Barony

The Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Radeon RX 7700 combination delivers a surprisingly strong showing in Barony, a roguelike that scales well across a wide range of hardware. The data shows a system that is clearly capable of high refresh rate play at 1080p and 1440p, while still providing a playable experience at 4K. The benchmark results indicate that the primary bottleneck shifts from the GPU at lower resolutions to a more balanced load as resolution increases, but the overall performance headroom is substantial.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS progression from 1080p to 4K reveals a classic GPU-bound scaling pattern, but with an interesting twist at the top end. At 1080p with High settings, the combo produces 230 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that to 145 FPS, a reduction of 85 FPS (37%). Jumping to 4K High yields 76 FPS, another 69 FPS drop (47.6%) from the 1440p figure. This steep decline indicates that the Radeon RX 7700 is doing the heavy lifting at higher resolutions, and the frame rate is directly tied to pixel count.

However, the scaling is not perfectly linear, and the data suggests that at 1080p, the Intel Core i5-12400F starts to become a limiting factor. The jump from 1080p High (230 FPS) to 1440p High (145 FPS) is a 37% drop, while the drop from 1440p High to 4K High is 47.6%. This is somewhat counterintuitive; if the GPU were the sole constraint, the percentage drop should be more consistent. The fact that the 1080p to 1440p drop is smaller than the 1440p to 4K drop implies that at 1080p, the CPU is preventing the GPU from reaching its full potential. The system is likely capable of more than 230 FPS at 1080p if the CPU could feed the GPU faster.

The Low settings data further confirms this. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 360 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 227 FPS (a 37% drop), and at 4K Low, it falls to 119 FPS (a 47.6% drop from 1440p). The same scaling pattern repeats, reinforcing the idea that the CPU is the ceiling at 1080p, while the GPU becomes the clear limiting factor as resolution climbs. The gap between 1080p Low and 1440p Low (133 FPS) is smaller than the gap between 1440p Low and 4K Low (108 FPS), despite the resolution difference being 2.25x in both cases. This is a strong indicator of a CPU bottleneck at the lowest resolution.

In practical terms, this means that users targeting 240Hz or higher displays at 1080p will find the CPU holding them back, even with a capable GPU. For 1440p, the balance is much better, and for 4K, the GPU is the definitive limiting component. The data shows that the system is optimized for 1440p gameplay, where it can push well past 144 FPS on High settings, making it an excellent pairing for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but with caveats. The measured data shows 76 FPS at 4K High and 54 FPS at 4K Ultra. This is playable, but not ideal for fast-paced action. For a smoother 4K experience, the Medium preset at 88 FPS is a better choice.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: The data strongly favors 2560x1440. At High settings, it achieves 145 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors. At 1080p, the CPU becomes a bottleneck, limiting performance to 230 FPS on High, while 4K drops below the 100 FPS mark on all settings.

Q: How does the CPU performance compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F has an average benchmark score of 19039. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, has a score of 19047, a delta of 0%. The Intel Core 3 201E is 0.1% slower with a score of 19056. This places the i5-12400F in a tightly contested performance tier.

Q: Is the GPU performance competitive with other options?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 7700 has an average benchmark score of 15852. It is 1.7% slower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which scores 16129. It is 1% slower than the AMD Radeon RX 9060 (16014) and 1.1% faster than the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 (15679). This puts it in a solid mid-range position.

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

A: The gap is significant. At 1080p, Low produces 360 FPS while Ultra produces 165 FPS, a difference of 195 FPS. At 1440p, the gap is 123 FPS (227 FPS vs 104 FPS). At 4K, the gap narrows to 65 FPS (119 FPS vs 54 FPS), as the GPU becomes the primary constraint.

Q: Does the system have a high refresh rate capability at 1080p?

A: Yes, it is capable of very high frame rates, hitting 360 FPS on Low and 230 FPS on High. However, performance is capped by the CPU. The data suggests the CPU prevents the GPU from pushing beyond these figures, so a faster CPU would be needed to fully utilize a 360Hz or higher monitor.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It has an 18 MB shared L3 cache and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory. In the context of Barony, this CPU configuration is more than sufficient for the game's demands. The benchmark results show a strong single-threaded performance with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 909 and a passmark_single_thread score of 3481. This is crucial for a roguelike, where game logic and entity updates often rely on a single primary thread.

The multi-threaded capabilities are also robust, with a 3dmark_max_threads score of 5912 and a cinebench_r23_multicore score of 12380. Barony, like many roguelikes, may not be heavily multi-threaded, but the 12 threads ensure that background tasks and game systems do not cause stutters. The data indicates that the CPU is not a source of frame drops in this title, as evidenced by the high minimum FPS figures at 1440p Medium (144 min FPS) and 1080p Medium (228 min FPS).

