Barony

The Intel Core i7-14700F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 delivers a strong performance profile in Barony, a roguelike title that is far more demanding on hardware than its genre might suggest. The data indicates a combo that can handle high refresh rates at standard resolutions, while still providing playable performance at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, contextualizes it against other tested configurations, and offers practical settings guidance based solely on the provided benchmark results.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is the primary driver of the frame rates seen in this dataset. Its specifications are central to understanding why performance scales the way it does across resolutions and presets. The GPU is built on the RDNA 4.0 architecture, using the Navi 44 chip on a 4 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 1700 MHz, a game clock of 2400 MHz, and a boost clock of 2990 MHz. This substantial boost headroom indicates the card is designed to sustain high frequencies under load, which is critical for maintaining consistent FPS in Barony.

The memory subsystem is a significant factor. The RX 9060 comes equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. This configuration yields a memory bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. For a roguelike with procedurally generated environments, texture streaming and asset loading can be intensive. The 8 GB capacity is adequate for the measured settings, but the bandwidth and bus width explain why the card's performance scales predictably with resolution. The GPU also features 1792 shading units, 112 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 64 render output units (ROPs), giving it a pixel rate of 191.4 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 334.9 GTexel/s. These numbers dictate how quickly the card can fill pixels and apply textures, which directly impacts frame generation.

In the context of Barony, the GPU's compute capabilities—21.43 TFLOPS of FP32 performance—allow for the complex lighting and particle effects typical of the genre. The CPU, an Intel Core i7-14700F with 20 cores and 28 threads, is not the limiting factor at most settings. The CPU's high multi-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 35122, ensures that game logic and AI calculations do not bottleneck the GPU. However, the data suggests the GPU is the decisive component for the frame rates achieved. The RX 9060's percentile ranking versus all GPUs is 59, placing it in the upper mid-range, while the i7-14700F ranks at the 91st percentile versus all CPUs. This disparity indicates that the GPU is likely the performance ceiling in this pairing.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i7-14700F and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 achieves a combo rank of 1704 out of 2935 tested configurations in Barony. This places the pairing in the top 42% of all tested combos, which is a respectable standing given the vast array of hardware possibilities. The rank reflects the balance between the high-performing CPU and the mid-range GPU. While the CPU is a top-tier performer in its own right, the GPU's 59th percentile ranking pulls the overall combo ranking down from what the processor alone might suggest.

Benchmark results indicate that the RX 9060 is closely matched with several other GPUs. According to the nearestRivals data, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti has an average score that is 0.7% higher than the RX 9060. This is an extremely tight margin, meaning the two cards are effectively interchangeable in performance. The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is just 1% behind, and the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 is 2.1% behind. The RX 9060's average benchmark score of 16014, compared to the RTX 3060 Ti's 16129, confirms that the card is positioned in a competitive segment. This suggests that the combo's rank is not due to a weak GPU, but rather the sheer number of more powerful, high-end configurations that have been tested.

The CPU's proximity to its rivals reinforces this. The i7-14700F's average benchmark score is 53620, which is nearly identical to the Intel Xeon 6505P (53701, 0.2% higher) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (53288, 0.6% lower). The data shows that the CPU is performing at the level of much more expensive workstation and enthusiast processors. Therefore, the combo rank is a reflection of the GPU's mid-range standing. In practical terms, this means the pairing is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where the GPU can flex its muscle, but it will not compete with top-tier 4K rigs that feature higher-ranked GPUs.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Choosing the right settings depends heavily on the target resolution and the desired frame rate. The measured rows provide clear guidance for each resolution.

At 1920x1080, the RX 9060 is exceptionally capable. The Low preset delivers an average of 315 FPS, which is far beyond what most monitors can display. The High preset still offers 201 FPS on average, and the Medium preset sits at 235 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 144 FPS, which is still excellent for high-refresh-rate gaming. The data suggests that at 1080p, the GPU has enough headroom to run the game at Ultra settings while maintaining a 144 FPS average, which is the sweet spot for competitive play. The High preset is the better choice for users who want a visual upgrade without sacrificing the ability to hit the highest refresh rates, but Ultra is entirely viable.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down but remains strong. The Low preset hits 199 FPS, the High preset averages 127 FPS, and the Medium preset averages 148 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 91 FPS. For a 1440p monitor with a 144 Hz refresh rate, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it stays comfortably above the 100 FPS mark while providing better visual fidelity than Medium. The Medium preset, with a minimum FPS of 126, is also a safe bet for those who prioritize frame time consistency. Ultra at 91 FPS is playable, but it sacrifices the smoothness that the High preset offers.

At 3840x2160, the GPU begins to show its limits. The Low preset averages 104 FPS, which is very playable. The Medium preset averages 77 FPS with a minimum of 66, which is still smooth for a roguelike. The High preset drops to 66 FPS on average, which is borderline for a game that benefits from high responsiveness. The Ultra preset falls to 48 FPS, which is noticeably less fluid. For 4K, the Medium preset provides the best balance between visual quality and performance, offering a 77 FPS average with a minimum FPS of 66 that avoids major stutters. The Low preset is the better choice for players who demand frame rates above 100 FPS even at 4K.

