Barony

Barony is an older roguelike with a release date of 2015-06-22, but the benchmark data shows that this pairing of an Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 delivers a wide range of performance depending on how you configure the game. The data indicates that this is a system capable of handling the game at high refresh rates in most scenarios, though the most demanding settings at 4K will test its limits. This analysis breaks down the CPU and GPU contributions, answers common questions, and provides specific settings recommendations based on the measured FPS data.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB L3 cache. The CPU's memory support is dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU scores 44,253 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2,439 in single-core, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs.

For a game like Barony, which is a roguelike, the CPU's role is primarily about maintaining a stable frame rate, especially at lower resolutions where the GPU is less likely to be the bottleneck. The data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 363 avgFps, which is the highest score in the measured FPS table. This high frame rate is likely facilitated by the CPU's strong single-core performance, as roguelike games often rely on a single main thread for game logic. The 5.50 GHz boost clock and the high single-core score of 2,439 in Cinebench R23 point to a processor well-suited for this task.

The CPU's 24 threads may not all be utilized by Barony, as the game is not known for heavy multi-threading. However, the strong multi-core score of 44,253 in Cinebench R23 suggests that even if the game does use multiple threads, there is ample headroom. The data indicates that the CPU is not likely to be the limiting factor at 1080p, where the GPU is more likely to determine performance. At higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K, the CPU's influence diminishes relative to the GPU, but the measured FPS numbers show the system still performs well, indicating the CPU is keeping up with the GPU's output.

Comparing to its nearest rivals, the CPU's average benchmark score of 93,785 is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon 6520P, which has a deltaPct of 0.0. It is slightly behind the AMD EPYC 4564P by 1.5%, the AMD EPYC 9175F by 1.9%, and the AMD EPYC 4565P by 2.1%. These are all server-class processors, which highlights that the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is performing at a very high level in synthetic tests, though the game's actual performance will depend on how well it uses the available cores and clocks.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is based on the GB206 chip with the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, manufactured on a 5 nm process. It features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 2280 MHz and a boost clock of 2497 MHz. It includes 3840 shading units, 120 TMUs, and 48 ROPs, with 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores. The GPU's FP32 performance is 19.18 TFLOPS. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 3,628 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 and 20,891 in Passmark G3D, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's role in Barony is significant at higher resolutions and settings, where the rendering load increases. The measured FPS data shows a clear trend: as resolution and settings increase, frame rates drop. At 1080p Low, the system hits 363 avgFps, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 55 avgFps. This indicates that the RTX 5060 is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K with Ultra settings, it struggles to maintain high frame rates.

The 8 GB of VRAM is a critical factor at 4K, where textures and other assets can consume significant memory. The data shows that at 4K Medium, the system achieves 89 avgFps with a minimum of 76, but at 4K Ultra, it drops to 55 avgFps. This suggests that the GPU is not only compute-bound but may also be hitting VRAM limits at the highest settings. The memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s is adequate for the game's needs at most settings, but the 128-bit bus width is a potential bottleneck at 4K Ultra.

Comparing to its nearest rivals, the GPU's average benchmark score of 26,331 is slightly lower than the AMD Radeon 860M by 0.3% and the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 by 0.3%, and lower than the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary by 0.8%. It is 1.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT. These are relatively close scores, indicating that the RTX 5060 is in a competitive performance tier, though its actual game performance will vary based on the specific workload.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Barony at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 363 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At Medium settings, it achieves 270 avgFps, and at High, it reaches 231 avgFps.

Q: Is this system capable of 4K gaming in Barony?

A: Yes, but with compromises. At 3840x2160 with High settings, the system averages 76 FPS. Dropping to Medium yields 89 avgFps, but Ultra settings reduce performance to 55 avgFps, which may not be ideal for smooth gameplay.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has an average benchmark score of 93,785, which is essentially identical to the Intel Xeon 6520P's score of 93,786, showing a 0.0% difference. It is 1.5% behind the AMD EPYC 4564P and 1.9% behind the AMD EPYC 9175F.

