Archeage

The Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT lands at rank 1074 out of 1727 tested combinations for Archeage. This places the combo in the lower-middle tier of the database, suggesting that while it can run the game, it does not deliver top-tier performance relative to other systems tested. The ranking implies a significant number of other CPU-GPU pairings achieve higher frame rates, which is noteworthy given the GPU’s strong standalone benchmark positioning. The data indicates this is a workable but not exceptional setup for this specific MMORPG, with the bottleneck likely shifting between components depending on the resolution and settings selected.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination's rank of 1074 out of 1727 combos means it sits in approximately the bottom 38% of tested systems for Archeage. This is a surprisingly modest result when you consider the individual components. The GPU ranks in the 72nd percentile among all GPUs, and the CPU sits exactly at the 50th percentile, yet their combined performance in this game does not scale to a higher position. The data suggests that Archeage may be particularly sensitive to certain CPU capabilities or that the pairing does not synergize optimally for this title’s engine.

Benchmark results indicate that the combo’s overall standing is dragged down by the CPU’s moderate performance. The i5-9400’s average benchmark score of 2305 places it nearly identical to the Intel Core i3-10305 (deltaPct 0.2%), which is a lower-tier chip. This near-parity with a much simpler processor suggests that the i5-9400 does not bring a significant computational advantage that would boost the combo’s rank in a game that likely has substantial single-threaded demands. The GPU is clearly capable, but the rank shows the CPU is holding the partnership back from higher percentile placements.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT brings 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 280.3 GB/s. Its clock speeds are robust, with a base of 2055 MHz, a game clock of 2410 MHz, and a boost of 2635 MHz. These specifications translate to a pixel rate of 168.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 337.3 GTexel/s, which are substantial figures for a card of this class. In the context of Archeage, the GPU’s raw throughput is more than sufficient to handle the graphical load at most settings, as shown by the measured FPS data.

The GPU’s standalone benchmarks reinforce its capability, with a Passmark G3D score of 17166 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 93769. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6800M, has an almost identical average score (deltaPct 0), indicating that the RX 6650 XT is performing at the upper edge of its expected tier. However, the data reveals that even with this strong GPU, the frame rates in Archeage drop sharply at higher settings, particularly at Ultra where the 4K average falls to 24 FPS. This indicates that while the GPU has the memory and bandwidth, the game’s Ultra preset may impose demands that exceed what this card can sustain at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of diminishing returns as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 135.2 FPS, but this drops to 89.4 FPS at 1440p and further to 52.5 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p represents a 34% reduction in frame rate, while moving from 1440p to 4K results in an additional 41% drop. This steep decline suggests that the GPU becomes the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, as the pixel count increases dramatically.

For High settings, the trend is similar but less extreme: 83.9 FPS at 1080p falls to 56.8 FPS at 1440p (a 32% drop) and then to 30.7 FPS at 4K (a 46% drop). The data implies that at 1080p, the CPU has more headroom to feed the GPU, but as resolution climbs, the GPU’s workload grows and frame rates suffer proportionally. The fact that Ultra settings at 4K produces only 24 FPS—a barely playable level—indicates that this combo is not suitable for maximum settings at high resolutions, and users should expect to compromise.

Measured FPS Breakdown

Looking at the exact numbers, the combo delivers its best performance at 1080p. At Low settings, the average FPS is 135.2, which is exceptionally smooth for an MMORPG. Medium settings still yield a very playable 120.2 FPS, and High settings drop slightly to 83.9 FPS. However, Ultra settings at 1080p cause a significant collapse to 56.2 FPS, which is a 33% reduction from High settings—a stark jump that suggests the Ultra preset introduces effects that heavily tax the hardware.

Moving to 1440p, the story changes. Low settings produce 89.4 FPS, which remains fluid, while Medium settings offer 80.7 FPS. High settings drop to 56.8 FPS, which is still acceptable for most players, but Ultra plummets to 34.5 FPS, which is approaching the threshold of playability. At 4K, the results are more challenging: Low settings achieve 52.5 FPS, Medium drops to 48.8 FPS, High falls to 30.7 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 24 FPS. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming with this combo is only viable at Low or Medium settings, and even then, the frame rates are not spectacular.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p with Medium settings, which delivers 120.2 FPS. This provides a high frame rate that will feel responsive in combat while maintaining good visual fidelity. For players who prioritize visual quality over raw speed, High settings at 1080p (83.9 FPS) is a reasonable alternative, offering a substantial improvement in graphics while still staying well above 60 FPS. Ultra settings at 1080p should be avoided, as the drop to 56.2 FPS does not justify the graphical gains.

At 1440p, the best balance is achieved with Medium settings (80.7 FPS), which keeps the experience smooth without the steep penalty of High settings (56.8 FPS). Players with 4K displays should stick to Low settings (52.5 FPS) as the only playable option, since Medium (48.8 FPS) is marginally lower and High (30.7 FPS) is too choppy for a responsive gameplay experience. The data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can leverage its full potential without being overwhelmed by pixel count.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. It features 9 MB of shared L3 cache and a 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth. Its Cinebench R23 scores are 7969 in multi-core and 1125 in single-core, which are moderate figures for a desktop chip. The CPU’s percentile ranking at 50% indicates it is an average performer, and its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-8809G, is only 0.6% faster in average benchmark score.

In Archeage, the CPU’s role is critical because MMORPGs often have heavy server-side and client-side logic that depends on single-thread performance. The i5-9400’s single-core score of 1125 in Cinebench R23 suggests it can handle the game’s logic, but the data shows that at lower resolutions like 1080p, the GPU is not fully utilized. For instance, at 1080p Low, the frame rate hits 135.2 FPS, but this is likely the CPU’s ceiling for that scenario, as the GPU could potentially push higher. This indicates the CPU is a limiting factor at lower resolutions, preventing the RX 6650 XT from achieving its maximum output.

FAQ

Q: Is this combo better suited for 1080p or 4K gaming in Archeage?

A: The data strongly favors 1080p. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 135.2 FPS, whereas at 4K Low, it drops to 52.5 FPS. The frame rate reductions at higher resolutions are substantial, making 1080p the only resolution where the combo can deliver consistently high performance.

Q: What is the highest playable setting at 1440p?

A: Medium settings at 1440p yield 80.7 FPS, which is the best balance of visual quality and frame rate. High settings drop to 56.8 FPS, which is still playable but noticeably less smooth, while Ultra at 34.5 FPS is not recommended for a responsive experience.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rival?

A: The RX 6650 XT has an average benchmark score of 29024, which is effectively identical to the AMD Radeon RX 6800M (deltaPct 0). This indicates the card is performing at the expected level for its class, with no significant variance from its closest competitor.

Q: What is the CPU’s single-core performance relative to its multi-core?

A: The i5-9400 scores 1125 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 7969 in multi-core. The single-core score is moderate, and given Archeage’s likely reliance on single-thread performance, this could be a limiting factor when trying to achieve very high frame rates.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between High and Ultra at 1080p?

A: High settings at 1080p result in 83.9 FPS, while Ultra drops to 56.2 FPS. This is a 33% reduction, indicating that the Ultra preset imposes a significant performance penalty that may not be worth the visual improvements.

Q: Does the combo rank higher than the average tested system?

A: No, the combo ranks 1074 out of 1727, which places it in the lower half of tested configurations. This suggests that many other CPU-GPU pairings achieve better performance in Archeage, despite the GPU’s strong individual benchmark scores.