Archeage

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the Intel Arc B370 presents a dataset with a clear and consistent pattern: performance is overwhelmingly constrained by the graphics processor. Across all resolutions and settings, the measured FPS reveals a system that struggles to maintain playable frame rates, particularly as resolution and graphical fidelity increase. The data shows a classic GPU-bound scenario where the capable 12-core processor cannot compensate for the integrated graphics solution's limitations in this MMORPG.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 drives a dramatic reduction in frame rates across every settings preset, confirming that the Intel Arc B370 is the primary bottleneck. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 65 at 1080p to 43 at 1440p, a reduction of 22 frames, and then further down to 25 at 4K. This scaling pattern is steep, showing that each step up in pixel count exacts a heavy toll on the GPU's throughput. The delta from 1080p to 4K at Low settings represents a 61.5% decrease in average FPS, indicating that the graphics processor's raw pixel-pushing capabilities are severely limited.

At Medium settings, the same trend holds. The average FPS at 1080p is 57, which falls to 39 at 1440p, and then to 22 at 4K. The minimum FPS at 1440p Medium is 33, and at 4K Medium it drops to 19, suggesting that not only are average frame rates low, but the frame pacing becomes less stable as resolution increases. The difference between 1080p and 1440p at Medium settings is 18 frames, while the difference between 1440p and 4K is 17 frames, showing a nearly linear degradation with each resolution tier.

High settings exacerbate the issue. The average FPS at 1080p is 39, dropping to 26 at 1440p and just 15 at 4K. The scaling here is less linear, with the 1080p to 1440p drop being 13 frames and the 1440p to 4K drop being 11 frames. This suggests that at higher settings, the GPU's shading and texture units are also becoming saturated, not just the pixel fill rate. The Ultra preset provides the lowest frame rates, with averages of 27 at 1080p, 18 at 1440p, and 10 at 4K. The data indicates that the gap between 1080p and 1440p is 9 frames, while the gap between 1440p and 4K is 8 frames.

This scaling behavior reveals that the system is not CPU-limited in any tested configuration. A CPU bottleneck would typically show more consistent FPS across resolutions, as the processor would be the limiting factor regardless of pixel count. Instead, the FPS drops are directly proportional to the increase in pixel workload, which is the hallmark of a GPU-limited system. The Intel Core i7-12700K, with its high single-thread performance, is effectively idle waiting for the Arc B370 to complete its rendering tasks.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a 25 W TDP, and its performance characteristics are well below what is needed for demanding gaming at high resolutions. Its benchmark score in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This extremely low percentile ranking is consistent with the measured FPS data, which shows the GPU struggling to maintain even 30 FPS at 1080p on most settings. The nearest rivals, such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 with a score of 1186 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with a score of 1190, have similar performance deltas of -0.2% and -0.5% respectively, confirming that the Arc B370 is positioned in a legacy performance tier.

The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared" with a bus width of "System Shared" and bandwidth that is "System Dependent." This means the graphics processor relies on the system's main memory (DDR4 or DDR5) rather than dedicated VRAM. In a memory-intensive MMORPG like Archeage, this shared memory architecture can introduce latency and bandwidth contention, particularly at higher resolutions where the framebuffer demands are larger. The clock speeds are also modest, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The boost clock is the maximum achievable, but sustained performance in a real workload will likely be lower, especially given the 25 W TDP constraint.

The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 20 render output units (ROPs). The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s. These raw specifications, combined with the FP32 performance of 6.144 TFLOPS, illustrate a processor that is designed for basic graphics output rather than high-end gaming. The data shows that at 1080p Low, the GPU can manage 65 FPS, which is acceptable for a less demanding title, but the moment settings are raised to Medium, the FPS drops to 57, and at High it falls to 39. This sensitivity to settings indicates that the GPU's shading units and TMUs are quickly overwhelmed when more complex effects and higher-resolution textures are enabled.

The 4K results are particularly telling. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 25, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 10, which is effectively a slideshow. This is not a matter of tweaking settings; the GPU simply does not have the fill rate or memory bandwidth to handle 3840x2160 resolutions in this game. The data suggests that the Arc B370 is only viable for 1080p gaming at the lowest settings, and even then, it is only marginally playable.

How This Combo Ranks

In the overall benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-12700K and the Intel Arc B370 ranks 2546 out of 2761 tested combos for Archeage. This places it in the bottom 7.8% of all tested combinations, indicating that it is one of the least capable systems for this game. The ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU's low performance, as the CPU is a high-end part. The data shows that the combination is not balanced, with a powerful processor paired with a weak integrated GPU.

The combo rank of 2546 means that there are 215 other tested combinations that perform worse. This is a small number, but it underscores the fact that the Arc B370 is a significant drag on the system's overall gaming capability. The CPU alone has an average benchmark score of 35287, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals are all within 0.4% of its score. For example, the Intel Core i5-13600T has an average score of 35305, a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core i7-12700KF has a score of 35365, a delta of -0.2%. This shows that the processor is a top-tier performer.

However, the GPU's average benchmark score is only 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile. This massive disparity between the CPU's 84th percentile and the GPU's 5th percentile explains the low combo ranking. The system is effectively held back by its graphics solution. In a game like Archeage, which is an MMORPG and may have CPU-bound moments in crowded areas, the i7-12700K could theoretically provide a solid foundation, but the GPU will always be the limiting factor in terms of raw frame rate output. The data indicates that any upgrade to a discrete GPU would dramatically improve the combo's ranking, but as configured, it is near the bottom of the pile.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 39. This is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay, indicating that the Intel Arc B370 is insufficient for this settings preset.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700K the bottleneck in this system?

