Barony

The Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 delivers a compelling performance profile in Barony, a roguelike title from 2015. The benchmark data shows this combination is capable of high frame rates across most settings, though the demands of 4K resolution and the Ultra preset reveal distinct performance ceilings. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data, contextualizes the hardware’s standing, and provides actionable settings guidance based strictly on the provided facts.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combination in Barony?

A: The combo ranks 1408 out of 1702 tested combinations in this game. This places it in the lower percentile of tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, many other hardware pairings deliver higher frame rates.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-14700K compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-14700KF?

A: The benchmark data shows the i7-14700K and the i7-14700KF have virtually identical average benchmark scores, with a deltaPct of 0. This indicates that the two processors perform at parity in synthetic tests, making them interchangeable in terms of raw processing power.

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 163.2 FPS on Low settings to 74.7 FPS on Ultra settings. This represents a significant performance hit of 88.5 FPS when moving from the lowest to the highest quality preset.

Q: Is the RTX 2060's 6 GB VRAM a limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows a significant drop in performance when moving from 1440p to 4K. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 102.9 at 1440p to 54.7 at 4K, suggesting that the GPU's 6 GB memory capacity and overall bandwidth are heavily taxed at the higher resolution.

Q: What is the best performance target for a high-refresh-rate monitor at 1080p?

A: The Medium preset at 1920x1080 yields an average of 193.7 FPS. This is well above the 144 Hz threshold, making it an ideal choice for smooth gameplay on high-refresh displays, while the Low preset pushes this even higher to 264.2 FPS.

Q: How does the GPU's benchmark score compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S?

A: The RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 16074, which is only 0.5% lower than the AMD Radeon RX 7600S's score of 15996. This places the two graphics cards on nearly equal footing in terms of overall compute performance.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 is a central component in this benchmark configuration. Its specifications, including 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, provide a memory bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The GPU operates at a base clock of 1365 MHz and boosts up to 1680 MHz. Its compute capabilities are rated at 6.451 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. The data indicates that this GPU's performance is the primary factor influencing frame rates in Barony, especially as resolution and graphical fidelity increase. The transition from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K shows a clear scaling pattern that highlights the GPU's workload. The 6 GB VRAM capacity appears sufficient for 1080p and 1440p, but the demands of 4K resolution likely push it closer to its limits, contributing to the substantial FPS drops observed at that resolution.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for this combo reveals a predictable but steep performance curve as resolution increases. At 1080p, the system is clearly CPU-bound or capable of producing very high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting an average of 264.2 FPS. Moving to 1440p, frame rates remain highly playable, with the High preset achieving 102.9 FPS. However, the jump to 4K causes a dramatic reduction in performance across all settings. For instance, the High preset drops from 102.9 FPS at 1440p to 54.7 FPS at 4K, a decrease of 46.8%. Similarly, the Medium preset falls from 123.7 FPS at 1440p to 64.1 FPS at 4K. This scaling indicates that the RTX 2060 becomes the limiting component at 4K, as the increased pixel count overwhelms the GPU's processing power and memory bandwidth. The data shows that 4K gaming at high refresh rates is not feasible with this hardware, while 1440p and 1080p provide much more headroom.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a clear picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. The Low preset achieves an average of 264.2 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset. The Medium preset follows at 193.7 FPS, and High trails at 166.7 FPS. Even the most demanding Ultra preset maintains a solid 121.3 FPS, comfortably above the 60 FPS standard for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong but shows the GPU starting to work harder. The Low preset still produces a very high 163.2 FPS. The Medium and High presets deliver 123.7 FPS and 102.9 FPS, respectively. The Ultra preset drops to 74.7 FPS, which is still playable but indicates a significant performance cost for the highest visual quality.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 2060's limitations become apparent. The Low preset is the only option that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 87.5 FPS. The Medium preset falls to 64.1 FPS, and High drops to 54.7 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, producing an average of just 36.4 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth, responsive gameplay in most scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific configuration of the Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 holds a rank of 1408 out of 1702 tested combos in Barony. This ranking places it in the bottom 17% of all tested systems. The CPU itself is a high-performing part, with a percentile rank of 96 versus all CPUs and an average benchmark score of 70074. It performs nearly identically to the Intel Core i7-14700KF, with a deltaPct of 0. The GPU, however, is the bottleneck in this pairing. Its percentile rank of 58 versus all GPUs and an average score of 16074 place it in the mid-range of graphics cards. The performance delta between the GPU and its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S, is minimal at only 0.5%. This data suggests that while the CPU is capable of far higher frame rates, the RTX 2060 limits the overall system performance, resulting in the lower combo rank.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this hardware depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate.

For 1080p gaming, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. It delivers an average of 121.3 FPS, which is well-suited for high-refresh-rate monitors (typically 120Hz or 144Hz) and provides the best visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness. If a player prioritizes maximum frame rates for competitive play, the Low preset at 264.2 FPS is an option, but the visual compromise is significant.

For 1440p gaming, the High preset offers the best balance. It achieves an average of 102.9 FPS, which is ideal for 100Hz or 144Hz displays. The Medium preset also works well at 123.7 FPS, but High provides a noticeable improvement in visual quality for a relatively small performance cost. The Ultra preset at 74.7 FPS is still playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action.

For 4K gaming, the data suggests that this GPU is not well-suited for high or ultra settings. The Low preset is the only viable option for a smooth experience, with an average of 87.5 FPS. The Medium preset at 64.1 FPS is borderline, while the High (54.7 FPS) and Ultra (36.4 FPS) presets will result in noticeable stuttering and a less responsive feel. Players targeting 4K should stick to the Low preset or consider lowering the resolution.