Archeage

Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG, remains a demanding title for modern hardware, particularly at higher resolutions. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7700, based strictly on the provided benchmark data. The goal is to dissect how this combination handles the game across different settings and resolutions, identifying where the bottleneck lies and what users can expect in practical terms.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals a clear and predictable pattern: frame rates decrease as resolution increases, but the magnitude of that drop is crucial for understanding the system's balance. At 1080p, the combo achieves a strong 98 FPS on High settings. Moving to 1440p, the average FPS drops by 32 frames to 66 FPS, a 32.7% reduction. The jump to 4K is even more severe, with the average falling to 38 FPS, a further 42.4% decrease from the 1440p figure. This steep decline when moving from 1440p to 4K indicates that the rendering load is scaling heavily with pixel count, which typically points to the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor at the highest resolution.

The scaling pattern shifts when examining the Low settings preset. At 1080p Low, the system produces 161 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 109 FPS, a 32.3% reduction, which is similar to the percentage drop seen on High settings between those resolutions. However, the move from 1440p to 4K on Low settings shows a less dramatic percentage loss, dropping from 109 FPS to 62 FPS, a 43.1% decrease. This consistency in relative performance drops across different settings suggests that while the GPU load increases with resolution, the scaling is uniform and not hitting a hard architectural wall, but rather a simple increase in pixel shading workload.

The performance gap between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution highlights the game's scalability. At 1080p, the difference between Low (161 FPS) and Ultra (67 FPS) is a massive 94 FPS, or 140% performance uplift for the Low preset. At 1440p, the same comparison shows Low (109 FPS) versus Ultra (45 FPS), a difference of 64 FPS. At 4K, the gap narrows to 36 FPS (62 FPS on Low vs 26 FPS on Ultra). This narrowing gap at higher resolutions is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. When the GPU is already saturated with pixel work at 4K, the additional load from higher graphical settings has less relative impact on frame rate than it does at 1080p, where the GPU has more headroom.

The data suggests that the Core i5-9400 is capable of feeding the RX 7700 adequately at 1080p, as evidenced by the 161 FPS on Low settings. The system is not CPU-limited at this resolution. However, the sharp decline in performance with each resolution step, especially to 4K, strongly indicates that the Radeon RX 7700's rendering throughput is the limiting component in this pairing for 4K gameplay.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is built on the RDNA 3.0 architecture and features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a substantial 624.1 GB/s of memory bandwidth. This is a significant asset for a game like Archeage, which can have large, open-world environments and many on-screen characters. The high bandwidth helps ensure that texture streaming and geometry data can be fed to the GPU cores without becoming a bottleneck, a crucial factor in maintaining consistent performance in busy areas.

The GPU's clock speeds are also a relevant factor. With a base clock of 1900 MHz, a game clock of 2041 MHz, and a boost clock of 2459 MHz, the RX 7700 is designed to operate at high frequencies. The benchmark results show that this raw compute power translates into a peak performance of 25.18 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. This raw throughput is what drives the frame rates seen in the data. For instance, the 98 FPS average at 1080p High is a direct result of this compute capability being applied to the game's rendering tasks.

Comparing the RX 7700 to its nearest rivals based on average benchmark scores provides context. Its average benchmark score is 15852, placing it in the 58th percentile of all GPUs. It sits very close to the AMD Radeon RX 9060, which has an average score of 16014, a 1% difference, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, with a score of 16129, a 1.7% difference. This indicates that the RX 7700's overall compute performance is competitive with these cards. The measured game performance, however, shows that even with this level of GPU power, the 4K Ultra preset is not playable, averaging only 26 FPS.

The GPU's memory configuration also plays a role in the performance scaling. The 16 GB frame buffer is more than sufficient for current games, but the 256-bit bus and the resulting bandwidth are critical for higher resolutions. The data shows that at 4K, the performance drops dramatically, suggesting that even with ample memory capacity, the sheer amount of pixel data required to fill a 3840x2160 frame is taxing the GPU's processing units and memory subsystem to its limits. The 4K High setting yielding only 38 FPS, while 4K Low yields 62 FPS, demonstrates that the GPU is the primary arbiter of performance at this resolution.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. This configuration provides a solid foundation for gaming, and the benchmark data suggests it is not the primary bottleneck in this pairing for most tested scenarios. The 161 FPS average at 1080p Low is a strong indicator that the CPU can push frames well above standard 60 FPS targets, allowing the GPU to work at its full potential at this resolution.

The CPU's benchmark scores, while modest by modern standards, are sufficient for this game. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 6629, and its single-core score is 935. The single-core performance is particularly important for MMORPGs, which often have a main game thread that is heavily utilized. The Geekbench single-core score of 1389 and multicore score of 5141 further characterize its processing capability. The data shows that in Archeage, the i5-9400's processing power is enough to keep the RX 7700 fed with data at 1080p, but its influence wanes as the GPU load increases at higher resolutions.

The CPU's position in the market, at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, shows it is a mid-range part. Its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score (2254) include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259, -0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, 0.4% delta). This means that in a synthetic test, the i5-9400 is essentially on par with these other processors. In the context of this game, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. The fact that the FPS scales so heavily with resolution indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor, as its workload does not increase proportionally with pixel count.

