Counter-Strike 2

# Counter-Strike 2 with AMD Ryzen 5 5500 + Intel Arc B390: A Benchmark Analysis

The pairing of AMD's six-core Ryzen 5 5500 with Intel's integrated Arc B390 graphics produces a peculiar result in Counter-Strike 2: the combo ranks 2535th out of 2870 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 12% of the database. The measured frame rates reveal a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, yet the CPU demonstrates enough headroom to suggest that this is a GPU-bound scenario across all resolutions and settings tested. The data shows a playable experience only at lower settings, with the Arc B390's integrated nature proving to be the decisive bottleneck.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a dramatic and consistent drop as resolution increases, which is the signature of a GPU-limited configuration. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 179 FPS average. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 118 FPS, a reduction of 61 FPS or roughly 34%. At 4K Low, the average falls to 66 FPS, which is a 63% decrease from the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is steep, indicating that the Arc B390's rendering throughput is the primary constraint rather than the CPU.

The Medium preset tells a similar story. At 1080p Medium, the average is 149 FPS with a minimum of 126 FPS and a maximum of 171 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 98 FPS, with minimum and maximum figures of 84 and 113 FPS respectively. The 4K Medium result shows an average of 55 FPS, with a minimum of 47 FPS and a maximum of 63 FPS. The frame time variance, as indicated by the min-max spread, narrows at higher resolutions, which is typical when the GPU is saturated and frame pacing becomes more uniform under constant load.

High settings amplify the resolution penalty further. At 1080p High, the average is 111 FPS. At 1440p High, it falls to 73 FPS, and at 4K High, it drops to 41 FPS. The step from 1080p to 1440p costs 38 FPS (34% reduction), while the step from 1440p to 4K costs 32 FPS (44% reduction). This non-linear scaling suggests that the GPU's memory bandwidth or fill rate is being exhausted at higher pixel counts, which aligns with the Arc B390's system-shared memory architecture.

Ultra settings produce the lowest results across the board. The 1080p Ultra average is 86 FPS, 1440p Ultra drops to 57 FPS, and 4K Ultra manages only 32 FPS. The gap between High and Ultra at each resolution is substantial: 25 FPS at 1080p, 16 FPS at 1440p, and 9 FPS at 4K. This indicates that Ultra settings impose a heavy shading and post-processing load that the integrated GPU cannot sustain, even at the lowest resolution tested.

The data reveals that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution. The Ryzen 5 5500's 3DMark single-thread score of 836 and multi-thread score of 5411 suggest adequate processing power for a competitive FPS title. The consistent frame rate drops with resolution increases confirm that the Arc B390, with its 1536 shading units and 24 ROPs, is the bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the 179 FPS average shows the CPU can feed the GPU effectively, but the GPU cannot translate that into higher frame rates at more demanding settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 2535 out of 2870 tested combinations places this system in the 12th percentile of all tested CPU-GPU pairings in Counter-Strike 2. This is a low ranking, but it must be interpreted in context. The Arc B390 is an integrated GPU, and its standalone benchmark percentile of 9th percentile against all GPUs suggests that most discrete graphics cards outperform it. The Ryzen 5 5500, by contrast, sits at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating that the processor is a mid-range performer relative to the broader market.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are all entry-level discrete or older integrated solutions. The Arc B390's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M, 2.5% higher than the GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% higher than the GT 710. These deltaPct values are all positive, meaning the Arc B390 edges out these legacy parts, but the margins are slim—under 3% in every case. This places the B390 in a performance class that is far below modern discrete GPUs, explaining the low combo rank.

The CPU's nearest rivals show a tighter clustering. The Ryzen 5 5500's average benchmark score of 19593 is 0.1% below the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (19617), 0.4% below the Intel Core i5-12500 (19668), 0.5% above the Intel Core i7-10700F (19499), and 0.7% below the Intel Core i5-11600KF (19723). These deltas are all within 1%, indicating that the Ryzen 5 5500 is competitively positioned among its peers. The CPU is not the reason for the low combo rank; the GPU is.

