Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 is a competitive FPS that demands high frame rates, and the data for the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with the Intel Arc B390 reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics component. While the CPU provides ample headroom, the GPU’s performance ceiling dictates the experience across all tested resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frames per second (FPS) data shows a steep and consistent penalty as resolution increases, a clear sign that the Intel Arc B390 is the limiting factor. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 179 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same Low preset drops the average to 118 FPS, a reduction of 61 FPS. The jump to 4K at Low settings further reduces the average to 66 FPS. This pattern indicates that the GPU's rendering throughput is being saturated as pixel count rises, directly throttling performance.

The scaling behavior is even more pronounced at higher graphical presets. At 1080p High, the average is 111 FPS, which falls to 73 FPS at 1440p and plummets to 41 FPS at 4K. This demonstrates that the combination of increased resolution and higher fidelity settings places an overwhelming load on the Arc B390. The GPU’s compute resources, including its 1,536 shading units and 24 ROPs, are insufficient to maintain playable frame rates at 4K with High settings, where the average dips below 60 FPS.

Interestingly, the gap between resolutions narrows at the Ultra preset. The average at 1080p Ultra is 86 FPS, while 1440p Ultra yields 57 FPS, and 4K Ultra produces just 32 FPS. While the absolute numbers are low, the percentage drop from 1080p to 4K is less severe than at Low settings. This suggests that at Ultra, the game’s graphical features become so demanding that even the CPU begins to play a more significant role in determining the final frame rate, though the GPU remains the primary bottleneck.

The data indicates that for smooth gameplay, users should target 1080p. At this resolution, even the High preset delivers an average of 111 FPS, which is adequate for most players. However, the 4K results are consistently poor across all settings, with the best average being 66 FPS at Low. This makes 4K a viable option only for those who prioritize visual fidelity over performance and are willing to tolerate sub-60 FPS averages.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a capable 8-core, 16-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz provide strong single-thread performance, which is critical for Counter-Strike 2’s engine. The CPU’s benchmark scores reflect this capability, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 13,184 and a single-core score of 1,499. These numbers place the processor in the 79th percentile compared to all CPUs, indicating it is a high-performing part.

In the context of this game, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and process game logic. Given the low FPS figures observed, particularly at 4K, the Ryzen 7 5700X is clearly not the bottleneck. The processor has enough headroom to handle frame rates far higher than what the Arc B390 can produce. For example, at 1080p Low, the system hits 179 FPS, but this is likely limited by the GPU, not the CPU. The CPU’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support are more than sufficient for a game like Counter-Strike 2.

The data shows that the CPU’s performance is consistent across resolutions. The FPS drops are almost entirely attributable to the GPU’s workload. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 32, a figure that would not stress the Ryzen 7 5700X’s 16 threads. Even the most demanding scenario in the dataset, 4K Ultra, leaves the CPU with significant idle capacity. This implies that upgrading the GPU would yield massive performance gains, while a CPU upgrade would offer little to no benefit in this specific configuration.

The Ryzen 7 5700X’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i5-12600K with a 0% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X with a -0.2% delta, show that it is competitive in general benchmarks. However, in this game, the CPU’s raw power is underutilized. The 7 nm process node and 65W TDP make it an efficient part, but those attributes do not translate into higher FPS when the GPU is the limiting component. The benchmark results indicate that the CPU is a non-factor in this pairing, serving only as a stable platform for the GPU to work from.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2,535 out of 2,870 tested combos in Counter-Strike 2. This places it in the bottom 12% of all configurations, a poor showing for a system with a modern 8-core CPU. The low ranking is almost entirely due to the GPU’s performance, which is in the 9th percentile compared to all GPUs. The Arc B390’s average benchmark score of 1,482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is indicative of its entry-level performance class.

The GPU’s nearest rivals in general benchmarks are all older, low-end parts. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX scores 1,463, a 1.3% delta, while the GeForce GT 710 scores 1,443, a 2.7% delta. This places the Arc B390 in the same performance tier as decade-old discrete GPUs. The fact that the combo ranks so low despite having a top-tier CPU highlights the severe imbalance. In a CPU-intensive game like Counter-Strike 2, the GPU is holding the entire system back.

The data shows that the combo’s rank is a direct reflection of the GPU’s limitations. While the CPU is in the 79th percentile, the GPU is in the 9th percentile. This mismatch means that the system cannot leverage the CPU’s strengths. Even at 1080p Low, where the average FPS is 179, the system is still ranked low because other combos with better GPUs achieve much higher frame rates. The rank of 2,535 out of 2,870 is a cautionary tale about pairing a high-end CPU with a low-end GPU.

