Barony

# Barony with AMD Ryzen 7 9700F + NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 produces a wide spread of frame rates across Barony's resolution and settings matrix, ranging from 36 FPS at 4K Ultra to 235 FPS at 1080p Low. This combination ranks 2417th out of 2935 tested combos in the game, placing it in the lower third of the database, which suggests the system is capable of smooth play at lower resolutions but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with demanding settings. The measured data covers twelve distinct configurations, with full min/max data available only for Medium settings at each resolution, providing a partial but useful window into frame time consistency.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial across all settings, revealing a system that becomes progressively more GPU-bound as pixel count rises. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 235 FPS at 1920x1080 to 149 FPS at 2560x1440, then down to 78 FPS at 3840x2160 — a decline of roughly 37% from 1080p to 1440p and another 48% from 1440p to 4K. This steep scaling pattern indicates that the GTX 1070's pixel throughput becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions, even with the relatively modest demands of Low settings in a roguelike title.

At High settings, the scaling follows a similar trajectory: 150 FPS at 1080p drops to 95 FPS at 1440p (a 37% reduction) and then to 50 FPS at 4K (a 47% further reduction). The consistency of these percentage drops across Low and High presets suggests that the GTX 1070's fill rate and memory bandwidth are the primary constraints as resolution increases, rather than any particular setting's computational load. The transition from 1440p to 4K represents a doubling of pixel count, so the near-halving of frame rates at every preset confirms that the GPU is saturated at 4K regardless of quality level.

The Medium preset shows the same trend with min/max data available: at 1080p the average is 175 FPS with a range of 149 to 201 FPS, at 1440p the average drops to 110 FPS with a range of 94 to 127 FPS, and at 4K the average falls to 58 FPS with a range of 49 to 66 FPS. The frame time variance, as indicated by the min/max spread, narrows slightly at higher resolutions in absolute terms — a 52 FPS spread at 1080p versus a 17 FPS spread at 4K — which suggests that at 4K the GPU is working consistently at its limit, producing more uniform frame pacing even as overall performance degrades.

Ultra settings push the system hardest: 108 FPS at 1080p, 68 FPS at 1440p, and 36 FPS at 4K. The 1080p Ultra result is notably higher than the 4K High result, showing that resolution has a larger impact on performance than settings quality in this configuration. The data indicates that users targeting 4K should expect playable but not high-refresh experiences, while 1080p offers headroom for all settings.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F is a Zen 5 architecture processor built on a 4 nm process, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3, with support for DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The CPU's PassMark multithread score of 36,470 and single-thread score of 4,691 place it in the 94th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 69,996 that sits within 0.9% of its nearest rivals.

Barony is a roguelike that, based on the measured FPS data, does not appear to be heavily CPU-bound at any tested configuration. The 9700F's high single-thread performance, evidenced by its 4,691 PassMark single-thread score, provides ample headroom for game logic and rendering calls. The fact that frame rates scale dramatically with resolution — from 235 FPS at 1080p Low down to 36 FPS at 4K Ultra — indicates that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this system, as a CPU-limited scenario would show more consistent frame rates across resolutions.

The CPU's 8 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient for a roguelike title, and its boost clock of 5.50 GHz ensures that any single-threaded game code can execute quickly. The 9700F's nearest rivals in average benchmark score are the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX (0.2% higher score), Intel Core i7-14700KF (0.2% lower score), AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (0.7% higher score), and Intel Core i7-14700K (0.9% higher score). All of these are within a 1% band, meaning the 9700F's performance is competitive with high-end desktop and mobile parts, though none of these comparisons directly inform Barony-specific behavior since the measured FPS data is tied to the full CPU-GPU combination.

The 65W TDP and 4 nm process node suggest efficient operation, and the CPU's memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5 provides adequate data throughput for game assets. The data shows no evidence of CPU-induced frame rate ceilings, as even at 1080p Low where the GPU has minimal work, the system reaches 235 FPS — a figure that would likely be higher if the CPU were the limiting factor at that resolution.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is a Pascal architecture GPU built on a 16 nm process, featuring 1,920 shading units, 120 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units. Its base clock is 1506 MHz with a boost clock of 1683 MHz, and it carries 8 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 256-bit bus with a bandwidth of 256.3 GB/s. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 13,498 and average benchmark score of 9,780 place it in the 47th percentile among all GPUs, with nearest rivals including the AMD FirePro W5000 (0.2% lower score), NVIDIA Quadro M2000M (0.5% lower score), NVIDIA Tesla M10 (0.6% higher score), and NVIDIA Tesla C2070 (0.7% higher score).

The GTX 1070's 8 GB of VRAM is not a limiting factor in Barony at any tested setting, as even at 4K Ultra the system produces measurable frame rates without any indication of memory-related stuttering in the provided data. The GPU's memory bandwidth of 256.3 GB/s appears sufficient for the game's asset streaming demands, and the 64 ROPs provide adequate fill rate for the pixel-heavy workload at 4K. The pixel rate of 107.7 GPixel/s and texture rate of 202.0 GTexel/s are the key specifications that explain the resolution scaling observed in the measured data.

The GPU's boost clock of 1683 MHz, while modest by modern standards, delivers consistent performance across the tested configurations. The fact that 4K Medium produces an average of 58 FPS with a min of 49 FPS and max of 66 FPS suggests that the GPU is operating near its practical limit at that resolution, with frame times varying by roughly 35% from min to max. The GTX 1070's DirectX 12 score of 48 in PassMark, while not directly indicative of real-world gaming performance, aligns with the GPU's mid-range standing in the benchmark percentile ranking.

