Barony

The Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is an unusually lopsided combination for Barony, a roguelike title that launched on 2015-06-22. The CPU is a high-end 12th Gen part with 12 cores and 20 threads, while the GPU is a modest 4 GB Turing-based card. Benchmark data shows this pairing ranks at 3589 out of 3717 tested combos in this game, placing it in the bottom tier of all configurations measured. The measured FPS results confirm that the GTX 1650 becomes the primary constraint across most resolutions and settings, with the i7-12700KF’s substantial processing power going largely underutilized in a title that does not demand heavy multi-threaded workloads. This analysis breaks down what each component contributes, how the combination performs at each resolution, and which settings deliver the most playable experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combo in Barony?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 ranks 3589 out of 3717 tested combos in Barony. This places it in the lower percentile of all configurations, indicating that while the system can run the game, it does not deliver top-tier performance relative to other tested hardware pairings.

Q: How does the GTX 1650 compare to its nearest rival GPUs?

A: The GTX 1650 has an average benchmark score of 7472 and sits at the 40th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 8850M (avg score 7447, deltaPct 0.3), the Intel UHD Graphics 750 (avg score 7441, deltaPct 0.4), and the AMD Radeon R7 350 (avg score 7425, deltaPct 0.6). The only rival it trails is the Intel Arc A310 (avg score 7550, deltaPct -1). These are all closely matched parts, meaning the GTX 1650 is not significantly faster or slower than these alternatives.

Q: What FPS can be expected at 1920x1080 with Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the measured average FPS is 102, with a minimum of 87 and a maximum of 117. This is the highest average among the Medium preset across all tested resolutions, and it provides a smooth experience for most gameplay scenarios in Barony.

Q: Is the i7-12700KF a strong CPU relative to other processors?

A: Yes, the i7-12700KF performs at the 85th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35365. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700T (avg score 35403, deltaPct -0.1), the Intel Core i5-13600T (avg score 35305, deltaPct 0.2), and the Intel Core i7-12700K (avg score 35287, deltaPct 0.2). The CPU is clearly capable, but in this game, its power does not translate into high FPS because the GPU limits performance.

Q: Can this combo achieve 60 FPS at 2560x1440?

A: Yes, but only at Low settings. At 2560x1440 with Low settings, the measured average FPS is 87. At Medium settings, the average drops to 64, and at High settings, it falls to 55. At Ultra settings, the average is 40 FPS. So, 60 FPS is achievable at Low and Medium, but not at High or Ultra.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the CPU and GPU?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF had a launch MSRP of $384, and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 had a launch MSRP of 149 USD. These figures are from their respective release dates and do not reflect current market prices.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 125 W. The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus and connects via PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache.

Benchmark results show this CPU is exceptionally strong in synthetic tests. In Cinebench R23, it scores 28838 in multicore and 4071 in single-core. In Geekbench, it achieves 14367 in multicore and 2255 in single-core. The 3DMark results are equally impressive: 9983 in max threads, 9282 in 16 threads, 7211 in 8 threads, 4011 in 4 threads, and 2065 in 2 threads. PassMark tests show a multithread score of 34092 and a single-thread score of 3984. These numbers place the i7-12700KF in the 85th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35365.

In Barony, the CPU’s role is largely secondary because the game is a roguelike with relatively low processing demands compared to modern AAA titles. The 12 cores and 20 threads are far more than necessary for this game’s logic, AI, and world simulation. Single-thread performance is what matters most for most game logic, and the i7-12700KF delivers a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 410 and a 3DMark single-thread score of 1043, which are both strong. However, the measured FPS data shows that even at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average FPS is 137, which is high but not exceptional for a CPU of this caliber. The bottleneck is clearly elsewhere.

The CPU’s nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are the Intel Core i7-13700T (deltaPct -0.1), Intel Core i5-13600T (deltaPct 0.2), and Intel Core i7-12700K (deltaPct 0.2). These differences are negligible, meaning the i7-12700KF is essentially on par with those parts in raw processing power. For Barony, this means the CPU will not be the limiting factor at any resolution or setting tested. Instead, the GPU will dictate performance, as evidenced by the FPS scaling across different graphics presets. If a user were to pair this CPU with a more powerful GPU, the frame rates in Barony would likely improve substantially, but with the GTX 1650, the CPU’s potential is untapped.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a Turing-based graphics card with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 128.1 GB/s. It has 896 shading units, 56 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The base clock is 1485 MHz, and the boost clock is 1665 MHz, with memory running at 2001 MHz (8 Gbps effective). The card supports DirectX 12 (12_1), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, and it uses a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface. Its TDP is 75 W, and it requires no external power connectors, with a suggested PSU of 250 W.

