Archeage

Archeage is a 2014 MMORPG that remains sensitive to both CPU and GPU performance, and the combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 with the Intel Arc B390 produces a specific and somewhat lopsided profile. The data shows a system that can deliver playable frame rates at lower resolutions and settings, but which falls apart quickly as the graphical load increases. This pairing is heavily bottlenecked by the integrated GPU, making it a configuration best suited for 1080p gaming with adjusted expectations.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep and consistent decline as resolution increases, clearly identifying the Intel Arc B390 as the primary limiting factor. At 1080p with Low settings, the system averages 71 FPS, which is the highest score recorded across all configurations. Moving to 1440p Low, the average drops to 48 FPS, a 32% reduction. At 4K Low, the average falls to 28 FPS, which is a 61% drop from the 1080p baseline. This pattern is not an anomaly of a single setting; it repeats across the board. For High settings, the averages are 43 FPS at 1080p, 29 FPS at 1440p, and 17 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset shows the most dramatic collapse, with averages of 29 FPS at 1080p, 20 FPS at 1440p, and a nearly unplayable 11 FPS at 4K.

This scaling behavior indicates that the system is not CPU-bound at higher resolutions. If the processor were the bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively flat as resolution increased, because the CPU would be doing the same amount of work while the GPU struggled. Instead, the frame rate nearly halves with each step up in resolution, a classic sign of a GPU that is running out of pixel-pushing capacity. The Arc B390, with its integrated nature and shared memory architecture, simply does not have the raw throughput to maintain performance at 1440p and 4K. The gap between 1080p and 1440p is significant, but the gap between 1440p and 4K is even more punishing, showing that the GPU's performance curve degrades non-linearly as the pixel count increases. For practical use, 1080p is the only resolution that offers a viable range of settings, and even then, the higher presets will strain the system.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 14,769 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2,085 points in single-core, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score are the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which are within 0.1% of its performance. This is a modern, capable processor that is not the bottleneck in this gaming configuration.

However, the game's results tell a more nuanced story. The FPS at 1080p Low is 71, which is respectable but not exceptional for a modern CPU in an MMORPG. The fact that the system achieves a maximum of 71 FPS at the lowest settings suggests that while the CPU is strong, it is not delivering the kind of headroom that would allow for high frame rates in less demanding titles. The single-thread performance is solid, and Archeage, being an older MMO, often relies on single-core performance for game logic and networking. The Core Ultra 5 235's boost clock of 5.00 GHz is likely sufficient to handle these tasks, as evidenced by the fact that the CPU does not appear to be the limiting factor at higher resolutions where the GPU is clearly struggling. The data shows that at 4K, the FPS is so low across all settings that it is not a matter of CPU capability; the GPU simply cannot render the frames. The CPU's role here is to feed the GPU, and it does so adequately, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's fundamental lack of performance.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the clear performance ceiling for this combo. It is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process by Intel. Its specifications are unusual, with 1,536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 render output units. It has 12 ray tracing cores and a boost clock of 2,500 MHz. Critically, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's DDR5 RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. This is a major factor in its performance, as memory bandwidth is "System Dependent" and not dedicated to the GPU.

The GPU's benchmark results are stark. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 1,482 points, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, and GT 625 OEM, which are all over a decade old and represent entry-level mobile or OEM parts. This is a clear indication that the Arc B390 is not designed for gaming at any serious level. The measured FPS data confirms this, as the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates even at 1080p with Medium settings, averaging 64 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS. At 4K, the GPU is completely overwhelmed, with average frame rates ranging from 11 FPS on Ultra to 28 FPS on Low. The lack of dedicated VRAM is likely a contributing factor to the severe performance drop at 4K, as the GPU has to compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth. The data shows that this is a GPU for basic desktop tasks or light media consumption, not for gaming, especially in a title like Archeage that has a persistent world and many on-screen elements.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combos, this specific pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2,453rd out of 2,761 total combinations for Archeage. This places it in the bottom 11% of all tested systems, which is a very poor result. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations, as the CPU is a high-tier part that would likely rank much higher when paired with a discrete graphics card. The data shows that the CPU's potential is almost entirely wasted in this configuration, as the GPU cannot translate the processor's strong synthetic scores into playable frame rates.

The percentile data for the individual components reinforces this disparity. The CPU is in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extreme mismatch, and the combo's rank reflects the fact that the system's overall gaming performance is dictated by its weakest link. Any other combination of a similarly strong CPU with a similarly weak GPU would likely produce a comparable rank. The takeaway is that this is not a balanced system, and users should expect performance that is far below what the CPU alone would suggest. The combo rank serves as a warning that the integrated GPU is a severe bottleneck for any gaming application.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured data, the optimal settings for this system are at 1080p with the Low preset. This is the only configuration that consistently achieves an average frame rate above 60 FPS, with a measured average of 71 FPS. While the Medium preset at 1080p is also playable, with an average of 64 FPS and a minimum of 54 FPS, the Low preset provides a more comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold, which is important for a smooth experience in an MMORPG where frame time consistency matters for combat and movement. The High preset at 1080p, with an average of 43 FPS, is playable but noticeably less smooth, and it is not recommended for fast-paced gameplay.

At 1440p, the data shows that no setting is ideal. The Low preset averages 48 FPS, which is borderline, but the Medium preset drops to 43 FPS with a minimum of 36 FPS, which can lead to stuttering. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p, averaging 29 and 20 FPS respectively, are not recommended. At 4K, all settings are effectively unplayable, with the highest average being 28 FPS on Low. The best experience per the measured rows is clearly at 1080p with Low settings. This sacrifices visual fidelity but provides the most stable and responsive gameplay. Users who prioritize visuals over frame rate could attempt 1080p Medium, but they should be prepared for occasional dips below 60 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete breakdown of measured average FPS, with minimum and maximum values where provided:

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average 71 FPS. This is the top score for the entire system and the only preset that consistently delivers high frame rates.
• Medium: Average 64 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. This is a playable option with a slight risk of drops in busy scenes.
• High: Average 43 FPS. This is a significant step down from Medium and is only suitable for less demanding situations.
• Ultra: Average 29 FPS. This is not recommended for gameplay, as the frame rate is too low for a responsive experience.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average 48 FPS. This is the most playable option at this resolution, but the frame rate is below the 60 FPS target.
• Medium: Average 43 FPS, with a minimum of 36 FPS and a maximum of 49 FPS. The minimum frame rate indicates noticeable stuttering.
• High: Average 29 FPS. This is a poor experience, with frame rates that are too low for comfortable play.
• Ultra: Average 20 FPS. This is effectively unplayable, with a very sluggish and unresponsive feel.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average 28 FPS. This is the best case at 4K, but it is still below the threshold for playable performance.
• Medium: Average 25 FPS, with a minimum of 21 FPS and a maximum of 28 FPS. The frame rate is consistently low and erratic.
• High: Average 17 FPS. This is a slideshow, making the game nearly impossible to play.
• Ultra: Average 11 FPS. This is the worst measured score and is completely unplayable.

The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p Low is the only viable configuration, with 1080p Medium as a secondary option. All other settings and resolutions result in a degraded experience that is not suitable for serious gameplay in Archeage.