Barony

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, and manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, with a TDP of 105 W for the AM4 socket. Its defining feature is the large 96 MB shared L3 cache, which is substantial for a mainstream chip and typically aids in game physics and engine logic. The processor's PassMark scores reflect a balanced profile: a single-thread score of 2941 and a multithread score of 20363, with a physics score of 2282 that directly relates to game simulation workloads.

In the context of Barony, a roguelike title, the CPU's role is significant due to the procedural generation of levels and the simulation of numerous entities. The 5500X3D's high L3 cache is an asset here, as it reduces latency when accessing frequently used game data, such as tile maps and enemy AI states. The CPU's 96 MB cache is more than triple what is standard on many rivals, allowing for a larger portion of the game's working set to reside on-die. The processor holds an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, placing it in a strong position for gaming. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores an average of 36945, which is just 0.2% lower than the 5500X3D's average of 37018, indicating the 5500X3D has a negligible performance lead over that chip in general compute. Conversely, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 scores 37093, which is 0.2% higher, showing the 5500X3D is essentially tied with this newer part as well.

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

The 5500X3D's six cores and twelve threads are well-suited for a roguelike like Barony, which typically relies on a few primary threads for game logic and rendering setup. The 3.00 GHz base clock is modest, but the 4.00 GHz boost clock provides headroom for single-threaded tasks. The PassMark single-thread score of 2941 indicates strong per-core performance, which is crucial for the main game loop in Barony. The processor's multithread score of 20363 ensures that background tasks, such as pathfinding for numerous enemies, do not bottleneck the experience. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 159 FPS, suggesting the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU efficiently when graphical load is minimal. The L3 cache of 96 MB is the standout specification; for a game that generates new levels on the fly, having a large cache to store level data and entity states can prevent stutters and maintain consistent frame pacing.

The processor's benchmark deltas against its nearest rivals are minimal, all within 0.3%. This places the 5500X3D in a competitive tier where architectural differences are more impactful than raw clock speeds. In Barony, the CPU's physics score of 2282 is relevant, as roguelikes often simulate projectile trajectories and environmental interactions. The 5500X3D's performance in data compression (230392) and encryption (13967) benchmarks are not directly game-related but indicate strong general-purpose throughput. The processor's memory bandwidth is rated at 51.2 GB/s with dual-channel DDR4 support, which is adequate for feeding the 96 MB cache and the GPU. Overall, the CPU data suggests it is a capable partner for the GPU in this test, providing enough headroom to avoid being the primary bottleneck at lower resolutions.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on Intel's 3 nm process. It features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 ROPs, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system's main memory rather than a dedicated VRAM pool. This is a critical limitation, as the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent" and the GPU must compete with the CPU for access to the same DDR4 memory. The Arc B390's FP32 compute is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS, which is modest by discrete GPU standards but substantial for an IGP.

In Barony, the GPU's role is to render the 2D/3D hybrid view, handle lighting effects, and draw the user interface. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482 places the Arc B390 in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is a low-performance part. Its nearest rivals are older NVIDIA discrete chips like the GeForce GT 520MX, which scores 1463 (1.3% lower), and the GeForce GT 710, which scores 1443 (2.7% lower). This context is essential: while the Arc B390 is an integrated solution, it outperforms these entry-level dedicated cards from a previous generation. However, the shared memory architecture is a bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 159 FPS, but this drops significantly as resolution and settings increase, showing that the GPU is the limiting factor. The GPU's boost clock of 2500 MHz is high for an IGP, but the lack of dedicated memory means it cannot sustain high frame rates under heavy load. The API support is robust, including DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) and Vulkan 1.4, ensuring compatibility with modern game engines like Barony's.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and Intel Arc B390 ranks 3300 out of 3717 tested combos in Barony. This places it in the bottom 11% of all system pairings, which is a low standing. The rank reflects the GPU's severe limitations; the CPU is a strong performer, but the Arc B390 drags the overall system down. The data shows that at 4K Ultra settings, the combo only manages 24 FPS, which is unplayable. Even at 1440p High, it achieves 64 FPS, which is acceptable but not smooth. The combo's position in the rankings is primarily due to the GPU's 9th percentile performance. The CPU's 85th percentile ranking cannot compensate for a GPU that is slower than a decade-old discrete card. In practical terms, this combo is suited for 1080p gaming at low to medium settings, where it can produce playable frame rates. The ranking of 3300 out of 3717 indicates that the vast majority of other tested combinations, including those with older mid-range GPUs, would outperform it in this game. The deltaPct values for the GPU's rivals, all within 2.7%, show that the Arc B390 is in a very low performance bracket, and the system's overall rank is a direct consequence of this.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Barony?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 159 FPS at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This indicates the system is capable of high refresh rates only at the lowest graphical preset and resolution.

