Barony

The Intel Core i7-14700KF paired with the Intel Arc B580 presents a distinct configuration for Barony, a roguelike title that is not typically associated with high-end hardware demands. This analysis examines the measured performance data, focusing on how the CPU's substantial processing capabilities and the GPU's mid-range specifications interact across different resolutions and settings. The benchmark results provide a clear picture of where the bottleneck lies and what users can expect from this combination.

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

The Intel Arc B580 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture and features a boost clock of 2670 MHz. It comes equipped with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. These specifications place the GPU in a position where it has ample memory capacity and sufficient speed for most modern titles, but its raw compute power, measured at 13.67 TFLOPS for FP32, defines its performance ceiling. The GPU's percentile ranking among all GPUs is 66, indicating it performs better than a majority of its peers, yet it sits just below the performance level of an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, which shows a 0.7% higher average benchmark score.

In the context of Barony, the GPU's role is significant but not overwhelmingly so. The game is a roguelike with relatively modest graphical complexity, meaning the 12 GB VRAM buffer is unlikely to be a limiting factor at any tested setting. The data reveals a clear pattern: at 1080p, the lowest settings yield 278.1 FPS, while the highest settings drop to 126.8 FPS. This spread of nearly 151 FPS across settings indicates that the GPU's shading units and texture processors are being utilized more heavily at higher presets. However, even at 4K Ultra, the system maintains an average of 43.5 FPS, showing that the GPU can handle the workload, albeit at lower frame rates. The GPU's clock speed of 2670 MHz remains constant, suggesting that thermal or power throttling is not a concern within this game's scope, as the performance scales predictably with resolution and settings rather than showing erratic drops.

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

The measured frame rates show a consistent and pronounced decline as resolution increases, which is typical of a GPU-bound scenario at higher pixel counts. At 1080p High settings, the system produces 178.7 FPS, which drops to 108.7 FPS at 1440p, and further to 60.8 FPS at 4K. This represents a 66% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K at High settings. The pattern is even more stark at Low settings, where the frame rate falls from 278.1 FPS at 1080p to 91.7 FPS at 4K, a 67% drop. This substantial scaling indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting component at higher resolutions, as the rendering load increases with pixel count.

Conversely, the CPU's influence is most apparent at lower resolutions. The Intel Core i7-14700KF, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, provides immense processing power, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44557 and a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs. At 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 278.1 FPS, which is remarkably high and suggests the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU without becoming a bottleneck. However, the gap between 1080p and 1440p at Low settings is 106.8 FPS, which is proportionally larger than the gap between 1440p and 4K, which is 79.6 FPS. This non-linear scaling suggests that while the GPU is stressed more at higher resolutions, the CPU's headroom is not fully exhausted even at 4K, as evidenced by the fact that frame rates remain playable. The data indicates that this combo is balanced, with the GPU becoming the limiting factor at 4K and the CPU providing sufficient performance to avoid capping frame rates at lower resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo achieves in Barony?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 278.1 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This demonstrates the system's capability to deliver extremely high frame rates at lower graphical presets.

Q: How does this combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings, the combo produces an average of 43.5 FPS. This is the lowest measured performance across all tested configurations, indicating that Ultra settings at 4K are the most demanding scenario for this hardware.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-14700KF a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B580 in this game?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not a bottleneck. At 1080p Low settings, the system reaches 278.1 FPS, which is exceptionally high. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 44557 and its 96th percentile ranking indicate it has ample processing power, and the frame rates scale with resolution, implying the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, Low settings produce 171.3 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 76.9 FPS. This represents a difference of 94.4 FPS, showing that the graphical preset has a significant impact on performance at this resolution.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations for Barony?

A: The combo ranks 1316 out of 1702 tested combinations. This places it in the lower half of all configurations, indicating that while it performs adequately, there are many other combos that achieve higher frame rates in this game.

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

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 178.7 FPS. This is a strong result that indicates the system is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming at this resolution and preset.

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

The measured data provides a complete picture of performance across all three resolutions and four settings levels. At 1920x1080, the frame rates range from 278.1 FPS at Low settings to 126.8 FPS at Ultra settings. The Medium preset produces 206.9 FPS, and High produces 178.7 FPS. This shows a clear progression where each increase in settings reduces performance, with the most significant drop occurring between Low and Medium, a decrease of 71.2 FPS, and the smallest drop between High and Ultra, a decrease of 51.9 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates are lower but still robust. Low settings deliver 171.3 FPS, Medium delivers 129.8 FPS, High delivers 108.7 FPS, and Ultra delivers 76.9 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 94.4 FPS, which is proportionally similar to the 1080p pattern. At 3840x2160, performance becomes more constrained. Low settings achieve 91.7 FPS, Medium achieves 67.3 FPS, High achieves 60.8 FPS, and Ultra drops to 43.5 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is 48.2 FPS, which is smaller in absolute terms than at lower resolutions, but the percentage drop is significant, with Ultra producing only 47% of the frame rate of Low. This data indicates that the GPU's performance scales consistently with resolution, and the CPU maintains sufficient frame delivery to allow the GPU to be the primary determinant of frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the broader context of all tested hardware combinations for Barony, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-14700KF and Intel Arc B580 ranks 1316 out of 1702 combos. This places it in the 23rd percentile of all configurations, meaning that 77% of tested combos perform better. This ranking is notable because the CPU itself is highly capable, ranking in the 96th percentile among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 70104. However, the GPU's performance is more modest, ranking in the 66th percentile among all GPUs with an average score of 23021.

The disconnect between the CPU's high ranking and the combo's lower ranking highlights the GPU's role as the limiting factor. When compared to its nearest rivals, the GPU is nearly identical in performance to the AMD Radeon 760M, which shows a 0.1% higher average score, and the NVIDIA P106-100, which shows a 0.3% higher score. It trails the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 by 0.7%. This suggests that the Arc B580 is a mid-range GPU that, while capable, does not push the combo into a higher overall ranking. The CPU's performance is essentially a non-factor in the ranking, as even a more powerful GPU would likely improve the combo's position. The data shows that for Barony, this combo is adequate for smooth gameplay at most settings, but it does not excel relative to other configurations, particularly those with higher-end GPUs.

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

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and performance goals. At 1080p, even the Ultra preset delivers 126.8 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay and suitable for high-refresh-rate displays. The High preset at 178.7 FPS offers a significant improvement over Ultra with only a minor reduction in visual quality, making it an excellent choice for competitive play. For users prioritizing maximum visual fidelity, Ultra is viable, but High provides a better balance of performance and quality.

At 1440p, the situation changes slightly. The Ultra preset produces 76.9 FPS, which is still playable but may not be ideal for those seeking consistently high frame rates. The High preset at 108.7 FPS is a strong recommendation, as it offers a substantial frame rate advantage over Ultra while maintaining good graphical quality. The Medium preset at 129.8 FPS is also a solid option for users who want higher frame rates without sacrificing too much visual detail. At 4K, the Ultra preset drops to 43.5 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold and may result in noticeable stuttering. The High preset at 60.8 FPS is the minimum recommended for a smooth experience, while the Medium preset at 67.3 FPS provides a slight buffer. The Low preset at 91.7 FPS is the best choice for 4K gaming if frame rate is the priority, as it delivers a smooth experience while still maintaining a playable visual presentation.