Doom

The Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the Intel Arc B370 presents a highly unusual performance profile for running Doom (2016). The data reveals a severe bottleneck: the GPU, which ranks in the 5th percentile of all tested graphics cards, heavily limits the system's capability. While the CPU is a top-tier performer, the recorded frame rates show that this combination struggles at higher resolutions and only achieves a smooth experience at 1080p with certain presets. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, compares it to similar hardware, and provides a verdict on what settings are viable.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded data for this combination shows a clear pattern: performance degrades sharply as resolution increases, and the impact of graphics settings is moderate but consistent.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the system is largely overwhelmed. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 34 FPS. Moving to Medium settings drops the average to 29 FPS, with minimum and maximum readings of 25 and 34 FPS respectively. High settings yield an average of 25 FPS, and the most demanding preset, Ultra, brings the average down to 20 FPS. None of these averages come close to the 60 FPS playable threshold.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the situation improves but remains below the playable threshold for most settings. The Low preset is the only one that clears the 60 FPS bar, achieving an average of 62 FPS. The Medium preset averages 54 FPS, with a recorded range between 46 and 62 FPS. High settings drop the average to 46 FPS, and Ultra falls to 37 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the system finally finds its footing. The Low preset delivers a strong average of 96 FPS. Medium settings average 84 FPS, with a range of 71 to 96 FPS. The High preset, which is the most demanding setting that maintains a playable frame rate, averages 71 FPS. The Ultra preset, however, dips to an average of 58 FPS, falling just short of the 60 FPS target.

Similar Performance Alternatives

To contextualize these results, the database's nearest rival data for both components provides a reference point for what other hardware might behave similarly.

For the CPU, the Intel Core i7-13700K is closely matched by several other processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900 has an average score that is 0.2% lower, meaning it would likely offer nearly identical CPU-bound performance. Similarly, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 is 0.3% slower in aggregate benchmarks. On the other side, the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and the Intel Xeon w3-2535 are both 0.5% faster. In the context of Doom, these differences are negligible, as the CPU is not the limiting factor in this pairing.

For the GPU, the Intel Arc B370's nearest rivals are all much older, lower-end graphics solutions. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 is 0.2% slower, the ATI Radeon HD 5770 is 0.5% slower, and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M is 0.7% slower. The AMD FirePro M2000 is 1.4% faster. This comparison is striking: the Arc B370's performance level is in the same ballpark as graphics cards from over a decade ago. Anyone considering a system with this GPU should expect performance roughly comparable to these legacy parts, which aligns with the low frame rates seen at 4K and 1440p.

Best Settings per Resolution

Based on the measured FPS, the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS at each resolution is as follows:

• 3840x2160: No settings preset achieves an average of 60 FPS. The highest average recorded is 34 FPS at Low settings, which is far below the playable threshold.
• 2560x1440: The Low preset is the only option that maintains a playable frame rate, with an average of 62 FPS.
• 1920x1080: The High preset is the most demanding option that stays above the 60 FPS threshold, averaging 71 FPS. While Low and Medium also clear the bar, High offers the best visual quality among the playable options.

The Verdict

The data clearly answers whether this PC can run Doom: it depends entirely on the resolution.

At 3840x2160, the answer is no. The system cannot maintain a playable frame rate at any preset, with the best average being 34 FPS at Low settings.

At 2560x1440, the answer is a conditional yes. The system can run the game, but only at Low settings, which produces an average of 62 FPS. Any higher preset will result in frame rates that dip below the 60 FPS target.

At 1920x1080, the answer is a definitive yes. The system handles the game well, with the High preset providing a smooth 71 FPS average. This is the ideal resolution for this hardware combination, offering a good balance between visual fidelity and performance. The Ultra preset, while playable in a general sense, falls just short of the threshold at 58 FPS, making High the recommended ceiling.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance data reveals a stark division of labor between the CPU and GPU in this pairing. The Intel Core i7-13700K, with its high multi-threaded and single-threaded benchmark scores, is clearly not a constraint. The bottleneck is overwhelmingly the Intel Arc B370.

This is evident from the scaling between resolutions and presets. When the resolution increases from 1080p to 1440p, the frame rates drop significantly. For instance, at High settings, the average FPS falls from 71 to 46, a 35% reduction. This is a classic sign of GPU limitation, as the graphics card is responsible for rendering the additional pixels.

Furthermore, the impact of graphics settings is relatively consistent across resolutions. At 1080p, going from Low to Ultra drops performance from 96 FPS to 58 FPS. At 1440p, the same transition drops from 62 to 37 FPS. This setting-based scaling also points to the GPU being the primary driver of performance. The CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic, but at these lower frame rates, it is never challenged. The i7-13700K is effectively waiting on the Arc B370 to finish its work. The GPU's low percentile ranking (5th) and its modest 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1184 confirm that it is the weak link in this system for gaming.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Doom at 4K resolution?

A: No. The measured data shows that at 3840x2160, the highest average frame rate is 34 FPS at Low settings, which is well below the 60 FPS playable threshold. No preset achieves a playable frame rate at this resolution.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1080p gaming?

A: The High preset is the most demanding option that stays at or above 60 FPS, delivering an average of 71 FPS at 1920x1080.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370's performance compare to other GPUs?

A: The database places the Arc B370 in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and AMD Radeon HD 7650M, with score deltas of -0.5% and -0.7% respectively, indicating it performs similarly to these much older cards.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-13700K a limiting factor for this game?

A: No. The CPU's benchmark scores are very high, and its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, show a negligible performance delta of -0.2%. The frame rate data indicates the GPU is the primary bottleneck, especially as resolution increases.

Q: What is the most demanding preset that maintains 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: The Low preset is the only option that achieves this, with an average frame rate of 62 FPS at 2560x1440. All other presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: At 1080p, does the Ultra preset deliver a playable experience?

A: No. The Ultra preset averages 58 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS playable threshold.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations for Doom, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B370 ranks 3425 out of 3712 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested for this game. This low ranking is a direct consequence of the graphics card's performance limitations. Despite having a powerful CPU, the overall system performance is dragged down by the GPU, resulting in a combination that is only suitable for 1080p gaming at medium-to-high settings. The rank underscores that while the CPU is a top-tier component, pairing it with the Arc B370 creates a significant imbalance that limits the system's overall gaming capability in Doom.