Archeage

Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG, pairs the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H mobile processor with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, the latter being an end-of-life desktop flagship. The measured FPS data reveals a combination that is heavily influenced by resolution and settings, with the GPU often acting as the primary limiter at higher loads. This analysis examines the benchmark results, placing the combo’s performance in context against other tested configurations and interpreting what the numbers imply about the hardware’s capabilities in this specific title.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 produces a dramatic and consistent drop in average frame rates across all settings, clearly demonstrating the increasing burden placed on the rendering pipeline. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 212 at 1080p to 143 at 1440p, a reduction of 69 FPS, and then further to 82 at 4K, marking a substantial 130 FPS difference between the lowest and highest resolutions tested. This scaling pattern indicates that at Low settings, the GPU still has ample headroom at 1080p, but the pixel count at 4K begins to saturate its capabilities.

Moving to Medium settings, the same trend is visible: 188 FPS at 1080p drops to 127 FPS at 1440p and then to 73 FPS at 4K. The 4K result is less than half of the 1080p figure, suggesting that the increased shading and texture work at Medium quality combined with the 4K resolution is taxing the GPU significantly. The High preset shows a similar curve, with 128 FPS at 1080p, 86 FPS at 1440p, and 49 FPS at 4K. This represents a 79 FPS loss from 1080p to 4K, which is proportionally similar to the drops seen at other presets.

The most extreme scaling occurs at Ultra settings. The average FPS at 1080p is 87, which is already the lowest of any preset at that resolution, but at 1440p it falls to 59 FPS and at 4K it plummets to 34 FPS. The 4K Ultra result is less than 40% of the 1080p Ultra figure, indicating that the combination of highest quality settings and maximum resolution creates a workload that the RTX 4090 struggles to manage in this game. The data strongly suggests that resolution is the dominant factor in performance scaling, with the delta between 1080p and 4K growing as settings increase.

The question this raises is whether the CPU is ever the limiting component. At 1080p Low, the 212 FPS average is high, but it is unclear if the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H, with its 14 cores and 18 threads, can sustain even higher frame rates if the GPU were not the bottleneck. The pattern of FPS dropping consistently with resolution at every preset implies a GPU-bound scenario across the board, as the CPU’s workload does not scale with resolution in the same way. The 4K Low result of 82 FPS, being higher than the 4K Ultra result of 34 FPS, further confirms that the GPU’s rendering load, not CPU logic, is the primary constraint.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 achieves a rank of 815 out of 3708 tested combos for Archeage. This places it in the top 22% of all configurations, which is a strong showing given the game’s age and the unusual pairing of a mobile processor with a top-tier desktop GPU. The rank suggests that while the combo is capable of high performance, it is not the absolute best, with many other combinations of newer or more balanced hardware outperforming it.

The CPU’s individual benchmark percentile sits at 81, meaning it outperforms 81% of all CPUs tested. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, has an average score of 29123, which is just 0.1% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H’s average of 29093. This close margin indicates that the Ultra 5 135H performs nearly identically to a well-regarded desktop processor from a previous generation, at least in synthetic workloads. The Intel Xeon Phi 7210 is 0.5% ahead, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT is 0.5% behind, showing a tight cluster of comparable CPUs.

The GPU’s percentile is even higher, at 88, and its average benchmark score of 60347 places it near the top of the stack. Its nearest rival, the Intel Arc Pro A60, has a score of 60326, a negligible 0% difference. The AMD Radeon Pro W6600M is 2.5% ahead, and the AMD Radeon PRO V710 is 2.9% behind, illustrating that the RTX 4090 sits in a performance tier where small percentage differences separate it from professional-grade competitors. The combo’s rank of 815 likely reflects the CPU’s position as a mid-range mobile part, which may hold back the GPU in CPU-sensitive scenarios, even if the overall frame rates are high.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a massive GPU, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process from TSMC. It contains 76,300 million transistors on a 609 mm² die, and its 24 GB of GDDR6X memory operates across a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. The base clock is 2235 MHz, with a boost clock of 2520 MHz, and the memory runs at 1313 MHz, equivalent to 21 Gbps effective. These specifications make it one of the most powerful consumer GPUs available, and its 88th percentile ranking reflects that.

