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Batman: Arkham Origins Benchmarked

The physics makes the game. In collaboration with Nvidia, Warner Bros. Montréal has produced the newest point of entry into the Batman universe. The third person title promises to be action-packed and to look great on the screen. How well does the Dark Knight perform on notebooks? The following review explores the answer.
Batman: Arkham Origins

For the original German article, see here.

Graphics

Nvidia's collaboration in the development of Arkham Origins is obvious. We see it not only in the presence of TXAA (a special form of anti-aliasing that expands on FXAA and MSAA), but also in a number of other technologies. The action thriller is optimized for both 3D Vision and multi-monitor operation, but that's not all. The new ambient occlusion technology HBAO+ (also used in Splinter Cell: Blacklist, for instance), PCSS (Percentage-Closer Soft Shadows) and NVDOF (Nvidia Depth-of-Field) are three further abbreviations thrown around by marketers.

Theory is all well and good, but what matters is how it plays in practice, right? Well, when all is said and done, Arkham Origins is definitely a success. Yes, some textures could be a little sharper, and yes, some shadow edges are a little bit unclean; but all in all, there isn't much to complain about. We were especially impressed with the deep footprints the characters leave behind in the snow, which are generated by tessellation.

Low Settings
Low Settings
Medium Settings
Medium Settings
High Settings
High Settings
Ultra Settings
Ultra Settings

With the GPU PhysX activated, the engine really struts its stuff. On the normal setting, the levels are decorated with textile banners and the floors are covered with all sorts of papers, both of which physically react to their environment; but on the higher setting, dynamic particles enter the scene as well (smoke, snow, fog, etc. are influenced by environmental factors like wind and explosions). Nvidia calls this technology APEX Turbulence. The disadvantage of PhysX is, of course, that it demands more resources. Switching from normal to high settings sinks the frame rate drastically.

Only the normal setting is available on AMD systems, and they (still) do a little worse at the moment. Their frame rates are middle-of-the-road, and their minimum results are lower than those of comparable Nvidia GPUs. As is to be expected, when PhysX is activated, their drop in performance is greater as well. The difference between the three PhysX settings is clear in our videos. Starting around the second half, we see marked improvements.

As is true of any good PC game, the options menu reveals a wide variety of possible settings. Alongside resolution and picture mode, you'll also find 10 further items that can either be turned on/off or set to “Off”, “Normal” or “DX11 Enhanced”. Excellent: Except for PhysX, changes are adopted without need for a restart.

Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins

Benchmark

Arkham Origins offers a benchmark with a duration of about two minutes. It's currently only accessible via a somewhat indirect route: If you right-click on the game in Steam, open “Properties” and in “Set Launch Options” input “benchmark”, after the annoying intro videos, the system runs an automatic test that calculates and displays the minimum, maximum and average frame rates. According to Nvidia, the benchmark should eventually be directly accessible from the options menu. Such a patch would certainly make the benchmarking process more comfortable.


Results

Depending on which PhysX option you select, the game's hardware demands fall somewhere between steep and reasonably moderate. Since, as previously mentioned, the highest option is unavailable on AMD systems, we only used the standard PhysX for our Ultra setting. Even so, for 1920x1080 pixels, 4x MSAA and the DX11 Enhanced setting, gamers will need a potent high-end model. The GeForce GTX 675MX is the first card to render the game at these settings with more than 40 fps.

However, anyone who can make do with 1366x768 pixels, 2x MSAA and deactivated PhysX can play the game with just an upper-middle class card (starting with the GT 750M). For normal details and 1366x768 pixels, you'll need at least a GeForce GT 630M or higher. Intel chips, like the HD Graphics 4000 or 4600, are generally only capable of rendering the game fluidly at minimum settings. With the HD Graphics 3000, Arkham jerks no matter what.

The clean GPU ranking indicates that the game demands very little of the processor at the lowest settings.

