Barony

The Intel Core i5-12400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 delivers extraordinary performance in Barony, a roguelike that clearly favors high frame rates over graphical fidelity. The measured results show that this combination is not only capable of handling the game at maximum settings but also provides significant headroom for high-refresh-rate displays. Benchmark data indicates a system that is heavily GPU-bound at lower resolutions, with the CPU’s 6 cores and 12 threads proving more than sufficient for the game’s demands.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate progression across resolutions reveals a classic pattern of GPU saturation. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the system produces 303 FPS, which is already a massive figure. However, the jump to Low settings at the same resolution yields 652.2 FPS, indicating that the graphics card is the primary bottleneck, as reducing graphical load dramatically increases output. This suggests the RTX 4090 is not being fully utilized at 1080p, with the CPU’s single-thread performance (3dmark_single_thread score of 909) likely capping the absolute maximum frame rate.

Moving to 1440p, the data shows a predictable decline across all settings. The Ultra preset drops to 189.7 FPS, a 37.4% reduction from its 1080p counterpart. This confirms that resolution scaling has a direct and significant impact on performance. Notably, the gap between 1080p and 1440p is not uniform; the Low preset sees a smaller percentage drop (from 652.2 to 419.1 FPS, a 35.7% decrease) compared to the Ultra preset’s drop, which suggests that the GPU’s shading units and memory bandwidth are being stressed more as resolution increases.

At 4K (3840x2160), the system still delivers excellent playable frame rates. The High preset averages 137.9 FPS, while Ultra drops to 99.1 FPS. This represents a 67.3% decrease from the 1080p Ultra result, highlighting the immense computational load of 4K rendering. The data indicates that at 4K, the RTX 4090’s raw power (82.58 TFLOPS FP32) is the defining factor, and the CPU’s role diminishes further. The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K is steep but consistent, with the GPU’s 24 GB of GDDR6X memory and 1.01 TB/s bandwidth providing ample headroom even at the highest resolution.

The limiting component shifts clearly with resolution. At 1080p, the CPU’s 4.40 GHz boost clock and 18 MB of shared L3 cache are sufficient to feed the GPU, but the RTX 4090’s potential is unrealized. At 4K, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck, as evidenced by the 222.3 FPS Low preset result at 4K, which is still higher than the 1080p Ultra result, underscoring how much performance is left on the table when the resolution is low.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides clear guidance for optimizing the experience in Barony. At 1080p, the High preset offers a remarkable 424.6 FPS, which is more than enough for any high-refresh-rate monitor. However, the Ultra preset at 303 FPS is still exceptionally smooth and likely provides the best visual experience without sacrificing playability. The data suggests that for most users at 1080p, Ultra is the recommended choice, as the performance delta to High is minimal in absolute terms.

For 1440p, the High preset at 268 FPS is the sweet spot, offering a balance between visual quality and performance that exceeds the refresh rate of most gaming monitors. The Ultra preset at 189.7 FPS is still highly playable and may be preferable for those with 144Hz displays who want maximum fidelity. The Medium preset at 313.5 FPS offers little benefit over High, as the frame rate increase is not substantial enough to justify a visual downgrade.

At 4K, the High preset at 137.9 FPS is the clear recommendation. It provides a smooth experience on 120Hz displays while maintaining high visual quality. The Ultra preset at 99.1 FPS is also viable for 60Hz displays, but the 28% performance hit compared to High is significant. The Medium preset at 162.3 FPS is a strong alternative for those who prioritize frame rate over visuals, but the data shows that High is the most balanced option. The Low preset, while delivering 222.3 FPS, should be avoided due to the substantial visual compromise for a marginal performance gain over Medium.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400F, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, proves to be an exceptional match for Barony. The processor’s base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz provide strong single-threaded performance, which is critical for a roguelike that likely relies on a primary game thread. The 3dmark_single_thread score of 909 and the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2332 confirm that the CPU’s per-core performance is robust.

Benchmark results show that the CPU is not a limiting factor in this configuration. Even at 1080p with Low settings, where the frame rate reaches 652.2 FPS, the CPU manages to keep up. The 3dmark_16_threads score of 5895 and the 3dmark_max_threads score of 5912 indicate that the CPU’s multi-threaded capabilities are also well-utilized, though the game’s demands are modest. The CPU’s 18 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB per-core L2 cache provide sufficient memory hierarchy for the game’s data.

Comparing to rivals, the i5-12400F’s average benchmark score of 19221 places it nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-8700K, which scores 19210 (a 0.1% delta). This means that in synthetic benchmarks, the newer i5 matches the older i7’s performance. However, in Barony, the i5-12400F’s modern architecture (Alder Lake, 10 nm process) contributes to its efficiency. The AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS scores 19364, a -0.7% delta, indicating the i5-12400F is slightly slower in general benchmarks, but this does not translate to a measurable difference in this game. The CPU’s 77th percentile ranking among all CPUs shows it is a solid mid-range performer.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 303 FPS.

*Q: How does the RTX 4090 perform at 4K in Barony?*

A: At 3840x2160, the High preset yields 137.9 FPS, while Ultra drops to 99.1 FPS, indicating strong 4K performance.

Q: Is the Core i5-12400F a bottleneck for the RTX 4090 in this game?

A: No, benchmark results show the CPU is not a limiting factor, as even at 1080p Low settings the system achieves 652.2 FPS, well beyond typical display refresh rates.

Q: What is the best setting for 1440p gaming?

A: The High preset at 1440p delivers 268 FPS, making it the recommended balance of visual quality and performance.

Q: How does the i5-12400F compare to the i7-8700K in average benchmark score?

A: The i5-12400F scores 19221, which is 0.1% higher than the i7-8700K’s 19210, showing nearly identical synthetic performance.

Q: What is the frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings?

A: The frame rate drops from 424.6 FPS at 1080p High to 137.9 FPS at 4K High, a 67.5% reduction.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is the dominant component in this configuration, and its role is clearly defined by the measured FPS data. The GPU’s massive 24 GB of GDDR6X memory and 384-bit bus width provide a 1.01 TB/s bandwidth, which is more than sufficient for Barony’s textures and assets. The 16384 shading units and 512 tensor cores deliver immense computational power, as evidenced by the 82.58 TFLOPS FP32 performance.

The GPU’s clock speeds, with a base of 2235 MHz and boost of 2520 MHz, are high, but they are not the primary driver of performance in this game. Instead, the sheer number of execution units ensures that even at 4K, the frame rates remain high. The 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 9223 and the Passmark G3D score of 38194 place the RTX 4090 in the 91st percentile of all GPUs, confirming its top-tier status.

The GPU’s role becomes more pronounced at higher resolutions. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate of 99.1 FPS reflects the card’s ability to handle heavy graphical loads. The data shows that the RTX 4090 is the limiting factor at 4K, as the CPU has ample headroom. The GPU’s 176 ROPs and 512 TMUs are fully utilized at this resolution, and the 443.5 GPixel/s pixel rate ensures efficient rasterization.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the RTX 4090’s average benchmark score of 66473 is closely matched by the NVIDIA Tesla T4 (66733, a -0.4% delta) and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 (67097, a -0.9% delta). This indicates that while the RTX 4090 is a consumer flagship, its synthetic benchmark scores are comparable to professional-grade cards in certain tests. However, in Barony, the RTX 4090’s driver optimizations and gaming-focused architecture shine, delivering frame rates that far exceed what these rivals would likely achieve. The GPU’s 450 W TDP and triple-slot cooler are necessary for its performance, but the data confirms that this power translates directly into playable frame rates across all resolutions.