Barony

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and Intel Arc B580 combination delivers a highly playable experience in Barony, a roguelike title from 2015. The data shows a system that scales predictably across resolutions, with the CPU providing a robust foundation and the GPU becoming the primary constraint at higher graphical presets. This analysis examines the measured performance data to understand the balance between these two components in this specific title.

FAQ

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

A: The system achieves an average of 177 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings, indicating that this pairing is more than capable of handling the game at this resolution and preset.

Q: Does the combination support 4K gaming?

A: Yes, but only at lower settings. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, it averages 91 FPS. However, at Ultra settings, the average drops to 42 FPS, which may not be ideal for all players.

Q: How large is the performance gap between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 175 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 80 FPS. This represents a significant 95 FPS difference between the two extremes.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded in the data?

A: The lowest minimum FPS recorded is 58, which occurs at 3840x2160 with Medium settings. This suggests that even at 4K, the frame rate does not drop below a playable threshold in the measured data.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has an average benchmark score that is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F and 0.7% higher than the AMD EPYC 7343, but it is 0.3% lower than the AMD EPYC 4464P and 0.7% lower than the AMD EPYC 9124.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the Intel Arc B580?

A: The launch MSRP for the Intel Arc B580 is 249 USD.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580 is the primary graphics processor in this configuration, and its role in Barony becomes more pronounced as resolution and graphical demands increase. The GPU is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture and features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. Its base and boost clocks are both set at 2670 MHz, which is a relatively high operating frequency for this class of hardware.

The benchmark results show that the GPU's performance in this game is heavily influenced by the chosen settings. At 1080p, the GPU has ample headroom, allowing for very high frame rates across all presets. The data shows a clear scaling pattern: as settings increase from Low to Ultra, the average FPS drops from 277 to 127. This indicates that while the GPU is not a bottleneck at 1080p, it is still processing a significant amount of graphical data.

However, at 4K resolution, the GPU's workload increases substantially. The transition from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings shows a drop from 127 FPS to 42 FPS, a reduction of 85 FPS. This demonstrates that the Arc B580's compute capabilities are being fully utilized at 2160p, and the 12 GB VRAM buffer becomes a critical factor for high-resolution textures. The GPU's performance in Barony appears to align with its overall benchmark percentile of 68, indicating it is a capable mid-range part that can handle this older title well at most settings, but it is not designed to max out modern resolutions with all settings enabled.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 serves as the system's central processor, providing the foundation for game logic, physics, and overall system responsiveness. This processor features 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. It is built on a 3 nm process node and supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, resulting in a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

In Barony, a roguelike game, the CPU's role is often more critical than in graphically intensive AAA titles due to the complex procedural generation and simulation elements. The processor's multi-threaded performance is strong, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216. This suggests that the CPU can handle any background tasks or complex game simulations without becoming a limiting factor. Its single-thread performance is also solid, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5960, which is important for the main game loop.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this configuration. When looking at the 1080p Low preset, which is the most CPU-bound scenario, the system averages 277 FPS. This high frame rate indicates that the CPU is feeding the GPU with enough data to maintain a very high output. The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking against all CPUs reinforces its strength. However, it is important to note that the benchmark scores place it in close competition with several AMD EPYC server processors. For instance, its average benchmark score is just 0.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F and 0.7% higher than the AMD EPYC 7343, but it is also 0.3% lower than the AMD EPYC 4464P. This indicates that while it is a top-tier consumer processor, its performance is comparable to some server-grade parts, which is not a typical comparison for a gaming-focused setup.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and Intel Arc B580 in Barony is recorded in the combo rank data. This specific combination is ranked 2194 out of 2935 tested combos, placing it in the 25th percentile of all combinations tested. This ranking is a relative measure that compares this specific CPU-GPU pairing against all other pairings in the database.

