Archeage

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 secures the 6th position out of 1,727 tested combos in Archeage, placing it in the top 0.3% of all configurations. This is an elite ranking that reflects the raw capability of both components, but it is not the absolute top. The data suggests that a handful of other pairings edge it out, likely by a small margin given the extremely high percentile. The CPU itself sits at the 96th percentile when compared against all processors, while the GPU is at the 94th percentile against all graphics cards, confirming that this is a balanced, high-end pairing rather than a lopsided one.

Looking at the CPU's nearest rivals, the i7-14700K sits within a narrow band of performance. It is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-14700KF, which is expected since the KF variant typically has identical core architecture. The AMD EPYC 9115 is a mere 0.3% behind, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is 0.5% ahead, and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 trails by 1.4%. These deltaPct values are small, meaning that in a game like Archeage, which can be sensitive to single-thread performance, the i7-14700K's strong single-core showing is what keeps it competitive. The GPU side shows a similar story: the RTX 5090 is 0.1% ahead of the RTX 5090 D, 0.2% ahead of the RTX 5050 Mobile, and 1.3% ahead of the AMD Radeon PRO W6600. The only rival that beats it, the NVIDIA CMP 40HX, does so by 1.6%, which is within the margin of run-to-run variance.

For a game released in 2014, Archeage's engine is not particularly demanding by modern standards, but the measured frame rates show that this combo still leverages its high-end parts effectively. The rank of 6 out of 1,727 is a strong statement: this is a system that will not struggle with the game's heaviest moments, such as large-scale player-vs-player battles or crowded city areas. The combination of a 20-core, 28-thread CPU and a 32 GB GPU ensures that both the simulation and rendering workloads are handled without bottlenecking each other.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is the dominant component in this pairing, and its specifications explain why it ranks so highly. It houses 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, delivering 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. In Archeage, which is an older MMORPG with large open-world textures and many on-screen characters, this memory capacity is more than sufficient, even at 4K Ultra settings. The GPU's base clock is 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and the memory runs at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). These clocks are high, but the real story is the sheer number of compute units: 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output pipelines.

The GPU's benchmark scores reinforce its position. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 14,411, and in Geekbench OpenCL it hits 380,114, with a Vulkan score of 379,571. Passmark G3D shows 39,650, and the compute score is 26,756. These numbers place it in the 94th percentile of all GPUs, and its nearest rivals are all within 1.6% of its average score, indicating that the RTX 5090 is at the top of the heap but not alone there. In the context of Archeage, the GPU's role becomes clear when you look at the 4K Ultra result: 50.7 FPS average. That is the lowest frame rate in the entire measured set, and it is the GPU that is being pushed hardest. The 32 GB VRAM means there is no risk of texture swapping, but the compute load at Ultra settings is what brings the frame rate down.

At 1080p Low, the GPU is almost idle relative to its capacity, hitting 295.6 FPS. This suggests that the CPU is the limiting factor at lower resolutions, as the GPU has plenty of headroom. The RTX 5090's TDP is 575 W, and it requires a 950 W PSU, so it is a power-hungry part, but the performance it delivers in this game justifies the hardware investment for those seeking maximum frame rates.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of how this combo scales from 1080p to 4K. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high across all settings. Low runs at 295.6 FPS, Medium at 278, High at 187.5, and Ultra at 127.2. The jump from 1080p to 1440p shows a significant drop, but the system remains very capable. At 1440p, Low runs at 207.5 FPS, Medium at 182.7, High at 123.7, and Ultra at 82.4. Moving to 4K, the frame rates fall further: Low runs at 121.3 FPS, Medium at 105.6, High at 74.4, and Ultra at 50.7.

The drop from 1080p Low to 4K Low is from 295.6 to 121.3 FPS, a reduction of 59%. This is a large drop, but it is consistent with the GPU being pushed harder at higher resolutions. However, the more telling metric is the difference between settings within a single resolution. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 168.4 FPS, which indicates that the CPU is able to feed the GPU at lower settings, and the GPU is not the bottleneck. At 4K, the difference between Low and Ultra is 70.6 FPS, which is smaller in absolute terms but still substantial.