The evidence for a GPU bottleneck is strong. When the resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the FPS drops significantly across all settings. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively constant regardless of resolution, since the CPU's workload (managing game state and sending draw calls) is largely independent of resolution. The data clearly shows FPS dropping with resolution, which means the GPU is the component that is running out of performance headroom first. The i5-9400, with its 6 cores, is adequate for this game, but it is the GPU that determines the final frame rate at resolutions above 1080p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

This section details the specific average frame rates recorded for this combo. The data is organized by resolution and settings preset.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 161 FPS average.
• Medium: 144 FPS average, with a minimum of 122 FPS and a maximum of 166 FPS.
• High: 98 FPS average.
• Ultra: 67 FPS average.

At 1080p, the system is highly capable, with even the Ultra preset achieving a playable average. The jump from High to Ultra is significant, costing 31 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 109 FPS average.
• Medium: 97 FPS average, with a minimum of 82 FPS and a maximum of 111 FPS.
• High: 66 FPS average.
• Ultra: 45 FPS average.

At 1440p, the system remains capable, but the Ultra preset starts to show strain, dropping below the 60 FPS target. The High preset provides a playable experience, while Medium and Low offer smoother performance.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 62 FPS average.
• Medium: 55 FPS average, with a minimum of 47 FPS and a maximum of 64 FPS.
• High: 38 FPS average.
• Ultra: 26 FPS average.

At 4K, the performance drops sharply. Only the Low and Medium presets come close to a playable frame rate, and the High and Ultra presets are not recommended for a smooth experience, as they fall well below 60 FPS.

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. The system is most comfortable at 1080p, where it can handle all presets. At 1440p, it requires a compromise on settings for high refresh rate monitors. At 4K, the user is limited to the Low or Medium presets to maintain a smooth frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Archeage, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 7700 holds the rank of 1328 out of 2761 total combos. This places it in the 48th percentile of all tested systems, meaning it performs better than roughly half of the other combinations in the database.

This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the component choices. The RX 7700 is a strong GPU, but the i5-9400 is an older, more modest CPU. The rank suggests that while the GPU provides solid graphics performance, the overall system is held back by the aging CPU in some scenarios, preventing it from reaching the top tiers of the ranking. However, the ranking also reflects that this is not a low-end system, and it outperforms a significant number of other combinations.

The rank of 1328 is a holistic measure. It takes into account the entire suite of measured data points, including all resolutions and settings. The fact that the combo is not ranked higher is likely due to the severe performance drop at 4K, which drags down its overall score in the rankings. A system with a more powerful CPU might be able to extract more performance from the RX 7700, even at 4K, potentially improving its rank.

This ranking serves as a useful reference point. It tells a user that this system is a capable mid-range performer for Archeage, but it is not at the top of the heap. The performance characteristics identified in the FPS breakdown—excellent at 1080p, good at 1440p, and weak at 4K—are what determine this ranking.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends entirely on the user's resolution and performance target.

For a 1080p display, the High preset is the recommended starting point, delivering a 98 FPS average. This provides a great balance of visual quality and smoothness. For users with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or higher), the Medium preset, at 144 FPS, is the better choice to maximize frame rate while still retaining decent visual fidelity. The Ultra preset, while playable at 67 FPS, offers diminishing returns over High for a significant performance cost.

For a 1440p display, the High preset is the best option for a balance of visuals and performance, with a 66 FPS average that is suitably smooth for most players. The Medium preset, at 97 FPS, is ideal for those who prioritize frame rate and have a monitor that can display more than 60 FPS. The Ultra preset at 45 FPS is not smooth enough for a good experience and should be avoided.

For a 4K display, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently smooth experience, with a 62 FPS average. The Medium preset, at 55 FPS, is a compromise that may be acceptable for slower-paced gameplay, but its minimum of 47 FPS could cause noticeable stutter in busy scenes. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for 4K, as their frame rates are too low for a playable experience.

In summary, the data suggests that this combo is best utilized at 1080p or 1440p. At 1080p, users can enjoy High or Medium settings for high frame rates. At 1440p, High settings are the sweet spot. 4K gaming is only viable with the Low or Medium presets.

FAQ

Q: What is the best settings preset for this combo at 1080p?

A: The data shows the High preset provides a 98 FPS average, which is a good balance. For maximum frame rates on a high refresh rate monitor, the Medium preset at 144 FPS is the better choice.

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

A: It can, but with significant compromises. The measured results show that only the Low (62 FPS) and Medium (55 FPS) presets are playable at 3840x2160. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this system?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions. This is evident because frame rates drop significantly as resolution increases, a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU's performance is adequate to support high frame rates at 1080p.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This pairing is ranked 1328 out of 2761 tested combinations for Archeage, placing it in the middle of the performance pack.

Q: What are the frame rate expectations at 1440p with High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with the High preset, the measured average FPS is 66. This is a playable frame rate for most users.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K on High settings?

A: At 1080p High, the average FPS is 98. At 4K High, the average FPS is 38. This represents a performance drop of 60 FPS, or approximately 61%, when moving to 4K.