Archeage

The Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the Intel Arc B570 presents a compelling case study in how an older, high-core-count CPU interacts with a modern mid-range GPU in the MMORPG Archeage. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings reveal a system where the balance of responsibility shifts dramatically depending on the workload, and the data suggests that while the GPU is often the limiting factor at higher resolutions, the CPU’s architecture and thread management play a crucial role in maintaining playability at lower settings. This analysis will break down the measured performance, contextualize it against the component’s standalone benchmarks, and offer a clear picture of what gamers can expect from this specific combination.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. Its base clock is 3.60 GHz, with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The processor’s cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 25 MB L3 cache. In standalone benchmarks, this CPU demonstrates strong multi-threaded capability, scoring 28,838 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 14,367 in Geekbench multi-core. Its single-thread performance is also respectable, with a Geekbench single-core score of 2,255 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,071.

In the context of Archeage, which is an MMORPG released in 2014, the CPU’s role is nuanced. MMORPGs often have significant single-threaded demands for game logic, player position tracking, and network handling, but they can also spread certain workloads across multiple threads. The i7-12700KF’s 20 threads provide ample headroom for background tasks and the game’s various systems. The processor’s percentile ranking of 85 versus all CPUs indicates it sits comfortably above the majority of processors on the market. Its average benchmark score of 35,365 places it in close competition with the Intel Core i7-13700T, which scores 35,403 (a delta of -0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-13600T, which scores 35,305 (a delta of 0.2%). This near-tie in synthetic scores suggests that the i7-12700KF’s performance profile is well-balanced for a variety of tasks.

Looking at the measured FPS data, the CPU’s influence is most apparent at 1080p with Low settings, where the system achieves 110 FPS. At this resolution and setting, the GPU is less stressed, and the CPU becomes the primary driver of frame rate. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz likely helps in this scenario, as Archeage’s core game logic often relies on rapid single-thread execution. The data shows a clear progression: as resolution increases, the CPU’s influence wanes, and the GPU takes over as the bottleneck. However, the CPU’s strong multi-threaded scores, such as the 3DMark max threads score of 9,983, suggest that it can handle the background simulation of an MMORPG world without causing severe frame drops, even when many players are on screen. The 12 cores and 20 threads are more than sufficient for a game from 2014, which likely does not utilize more than a few cores effectively. The data indicates the CPU is rarely the limiting factor in this combination, except at the lowest resolution and settings where it enables the high 110 FPS figure.

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

The Intel Arc B570 is a modern GPU based on the Xe2-HPG architecture, manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base and boost clocks are both set at 2500 MHz, and it has a memory clock of 2375 MHz, which translates to 19 Gbps effective. The card includes 2,304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output units. Its compute power is rated at 11.52 TFLOPS for FP32 operations and 23.04 TFLOPS for FP16 (with a 2:1 ratio). The GPU’s pixel rate is 200.0 GPixel/s, and its texture rate is 360.0 GTexel/s.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Arc B570 scores 14,195 in Passmark G3D and 96,844 in Geekbench Vulkan. Its percentile ranking versus all GPUs is 65, indicating it performs better than the majority of graphics cards. Its average benchmark score of 20,556 places it in close competition with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, which scores 20,534 (a delta of 0.1%), and the Intel Arc A750, which scores 20,582 (a delta of -0.1%). This suggests the B570 is a solid mid-range performer, though not a top-tier card.

In Archeage, the GPU’s role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution and settings rise. At 4K Ultra, the system only manages 17 FPS, which is a clear indication that the GPU is overwhelmed. The 10 GB of VRAM is likely sufficient for Archeage, even at 4K, as the game’s textures are not exceptionally demanding by modern standards. However, the GPU’s raw compute power is the limiting factor. The 2500 MHz clock is respectable, but the 160-bit memory bus and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth may struggle with the high data throughput required at 4K. The measured data shows a stark drop from 38 FPS at 4K Medium to 26 FPS at 4K High, and finally to 17 FPS at 4K Ultra. This indicates that the GPU’s shading units and texture units are saturated at higher settings.

