Barony

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER pairing delivers a remarkably consistent experience in Barony, a 2015 roguelike where the data shows frame rates that range from playable at 4K Ultra to exceptionally high at 1080p Low. The combination ranks in the 57th percentile of all tested configurations, indicating that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast setup, it provides a robust and smooth performance profile across the board. The benchmark results indicate a system capable of high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming and solid 4K performance, with the CPU proving to be a formidable partner for the older GPU.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a 20-core, 20-thread processor from the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and can boost up to 5.30 GHz, which are critical figures for understanding its performance in Barony. The game, being a roguelike with a release date of 2015, is not typically a heavy multithreaded title, but the CPU's capability ensures that it will never become the limiting factor in this pairing.

The processor’s benchmark scores illustrate its substantial computational power. In Cinebench R23, it scores 42,216 points in multi-core and 5,960 points in single-core tests. This single-core strength is particularly relevant for Barony, as many game logic and physics calculations are serial in nature. The data shows that the 265's single-threaded performance is a major asset, allowing the GPU to operate without being bottlenecked by CPU-side frame pacing. The Passmark single-thread score of 4,689 further confirms this, placing it in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs.

When comparing the 265 to its nearest rivals, the performance deltas are minimal. It sits only 0.3% behind the AMD EPYC 4464P and 0.7% behind the AMD EPYC 7343, while being 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F and 0.7% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9124. These are essentially negligible differences, meaning that in Barony, the 265's performance is effectively on par with these server-grade processors. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache is also a valuable asset for gaming, helping to reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data. With a TDP of only 65 watts, the processor is highly efficient, delivering this performance without demanding an exotic cooling solution. The data strongly suggests that the CPU is a high-water mark in this system, providing far more headroom than the RTX 2070 SUPER requires.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is the clear performance limiter in this combination. Based on the Turing architecture and manufactured on a 12 nm process, this GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its base clock is 1605 MHz, with a boost clock of 1770 MHz. The GPU's 2,560 shading units and 64 ROPs are tasked with rendering Barony's voxel-based environments.

The benchmark data indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER is a competent mid-range performer that is showing its age relative to the modern CPU. Its Passmark G3D score is 18,169, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. This is a stark contrast to the CPU's 93rd percentile ranking. The GPU's nearest rivals include the Intel Arc B570 and Arc A750, which are 1.3% and 1.5% ahead, respectively. The NVIDIA Quadro M4000M is 1.0% ahead, and the GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile is 1.2% ahead. These small deltas show that the 2070 SUPER is still competitive with entry-level and mobile parts, but it lacks the raw power of modern desktop offerings.

In Barony, the 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for the game's demands, as the low-resolution textures and simple geometry do not require massive frame buffers. The data shows that even at 4K, the GPU is able to push playable frame rates, which confirms the game's optimized engine. However, the GPU's compute power, measured at 9.062 TFLOPS for FP32, is what dictates the frame rates in the results. The 2070 SUPER is the component that determines the ceiling for performance, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. The 40 RT cores and 320 Tensor cores are largely irrelevant for this title, as Barony does not utilize ray tracing or DLSS, meaning the GPU's rasterization performance is the sole focus.

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

The resolution scaling data clearly identifies the GPU as the bottleneck. From 1080p to 4K, the average frame rates drop dramatically across all settings. At Low settings, performance falls from 316 FPS at 1920x1080 to 104 FPS at 3840x2160, a reduction of roughly 67%. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU-limited scenario, where the number of pixels being rendered quadruples, placing a much heavier load on the rasterization pipeline.

The pattern is consistent across all presets. At Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 235 at 1080p to 148 at 1440p, and then to 78 at 4K. Similarly, at High settings, the frame rate goes from 202 FPS at 1080p to 127 FPS at 1440p and 67 FPS at 4K. The fact that the frame rate drops by nearly half when moving from 1440p to 4K is a definitive sign that the RTX 2070 SUPER is being pushed to its absolute limits. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see a much flatter curve at higher resolutions, as the CPU load would remain relatively constant.

