Barony

The Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT combination delivers a striking performance profile in Barony, a roguelike where the data shows frame rates ranging from a demanding 54 FPS at 4K Ultra to a blistering 361 FPS at 1080p Low. This pairing of a six-core, six-thread Coffee Lake processor with a high-end RDNA 2.0 graphics card produces results that are almost entirely GPU-bound at higher settings, yet the CPU’s influence becomes apparent at lower resolutions. The measured FPS values suggest a system capable of extreme refresh rates at 1080p, but one that requires careful settings management to maintain smoothness at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a desktop processor from the Coffee Lake refresh generation, built on a 14 nm process. It features 6 cores and 6 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The processor’s cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, alongside a shared 9 MB L3 cache. This CPU has a 65 W TDP and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. In the context of Barony, the data indicates that this processor is not the primary bottleneck in most scenarios, but its performance ceiling is a factor.

Benchmark results for the i5-9400 show a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935. Its Geekbench scores are 5141 for multi-core and 1389 for single-core. These figures place the CPU at the 47th percentile among all tested processors. The data shows that its nearest rivals are very close in average benchmark score; the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 scores 2259 (a -0.2% delta), while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246 (a 0.4% delta). This indicates the i5-9400 sits in a dense performance cluster.

The role of this CPU in Barony is best understood by examining the FPS deltas across resolutions. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 361, which is exceptionally high. This number suggests that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with enough data to achieve very high frame rates, but it is also likely the limiting factor at this point since the GPU is underutilized at such low settings. As the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the FPS drops, which indicates the load shifts to the GPU. The CPU’s single-thread performance, as shown by the 935 Cinebench R23 score, is adequate for the game’s logic, but the six-thread limit means it cannot push frame rates beyond what we see at 1080p Low.

The data implies that the i5-9400 provides a solid foundation for Barony at typical gaming resolutions. The difference between 1080p Low (361 FPS) and 1080p High (230 FPS) is 131 FPS, which shows that even at 1080p, the GPU is doing significant work when settings are raised. However, the CPU’s lack of hyper-threading is a potential limitation for very high frame rate scenarios, as the six threads must handle all game logic and draw calls. The benchmark results show the processor is in the middle of the pack, and in Barony, this translates to a capable but not limitless partner for the RX 6750 XT.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate achieved by this combo?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 361 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the peak performance point for this combo, indicating the system’s upper limit in Barony.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, scores 2259, which is a -0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, a +0.4% delta. This shows the i5-9400 is essentially tied with these processors.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The combo is ranked 1709 out of 3717 total tested combos. This places it in the upper-middle portion of all systems tested with Barony.

Q: Does the GPU have a high percentile ranking among all GPUs?

A: Yes, the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is at the 71st percentile among all GPUs. This is a strong position, indicating it outperforms the majority of graphics cards in the database.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between 1080p Low and 4K Ultra?

A: The difference is 307 FPS. The system achieves 361 FPS at 1080p Low, but this drops to 54 FPS at 4K Ultra, showing a massive performance scaling range.

Q: Is the CPU more likely to be a bottleneck at 1080p or 4K?

A: The data suggests the CPU is more likely to be a limiting factor at 1080p Low. At this setting, the FPS is 361, which is extremely high, and the GPU has less work to do. At 4K, the GPU workload increases significantly, making it the primary bottleneck, as seen by the FPS dropping to 54 at Ultra.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a predictable pattern, but with some interesting nuances. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 230 at 1080p to 145 at 1440p, and then to 76 at 4K. This is a 67% reduction in FPS from 1080p to 4K. The scaling is not linear; the jump from 1440p to 4K is a 69 FPS drop, which is larger than the 85 FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p. This is consistent with the pixel count increase, which is roughly 2.25 times from 1080p to 4K, but the FPS does not halve, indicating the GPU is handling the load well.

At Low settings, the scaling is even more dramatic. The FPS goes from 361 at 1080p to 228 at 1440p, and then to 119 at 4K. The drop from 1440p to 4K is 109 FPS, which is a larger absolute drop than the 133 FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p. This suggests that at Low settings, the system is more sensitive to resolution changes, likely because the CPU is doing relatively more work at lower settings. The 228 FPS at 1440p Low shows the combo can still deliver high refresh rates at that resolution, but 4K Low is the boundary where it falls below 120 FPS.

The data indicates that the limiting component shifts with resolution. At 1080p, especially with Low settings, the CPU is likely the limiting factor, as the FPS is so high that the GPU is not fully saturated. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting component, as the FPS drops significantly across all settings. The Medium settings data supports this, with FPS of 268 at 1080p, 169 at 1440p, and 89 at 4K. The 4K Medium result of 89 FPS is still playable, but it is a far cry from the 268 FPS at 1080p. This shows that for 4K gaming, the RX 6750 XT is the bottleneck, but for 1080p, the i5-9400’s six threads are the ceiling.