In practical terms, this combo ranks below the vast majority of systems that feature any discrete GPU. The 2870 total combos include many pairings with dedicated graphics cards, and the Arc B390's integrated nature puts it at a fundamental disadvantage. However, within the context of integrated-only systems, the data suggests this is a serviceable combination for older or esports titles at lower settings, though Counter-Strike 2's requirements prove challenging at higher presets.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process node. Its base clock is 300 MHz, with a boost clock of 2500 MHz. The memory configuration is entirely system-shared, meaning the GPU has no dedicated VRAM and instead uses the host system's memory. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which is a critical detail because it means performance will vary based on the CPU's memory subsystem.

The Ryzen 5 5500 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This is the ceiling for the Arc B390's memory access, and it is substantially lower than what discrete GPUs with dedicated GDDR6 or GDDR6X memory can achieve. The system-shared memory architecture explains why the GPU's performance degrades so sharply at higher resolutions: the bandwidth required to feed 4K resolution textures and frame buffers exceeds what the shared DDR4 bus can provide.

The GPU's compute specifications are modest. It has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 render output units. The texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, and the pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s. The FP32 throughput is 7.680 TFLOPS, with FP16 at 15.36 TFLOPS (2:1 ratio). These figures place the B390 in a class similar to low-end discrete GPUs from several generations ago, which aligns with its 9th percentile ranking among all GPUs.

The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score of 1482 is the only GPU benchmark provided, and it is a low result. The nearest rivals all score between 1443 and 1463, confirming that the B390 performs at the level of GPUs from the early 2010s. In Counter-Strike 2, this translates to the measured FPS figures: playable at 1080p Low (179 FPS) but struggling at 4K Ultra (32 FPS). The 12 RT cores are present, but they have no meaningful impact on this DX11-era title, which does not utilize ray tracing.

The TDP of 80 W is notable for an integrated GPU, but it shares power with the CPU in the same package. The bus interface is listed as IGP, and the display outputs are "Portable Device Dependent," suggesting this is intended for laptops or compact systems rather than desktop gaming rigs. The GPU's release date of January 2026 indicates a recent addition to the market, but its performance profile is decidedly entry-level.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for optimal settings in Counter-Strike 2. At 1080p, the Low preset delivers an average of 179 FPS, which is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate common among competitive monitors. This is the best choice for players prioritizing frame rate and responsiveness. The Medium preset at 1080p averages 149 FPS, with a minimum of 126 FPS, which still provides a smooth experience on 120 Hz displays but with improved visual fidelity.

At 1440p, the Low preset averages 118 FPS, which is adequate for 100 Hz or 120 Hz monitors. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 98 FPS, with a minimum of 84 FPS, which may introduce noticeable dips below 90 FPS during intense firefights. For 1440p, Low is the recommended preset to maintain a competitive frame rate, as the jump to Medium costs 20 FPS on average.

At 4K, the situation is more constrained. The Low preset averages 66 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive play. The Medium preset drops to 55 FPS, and High falls to 41 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K averages only 32 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. For 4K, Low is the only viable option, and even then, players may need to accept a frame rate that is below what competitive shooters typically require.

The High preset at 1080p averages 111 FPS, which is playable but not optimal for high-refresh-rate displays. The Ultra preset at 1080p averages 86 FPS, which is usable but represents a significant drop from Medium. Given that Medium at 1080p provides 149 FPS average with a 126 FPS minimum, it offers the best balance of visual quality and performance for players who want more than the lowest settings. For maximum competitiveness, Low at 1080p is the clear choice, with 179 FPS average.

The data shows that the Medium preset at 1080p is the sweet spot for this combo. It delivers a 149 FPS average, which is 30 FPS higher than High and 63 FPS higher than Ultra, while the visual upgrade over Low is significant. The minimum FPS of 126 ensures that frame drops remain above the 120 Hz threshold. At higher resolutions, the recommendation shifts to Low, as the GPU cannot maintain adequate frame rates at Medium or above.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this system in Counter-Strike 2?

