Barony

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X paired with the Intel Arc B370 delivers a playable but heavily GPU-bound experience in Barony, with the data showing a clear performance ceiling dictated by the integrated graphics solution. The combination ranks in the 8th percentile of tested configurations, indicating that while the CPU is exceptionally powerful, the GPU severely limits frame rates across all resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a stark and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, confirming that the Intel Arc B370 is the primary bottleneck in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 144 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings drops the average to 91 FPS, a reduction of approximately 37%. At 4K with Low settings, the average further declines to 47 FPS, which is roughly 67% below the 1080p Low result.

This scaling behavior is classic for a system where the GPU is overwhelmed. The Ryzen 9 5950X, with its 16 cores and 32 threads, is not the limiting factor; the Arc B370’s performance curve is defined by its rendering workload. The gap between 1080p and 1440p is larger than the gap between 1440p and 4K in percentage terms, which suggests the GPU is hitting a compute or memory bandwidth wall that worsens with pixel count.

Looking at High settings, the pattern holds: 1080p yields 92 FPS, 1440p yields 58 FPS, and 4K drops to 30 FPS. The difference between 1080p High and 4K High is a 67% reduction, mirroring the Low settings trend. This consistency across settings indicates that the resolution scaling is independent of the graphical preset, reinforcing the idea that the Arc B370’s raw pixel throughput is the limiting factor, not the CPU’s ability to feed it.

The data suggests that users seeking higher frame rates must prioritize lowering resolution over adjusting in-game quality. The Arc B370’s performance at 4K is marginal at best, with even Low settings failing to reach 60 FPS. The 1080p results are the only tier where the combo approaches or exceeds standard refresh rates, making it the only viable option for smooth gameplay.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Barony with this combo?*

A: The data shows 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo consistently delivers high frame rates. At Low settings it averages 144 FPS, and even at Ultra it reaches 66 FPS, making it the only resolution that provides a consistently playable experience across all presets.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 5950X perform relative to its closest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 9 5950X has an average benchmark score of 51947, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. It is virtually tied with the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX, which scores 52073 (a 0.2% difference), and the AMD EPYC 8124P, which scores 52121 (a 0.3% difference). It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i9-13900F, which scores 51730.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B370 a strong performer in this game?

A: No. The Arc B370 ranks in the 5th percentile of all GPUs and has an average benchmark score of 1184. Its nearest rivals, such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, score 1186, indicating it is on par with very old, entry-level hardware.

*Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit performance in Barony?*

A: The GPU is the clear limiting factor. The Ryzen 9 5950X is a top-tier CPU with a high multithreaded score of 26017 in Cinebench R23, but the Arc B370’s low performance metrics, including a 6.144 TFLOPS FP32 rate, prevent the system from achieving high frame rates, especially at higher resolutions.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS values recorded?

A: The measured data only includes minimum and maximum values for Medium settings. At 1080p Medium, the range is 91 to 123 FPS. At 1440p Medium, it is 57 to 78 FPS. At 4K Medium, it is 30 to 41 FPS.

*Q: How does the combo rank against all other tested combinations in Barony?*

A: The combo ranks 2701 out of 2935 total combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems. This indicates that the vast majority of other hardware pairings achieve better performance in this game.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X with Intel Arc B370 ranks 2701 out of 2935 tested combinations in Barony, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. This is a poor result, driven entirely by the GPU’s performance ceiling. The CPU’s high percentile ranking—91st among all processors—does not compensate for the GPU’s lowly 5th percentile standing.

This ranking is not surprising given the Arc B370’s hardware specifications. It is an integrated graphics solution with 1280 shading units and a 25 W TDP, designed for low-power mobile devices rather than gaming. Its nearest GPU rivals, such as the ATI Radeon HD 5770 with a score of 1190, are relics from a bygone era, underscoring the B370’s lack of competitive gaming power.

