Counter-Strike 2

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F paired with the Intel Arc B390 is a combination that delivers playable frame rates in Counter-Strike 2, but its overall standing is modest. The combo ranks 2535th out of 2870 tested combinations, placing it in the lower percentile of systems. This ranking is primarily constrained by the GPU, which holds a 9th percentile standing among all tested graphics cards. However, the pairing reveals a significant performance dynamic: the CPU is capable of far higher output, but the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 2535 out of 2870 places it in the bottom 12% of all tested CPU-GPU pairings for Counter-Strike 2. This is a low position, but it is not a reflection of the CPU’s capability. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F sits in the 77th percentile among all CPUs, indicating strong processing power. The bottleneck is clearly the Intel Arc B390, which is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a 9th percentile rank among all GPUs. The data suggests a massive imbalance: a top-quartile CPU paired with a bottom-decile GPU.

Benchmark results for the GPU show a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482. Its nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (score 1463, 1.3% slower), NVIDIA GeForce 800M (score 1460, 1.5% slower), NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (score 1446, 2.5% slower), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (score 1443, 2.7% slower). This places the Arc B390 in the company of very old, entry-level discrete GPUs, indicating that its performance profile is far below what modern gaming typically requires. The CPU, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 24964, with rivals like the Intel Core i7-11850H (0.1% slower) and AMD Ryzen 5 8400F (0.2% faster) showing it is competitively matched with mid-range laptop and desktop processors.

In practical terms for Counter-Strike 2, this rank means the system will struggle to maintain high frame rates at demanding settings. The measured FPS data confirms this. The best-case scenario is at 1080p with Low settings, where the combo achieves 179 FPS. However, this is the only configuration that breaks the 170 FPS mark. At 1440p and 4K, the performance drops significantly, with the highest average at 1440p Low being 118 FPS and at 4K Low being 66 FPS. The rank of 2535 reflects a system that is playable at low settings but cannot deliver the high-refresh-rate experience that competitive Counter-Strike 2 players often seek.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, built on a 5 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This is a modern, capable desktop CPU that is well-suited for gaming workloads. Its benchmark scores are strong: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22799 and a single-core score of 3218, along with a Geekbench multi-core score of 12362 and single-core score of 2374. The CPU’s 77th percentile ranking among all CPUs confirms it is a solid performer.

In the context of Counter-Strike 2, the CPU’s role is to handle game logic, physics, and frame rendering commands. The data shows that the CPU is not the primary constraint in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo reaches 179 FPS. As the resolution increases, the FPS drops, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU’s performance is sufficient to feed the GPU at lower resolutions, but the GPU’s limited processing power prevents higher frame rates.

The CPU’s specifications support this interpretation. With 32 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR5 memory, the 7500F is designed for high-throughput tasks. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 9575 and single-core score of 1351 further illustrate its capability. The data suggests that if this CPU were paired with a more powerful GPU, the frame rates in Counter-Strike 2 would be significantly higher. The CPU’s 3DMark scores also show strong multi-threaded performance: 6376 for 16 threads, 5372 for 8 threads, and 3621 for 4 threads. This indicates that the CPU can handle the game’s thread scheduling efficiently.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F a good match for the Intel Arc B390 in Counter-Strike 2?

A: The data indicates a significant mismatch. The CPU is a capable performer, ranking in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 9th percentile. This results in the GPU being the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions, where the CPU’s potential is not fully utilized.

Q: What is the best performance this combo can achieve in Counter-Strike 2?

A: The highest average FPS measured is 179 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration that exceeds 170 FPS. At 1440p, the best average is 118 FPS (also with Low settings), and at 4K, the best average is 66 FPS.

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

A: The Arc B390 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (score 1463, 1.3% slower), NVIDIA GeForce 800M (score 1460, 1.5% slower), NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (score 1446, 2.5% slower), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (score 1443, 2.7% slower). This shows it is only marginally faster than these very old entry-level GPUs.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers 179 FPS, while the Ultra preset delivers 86 FPS. This is a difference of 93 FPS, indicating a significant performance cost for higher visual quality settings.

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

A: The measured data shows that at 3840x2160, the average FPS is 66 on Low, 55 on Medium, 41 on High, and 32 on Ultra settings. While the game is technically playable at 4K Low, the frame rates are below what is generally considered smooth for a competitive FPS.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit performance in this combo?

