Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a title where high frame rates are the primary goal, and this pairing of an Intel Core i5-10400F with an Intel Arc B570 delivers in spades. The data shows a system that is heavily optimized for competitive play, offering exceptional performance at standard esports resolutions while maintaining playable frame rates even at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured performance, the role of each component, and how this specific combination stacks up against the broader field of tested hardware.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K clearly illustrates where the performance bottleneck lies for this configuration. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 465 FPS. This is an enormous frame rate that far exceeds the refresh rate of virtually all monitors, indicating that the CPU is the primary limiting factor at this resolution. The GPU is not being taxed heavily, and the game's engine is able to process frames as fast as the processor can feed them. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings, the average drops to 320 FPS, a significant 31% reduction in performance. This substantial drop suggests that while the CPU is still a major contributor, the GPU's rendering load is starting to become a more significant factor. The trend continues at 3840x2160, where Low settings yield an average of 189 FPS. This represents a 41% drop from the 1440p figure and a 59% drop from 1080p, confirming that at 4K, the Intel Arc B570 is now the definitive bottleneck, working much harder to push the increased pixel count.

The scaling pattern across different quality presets reinforces this analysis. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is 172 FPS (465 down to 293 FPS), a 37% performance penalty for maximum visual fidelity. This is a relatively modest penalty at a resolution where the CPU is still doing the heavy lifting. However, at 4K, the gap between Low and Ultra is only 70 FPS (189 down to 119 FPS), a 37% penalty as well, but the absolute numbers are much lower. The fact that the 4K Ultra average of 119 FPS is still above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay is noteworthy, but the headroom is limited. The data indicates that at 1080p and 1440p, the system is "CPU-bound," meaning the processor's speed dictates the maximum frame rate. At 4K, the system transitions to being "GPU-bound," where the graphics card's raw rendering power is the limiting factor. The 119 FPS at 4K Ultra is still a very strong result for a demanding resolution, but it shows a clear shift in system dynamics.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Comet Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. In a game like CS:GO, which is notoriously sensitive to single-thread performance, the boost clock is critical. The benchmark data shows a single-thread score of 688 in 3dmark and 2541 in Passmark, which are strong figures for a processor of its generation. The processor's 12 MB of shared L3 cache also helps keep frequently accessed game data close at hand. The benchmark results for the CPU show it performs at the 68th percentile when compared to all other CPUs, indicating it is a solid, above-average performer. Its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon 6756E, has a nearly identical average score, with a delta of only 0.2%, meaning the i5-10400F is functionally equivalent in raw compute power to that server chip.

The impact of the CPU is most evident in the 1080p and 1440p results. At these resolutions, the frame rates are so high that the CPU's ability to process game logic and draw calls is the deciding factor. For instance, the jump from 2560x1440 Low to 1920x1080 Low is 145 FPS, which is a massive gain that can only be attributed to reducing the GPU's workload enough to let the CPU stretch its legs. While the GPU is still rendering the scene, the CPU is able to prepare frames much faster than the GPU can render them. The 12 threads of the i5-10400F are also beneficial for handling background tasks and the game's audio and network processing, ensuring that the core game logic isn't starved for resources. The data suggests that this CPU is an excellent match for high-refresh-rate esports gaming, as it provides the necessary headroom to push frame rates to their limits in less demanding scenarios.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations, this specific pairing of the Core i5-10400F and Arc B570 holds a rank of 2271 out of 2848 total combinations. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems for this specific game. While this might seem like a low ranking, it is crucial to contextualize this within the game's performance profile. The database includes many combinations with top-tier, high-end components (e.g., latest flagship CPUs and GPUs) that are designed to push frame rates into the 700-800+ range at 1080p. This combination, while delivering excellent real-world performance, is not competing in that extreme high-end tier. The rank reflects its position relative to the absolute best of the best, not its ability to provide a great gaming experience.