This scaling behavior shows that the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 has ample headroom. At 1080p, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data to achieve 316 FPS, but as resolution increases, the GPU's fill rate and shader throughput become the primary constraints. The data suggests that for competitive or high-refresh-rate play, 1080p and 1440p are the sweet spots, while 4K is reserved for more casual, visually-focused play. The 4K Ultra preset, with an average of 48 FPS, confirms that this resolution is a stretch goal for this GPU, requiring settings to be dialed back to achieve smooth gameplay. The scaling results indicate a classic balanced system where the CPU is generations ahead of the GPU in capability.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested configurations for Barony, this specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER holds a rank of 1678 out of 2935 total combos. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, which is a logical outcome given the significant mismatch between the CPU's high percentile rank and the GPU's more modest one. The combo rank reflects the overall system performance, which is heavily weighted by the GPU's contribution in a graphics-bound game.

This rank of 1678 indicates that while this setup is not among the elite, it outperforms a majority of other configurations. The data shows that the combination sits comfortably above the median, making it a reliable choice for 1440p gaming. The high-performing CPU ensures that the system will not experience stutters or frame drops due to processing bottlenecks, even when the GPU is struggling to keep up at 4K. The ranking suggests that users with this combo can expect a smooth experience at High and Medium settings at 1440p, which is a very practical and enjoyable way to play Barony.

The delta between the CPU and GPU percentiles is the defining characteristic of this combo. The CPU is in the top 7% of all processors, while the GPU is in the 65th percentile. This creates a system where the potential for future GPU upgrades is immense. If a more powerful graphics card were installed, the CPU would be able to support it without issue, likely propelling this combo's rank much higher. For now, the data shows a system that is balanced for its intended resolution, but with a clear upgrade path for the future. The rank of 1678 is not a sign of weakness, but rather a reflection of the GPU's age relative to the CPU.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at how this system performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1080p, the system demonstrates exceptional power. At Low settings, the average frame rate is an astounding 316 FPS, making it more than capable of driving a 240Hz or 360Hz monitor. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 235 FPS, with a minimum of 200 FPS and a maximum of 270 FPS, still well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate gaming. At High settings, the average is 202 FPS, and even at Ultra, the system maintains a strong 145 FPS average. These numbers show that at 1080p, the RTX 2070 SUPER is the limiting factor, but it is still delivering performance that is more than adequate for any gamer.

At 1440p, the performance remains excellent. Low settings yield an average of 199 FPS, just below the 200 FPS mark. Medium settings average 148 FPS, with a minimum of 126 FPS and a maximum of 171 FPS. High settings produce an average of 127 FPS, which is ideal for a 144Hz monitor. Ultra settings still manage a respectable 91 FPS average. This resolution is clearly the sweet spot for this combo, offering a perfect balance between visual fidelity and high frame rates.

At 4K, the system starts to show its limitations. Medium settings are the most playable option, with an average of 78 FPS, a minimum of 66 FPS, and a maximum of 89 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 67 FPS, which is still technically playable. Low settings average 104 FPS, providing a smoother experience if the visual downgrade is acceptable. However, Ultra settings are the most demanding, with an average of just 48 FPS. This is below the 60 FPS threshold that most gamers consider the minimum for a good experience. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p for maximum frame rates, 1440p for the best overall experience, and 4K for visually demanding, lower frame rate play.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this hardware depend heavily on the user's target resolution and refresh rate. For gamers with a 1080p monitor, the High preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 202 FPS, which is more than sufficient for any high-refresh-rate display, while providing better visual fidelity than the Medium or Low presets. The Ultra preset, while offering the best visuals at 145 FPS, is a valid alternative if the user prefers maximum quality over a few extra frames.

For 1440p users, the High preset is the clear winner. With an average of 127 FPS, it is the only preset that ensures a consistent experience on a 144Hz monitor. The Medium preset is also viable, with a 148 FPS average, but the visual quality difference between Medium and High in Barony is often significant, making the small FPS trade-off worthwhile. The Ultra preset at 91 FPS is a good option for users with a 60Hz or 75Hz monitor who want the best visuals possible.

For 4K gaming, the choices are more constrained. The Medium preset offers the best balance, with an average of 78 FPS, which is smooth for most players. The Low preset is a viable alternative for those who prioritize frame rate, offering 104 FPS, but the visual compromises may be too severe for some. The High preset is playable at 67 FPS, but it is close to the edge of what most would consider comfortable. The Ultra preset should be avoided for serious play, as the 48 FPS average will likely result in a subpar experience. Ultimately, the data recommends High settings at 1080p and 1440p, and Medium settings at 4K for this combination of hardware.