Batman: Arkham Origins
    1920x1080 DX11 Enhanced / On (PhysX Normal) AA:4x MS     1366x768 DX11 Enhanced / On (PhysX Off) AA:2x MS     1366x768 Normal / On (PhysX Off)     1024x768 All Off
HD Graphics 3000, 2630QM
Schenker Xesia M501
21 (0min) fps ∼8%
32 (0min) fps ∼9%
HD Graphics 4000, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
6 (0min) fps ∼4%
12 (0min) fps ∼5%
30 (0min) fps ∼11%
52 (0min) fps ∼15%
HD Graphics 4600, 4702MQ
Schenker M503
7 (0min) fps ∼5%
15 (0min) fps ∼6%
32 (0min) fps ∼12%
56 (0min) fps ∼16%
GeForce GT 630M, 2630QM
Schenker Xesia M501
10 (0min) fps ∼7%
20 (0min) fps ∼8%
37 (0min) fps ∼14%
54 (0min) fps ∼16%
Iris Pro Graphics 5200, 4750HQ, Intel SSD 525 Series SSDMCEAC180B3
SCHENKER S413
12 (6min) fps ∼9%
30 (16min) fps ∼12%
65 (18min) fps ∼24%
105 (36min) fps ∼31%
GeForce GT 750M, 4702MQ
Schenker M503
17 (0min) fps ∼12%
37 (0min) fps ∼15%
80 (0min) fps ∼30%
133 (0min) fps ∼39%
GeForce GTX 660M, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
27 (0min) fps ∼19%
58 (0min) fps ∼23%
118 (0min) fps ∼44%
187 (0min) fps ∼55%
GeForce GTX 670MX, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
31 (0min) fps ∼22%
64 (0min) fps ∼25%
132 (0min) fps ∼49%
201 (0min) fps ∼59%
GeForce GTX 765M, 4700MQ
Schenker W503
34 (0min) fps ∼24%
69 (0min) fps ∼27%
141 (0min) fps ∼52%
226 (0min) fps ∼66%
GeForce GTX 675MX, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
43 (0min) fps ∼31%
87 (0min) fps ∼35%
162 (0min) fps ∼60%
230 (0min) fps ∼67%
Radeon HD 7970M, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
46 (0min) fps ∼33%
109 (0min) fps ∼43%
170 (0min) fps ∼63%
236 (0min) fps ∼69%
GeForce GTX 770M, 4700MQ
Schenker W503
47 (0min) fps ∼34%
94 (0min) fps ∼37%
181 (0min) fps ∼67%
248 (0min) fps ∼72%
Radeon HD 8970M, 4700MQ
Schenker W503
50 (0min) fps ∼36%
114 (0min) fps ∼45%
191 (0min) fps ∼71%
244 (0min) fps ∼71%
GeForce GTX 680M, 3610QM
Schenker XMG P502
54 (0min) fps ∼39%
107 (0min) fps ∼42%
189 (0min) fps ∼70%
249 (0min) fps ∼73%
GeForce GTX 780M, 4700MQ
Schenker W503
70 (0min) fps ∼50%
141 (0min) fps ∼56%
221 (0min) fps ∼82%
276 (0min) fps ∼80%
GeForce GTX 660 Ti, 3770K
Desktop-PC
73 (0min) fps ∼53%
147 (0min) fps ∼58%
250 (0min) fps ∼93%
343 (0min) fps ∼100%
Radeon R9 280X, 3770K
Desktop-PC
79 (0min) fps ∼57%
175 (0min) fps ∼69%
261 (0min) fps ∼97%
320 (0min) fps ∼93%
PhysX Performance: Arkham Origins

Verdict

Whether the content of the new Batman title is appealing is more a matter of individual preference, but we can definitively say that graphics-wise, the developers have done a good job. With PhysX activated, the game's atmosphere becomes even more enchanting than it already is at normal settings. If you have the necessary hardware, Arkham Origins is definitely worth a closer look.

Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins

Test Systems

Our four main test devices are courtesy of Schenker Technologies (mysn.de):

  • W503 (Core i7-4700MQ, 8 GB DDR3, GeForce GTX 765M, GTX 770M, GTX 780M, Radeon HD 8970M & HD Graphics 4600)
  • M503 (Core i7-4702MQ, 8 GB DDR3, GeForce GT 750M & HD Graphics 4600)
  • XMG P502 (Core i7-3610QM, 8 GB DDR3, GeForce GTX 660M, GTX 670MX, GTX 675MX, GTX 680M, Radeon HD 7970M & HD Graphics 4000)
  • Xesia M501 (Core i7-2630QM, 8 GB DDR3, GeForce GT 630M & HD Graphics 3000)

A further thank you goes to Micron for providing the 480 GB Crucial M500, on which Windows 7 Professional 64-bit is installed.

GPU drivers used: Nvidia 331.65, AMD 13.11 Beta 7, Intel 9.18.10.3257 and 9.17.10.3223

From left to right: Schenker Xesia M501, M503, XMG P502 & W503
From left to right: Schenker Xesia M501, M503, XMG P502 & W503

Overview

Show Restrictions
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 Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
low
1024x768
All Off
med.
1366x768
Normal / On (PhysX Off)
high
1366x768
DX11 Enhanced / On (PhysX Off)
2x MSAA
ultra
1920x1080
DX11 Enhanced / On (PhysX Normal)
4x MSAA
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Qualcomm Adreno 304
AMD Radeon Pro 560
Qualcomm Adreno 302
AMD Radeon HD 6850M
AMD Radeon HD 6830M
AMD Radeon HD 6310
AMD Radeon HD 6320
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AMD Radeon 760M
AMD Radeon 680M
AMD Radeon HD 6775G2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M
NVIDIA RTX A5500 Laptop GPU
AMD Radeon Pro 455
AMD Radeon Pro 555X
AMD Radeon HD 6650M
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
AMD Radeon Pro 5300M
AMD Radeon HD 6680G2
AMD Radeon HD 6690G2
AMD Radeon HD 6480G + HD 7450M Dual Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6250
AMD FirePro W5130M
AMD Radeon HD 7430M
AMD Radeon HD 7350M
AMD Radeon HD 7370M
AMD Radeon HD 7340
AMD Radeon HD 7290
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Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 SLI (Laptop)
Intel UHD Graphics 64EUs (Alder Lake 12th Gen)
NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS
Nvidia RTX 1000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 630
NVIDIA GeForce 920M
Intel HD Graphics 2500
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX
NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT SLI
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6250
NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max-Q
NVIDIA Quadro T1000 (Laptop)
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low med. high ultra
PowerVR SGX543MP3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M SLI
PowerVR SGX535
NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU
NVIDIA Titan RTX
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low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 6730M
Qualcomm Adreno 225
AMD Radeon HD 6450 GDDR5
AMD Radeon HD 6480G
AMD Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 7000)
AMD Radeon 780M
AMD Radeon 630
AMD Radeon 625
AMD FirePro M8900
AMD FirePro W5170M
AMD Radeon 520
AMD Radeon HD 6630M
AMD Radeon HD 7500G
AMD Radeon HD 6450M
AMD Radeon HD 6290
AMD Radeon 740M
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AMD FirePro W4190M
AMD Radeon 540X
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
AMD Radeon Pro 460
AMD Radeon HD 6540G2
AMD Radeon HD 6545G2
AMD Radeon HD 6870M
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AMD Radeon HD 6530M
AMD Radeon HD 7640G
AMD Radeon HD 6950M
AMD Radeon HD 7640G + HD 7610M Dual Graphics
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AMD Radeon HD 6550M
NVIDIA T600 Laptop GPU
NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q
NVIDIA Quadro P4200
AMD Radeon HD 6620G + HD 7670M Dual Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6520G + HD 7450M Dual Graphics
AMD Radeon HD 6550D
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AMD Radeon Pro 555
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 GT
AMD Radeon Pro 5600M
AMD Radeon Pro 560X
AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16
AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20
AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100
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low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100
NVIDIA GeForce GT 445M
AMD Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire
AMD Radeon HD 6990M
AMD Radeon HD 6970M
AMD Radeon HD 6970
AMD Radeon HD 6970M Crossfire
ATI Radeon HD 5570
AMD Radeon HD 7660G + HD 7670M Dual Graphics
ATI Mobility Radeon X800
ATI Radeon IGP 340M
ATI Mobility Radeon X700
ATI Radeon IGP 320M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 435M
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low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce GT 430
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M G
NVIDIA GeForce 830M
87
52
24
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 320M
