Barony

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 delivers a highly capable gaming experience in Barony, a roguelike title that scales well across a wide range of resolutions and settings. The measured data shows this mobile configuration is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gameplay at standard resolutions, while remaining playable at 4K. This analysis breaks down the specific roles of the CPU and GPU, examines the combo’s standing among other tested systems, and provides a detailed look at the measured frame rates.

FAQ

*Q: What is the combo's overall rank among all tested configurations for Barony?*

A: This specific combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 1763rd out of 2935 tested combos for this game. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems, indicating solid but not top-tier performance for this title.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX has an average benchmark score of 63173. It is effectively tied with the Intel Core i7-13790F, which scores 0.1% higher, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G, which scores 0.2% lower. It also edges out the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 by 0.5% and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX by 0.7%.

Q: What are the key memory specifications for the GPU and CPU?

A: The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The CPU supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a total bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. These specifications are foundational for the system's overall data throughput.

Q: What is the best measured average FPS for this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded at 1920x1080 is 303 FPS, achieved with the Low settings preset. The Medium preset also delivers a very high average of 225 FPS, while the High preset reaches 193 FPS.

Q: Is the 4K resolution playable with this combo?

A: Yes, 4K is playable. At 3840x2160, the High preset yields an average of 64 FPS, and the Medium preset averages 74 FPS. The Low preset averages 100 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 46 FPS, which is the only measured setting that falls below a 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the GPU's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 has an average benchmark score of 17639. It is statistically tied with the AMD Radeon HD 7790, which is 0.2% higher, and the AMD Radeon 780M, which is 0.3% lower. It also slightly outperforms the AMD Radeon Pro 560 by 0.5% and the AMD Radeon Pro 460 by 0.7%.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and serves as the primary rendering engine for this combo. The GPU's core configuration includes 3072 shading units, 96 texture mapping units, and 48 raster output units. It also features 24 RT cores and 96 tensor cores, which are available for ray-traced effects and AI-accelerated features, though their impact in Barony is not directly measured in the FPS data.

Clock speeds are a critical factor in the GPU's performance. The base clock is 1830 MHz, which boosts up to 2460 MHz under load. This boost behavior is typical for modern GPUs and allows the card to adapt its performance based on thermal and power headroom. The memory operates at 2125 MHz, which translates to 17 Gbps effective, and is connected via a 128-bit bus. This interface yields a total memory bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. For a game like Barony, this bandwidth is likely sufficient to feed the GPU's compute units without creating a bottleneck at lower resolutions.

The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory is a defining characteristic of this GPU. At 1080p and 1440p, this capacity is generally adequate for most game assets and textures. However, at 4K, the demand for memory can increase significantly. The measured frame rates at 3840x2160 provide indirect evidence of this; the drop from 100 FPS at Low settings to 46 FPS at Ultra settings suggests that both the GPU's compute throughput and its memory subsystem are heavily taxed at higher detail levels. The GPU's pixel rate is 118.1 GPixel/s and its texture rate is 236.2 GTexel/s, which are theoretical maximums that help contextualize its fill-rate capabilities.

The GPU's overall performance is reflected in its average benchmark score of 17639, which places it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the synthetic benchmarks are the AMD Radeon HD 7790 and the AMD Radeon 780M, with delta percentages of -0.2% and 0.3% respectively. This indicates that while the RTX 4060 is a competent mobile GPU, it is not a high-end part; its performance is closely matched by some integrated and older discrete solutions in pure compute tests. In Barony, however, the measured FPS indicates that the GPU is more than capable of delivering high frame rates at mainstream resolutions.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX is a 20-core, 20-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. Its 20 cores are split between performance and efficiency cores, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. This high boost clock is a significant factor in single-threaded performance, which is often crucial for game logic and physics in roguelike titles like Barony.

The CPU's memory support is dual-channel DDR5, providing a total memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This is lower than the GPU's dedicated bandwidth, but it is standard for a mobile processor. The L3 cache is 30 MB shared, and each core has 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 cache. The processor's 55 W TDP is relatively efficient for a 20-core part, which is important for sustained performance in a mobile chassis.

In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU shows strong multi-threaded capability. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 40642, and its single-core score is 5737. Its Passmark multithread score is 47985, with a single-thread score of 4500. These scores indicate that the processor can handle both heavily threaded workloads and tasks that rely on high clock speeds. The CPU's average benchmark score is 63173, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, which is a much higher standing than the GPU's 61st percentile.

This percentile difference is crucial for understanding the system's bottleneck. The CPU is significantly more powerful relative to its peers than the GPU is. For Barony, this means the CPU is unlikely to be the limiting factor at most settings. The game's logic, enemy AI, and procedural generation are all likely handled efficiently by this processor, allowing the GPU to be the primary driver of frame rates. The CPU's 20 threads also ensure that any background tasks or streaming requirements will not cause frame time spikes, contributing to smoother overall gameplay, particularly at high frame rates where CPU overhead can become more apparent.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 ranks 1763rd out of 2935 tested combos for Barony. This ranking places the combo in the 60th percentile of all systems tested for this specific game. While this is not a top-tier ranking, it reflects a balanced mid-range to upper-mid-range system.

