Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver, with its 2D pixel-art presentation and simulation-lite gameplay, might seem like an odd candidate for a demanding hardware benchmark, but the data tells a different story. This particular pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and the Intel Arc B390 reveals a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, struggling to maintain smooth frame rates at higher resolutions despite a robust CPU. The benchmark results indicate a combo ranking near the bottom of the database, making it clear that this configuration is best suited for 1080p gaming on lower presets, where it can achieve playable performance.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data shows a classic pattern of GPU-bound scaling, where the performance drop is consistent and steep as resolution increases. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on the High preset, the average frame rate falls from 81 FPS to 61 FPS, a reduction of 20 FPS. This trend continues when moving to 3840x2160, where the average drops further to 41 FPS. This represents a near 50% reduction in performance from 1080p to 4K on the High preset, demonstrating that the render resolution is the primary factor limiting the frame rate.

The scaling behavior points directly to the Intel Arc B390 as the limiting component. The Ryzen 7 5800X, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, is clearly capable of feeding the GPU, as evidenced by the fact that frame rates drop proportionally with the pixel count increase. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller performance delta between resolutions, particularly at 1080p where the load on the processor is typically higher. Instead, the steady decline in FPS suggests that the GPU's rendering throughput, not the CPU's processing power, is the ceiling.

This conclusion is further supported by the comparison between the Low and Ultra presets at 4K. At 3840x2160, the Low preset achieves an average of 55 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 36 FPS. This 19 FPS gap indicates that the GPU is also sensitive to the graphical workload, not just the resolution. The 1080p Low preset, at 108 FPS, is the only configuration in the entire dataset that breaks the triple-digit barrier, suggesting that this is the only scenario where the GPU is not completely overwhelmed. The data collectively shows that the Intel Arc B390 is a weak link, and its performance ceiling is reached quickly as the rendering demand increases.

How This Combo Ranks

The overall ranking for this combo in Dave The Diver is unimpressive. The data shows a combo rank of 2538 out of 2867 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems in the database. This low standing is almost entirely attributable to the GPU's performance, as the CPU benchmarks place it in the 81st percentile among all CPUs. The contrast between the CPU's relative strength and the GPU's weakness creates a severely imbalanced system that fails to deliver a high-quality gaming experience.

Looking at the GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database provides context for its low percentile ranking. The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest competitors, according to the data, are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, with scores of 1463 and 1460 respectively. The Arc B390 is only 1.3% and 1.5% faster than these older, entry-level mobile parts. This is a stark indicator of its absolute performance level, which is far below what is expected for modern gaming.

The CPU, on the other hand, is a different story. The Ryzen 7 5800X has an average benchmark score of 29123, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT. The data shows the 5800X is a solid performer, but it is effectively wasted in this pairing. The system's rank of 2538 is a direct result of the GPU's inability to utilize the CPU's potential. In Dave The Diver, a game that is not typically CPU-intensive, the powerful 8-core processor cannot compensate for the graphics card's fundamental lack of rendering power.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and preset to play Dave The Diver with this hardware?

A: The data indicates that the 1920x1080 Low preset, with an average of 108 FPS, is the only configuration that provides a fully smooth experience. The 1080p Medium preset is also playable at 91 FPS, but moving to 1440p or 4K will result in average frame rates below 82 FPS, which may be less desirable depending on user preference.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or the Intel Arc B390 the bottleneck in this system?

A: The Intel Arc B390 is the definitive bottleneck. Evidence for this is the steep frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K (e.g., from 81 to 41 FPS on High), which indicates a graphics processing limit. The Ryzen 7 5800X, with its high benchmark scores and 81st percentile ranking, is not the limiting factor.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its closest rivals in the benchmark database?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score is 1482. This is only 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463) and 1.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460). These comparisons show that its performance is in line with older, entry-level graphics solutions.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 2560x1440 resolution in Dave The Diver?

