Barony

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B570 pairing in Barony presents a fascinating case study in how a high-end CPU with a mid-range GPU behaves in a roguelike title. The data reveals a system capable of very high frame rates, but with performance characteristics that shift dramatically based on resolution and settings. This analysis breaks down the measured results to understand the roles each component plays, how the system scales, and where its strengths and limitations lie.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is built on the Zen 3 architecture, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz, with a boost clock reaching 4.50 GHz. The processor’s standout feature is its 96 MB of shared L3 cache, a design element that often provides significant advantages in gaming workloads. The benchmark data supports its strong overall performance, with a 3DMark max threads score of 7285, a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14317, and a Geekbench multicore score of 11765. Its average benchmark score of 27896 places it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Barony, the CPU’s role appears to be a performance ceiling-raiser. At 1080p, where the GPU has less work to do, the system achieves its highest frame rates. The 1080p Low setting yields 245 FPS, which suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data at a very rapid pace. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration ensures that even if the game engine spawns numerous entities or complex AI routines during a run, the processor has enough headroom to maintain consistent performance. The large L3 cache is likely a key contributor here, as it can store more of the game's frequently accessed data, reducing latency and improving execution efficiency.

Compared to its nearest rivals in the benchmark database, the 5800X3D shows a near-identical average performance profile. It is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (deltaPct 0), the Intel Core i9-10900K (deltaPct 0.1), and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 (deltaPct -0.1). While these rivals may have different core counts or architectures, the aggregate benchmark data suggests that in synthetic tests, the 5800X3D’s performance is on par with these other processors. However, the data also shows that for this specific game, the CPU is unlikely to be the primary bottleneck, as evidenced by the massive FPS numbers at lower resolutions.

The CPU's single-threaded performance is also notable, with a 3DMark single-thread score of 884 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1452. While Barony’s engine is not specified, many roguelikes are not heavily multi-threaded, meaning that this level of single-core strength is vital for maintaining high average FPS. The data implies that the 5800X3D is not just a multi-core powerhouse but also a very competent single-core performer, making it a robust foundation for this gaming scenario.

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

The Intel Arc B570 is a discrete GPU based on the Xe2-HPG "Battlemage" architecture. It comes equipped with 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base and boost clocks are both rated at 2500 MHz. Its raw compute capabilities include an FP32 performance of 11.52 TFLOPS, a texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s, and a pixel rate of 200.0 GPixel/s. The card’s average benchmark score is 20556, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs.

In Barony, the GPU’s role becomes more prominent as resolution and settings increase. At 1080p, the GPU is not the limiting factor, as the CPU is able to push frame rates well beyond 200 FPS. However, the data shows a clear decline as the resolution increases, which points to the GPU being the primary bottleneck at higher pixel counts. For example, at 1440p High, the average FPS is 99, while at 4K High, it drops to 52 FPS. This scaling pattern is typical of a GPU that is being increasingly taxed by the number of pixels it needs to render.

The 10 GB VRAM capacity is a significant feature. While the data does not specify VRAM usage, the presence of 10 GB suggests that the card is well-equipped to handle the texture and geometry data required at 4K resolution without running out of memory. The fact that 4K Medium (60 FPS) and 4K High (52 FPS) are playable indicates that the GPU is not hitting a hard memory wall, but rather is limited by its raw processing power. The GPU’s nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (deltaPct 0.1) and the Intel Arc A750 (deltaPct -0.1), showing that the B570 sits in a specific performance tier, slightly above or below these cards in synthetic benchmarks.

The measured data suggests that the Arc B570 is the component that determines the system's upper limits at higher graphical loads. The shift from 81 FPS at 4K Low to 37 FPS at 4K Ultra is a steep 44 FPS drop, demonstrating the significant impact of settings on this GPU. This indicates that while the B570 is a capable 1080p and 1440p card, its performance at 4K is more sensitive to the chosen quality preset, making it the primary component to adjust for a smoother experience.

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

The frame rate scaling across resolutions provides a clear picture of the system's bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 245 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low, the FPS drops to 154, a decrease of 91 FPS. At 4K Low, the FPS further drops to 81. This pattern, where FPS nearly halves with each major resolution step, is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario at higher pixel counts.

This is further confirmed by looking at the High settings. The 1080p High result is 156 FPS, which drops to 99 FPS at 1440p and then to 52 FPS at 4K. The consistent drop in performance as resolution increases indicates that the Intel Arc B570 is the limiting component in this pairing. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D’s performance headroom is so large that it is only fully utilized at 1080p, where it is able to maintain high frame rates. As the resolution climbs, the GPU's rendering workload becomes the dominant factor, and the FPS is constrained by the GPU's processing capability.

