Archeage

Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG, presents a demanding workload that scales significantly with both CPU and GPU capabilities. This analysis examines the measured performance of the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER, using only the provided benchmark data to interpret how this combination handles the game across various settings and resolutions. The data indicates a system that can deliver playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but which struggles to maintain smooth performance at 4K Ultra settings, revealing a clear bottleneck dynamic between the processor and graphics card.

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, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This configuration provides substantial multi-threaded headroom, as reflected in its benchmark scores. For instance, the processor achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 28838 and a Passmark multithread score of 34092. In the context of an MMORPG like Archeage, which often involves numerous player characters, NPCs, and world events, this level of parallel processing power is crucial for maintaining consistent frame rates in crowded areas. The processor's single-thread performance is also strong, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3984, which is essential for the game's primary simulation thread.

The data shows that the CPU's performance relative to its peers is very high, sitting in the 85th percentile among all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 35365 is nearly identical to its closest rivals, with a delta of -0.1% compared to the Intel Core i7-13700T and 0.2% compared to the Intel Core i5-13600T and Intel Core i7-12700K. This indicates that the i7-12700KF is performing exactly as expected for its class, with no significant anomalies. In practical terms for Archeage, this means the processor is unlikely to be the primary source of frame rate limitations at lower resolutions. The CPU's 25 MB of shared L3 cache also helps with the large data sets common in open-world games. However, the measured FPS data suggests that while the CPU is powerful, its influence on the final frame rate diminishes as resolution and graphical load increase, shifting the bottleneck to the GPU.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this hardware combination depend heavily on the target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1920x1080, all presets are playable, but the Medium preset offers the best balance. The Low preset achieves an average of 142 FPS, while Medium drops to 126 FPS, a relatively small decrease for a significant visual improvement. High delivers 86 FPS, which is still smooth, but Ultra falls to 59 FPS. The Medium preset's minimum FPS of 107 is also notably stable, ensuring a consistent experience. Therefore, at 1080p, Medium provides the best experience per the measured rows, offering high frame rates with good visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the choice becomes more critical. The Low preset is the only one that achieves a frame rate above 100, hitting 96 FPS on average. Medium follows at 85 FPS, which is still very playable. High drops to 58 FPS, which is acceptable for many, but the minimum FPS is not recorded. Ultra is the only option that falls below 40 FPS, averaging just 39 FPS. For a consistently smooth experience at 1440p, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it stays well above 60 FPS while providing a substantial visual upgrade over Low. The High preset is a viable alternative for those who prioritize visuals over a higher frame rate, but it risks dipping below 60 FPS in demanding scenes.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more challenging. The Low preset is the only one that maintains a playable average frame rate, at 55 FPS. Medium averages 49 FPS with a minimum of 41 FPS, which can feel inconsistent. High drops to 33 FPS, and Ultra is effectively unplayable at 23 FPS. The data clearly indicates that 4K is not a viable target for this combo at higher settings. The best experience at this resolution is achieved with the Low preset, which, while not ideal, provides a playable frame rate. For a more visually rich experience, the Medium preset is the only other option that stays above 40 FPS, but its lower minimum frame rate suggests potential stuttering.

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

The FPS scaling across resolutions provides clear evidence of the system's bottleneck. At Low settings, the average frame rate drops from 142 FPS at 1080p to 96 FPS at 1440p and 55 FPS at 4K. This is a 32% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 61% drop from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, at Medium settings, the frame rate falls from 126 FPS at 1080p to 85 FPS at 1440p and 49 FPS at 4K. This pattern, where the frame rate decreases significantly as resolution increases, is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. The RTX 2070 SUPER is being tasked with rendering more pixels, and its performance scales accordingly.

However, the scaling is not perfectly linear, and the CPU's role becomes apparent at lower resolutions. At 1080p Low, the 142 FPS is likely close to the CPU's limit for this game's engine. If the CPU were the sole bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across resolutions until the GPU became the limiting factor. Instead, we see a steady decline, suggesting that the GPU is the primary constraint at all resolutions, even 1080p. The fact that the 1080p Low frame rate of 142 FPS is lower than what a more powerful GPU might achieve with the same CPU indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting component. The CPU has enough headroom to push higher frame rates, but the GPU cannot render them. This analysis is supported by the i7-12700KF's high percentile ranking, which suggests it is not a weak link in this pairing.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 2147 out of 3708 tested combinations in Archeage. This places the combo in the bottom half of all tested systems, which is a meaningful indicator of its overall performance level. While the individual components are capable, the pairing as a whole does not reach the top tiers of performance in this game. This ranking is likely due to the GPU being a mid-range card that is now several generations old, limiting the overall system's ability to run the game at maximum settings and high resolutions.