A: Yes, but only on the Low preset, which averages 82 FPS. The High preset averages 61 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS threshold. However, the Medium preset averages 68 FPS, making it a better choice for a balance of visual quality and performance at this resolution.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 55 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 36 FPS. This represents a 19 FPS drop in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest visual quality settings, confirming the GPU's sensitivity to graphical load.

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 5800X's multi-threading capability relevant for this game?

A: While the 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, the benchmark data for this specific game shows that the GPU is the limiting factor. The game's frame rates are dictated by the Arc B390's performance at various resolutions, not by the CPU's multi-threading capabilities.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a granular view of the system's performance across all tested configurations. The most favorable results are found at 1920x1080, where the system is able to achieve an average of 108 FPS on the Low preset. The Medium preset at this resolution yields an average of 91 FPS, with a minimum of 77 and a maximum of 104. High settings average 81 FPS, and even the demanding Ultra preset manages a respectable 72 FPS. This resolution is clearly the system's stronghold.

Moving up to 2560x1440, the performance degrades noticeably. The Low preset averages 82 FPS, which is still fluid. The Medium preset averages 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 and a maximum of 78. The High preset drops to an average of 61 FPS, which is right on the edge of a standard 60 Hz monitor's refresh rate. The Ultra preset averages 54 FPS, which is not ideal for fast-paced action but may be acceptable for a slower-paced game like this.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. The Low preset is the only playable option, averaging 55 FPS. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 53, indicating noticeable stuttering. The High preset drops to an average of 41 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages just 36 FPS. These numbers clearly show that 4K gaming is not a viable option for this combo, as even the lowest settings cannot guarantee a stable 60 FPS experience.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured data, the optimal experience for this hardware configuration is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution. For the most consistent and smooth gameplay, the Low preset is the only setting that consistently delivers a high frame rate (108 FPS average). However, for a better visual experience without sacrificing too much performance, the Medium preset is a strong recommendation. At 1080p, it provides an average of 91 FPS, which is still well above the 60 FPS threshold, and the minimum of 77 FPS suggests it will remain smooth even in busier scenes.

For users who prioritize visual fidelity over raw frame rate, the High preset at 1080p, with an average of 81 FPS, is still a good option. The Ultra preset at this resolution also remains playable at 72 FPS. Stepping up to 2560x1440 is where compromises become necessary. The Low preset is the only one that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS, though the Medium preset at 68 FPS is a balanced choice for those with a 60 Hz monitor. Playing at 4K is not recommended, as no preset can consistently hit 60 FPS, with the Low preset only averaging 55 FPS.

The data suggests that the user should prioritize resolution over settings. A 1080p High or Medium experience will be far more enjoyable than a 1440p Ultra one, which averages 54 FPS. The sweet spot lies in the 1080p Medium to High range, which provides a good balance of detail and performance. For a strict 60 FPS target, 1080p High is the highest quality setting that consistently meets that goal.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a high-performance desktop processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, based on the Zen 3 architecture. It has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, and its benchmark scores reflect its capability. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, it scores 15476, and in the single-core test, it scores 1574.5. Its average benchmark score of 29123 places it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs, highlighting its strength as a processor.

However, in the context of Dave The Diver, the CPU's role is largely secondary. The benchmark results show that the frame rates are consistently dictated by the GPU's performance at different resolutions and settings. The data shows no scenario where the CPU appears to be the limiting factor; instead, the frame rate drops are consistent with the increase in rendering resolution and graphical detail, which points to the GPU as the bottleneck. The 5800X's powerful multi-threading capabilities are not heavily utilized by this game, as the rendering pipeline is saturated by the Intel Arc B390 well before the CPU's potential is reached.

The CPU's high performance does ensure that it will not cause frame drops or stutters in this title. Its 32 MB of L3 cache and high boost clock are sufficient for the game's logic and physics. While the CPU is overqualified for this pairing, it provides a stable foundation. The system's low combo rank is not a reflection of the CPU's ability, but rather a direct consequence of the GPU's weakness. This creates an imbalance where a top-tier processor is paired with a bottom-tier graphics card, resulting in a system that is only suitable for low-resolution, low-detail gaming.