Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is famously a CPU-bound title, but the measured data for this specific combination of the Intel Core i5-10400F and the Intel Arc B390 paints a more nuanced picture. This is a pairing where the integrated-class GPU is the clear limiting factor, yet the processor's performance headroom dictates how far the graphics settings can be pushed before the frame rate collapses. The data indicates a system that can deliver high refresh rates at 1080p, but requires careful settings management to maintain playability at higher resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a steep, predictable drop as resolution increases, but the rate of that drop reveals where the bottleneck lies. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 303 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 208 FPS, a 31% reduction. Pushing to 4K Low yields 123 FPS, a further 41% drop from 1440p. This scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU that is being overwhelmed by pixel count; the Arc B390's compute resources are insufficient to keep pace with the doubling of pixels from 1440p to 4K.

The story is similar at High settings. The 1080p High result of 223 FPS falls to 154 FPS at 1440p (a 31% loss) and then to 91 FPS at 4K (a 41% loss from 1440p). The consistency of these percentage drops across different quality presets is telling. If the CPU were the primary bottleneck, you would expect the frame rate to plateau at a certain point, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU has less work to do. Instead, the steady decline suggests the GPU is saturated at every resolution tested.

The most significant takeaway is the gap between Low and Ultra settings. At 1080p, the difference is 113 FPS (303 vs 190). At 4K, that gap narrows to 46 FPS (123 vs 77). This compression at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU's shading units, texture mapping units, and raster operations pipelines are fully engaged, leaving little headroom for the additional work that Ultra settings demand. The system is not CPU-limited at 4K; it is entirely GPU-limited. The data suggests that players seeking 144Hz or higher refresh rates will need to stay at 1080p, as the 1440p and 4K results, even on Low settings, fall below that threshold.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F provides a solid foundation with 6 cores and 12 threads, running at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its benchmark scores indicate strong multi-threaded and single-threaded capability. For instance, it scores 10283 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1451 in single-core. More relevant to gaming, its Passmark single-thread score is 2541. This is a processor that can handle the game's simulation and logic threads without breaking a sweat.

However, in this specific data set, the CPU's role is to provide enough headroom so that the GPU becomes the sole performance variable. The fact that the 1080p Low setting hits 303 FPS shows the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU far more frames than the GPU can render at higher settings. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 4748 and the max-thread score of 4735 are nearly identical, indicating that the processor is not a limiting factor even when fully loaded. The CPU is doing its job; it is not the reason frame rates fall at 4K.

The percentile ranking of 68 for the CPU versus all CPUs places it in a respectable mid-range tier. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the Intel Xeon 6756E (0.2% faster) and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C (0.6% slower), confirming that its computational power is competitive for its class. In a game like Counter-Strike, where frame pacing is critical, having a CPU that can maintain consistent frame delivery is more important than raw core count. The data confirms that the i5-10400F provides that consistency, as the minimum FPS recorded at Medium settings (219 at 1080p, 151 at 1440p, 89 at 4K) does not show any erratic stuttering that would indicate CPU hitches. The CPU is a enabler, not a constraint.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the decisive component in this configuration. Its specifications reveal its integrated-class nature: 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster operations pipelines. The boost clock is listed at 2500 MHz, but the memory is "System Shared" with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a critical detail. The lack of dedicated VRAM means the GPU must share system memory bandwidth with the CPU, which can severely impact performance, especially at higher resolutions where memory pressure increases.

The GPU's benchmark performance is underwhelming. It scores 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 and sits at the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are ancient parts like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% slower) and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (2.7% slower). This places the Arc B390 in a performance tier that is fundamentally unsuited for demanding modern titles at high resolutions. Yet, in Counter-Strike, the data shows it can produce playable frame rates, but only with significant compromises.

The GPU's role is to be the bottleneck. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra (77 FPS) is a clear sign that the GPU's compute throughput is insufficient. The pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s are theoretical limits that are being tested at 4K. The 12 ray tracing cores are irrelevant in this title, but the 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is the ceiling for the shading work. The data shows that the Arc B390 is the reason frame rates are capped at 303 FPS at 1080p Low; the CPU could likely push higher, but the GPU cannot render faster. The performance delta between the Low and Ultra presets at the same resolution is entirely attributable to the GPU's inability to handle the increased shader complexity and texture filtering loads. This is a classic case of an iGPU attempting to do a dGPU's job and falling short.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal experience depends entirely on the target resolution. For 1080p, the data strongly supports using Low settings if maximum frame rate is the goal, as it yields 303 FPS compared to 258 FPS at Medium. The jump to High (223 FPS) and Ultra (190 FPS) shows diminishing returns for visual quality at a significant cost to frame rate. However, the Medium preset offers a balanced approach with a 258 FPS average and a minimum of 219 FPS, which comfortably exceeds the 144Hz refresh rate target while providing better visuals than Low.

