Archeage

Archeage, a 2014 MMORPG, places distinct demands on a system. When paired with the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the Intel Arc B370 integrated graphics, the benchmark data reveals a configuration that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution. The measured frame rates show a clear pattern: this combo is only viable at lower resolutions and settings, with performance degrading sharply as graphical load increases. The following analysis breaks down the measured results to provide a precise picture of what this hardware combination can deliver.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a steep and consistent drop in performance as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At the "Low" preset, the average frame rate falls from 65 FPS at 1080p to 43 FPS at 1440p, a reduction of approximately 34%. Moving to 4K, the average drops further to 25 FPS, which is a 42% decrease from the 1440p figure and a 62% decrease from the 1080p baseline. This scaling pattern is a strong indicator that the Intel Arc B370's rendering capabilities are the primary bottleneck, as the workload on the GPU increases quadratically with resolution.

The trend continues across all settings. For the "High" preset, the average frame rate goes from 39 FPS at 1080p, down to 26 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 15 FPS at 4K. This represents a 33% drop from 1080p to 1440p and a 42% drop from 1440p to 4K. The "Medium" preset follows suit, with averages of 57, 39, and 22 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively. The "Ultra" preset is the most demanding, starting at just 27 FPS at 1080p and falling to 18 FPS at 1440p and 10 FPS at 4K.

The proportional performance loss from 1080p to 4K is relatively consistent across the presets. For "Low", "High", and "Ultra", the 4K average is roughly 38-40% of the 1080p average. This consistent scaling suggests that the limiting factor is purely the GPU's fill rate and shading power, rather than a CPU or memory bottleneck that might exhibit different scaling characteristics at higher resolutions. The data indicates that 4K gaming is not a practical target for this combo, with even the "Low" preset failing to reach playable frame rates. The 1440p resolution offers a modest improvement but remains challenging, while 1080p is the only resolution where the system can approach a playable experience, and only with reduced graphical settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. In terms of general processing power, its benchmark scores are solid, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32924 and a single-core score of 4648. Its Passmark single-thread score is 4394, and its multithread score is 38706. This places the CPU in the 90th percentile among all tested CPUs, indicating that it is a high-performing processor for general and multi-threaded tasks.

However, in the context of Archeage at these settings, the CPU's role appears to be secondary. The measured frame rates, particularly at 1440p and 4K, are so low that it is evident the GPU is the limiting component. The CPU is likely capable of feeding frames at a much higher rate than the Arc B370 can render, especially at lower resolutions. For instance, at 1080p with "Low" settings, the 65 FPS average is likely closer to the GPU's limit. The CPU's robust single-thread performance, indicated by its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 468 and R20 score of 1952, is more than sufficient for the game's logic and draw calls, which are often the primary CPU tasks in an MMORPG.

The 14 threads are ample for a modern game, though Archeage, being an older title, may not utilize all of them effectively. The CPU's memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and support for DDR5 memory should also prevent any memory-related bottlenecks. The benchmark results suggest that if this CPU were paired with a more powerful discrete GPU, the frame rates would be significantly higher, as the CPU would not be the limiting factor. The data shows a classic case of a powerful CPU being held back by a weak integrated GPU, with the CPU's capabilities largely untapped in this specific configuration.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2546 out of 2761 tested combos for Archeage. This places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations, a clear indication of its low performance ceiling for this specific game. The ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's limited capabilities, as the CPU itself is a high performer. A system with a powerful CPU but a weak GPU will often find its overall gaming performance anchored by the GPU, and this is precisely what the data shows.

This rank of 2546 is a holistic measure that considers the final frame rates achieved. Given the measured FPS values, this low rank is expected. The combo outperforms only a small fraction of the systems in the database, meaning that most other CPU/GPU pairings will deliver a better experience in Archeage. The data shows that this is not a configuration designed for high-end gaming; it is a setup where the integrated graphics are the primary performance limiter. While the CPU is a top-tier performer in its own right, its contribution to the gaming experience is negated by the GPU's inability to keep pace. The rank reflects the overall system performance, not the individual components, and it clearly indicates that this pairing is at the low end of the spectrum for this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear matrix of performance across resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system's performance is at its best. The "Low" preset yields an average of 65 FPS, making it the only configuration that achieves a smooth, playable frame rate. The "Medium" preset is also playable, with an average of 57 FPS and a range of 49 to 66 FPS. The "High" preset drops to 39 FPS, which is on the boundary of playability and may feel less smooth. The "Ultra" preset is not playable, with an average of just 27 FPS.

