Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Arc B570 combination produces exceptionally high frame rates in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with all measured settings and resolutions exceeding 119 FPS on average. The data indicates a system heavily biased toward CPU performance, given the processor's 8 cores and 16 threads running at a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D, part of the Zen 5 Granite Ridge architecture on a 4 nm process, features a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is particularly relevant for a game like CS:GO that often responds well to large cache pools. While the GPU's 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus provides 380.0 GB/s of bandwidth, the benchmark results show that even at 4K, the frame rates remain high enough to suggest the CPU is doing much of the heavy lifting, making this a potent pairing for competitive play.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a desktop processor from the 9000 series, built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename. It has 8 physical cores and 16 threads, which is a configuration well-suited for modern gaming workloads. The base clock is listed at 4.70 GHz, with a boost clock reaching 5.20 GHz, and the processor has a TDP of 120 W. This high clock speed, combined with the 96 MB of shared L3 cache, is a critical factor in CS:GO performance, a game that is notoriously sensitive to single-threaded performance and cache latency. The benchmark data for this CPU shows a strong single-core capability, with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 1212 and a passmark_single_thread score of 4430, which helps explain the high average FPS numbers seen across all tested resolutions.

The CPU's performance relative to its peers, as indicated by its 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs, reinforces its position as a high-end part. Its average benchmark score of 39768 places it in close competition with several other AMD processors. For instance, it is only 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS, which has an average score of 39603, and 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 with a score of 39485. Conversely, it trails the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 by 0.7% (score 40048) and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 by 0.8% (score 40081). These deltas are minimal, suggesting that while the 9800X3D is a top-tier chip, its raw computational power in synthetic tests is very similar to those rivals; the differentiator in CS:GO is likely its cache architecture and clock speeds, which are not fully captured by those aggregate scores.

In the context of this game, the CPU's role appears dominant. The measured FPS at 1080p Low is 465, which is significantly higher than the 343 FPS at 1080p High. This scaling indicates that when the GPU is less burdened, the CPU is capable of pushing frame rates to very high levels. The 16 threads ensure that background tasks and game logic do not create bottlenecks, while the high boost clock of 5.20 GHz allows for rapid processing of the game's simulation and input handling. The data suggests that this processor provides a massive headroom for frame generation, making it an ideal match for esports titles where high refresh rates are paramount.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B570 is a discrete graphics card based on the Xe2-HPG architecture, code-named Battlemage, and it is part of the Arc 5 generation. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, which yields a memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The core clock is fixed at 2500 MHz for both base and boost, with memory running at 2375 MHz (19 Gbps effective). The GPU has 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output pipelines, along with 18 ray tracing cores. Its performance in synthetic benchmarks places it in the 65th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 20556.

Comparing the Arc B570 to its nearest rivals, the data shows a tight grouping. It is just 0.1% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (score 20534) and 0.4% ahead of the NVIDIA Quadro M4000M (score 20480). It is 0.1% behind the Intel Arc A750 (score 20582) and 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon R9 M390X (score 20662). These small deltaPct values suggest that the Arc B570 offers performance in line with its direct competitors in general compute tasks. However, in CS:GO, the GPU's role is secondary to the CPU, as evidenced by the frame rate scaling across settings.

The GPU's VRAM capacity of 10 GB is more than sufficient for CS:GO, which is not a demanding title in terms of memory usage. The memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s is also ample for this game's needs. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 119, which is still playable, but the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at the same resolution highlights the GPU's influence at higher graphical loads. For instance, at 4K, moving from Low (189 FPS) to High (139 FPS) results in a 50 FPS drop, which is a ~26% reduction. This indicates that while the CPU is the primary driver of performance, the Arc B570's shading and fill rate capabilities become a limiting factor as the resolution and settings increase.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

Examining the measured FPS across resolutions reveals a clear pattern of scaling that points to the CPU as the primary bottleneck at lower resolutions, with the GPU becoming more relevant as the resolution climbs. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 465. This drops to 320 at 1440p and further to 189 at 4K. This represents a 31% decrease when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a 59% decrease from 1080p to 4K. The substantial drop from 1440p to 4K (from 320 to 189 FPS, a 41% reduction) indicates that the GPU is struggling to keep up with the increased pixel count, as the CPU has more than enough headroom to feed frames at lower resolutions.

The pattern is similar for High settings. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 343. This drops to 236 at 1440p (a 31% decrease) and then to 139 at 4K (a 41% decrease from 1440p). The consistent percentage drops between resolutions suggest a balanced scaling, but the absolute FPS numbers at 1080p remain extraordinarily high. For context, the gap between Low and High settings at 1080p is 122 FPS (465 vs 343), which is a 26% difference. At 4K, the gap between Low and High is 50 FPS (189 vs 139), a similar percentage difference of 26%. This consistency implies that the GPU is handling the extra graphical load of higher settings proportionally, but the CPU is still able to maintain a high baseline.