The performance data suggests that the combo's rank is more heavily influenced by the GPU's raw score. The Arc B570's average benchmark score is 20556, placing it at the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the Intel Arc A750, which has a nearly identical average score, with a delta of -0.1%. This indicates the B570 is a mid-to-high-tier graphics card. The CPU, while strong, doesn't push the combo into the top echelons. The ranking implies that in a head-to-head comparison against systems with more powerful GPUs or CPUs, this combo will lose in raw FPS. However, the measured FPS figures tell the real story: this is a very capable pairing that will deliver a smooth and highly responsive experience in CS:GO. The rank is a relative measure against the entire spectrum of hardware, and its position is a reflection of the mid-range nature of its components, not a judgment on its absolute capability.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates provide a comprehensive picture of the system's capabilities across different settings and resolutions.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The average FPS is 465. This is the highest recorded frame rate for this combo and demonstrates the CPU's ability to drive the game at extreme speeds.
• Medium: The average FPS is 396, with a minimum of 337 and a maximum of 456. The 69 FPS drop from Low to Medium shows the GPU starting to take on more work.
• High: The average FPS is 343. This is still an exceptionally high frame rate, well beyond the needs of any high-refresh-rate monitor.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 293. This is the most demanding setting at 1080p and still provides a fluid experience, though it is 37% slower than the Low preset.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average FPS is 320. This is a 31% drop from the 1080p Low result, indicating the increased pixel load is now affecting performance.
• Medium: The average FPS is 273, with a minimum of 232 and a maximum of 314. This remains an excellent result for 1440p.
• High: The average FPS is 236. This is more than enough for a 144Hz or even a 165Hz monitor.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 201. This is a very strong result, showing the GPU can handle 1440p with maximum settings while still providing a high frame rate.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average FPS is 189. This shows the GPU is now the primary bottleneck, but it still delivers a very playable frame rate.
• Medium: The average FPS is 161, with a minimum of 137 and a maximum of 185. This is a solid result for 4K gaming.
• High: The average FPS is 139. This is above the 120 FPS mark, making it suitable for high-refresh-rate 4K monitors.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 119. This is the lowest result in the dataset, but it is still above the 60 FPS baseline for smooth gameplay, proving the combo can handle 4K.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture (Battlemage) using a 5 nm process at TSMC. It features 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 render output units. The GPU is equipped with 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. Its boost clock is listed at 2500 MHz, and it supports PCIe 4.0 x8. The GPU's average benchmark score is 20556, placing it at the 65th percentile of all GPUs, with its nearest rival being the Intel Arc A750, which is only 0.1% slower in average score. This confirms the B570 is a competent mid-range performer.

The GPU's role becomes increasingly important as resolution and settings are increased. At 1080p, the GPU is not fully utilized, and the CPU is the limiting factor. However, the jump from 1080p Low to 4K Low shows a 59% drop in performance, which is almost entirely due to the GPU's workload increasing. The GPU's 10 GB of VRAM is sufficient for CS:GO at all tested settings and resolutions, as the game is not particularly VRAM-hungry. The 380.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth is also adequate, preventing any significant bottlenecks. The data shows that the Arc B570 is a capable card that scales well with resolution, though its performance ceiling is reached at 4K, where it provides playable but not extreme frame rates. Its performance relative to the Arc A750 shows it is a natural successor, offering a similar level of performance in this title.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate this combo can achieve in CS:GO?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 465 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: Is this system capable of playing CS:GO at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, the data shows playable frame rates at 4K. The average FPS ranges from 189 at Low settings to 119 at Ultra settings.

Q: At what resolution does the system become limited by the GPU instead of the CPU?

A: The data indicates a transition. At 1080p, the CPU is the main limiter. The performance drop becomes more pronounced at 2560x1440, and by 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-10400F compare to its closest rival, the Intel Xeon 6756E, in overall CPU benchmarks?

A: The two processors are nearly identical in performance. The i5-10400F's average score is 14185, while the Xeon 6756E's is 14163, a difference of only 0.2%.

Q: What is the lowest average frame rate recorded for this combination?

A: The lowest average is 119 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1920x1080?

A: At 1080p, the average frame rate drops from 465 FPS on Low to 293 FPS on Ultra, a difference of 172 FPS or a 37% reduction in performance.