In Archeage, the GPU’s role is clearly pivotal. The measured FPS data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 34 FPS, a figure that is likely too low for smooth gameplay. This is not a memory capacity issue, as 24 GB is far more than any game at this resolution would realistically use. Instead, it points to raw compute and shading limitations. The RTX 4090’s 16,384 shading units and 512 texture mapping units are being pushed hard by the Ultra preset’s effects, which likely include complex lighting and shadow calculations.

The memory bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s might seem excessive, but at 4K with high-quality textures, the demand on memory bandwidth can be substantial. The fact that the 4K High preset yields 49 FPS, while Medium yields 73 FPS, suggests that the additional graphical features in High, such as higher-quality textures or more detailed geometry, are costing a significant amount of performance. The Low preset at 4K produces 82 FPS, which is still below the 1440p Medium result of 127 FPS, indicating that resolution itself is a major factor even when settings are lowered.

The GPU’s end-of-life production status and 450 W TDP are notable, but they do not directly affect the measured performance in this game. The 850 W suggested PSU is relevant for system builders, but the benchmark data only concerns frame rates. The RTX 4090’s closest rivals in the database, such as the Intel Arc Pro A60, show that it is at the top of its class, yet the 4K Ultra result of 34 FPS demonstrates that even this GPU cannot brute-force Archeage’s most demanding settings at the highest resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the results are consistently high. The Low preset achieves an average of 212 FPS, which is the highest of any configuration tested. Medium follows with 188 FPS, and its minimum of 160 FPS and maximum of 217 FPS show a narrow range, indicating stable performance. High drops to 128 FPS, and Ultra is the lowest at 87 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 125 FPS, showing that the preset has a massive impact even at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the averages are lower but still strong. Low produces 143 FPS, Medium 127 FPS, High 86 FPS, and Ultra 59 FPS. The Medium preset’s minimum of 108 FPS and maximum of 146 FPS show that frame times are relatively consistent, but the Ultra preset’s 59 FPS average is a significant drop from High. This suggests that the jump from High to Ultra at 1440p is particularly demanding, costing 27 FPS on average.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes more marginal. Low yields 82 FPS, Medium 73 FPS, High 49 FPS, and Ultra 34 FPS. The Medium preset’s minimum of 62 FPS and maximum of 84 FPS indicate that even at 4K, there is some variability, but the average is playable. High and Ultra are below 50 FPS, which would likely be considered too slow for an MMORPG where reactions matter. The 4K Low result of 82 FPS is notable because it is higher than the 1440p Ultra result of 59 FPS, highlighting how settings can have a more significant impact than resolution in some cases.

The data also shows that the RTX 4090’s performance scales almost linearly with resolution at each preset. For example, at High settings, the FPS ratios are 128 (1080p), 86 (1440p), and 49 (4K), which roughly correspond to the pixel count ratios of 1:0.56:0.25. This is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario, where the CPU’s role is minimized and the framerate is determined by the GPU’s fill rate and shading capacity.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, any preset is usable, but Ultra at 87 FPS is the only one that does not exceed 100 FPS. For a smooth 60+ FPS experience, High at 128 FPS or Medium at 188 FPS are both excellent choices, with Medium offering a particularly high headroom for competitive play. Low at 212 FPS would be overkill for most displays, but it is available for those with very high refresh rate monitors.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 86 FPS is the best balance of quality and performance. Medium at 127 FPS is also viable, but the visual difference between Medium and High might be noticeable. Ultra at 59 FPS is borderline, as it is just below the 60 FPS threshold that many players consider the minimum for smooth gameplay. Low at 143 FPS is excessive and would sacrifice too much visual quality for a marginal gain in smoothness.