The overall recommendation is to prioritize the High preset at 1080p and 1440p, and the Medium preset at 4K. This provides a playable experience across the board, with the High preset at 1440p being the standout for a quality-to-performance ratio.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is a clear indicator of the GPU's role as the primary bottleneck. The data shows a predictable scaling pattern that aligns with the pixel count increase.

At the Low preset, the average FPS drops from 315 at 1080p to 199 at 1440p, and then to 104 at 4K. This is a reduction of roughly 37% from 1080p to 1440p, and then a further 48% from 1440p to 4K. The scaling is slightly steeper than the pure pixel count ratio, indicating that the GPU is working harder to fill the larger frame buffers.

At the High preset, the drop is more pronounced. The average FPS goes from 201 at 1080p to 127 at 1440p, and then to 66 at 4K. This represents a 37% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 48% drop from 1440p to 4K. The pattern is similar to the Low preset, but the absolute values are lower, showing that the higher settings increase the load on the GPU's shading units and memory bandwidth.

The Medium preset shows a similar trend: 235 FPS at 1080p, 148 FPS at 1440p, and 77 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset scales from 144 FPS at 1080p, to 91 FPS at 1440p, and down to 48 FPS at 4K.

The data clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting component. The CPU, with its 20 cores and high clock speeds, does not show any signs of bottlenecking even at 1080p with Low settings, where the FPS exceeds 300. If the CPU were the limit, the frame rates at 1080p would be capped at a lower value, and the drop to 4K would be less severe. Instead, the consistent percentage drop across all presets indicates that the GPU's pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth are the constraints. The RX 9060's 128-bit memory bus and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth are simply insufficient to maintain high frame rates at 4K compared to its performance at 1080p. This is a classic sign of a mid-range GPU being paired with a high-end CPU; the CPU is ready to feed frames, but the GPU cannot render them fast enough at higher resolutions.

FAQ

*Q: Is the Intel Core i7-14700F + AMD Radeon RX 9060 combo good for 1080p gaming in Barony?*

A: Yes. The data shows excellent performance at 1920x1080. With the High preset, the combo averages 201 FPS, and with the Low preset, it reaches 315 FPS. Even the Ultra preset maintains an average of 144 FPS, making it highly suitable for high-refresh-rate displays.

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

A: It can, but with compromises. At 3840x2160, the Medium preset delivers a 77 FPS average with a minimum of 66 FPS, which is playable. The High preset drops to 66 FPS, and Ultra drops to 48 FPS. For a smoother experience, the Low preset offers 104 FPS. The GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution.

Q: How does the RX 9060 compare to other GPUs in its performance class?

A: The RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, scores 16129, which is only 0.7% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 7700 is 1% behind, and the AMD Radeon Pro W5500 is 2.1% behind. This places the RX 9060 in a tightly contested mid-range segment.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p monitor with a 144 Hz refresh rate?

A: The High preset is the best choice. At 2560x1440, it averages 127 FPS, which is close to the 144 Hz target. The Medium preset averages 148 FPS, but the High preset provides better visual quality at a still-smooth frame rate. The Ultra preset averages 91 FPS, which is below the refresh rate target.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck for this combo?

A: The GPU is the main bottleneck. The CPU is ranked in the 91st percentile versus all CPUs, while the GPU is ranked in the 59th percentile. The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial across all settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU has more than enough headroom to feed the GPU.

Q: Does the 8 GB of VRAM cause issues at high settings?

A: The data does not show any specific VRAM-related stutters or failures. The Medium preset at 4K has a minimum FPS of 66, indicating acceptable frame pacing. However, the 8 GB capacity, paired with a 128-bit bus and 288.0 GB/s bandwidth, is a limiting factor for performance at 4K, as evidenced by the significant FPS drops at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following data presents the exact measured average FPS for each resolution and settings preset in Barony. Minimum and maximum FPS are provided where measured.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 315 FPS
• Medium: Average 235 FPS, Minimum 199 FPS, Maximum 270 FPS
• High: Average 201 FPS
• Ultra: Average 144 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 199 FPS
• Medium: Average 148 FPS, Minimum 126 FPS, Maximum 170 FPS
• High: Average 127 FPS
• Ultra: Average 91 FPS

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 104 FPS
• Medium: Average 77 FPS, Minimum 66 FPS, Maximum 89 FPS
• High: Average 66 FPS
• Ultra: Average 48 FPS

The data reveals a clear hierarchy. The combo is exceptionally strong at 1080p, capable of triple-digit frame rates on all presets. At 1440p, it remains very capable, with the High preset providing a solid 127 FPS. At 4K, the card is pushed to its limits, with only the Low and Medium presets providing consistently smooth gameplay above 70 FPS. The scaling is consistent, and the performance is predictable based on the GPU's mid-range specifications.