The data implies a strong balance between the two components at 1080p and 1440p. For instance, at 1440p Medium, the system averages 115 FPS, which is a very fluid experience for a roguelike. This suggests that for most users, 1440p is the "sweet spot" where the CPU and GPU work well together. The 4K results, while playable on Medium and High, show a more significant performance penalty, confirming that the GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution. The 4K Ultra setting, with an average of 37 FPS, is the only result that dips below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that this setting is too demanding for the Arc B570.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this system can achieve in Barony?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 245, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

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

A: Yes, the data shows it is playable at 4K. The system averages 81 FPS on Low settings, 60 FPS on Medium, and 52 FPS on High settings at 3840x2160 resolution.

Q: At which resolution does the system provide the best balance of high frame rate and visual quality?

A: Based on the data, 2560x1440 on Medium settings provides an excellent experience with an average FPS of 115. This is significantly higher than the 4K results and offers a better visual experience than 1080p.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p compare to 4K?

A: The performance difference is substantial. For example, on Low settings, the system achieves 245 FPS at 1080p, which drops to 81 FPS at 4K, a decrease of 164 FPS. This indicates the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded in the measured data?

A: The lowest average FPS is 37, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K. The consistent FPS drops from 1080p to 1440p to 4K, across all settings, align with the GPU's rendering workload increasing with pixel count.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D + Intel Arc B570 combination is ranked 2344 out of 2935 tested combos in Barony. This rank places it in the lower portion of the database, which seems counterintuitive given the high frame rates measured. This ranking is determined by the combo's overall performance relative to all other CPU-GPU pairings that have been tested with this game.

A rank of 2344 out of 2935 indicates that a significant number of other combinations achieve higher average frame rates. This is likely because the database includes many systems with more powerful GPUs, such as top-tier NVIDIA or AMD cards, which are better suited for high-resolution and ultra-settings gaming. While this combo is very capable at 1080p and 1440p, its 4K performance is a limiting factor for its overall rank. The Arc B570, while a strong mid-range card, does not have the raw compute power to compete with high-end GPUs that are often paired with CPUs like the 5800X3D.

The rank is a holistic measure of the system's performance across all tested resolutions and settings. Since the system's performance declines significantly at 4K, it drags down its overall standing. In contrast, a combo with a more powerful GPU would maintain higher frame rates at all resolutions, resulting in a better rank. The data shows that this specific pairing is optimized for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and smooth, high-quality gaming at 1440p, rather than for pushing maximum settings at 4K.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system depend on the user's priority for resolution versus frame rate. For the absolute highest frame rates, the 1080p Low setting yields 245 FPS, which is an extreme level of performance. However, a more balanced experience at 1080p can be found on High settings, which still delivers a very high 156 FPS, or Ultra settings at 112 FPS, which are both well above the threshold for smooth gameplay.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the Medium settings preset appears to be an excellent choice. It provides an average of 115 FPS, which is fluid and responsive. The High preset at 99 FPS is also a strong option if visual fidelity is prioritized. The Ultra preset at 71 FPS is still playable, but the trade-off in frame rate might not be worth the visual gain for a fast-paced game like Barony.

At 4K, the data shows that the Medium preset is the most viable option for a good experience, offering an average of 60 FPS. The High preset is also playable at 52 FPS. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as its 37 FPS average could lead to a less responsive and potentially jarring experience. Therefore, for a "best experience" that balances visual quality and performance, the 1440p Medium or High settings are the most effective. For 4K, sticking to Medium or High is advised, as Ultra appears to be too demanding for the Intel Arc B570 in this title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is a complete breakdown of the measured average FPS for each resolution and settings preset.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Ultra: 37 FPS
• High: 52 FPS
• Medium: 60 FPS (min 51, max 69)
• Low: 81 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Ultra: 71 FPS
• High: 99 FPS
• Medium: 115 FPS (min 98, max 132)
• Low: 154 FPS

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Ultra: 112 FPS
• High: 156 FPS
• Medium: 182 FPS (min 155, max 209)
• Low: 245 FPS

The data shows a clear performance hierarchy. For each resolution, Lowering the settings from Ultra to Low results in a substantial increase in average frame rate. The most significant jumps occur when moving from Ultra to High, and then from Medium to Low. The min and max FPS values for the Medium settings show some variance, but the average remains stable, indicating a consistent experience. This data confirms that the system's performance is highly scalable and can be tuned to meet various refresh rate and quality demands.