Barony

Barony, a roguelike from 2015, presents an interesting benchmark case when paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Intel Arc B370. The data shows a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, with the CPU's substantial capabilities largely left untapped. This combination yields playable frame rates at lower resolutions but struggles to maintain smooth performance at 4K, painting a clear picture of a bottleneck that shifts depending on the workload.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a dramatic and consistent drop in performance as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 92 FPS. Moving to 1440p, that average falls to 58 FPS, a significant reduction of 34 frames. The trend continues at 4K, where the average plummets to just 30 FPS. This scaling pattern is steep, indicating that the Intel Arc B370 is the limiting component; its rendering throughput simply cannot keep pace with the increasing pixel count.

The performance decline is not linear but accelerates at higher resolutions. The jump from 1080p to 1440p represents a 37% drop in average FPS, while the jump from 1440p to 4K represents a 48% drop. This suggests that the GPU's fillrate and memory bandwidth are being exhausted. The data implies that the CPU is not the primary constraint here; if it were, we would expect to see a more stable frame rate across resolutions, with the bottleneck only appearing at lower resolutions where the CPU must feed more frames. Instead, the frame rate collapses as resolution climbs, a clear indicator that the Intel Arc B370's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 48.00 GPixel/s pixel rate are being overwhelmed.

The difference between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution further underscores the GPU's limitations. At 1080p, the gap between Low (144 FPS) and Ultra (66 FPS) is 78 FPS, a massive 54% performance hit for higher visual fidelity. At 1440p, the same comparison shows a 49 FPS difference between Low (91 FPS) and Ultra (42 FPS). At 4K, the spread narrows to 25 FPS between Low (47 FPS) and Ultra (22 FPS). This narrowing gap at 4K suggests that the GPU is already saturated at Low settings, leaving little headroom to absorb the additional cost of higher-quality effects. The system is, in essence, a powerful CPU paired with a graphics processor that is out of its depth at high resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of tested hardware combinations for Barony, this pairing of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and the Intel Arc B370 does not fare well. The data places this combo at rank 2701 out of 2935 tested combinations. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems, a poor showing that reflects the GPU's limited capabilities rather than any fault of the CPU. The benchmark results indicate that while the CPU is a top-tier processor, the overall system performance is dragged down by the graphics card.

The GPU's individual standing is telling. The Intel Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1184 and sits at the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are older, much less powerful cards like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which scores 1186, and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which scores 1190. The deltaPct values are negligible, meaning the Arc B370 performs essentially on par with these legacy parts in the Steel Nomad test. This is a stark illustration of its position in the performance hierarchy. The CPU, in contrast, is a powerhouse. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D scores in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 33079, and is closely matched by rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Intel Core i7-13650HX, both with a deltaPct of 0.

This massive disparity in component class is the core story. The data shows a system where the CPU is performing at a high level, but its potential is squandered by a GPU that ranks near the bottom of the pile. For Barony, this means the combo's rank is almost entirely a function of the graphics card's performance, with the CPU's contribution being marginal in most scenarios. The system is a prime example of a severe bottleneck, where a high-end processor is paired with a low-end graphics solution, resulting in a final performance that is far less than the sum of its parts.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 144 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the system delivers an average of 22 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth, playable performance.

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

A: The benchmark data strongly indicates the Intel Arc B370 GPU is the limiting factor. The steep FPS drops as resolution increases are characteristic of a GPU bottleneck, while the CPU's high benchmark scores suggest it has ample headroom.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B370's average benchmark score is 1184. Its closest competitors are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1192), with performance deltas of -0.2%, -0.5%, and -0.7% respectively.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 91 on Low settings to 42 on Ultra settings, a difference of 49 frames per second.

Q: What is the system's overall rank among all tested combos for Barony?

A: This combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Intel Arc B370 is ranked 2701 out of 2935 tested combos.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a full picture of the system's performance across a grid of resolutions and settings. The frame rates are consistent in their pattern, with performance scaling down as both resolution and graphical fidelity increase. The table below summarizes the average FPS, with minimum and maximum values where available.

| Resolution | Settings | Average FPS | Minimum FPS | Maximum FPS |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| 3840x2160 | High | 30 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Low | 47 | - | - |

| 3840x2160 | Medium | 35 | 30 | 41 |

| 3840x2160 | Ultra | 22 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | High | 58 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Low | 91 | - | - |

| 2560x1440 | Medium | 67 | 57 | 78 |

| 2560x1440 | Ultra | 42 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | High | 92 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Low | 144 | - | - |

| 1920x1080 | Medium | 107 | 91 | 123 |

| 1920x1080 | Ultra | 66 | - | - |

At 1080p, the system is capable of providing a good experience. The Low preset hits 144 FPS, which is excellent for fast-paced action, while High and Medium presets at 92 and 107 FPS respectively remain highly playable. Even the demanding Ultra preset manages 66 FPS, which is acceptable for most users. The frame time data for Medium settings shows a minimum of 91 FPS and a maximum of 123 FPS, indicating some variance but generally stable performance.