At 3840x2160, the choices are more constrained. Medium at 73 FPS is the only preset that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS, making it the recommended setting for 4K play. Low at 82 FPS is similar in performance but offers lower visual fidelity. High at 49 FPS is playable for slower-paced content, but it could be problematic in crowded areas or during large-scale battles. Ultra at 34 FPS is not recommended, as it would result in a choppy experience that detracts from the game.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the sweet spot for this combo, particularly at higher resolutions. It offers a significant performance boost over High and Ultra while still providing a reasonable level of graphical quality. For players who prioritize visual fidelity over raw frame rate, High at 1080p or 1440p is acceptable, but for consistent performance, Medium is the safer choice.

FAQ

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

A: At 1920x1080, all settings produce high FPS, with Low at 212 FPS and Ultra at 87 FPS. At 2560x1440, High yields 86 FPS, which is playable, while 3840x2160 only offers Medium at 73 FPS as a smooth option. The data suggests that 1440p High is the most balanced choice for quality and performance.

Q: Why is the 4K Ultra FPS so low at 34 FPS when the RTX 4090 is a top-tier GPU?

A: The 4K Ultra preset creates an extreme workload that combines maximum resolution with the highest quality settings. The RTX 4090’s raw compute power is still insufficient to maintain high frame rates under these conditions, as shown by the 34 FPS average, which is less than half the 73 FPS achieved at Medium settings.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested configurations?

A: This combo ranks 815 out of 3708 tested combos for Archeage, placing it in the top 22%. The CPU’s percentile is 81, and the GPU’s percentile is 88, indicating that both components are strong, but the combination is not the absolute best due to the CPU’s mobile segment positioning.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The FPS scaling with resolution indicates a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p Low, the 212 FPS average is high, but the steady decline at higher resolutions and settings suggests the GPU’s rendering capacity is the primary constraint. The CPU’s performance is sufficient to avoid being a bottleneck in most cases.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each component?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has a launch MSRP of $342, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 has a launch MSRP of 1,599 USD. These figures are from the initial release and may not reflect current market prices.

Q: Can the RTX 4090 handle 4K gaming in Archeage?

A: Yes, but only at lower settings. The Medium preset at 4K achieves 73 FPS, while High drops to 49 FPS and Ultra to 34 FPS. For a consistent 60+ FPS experience at 4K, players should use Medium settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 1, built on Intel’s 7 nm Meteor Lake architecture. It has 14 cores and 18 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The L3 cache is 18 MB shared, and it supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Its TDP is 28 W, which is low for a processor with this many cores, reflecting its mobile design.

In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU achieves a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11875.5 and a singlecore score of 1700. Its Passmark multithread score is 22422, and its singlethread score is 3521. These scores place it at the 81st percentile, with an average benchmark score of 29093. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, scores 29123, a mere 0.1% difference, showing that this mobile chip is competitive with a previous-generation desktop CPU in raw throughput.

In Archeage, the CPU’s role is less clear than the GPU’s. The game is from 2014, and MMORPGs often have CPU-intensive tasks, such as handling many players and game logic. However, the measured FPS data does not show any obvious CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the 212 FPS average is high, but it is unknown if a stronger CPU could push it higher. The fact that the FPS drops consistently with resolution suggests that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU’s workload would not change significantly between 1080p and 4K.

The CPU’s 14 cores and 18 threads are ample for a game like Archeage, which may not be optimized for many threads. The boost clock of 4.60 GHz provides decent single-thread performance, as shown by the Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 1700. However, the low 28 W TDP could mean that sustained boost clocks are limited in a thin laptop chassis, although the benchmark data does not provide power or temperature information.

The combo’s rank of 815 out of 3708 suggests that the CPU is not holding the system back to a significant degree. If the CPU were a major bottleneck, the rank would likely be lower, given the GPU’s high percentile. The close rival scores, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT at 0.5% behind, indicate that the Ultra 5 135H is a solid performer, but it is not a top-tier desktop part. For Archeage, this appears to be sufficient, as the game’s demands are more heavily weighted toward the GPU, especially at higher resolutions and settings.