For users looking to improve this system’s standing, the data suggests that replacing the GPU would have a transformative effect. The CPU has the headroom to support a much faster graphics card. However, as tested, the combo is severely underpowered for a competitive FPS, and the low rank reflects that reality. The benchmark results are clear: this is a system where the GPU is the single point of failure.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo achieves at 1080p?

A: The highest average FPS at 1080p is 179, achieved with the Low settings preset. The Medium preset delivers 149 FPS, while High and Ultra produce 111 FPS and 86 FPS, respectively.

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

A: The data shows that 4K performance is poor. The best average at 4K is 66 FPS on Low settings, but High and Ultra settings drop to 41 FPS and 32 FPS, respectively. Only the Medium preset at 4K has min/max data, showing an average of 55 FPS with a minimum of 47 FPS.

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

A: The benchmark results indicate the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The Intel Arc B390 is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The FPS drops as resolution increases are characteristic of a GPU-limited system.

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

A: In general benchmarks, the Arc B390 has an average score of 1,482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, scores 1,463, a 1.3% delta. The GeForce 800M scores 1,460 (1.5% delta), and the GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1,446 (2.5% delta).

Q: What is the combo’s overall ranking in this game?

A: The combo ranks 2,535 out of 2,870 tested combinations in Counter-Strike 2. This places it in the bottom percentile of systems, primarily due to the GPU’s low performance.

Q: What is the CPU’s single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X scores 1,499 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 921 in 3DMark single-thread. These scores indicate strong per-core performance, which is beneficial for game logic but is underutilized due to the GPU bottleneck.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the decisive factor in this system's performance, and the data shows it is woefully inadequate for a competitive FPS. With a boost clock of 2500 MHz and a base clock of 300 MHz, the GPU relies on system-shared memory, which is a significant disadvantage. Its memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," meaning it shares the system’s DDR4 bandwidth, which is a fraction of what a dedicated graphics card would offer. This architecture is reflected in its benchmark scores, where it achieves just 1,482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12.

The GPU’s specifications, including 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, are modest. Its FP32 performance of 7.680 TFLOPS and texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s are insufficient for high-resolution gaming. The 3 nm process node and Xe3-LPG architecture are modern, but the implementation is clearly geared toward low-power, integrated graphics scenarios. The GPU’s TDP of 80 W and its classification as an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) confirm that it is not designed for discrete-level gaming performance.

The measured FPS data confirms the GPU’s limitations. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 32, which is unplayable. Even at 1080p High, the average of 111 FPS is below what competitive players would expect from a dedicated gaming rig. The GPU’s percentile ranking of 9th versus all GPUs is a stark indicator of its low-end status. The nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GT 710, are ancient parts from a bygone era, yet they perform within 3% of the Arc B390.

The data shows that the GPU’s performance does not scale well with settings. At 1080p, dropping from Low to Medium reduces the average from 179 FPS to 149 FPS, a 30 FPS hit. Going from Medium to High costs another 38 FPS, and High to Ultra costs 25 FPS. This steep drop-off indicates that the GPU’s shading units and ROPs are quickly overwhelmed by increased graphical complexity. The GPU is the clear limiting component, and its performance dictates that users must sacrifice visual quality to achieve playable frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s priority: maximizing frame rate or improving visual fidelity. For competitive play, where high FPS is paramount, the Low preset at 1080p is the clear choice. It delivers an average of 179 FPS, which provides a smooth and responsive experience. The Medium preset at 1080p is a viable alternative, offering 149 FPS, which is still excellent for most players.

For users who prioritize visuals, the High preset at 1080p is the highest setting that maintains an average above 100 FPS, with a measured 111 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to 86 FPS, which is acceptable but may feel less fluid. At 1440p, the Low preset provides a solid 118 FPS average, making it a good option for those with higher-resolution monitors. The Medium preset at 1440p yields 98 FPS, which is still playable.

4K resolution is not recommended for this system. The best average at 4K is 66 FPS on Low settings, but this is below the 70 FPS threshold that many players consider the minimum for smooth gameplay. At 4K High and Ultra, the averages of 41 FPS and 32 FPS are too low for a fast-paced shooter. The data suggests that users should avoid 4K entirely or accept significant compromises in visual quality.

The Medium preset provides the best balance of performance and visual quality across resolutions. At 1080p, it offers 149 FPS, which is ideal for most gamers. At 1440p, it maintains 98 FPS, which is still smooth. The min/max data for Medium shows a minimum of 126 FPS at 1080p and 84 FPS at 1440p, indicating stable frame pacing. Therefore, the Medium preset at 1080p or 1440p is the recommended configuration for this hardware combo, offering a compromise that keeps the game playable without sacrificing too much visual detail.