Barony

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT delivers a performance profile in Barony that is substantially higher than the average tested configuration. Benchmark results place this combo at rank 1232 out of 3717 tested combinations, putting it in the top third of all systems evaluated for this title. This ranking is largely a reflection of the GPU's raw throughput, which allows the system to achieve high frame rates across all settings, though the CPU's four-core architecture becomes a limiting factor at lower resolutions where the frame ceiling is approached.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 1232 out of 3717 tested combinations indicates that this system outperforms roughly two-thirds of the configurations tested with Barony. This is a strong showing, driven primarily by the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT's high average benchmark score of 11627, which places it in the 51st percentile of all GPUs. While the GPU's percentile is modest, its actual performance in this game is far more impressive, as the measured FPS data shows it consistently producing triple-digit frame rates at 1080p and 1440p.

The Intel Core i3-12100F, with an average benchmark score of 13494, sits in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, which is a solid result for a processor with only 4 cores and 8 threads. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 3 N355 with a delta of 0%, the Intel Core i5-9500 with a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core 5 120UL with a delta of -0.7%. This means the i3-12100F is effectively tied with these processors in general compute benchmarks, but its single-threaded performance, evidenced by a 3dmark_single_thread score of 893, is sufficient for a game like Barony that does not scale heavily across many cores.

In the context of this specific game, the ranking suggests that the GPU is the dominant component. The data shows that the combination of a mid-range CPU with a high-end GPU yields excellent results, as the game is not heavily CPU-bound at higher resolutions. The rank also benefits from the fact that the GPU's 16 GB of VRAM is more than adequate for Barony's requirements, ensuring that texture loading and memory bandwidth never become a bottleneck.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is the primary driver of performance in this configuration. Its 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 624.1 GB/s, which is ample for Barony's roguelike environments, even at 4K resolution. The GPU's boost clock of 2430 MHz and game clock of 2124 MHz allow it to sustain high frame rates, and the pixel rate of 233.3 GPixel/s ensures that fill-rate-dependent effects are handled efficiently.

Benchmark results for the GPU show a passmark_g3d score of 24176, which is a strong indicator of its rasterization capabilities. The GPU's nearest rivals, according to average benchmark scores, are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 with a delta of -0.5%, the AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with a delta of 0.9%, and the NVIDIA Tesla K20c with a delta of 1.3%. However, these comparisons are based on synthetic benchmarks; in Barony, the RX 7800 XT's measured FPS far exceeds what those older cards could achieve, thanks to its modern RDNA 3.0 architecture and higher transistor count of 28,100 million.

The 16 GB VRAM capacity is particularly relevant for 4K Ultra settings, where the measured average FPS is 64. While this is a playable frame rate, it suggests that the GPU is nearing its limit at that configuration, likely due to the increased memory pressure and shader complexity. At 1080p Low, the GPU pushes 424 FPS, which is well beyond the refresh rate of most monitors, indicating that the GPU is not the limiting factor at lower resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend: as resolution decreases, frame rates increase dramatically, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. At Ultra settings, the average FPS scales from 64 at 3840x2160 to 122 at 2560x1440, and finally to 194 at 1920x1080. This represents a 1.9x improvement from 4K to 1440p, and a 3.0x improvement from 4K to 1080p, which is a larger scaling factor than one would expect if the CPU were the bottleneck.

At High settings, the scaling is similarly pronounced: 89 FPS at 4K, 171 FPS at 1440p, and 271 FPS at 1080p. The jump from 4K to 1440p is 1.9x, and from 4K to 1080p is 3.0x. These ratios suggest that the GPU is doing most of the work, as a CPU-bound system would show diminishing returns at lower resolutions. The fact that 1080p High achieves 271 FPS, while 1080p Ultra achieves 194 FPS, indicates that the GPU still has headroom, but the CPU's 4 cores may start to limit the absolute maximum frame rate.

At Low settings, the scaling is even more extreme: 140 FPS at 4K, 267 FPS at 1440p, and 424 FPS at 1080p. The 1080p Low result of 424 FPS is likely near the CPU's practical limit for this game, as the i3-12100F's 3dmark_max_threads score of 4023 suggests it can handle a high number of draw calls, but not indefinitely. The data indicates that the limiting component shifts from the GPU at 4K to the CPU at 1080p Low, where the frame rate ceiling is approached.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across resolutions and settings. At 3840x2160, the average FPS ranges from 64 at Ultra to 140 at Low. The Medium setting yields an average of 104 FPS with a minimum of 88 FPS and a maximum of 120 FPS, which is a stable range suitable for smooth gameplay. High settings produce an average of 89 FPS, which is still highly playable on a 60Hz display.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS improves significantly. Ultra settings deliver 122 FPS, High delivers 171 FPS, and Medium delivers 199 FPS with a minimum of 169 FPS and a maximum of 229 FPS. Low settings reach 267 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium setting at 1440p shows a narrow FPS range, indicating consistent performance without major dips.