The ranking is influenced by the relative performance of both components. The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking suggests that the processor is a high-performing part, capable of competing with far more expensive desktop CPUs. The GPU's 61st percentile ranking, however, pulls the overall combo down. This is a classic pairing of a strong CPU with a mid-range GPU, which is a common configuration for gaming laptops. The combo rank is a direct result of this pairing.

When comparing to other combos, the 1763rd rank means that a significant number of systems, likely those with higher-end GPUs like the RTX 4080 or 4090, will outperform this setup. However, the rank also shows that this combo outperforms a large number of systems, including those with older or weaker GPUs. The data indicates that for a 1440p gaming laptop, this pairing is well-positioned to deliver high frame rates in Barony, but it will not be able to max out the game at 4K with Ultra settings and maintain a high refresh rate. The rank is a useful metric for prospective buyers to understand where this laptop stands in the broader ecosystem of tested hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. The data is structured to show average FPS, with minimum and maximum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at each resolution.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: Average FPS is 303. This is the highest frame rate recorded for this combo in any configuration.
• Medium: Average FPS is 225, with a minimum of 191 and a maximum of 259. This shows a very stable frame rate, well above the threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors.
• High: Average FPS is 193. This remains an excellent result for high-refresh-rate gaming.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 139. Even at the highest settings, the frame rate is comfortably above 144 FPS, ensuring a smooth experience on most displays.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: Average FPS is 191. This is a significant drop from 1080p Low but still provides a very high frame rate.
• Medium: Average FPS is 142, with a minimum of 121 and a maximum of 164. The minimum is still above the 120 FPS mark, indicating consistent performance.
• High: Average FPS is 122. This is a solid result for 1440p High settings, making the game very playable.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 87. This is a playable frame rate, though users with 144Hz monitors will not be able to fully utilize their display's refresh rate.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: Average FPS is 100. This is a surprisingly high result for 4K, indicating the game is not overly demanding at low settings.
• Medium: Average FPS is 74, with a minimum of 63 and a maximum of 85. The minimum FPS is just above the 60 FPS baseline, showing that the system can hold 4K Medium.
• High: Average FPS is 64. This is right at the edge of the 60 FPS playability threshold.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 46. This is the only measured configuration that falls below a 60 FPS average, making it the least desirable for smooth gameplay.

The data shows a clear and consistent scaling of performance with resolution and settings. The Medium preset is the only one where min/max data was recorded, and it shows that frame pacing is generally stable, with the minimum FPS not dipping too far below the average.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the user's resolution and refresh rate priorities.

For users with a 1080p display, the Ultra preset is the recommended choice. The average FPS of 139 is well above the 120 FPS mark and close to 144 FPS, providing a visually rich experience without sacrificing smoothness. Even if the minimum FPS dips slightly, the average is high enough to ensure a fluid experience. The High preset, at 193 FPS, is ideal for users with 240Hz monitors who prioritize maximum frame rates over visual fidelity.

For 1440p users, the High preset is the best balance of visual quality and performance. The 122 FPS average is excellent for a 144Hz monitor, and the game will look significantly better than at Medium settings. Users with 120Hz displays will also find High to be the ideal choice. The Ultra preset at 87 FPS is still playable, but the drop from 122 to 87 FPS is a notable reduction in smoothness that may not be worth the visual gain.

For 4K users, the Medium preset is the recommended setting. The 74 FPS average provides a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS playability threshold, and the minimum FPS of 63 confirms that the game will not stutter. The High preset, at 64 FPS, is technically playable but leaves very little headroom for demanding scenes. The Low preset, at 100 FPS, is an option for users who want a very high frame rate at 4K, but the visual sacrifices are significant. The Ultra preset should be avoided at 4K due to its sub-60 FPS average.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. From 1080p to 1440p, the average FPS drops by approximately 37% across all settings. This is a significant reduction, but it is expected given that 1440p has 1.78 times the pixel count of 1080p. The GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck at 1440p, but the high absolute frame rates (e.g., 122 FPS at High) indicate that the GPU still has ample headroom.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is even more pronounced. The pixel count increases by 2.25 times, and the average FPS drops by approximately 47-50% across the presets. This indicates that the GPU is heavily saturated at 4K. For example, at High settings, the FPS drops from 122 at 1440p to 64 at 4K. This is a stark reduction that highlights the GPU's memory bandwidth and compute limitations at this extreme resolution.

This scaling behavior strongly suggests that the GPU is the limiting component in this combo, especially at higher resolutions. The CPU's high boost clock and strong single-threaded performance (evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5737) are more than sufficient to feed the GPU at 1080p and 1440p. However, at 4K, the GPU's 8 GB of VRAM and 272.0 GB/s of bandwidth are insufficient to maintain high frame rates at Ultra settings, leading to the observed drop to 46 FPS.

The fact that the CPU is not a bottleneck is further supported by the relatively small performance gap between the CPU and its rivals in synthetic benchmarks, where the differences are all under 1%. In contrast, the GPU's performance is closely matched with the AMD Radeon 780M, which is an integrated graphics solution. This indicates that the RTX 4060 is a mid-range part, and its performance limits are what hold the combo back from achieving higher rankings and higher frame rates at 4K. For users targeting 4K gaming, this data suggests that lowering settings to Medium or Low is necessary to achieve a playable frame rate, while users at 1080p and 1440p can enjoy a fully smooth experience at high or ultra settings.