This rank suggests that while the individual components are strong, the combination as a whole is not in the top tier of tested systems. This is likely due to the fact that the Arc B580, while a capable GPU, is not a flagship model. The CPU, on the other hand, is a high-end processor. The imbalance between a top-tier CPU and a mid-range GPU results in a system that is not at the absolute top of the rankings for this game, but it is by no means a poor performer. The data indicates that the system is more than capable of delivering high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, and can even manage 4K at lower settings. The rank of 2194 out of 2935 implies that the GPU is likely the limiting factor holding the combo back from a higher position, as the CPU's performance is far above average.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system scales with resolution. As expected, the average frame rate decreases as the resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. This is a standard trend that reflects the increased workload on the GPU.

At 1080p, the system is heavily CPU-bound. The difference between the Low preset (277 FPS) and the Ultra preset (127 FPS) is 150 FPS. This large gap suggests that even at Ultra settings, the GPU has enough headroom to render a high number of frames, and the CPU is the primary driver of performance. The 1080p High preset averages 177 FPS, which is also very high.

Moving to 1440p, the GPU's role becomes more significant. The average FPS for the Low preset drops to 175, while the Ultra preset averages 80 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at Ultra settings shows a 47 FPS drop, which is a 37% reduction. This indicates that the GPU is starting to become a limiting factor at this resolution.

At 4K, the GPU is the definitive bottleneck. The average FPS for the Low preset is 91, and for the Ultra preset, it drops to 42. The scaling from 1440p to 4K at Ultra settings shows a 38 FPS drop, which is a 48% reduction. This is a significant performance hit and demonstrates that the Arc B580 is not designed for maxed-out 4K gaming in this title. The data shows that as resolution increases, the performance gap between the Low and Ultra presets narrows in terms of absolute FPS (186 FPS difference at 1080p, 95 FPS at 1440p, and 49 FPS at 4K), but the relative cost of Ultra settings increases.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a detailed look at the system's performance across all tested configurations.

At 3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Averages 91 FPS.
• Medium: Averages 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 78 FPS.
• High: Averages 58 FPS.
• Ultra: Averages 42 FPS.

At 2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Averages 175 FPS.
• Medium: Averages 130 FPS, with a minimum of 111 FPS and a maximum of 150 FPS.
• High: Averages 112 FPS.
• Ultra: Averages 80 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Averages 277 FPS.
• Medium: Averages 206 FPS, with a minimum of 175 FPS and a maximum of 237 FPS.
• High: Averages 177 FPS.
• Ultra: Averages 127 FPS.

The data shows a consistent pattern across all resolutions. The Medium preset provides a measurable average FPS and also includes the only min/max FPS data points in the set. This suggests that the Medium preset is a stable and well-measured configuration. The High and Ultra presets do not have min/max data, but their average FPS values are consistent with the expected scaling. The Low preset consistently offers the highest average FPS, highlighting its role as the performance-oriented setting.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the choice of settings depends heavily on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate.

For 1080p gaming, the system is so powerful that even the Ultra preset, averaging 127 FPS, will provide a smooth experience on most high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset, at 177 FPS, is an excellent choice for those seeking a balance between visual fidelity and very high frame rates. The Low preset, at 277 FPS, is only necessary for competitive play on 240Hz+ monitors or for users who prioritize maximum frame rates above all else.

For 1440p gaming, the Ultra preset (80 FPS) is still playable, but the High preset (112 FPS) offers a better experience for fast-paced action. The Medium preset (130 FPS) is also a strong option, especially for users with 144Hz monitors, as it provides a high frame rate with a solid visual upgrade over Low. The Low preset (175 FPS) is best for those who want to maximize performance, but the visual compromise is significant.

For 4K gaming, the options are more limited. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as the 42 FPS average is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The High preset (58 FPS) is close to 60 FPS but may experience occasional dips. The Medium preset, averaging 68 FPS, is the best choice for a playable 4K experience, as it maintains an average above 60 FPS. The Low preset (91 FPS) is also viable and offers a smoother experience, but at a considerable visual cost.

In summary, the ideal preset for most users will be Medium or High. The Medium preset provides a good balance of visual quality and performance, with the only recorded min/max FPS data indicating stable frame times. For those with high-refresh-rate 1080p or 1440p monitors, the High preset is recommended for its superior visuals and high average FPS. At 4K, the Medium preset is the most balanced choice, ensuring a playable frame rate without sacrificing all graphical fidelity.