At 1920x1080, the performance is exceptional across the board. Ultra settings average 194 FPS, High averages 271 FPS, and Medium averages 315 FPS with a minimum of 268 FPS and a maximum of 362 FPS. Low settings achieve 424 FPS, which confirms the GPU's power and the CPU's ability to feed it at this resolution. The data shows that even at Ultra 1080p, the system is well above the 144 FPS threshold commonly targeted by competitive gamers.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Barony at with this combo for a 144Hz monitor?*

A: At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average FPS is 171, which is above 144Hz, making it a solid choice. For a more consistent experience, Medium settings at 1440p provide an average of 199 FPS with a minimum of 169 FPS, ensuring the frame rate never drops below the refresh rate.

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

A: Yes, 4K is playable. At High settings, the average FPS is 89, and at Medium settings, it is 104 with a minimum of 88 FPS. Ultra settings at 4K yield an average of 64 FPS, which is still playable but may not be smooth on high-refresh-rate displays.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck at any resolution?

A: At 1080p Low settings, the system reaches 424 FPS, which is likely near the CPU's limit for this game. At higher resolutions like 4K, the GPU is the limiting factor, as shown by the significant FPS drop from 1080p to 4K at the same settings.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The RX 7800 XT has an average benchmark score of 11627, which is 0.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 and 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA Tesla K20c. However, the measured FPS in Barony is far superior to what those older GPUs would produce.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, Low settings average 267 FPS, while Ultra settings average 122 FPS. This represents a 2.2x difference, indicating that the visual fidelity at Ultra comes at a significant performance cost.

Q: Does the Medium setting provide a stable frame rate?

A: Yes, at all resolutions, the Medium setting shows a consistent range. At 1080p, the average is 315 FPS with a minimum of 268 FPS and a maximum of 362 FPS. At 1440p, the average is 199 FPS with a minimum of 169 FPS, and at 4K, the average is 104 FPS with a minimum of 88 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset is the recommended choice across all tested resolutions. At 1920x1080, Medium produces an average of 315 FPS with a minimum of 268 FPS, which is more than sufficient for any high-refresh-rate gaming setup. At 2560x1440, Medium delivers an average of 199 FPS with a minimum of 169 FPS, ensuring consistent smoothness even in intense scenes. Even at 3840x2160, Medium maintains an average of 104 FPS with a minimum of 88 FPS, making it the only preset that keeps the frame rate above 60 FPS at all times.

High settings are a viable alternative for users who prioritize visual fidelity over raw frame rate. At 1440p, High averages 171 FPS, which is still very high, and at 1080p, it averages 271 FPS. However, at 4K, High drops to 89 FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal for monitors with refresh rates above 90Hz. Ultra settings should be reserved for users with lower refresh rate displays or for screenshots, as the average FPS at 1080p is 194, at 1440p is 122, and at 4K is 64.

Low settings offer the highest possible frame rates, with 424 FPS at 1080p and 267 FPS at 1440p, but the visual downgrade is substantial. Given the system's capability, Medium or High settings provide the best experience, with Medium offering a more stable frame time range as evidenced by the min and max FPS values.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F plays a supporting role in this configuration, providing enough processing power to keep the GPU fed at most resolutions. With 4 cores and 8 threads, it has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its L3 cache of 12 MB shared, and per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB, are adequate for the game's data access patterns. The CPU's single-threaded performance, shown by a 3dmark_single_thread score of 893 and a cinebench_r23_singlecore score of 1674, is strong enough to handle the game's main thread.

However, the CPU's limitations become apparent at 1080p Low settings, where the system reaches 424 FPS. This is likely close to the maximum frame rate the i3-12100F can produce in Barony, as its 3dmark_16_threads score of 4051 and 3dmark_max_threads score of 4023 indicate that multi-threaded performance is not a bottleneck, but the absolute single-thread limit is reached. The CPU's percentile rank of 68 versus all CPUs, and its average benchmark score of 13494, place it in a competitive position, but it is not a top-tier processor for extreme frame rate chasing.

In contrast, the GPU's high performance means that at 4K Ultra, the system is heavily GPU-bound, with the CPU having little impact on the overall frame rate. The data shows that the CPU is sufficient for this game at all tested settings, but users seeking to maximize FPS beyond 424 at 1080p would need a more powerful processor. The CPU's launch MSRP of $97 makes it an economical choice, but its performance in this specific combo is more than adequate for Barony's requirements.