performance in the passmark tests, such as a multithread score of 38697 and a single-thread score of 4273, further confirms its capability.

However, the data suggests that in Archeage, the CPU is not the main bottleneck. The FPS drops are most pronounced when increasing resolution and settings, which are tasks that primarily load the GPU. For instance, at 1080p Low, the FPS is 155, but at 4K Low, it drops to 56.6. This is a classic sign of GPU limitation. The CPU's high performance, with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, ensures it can keep up with the RTX 4060's output, but it does not significantly improve performance once the GPU becomes the limiting factor. The combo's rank of 993 out of 1727 suggests that while the CPU is excellent, its pairing with this mid-range GPU does not result in a top-tier Archeage performance, indicating the game is more dependent on the graphics card's capabilities in most scenarios.