A: The data shows 1080p Low delivers 179 FPS average, which is the highest measured result. For better visuals, 1080p Medium provides 149 FPS average with a 126 FPS minimum. At 1440p, Low is recommended with 118 FPS average. At 4K, Low is the only playable option at 66 FPS average.

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

A: The Arc B390's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is 1.3% higher than the GT 520MX, 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M, 2.5% higher than the GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% higher than the GT 710. All deltas are under 3%, placing it in the same performance tier as these legacy entry-level GPUs.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this combination?

A: The data clearly indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The combo ranks 2535th out of 2870 in Counter-Strike 2, and the GPU's 9th percentile ranking versus the CPU's 73rd percentile shows a significant imbalance. Frame rates drop sharply with resolution increases, which is characteristic of GPU limitation.

Q: What are the Ryzen 5 5500's key specifications?

A: The CPU has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz. It has 16 MB of L3 cache, 64 KB L1 per core, and 512 KB L2 per core. It supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Counter-Strike 2?

A: At 4K Low, the average FPS is 66, which is playable but not competitive. At 4K Medium, the average drops to 55 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it falls to 32 FPS. The GPU's system-shared memory architecture limits 4K performance significantly.

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 5500 compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500's average benchmark score of 19593 is 0.1% below the Ryzen AI 5 430, 0.4% below the Core i5-12500, 0.5% above the Core i7-10700F, and 0.7% below the Core i5-11600KF. All deltas are within 1%, showing competitive performance.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The CPU supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, which is relevant because the Arc B390 relies on this shared memory for its operation.

The CPU's benchmark results show a balanced profile. In Cinebench R23, it scores 16429 in multi-core and 2319 in single-core. In Geekbench, it achieves 7976 in multi-core and 1730 in single-core. The 3DMark results show 836 in single-thread, 1645 in 2-threads, 3151 in 4-threads, 4593 in 8-threads, and 5386 in 16-threads (which effectively means max threads for a 12-thread CPU). These scores indicate that the CPU is well-suited for gaming workloads, which typically rely on single-thread performance and moderate multi-threading.

The CPU's percentile rank of 73rd among all tested CPUs places it above the median. Its average benchmark score of 19593 is remarkably close to its nearest rivals, with all deltas under 1%. This suggests that the Ryzen 5 5500 provides performance comparable to mid-range Intel and AMD offerings from the same era, including the Core i5-12500 and Core i5-11600KF. The PassMark multi-thread score of 19330 reinforces this positioning.

In Counter-Strike 2, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic. The measured FPS at 1080p Low (179 FPS average) indicates that the CPU can push frame rates well above what the GPU can render at higher settings. The fact that the FPS drops to 32 at 4K Ultra despite the same CPU shows that the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU is likely capable of higher frame rates than any of the measured results, as evidenced by the 179 FPS ceiling at 1080p Low.

The CPU's 65 W TDP and 7 nm process node make it an efficient choice for budget systems. The launch MSRP is $159, which positions it as an entry-level desktop processor. However, the CPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks shows it is not a weak link in this combination. The 16 MB L3 cache is modest by modern standards, but it is sufficient for a game like Counter-Strike 2, which is not cache-hungry compared to other titles.

The Ryzen 5 5500's memory support for DDR4 is a double-edged sword in this context. While DDR4 is inexpensive and widely available, the 51.2 GB/s bandwidth limits the Arc B390's performance. A system with faster memory, such as DDR5, would theoretically improve the GPU's results, but the CPU is locked to DDR4. This is a systemic limitation that affects the entire combo's performance at higher resolutions.

The CPU's multi-threaded performance, as shown by the Cinebench R20 score of 6900 and R15 score of 1656, is adequate for background tasks and streaming while gaming. The single-thread scores, such as the 973 in R20 and 233 in R15, are sufficient for Counter-Strike 2's engine, which is known to be CPU-sensitive in certain scenarios. However, the data shows that in this specific combo, the CPU never becomes the bottleneck, as the GPU is consistently the limiting factor across all tested settings.