Road 96

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the Intel Arc B390 is a combination that sits at the very low end of the performance spectrum for gaming. The CPU is a solid entry-level part, but the GPU is the limiting factor here, and the data for Road 96 reflects that clearly. This is a system that can run the game, but only under specific conditions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The recorded data for Road 96 shows a wide variance in performance depending on the resolution and quality preset. The most demanding scenario, 4K with Ultra settings, brings this combo to its knees, while 1080p with lower settings is perfectly playable.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the results are not suitable for smooth play. With High settings, the average frame rate is 19 FPS, which is well below the 60 FPS playable threshold. Dropping to Low settings improves the average to 32 FPS, but that is still a stuttery experience for a game that benefits from smooth motion. Medium settings yield an average of 23 FPS, with a minimum of 20 FPS and a maximum of 27 FPS. Ultra settings are the worst, with an average of just 15 FPS. None of these 4K configurations approach a playable level of performance.

Moving down to 2560x1440 (1440p) shows a significant improvement, but the system is still constrained. High settings average 35 FPS, which is not enough for a consistent 60 FPS experience. Medium settings average 44 FPS, with a minimum of 37 and a maximum of 50 FPS. Ultra settings drop to an average of 28 FPS. The only configuration at this resolution that hits the playable threshold is Low, which achieves an average of exactly 60 FPS.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the pairing finally shows some capability. Low settings deliver an average of 94 FPS, which is a very comfortable margin above the 60 FPS target. Medium settings also clear the threshold with an average of 69 FPS, though the minimum recorded frame rate of 59 FPS indicates it occasionally dips just below 60. High settings average 56 FPS, which is close but not quite at the playable mark. Ultra settings, with an average of 43 FPS, remain too demanding for a smooth experience at this resolution.

The data indicates a clear pattern: this system is best suited for 1080p gaming with medium or lower settings. The GPU's performance headroom is extremely limited, and the step up in resolution from 1080p to 1440p cuts the playable options down to just the lowest preset.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The database places the Intel Core i3-12100F in a specific performance tier, with its nearest rivals being other entry-level and mid-range processors. The average benchmark score of 13494 puts it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest competitor, the Intel Core 3 N355, has a nearly identical average score of 13492, a delta of 0%. The Intel Core i5-9500 is also very close, with an average score of 13452, which is 0.3% lower. The Intel Core 5 120UL is slightly faster, scoring 13594, which is 0.7% higher, while the Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351, 1.1% lower. In practical terms, any of these CPUs would offer a nearly identical experience in Road 96, meaning the CPU is not the bottleneck in this configuration.

The GPU situation is far more critical. The Intel Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extremely low standing. Its nearest rivals are some of the oldest and weakest discrete graphics cards from NVIDIA. The GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463, which is 1.3% lower. The GeForce 800M scores 1460, 1.5% lower. The GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446, 2.5% lower, and the GeForce GT 710 scores 1443, 2.7% lower. This indicates that the Arc B390’s performance is roughly on par with decade-old entry-level GPUs. For a game like Road 96, which is not graphically intensive, this level of performance translates directly to the low frame rates observed at higher settings.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Road 96 at 4K resolution?

A: No. The recorded data shows that even at Low settings, the average frame rate at 3840x2160 is only 32 FPS, which is far below the 60 FPS playable threshold. The best average at this resolution is 32 FPS on Low, with Ultra averaging only 15 FPS.

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

A: The best preset that maintains an average of at least 60 FPS is Medium. At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the system averages 69 FPS. Low settings are also playable, averaging 94 FPS, but Medium is the highest quality option that clears the threshold.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the main reason for the low frame rates?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The CPU performs in the 68th percentile of all processors, and its nearest rivals are all within a 1.1% performance delta. The GPU, however, is in the 9th percentile and its nearest rivals are all significantly older models, showing a much weaker relative standing.

Q: Will the game run at 1440p with High settings?

A: No. At 2560x1440 with High settings, the average frame rate is 35 FPS. This does not meet the 60 FPS playable threshold. Only the Low preset at 1440p reaches 60 FPS.

Q: What kind of frame rates can I expect at 1080p with Low settings?

A: The system averages 94 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This provides a very smooth experience with a large margin above the 60 FPS target, making it the most comfortable configuration for this game.

Q: How does this system rank among all tested combinations for Road 96?

A: The database ranks this combination at 3302 out of 3713 total combos tested for Road 96. This places it in the lower 11% of all systems, confirming that it is a below-average performer for this specific title.

The Verdict

The verdict from the recorded data is that this PC can run Road 96, but only at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with the right settings. At 3840x2160, there is no playable settings preset, as all configurations fail to reach an average of 60 FPS. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset is playable, achieving exactly 60 FPS on average. At 1920x1080, both Low and Medium presets are playable, with Medium being the better visual option at an average of 69 FPS. For a consistently smooth experience, 1080p with Medium settings is the recommended target. The system is not capable of handling High or Ultra settings at any resolution while maintaining a playable frame rate.

Best Settings per Resolution

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

• 3840x2160: No playable preset. The highest average frame rate is 32 FPS at Low settings, which does not meet the 60 FPS threshold.
• 2560x1440: Low settings. This preset achieves an average of 60 FPS exactly, which meets the playable threshold.
• 1920x1080: Medium settings. This preset achieves an average of 69 FPS, providing a playable experience with better visual quality than Low.

How This Combo Ranks

The database records this specific CPU and GPU combination at rank 3302 out of 3713 tested combos for Road 96. This places it in the 11th percentile of all systems tested. The low ranking is almost entirely attributable to the GPU's performance, which itself ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. The CPU, in contrast, ranks in the 68th percentile, indicating it is a comparatively stronger component. For this game, the system is a below-average performer, suitable only for modest settings at lower resolutions.