Settings Recommendations

The measured rows provide a clear picture of how settings impact performance. For 1080p, the High preset offers an average of 230 FPS, which is excellent for any high-refresh-rate monitor. The Medium preset at 1080p averages 268 FPS, with a minimum of 228 FPS, which is also superb. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 165 FPS, which is still very smooth, but the data shows that High is a better balance, as it is 65 FPS faster than Ultra while likely offering nearly identical visual quality.

At 1440p, the High preset averages 145 FPS, which is ideal for 144 Hz monitors. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 169 FPS with a minimum of 144 FPS, making it the best option for consistent high refresh rates. The Ultra preset at 1440p drops to 104 FPS, which is still playable but not as fluid. The data suggests that High or Medium at 1440p is the sweet spot for this combo, as they both exceed 144 FPS on average.

For 4K, the situation is different. The High preset averages 76 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The Medium preset averages 89 FPS, with a minimum of 75 FPS, which is the best balance for 4K. The Ultra preset at 4K averages only 54 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and may feel sluggish. The Low preset at 4K averages 119 FPS, but this comes at a significant visual cost. The data indicates that Medium at 4K is the recommended setting, as it provides the highest average FPS above 60 while maintaining some visual fidelity. The Ultra preset is not recommended for 4K due to the 54 FPS average, but it is fine for 1440p, where it hits 104 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is ranked 1709 out of 3717 tested combos in Barony. This places it in the 54th percentile of all systems tested, meaning it outperforms slightly more than half of the database entries. The rank is a composite measure that considers the entire system’s performance, and it reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU. The i5-9400 is a mid-range processor, while the RX 6750 XT is a high-end GPU, so the combo’s ranking is likely held back by the CPU’s lower standing (47th percentile) compared to the GPU (71st percentile).

The data suggests that this combo is a strong performer for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it is not optimized for 4K. The rank indicates that there are many other combos that achieve higher frame rates, likely with more powerful CPUs. However, the combo’s performance is still respectable, as it is in the top 46% of all tested systems. The fact that it is ranked 1709 out of 3717 means it is more capable than 2008 other combos, which is a significant achievement. The ranking highlights that the GPU is the stronger component, and the system would benefit from a more powerful CPU to push higher frame rates at 1080p, but the current setup is well-balanced for most gaming scenarios.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers exceptional performance across all settings. With Low settings, the average FPS is 361. Medium settings produce an average of 268 FPS, with a minimum of 228 and a maximum of 309. High settings average 230 FPS, and Ultra settings average 165 FPS. The range from Low to Ultra is 196 FPS, showing a wide performance envelope.

At 2560x1440, the FPS drops are noticeable but still high. Low settings average 228 FPS. Medium settings average 169 FPS, with a minimum of 144 and a maximum of 195. High settings average 145 FPS, and Ultra settings average 104 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is roughly 37% for High settings, from 230 to 145 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the performance is more constrained. Low settings average 119 FPS. Medium settings average 89 FPS, with a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 102. High settings average 76 FPS, and Ultra settings average 54 FPS. The drop from 1440p to 4K is about 48% for High settings, from 145 to 76 FPS. The data shows that the combo can handle 4K at Medium settings with a playable 89 FPS average, but Ultra is not viable for smooth gameplay.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT is a high-end graphics card from the Radeon RX 6000 series, built on the 7 nm process with the Navi 22 chip. It features 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 64 ROPs, with 40 ray-tracing cores. The GPU operates at a base clock of 2150 MHz and a boost clock of 2600 MHz, with a game clock of 2495 MHz. It has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 432.0 GB/s. The card has a TDP of 250 W and requires a 600 W power supply.

In Barony, the GPU’s role is dominant at higher resolutions and settings. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 54, which is a clear indication that the GPU is the limiting factor. The card’s 13.31 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is substantial, but the game’s demands at 4K Ultimate push it to its limits. The GPU’s percentile ranking of 71st places it above most other cards, and its benchmark scores, such as the Passmark G3D score of 20700, confirm its strength.

The GPU’s memory capacity of 12 GB is ample for Barony, and the bandwidth of 432.0 GB/s ensures that texture streaming is not a bottleneck. The data indicates that the GPU is well-suited for 1440p gaming, where it can maintain over 100 FPS at Ultra settings. At 4K, it can handle Medium settings at 89 FPS, but it struggles with Ultra. The GPU’s performance is the primary driver of the combo’s ranking, as it is a much stronger component than the CPU. The RX 6750 XT’s ability to deliver 230 FPS at 1080p High shows that it is not being fully utilized at that resolution, but its power is clearly showcased at 1440p and 4K.