Allods Online

Allods Online, a 2010-era MMORPG, presents an interesting stress test for the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Arc B390 combination. The benchmark data reveals a system defined by stark contrasts: the CPU is a high-end performer while the GPU sits at the bottom of the performance pile. This pairing results in a gaming experience that is heavily dependent on resolution and settings, with the data showing clear bottlenecks that shift depending on the workload. The measured frames per second (FPS) across the board indicate that this is not a high-refresh-rate powerhouse, but rather a configuration capable of delivering playable, and sometimes surprisingly smooth, frame rates at specific settings.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data across the three tested resolutions paints a clear picture of a system where the graphics processor is the primary limiting factor. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 120 FPS. Moving up to 1440p at the same Low settings drops the average to 75 FPS, a 37.5% reduction. Pushing further to 4K at Low settings yields an average of 39 FPS, which is a 67.5% drop from the 1080p figure. This steep decline as pixel count increases points directly at the GPU's rendering capabilities being saturated.

The scaling pattern becomes even more pronounced at higher graphical presets. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 59 at 1080p to 37 at 1440p (a 37.3% decrease), and then to 19 at 4K (a 67.8% decrease from 1080p). This near-identical percentage drop for both Low and High settings suggests that the resolution scaling is consistent, regardless of the graphical load. The frame rate is essentially being dictated by the number of pixels the Intel Arc B390 must fill, not by the complexity of the scene or the CPU's ability to feed it data.

This behavior is classic for a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU, with its substantial processing power, is capable of preparing frames much faster than the GPU can render them. As resolution increases, the GPU’s workload grows exponentially, and the system's frame rate plummets in a predictable fashion. The fact that the 4K Low setting (39 FPS) is barely faster than the 1440p High setting (37 FPS) is particularly telling. It indicates that the GPU is so constrained that lowering the graphical fidelity at a higher resolution does not free up enough performance to make a significant difference, as the sheer pixel count remains the dominant obstacle.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations for Allods Online, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Arc B390 holds a rank of 2459 out of 2775 combos. This places it firmly in the lower percentile of tested systems, suggesting that the overall experience is below average when compared to other hardware pairings. The ranking implies that most other tested configurations deliver higher frame rates in this game, reinforcing the idea that this particular combo has a significant performance weak point.

The combo’s low rank is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The Intel Arc B390 has a percentile ranking of just 9 when compared to all other GPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 1482 puts it in the company of much older and less capable graphics processors. Its nearest rivals, according to the data, include the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and the GeForce GT 710, with the Arc B390 holding a 1.3% and 2.7% performance lead over them, respectively. This context is crucial; the GPU is not just a low-end modern part, but one that performs in the same league as decade-old entry-level discrete graphics solutions.

In contrast, the CPU is a powerhouse. The Ryzen 7 5700X ranks in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27578. This places it in direct competition with processors like the Intel Core i5-12600K and the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, with which it trades blows within a 0.2% margin. The stark contrast between the CPU's top-tier status and the GPU's bottom-tier performance is the defining characteristic of this combo. The data suggests a severely unbalanced build where the processor's potential is left largely untapped, as the graphics card becomes the bottleneck in virtually all gaming scenarios.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a Zen 3 architecture processor with 8 cores and 16 threads. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. These specifications make it a very capable processor for modern workloads, and its benchmark scores reflect this strength. For instance, it scores 13184 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1499 in single-core, and its Passmark multithread score is 26612. This level of performance is more than sufficient to handle the demands of an MMORPG like Allods Online, which often has to manage numerous player characters and complex game logic.

Given the CPU's power, it is unlikely to be the cause of the low frame rates observed in the 4K Ultra setting (12 FPS) or even the 1080p Ultra setting (37 FPS). The data implies that the CPU is far ahead of the GPU in capability. In scenarios where the GPU is struggling, the CPU is likely sitting idle waiting for the next frame to be processed. However, the CPU’s strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 1499 Cinebench R23 single-core score, is still crucial for maintaining playable frame rates in an MMORPG, which often has a primary game thread. The processor is ready to provide high frame rates; it is the graphics card that cannot keep up.

The data suggests that the CPU's role is to be the unused potential in this configuration. While it is more than capable of delivering a smooth gaming experience, it is held back by the GPU. The 120 FPS average at 1080p Low is a glimpse of what the CPU can do, but even that figure is likely capped by the GPU's limits rather than showcasing the CPU's maximum potential. In essence, the Ryzen 7 5700X is a top-tier component that is being severely underutilized in this pairing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the system's performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1080p, the game is playable at most settings. The Low preset yields an average of 120 FPS, which is excellent. The Medium preset delivers a very respectable 94 FPS, with minimum and maximum figures of 80 and 108 FPS, respectively. The High preset drops to an average of 59 FPS, which is still smooth for many players. The Ultra preset, however, brings the system to its knees with an average of just 37 FPS.