Stepping up to 1440p, the system begins to show strain. The Low preset at 91 FPS is still smooth, but High and Medium presets fall to 58 and 67 FPS, which are playable but not as fluid. The Ultra preset at 42 FPS starts to feel less responsive. The Medium preset's frame times range from 57 to 78 FPS, showing a wider fluctuation than at 1080p.

At 4K, the system is clearly overmatched. The Low preset is the only one that achieves a playable average at 47 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 35 FPS, and High falls to 30 FPS, which is below the standard for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset is nearly unplayable at 22 FPS. The data confirms that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Barony, except perhaps with the lowest settings, and even then, performance is marginal.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is a high-end desktop processor built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its most defining feature is the large 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is designed to reduce memory latency and boost gaming performance. The CPU has a TDP of 120 W and supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

The benchmark results for the CPU show a strong multi-threaded and single-threaded performance profile. In Cinebench R23, it scores 16817 points in multi-core and 1713 points in single-core. Its Geekbench scores are 15610 for multi-core and 2426 for single-core. These numbers place it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a top-tier processor for both gaming and productivity tasks. Its average benchmark score of 33079 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Intel Core i7-13650HX, which both score 33089.

In the context of Barony, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and AI calculations. Given the game's 2015 release date, it is unlikely to be highly multi-threaded, but the 7800X3D's strong single-core performance ensures it can handle any instructions the game throws at it. The data shows that at 1080p, where the GPU is less of a bottleneck, the system achieves high frame rates, which suggests the CPU is more than capable of feeding the graphics card. However, the fact that frame rates drop so precipitously at higher resolutions points to the GPU being the primary limiting factor. The CPU's immense processing power is largely in reserve, as the graphics card cannot translate that capability into higher frame rates. The system is a clear case where a powerful CPU is bottlenecked by a weak GPU in a graphically demanding scenario.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1080p display, the High preset is the clear recommendation for the best balance of visual quality and performance. It delivers an average of 92 FPS, which is well within the smooth range for most monitors. While the Low preset achieves 144 FPS, the jump to High provides a significant visual uplift for a 52 FPS cost, which is a worthwhile trade-off for a better-looking experience. The Ultra preset at 66 FPS is also viable, offering the best visual fidelity while still maintaining a playable frame rate.

At 1440p, the choice becomes more difficult. The Low preset is the only one that provides a consistently high frame rate at 91 FPS. The Medium preset at 67 FPS is a reasonable compromise, offering better visuals than Low while remaining playable. The High preset at 58 FPS is on the edge of smoothness, and the Ultra preset at 42 FPS is best avoided for action-heavy gameplay. For most users, the Medium preset provides the best middle ground, offering a substantial improvement in visual quality over Low while keeping the frame rate high enough for a good experience.

For 4K gaming, the data is clear: the system is not well-suited for high or ultra settings. The only playable option is the Low preset, which yields an average of 47 FPS. Even then, the experience may not be perfectly smooth in all scenes. The Medium preset at 35 FPS and High at 30 FPS are technically playable but will feel sluggish. The Ultra preset at 22 FPS is not recommended. For 4K, users should stick with Low settings and accept the lower visual fidelity to maintain a usable frame rate. The performance scaling shows that the GPU is the definitive bottleneck, and no CPU-side setting can alleviate the strain at this resolution.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The GPU features 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units. It also includes 10 ray tracing cores. Its compute power is rated at 6.144 TFLOPS for FP32 operations, with a texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s and a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s. Its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main memory, with bandwidth that is "System Dependent."

The GPU's performance in the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark is 1184 points, which places it at the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extremely low score, and its nearest rivals are all legacy mobile and desktop parts from over a decade ago, such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770. The performance deltas between these cards are negligible, with the Arc B370 being 0.2% slower than the HD 5570 and 0.5% slower than the HD 5770. This comparison underscores the Arc B370's very low level of graphics performance.

In Barony, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of performance collapsing as resolution and settings increase, which is directly attributable to the Arc B370's limited fillrate and compute power. The system's frame rate at 1080p Low (144 FPS) suggests the GPU can handle the game at low resolutions with minimal effects. However, as the pixel count and shader complexity increase, the GPU quickly runs out of resources. The 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is insufficient for demanding 4K workloads, resulting in the low frame rates observed. The GPU's low TDP of 25 W and IGP form factor confirm it is designed for basic tasks, not high-end gaming. The data shows that this is a classic case of a graphics solution that is fundamentally outclassed by the rest of the system, and its performance is the single most limiting factor for this combo in Barony.