NVIDIA GeForce MX450
NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M
NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation
NVIDIA GeForce 825M
80
48
22
NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 415M
NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
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low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce GT 625M
NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
132
77
36
17
NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
83
47
22
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
85
52
22
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 SLI (Laptop)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 735M
75
44
21
NVIDIA Quadro P5000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
70
39
18
NVIDIA Quadro P3200
AMD Radeon HD 6720G2
AMD Radeon HD 6515G2
AMD Radeon HD 6510G2
PowerVR GE8300
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 (Laptop)
Qualcomm Adreno 205
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 Max-Q
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NVIDIA Titan X Pascal
NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q
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PowerVR GXA6850
PowerVR GX6450
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low med. high ultra
PowerVR GM9446
PowerVR GE8322 / IMG8322
PowerVR SGX544
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low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon R5 M420
AMD Radeon HD 6520G
AMD Radeon HD 6470M
AMD Radeon HD 6750M
AMD Radeon HD 6490M
AMD Radeon 660M
AMD FirePro W4170M
AMD FirePro W2100
AMD Radeon HD 6370M
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low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 6350M
AMD Radeon HD 6330M
AMD Radeon 620
AMD Radeon 610
AMD Radeon 610M
AMD FirePro W4100
AMD FirePro M5950
AMD FirePro M4000
AMD FirePro M6100
AMD FirePro M3900
AMD FirePro M4100
AMD Radeon 530
AMD FirePro M2000
AMD Radeon HD 6770M
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AMD Radeon HD 6790
AMD FirePro M6000
AMD Radeon Pro W6800
NVIDIA RTX A4500 Laptop GPU
AMD FirePro M5100
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low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M SLI
AMD Radeon HD 6645G2
AMD Radeon HD 6760G2
NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
ATI Radeon HD 5850
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 (Laptop)
NVIDIA Quadro P3000 Max-Q
AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
AMD Radeon HD 6870
AMD FirePro W7170M
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low med. high ultra
PosModel< PrevNext >Batman: Arkham Origins
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 6430M
AMD Radeon HD 6380G
AMD Radeon R6 (Kaveri)
30
17
11
AMD Radeon R6 (Carrizo)
AMD Radeon HD 7310
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M SLI
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M
199
111
54
AMD Radeon HD 6620G + HD 7450M Dual Graphics
AMD Radeon R5 M335
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PosModel< PrevNext >Batman: Arkham Origins
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PosModel< PrevNext >Batman: Arkham Origins
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon PRO W6600M
AMD Radeon R5 M430
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 150M
AMD Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
PosModel< PrevNext >Batman: Arkham Origins
low med. high ultra
PowerVR SGX545
AMD Radeon HD 8970M
244
191
114
50
AMD Radeon HD 6640G2
AMD Radeon Pro 450
AMD Radeon HD 6620G
Intel Iris Pro Graphics P580
(-) * Smaller values are better. / n123 Number of benchmarks for this median value / * Approximate position

 

Legend
5Stutters – This game is very likely to stutter and have poor frame rates. Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, average frame rates are expected to fall below 25fps
May Stutter – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, stutters and poor frame rates are expected.
30Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 25fps
40Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 35fps
60Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 58fps
May Run Fluently – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, fluent frame rates are expected.
?Uncertain – This graphics card experienced unexpected performance issues during testing for this game. A slower card may be able to achieve better and more consistent frame rates than this particular GPU running the same benchmark scene.
Uncertain – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game and no reliable interpolation can be made based on the performances of surrounding cards of the same class or family.
The value in the fields displays the average frame rate of all values in the database. Move your cursor over the value to see individual results.
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Florian Glaser, 2013-11-14 (Update: 2021-05-18)