In synthetic benchmarks, the GTX 1650 scores 7880 in PassMark G3D, 3048 in PassMark GPU Compute, and 29629 in Geekbench OpenCL. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 305, and its Vulkan score in Geekbench is 33042. These results place the GPU at the 40th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 7472. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon HD 8850M (deltaPct 0.3), Intel UHD Graphics 750 (deltaPct 0.4), and AMD Radeon R7 350 (deltaPct 0.6), all of which are within 1% of the GTX 1650’s score. The Intel Arc A310 is slightly ahead with a deltaPct of -1.

In Barony, the GTX 1650’s 4 GB VRAM and 128.1 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for the game’s textures and effects, but the card’s raw compute power is limited. This is reflected in the measured FPS: at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is just 21, which is unplayable. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average rises to 63 FPS, which is playable but not smooth for a fast-paced roguelike. The card’s performance scales predictably with resolution and settings, as shown by the FPS data. For example, at 2560x1440, the average FPS goes from 87 at Low to 40 at Ultra, a drop of 47 FPS. At 1920x1080, the average goes from 137 at Low to 63 at Ultra, a drop of 74 FPS.

The GTX 1650’s 4 GB VRAM is a notable limitation. While Barony is not a VRAM-heavy game, the Ultra preset at higher resolutions may push memory usage close to the limit, which could cause stuttering or texture thrashing. However, the measured data shows that the card still delivers 29 FPS at 3840x2160 with High settings and 34 FPS at Medium, indicating that it can handle the workload but not at playable levels. For a smoother experience, the GPU is best paired with lower settings or lower resolutions, as the data suggests. The GPU’s 75 W TDP and lack of power connectors make it a low-power option, but that efficiency does not compensate for its modest performance in this title.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 combination ranks 3589 out of 3717 tested combos in Barony. This is a very low ranking, placing the combo in the bottom 3.5% of all configurations tested. The rank reflects the fact that the GPU is the limiting component, and the CPU’s high performance does not help much in a game that is not CPU-intensive. In comparison, a combo with a similar CPU but a stronger GPU would rank significantly higher, as the CPU has the headroom to support faster graphics cards.

The combo’s low rank is not surprising given the GPU’s 40th percentile standing among all GPUs. The GTX 1650 is an entry-level card from 2019, and while it can run Barony, it cannot do so at high frame rates on higher settings. The CPU, on the other hand, is in the 85th percentile, making it a top-tier processor. This mismatch means the combo’s performance is dictated by the GPU, which is why it ranks so low. If the rank were based solely on CPU performance, it would be much higher, but the combined score pulls it down.

The data shows that the combo’s best performance is at 1920x1080 with Low settings, where it achieves an average of 137 FPS. At 2560x1440 with Low settings, the average drops to 87 FPS, and at 3840x2160 with Low settings, it falls to 45 FPS. These numbers illustrate the GPU’s diminishing capability as resolution increases. The combo’s worst performance is at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, where it averages 21 FPS. This is a clear indication that the combo is not suited for 4K gaming, even in a relatively lightweight title like Barony.

Given the rank of 3589 out of 3717, the combo is one of the weaker configurations tested. This is not a reflection of the CPU, which is excellent, but rather the GPU, which is underpowered for the demands of modern gaming, even in an older roguelike. Users with this combo should expect to play at lower settings and resolutions to achieve playable frame rates. The data suggests that the combo is best used at 1920x1080 with Medium or High settings, where it averages 102 and 88 FPS, respectively, providing a smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data covers three resolutions—3840x2160, 2560x1440, and 1920x1080—across four settings presets: Low, Medium, High, and Ultra. For each combination, the average FPS is provided, and for Medium settings, minimum and maximum FPS values are also included.

