Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 remains one of the most demanding titles in the benchmark suite, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-11400F with the Intel Arc B580 produces a data set that clearly illustrates the balance between CPU and GPU load. The measured frames per second across three resolutions and four quality presets reveal a system that is consistently bound by the graphics processor, with the central processor providing a stable foundation that rarely becomes the primary constraint.

Resolution Scaling

The measured data for this combo shows a predictable and steep decline in average frame rate as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system produces an average of 86 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average drops to 64 FPS, a reduction of roughly 25.6%. Pushing further to 3840x2160, the average falls to 42 FPS, which is another 34.4% decrease from the 1440p figure. This scaling pattern indicates that the rendering resolution is the dominant factor in performance, as the workload on the graphics card grows disproportionately with pixel count.

The trend is consistent across all settings presets. At High settings, the average frame rate goes from 47 FPS at 1080p, to 35 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 23 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K at High is approximately 51.1%, which is significant but not as extreme as the Low preset’s 51.2% drop. At Ultra settings, the progression is 44 FPS at 1080p, 33 FPS at 1440p, and 22 FPS at 4K. The absolute difference between 1080p and 4K at Ultra is only 22 FPS, suggesting that the game’s most demanding settings place such a heavy load on the GPU that even the resolution increase has a slightly muted relative effect, though the absolute numbers remain low.

What this resolution scaling data reveals about the limiting component is clear. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a much smaller difference between 1080p and 1440p, as the CPU’s work does not scale with resolution in the same way. Instead, the consistent and large drops at every step indicate that the Intel Arc B580 is the limiting factor in this configuration. The 12 GB of GDDR6 memory and 456.0 GB/s of bandwidth are being saturated by the game’s demands at higher resolutions, particularly at 4K where the average frame rates fall below 30 FPS for Medium and High presets. The data suggests that for a smoother experience at 4K, the settings must be reduced to Low to achieve a playable 42 FPS average.

How This Combo Ranks

In the comprehensive database of tested combinations for Cyberpunk 2077, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-11400F and Intel Arc B580 holds a rank of 2803 out of 3716 total combos. This places it in the lower half of all systems tested, which is consistent with the measured frame rates that show it struggling to maintain high refresh rates at 1440p and 4K. The percentile position indicates that while this is not the weakest configuration, it is far from the top tier, and users should calibrate their expectations accordingly.

Looking at the individual component benchmarks provides context for this ranking. The Core i5-11400F sits at the 71st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17177. Its nearest rivals in the CPU database include the AMD EPYC 7H12, which scores 17120, a delta of 0.3% higher, and the Intel Core i5-12450H, which scores 17239, a delta of 0.4% higher. The i5-11400F is essentially on par with these processors, showing that its processing power is not a weak link in the chain. The GPU, however, tells a different story. The Intel Arc B580 is at the 68th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23021. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, which scores 23061, a delta of 0.2% higher, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, which scores 22895, a delta of 0.6% lower.

The deltaPct values between the CPU and its rivals are all within 1%, indicating that the processor’s performance is well within the expected range for its class. The GPU, similarly, is closely matched with its rivals, but the overall combo rank of 2803 suggests that the combination of these two components does not boost the system to a higher performance tier in this specific game. The data indicates that the CPU is performing as expected, and the GPU is also performing as expected, but the pair together lands in a lower percentile due to the demanding nature of Cyberpunk 2077. The ranking reflects that this combo is suitable for 1080p gaming with high settings, but it is not positioned to handle 4K Ultra graphics without significant compromises.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo to maintain a 60 FPS average?

A: The data shows that at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 86 FPS. At 2560x1440 with Low settings, the average drops to 64 FPS. No other setting or resolution combination in the measured data reaches a 60 FPS average, so 1440p Low is the highest resolution that can achieve this target.

Q: How does the CPU performance compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400F has an average benchmark score of 17177. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 7H12, scores 17120, which is 0.3% lower. The Intel Core i5-12450H scores 17239, which is 0.4% higher. These deltas are minimal, showing the CPU is competitive with its peers.

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

A: Yes. At 3840x2160, the average frame rates are 42 FPS at Low, 31 FPS at Medium, 23 FPS at High, and 22 FPS at Ultra. The significant drop from 1440p to 4K across all settings indicates the Intel Arc B580 is the primary constraint, as the CPU’s workload does not increase with resolution.

Q: What is the frame time consistency at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the combo produces an average of 47 FPS, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 54 FPS. This shows a variance of 14 FPS, indicating some frame time spikes but no severe stuttering.

Q: Does the CPU hold the system back in any of the tested configurations?

A: The data does not indicate a CPU bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 86 FPS, and the CPU’s 6 cores and 12 threads with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz are sufficient to feed the GPU. The scaling pattern points to the GPU as the limiting factor in all tested scenarios.

Q: How does the GPU’s average score compare to the RTX 2080?

A: The Intel Arc B580 has an average benchmark score of 23021. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 has an average score of 22895, which is 0.6% lower. This indicates the Arc B580 is slightly faster in aggregate benchmarks, though in-game performance may vary.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rate data for this combo provides a complete picture of its performance across the tested settings. At the lowest resolution of 1920x1080, the system shows its best results. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 86 FPS, which is the highest figure recorded for this combo. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 63 FPS, with a minimum of 54 FPS and a maximum of 73 FPS. The High preset produces an average of 47 FPS, and the Ultra preset yields 44 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 42 FPS, demonstrating the significant impact of quality settings on performance.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales down as expected. Low settings produce an average of 64 FPS, which remains the only 1440p setting to break the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings average 47 FPS, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 54 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 35 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 33 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 31 FPS, showing that the GPU’s limitations become more pronounced as the pixel count increases.