At 2560x1440, performance degrades significantly. The "Low" preset is the only one that approaches playability, with an average of 43 FPS. The "Medium" preset falls to 39 FPS, and the "High" preset drops to 26 FPS. The "Ultra" preset is not viable, with an average of only 18 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system is overwhelmed. The "Low" preset averages 25 FPS, which is not smooth. The "Medium" preset averages 22 FPS, with a range of 19 to 25 FPS. The "High" preset drops to 15 FPS, and the "Ultra" preset is essentially unplayable at 10 FPS.

The data shows that the only playable experience is at 1080p with "Low" or "Medium" settings. The "Medium" preset at 1080p, with its average of 57 FPS, provides a balanced experience, though the minimum of 49 FPS indicates some occasional stuttering. The "Low" preset at 1080p is the most consistent performer. All other combinations result in frame rates that are either marginal or too low for a smooth MMORPG experience.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture. It has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 ROPs. Its boost clock is 2400 MHz, and it has a TDP of just 25 W. Its performance is reflected in its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile among all GPUs. This is a very low score, confirming its position as an entry-level graphics solution. Its nearest rivals in terms of score are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which are both over a decade old.

The GPU's performance in Archeage is the dominant factor in the system's overall results. The data shows a clear GPU bottleneck at all resolutions and settings. The low fill rate and shading power of the Arc B370 are insufficient for the demands of the game at higher resolutions. The system shared memory architecture, where the GPU uses a portion of the main system memory, also likely contributes to the lower performance compared to a discrete GPU with dedicated video memory. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," meaning it shares the CPU's memory bandwidth, which can be a limiting factor.

The GPU's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is not enough to maintain high frame rates in this title. The benchmark results show that this is a GPU intended for basic computing tasks and very light gaming, not for a demanding MMORPG at high settings. The 10 RT cores and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate are features that are not effectively utilized in this game at these performance levels. The GPU is the clear bottleneck, and its performance dictates the entire system's gaming experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this configuration is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, the "Low" preset provides the best performance, with an average of 65 FPS. This is the only setting that delivers a consistently smooth frame rate suitable for a MMORPG where responsiveness is important. The "Medium" preset at 1080p is also a viable option, with an average of 57 FPS, but the minimum of 49 FPS suggests that there may be occasional drops in performance during intense scenes.

For players who prioritize visual quality over maximum smoothness, the "Medium" preset at 1080p is the recommended choice. It offers a significant improvement over "Low" while maintaining a playable average frame rate. However, the "High" preset at 1080p, with an average of 39 FPS, is not recommended for a consistently smooth experience. At 1440p and above, the data indicates that the system is not capable of delivering a playable experience, even on the "Low" preset. The "Low" preset at 1440p averages 43 FPS, which is playable but may feel less fluid than the 65 FPS at 1080p. The performance at 4K is too low for any practical gaming.

The data suggests that the best balance of visual fidelity and performance is the "Medium" preset at 1080p. It provides a frame rate that is more than double the "Ultra" preset at the same resolution and nearly double the "High" preset at 1440p. The "Low" preset at 1080p is the safest choice for ensuring a stable frame rate, but the "Medium" preset is the recommended choice for a better overall experience without sacrificing too much performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo can achieve in Archeage?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 65 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the "Low" preset.

Q: Is this system capable of 4K gaming in Archeage?

A: No. The highest average frame rate at 3840x2160 is 25 FPS on the "Low" preset, which is not smooth. The "Ultra" preset at 4K averages only 10 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p compare to 1080p?

A: Performance drops significantly. For example, the "Low" preset averages 65 FPS at 1080p but only 43 FPS at 1440p, a 34% reduction. The "High" preset drops from 39 FPS to 26 FPS.

Q: What is the recommended settings and resolution for this combo?

A: The data recommends 1920x1080 resolution. The "Medium" preset offers a balanced experience with an average of 57 FPS, while the "Low" preset provides the highest average at 65 FPS.

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

A: The benchmark data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The Intel Arc B370 has a very low performance percentile, and frame rates drop steeply with resolution, which is a characteristic of a GPU-bound system.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking among tested systems for Archeage?

A: This combo ranks 2546 out of 2761 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems for this game.