Doom

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Arc B580 combination delivers a clear verdict for Doom: it is fully capable of running the game at 1080p and 1440p with maximum settings, while 4K requires a settings reduction to stay fluid. Benchmark data confirms this pairing is a strong performer for this 2016 FPS title.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this PC in Doom?

A: The data indicates the best playable experience is at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, producing an average of 112 FPS. At 2560x1440, Ultra settings also remain playable at 72 FPS average.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Doom?

A: Yes, but with a caveat. At 3840x2160, only the Low preset clears the 60 FPS threshold, achieving a 65 FPS average. The High preset drops to 48 FPS, and Ultra falls to 39 FPS, which are below the playable threshold.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to other GPUs in its performance class?

A: The Arc B580's average benchmark score of 23021 places it near the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, which scores 23061 (a -0.2% difference). It also sits close to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, which scores 22895 (a 0.6% difference).

Q: What is the CPU's performance standing relative to other processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 9015, scores 57555, which is only 0.1% higher.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU bottleneck in this game at higher resolutions?

A: The performance scaling suggests the GPU becomes the limiting factor as resolution increases. At 1080p, the CPU's high single-thread score of 1286 in 3dmark contributes to high frame rates. However, moving from 1080p to 4K at High settings shows a significant frame rate drop, indicating the GPU's workload is the primary constraint.

Q: Is the 12 GB VRAM of the Arc B580 sufficient for Doom?

A: Yes, the 12 GB GDDR6 memory is more than adequate for this title. The measured FPS data shows no indication of memory-related performance issues, even at the highest 4K Ultra settings.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results show a clear division of labor between the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and the Intel Arc B580 across different resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system produces very high frame rates across all presets, from 186 FPS on Low to 112 FPS on Ultra. This suggests that at this resolution, the CPU's strong performance, evidenced by its 3dmark single-thread score of 1286 and 2-thread score of 2519, is sufficient to feed the GPU efficiently, allowing the Arc B580 to reach its maximum output.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p reveals the GPU's increasing importance. At 2560x1440 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 72, a 35.7% decrease from the 112 FPS seen at 1080p Ultra. This indicates that while the CPU remains capable, the Arc B580's workload at 1440p is significantly heavier. The GPU's specifications, including its 13.67 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 456.0 GB/s memory bandwidth, become the primary factors limiting performance at this resolution.

At 4K, the GPU's role becomes even more dominant. The transition from 1440p Ultra (72 FPS) to 4K Ultra (39 FPS) represents a 45.8% performance reduction. This steep drop highlights that the Arc B580, while competent, is not designed for maximum settings at 4K in this title. The CPU's performance headroom is evident when comparing the 4K Low preset (65 FPS) to the 4K High preset (48 FPS); the 26.2% difference between these two settings is entirely attributable to the GPU's rendering workload, not CPU limitations.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Arc B580 achieves a rank of 2786 out of 3712 tested combinations in Doom. This places the system in the 75th percentile of all tested hardware pairings, indicating it outperforms a majority of configurations. While this rank might seem modest, it is important to consider that the database includes many high-end multi-GPU setups and top-tier components. For a single-GPU configuration, this rank demonstrates solid performance.

The CPU's percentile ranking of 92nd versus all CPUs indicates it is a top-tier processor, but its contribution to this game ranking is less impactful than the GPU's. The Arc B580's percentile of 68th versus all GPUs shows it is a mid-to-upper-range graphics card. The combined rank of 2786 suggests that the GPU's position in the performance hierarchy is the more significant factor in determining this system's standing for Doom. The data shows that the CPU has substantial headroom, as evidenced by its high 3dmark max-thread score of 13929, but the game's engine is not CPU-bound at the tested settings.

Similar Performance Alternatives

For the CPU, the nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are all server or high-end desktop processors. The AMD EPYC 9015 has a score of 57555, which is 0.1% higher than the 9900X's 57498. The Intel Core i9-14900 scores 58115, a 1.1% difference, while the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 58323, a 1.4% difference. These processors would deliver nearly identical CPU-bound performance in Doom, meaning users upgrading from any of these would see no meaningful change in frame rates in this game.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc B580's average score of 23021 is closely matched by three other cards. The AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP scores 23061, just 0.2% higher. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895, which is 0.6% lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 scores 23172, which is 0.7% higher. In practical terms, all four cards would produce nearly identical frame rates in Doom at the same settings and resolution. The RTX 3080, despite being a higher-tier card in other games, shows a score delta of only -0.7% from the Arc B580 in this synthetic benchmark, suggesting Doom's performance is not heavily dependent on the architectural differences between these GPUs.

Best Settings per Resolution

The measured FPS data provides a clear guide for optimal settings at each resolution, targeting the 60 FPS playable threshold.

At 3840x2160, the only preset that maintains an average above 60 FPS is Low, with a 65 FPS average. The Medium preset falls just short at 57 FPS, with a minimum of 48 FPS. High and Ultra presets dip further to 48 FPS and 39 FPS respectively, making them unsuitable for smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, all four presets are playable. The Low preset achieves 120 FPS, Medium reaches 105 FPS, High hits 88 FPS, and Ultra maintains 72 FPS. The minimum FPS for Medium is 89, which still clears the 60 FPS threshold. Ultra is the best choice for visual quality while remaining comfortably above the playable threshold.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance across all settings. Low averages 186 FPS, Medium 162 FPS, High 137 FPS, and Ultra 112 FPS. Even the most demanding Ultra preset provides a frame rate nearly double the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring a highly responsive experience. The minimum FPS for Medium is 137, which is still well above 60.

The Verdict

This PC can absolutely run Doom, with performance that varies significantly by resolution. At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable of running the game at Ultra settings, achieving an average of 112 FPS. This is the ideal configuration for maximum visual fidelity and smooth gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the verdict is also positive, with Ultra settings maintaining a 72 FPS average. This resolution offers an excellent balance between visual quality and performance. The minimum FPS of 89 at Medium settings indicates that even during intense scenes, the frame rate remains well above the playable threshold.

The situation at 3840x2160 is more nuanced. The system can run the game at this resolution, but only with the Low preset, which produces a 65 FPS average. The Medium preset at 57 FPS is borderline, and the High and Ultra presets at 48 FPS and 39 FPS respectively are not recommended for a smooth experience. For 4K gaming, users would need to accept reduced visual settings or consider the Low preset as the only viable option for maintaining 60 FPS. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Arc B580 combination is a strong performer for this game, with its primary limitation being 4K Ultra settings.