The data shows that the limiting component changes with resolution. At 1080p, the CPU is the primary limiter, as evidenced by the fact that even at Ultra settings, the frame rate is 127.2 FPS, which is above what many would consider playable for a smooth experience. At 4K, the GPU becomes the bottleneck, especially at Ultra settings where the frame rate drops to 50.7 FPS. This is not a bad result for a demanding 4K scenario, but it shows that the RTX 5090 is being fully utilized at that resolution. For players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, 1440p offers a sweet spot: High settings deliver 123.7 FPS, which is a smooth experience, and even Ultra at 82.4 FPS is acceptable for most.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS for this combo in Archeage is as follows. At 4K (3840x2160), the Low preset averages 121.3 FPS, Medium averages 105.6 FPS, High averages 74.4 FPS, and Ultra averages 50.7 FPS. The step from Low to Medium is a 15.7 FPS drop, from Medium to High is a 31.2 FPS drop, and from High to Ultra is a 23.7 FPS drop. This shows that the High to Ultra transition is the most punishing, likely due to increased draw distances and shadow quality.

At 1440p (2560x1440), Low averages 207.5 FPS, Medium averages 182.7 FPS, High averages 123.7 FPS, and Ultra averages 82.4 FPS. The drop from Low to Medium is 24.8 FPS, Medium to High is 59 FPS, and High to Ultra is 41.3 FPS. The Medium to High gap is the largest here, indicating a significant visual quality increase that costs a lot of performance.

At 1080p (1920x1080), Low averages 295.6 FPS, Medium averages 278 FPS, High averages 187.5 FPS, and Ultra averages 127.2 FPS. The Low to Medium drop is only 17.6 FPS, but Medium to High is a 90.5 FPS drop, which is the largest single-step penalty in the entire dataset. This suggests that the High preset introduces effects that are very demanding on the GPU, even at 1080p. The Ultra preset further reduces frame rate by 60.3 FPS.

These numbers indicate that the RTX 5090 has more than enough power for Archeage at 1080p and 1440p, and it only starts to struggle at 4K Ultra. For competitive play or high-refresh-rate monitors, 1080p Medium or High is the best choice, while 1440p High offers a good balance of visuals and performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the best experience for most players will be the 1440p High preset, which delivers an average of 123.7 FPS. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and offers a significant visual improvement over Medium. If you have a high-refresh-rate monitor (144 Hz or above), 1080p Medium at 278 FPS is a better choice, as it maximizes the frame rate without the massive drop that comes from the High preset. The High preset at 1080p drops to 187.5 FPS, which is still high but not as smooth on a 240 Hz display.

For players who insist on 4K, the Medium preset at 105.6 FPS is the best option, as it keeps the frame rate above 100 FPS while providing better visuals than Low. The High preset at 74.4 FPS is acceptable for slower-paced content, but it will feel less responsive in fast combat. The Ultra preset at 50.7 FPS is playable but not ideal for an MMORPG where reaction time matters. In general, avoid the Ultra preset at any resolution if you prioritize smoothness, as it offers diminishing returns in visual quality for a substantial performance hit. The data clearly shows that the GPU is capable of high frame rates, but only if you are willing to dial back the settings.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-14700K + RTX 5090 combo good for Archeage?

A: Yes, it ranks 6th out of 1,727 tested combos, placing it in the top 0.3%. It delivers playable frame rates at all resolutions, even 4K Ultra, though the best experience is at 1440p High.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: 1440p High is the sweet spot, offering an average of 123.7 FPS. If you have a high-refresh-rate monitor, 1080p Medium at 278 FPS is better for maximum smoothness.

Q: How much of a performance drop is there from 1080p to 4K?

A: At Low settings, the drop is from 295.6 FPS at 1080p to 121.3 FPS at 4K, a 59% reduction. At Ultra settings, it drops from 127.2 FPS to 50.7 FPS.

Q: Which component is the bottleneck at 4K?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary limiter at 4K, especially at Ultra settings where the frame rate drops to 50.7 FPS. At 1080p, the CPU is more likely to be the limiting factor.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset?

A: Only if you prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate. The Ultra preset at 4K averages 50.7 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. At 1080p, Ultra runs at 127.2 FPS, which is playable but still 60.3 FPS lower than High.

Q: How does the RTX 5090 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The RTX 5090 is 0.1% ahead of the RTX 5090 D and 0.2% ahead of the RTX 5050 Mobile. It is 1.3% ahead of the AMD Radeon PRO W6600, but 1.6% behind the NVIDIA CMP 40HX, though these differences are negligible in real-world gaming.