Barony

# 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 desktop processor built on the Arrow Lake architecture with a 3 nm process node. Its base clock runs at 2.40 GHz, boosting up to 5.30 GHz, and it carries 30 MB of shared L3 cache. For a roguelike like Barony, the CPU's single-thread performance typically matters more than raw multi-core muscle, as the game's simulation and logic often run on fewer threads. The data supports this: the Core Ultra 7 265 posts a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5960 and a multi-core score of 42216, showing a strong single-thread showing that aligns with Barony's demands.

The CPU's 20 threads can handle background tasks and any engine-level threading Barony employs, but the high boost clock is the key asset. At 1080p Low settings, the combo reaches 522 FPS average, which indicates the CPU is not a limiting factor at lower graphical loads — the processor can feed frames far beyond typical display refresh rates. The L3 cache of 30 MB shared across cores helps keep frequently accessed game data close, reducing latency in a procedural dungeon crawler where asset streaming and entity updates are constant.

In the context of this benchmark, the Core Ultra 7 265 ranks in the 93rd percentile among all CPUs tested, with an average benchmark score of 64640. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4464P, scores 64823, a mere 0.3% difference, placing the Core Ultra 7 265 effectively at parity with that server-class chip. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265F is 0.3% behind, meaning the non-F variant holds a tiny edge within the same family. These margins are negligible for gaming, so the CPU's role here is to provide consistent, high-frequency execution that keeps Barony's frame pacing stable across all settings.

# How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER ranks 650th out of 3717 tested combos in Barony. That places it in the top 17.5% of all configurations evaluated for this game — a strong result, though not elite. The rank reflects the balanced pairing of a high-end 2025 CPU with an end-of-life 2024 GPU; neither component is the absolute fastest available, but together they deliver high frame rates across all tested resolutions.

Breaking down the rank: 3717 total combos means the 650th position is within the upper quintile. For a roguelike with modest graphical demands, this combo outperforms many configurations with more expensive GPUs because the CPU's strong single-core score (5960 in Cinebench R23) prevents bottlenecking at lower resolutions. At 1080p Ultra, the combo still delivers 239 FPS average, which is well above the 144 Hz threshold for high-refresh monitors. The GPU's 83rd percentile ranking among all GPUs (average benchmark score 43223) aligns with the overall combo position, suggesting the pairing is well-matched without significant imbalance.

Comparing to nearest rivals, the RTX 4070 SUPER's average GPU score of 43223 is 0.1% below the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB (43262) and 0.1% below the GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile (43268). The RTX 4090 Mobile is 1% ahead with a score of 43667. These differences are minor, indicating that the GPU sits in a competitive performance band where small margins separate adjacent products. The combo's 650th rank out of 3717 stems from this mid-to-high GPU tier combined with a top-tier CPU, yielding a configuration that excels in CPU-bound scenarios like Barony's 1080p Low setting (522 FPS) but is less dominant at 4K Ultra (79 FPS), where GPU load becomes the primary constraint.

# FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 bottleneck the RTX 4070 SUPER in Barony?

A: No. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 522 FPS average, and at 1440p Low it reaches 329 FPS, showing the CPU can drive frame rates far above typical display refresh rates. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5960 provides ample headroom for Barony's logic.

Q: What is the biggest FPS jump between settings at each resolution?

A: At 4K, moving from Ultra (79 FPS) to Low (172 FPS) yields a 93 FPS increase. At 1440p, the jump from Ultra (151 FPS) to Low (329 FPS) is 178 FPS. At 1080p, the Ultra-to-Low difference is 283 FPS (239 to 522).

Q: How does the RTX 4070 SUPER compare to its closest GPU rivals?

A: The RTX 4070 SUPER's average benchmark score is 43223, which is 0.1% below the Quadro M6000 24 GB (43262) and 0.1% below the RTX 5050 Mobile (43268). The RTX 4090 Mobile leads by 1% at 43667. Performance differences are within 1% across these four GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU's multi-core performance relevant for Barony?

A: The CPU scores 42216 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, but Barony is a roguelike that benefits more from the 5960 single-core score. The 20 threads help with background tasks, but the high boost clock of 5.30 GHz is the primary driver of the 522 FPS 1080p Low result.

Q: What frame rate can I expect at 1440p Ultra?

A: The measured data shows 151 FPS average at 1440p Ultra. This is the second-highest setting tier tested, and it maintains smooth performance with no recorded minimum FPS below 144, though the minimum is not listed for Ultra.

Q: Does the combo's 650th rank out of 3717 indicate a good pairing?

A: Yes, being in the top 17.5% of all tested combos is strong. The GPU's 83rd percentile and CPU's 93rd percentile suggest both components are above average, and the frame rates at all settings confirm a capable gaming configuration.

# Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its highest frame rates. Low settings produce an average of 522 FPS, which is an exceptional result for a roguelike and indicates the CPU-GPU pairing is not stressed at this resolution. Medium settings drop to 388 FPS average, with a minimum of 330 FPS and maximum of 446 FPS recorded — the only setting tier with full min/max data at this resolution. High settings average 333 FPS, while Ultra averages 239 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a 54% reduction in average FPS (522 to 239), but even the lowest value is far above any competitive display refresh rate.