A: The data points to the GPU as the limiting component. As resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, the average FPS drops significantly (e.g., from 179 to 66 on Low settings), which is a characteristic of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU’s high benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22799, indicate it has more than enough headroom.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo’s performance across resolutions and settings. The tests were conducted at three resolutions (1920x1080, 2560x1440, 3840x2160) and four settings presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra).

At 1920x1080, the performance is at its peak:

• Low: 179 FPS average
• Medium: 149 FPS average (minimum 126, maximum 171)
• High: 111 FPS average
• Ultra: 86 FPS average

At 2560x1440, the frame rates drop considerably:

• Low: 118 FPS average
• Medium: 98 FPS average (minimum 84, maximum 113)
• High: 73 FPS average
• Ultra: 57 FPS average

At 3840x2160, the performance is the weakest:

• Low: 66 FPS average
• Medium: 55 FPS average (minimum 47, maximum 63)
• High: 41 FPS average
• Ultra: 32 FPS average

The data shows a consistent pattern. The Low preset is the only one that provides a comfortable margin above 60 FPS at 1080p and 1440p. The Medium preset offers playable frame rates at 1080p (149 FPS) but dips below 100 FPS at 1440p (98 FPS). The High and Ultra presets are only suitable for 1080p, with 111 FPS and 86 FPS respectively. At 4K, all presets fall below 70 FPS, with the Ultra preset being nearly unplayable at 32 FPS.

The average FPS values are the primary metric, but the minimum and maximum data for the Medium preset provides additional insight. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 126 FPS, which is still smooth. At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 84 FPS, which can be noticeable in fast-paced scenes. At 4K Medium, the minimum drops to 47 FPS, which is likely to cause stuttering during intense action.

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling analysis reveals the nature of the bottleneck in this system. When moving from 1080p to 1440p, the average FPS drops by a significant margin across all settings. For example, on Low settings, the FPS goes from 179 to 118, a reduction of 34%. On High settings, it drops from 111 to 73, a reduction of 34%. This is a substantial decrease that indicates the GPU is struggling with the increased pixel count.

The scaling from 1440p to 4K is even more pronounced. On Low settings, the FPS drops from 118 to 66, a reduction of 44%. On High settings, it drops from 73 to 41, a reduction of 44%. This steeper decline at higher resolutions is a classic sign of a GPU that is severely overburdened. The fill rate and shading power of the Intel Arc B390 are simply not sufficient for 4K rendering.

The data suggests that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this scenario. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively constant as the resolution increases, because the CPU would be the one maxed out. Instead, the FPS drops consistently and significantly with each resolution increase, which confirms that the GPU is the primary constraint. The CPU’s performance, as evidenced by its high benchmark scores, is more than adequate to handle the game’s logic at these frame rates. The GPU’s limited pixel rate (60.00 GPixel/s) and texture rate (120.0 GTexel/s) are the key hardware specs that explain this behavior.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and the user’s priority between frame rate and visual fidelity.

For 1920x1080, the Medium preset is the recommended choice for the best balance of performance and visual quality. It delivers 149 FPS average, which is well above the 144 Hz refresh rate common in competitive gaming monitors. The minimum FPS of 126 ensures that the experience remains smooth even in chaotic firefights. While the Low preset offers a higher frame rate (179 FPS), the Medium preset provides better visuals with only a 17% performance penalty. The High preset is playable at 111 FPS, but the Ultra preset is not recommended for competitive play due to its 86 FPS average.

For 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only viable option for a competitive experience. It delivers 118 FPS average, which is playable, but the Medium preset’s 98 FPS average is borderline. The minimum FPS of 84 on Medium could lead to noticeable hitches. The High and Ultra presets are too demanding, with 73 FPS and 57 FPS averages respectively, which are not suitable for a fast-paced shooter. Therefore, for 1440p, sacrificing visual quality is necessary to maintain a decent frame rate.

For 3840x2160, the Low preset is the only setting that provides a playable frame rate, with an average of 66 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 55 FPS, which is marginal, and the High and Ultra presets (41 and 32 FPS) are unplayable. Even with Low settings, the 66 FPS average may not feel smooth enough for competitive play on a high-refresh-rate 4K monitor. This combo is not recommended for 4K gaming in Counter-Strike 2. The data clearly shows that the system is best suited for 1080p gaming with Medium settings, where it can deliver a high and consistent frame rate.