The relationship between the CPU and the game's results is most apparent at 1080p. The 360 FPS cap on Low settings is likely a CPU-imposed limit. The CPU's passmark_multithread score of 19433 and its 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs show it is a capable processor, but it has a finite limit on how many draw calls and game state updates it can process per second. Barony's relatively simple graphics mean that the GPU can render frames very quickly, but the CPU must still issue the commands. This is where the i5-12400F becomes the bottleneck at 1080p, preventing the system from exceeding 360 FPS even on the lowest settings.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals is notable. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, showing a 0% delta. This means users should expect identical CPU-limited performance in Barony with either processor. The 0.3% lead over the Intel Core i5-1335U and AMD EPYC 7773X is negligible. The data shows that the i5-12400F is a solid, mainstream choice that provides a consistent experience without being a weak link in this GPU pairing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is capable of extreme frame rates. On Low, it averages 360 FPS. Moving to Medium drops the average to 268 FPS, with a minimum of 228 FPS and a maximum of 308 FPS. High settings produce 230 FPS, while Ultra reduces performance to 165 FPS. This data shows that even at Ultra, the system is well above the 144 FPS threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors, and the minimum FPS on Medium (228) is still higher than the average FPS on Ultra (165) at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the system remains exceptionally fast. Low settings yield 227 FPS, while Medium produces 169 FPS (min 144, max 194). High settings drop to 145 FPS, and Ultra falls to 104 FPS. The 1440p data is the most balanced. High settings at 145 FPS are perfect for 144Hz monitors, and even Ultra at 104 FPS is smooth. The minimum FPS figure of 144 FPS on Medium is notable, indicating that the system can maintain a locked 144 FPS experience without dips below that threshold on Medium settings.

At 3840x2160, the system transitions from high-refresh-rate territory to standard 60Hz play. Low settings produce 119 FPS, which is a strong result. Medium settings average 88 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS and a maximum of 102 FPS. High settings drop to 76 FPS, and Ultra brings the system down to 54 FPS. The 4K data shows that the RX 7700 is capable of 4K gaming, but users must be selective with settings. Medium is the sweet spot for a stable 60+ FPS experience, while High is acceptable but closer to the 60 FPS line. Ultra should be avoided for competitive play but is fine for slower, turn-based exploration.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Radeon RX 7700 ranks at 1336 out of 2935 tested combos in Barony. This places it in the top 45.5% of all combinations tested. This ranking is respectable, but not exceptional, given the hardware involved. The data suggests that while the system excels at 1080p and 1440p, it does not challenge the top-tier configurations that pair high-end CPUs with flagship GPUs.

The ranking is likely tempered by the CPU's performance ceiling at lower resolutions. In a game like Barony, where the GPU is not heavily taxed, a more powerful CPU like a high-core-count or higher-clocked part would push the frame rate higher, improving the combo's overall rank. The GPU's 58th percentile ranking among all GPUs also contributes to this mid-pack position. The nearest GPU rivals are all within a 1.7% delta, meaning the RX 7700 is in a tightly packed performance bracket, and the ranking reflects that it is not a class-leading part.

The combo's rank is a useful indicator for comparative purposes. It shows that this system is a solid mid-range performer, capable of delivering high frame rates in Barony, but it will be beaten by combos with faster CPUs or GPUs. For users building a new system, this rank suggests that the i5-12400F + RX 7700 is a balanced pairing that avoids major bottlenecks at 1440p, but it is not the ultimate choice for maximising FPS at 1080p.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's resolution and refresh rate goals. For 1920x1080, the data shows that High settings at 230 FPS are the best balance. Ultra at 165 FPS is still very smooth, but the 65 FPS drop is not worth the minor visual gain. Medium at 268 FPS is an option for competitive players, but High offers a better visual experience without sacrificing playability. Low at 360 FPS is only necessary for users with 360Hz monitors, as the CPU bottleneck limits the system to that frame rate.

At 2560x1440, High settings at 145 FPS are the clear recommendation. This provides a perfect match for 144Hz monitors, and the visual quality is excellent. Ultra at 104 FPS is a viable alternative for users who prioritize image quality over raw frame rate, but it is a 41 FPS drop from High. Medium at 169 FPS is the best choice for users with 165Hz monitors, as it stays above that refresh rate, but the jump from High to Medium is only 24 FPS, so the visual compromise may not be worth it for most users.

At 3840x2160, Medium settings at 88 FPS are the recommended preset. This is the only setting that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS with a minimum of 75 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience. High at 76 FPS is playable, but the lower minimum FPS figures make it riskier for stutter. Low at 119 FPS is the best for high-refresh-rate 4K monitors, but it sacrifices visual fidelity. Ultra at 54 FPS should be avoided unless the user insists on maximum quality and can tolerate sub-60 FPS performance. The data clearly shows that Medium is the sweet spot for 4K on this hardware.