Moving to 2560x1440, the same pattern holds with expected scaling. Low averages 329 FPS, Medium averages 245 FPS (min 208, max 282), High averages 210 FPS, and Ultra averages 151 FPS. The Medium setting's minimum of 208 FPS is still well above 144 Hz, making this resolution viable for high-refresh gaming. The jump from Low to Ultra at 1440p represents a 54% decrease (329 to 151), consistent with the 1080p scaling. The 1440p High result of 210 FPS is notable because it clears the 200 FPS threshold, which many competitive players target.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the limiting factor. Low averages 172 FPS, Medium averages 128 FPS (min 109, max 147), High averages 110 FPS, and Ultra averages 79 FPS. The 4K Ultra result of 79 FPS is the only sub-100 FPS figure across all tested configurations, though it remains playable for a roguelike. The Medium setting at 4K shows a minimum of 109 FPS, which ensures no drops below 60 FPS. Comparing 4K Low (172 FPS) to 1080p Ultra (239 FPS) reveals that the resolution increase has a larger impact than the settings increase, highlighting the GPU's 12 GB VRAM and 504.2 GB/s bandwidth as key factors in 4K performance.

The scaling between resolutions at the same settings is instructive. High settings go from 333 FPS at 1080p to 210 FPS at 1440p to 110 FPS at 4K, showing roughly a 37% drop for each resolution step. Low settings go from 522 to 329 to 172 FPS, a 37% and 48% drop respectively. Ultra settings go from 239 to 151 to 79 FPS, with the 4K result being less than half of 1080p Ultra. These numbers indicate that Barony scales predictably with resolution, and the combo maintains playable frame rates even at 4K Ultra.

# GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process node, featuring 7168 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output units. Its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory runs on a 192-bit bus with a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s, and the GPU clocks at 1980 MHz base with a 2475 MHz boost. For Barony, the GPU's role becomes dominant at higher resolutions, as evidenced by the frame rate scaling.

At 1080p, the GPU is not the bottleneck — the CPU's strong single-core performance drives frame rates, and the GPU easily keeps up. The 522 FPS Low result at 1080p is far beyond the GPU's practical limits, but at 4K Ultra (79 FPS), the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are the deciding factors. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for Barony's textures and procedural generation, even at 4K, and the 504.2 GB/s bandwidth supports the high frame rates seen at 1440p Medium (245 FPS average).

The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 83rd percentile among all GPUs. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 4627, and it achieves 29995 in Passmark G3D. The nearest rival, the Quadro M6000 24 GB, scores 43262 overall — a 0.1% difference — while the RTX 4090 Mobile leads by 1%. This tight grouping means the RTX 4070 SUPER's performance is well-characterized by its rivals; the 4K Ultra result of 79 FPS reflects this mid-to-high tier positioning. The GPU's 220 W TDP and dual-slot design are consistent with its performance class, and the 1x 16-pin power connector supports the 2475 MHz boost clock under load.

# Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the target display and performance goals. At 1080p, every setting tier delivers above 239 FPS average, so the Ultra preset is recommended for maximum visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. The 239 FPS Ultra result exceeds the 144 Hz refresh common on high-end monitors, and the jump to High (333 FPS) offers diminishing returns for most users who prioritize image quality.

At 1440p, the High preset at 210 FPS average is the best balance point. It provides 39% more frames than Ultra (151 FPS) while maintaining high visual fidelity, and it stays above the 200 FPS threshold for competitive play. The Medium preset (245 FPS) is a viable alternative for users with 240 Hz displays, but the visual downgrade from High to Medium is noticeable in a roguelike with dense environmental details. Ultra at 1440p remains playable at 151 FPS, but the margin above 144 Hz is slim, and any future patches could push it below that threshold.

At 4K, the Medium preset at 128 FPS average is the recommended starting point. It offers a minimum of 109 FPS, ensuring no drops below 100 FPS, and it nearly doubles the Ultra result (79 FPS). The Low preset (172 FPS) is the choice for 4K high-refresh gaming, but the visual compromise may be too steep for some. The High preset (110 FPS) is a middle ground, though its lack of recorded minimum FPS data makes it riskier than Medium, which has verified min/max values. For most users, Medium at 4K provides the best experience — maintaining smooth frame pacing with a 109 FPS floor.

The data suggests that the combo's ideal operating range is 1440p High, where it delivers 210 FPS average with no recorded minimum issues. At this setting, the CPU and GPU workloads are balanced, and the frame rate exceeds the refresh rate of most gaming monitors. For 4K users, Medium is the pragmatic choice, as it preserves the 60 FPS-plus experience with headroom for demanding scenes. Across all resolutions, the Medium preset consistently shows the most stable performance with documented min/max values, making it the safest recommendation for users who prioritize consistency over raw peak frame rates.