The 3840x2160 results are the most demanding for this hardware. Low settings yield an average of 42 FPS, which is the only playable result at this resolution. Medium settings produce an average of 31 FPS, with a minimum of 26 FPS and a maximum of 36 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 23 FPS, and Ultra settings average 22 FPS. The spread between Low and Ultra at 4K is only 20 FPS, indicating that even the lowest settings cannot provide a high frame rate due to the sheer number of pixels being rendered. The data clearly shows that the Intel Arc B580’s 12 GB of VRAM and 456.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for a fluid 4K experience, but the card is capable at 1080p and can handle 1440p with adjusted settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process node. It has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The CPU’s benchmark scores provide context for its role in this game. In Cinebench R23, it scores 14340 in multi-core and 2024 in single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 7737 multi-core and 1777 single-core. These numbers indicate a solid mid-range processor that is not the performance ceiling for this combo.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the CPU’s role is to manage game logic, physics, and draw calls, which are tasks that do not scale with resolution. The data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this system. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 86 FPS, which is a high frame rate that requires the CPU to feed the GPU efficiently. The fact that the frame rate drops significantly when moving to 1440p and 4K, without a corresponding change in CPU load, confirms that the graphics card is the limiting factor. The CPU’s 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for this game, and its performance is on par with its nearest rivals, as evidenced by the 0.3% delta with the AMD EPYC 7H12 and the 0.4% delta with the Intel Core i5-12450H. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 17177 places it at the 71st percentile, which is a strong showing for a processor that is no longer in production.

The CPU’s boost clock of 4.40 GHz is particularly relevant for gaming, as single-threaded performance often dictates minimum frame rates. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2024 suggests that the CPU can handle the game’s primary thread without causing stutters. The data does not show any configuration where the CPU’s limitations are exposed, as the frame rates scale consistently with resolution. This indicates that the Core i5-11400F is providing a stable foundation for the Intel Arc B580 to operate, and any performance issues are directly attributable to the GPU’s capabilities.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the user’s target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 60 FPS experience, the only viable option is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which yields an average of 86 FPS. This leaves significant headroom, and the user could potentially enable higher settings while remaining above 60 FPS, though the data only shows 63 FPS at Medium settings. At 1080p Medium, the average of 63 FPS is still above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the best balance of visual quality and smoothness for users who prefer a higher fidelity experience.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the data suggests that Low settings are the only way to achieve a playable frame rate, with an average of 64 FPS. Choosing Medium settings at 1440p drops the average to 47 FPS, which is borderline for fast-paced action, but the minimum of 40 FPS may cause noticeable stutter in crowded scenes. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p are not recommended, as their averages of 35 FPS and 33 FPS respectively are below the threshold for a smooth experience. At 4K, the situation is more constrained. The Low preset yields an average of 42 FPS, which is playable for a slower-paced RPG but not ideal for combat. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets all fall below 32 FPS, which is generally considered too low for a responsive experience.

The best experience per the measured rows is achieved at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This configuration provides an average of 63 FPS with a minimum of 54 FPS, ensuring that the frame rate does not dip too low during intense moments. The visual upgrade from Low to Medium is significant, and the frame rate remains above 60 FPS on average. If the user prioritizes frame rate over visual fidelity, then 1080p Low at 86 FPS is the clear choice. For those who insist on 1440p, the Low preset at 64 FPS is the only acceptable option. The data does not support using Ultra settings at any resolution, as the maximum average of 44 FPS at 1080p is not worth the visual gain over the Medium preset.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580 is the primary performance driver in this combo, and its specifications dictate the system’s capabilities. It features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. The GPU is based on the Xe2-HPG architecture, built on TSMC’s 5 nm process, and it operates at a base and boost clock of 2670 MHz. The card has 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 80 ROPs, along with 20 ray tracing cores. Its compute performance is rated at 13.67 TFLOPS for FP32 operations, and it has a pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the GPU’s role is to handle the heavy rendering workload, including rasterization, lighting, and post-processing effects. The data shows that the Arc B580 is the limiting factor at all resolutions above 1080p Low. The GPU’s benchmark scores place it at the 68th percentile, with an average score of 23021. Its closest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, scores 23061, a delta of 0.2% higher, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895, a delta of 0.6% lower. This indicates that the Arc B580 is a competent mid-range graphics card, but it is not designed for 4K gaming.

The 12 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K, the game’s texture and geometry data can push memory usage higher. The bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s is adequate for the card’s class, but it is not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K. The measured FPS at 3840x2160 shows that even the Low preset only averages 42 FPS, highlighting the GPU’s limitations. The card’s 190 W TDP and 450 W suggested PSU indicate it is a power-hungry component, but this does not translate into high-end performance. The data confirms that the Arc B580 is best suited for 1080p gaming with high settings, where it can deliver 47 FPS, and it can handle 1440p with Low settings for a 64 FPS average. Pushing beyond these boundaries will result in sub-30 FPS experiences that are not recommended for this title.