The data suggests that the combo’s rank is almost entirely a function of the GPU. A system with a weaker CPU but a stronger discrete GPU would likely rank significantly higher, as Barony appears to be sensitive to GPU throughput given the FPS drops observed when resolution increases. The CPU’s capabilities, including its 64 MB of L3 cache and high boost clock of 4.90 GHz, are largely wasted in this configuration, as the GPU cannot translate that processing power into frame rates.

In practical terms, the combo ranks below nearly all other systems tested, meaning users will experience performance akin to a low-end laptop rather than a desktop gaming rig. The only consolation is that the ranking is not the absolute worst, leaving a few combinations that perform even lower.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the results are the most playable. Low settings average 144 FPS, which is the highest score recorded for this combo. Medium settings average 107 FPS, with a minimum of 91 and maximum of 123 FPS. High settings average 92 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to 66 FPS. The transition from Low to Ultra represents a 54% reduction in frame rate, showing that the GPU struggles as graphical fidelity increases.

At 2560x1440, performance falls significantly. Low settings average 91 FPS, which is a 37% drop from the 1080p Low result. Medium settings average 67 FPS, with a range of 57 to 78 FPS. High settings average 58 FPS, and Ultra settings average 42 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p is only marginally playable, while High settings approach the 60 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160, the combo is largely inadequate. Low settings average 47 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. Medium settings average 35 FPS, with a minimum of 30 and maximum of 41 FPS. High settings average 30 FPS, and Ultra settings average 22 FPS. None of the 4K presets achieve playable frame rates, with the best case (Low) still missing the 60 FPS mark by a significant margin.

The data shows a consistent pattern: each step up in resolution or settings reduces the average FPS, with the most severe drops occurring when moving from 1080p to 1440p. The lack of min/max data for most presets limits analysis of frame time consistency, but the averages alone indicate a system that is barely suitable for 1080p gaming.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a high-end 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 26017 places it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, demonstrating exceptional raw processing power. In Barony, however, this power is underutilized.

The game’s performance is not CPU-bound, as evidenced by the significant FPS drops when resolution increases. If the CPU were the bottleneck, frame rates would remain relatively stable across resolutions, with only minor variations. Instead, the data shows a 67% reduction in FPS from 1080p Low to 4K Low, which is a classic sign of GPU limitation.

The CPU’s high single-thread performance, as shown by its 3DMark single-thread score of 944 and Geekbench single-core score of 2083, would be beneficial for a game that relies on a single main thread, but it cannot overcome the GPU’s rendering deficit. The 5950X’s 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide ample bandwidth for feeding the GPU, but the Arc B370 cannot process the data fast enough.

In this pairing, the CPU is a massive overachiever relative to the GPU. The data indicates that the system would perform identically with a much weaker processor, as the Arc B370 is the sole determinant of frame rates. Users would see no benefit from the 5950X’s multithreaded capabilities in Barony, making it a poor match for this game with this specific GPU.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured FPS data, the only viable settings for a smooth experience are at 1080p. The Ultra preset at 1080p averages 66 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold and provides the best visual quality while maintaining playability. For users who prioritize higher refresh rates, the Low preset at 1080p delivers 144 FPS, which is optimal for 144 Hz monitors.

At 1440p, the data shows that only Low settings (91 FPS) and Medium settings (67 FPS) are playable. The Medium preset offers a balance of visual fidelity and performance, with a minimum FPS of 57, which is close to the 60 FPS target. High settings at 1440p average 58 FPS, which is borderline, and Ultra settings drop to 42 FPS, which is not recommended for fast-paced gameplay.

At 4K, no settings preset is recommended. The best result, Low settings at 47 FPS, is below the 60 FPS threshold and will result in noticeable stuttering. Medium settings average 35 FPS, High averages 30 FPS, and Ultra averages 22 FPS, all of which are unplayable for a roguelike that requires precise timing and quick reactions.

The optimal experience per the data is 1080p with Ultra settings, as it provides the highest visual quality while staying above 60 FPS. If frame rate is the absolute priority, 1080p Low at 144 FPS is the best choice. Users should avoid 4K entirely and treat 1440p as a secondary option only with Low or Medium presets. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with any higher resolution requiring significant compromises in graphical quality.