At 1080p, the GPU demonstrates clear headroom: Low settings reach 235 FPS, Medium 175 FPS, High 150 FPS, and Ultra 108 FPS. These figures suggest that at 1080p, the GTX 1070 is capable of high-refresh-rate gaming in Barony at most settings, with Ultra being the only preset that dips below the 144 FPS threshold. The GPU's compute capabilities, reflected in a PassMark GPU compute score of 6,102, are not heavily exercised in this roguelike title, which prioritizes traditional rasterization.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its strongest performance. Low settings produce an average of 235 FPS, which is the highest figure in the entire dataset. Medium settings average 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and maximum of 201 FPS, providing a frame time spread that accommodates both 144 Hz and 165 Hz displays. High settings average 150 FPS, which remains suitable for high-refresh monitors. Ultra settings drop to 108 FPS on average, still playable but below the 144 FPS threshold for competitive smoothness.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong but begins to show the GPU's limitations. Low settings average 149 FPS, effectively halving the 1080p Low result when accounting for the pixel count increase. Medium settings average 110 FPS with a range of 94 to 127 FPS, meaning even the minimum frame rate stays above 90 FPS. High settings average 95 FPS, which is acceptable for 60 Hz displays but not ideal for high-refresh panels. Ultra settings average 68 FPS, providing a stable 60 FPS experience with some headroom.

At 3840x2160, the system is clearly GPU-bound. Low settings average 78 FPS, which is playable but not high-refresh. Medium settings average 58 FPS with a minimum of 49 FPS and maximum of 66 FPS, meaning the system can experience dips below 60 FPS. High settings average 50 FPS, which is borderline for smooth play. Ultra settings average 36 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS standard and only suitable for slower-paced gameplay or when visual fidelity takes priority over frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 ranks 2417th out of 2935 tested combos in Barony, placing it in the 82nd percentile from the bottom — meaning roughly 82% of tested configurations outperform it in this game. This ranking reflects the GTX 1070's age and mid-range positioning rather than any deficiency in the CPU, as the 9700F's benchmark scores place it in the 94th percentile among all CPUs. The GPU's 47th percentile ranking among all GPUs is the more telling statistic for this game's performance.

The combo's rank suggests that while the CPU is a modern, high-performance part, the GPU drags the overall system down in Barony. The measured FPS data supports this interpretation: at 4K Ultra, the system produces only 36 FPS, which is well below the smoothness threshold most players expect. The gap between the CPU's high percentile ranking and the combo's low game-specific rank highlights the GPU as the limiting component in this pairing.

In the context of the database, a rank of 2417 out of 2935 means the combo is in the bottom 18% of tested configurations. This is consistent with the GTX 1070 being an end-of-life product that was launched in 2016, while the CPU is a 2025 release. The asymmetric ages of the two components create a bottleneck that is almost entirely on the GPU side, as evidenced by the resolution scaling patterns discussed earlier.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Barony at 60 FPS at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: Yes. The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 108 FPS, which comfortably exceeds the 60 FPS threshold. The system has significant headroom at this resolution even with the most demanding preset.

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

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the system averages 110 FPS with a minimum of 94 FPS, providing a good balance of image quality and performance. At 4K, even Low settings only reach 78 FPS, so 1440p is the practical ceiling for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the GTX 1070 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark score?

A: The GTX 1070 has an average benchmark score of 9,780. Its nearest rival is the AMD FirePro W5000 with a score of 9,803 (0.2% higher), followed by the NVIDIA Quadro M2000M at 9,832 (0.5% higher), the NVIDIA Tesla M10 at 9,724 (0.6% lower), and the NVIDIA Tesla C2070 at 9,716 (0.7% lower).

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

A: The data indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. Frame rates drop dramatically as resolution increases — from 235 FPS at 1080p Low to 78 FPS at 4K Low — while the CPU's high single-thread score of 4,691 and 94th percentile ranking suggest it has ample performance for this game.

Q: What frame rates can be expected at 4K with Medium settings?

A: The system averages 58 FPS at 3840x2160 with Medium settings, with a minimum of 49 FPS and maximum of 66 FPS. This means the system will occasionally drop below 60 FPS, so players seeking a locked 60 FPS experience may prefer High settings at 1440p instead.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 9700F's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The 9700F has an average benchmark score of 69,996. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX by 0.2% (69,875 score), leads the Intel Core i7-14700KF by 0.2% (70,163 score), trails the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X by 0.7% (69,515 score), and trails the Intel Core i7-14700K by 0.9% (69,355 score).

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and frame rate preference. At 1920x1080, Ultra settings at 108 FPS average provide the best visual experience while maintaining frame rates well above 60 FPS; players with 144 Hz displays should consider High settings at 150 FPS for a smoother experience, while Medium at 175 FPS or Low at 235 FPS are options for competitive play.

At 2560x1440, Medium settings at 110 FPS average with a 94 FPS minimum represent the best balance of quality and performance, as the system stays above 90 FPS even in demanding scenes. High settings at 95 FPS are also viable for 60 Hz displays, but Ultra at 68 FPS introduces unnecessary risk of frame drops below 60 FPS in intense moments. Low settings at 149 FPS are recommended only for players prioritizing maximum frame rate over visual fidelity.

At 3840x2160, Medium settings at 58 FPS average with a 49 FPS minimum are the highest quality option that remains mostly playable, though the sub-60 FPS dips may be noticeable. Low settings at 78 FPS provide a more consistent experience and are the recommended choice for 4K play. High settings at 50 FPS and Ultra at 36 FPS are not recommended for smooth gameplay, as both fall below the 60 FPS threshold and risk noticeable stuttering.

The data shows that the GTX 1070's performance ceiling in Barony is best utilized at 1440p Medium, where the system delivers both high average frame rates and acceptable minimums. For players with 1080p displays, Ultra settings are fully viable, while 4K users should accept lower quality presets to maintain playable frame rates.