Barony

Barony is a roguelike that scales with hardware in an extreme way when paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D. The measured data shows a clear trajectory where framerates are bounded by the graphics card at lower resolutions, while the CPU’s capabilities become more relevant as the resolution climbs. This combination sits at the top of the database, ranking first out of 2,935 tested combos, and the frame rates reflect that dominance across every preset.

Resolution Scaling

The performance curve from 1080p to 4K reveals a system that is almost entirely GPU-limited at the lower end, with the CPU taking a larger role as pixel count increases. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo produces an average of 724 FPS. That number drops to 457 FPS at 2560x1440 and further to 239 FPS at 3840x2160. This is a steep decline — roughly 37% lower from 1080p to 1440p, and another 48% from 1440p to 4K — which is characteristic of a setup where the RTX 5090 D is pushing well past what the display or game logic can typically utilize, but the CPU is still feeding it enough data.

At Medium settings, the scaling pattern is similar but more compressed. The average FPS goes from 538 at 1080p, to 340 at 1440p, and then to 178 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is about 37%, and from 1440p to 4K is about 48%, matching the Low preset’s relative deltas. This consistency suggests that the bottleneck is not shifting dramatically between these two presets; the GPU is still the limiting factor, but the absolute headroom is shrinking as settings increase.

High settings show a different slope. At 1080p, the average is 462 FPS. At 1440p, it falls to 292 FPS, a 37% reduction. At 4K, it drops to 152 FPS, a 48% reduction from 1440p. The relative drops are nearly identical to Low and Medium, indicating that even at High, the graphics card is not being saturated until 4K. The real shift occurs at Ultra. Here, 1080p yields 331 FPS, 1440p yields 209 FPS, and 4K yields 109 FPS. The percentage drops are roughly 37% and 48% again, but the absolute values are lower, suggesting the GPU is starting to work harder at every resolution.

The data indicates that at 1080p and 1440p, the RTX 5090 D is the primary constraint, as even the lowest settings produce extremely high frame rates that far exceed typical monitor refresh rates. At 4K, the system begins to show a more balanced load, but the GPU still dominates. The CPU role becomes more apparent in the difference between Low and Ultra at 4K: 239 FPS versus 109 FPS, a gap that points to the graphics card handling more complex shading and geometry, rather than the processor being a limiting factor. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D’s 8 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient to keep up with this GPU at all tested settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D combination holds the top spot in the database for Barony, ranking first out of 2,935 tested combos. This is a remarkable position, placing it above virtually every other CPU-GPU pairing measured for this game. The rank is not a marginal victory; it is a clear statement that this hardware configuration is the best tested for achieving maximum frame rates in Barony.

The CPU alone sits in the 92nd percentile against all processors, with an average benchmark score of 58,386. Its nearest rivals in general computing benchmarks include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M, which scores 58,323 and is only 0.1% behind, and the Intel Core i9-14900, which scores 58,115 and is 0.5% behind. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 is slightly ahead at 58,826, a 0.7% delta. These are close margins in synthetic tests, but in Barony, the 9850X3D’s cache architecture and clock speeds give it an edge that pushes the combo to the top.

The GPU also ranks in the 92nd percentile against all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 77,712. Its nearest rivals in synthetic tests are the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, which is 1.1% behind, and the AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT, which is 1.6% ahead. The NVIDIA Tesla P100 variants are 2.1% and 2.4% behind, respectively. While these synthetic deltas are small, the measured FPS in Barony shows that the RTX 5090 D is not just a theoretical powerhouse; it translates into concrete performance gains that secure the number one combo rank.

The combination of a top-tier CPU and GPU, both in the 92nd percentile of their respective categories, results in a system that is unmatched in this game’s database. The 1st place rank out of 2,935 combos is not just about raw hardware; it reflects how well these two components work together to eliminate bottlenecks. The data shows that no other tested pairing has achieved higher average frame rates across any of the measured settings.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a desktop processor from the 9000 series, built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a significant asset for a game like Barony, which relies on procedural generation and complex game state calculations that can benefit from large, fast caches. The processor’s 120 W TDP and dual-channel DDR5 memory support with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth provide a solid foundation for feeding the GPU.

In Barony, the CPU’s role is to handle game logic, entity updates, and the physics of the roguelike environment. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the combo reaches 724 FPS, which is an extreme number that indicates the CPU is not the limiting factor. Even at 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS stays above 100, which suggests the processor is keeping pace with the GPU’s demands. The 5.60 GHz boost clock is likely a key contributor here, as single-threaded performance is often critical for simulation-heavy games.