At 1440p, the situation changes. Low settings produce 208 FPS, which is still excellent for competitive play. Medium settings drop to 177 FPS with a minimum of 151 FPS, which is still above the 144Hz threshold. This makes Medium the best choice at 1440p for players who want a visual upgrade without sacrificing competitive performance. High settings (154 FPS) are acceptable but start to approach the edge of 144Hz territory. Ultra (131 FPS) falls below 144Hz and is not recommended for serious play.

At 4K, the data paints a grim picture for high refresh rates. Low settings produce 123 FPS, which is playable but not competitive-level. Medium settings drop to 105 FPS with a minimum of 89 FPS, which is borderline for a 90Hz display. High (91 FPS) and Ultra (77 FPS) are not recommended for any serious gaming. For 4K users, the only viable option is Low settings, and even then, the experience will be subpar compared to 1080p. The data suggests that this system is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p being a secondary option if the user is willing to accept the frame rate compromise.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Counter-Strike: Global Offensive at 144Hz?

A: Yes, but only at 1080p. The Low preset achieves 303 FPS, and the Medium preset maintains a 258 FPS average with a 219 FPS minimum. At 1440p, the Medium preset (177 FPS average, 151 FPS minimum) still clears 144Hz, but the Low preset is required for a comfortable margin. At 4K, no preset reaches 144Hz; the best result is 123 FPS on Low.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-10400F a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B390 in this game?

A: No. The data shows the CPU is not the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the system hits 303 FPS, which is likely near the GPU's maximum render capability. The CPU's benchmark scores (e.g., 10283 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) and its 68th percentile ranking indicate it has ample headroom. The frame rate drops at higher resolutions are purely due to GPU load.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at with this hardware?

A: According to the measured data, 1080p is the clear best choice. It provides the highest frame rates across all settings, with even the Ultra preset achieving 190 FPS. 1440p is viable for casual play, but 4K is not recommended for competitive gaming due to frame rates falling below 123 FPS on the best setting.

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

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482, placing it at the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, is 1.3% slower, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 is 2.7% slower. This indicates it is in the same performance class as decade-old entry-level discrete GPUs.

Q: Should I use the Ultra preset for better visuals?

A: Only if you have a low refresh rate monitor and a high tolerance for frame drops. At 1080p, Ultra yields 190 FPS, which is fine. At 1440p, it drops to 131 FPS. At 4K, it falls to 77 FPS, which is not a smooth experience for a fast-paced shooter. The Medium preset offers a better balance, with a 258 FPS average at 1080p and 177 FPS at 1440p.

Q: Is the minimum FPS data consistent across settings?

A: The measured minimums are only available for the Medium preset. At 1080p, the minimum is 219 FPS; at 1440p, it is 151 FPS; and at 4K, it is 89 FPS. These figures show that frame pacing remains stable and does not exhibit severe stuttering, indicating that the CPU is maintaining a consistent frame delivery.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents the exact average FPS recorded for each resolution and settings combination, as provided in the measured rows.

1080p (1920x1080):

• Low: 303 FPS average
• Medium: 258 FPS average, with a minimum of 219 FPS and a maximum of 296 FPS
• High: 223 FPS average
• Ultra: 190 FPS average

1440p (2560x1440):

• Low: 208 FPS average
• Medium: 177 FPS average, with a minimum of 151 FPS and a maximum of 204 FPS
• High: 154 FPS average
• Ultra: 131 FPS average

4K (3840x2160):

• Low: 123 FPS average
• Medium: 105 FPS average, with a minimum of 89 FPS and a maximum of 120 FPS
• High: 91 FPS average
• Ultra: 77 FPS average

The overall combo ranking for this hardware pairing in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is 2510 out of 2848 tested combinations. This low ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's limited performance, as the CPU is adequately powerful for the task. The data confirms that this system is best utilized at 1080p, where it can deliver high refresh rates suitable for competitive play, but it should not be expected to handle 4K gaming at reasonable frame rates.