Moving to 1440p, the performance takes a significant hit across the board. The Low preset is still playable, with an average of 75 FPS. The Medium preset provides a solid 59 FPS average, with a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 68 FPS. The High preset falls to 37 FPS, which begins to feel less fluid. The Ultra preset becomes nearly unplayable at an average of 23 FPS.

At 4K resolution, the system is clearly overmatched. The Low preset is the only one that approaches playability, with an average of 39 FPS. The Medium preset averages 31 FPS, with a minimum of 26 FPS, indicating noticeable stuttering. The High preset drops to 19 FPS, and the Ultra preset plummets to a slideshow-like 12 FPS. The data shows a clear and consistent trend: this combo is only suitable for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p with lower settings, and it struggles to maintain a smooth 60 FPS at higher resolutions.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the clear bottleneck in this system. Its benchmark data shows a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of just 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This score is a clear indicator of its low performance ceiling. With a boost clock of 2500 MHz and 1536 shading units, it is not a powerful chip by modern standards. Its nearest rivals, as listed in the data, are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and the GeForce 800M, which are both extremely old and low-end parts.

The GPU's limitations are directly reflected in the measured FPS. The fact that 4K Ultra yields only 12 FPS, while 1080p Low yields 120 FPS, shows that the GPU is being overwhelmed by pixel throughput. The steep performance drop from 1080p to 4K is a classic symptom of a GPU that has very limited fill rate and memory bandwidth. The Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory, which means its performance is also tied to the system's RAM, a factor that can further hinder performance in a bandwidth-sensitive game.

The data indicates that the GPU is the primary factor limiting the entire system. While the CPU is a high-end part, the GPU is not. This creates a situation where the system's gaming performance is defined entirely by the graphics card's capabilities. The 19 FPS at 4K High and the 23 FPS at 1440p Ultra are not due to the CPU, but rather the GPU's inability to process the graphical data fast enough. This is not a balanced configuration; it is a system held back by its weakest component.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this combo is achieved by prioritizing lower resolutions and settings. For a smooth, high-refresh-rate experience, the 1080p Low preset is the clear winner, providing an average of 120 FPS. This is the only setting that allows the system to perform at a level that most would consider excellent. If a player prefers higher visual fidelity, the 1080p Medium preset is a strong alternative, offering a very good 94 FPS average.

For players with a 1440p monitor, the Low preset is the only viable option for a consistently smooth experience, with a 75 FPS average. The Medium preset at 1440p is a compromise, offering 59 FPS, which is on the edge of playability for many. The data suggests that using the High or Ultra presets at this resolution is not recommended, as the frame rates drop to 37 and 23 FPS, respectively, which would result in a noticeably choppy experience.

At 4K, the data shows that this combo is not suited for gaming. Even the Low preset only manages a 39 FPS average, which is below the threshold for a smooth experience. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets are all effectively unplayable. The recommendation from the data is clear: for this system, 4K gaming should be avoided entirely. The best experience is to be found at 1080p, using either Low or Medium settings, where the frame rates are high enough to provide a responsive and enjoyable gameplay experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for a smooth experience?

A: According to the measured data, the 1080p Low preset provides the best average frame rate of 120 FPS. For higher visual fidelity at a still-smooth frame rate, the 1080p Medium preset is recommended, with an average of 94 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Allods Online?

A: The data indicates it cannot. Even at the Low preset, the average FPS at 4K is only 39. The Ultra preset drops to an unplayable 12 FPS. The system is not powerful enough to deliver a smooth experience at this resolution.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the main bottleneck for this game?

A: The benchmark data strongly indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The Intel Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, while the Ryzen 7 5700X ranks in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The frame rate drops significantly with resolution, a classic sign of a GPU-bound system.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, scores 1463, which is 1.3% slower. It also holds a 2.7% lead over the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710.

Q: What is the highest average FPS achieved by this combo?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 120, which was achieved at the 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the performance at 1440p Medium acceptable?

A: The data shows an average of 59 FPS at 1440p Medium, with a minimum of 50 FPS. This is playable, but it is on the lower end of what is considered a smooth experience, and frame drops could be noticeable in busy areas.