The data strongly suggests that at 1080p, the CPU is the limiting component, as the frame rates are so high that the GPU is not fully utilized. At 4K, the GPU becomes more of a limiting factor, as evidenced by the lower FPS and the fact that the scaling from Low to Ultra settings (189 to 119 FPS, a 37% drop) is more pronounced. The 4K Medium setting shows an average FPS of 161, with a minimum of 137 and a maximum of 185, which provides a useful range for understanding frame time consistency. Overall, this combination shows that for competitive play at 1080p or 1440p, the CPU's power is the main driver, while at 4K, the Arc B570's capabilities are the primary constraint.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Arc B570 is ranked 2271 out of 2848 tested combos in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. This places it in the 79.7th percentile of all tested configurations, meaning it outperforms roughly 80% of the other combos in the database. While this might seem like a modest ranking for such a high-end CPU, it is important to consider the context. The ranking is based on a combination of the CPU and GPU, and the Arc B570 is not a top-tier graphics card, which likely drags down the overall combo ranking despite the CPU's excellent performance.

The rank of 2271 out of 2848 indicates that there are many combinations that achieve higher average FPS in this game. This is likely because CS:GO is heavily CPU-bound, and many other combos may feature a similarly powerful CPU paired with a more capable GPU, allowing for higher frame rates at higher settings or resolutions. However, the data shows that this specific combo still delivers exceptionally high frame rates—over 293 FPS at 1080p Ultra—which is more than sufficient for any competitive scenario. The ranking is a relative measure, and the absolute performance is what matters for the actual gaming experience.

In terms of what this ranking means for users, it suggests that while this combo is not the absolute best for CS:GO, it is far above average. The high CPU performance ensures that the game will run smoothly even in demanding team fights, and the GPU is adequate for maintaining high frame rates at standard esports settings. The deltaPct values for the CPU and GPU rivals show that both components are in a similar performance tier as their nearest competitors, but the combo's rank is more indicative of the GPU's mid-range positioning. For users with high-refresh-rate monitors (e.g., 240Hz or 360Hz), this combo is capable of driving those displays at 1080p or 1440p with ease.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings levels. Starting at 1920x1080, the Low preset yields an average of 465 FPS, which is the highest recorded for this combo. The Medium preset averages 396 FPS, with a minimum of 337 and a maximum of 456 FPS, showing a tight frame time distribution. High settings average 343 FPS, and Ultra averages 293 FPS. This represents a 37% drop from Low to Ultra at 1080p, indicating that while the GPU is working harder, the CPU still has headroom to spare.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS figures are lower but still very high. Low settings average 320 FPS, Medium averages 273 FPS (with a min of 232 and max of 314), High averages 236 FPS, and Ultra averages 201 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1440p shows a 37% reduction as well, consistent with the 1080p pattern. The minimum FPS for Medium at 1440p is 232, which is still above the refresh rate of most monitors, ensuring a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the performance begins to reflect the GPU's limitations more clearly. Low settings average 189 FPS, Medium averages 161 FPS (with a min of 137 and max of 185), High averages 139 FPS, and Ultra averages 119 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra at 4K is also 37%, matching the other resolutions. The minimum FPS for Medium at 4K is 137, which is still playable, but the average FPS at Ultra (119) is closer to the 144Hz threshold, suggesting that users seeking 4K gaming with this combo should stick to High settings or below for a more comfortable margin.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the user's target resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p, all settings provide an average FPS well above 240, which is the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate esports monitors. The Low preset at 465 FPS is the maximum performance option, but the Medium preset at 396 FPS (with a min of 337) offers a better balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring that the frame rate never dips below the refresh rate of a 360Hz display. For most competitive players, the Medium preset at 1080p is the recommended choice, as it provides a significant visual upgrade over Low while maintaining frame rates far beyond what the human eye can perceive.

At 1440p, the Medium preset averages 273 FPS with a minimum of 232 FPS, which is ideal for a 240Hz monitor. The High preset averages 236 FPS, which is still sufficient, but the minimum FPS is not listed for High, making Medium a safer choice for consistency. The Ultra preset at 201 FPS is also viable for 240Hz, but the margin is thinner. For 1440p users, the Medium preset offers the best combination of high average FPS and a listed minimum that keeps the experience smooth, while High is a good alternative if visual fidelity is prioritized over the absolute highest frame rates.

For 4K, the situation is different. The High preset averages 139 FPS, which is suitable for a 144Hz monitor but leaves little headroom for demanding scenes. The Medium preset averages 161 FPS with a minimum of 137 FPS, which is a better choice for a 144Hz display, as the minimum FPS stays above the refresh rate. The Ultra preset at 119 FPS is playable but may dip below 120 FPS, which could be noticeable on some high-refresh monitors. The Low preset at 189 FPS is the best for maximum performance at 4K, but it sacrifices visual quality. Therefore, for 4K users, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, as it balances the visual fidelity of higher settings with a frame rate that comfortably exceeds 144Hz.

FAQ

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

A: The highest average frame rate is 465 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rival?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768, which is 0.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (score 39603) and 0.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 (score 39485). It is 0.7% lower than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (score 40048) and 0.8% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (score 40081).

Q: What is the average FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings?

A: At 2560x1440 resolution with High settings, the average FPS is 236.

Q: Is the GPU or CPU the limiting factor at 4K resolution?

A: At 4K resolution, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, as evidenced by the drop from 189 FPS at Low settings to 119 FPS at Ultra settings, a 37% reduction. The CPU's high performance is not the bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: What is the combo's ranking among all tested combinations in CS:GO?

A: The combo is ranked 2271 out of 2848 tested combinations, placing it in the 79.7th percentile of all tested combos.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the 1920x1080 Medium setting?

A: The minimum FPS recorded for the 1920x1080 Medium setting is 337, with a maximum of 456 FPS.