Q: What is the GPU's VRAM capacity and how does it affect performance?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR7 memory. At 4K Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 55, which suggests that the VRAM capacity may be a limiting factor at the highest settings, as lower settings at the same resolution yield significantly higher frame rates.

Q: What is the best resolution for high refresh rate gaming with this combo?

A: At 2560x1440 with Low settings, the system achieves 229 avgFps, and at High settings, it reaches 146 avgFps. This makes 1440p a viable option for high refresh rate monitors, especially with settings adjusted to Medium or High.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested combinations?

A: This combo ranks 1,258 out of 2,935 tested combos in Barony, placing it in the upper half of all possible configurations.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo of the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 ranks 1,258 out of 2,935 tested combos in Barony. This places it in the 57th percentile of all combinations, meaning it outperforms more than half of the tested setups but is not in the top tier. This ranking is a holistic view that considers both the CPU and GPU performance as a combined unit, not just their individual benchmark scores.

Given the CPU's 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs and the GPU's 72nd percentile among all GPUs, the combo's overall rank of 1,258 out of 2,935 suggests that the pairing is balanced but not exceptional. The CPU is a high-end part, but the GPU is mid-range, which likely brings the overall ranking down. In a game like Barony, which is not graphically intensive, the CPU's strength may be more relevant than in other titles, but the GPU still plays a significant role at higher resolutions.

The data shows that the combo performs best at 1080p, where it achieves frame rates well above 200 FPS on Medium settings. At 1440p, it still delivers solid performance, with 146 avgFps on High settings. At 4K, it drops to 76 avgFps on High, which is playable but not ideal for competitive gaming. The rank of 1,258 suggests that there are many other combos that can achieve higher frame rates, likely with more powerful GPUs, but this pairing offers a good balance for most users.

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

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this combo performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 363 avgFps on Low settings, 270 avgFps on Medium settings, 231 avgFps on High settings, and 166 avgFps on Ultra settings. The Medium settings row includes a minimum FPS of 229 and a maximum of 310, indicating some variance but generally smooth performance.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates are lower but still impressive. Low settings yield 229 avgFps, Medium settings produce 170 avgFps, High settings reach 146 avgFps, and Ultra settings drop to 105 avgFps. The Medium settings at this resolution show a minimum of 145 and a maximum of 196, suggesting a wider range of frame times. At 3840x2160, the performance drops significantly. Low settings still achieve 120 avgFps, Medium settings deliver 89 avgFps with a minimum of 76 and maximum of 102, High settings reach 76 avgFps, and Ultra settings fall to 55 avgFps.

The data shows a clear pattern: the system is highly capable at 1080p and 1440p, with frame rates that support high refresh rate monitors. At 4K, the system can handle Low and Medium settings well, but High and Ultra settings will result in frame rates that may not be smooth enough for all users. The minimum FPS data points, where available, show that the system maintains playable frame rates even during demanding moments.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience depends on the user's resolution and refresh rate preferences. For 1080p, the Medium settings preset at 270 avgFps is an excellent choice, as it offers a balance between visual quality and performance. The High settings preset at 231 avgFps is also viable for those who want better visuals, and even Ultra at 166 avgFps remains highly playable. For users with a 144 Hz monitor, High settings at 1080p are recommended, as they provide a solid margin above the refresh rate.

At 1440p, the Medium settings preset at 170 avgFps is the sweet spot, delivering smooth gameplay while maintaining good visual quality. High settings at 146 avgFps are also a strong option, especially for users with a 144 Hz monitor, as the frame rate is right at the edge. Ultra settings at 105 avgFps are playable but may not be ideal for competitive play. For 4K, the Medium settings preset at 89 avgFps is the best option, as it provides the highest frame rate while still offering reasonable visuals. Low settings at 120 avgFps are even smoother, but the visual trade-off may be too significant for some. High and Ultra settings at 76 and 55 avgFps respectively are less recommended, as the frame rates may feel sluggish in a fast-paced roguelike.

Overall, the data suggests that the ideal experience is at 1080p or 1440p with Medium or High settings, where the system delivers high frame rates without compromising too much on visual fidelity. At 4K, users should stick to Medium settings or lower to maintain a smooth experience.