The ranking suggests that there are many other CPU and GPU combinations that can achieve higher frame rates in Archeage. While the i7-12700KF is a strong processor, its performance is not fully utilized when paired with the RTX 2070 SUPER. The data indicates that the system's overall rank is more heavily influenced by the GPU's capabilities. For instance, the GPU's percentile rank is 65, while the CPU's is 85. This discrepancy reinforces the idea that the GPU is the limiting factor. The combo's rank of 2147 out of 3708 means that a majority of other tested configurations outperform it, likely because they feature more powerful graphics cards. This is not to say the combo is weak; it is simply positioned in the lower-middle tier of tested hardware for this specific game.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is built on the Turing architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1605 MHz and a boost clock of 1770 MHz. Its 2560 shading units are responsible for the raw compute power, and the 40 RT cores and 320 tensor cores provide hardware support for ray tracing and AI features, though these are less critical for a 2014 MMORPG. The GPU's FP32 performance is 9.062 TFLOPS, which is a reasonable figure for its class. In the context of Archeage, the 8 GB of VRAM is generally sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it may become a limiting factor at 4K Ultra settings, where texture memory demands are higher.

The GPU's benchmark scores reflect its mid-range status. Its Passmark G3D score is 18169, and it has an average benchmark score of 20282, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Arc A750 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, with the RTX 2070 SUPER performing about 1.5% slower than the Arc A750 and 1.2% slower than the RTX 3070 Mobile. This shows that the card is competitive with other mid-range options but is not a high-end performer. The measured FPS data confirms this, as the card struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K, especially on higher presets. The GPU is clearly the bottleneck in this system, and its performance is the primary determinant of the frame rates seen in the data.

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

1920x1080:

• Low: The average FPS is 142. This is the highest frame rate recorded for this combo, indicating a smooth and responsive experience.
• Medium: The average FPS is 126, with a minimum of 107 and a maximum of 145. This preset offers a high level of performance with only a modest reduction from Low.
• High: The average FPS is 86. This is a significant drop from Medium but still playable for most users.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 59. This is the only preset at 1080p that dips below 60 FPS, making it less ideal for competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors.

2560x1440:

• Low: The average FPS is 96. This is the only preset at 1440p that stays above 90 FPS, providing a very good experience.
• Medium: The average FPS is 85, with a minimum of 72 and a maximum of 98. This is a solid choice for a balance of visuals and performance.
• High: The average FPS is 58. This is a playable frame rate, but it may not be consistently smooth in all situations.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 39. This is a considerable drop and may result in noticeable stuttering, making it a poor choice for this resolution.

3840x2160:

• Low: The average FPS is 55. This is the only playable option at 4K, providing a playable but not ideal experience.
• Medium: The average FPS is 49, with a minimum of 41 and a maximum of 56. This preset is borderline playable, but the minimum frame rate is low.
• High: The average FPS is 33. This is a very low frame rate that is not suitable for smooth gameplay.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 23. This is effectively unplayable, rendering the preset unusable at this resolution.

FAQ

Q: Is this CPU and GPU combo capable of running Archeage at 1080p?

A: Yes, the data shows it can run at 1080p with all presets. The Low preset averages 142 FPS, Medium averages 126 FPS, High averages 86 FPS, and even Ultra averages 59 FPS.

Q: What is the best setting to use at 2560x1440 for a smooth experience?

A: The Medium preset is the best balance, providing an average of 85 FPS with a minimum of 72 FPS, which ensures a consistently smooth experience. The Low preset is faster at 96 FPS, but Medium offers a significant visual upgrade for a small performance cost.

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

A: The data indicates that 4K is only playable on the Low preset, which averages 55 FPS. The Medium preset averages 49 FPS but has a lower minimum of 41 FPS. Higher presets are not playable, with High averaging 33 FPS and Ultra averaging just 23 FPS.

Q: Which component is the limiting factor for this combo?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the primary limiting factor. This is evident from the significant FPS drops as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU, in contrast, has a high performance percentile, suggesting it has more headroom.

Q: How does this CPU compare to its closest rivals in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35365. It is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-13700T (35403, -0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-13600T (35305, 0.2% delta), showing its performance is closely matched with those parts.

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this specific combo in Archeage?

A: This combination of the i7-12700KF and RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 2147 out of 3708 tested combos, placing it in the lower-middle tier of all tested systems for this game.