Barony

Barony is a roguelike that relies on procedural generation and fast, precise input, making frame pacing and consistency more important than raw graphical fidelity. The pairing of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X with the Intel Arc B390 produces a unique performance profile that is heavily constrained by the integrated graphics solution. The data indicates a system where the CPU is exceptionally capable, but the GPU limits the experience at higher resolutions and settings, resulting in a combo rank of 2601 out of 2935 tested combinations.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary bottleneck in this configuration. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process. Its performance class is clearly defined by its benchmark scores: it achieves an average benchmark score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, GT 625 OEM, and GT 710, with the Arc B390 leading that group by a margin of 1.3% to 2.7%. This context is crucial; the Arc B390 is not competing with discrete gaming graphics cards but rather with the most basic, legacy-level mobile and OEM parts.

The GPU's clock behavior is characterized by a low base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. This wide range suggests that the IGP's performance is highly dependent on thermal and power headroom, which are shared with the CPU. The memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning the GPU does not have dedicated VRAM. Instead, it draws from the system's DDR5 memory, with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent." This is a critical limitation for a game like Barony, which, while not visually demanding, still requires a stable memory bandwidth for texture streaming and frame buffer operations. The 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster operation pipelines are active, but their output is throttled by the shared memory architecture.

In Barony specifically, the GPU's limitations manifest clearly in the measured frame rates. At 4K (3840x2160) with Ultra settings, the average frame rate drops to 24 FPS. Even at the High preset at 4K, it only manages 34 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra settings at 4K is 29 FPS, highlighting that the GPU’s pixel throughput and fill rate are simply insufficient for higher detail levels at that resolution. The data points to a system where the Arc B390 is the definitive limiting factor, preventing the powerful CPU from translating its capabilities into high frame rates in this title.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The performance scaling across resolutions is a clear diagnostic tool for identifying the bottleneck. At 1080p (1920x1080) with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 159 FPS. Moving to 1440p (2560x1440) at the same Low settings, the average drops to 100 FPS, a decrease of 59 FPS. At 4K (3840x2160) with Low settings, the average falls further to 53 FPS. This steep decline as resolution increases is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload is largely independent of pixel count.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K at the Low preset shows a 66.7% reduction in average frame rate, from 159 FPS to 53 FPS. This is a massive performance hit that directly correlates with the 4x increase in pixel count. The Arc B390's 24 ROPs and relatively low fill rate are overwhelmed by the sheer number of pixels required at 4K. The fact that even at Low settings the 4K result is below 60 FPS confirms that the GPU is saturated. At higher settings like High, the drop from 1440p (64 FPS) to 4K (34 FPS) is a 46.9% reduction, further demonstrating the GPU's inability to keep pace with the resolution demands.

This behavior strongly indicates that the Ryzen 9 9900X is not the limiting factor at any resolution. The CPU is capable of feeding the GPU frames well above 159 FPS at 1080p, as evidenced by the Low preset result. The bottleneck is purely the Intel Arc B390's rendering pipeline. The data suggests that for a smooth experience, users should prioritize lower resolutions, as the performance penalty for moving up in resolution is disproportionately high compared to what would be expected from a more balanced system.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is a high-end desktop processor that stands in stark contrast to the GPU in this combo. It features 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge), with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Its benchmark scores are exceptionally strong, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32172 and a single-core score of 2253. It also achieves a Geekbench single-core score of 3010 and a multicore score of 22174. In the database, this CPU sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 57498.

The CPU's nearest rivals in the database are the AMD EPYC 9015 (delta -0.1%), AMD EPYC 7313 (delta 0.2%), Intel Core i9-14900 (delta -1.1%), and Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (delta -1.4%). These are all enterprise or high-end desktop parts, indicating the 9900X is a top-tier performer. For a game like Barony, which is a procedural roguelike with potentially complex game logic and entity calculations, the CPU's strong single-threaded performance is likely more relevant than its massive multicore throughput. The 5.60 GHz boost clock and high single-core scores suggest it can handle game simulation and AI tasks with ease.

Given the GPU bottleneck, the CPU's role in the measured frame rates is to ensure it is never the limiting factor. The data supports this: at 1080p Low, the system hits 159 FPS, which is likely near the performance ceiling of the Arc B390. The CPU has significant headroom, as its Passmark single-thread score of 4672 and 3DMark single-thread score of 1286 indicate it can handle the game's logic far faster than the GPU can render frames. In this pairing, the Ryzen 9 9900X is effectively waiting on the Intel Arc B390, meaning that any frame rate improvements would need to come from GPU-side optimizations or settings changes.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The overall performance of this CPU-GPU pairing in Barony is ranked 2601 out of 2935 tested combos. This places the combo in the bottom 11.4% of all configurations tested. This low rank is almost entirely attributable to the Intel Arc B390's weak GPU performance. Despite having a top-tier CPU in the 92nd percentile, the combo is dragged down by a GPU that sits in the 9th percentile. The rank reflects the final, measured frame rates, which are the product of the weakest link in the chain.

