Archeage

Archeage, an MMORPG released in 2014, presents an interesting benchmark scenario when paired with a modern flagship GPU like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D and a six-core Intel Core i5-9400. The measured data reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its processor in most situations, yet capable of delivering playable frame rates across all tested settings and resolutions. The following analysis breaks down the specific contributions of each component, the overall ranking of this combination, and the precise performance metrics observed.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a Coffee Lake Refresh processor with 6 cores and 6 threads, a base clock of 2.90 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. With a TDP of 65W and a 9 MB shared L3 cache, this chip is a mainstream desktop part from 2018. Its benchmark scores place it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2254. In the context of modern gaming, this is a modest result, and the data strongly suggests that this processor is the primary bottleneck in this Archeage configuration.

The CPU's single-threaded and multi-threaded performance are both unremarkable by current standards. In Cinebench R23, it scores 935 points in single-core and 6629 points in multi-core. These figures are closely matched by its nearest rivals, including the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (0.2% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (0.4% slower), indicating that the CPU is operating at a performance tier that is significantly below the capabilities of the paired GPU. In an MMORPG like Archeage, which often has a heavy server-side and game-logic processing load, the CPU's ability to feed the GPU with draw calls and game state updates is critical. The 6-core/6-thread configuration, without hyper-threading, can be a limiting factor in crowded areas or complex scenes, a hypothesis supported by the FPS data.

The influence of this CPU is most apparent when examining the frame rate scaling across different graphics settings. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 161. When the settings are increased to Ultra at the same resolution, the average FPS drops to 116. This is a relatively small performance penalty of roughly 28%, which is not what one would expect from a GPU-bound scenario. A more powerful GPU would typically show a much larger frame rate drop as settings and resolution increase, as the rasterization and shading workload expands. The fact that the FPS remains relatively high but does not scale dramatically suggests that the CPU is already near its limit, and the GPU is waiting for the processor to provide more work. The performance difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is only 45 FPS, a relatively narrow range compared to what the RTX 5090 D is capable of.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D is a colossal graphics card, featuring the GB202 chip on a 5 nm process from TSMC, with 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. Its 21760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, and 176 ROPs are the architectural muscles that drive its 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power. The card's boost clock is 2407 MHz, and it operates with a 575W TDP. With an average benchmark score of 77712, it sits at the 92nd percentile of all GPUs. This is a component of immense power, and in most modern games, it would dominate the performance profile.

However, in this specific Archeage benchmark, the GPU's role is secondary to the CPU. The evidence is in the frame rates. The RTX 5090 D is never fully utilized, as the bottleneck is upstream. The data shows that the GPU has ample headroom. For instance, at 4K with High settings, the average FPS is 76. When the resolution is dropped to 1440p High, the FPS jumps to 117, and at 1080p High, it reaches 134. This scaling is informative. A GPU-bound system would show a more linear improvement as resolution decreases, since the pixel fill rate demand drops. Here, the improvement from 1440p to 1080p is only 17 FPS, while the jump from 4K to 1440p is 41 FPS. This suggests that the GPU is still handling the higher resolutions with relative ease, but at lower resolutions, the CPU's limitations become the absolute ceiling. The GPU is effectively "waiting" for the i5-9400 to submit more rendering commands.

The RTX 5090 D's nearest rivals, according to the average benchmark score, are the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT (1.6% faster) and the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (2.4% faster). This is a peculiar grouping, as those are mobile and data-center parts, respectively, but it highlights the score-based ranking. In this game, the difference in performance between the RTX 5090 D and these rivals is largely irrelevant because the CPU bottleneck masks the GPU's true potential. The GPU's 32 GB of VRAM is also not a factor in this test, as Archeage is a 2014 title and would not require anywhere near that capacity, even at 4K Ultra settings.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D achieves a rank of 405 out of 2761 tested combos in Archeage. This places it in the top 15% of all tested systems, which is a strong result on the surface. However, this ranking is almost certainly proof of the sheer power of the GPU, which can brute-force its way to high frame rates in some scenarios despite the CPU bottleneck. The rank of 405 is respectable, but it is far from the top, which would be occupied by systems with more balanced, higher-end processors.

The data indicates that this combo is performing below what the GPU alone would suggest. Given that the RTX 5090 D is at the 92nd percentile of all GPUs, one would expect a system pairing it with a similarly high-end CPU to rank much higher, likely in the top 100. The fact that it sits at 405 implies that the processor is dragging the overall performance down. This is a classic case of a "lopsided" build, where a top-tier component is paired with a mid-range one. The rank of 405 is a direct consequence of the CPU's 47th percentile standing, which limits the overall system's ability to translate the GPU's raw compute power into actual game frames. The ranking suggests that the i5-9400 is a significant liability, preventing this system from competing with more balanced configurations.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across three resolutions and four graphics presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers its highest frame rates. The Low preset averages 161 FPS, Medium averages 155 FPS (with a range of 131 to 178), High averages 134 FPS, and Ultra averages 116 FPS. The data shows a consistent decline as settings increase, but the total spread is only 45 FPS. The minimum FPS recorded at 1080p Medium is 131, indicating that even in less demanding scenes, the frame rate can dip, but it remains well within the playable range for a fast-paced game.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance predictably decreases. The Low preset averages 141 FPS, Medium averages 136 FPS (with a range of 115 to 156), High averages 117 FPS, and Ultra averages 90 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is noticeable, but the system still maintains very high average frame rates for a competitive MMORPG. The Ultra preset at 1440p is still well above 60 FPS, making it a viable option for most players.