The benchmark scores for the CPU support its gaming performance. In Cinebench R23, it scores 22,807 in multi-core and 2,228 in single-core. The Passmark single-thread score is 4,704, and the multithread score is 41,318. These numbers indicate a strong balance between high-frequency single-thread performance and capable multi-core throughput. For Barony, which may not use all 16 threads effectively, the single-core performance is more relevant, and the data shows it is more than adequate.

The CPU’s 92nd percentile ranking against all CPUs, with an average score of 58,386, places it in the upper echelon of processors. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-14900, is only 0.5% behind in average score, but the 9850X3D’s 3D V-Cache technology, while not explicitly listed in the cache fields, is implied by the X3D moniker and contributes to its gaming edge. The 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die, manufactured on a 4 nm process, show a dense and efficient design that helps maintain high clock speeds without excessive power draw.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers exceptional frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS is 724. Medium settings yield an average of 538 FPS, with a minimum of 458 and a maximum of 619. High settings produce an average of 462 FPS. Ultra settings, while still very high, drop to an average of 331 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the system is capable of pushing well beyond the refresh rate of most monitors, even at the highest quality preset.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains extremely high but shows the expected reduction. Low settings average 457 FPS. Medium settings average 340 FPS, with a minimum of 289 and a maximum of 391. High settings average 292 FPS. Ultra settings average 209 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is roughly 37% across all presets, indicating that the GPU is being pushed harder, but the CPU is still keeping up.

At 3840x2160, the resolution scaling becomes more pronounced. Low settings average 239 FPS. Medium settings average 178 FPS, with a minimum of 151 and a maximum of 204. High settings average 152 FPS. Ultra settings average 109 FPS. The relative drop from 1440p to 4K is about 48% for each preset, which is a significant amount but still leaves the system with playable frame rates at all settings. The minimum FPS at 4K Medium is 151, which is above the 144 FPS threshold for high-refresh gaming, and the Ultra average of 109 FPS is still smooth for most gameplay.

The data shows a consistent pattern: the RTX 5090 D is the dominant factor, and the Ryzen 7 9850X3D provides enough headroom to avoid becoming a bottleneck. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 130 FPS (239 versus 109), which is a substantial gap that reflects the GPU’s workload. At 1080p, the gap between Low and Ultra is 393 FPS (724 versus 331), which is even larger, but this is because the GPU is not saturated at low settings, allowing the CPU to deliver extremely high frame rates.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in Barony?

A: The highest average FPS is 724, 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 combo delivers an average FPS of 109, which is still well above 60 FPS for smooth gameplay.

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

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary limiting factor at all resolutions, as frame rates drop consistently with higher settings and resolutions, while the CPU’s 8 cores and 16 threads maintain high single-thread performance.

Q: What is the combo’s rank compared to other tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 1st out of 2,935 tested combos for Barony, indicating it is the best-performing configuration in the database.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 9850X3D compare to its nearest CPU rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The CPU has an average benchmark score of 58,386, which is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900, but 0.7% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470.

Q: What is the FPS difference between 1080p and 4K at Medium settings?

A: At Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 538 at 1920x1080 to 340 at 2560x1440, and then to 178 at 3840x2160, representing a 37% drop and a 48% drop respectively.

Settings Recommendations

For this hardware combination, the optimal settings depend on the target resolution and refresh rate. At 1920x1080, even Ultra settings deliver an average of 331 FPS, which is far beyond the capabilities of most monitors. This makes Ultra the best choice for 1080p, as there is no performance penalty that would be visible to the user. The 331 FPS average is more than enough for any high-refresh display, and the visual fidelity gains from Ultra are worth it.

At 2560x1440, the choice becomes more nuanced. Ultra settings average 209 FPS, which is still exceptionally high and suitable for 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitors. Medium settings offer 340 FPS, but the visual difference between Medium and Ultra in a roguelike is often subtle, and the extra frame rate may not be noticeable if the display is capped. For most users, Ultra at 1440p is the recommended preset, as it provides a high level of detail without dropping below the 144 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes. Ultra settings average 109 FPS, which is smooth but may not be ideal for very high refresh rate displays. High settings average 152 FPS, which is a better match for 144 Hz monitors and still offers good visual quality. Medium settings average 178 FPS, with a minimum of 151, which is also a strong choice. Given the data, High settings at 4K provide the best balance, as they exceed 144 FPS on average while maintaining a higher level of detail than Medium. The difference between High and Ultra is 43 FPS, which is significant for maintaining a locked high refresh rate.

The measured rows show that this combo is overkill for 1080p and 1440p, making Ultra the clear recommendation. At 4K, the choice between High and Ultra comes down to whether the user prioritizes frame rate or visual fidelity. The data suggests that High is the safer bet for a fluid experience, but Ultra is still viable for those who prefer maximum quality.