This ranking is a prime example of how a powerful CPU cannot compensate for a weak GPU in gaming workloads. The data shows that the combo's overall standing is not a reflection of the CPU's capabilities but rather a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations. The Ryzen 9 9900X, with its rivals being server-class EPYC and Xeon parts, is overqualified for the task at hand. The Arc B390, with its rivals being the GeForce GT 520MX and GT 710, is underpowered for modern gaming expectations.

For context, the rank of 2601 suggests that nearly all other tested combinations, even those with much slower CPUs, outperform this setup in Barony. This is because they likely feature discrete GPUs that are significantly faster than the Arc B390. The combo's performance is a clear outlier, where the CPU cost and performance are wasted due to the GPU constraint. The measured data confirms that this is a fundamentally unbalanced pairing for gaming purposes.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured frame rates provide a complete picture of the system's capabilities. At 1920x1080, the system achieves an average of 159 FPS on Low, 118 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 101 and maximum of 136), 102 FPS on High, and 73 FPS on Ultra. This shows that at 1080p, the system is playable across all settings, with even Ultra clearing the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset shows a tightly packed frame time distribution, indicating consistent performance.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset averages 100 FPS, Medium averages 75 FPS (minimum 64, maximum 86), High averages 64 FPS, and Ultra drops to 46 FPS. This resolution marks the point where the Ultra preset becomes less desirable, as it falls below the 60 FPS target. The High preset remains playable, but the headroom is shrinking. The 1440p Medium preset still provides a comfortable experience, with a minimum FPS of 64 ensuring no major stutters.

At 3840x2160, the GPU bottleneck becomes severe. The Low preset averages 53 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target. Medium averages 39 FPS (minimum 33, maximum 45), High averages 34 FPS, and Ultra averages just 24 FPS. None of the 4K settings provide a smooth experience, and the minimum FPS of 33 on Medium suggests significant frame pacing issues. The data clearly shows that 4K is not a viable resolution for this combo in Barony, as even the lowest settings cannot maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution. For 1080p, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 73 FPS while providing the highest visual fidelity. The High preset at 102 FPS is also excellent for those who prefer higher frame rates, but the Ultra preset still maintains a solid 73 FPS average, making it the best experience for visual quality without sacrificing playability.

For 1440p, the High preset is the recommended balance, averaging 64 FPS. This provides a smooth experience while retaining a good level of graphical detail. The Medium preset at 75 FPS is also viable, but the High preset offers a better visual experience for only 11 FPS less. The Ultra preset at 46 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the 60 FPS threshold and may feel less responsive in a fast-paced roguelike.

For 4K, no preset provides an ideal experience. The Low preset at 53 FPS is the only one that comes close to playable, but it still misses the 60 FPS target. The Medium preset at 39 FPS and High at 34 FPS are stutter-prone, with the Medium preset's minimum of 33 FPS indicating potential for noticeable hitches. For 4K, the recommendation is to avoid it entirely and instead use 1440p or 1080p, as the performance penalty at 4K is too severe to justify the resolution increase.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X the bottleneck in this system for Barony?

A: No. The CPU is in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The measured frame rates drop dramatically with resolution, which is a clear sign of a GPU bottleneck, not a CPU one. The CPU is capable of much higher frame rates than the GPU can render.

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

A: 1920x1080 is the best resolution, as all settings presets achieve an average of 73 FPS or higher. At 2560x1440, only Low, Medium, and High presets stay at or above 64 FPS. At 3840x2160, even the Low preset only averages 53 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M, 2.5% faster than the GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% faster than the GT 710. These are all legacy or entry-level parts.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank in the database for Barony?

A: The combo ranks 2601 out of 2935 tested combinations. This puts it in the bottom 11.4% of all tested systems, which is a direct result of the GPU's low performance.

Q: What is the maximum average FPS achievable at 4K with this system?

A: The maximum average FPS at 4K is 53, achieved with the Low settings preset. All other presets at 4K average 39 FPS or less.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 9900X's multicore performance compare to its closest rival?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498. Its closest rival is the AMD EPYC 9015 with a score of 57555, which is a 0.1% difference. The 9900X also trails the Intel Core i9-14900 by 1.1%.