At 3840x2160, the system begins to show more strain, but the performance remains acceptable. The Low preset averages 117 FPS, Medium averages 112 FPS (with a range of 95 to 128), High averages 76 FPS, and Ultra averages 52 FPS. The jump from High to Ultra at 4K is particularly steep, representing a 24 FPS drop. This is the only configuration tested where the average frame rate falls below 60 FPS, making Ultra at 4K a less desirable choice for a consistently smooth experience. The data across all resolutions shows a consistent pattern: the CPU bottleneck compresses the frame rate differences between settings, while the GPU's power ensures that even at 4K, the system is capable of playable performance.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck for the RTX 5090 D in Archeage?

A: Yes, the data strongly indicates a CPU bottleneck. The frame rate differences between Low and Ultra settings are relatively small at all resolutions, which is a classic sign that the processor is limiting the system. The CPU's 47th percentile ranking and its modest benchmark scores support this conclusion.

Q: Can this system run Archeage at 4K?

A: Yes, it can. At 4K with High settings, the average FPS is 76. Even at Ultra settings, it averages 52 FPS, which is playable, though not ideal. The Medium preset at 4K averages 112 FPS, which is smooth. The system is definitely capable of 4K gaming in this title.

Q: What is the best resolution to play Archeage with this hardware?

A: Based on the measured data, 2560x1440 offers the best balance. At 1440p Ultra, the system averages 90 FPS, which is a solid, high-refresh-rate experience. It provides a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining high frame rates, and it avoids the sub-60 FPS average seen at 4K Ultra.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 D compare to its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 5090 D has an average benchmark score of 77712. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, is 1.6% faster with a score of 78940. The NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB is 2.4% faster with a score of 79605. These differences are small, but in this game, the CPU bottleneck makes these GPU performance differences imperceptible.

Q: Why does the FPS drop from 1440p to 1080p seem small?

A: The improvement from 1440p High (117 FPS) to 1080p High (134 FPS) is only 17 FPS. This is because the CPU is the limiting factor at lower resolutions. The GPU is not being taxed as heavily, so reducing the resolution does not provide a proportional increase in frame rate, as the processor cannot deliver more data.

Q: What is the system's overall ranking among tested combos?

A: The combo of the Intel Core i5-9400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D ranks 405th out of 2761 tested combos in Archeage. This places it in the top 15% of all systems tested, but its position is held back by the processor's performance ceiling.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience depends on the user's preference for resolution and refresh rate. For players with a 1080p monitor, the High preset provides an excellent experience at 134 FPS average. While Low and Medium offer higher frame rates, High is a significant visual upgrade and still maintains a frame rate well above the refresh rate of most standard monitors. The Ultra preset at 1080p, at 116 FPS, is also a strong choice for those who prioritize image quality, as the performance penalty is modest.

At 1440p, the Medium preset is a very strong recommendation, averaging 136 FPS. The High preset is also excellent at 117 FPS. For users with a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor, the Medium or High presets are ideal, as they provide a smooth and responsive experience. The Ultra preset at 1440p, with an average of 90 FPS, is also a good option for those who want the best visuals, as it remains comfortably above 60 FPS. Given the data, the Ultra preset at 1440p provides the most balanced combination of visual fidelity and performance for a high-refresh-rate experience.

For 4K gaming, the Medium preset is the best choice. It averages 112 FPS, which is smooth and visually appealing. The High preset, at 76 FPS, is also viable for a cinematic, single-player experience, but the Medium preset offers a better margin for frame time consistency. The Ultra preset at 4K, averaging 52 FPS, is not recommended for gameplay due to its lower average frame rate, which may lead to noticeable stuttering in a fast-paced MMO environment. The data suggests that players should cap their settings at High for 4K if they prefer visual quality, but Medium is the safest recommendation for a consistently fluid experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K reveals the system's limiting component. At High settings, the average FPS is 134 at 1080p, 117 at 1440p, and 76 at 4K. This represents a 13% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 43% drop from 1440p to 4K. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is much more dramatic than the scaling from 1080p to 1440p. This is a key indicator of a CPU bottleneck at lower resolutions.

If the system were purely GPU-bound, the frame rate drop from 1440p to 4K would be expected to be more linear and severe, as the GPU's pixel-pushing workload increases by roughly 2.25 times. The fact that the drop is not that steep, and that the 1080p to 1440p drop is so small, shows that the CPU is the primary constraint at 1080p and 1440p. The GPU only starts to become the limiting factor at 4K, where the increased resolution finally begins to load the RTX 5090 D enough to see a more significant performance scaling. This analysis is consistent with the conclusion that the i5-9400 is holding back the system's full potential, and the RTX 5090 D is only able to stretch its legs at the highest resolution tested. The data suggests that at 4K, the workload shifts from being CPU-bound to more balanced, but the CPU still prevents the system from achieving the ultra-high frame rates that the GPU is capable of.