At 1440p, the GPU performs more reasonably, with 45 FPS at High and 74 FPS at Low. The gap between Low and High at 1440p is 29 FPS, which highlights how much the GPU’s workload scales with settings. The 1080p results are more balanced, with 110 FPS at Low and 66 FPS at High. The data suggests that the Arc B570 is capable of delivering playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but it struggles at 4K, particularly with High or Ultra settings. The GPU’s 10 GB VRAM is not a bottleneck in this game, as the frame rate drops are more consistent with compute and bandwidth limitations rather than memory capacity issues.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data across resolutions provides clear evidence of how the system’s bottleneck shifts. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 110 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the frame rate drops to 74 FPS, a reduction of 36 FPS or approximately 33%. Moving further to 4K Low, the frame rate falls to 42 FPS, a further reduction of 32 FPS or about 43% from the 1440p figure. This pattern is consistent with the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor as resolution increases, since the CPU’s workload remains relatively constant regardless of resolution.

At Medium settings, the scaling is similar but with lower absolute values. The system runs at 98 FPS at 1080p, 66 FPS at 1440p, and 38 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 32 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is 28 FPS. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is approximately 61%, which is slightly less than the 62% drop seen at Low settings. This suggests that at Medium settings, the GPU is still the main bottleneck, but the CPU’s contribution becomes slightly more noticeable as the GPU load increases.

At High settings, the scaling becomes more pronounced. The system achieves 66 FPS at 1080p, 45 FPS at 1440p, and 26 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 21 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is 19 FPS. The total drop from 1080p to 4K is approximately 61%, similar to the Medium setting. However, the absolute frame rates are lower, indicating that the GPU is working harder. At Ultra settings, the system only manages 45 FPS at 1080p, 31 FPS at 1440p, and 17 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K is 62%, which is consistent with the other settings.

The data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting component at resolutions above 1080p. The CPU’s performance, while strong, cannot compensate for the GPU’s inability to render at higher resolutions. The fact that the FPS drops are relatively consistent in percentage terms across all settings suggests that the GPU’s fill rate and shading capacity are the primary constraints. The CPU’s high single-thread performance ensures that it does not become a bottleneck until the GPU is severely underutilized, which only occurs at 1080p Low. This analysis indicates that for this combination, users seeking higher frame rates should prioritize lowering resolution or settings rather than upgrading the CPU.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and Intel Arc B570 is ranked 2,222 out of 2,761 tested combos in Archeage. This places it in the lower half of the performance distribution, specifically at approximately the 80th percentile from the bottom, meaning that only about 20% of tested combos perform worse. This ranking is notable because it suggests that despite the CPU’s strong standalone benchmarks, the overall system performance is constrained by the GPU, which is ranked at the 65th percentile among all GPUs.

The combo rank of 2,222 out of 2,761 implies that a significant number of other processor and graphics card pairings deliver better performance in this specific game. This is not surprising given the 4K results, which show the system struggling to maintain playable frame rates. The ranking also reflects the fact that Archeage is an older game that may not scale well with newer hardware, and the Arc B570’s driver maturity for this title could be a factor. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-13700T and Intel Core i5-13600T, have similar synthetic scores, but the combo ranking is based on the actual measured FPS in this game, which is heavily influenced by the GPU.

The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 110 FPS, which is a respectable result. However, at 4K Ultra, the 17 FPS result drags down the overall ranking. The combo’s performance is best described as inconsistent, excelling at lower resolutions and settings but failing to maintain playability at higher demands. This ranking suggests that users with this combo should target 1080p or 1440p gaming, where the frame rates are more acceptable. The rank of 2,222 out of 2,761 is a clear indicator that this is not a high-end gaming system for a demanding game like Archeage, but rather a mid-range setup that requires careful settings management to achieve a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in Archeage?

A: The measured data shows that 1080p provides the highest frame rates, with 110 FPS at Low settings and 98 FPS at Medium settings. At 1440p, the frame rates drop to 74 FPS at Low and 66 FPS at Medium. The 4K results are significantly lower, with 42 FPS at Low and 38 FPS at Medium. Therefore, 1080p is the best resolution for achieving high frame rates.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-12700KF compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700T?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35,365, while the Intel Core i7-13700T scores 35,403. The delta percentage is -0.1%, meaning the i7-13700T is slightly faster by 0.1%. This difference is negligible in real-world performance.

Q: Is 10 GB of VRAM sufficient for Archeage at 4K?