A: No, the data does not support a CPU bottleneck. The FPS scales significantly with resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-limited system. The i7-12700K has a high single-thread score of 1043 in 3DMark, but the Arc B370's low performance prevents it from being utilized fully.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B370 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, has a score of 1186, which is a delta of -0.2%. The ATI Radeon HD 5770 has a score of 1190, a delta of -0.5%. This shows the Arc B370 is statistically similar to these older parts.

Q: What is the best playable settings preset at 1440p?

A: Based on the measured data, the Low preset at 2560x1440 yields an average FPS of 43. The Medium preset yields 39 FPS, and the High preset yields 26 FPS. None of these are ideal, but Low is the only one that approaches a playable frame rate.

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

A: The data shows that 4K gaming is not viable. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 25, and at 4K Ultra, it is 10. These frame rates are too low for an enjoyable experience, regardless of the settings preset.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average FPS of 65, while the Ultra preset achieves an average FPS of 27. This is a difference of 38 frames, or a 58.5% reduction in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its multi-threaded performance is strong, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 19784 and a Geekbench multicore score of 15790. The single-core performance is also solid, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1850.5 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2308. In the context of Archeage, an MMORPG that relies on a mix of single-threaded game logic and multi-threaded asset streaming, this CPU provides ample processing power.

However, the benchmark results show that the CPU's capabilities are not the limiting factor. The highest FPS recorded in the dataset is 65 at 1080p Low, and the lowest is 10 at 4K Ultra. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see more consistent FPS across different resolutions at the same settings. The fact that FPS drops by nearly half when moving from 1080p to 4K at Low settings (from 65 to 25) confirms that the i7-12700K is not maxed out. The CPU's TDP is 125 W, and it has a large 25 MB shared L3 cache, which helps with data locality in complex scenes.

The processor's high performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Passmark multithread score of 34404 and a Passmark single-thread score of 4013, suggests it would handle the game's logic and physics calculations without issue. The bottleneck is purely on the graphics side. The i7-12700K is essentially waiting for the Arc B370 to deliver frames, and its powerful cores are underutilized. In this configuration, the CPU's role is to ensure that the game logic runs smoothly, but it cannot influence the GPU's rendering throughput. The data indicates that upgrading the GPU would unlock the CPU's full potential, but as tested, the system's performance is entirely dependent on the integrated graphics.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured FPS data, the only viable settings preset for a playable experience is Low at 1920x1080, which yields an average FPS of 65. This is the only configuration that breaks the 60 FPS threshold, providing a smooth enough frame rate for an MMORPG. The Medium preset at 1080p offers an average FPS of 57, which is close to playable but may exhibit stutter in busy areas. The data shows a minimum FPS of 49 for this preset, indicating that frame drops are possible.

For 1440p, the Low preset is the only reasonable choice, with an average FPS of 43. The Medium preset at 1440p has an average FPS of 39, but its minimum FPS of 33 suggests that it will not provide a consistent experience. At 4K, no settings preset is recommended, as the highest average FPS is 25 at Low, which is below the standard for playability. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it produces an average FPS of 27 at 1080p, 18 at 1440p, and 10 at 4K, all of which are too low.

The data indicates that the Intel Arc B370 is best utilized with the Low settings preset. This preset likely disables or reduces demanding graphical features like shadows, anti-aliasing, and post-processing effects, which relieves pressure on the GPU's limited shading units and TMUs. Raising the settings to Medium or High introduces a significant performance penalty, with FPS dropping by 12% and 40% respectively at 1080p compared to Low. The gap between Medium and High at 1080p is 18 frames, while the gap between High and Ultra is 12 frames, showing that the cost of each setting tier increases as the GPU becomes more saturated.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average FPS of 65. The Medium preset has an average of 57, with a minimum of 49 and a maximum of 66. The High preset averages 39 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 27 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a steady decline, with a total loss of 38 FPS from the lowest to the highest settings. The Medium preset's maximum FPS of 66 is close to the Low preset's average, indicating that the GPU can occasionally reach higher frame rates but cannot sustain them.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 43 FPS. The Medium preset averages 39 FPS, with a minimum of 33 and a maximum of 44. The High preset averages 26 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 18 FPS. The delta between Low and Medium is 4 FPS, which is smaller than the 8 FPS delta between Medium and High. This suggests that the Medium preset is relatively close in performance to Low, but High introduces a more significant load. The Ultra preset's 18 FPS average is only 9 FPS higher than the 4K Low preset's 25 FPS, showing the severe impact of both high resolution and high settings.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 25 FPS. The Medium preset averages 22 FPS, with a minimum of 19 and a maximum of 25. The High preset averages 15 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 10 FPS. The data shows that even the Low preset cannot maintain a playable frame rate at 4K, with an average of 25 FPS. The Medium preset's minimum of 19 FPS is particularly low, indicating that the system will experience noticeable stuttering. The High and Ultra presets produce averages of 15 and 10 FPS respectively, which are effectively unplayable. The data across all resolutions and settings confirms that this combination of CPU and GPU is only suitable for 1080p gaming at the lowest settings, and any increase in resolution or graphical fidelity results in a degraded experience.