At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 45, achieved with Low settings. Medium settings yield an average of 34 FPS, with a minimum of 29 and a maximum of 39. High settings drop to 29 FPS on average, and Ultra settings fall to 21 FPS. None of these results are playable for a smooth experience, as even the Low preset’s 45 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold that most players prefer. The data indicates that 4K resolution is not viable with this combo, regardless of settings.

At 2560x1440, the results improve significantly. Low settings deliver an average of 87 FPS, which is playable. Medium settings average 64 FPS, with a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 74, which is also acceptable. High settings drop to 55 FPS on average, which is borderline, and Ultra settings fall to 40 FPS, which is not ideal. For 1440p, the best experience is at Low or Medium settings, where the combo can maintain frame rates above 60 FPS.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs at its best. Low settings achieve an average of 137 FPS, which is exceptionally smooth. Medium settings average 102 FPS, with a minimum of 87 and a maximum of 117, providing a great balance of visual quality and performance. High settings average 88 FPS, which is still very playable, and Ultra settings average 63 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS mark. This resolution is clearly the sweet spot for this combo, offering playable frame rates across all settings, with Low and Medium providing the smoothest experience.

The data shows a clear trend: as resolution increases, FPS drops consistently across all settings. The difference between 1920x1080 and 3840x2160 is substantial, with the average FPS at Low settings dropping from 137 to 45, a 67% reduction. Similarly, at Ultra settings, the average drops from 63 to 21, a 67% reduction. This indicates that the GTX 1650 is the primary bottleneck, as the CPU’s performance does not change with resolution. The Medium preset’s minimum and maximum FPS values also show that the combo can maintain relatively stable frame rates, with a spread of 10-11 FPS at each resolution, which is acceptable for a game like Barony.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, all four settings presets deliver playable frame rates, but the optimal choice depends on the user’s preference for visual quality versus smoothness. For the smoothest experience, Low settings provide an average of 137 FPS, which is far above the 60 FPS threshold and ideal for fast-paced gameplay. However, Low settings may reduce visual fidelity, which could affect the game’s atmosphere, but for a roguelike, performance often takes priority.

Medium settings at 1920x1080 offer an average of 102 FPS, with a minimum of 87 and a maximum of 117. This preset provides a good balance between visual quality and performance, and the frame rates are still high enough for a smooth experience. The minimum FPS of 87 ensures that even in demanding scenes, the game will not stutter significantly. This is likely the best choice for most users, as it offers improved visuals over Low without sacrificing playability.

High settings at 1920x1080 average 88 FPS, which is still playable but not as smooth as Medium. The drop from 102 to 88 FPS is noticeable, but the game remains responsive. Ultra settings average 63 FPS, which is just above 60 FPS, but the minimum FPS is not recorded for this preset, so there is a risk of occasional dips below 60 FPS in complex scenes. For users who prioritize visual quality, High settings are a reasonable compromise, but Ultra may be too demanding for consistent smoothness.

At 2560x1440, the recommendation is to stick with Low or Medium settings. Low settings average 87 FPS, which is playable, and Medium settings average 64 FPS, which is just above 60 FPS. High settings drop to 55 FPS, and Ultra to 40 FPS, both of which are below the ideal 60 FPS threshold. For 1440p, Medium settings are the best choice if the user wants a balance of quality and performance, but Low is safer for maintaining high frame rates.

At 3840x2160, no settings preset delivers a playable experience. The highest average FPS is 45 at Low settings, which is below 60 FPS and may feel sluggish. Medium settings average 34 FPS, High average 29 FPS, and Ultra average 21 FPS. Therefore, 4K resolution is not recommended for this combo, regardless of settings. The data clearly indicates that the GTX 1650 cannot handle 4K in Barony, so users should avoid this resolution entirely.

In summary, the best experience is achieved at 1920x1080 with Medium settings, as it offers a high average FPS of 102, a minimum of 87, and a maximum of 117, providing both smooth gameplay and reasonable visual quality. For users who prefer maximum performance, Low settings at 1920x1080 deliver 137 FPS, but the visual downgrade may not be worth it for a game like Barony. Ultra settings at 1920x1080 are acceptable at 63 FPS, but the risk of dips below 60 FPS makes Medium or High the safer choices. The data supports a practical approach: stick to 1080p and use Medium or High settings for the best balance of performance and visuals.