Q: How does the Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463) and 2.7% higher than the GeForce GT 710 (1443). It is a low-tier GPU, ranking in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What resolution and settings provide a 60+ FPS experience?

A: The combo achieves 64 FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings and 75 FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings. At 1920x1080, it reaches 102 FPS on High and 118 FPS on Medium, all exceeding 60 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. At 4K Ultra, the system drops to 24 FPS, while at 1080p Low it reaches 159 FPS. This large scaling with resolution indicates the GPU's performance ceiling is hit quickly, while the CPU has headroom.

Q: What is the CPU's single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 2941 in the PassMark single-thread test. This is a strong score, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, which is well above the GPU's percentile.

Q: Does the system support modern graphics APIs?

A: Yes, the Intel Arc B390 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. This ensures compatibility with Barony's rendering requirements and modern features.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear scaling trend from 1080p to 4K. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo averages 102 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 High, the average drops to 64 FPS, a 37% reduction. At 3840x2160 High, the average falls to 34 FPS, a 67% reduction from 1080p. This steep decline as resolution increases is a classic sign of a GPU-limited scenario. The CPU is not the bottleneck; if it were, the frame rates would stay relatively constant across resolutions. Instead, the Arc B390's limited pixel throughput and shared memory bandwidth cause the performance to plummet. At 4K Low, the system still only manages 53 FPS, which is lower than the 1080p Ultra result of 73 FPS, further confirming the GPU's inability to handle higher pixel counts. The gap between Low and Ultra settings at the same resolution is also telling: at 1080p, the difference is 86 FPS (159 vs 73), while at 4K, the difference is 29 FPS (53 vs 24). This shows that at 4K, the GPU is so saturated that even lowering settings has a diminished return. The limiting component is unequivocally the GPU, as the CPU's performance headroom is ample for the frame rates observed.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal experience balances frame rate and visual fidelity. At 3840x2160, the system struggles; the best average is 53 FPS on Low, which is playable but not smooth, and Medium drops to 39 FPS. 4K is not recommended for this combo. At 2560x1440, the situation improves significantly. The Medium preset yields 75 FPS with a minimum of 64 FPS, providing a smooth and stable experience. The High preset at 1440p produces 64 FPS, which is also acceptable, but Medium offers a higher minimum frame rate. For the best experience, 1440p Medium is the sweet spot, as it delivers frame rates well above 60 FPS without dipping below 64 FPS. At 1920x1080, all settings are playable, but the High preset at 102 FPS is a good choice for visual quality, while the Ultra preset at 73 FPS still maintains a high refresh rate. The Low preset at 159 FPS is excessive for most displays, but it demonstrates the system's ceiling. The data suggests that the best experience per the measured rows is achieved at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, offering a 75 FPS average and a 64 FPS minimum, which is a solid frame pacing for a roguelike. For users prioritizing visual fidelity over frame rate, 1920x1080 Ultra at 73 FPS is viable, but the 1440p Medium setting provides the best combination of resolution and smoothness.