Barony

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile combination delivers a surprisingly robust experience in Barony, a roguelike title that scales impressively across resolutions. The data shows this combo ranks 2029th out of 3717 tested configurations, placing it in the 55th percentile of all systems, a solidly mid-pack result that belies the absolute frame rates achieved. Benchmark results indicate that at 1080p, this pairing is exceptionally fast, while 4K remains playable, though not at maximum settings.

FAQ

*Q: What is the combo's overall standing among tested systems in Barony?*

A: The combo ranks 2029th out of 3717 tested combinations, placing it in the 55th percentile of all tested configurations.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Barony?*

A: Yes. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate is 72 FPS on High settings and 83 FPS on Medium, both being playable. However, at Ultra settings, the average drops to 51 FPS.

Q: What is the best performance you can expect at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 340 FPS. With High settings, it still maintains a very high average of 217 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212. It is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, while being 0.4% behind the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX.

Q: Is the GPU performance comparable to desktop components?

A: Yes, the RTX 4070 Mobile's average benchmark score is 27435, which is virtually identical (0% delta) to the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT and just 0.5% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090.

Q: What is the frame time consistency like at Medium settings?

A: The data provides minimum and maximum FPS for Medium settings. At 1080p, the range is 215 to 291 FPS, at 1440p it is 136 to 183 FPS, and at 4K it is 71 to 96 FPS, indicating solid frame pacing.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 2029 out of 3717 configurations in Barony is the primary data point for its overall positioning. This percentile placement (55th) might seem modest, but it is essential to contextualize this within the game's nature. Barony is a roguelike, a genre that often does not stress high-end hardware as heavily as modern AAA shooters or simulators. The measured frame rates, which are exceptionally high, suggest that the rank is more a function of the sheer number of high-refresh-rate systems tested than a reflection of this combo's absolute capability.

Benchmark results indicate a system that is far more capable than its rank suggests. The CPU's average benchmark score of 76212 places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, a top-tier result. The GPU's average score of 27435 places it in the 73rd percentile of all GPUs. When combined, these components should theoretically perform far better than a 55th percentile ranking would imply. This discrepancy is likely because the ranking includes many systems with top-tier desktop components, whereas this is a mobile platform, and the game's engine may not fully utilize the 32 threads available.

The delta from the median combo in the database is not provided, but the raw FPS numbers provide a clearer picture. At 1440p High, the system produces 137 FPS, which is beyond the refresh rate of most standard monitors. This suggests that for the target audience of high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming, this combo is positioned in the upper echelon, even if the raw database rank does not reflect it. The data shows a system that is overkill for 1080p, excellent for 1440p, and capable at 4K, a versatile profile that is not common among all tested combinations.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, operating within a 55 W TDP. The CPU's benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42713 and a single-core score of 6030, indicating exceptional multi-threaded and strong single-threaded performance. The PassMark multi-thread score of 51405 further underscores its high throughput capabilities.

For a game like Barony, the single-thread performance is often the most critical factor. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6030 is robust, ensuring that game logic, AI pathfinding, and procedural generation, which are often single-threaded, run without bottlenecks. The high boost clock of 5.40 GHz is particularly beneficial here, as it allows for rapid execution of these tasks. The 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs confirms that this processor is a top-tier part, and it is unlikely to be the limiting factor in this game.

The 32 threads are less critical for Barony specifically, as roguelikes typically do not scale perfectly with thread count. However, the sheer single-core strength ensures that even at 4K Ultra, where the GPU is heavily loaded, the CPU can still feed frames efficiently. The CPU's average benchmark score of 76212 is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, a direct competitor, indicating that this chip holds its own in synthetic tests. The data suggests that this CPU provides a massive headroom for this game, ensuring that the GPU is the primary driver of performance differences across settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of performance scaling across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. Low settings yield an average of 340 FPS, while High settings still produce 217 FPS. Medium settings show an average of 253 FPS with a minimum of 215 and a maximum of 291 FPS, demonstrating excellent consistency. Ultra settings drop to 156 FPS, which is still very high. This resolution is clearly not a challenge for this hardware.

At 2560x1440, performance remains high but shows more scaling. Low settings average 214 FPS, and High settings average 137 FPS. Medium settings average 159 FPS, with a range of 136 to 183 FPS. Ultra settings produce 98 FPS. This is the sweet spot for this combo, as it delivers high refresh rates on High settings and remains comfortably playable at Ultra. The jump from 1080p to 1440p reduces frame rates by approximately 35-40%, which is a typical scaling factor.

At 3840x2160, the system begins to show its limits, but it remains playable. Low settings average 112 FPS, but High settings drop to 72 FPS. Medium settings average 83 FPS, with a minimum of 71 FPS, which is close to the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. Ultra settings average 51 FPS, which is below the ideal for fast-paced action. The data shows a clear trend: 4K is viable, but only if the user is willing to compromise on settings. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is 61 FPS, indicating a substantial performance headroom for visual customization.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile is a powerful mobile GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, featuring the AD106 chip. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. The GPU has 4608 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output pipelines. Its boost clock is 1695 MHz, and it operates at a TDP of 115 W. The GPU's benchmark scores are strong, with a PassMark G3D score of 19587 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 109197.

The GPU's role in Barony is significant, as the game's visual effects, particularly lighting and particle effects, can be demanding. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for this title, even at 4K, as the game does not appear to exceed this limit based on the measured performance. The GPU's average benchmark score of 27435 places it in the 73rd percentile, and it is nearly identical in performance to the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (0% delta) and just 0.5% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090, which are both desktop parts. This indicates that the mobile 4070 is a high-end solution.

The performance scaling across settings highlights the GPU's capabilities. At 1080p, the GPU is not the bottleneck, as frame rates are extremely high. At 1440p, the GPU becomes more engaged, but still delivers excellent results. At 4K, the GPU is the primary limiting factor, with the difference between Low and Ultra settings being substantial. The data shows that the GPU can handle 4K High at 72 FPS, which reflects its power, but the 51 FPS at Ultra suggests that the most demanding settings are beyond its comfortable reach at that resolution.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For users with a 1080p 144Hz or 240Hz monitor, the High preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 217 FPS, which is more than enough to saturate a 144Hz display and provides a high frame rate for competitive play. The Ultra preset also works well at 156 FPS, but the visual difference between High and Ultra may not justify the 28% performance drop for most users. The Low preset is unnecessary at this resolution, as even High settings provide exceptional performance.

For 1440p users, the High preset is the sweet spot. It delivers 137 FPS on average, which is ideal for a high-refresh-rate monitor. The Medium preset offers a slightly higher average of 159 FPS, but at the cost of visual fidelity. The Ultra preset is also viable at 98 FPS, providing a more immersive experience for slower-paced play. The data suggests that High is the best balance, offering a smooth and visually appealing experience without pushing the GPU to its limits.

For 4K users, the recommendation is more nuanced. The Medium preset is the best compromise, delivering an average of 83 FPS with a minimum of 71 FPS, ensuring that the game remains smooth. The High preset is also playable at 72 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a more consistent frame rate. The Low preset offers a higher average of 112 FPS, but it is likely to reduce the visual quality significantly. The Ultra preset should be avoided, as the 51 FPS average is below the threshold for a consistently smooth experience. The data clearly indicates that Medium settings are the optimal choice for a 4K display, providing a balance between visual quality and performance that keeps the game fluid.