A: The data shows that the GPU achieves 42 FPS at 4K Low and 38 FPS at 4K Medium. Since the system can run at these settings without crashing or failing to load textures, the 10 GB of VRAM appears sufficient for this game, even at 4K. The frame rate drops are more likely due to compute limitations.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the system achieves 110 FPS at Low settings and 45 FPS at Ultra settings. This is a difference of 65 FPS, or approximately 59% lower performance at Ultra compared to Low. This indicates that Ultra settings place a significant load on the GPU.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B570’s benchmark score compare to the Intel Arc A750?

A: The Intel Arc B570 has an average benchmark score of 20,556, while the Intel Arc A750 scores 20,582. The delta percentage is -0.1%, meaning the Arc A750 is slightly faster by 0.1%. This is a very small difference.

Q: Does the combo rank better at lower resolutions?

A: The combo rank of 2,222 out of 2,761 is based on all measured data points. The system’s performance at 1080p Low (110 FPS) is strong, but the lower scores at 4K (17 FPS at Ultra) negatively affect the overall ranking. A user playing only at 1080p would likely experience better relative performance than the rank suggests.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual quality. At 1080p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 98 FPS, with a minimum of 83 FPS and a maximum of 112 FPS. This is a good balance, as it provides a smooth experience with a minimum frame rate above 60 FPS. The Low preset offers 110 FPS, which is higher, but the visual quality is reduced. The High preset achieves 66 FPS, which is playable but has a lower minimum frame rate. The Ultra preset drops to 45 FPS, which may be too low for a smooth experience in a fast-paced MMORPG.

At 1440p, the Medium preset yields 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS. This is a reasonable target, as the minimum frame rate is close to 60 FPS. The Low preset offers 74 FPS, which is slightly higher, but the Medium preset provides better visual fidelity. The High preset drops to 45 FPS, which is at the edge of playability. The Ultra preset at 31 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience.

At 4K, the Low preset is the only viable option, delivering 42 FPS. The Medium preset achieves 38 FPS, which is marginally lower. The High preset at 26 FPS and Ultra at 17 FPS are not playable for most users. Therefore, for 4K gaming, the Low preset is the best choice, though 42 FPS may still feel choppy in crowded areas.

For the best overall experience, the Medium preset at 1080p is recommended, as it offers a high average frame rate with a minimum FPS above 60. For users who prioritize visual quality, the High preset at 1080p is acceptable, but they should be prepared for occasional frame rate dips. For 1440p, the Medium preset is the best balance of performance and quality. At 4K, users should stick to Low settings to maintain playability.

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

The measured FPS data for this combo is as follows:

At 1920x1080:

• Low settings: average FPS 110, no min or max recorded.
• Medium settings: average FPS 98, minimum FPS 83, maximum FPS 112.
• High settings: average FPS 66, no min or max recorded.
• Ultra settings: average FPS 45, no min or max recorded.

At 2560x1440:

• Low settings: average FPS 74, no min or max recorded.
• Medium settings: average FPS 66, minimum FPS 56, maximum FPS 76.
• High settings: average FPS 45, no min or max recorded.
• Ultra settings: average FPS 31, no min or max recorded.

At 3840x2160:

• Low settings: average FPS 42, no min or max recorded.
• Medium settings: average FPS 38, minimum FPS 32, maximum FPS 43.
• High settings: average FPS 26, no min or max recorded.
• Ultra settings: average FPS 17, no min or max recorded.

The data reveals a clear trend: frame rates decrease as resolution and settings increase. The Medium settings at each resolution provide the most complete data, showing the range of performance. At 1080p, the minimum FPS of 83 ensures a smooth experience. At 1440p, the minimum FPS of 56 is slightly below 60, which may cause minor stutters in demanding scenes. At 4K, the minimum FPS of 32 is quite low, indicating that the system struggles to maintain consistent performance at this resolution. The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens at higher resolutions, with the difference being 65 FPS at 1080p, 43 FPS at 1440p, and 25 FPS at 4K. This suggests that the GPU’s workload scales more steeply with settings at lower resolutions, where the CPU is less of a factor. Overall, these numbers provide a comprehensive view of the system’s capabilities in Archeage, allowing users to make informed decisions about their settings.