Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver, an adventure title released in 2023, presents a distinctive workload that blends 2D pixel-art aesthetics with demanding 3D underwater environments. The combination of AMD’s Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor and Intel’s Arc B570 graphics card produces a compelling performance profile across resolutions and settings. This analysis examines the measured frame rates, the balance between CPU and GPU demands, and the practical implications for gameplay, drawing exclusively from the provided benchmark data.

How This Combo Ranks

The pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Arc B570 registers at rank 2282 out of 2867 tested combos for Dave The Diver. This places the configuration in the 21st percentile of all tested systems, indicating that while it is not a top-tier performer, it sits comfortably ahead of a significant majority of alternatives. The ranking suggests that the combination is well-matched for this specific title, delivering a solid experience without being bottlenecked by either component in a way that would push it to the top of the charts.

To contextualize this ranking, the CPU itself is a formidable component. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D achieves an average benchmark score of 58386, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (0.1% higher score) and the Intel Core i9-14900 (0.5% lower score), indicating that the processor's raw compute capability is on par with some of the most powerful workstation and desktop chips available. However, the combo's overall rank is dragged down by the GPU, which is a more mid-range performer.

The Intel Arc B570, with an average benchmark score of 20556, sits in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (0.1% ahead) and the Intel Arc A750 (0.1% behind), showing it trades blows with previous-generation mobile flagship hardware. This disparity between the CPU's top-tier standing and the GPU's mid-range capability explains why the combo does not rank higher in a game that scales heavily with graphics load. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor in many scenarios, preventing the powerful CPU from fully expressing its capabilities in this specific title.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo?

A: The highest measured average frame rate for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Arc B570 combination is 167 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the average frame rates range from 55 FPS at Ultra settings to 84 FPS at Low settings. The Medium preset yields an average of 70 FPS, which is notably the only 4K configuration with a reported minimum frame rate (60 FPS) and maximum (81 FPS).

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the performance bottleneck?

A: The data indicates the GPU is the primary limiter. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D's 92nd percentile CPU ranking and high multi-threaded scores (e.g., 22807 in Cinebench R23) far exceed the demands of this game. Conversely, the Arc B570's 65th percentile ranking and the significant frame rate drops as resolution increases point to a graphics-bound workload.

Q: What is the difference in performance between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 125 FPS on Low settings to 83 FPS on Ultra settings. This represents a 42 FPS decrease, or roughly a 34% reduction in average performance when moving to the highest quality preset.

Q: Does the Ryzen 7 9850X3D's 3D V-Cache provide any specific advantage here?

A: The fact pack lists a large 96 MB shared L3 cache, which typically benefits gaming workloads. However, the measured FPS data for this combo does not isolate the cache's impact, and the performance is more consistently tied to GPU load and resolution, suggesting the cache is not the primary driver of frame rates in Dave The Diver.

Q: How does this combo's rank compare to its component parts' individual standings?

A: The combo ranks in the 21st percentile (2282/2867), while the CPU alone is in the 92nd percentile and the GPU is in the 65th percentile. This discrepancy confirms that the overall in-game performance is heavily weighted by the GPU's capabilities, as the combination's rank is far lower than the CPU's individual standing would suggest.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, confirming that the Intel Arc B570 is the performance-limiting component in this configuration. Moving from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K results in consistent frame rate drops across all settings, a hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario. The CPU, with its high single-thread (2228 in Cinebench R23) and multi-thread scores, has ample headroom to feed frames, but the GPU's rendering throughput caps the output.

At 1080p, the combo is exceptionally fast, with average frame rates ranging from 110 FPS at Ultra to 167 FPS at Low. When resolution increases to 2560x1440, these figures drop to 83 FPS and 125 FPS, respectively. This represents a performance hit of roughly 25-30% depending on the settings. The scaling continues to 4K, where the averages fall to 55 FPS at Ultra and 84 FPS at Low. The drop from 1440p to 4K is more pronounced, with the Ultra preset losing 28 FPS (from 83 to 55) and the Low preset losing 41 FPS (from 125 to 84).

This scaling pattern suggests that the game's visual complexity, particularly at higher resolutions, taxes the Arc B570's 10 GB of GDDR6 memory and 160-bit bus interface. The 380 GB/s of memory bandwidth becomes a limiting factor as pixel count rises. The fact that the 1440p Medium preset reports a minimum FPS of 89 and a maximum of 121, while the 4K Medium preset reports 60 and 81, further illustrates the increasing pressure on the GPU's resources. The CPU's role is relegated to ensuring a stable baseline, but the variance and average frame rates are overwhelmingly determined by the graphics card's ability to process pixels.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive view of performance across twelve distinct configurations, combining three resolutions with four quality presets.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The average frame rate is 167 FPS, representing the peak performance of this combo.
• Medium: The average is 139 FPS, with a minimum of 118 FPS and a maximum of 160 FPS, showing a stable and highly playable range.
• High: The average drops to 124 FPS, maintaining a smooth experience well above standard refresh rates.
• Ultra: The average is 110 FPS, still providing an exceptionally fluid experience at the highest quality settings.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average frame rate is 125 FPS, offering a significant step down from 1080p but still excellent.
• Medium: The average is 105 FPS, with a tighter range of 89 FPS minimum and 121 FPS maximum, indicating consistent performance.
• High: The average is 94 FPS, which remains ideal for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors.
• Ultra: The average is 83 FPS, which is still very smooth for most gaming scenarios.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average frame rate is 84 FPS, which is playable but begins to show the GPU's strain.
• Medium: The average is 70 FPS, with reported minimum and maximum of 60 and 81 FPS, respectively. This is the only 4K row with min/max data, suggesting a relatively stable frame pacing.
• High: The average is 63 FPS, putting the combo right at the edge of the 60 FPS target for 4K gaming.
• Ultra: The average is 55 FPS, dipping below the standard 60 FPS threshold and indicating that the highest settings are too demanding for smooth 4K play on this hardware.

The data illustrates a clear hierarchy: 1080p is largely CPU-bound, with the GPU having enough headroom to push frame rates past 160 FPS. At 1440p, the balance shifts to a more GPU-limited state, but performance remains high. At 4K, the GPU is unequivocally the bottleneck, with Ultra settings failing to maintain a consistent 60 FPS.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For players with 1080p displays, the Ultra preset at 110 FPS is the clear choice, offering the best visual fidelity without sacrificing fluidity. The High preset at 124 FPS is also excellent for those with 144Hz monitors, but Ultra provides a more immersive experience at a still-very-high frame rate.

For 1440p, the High preset at 94 FPS offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. It provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium (105 FPS) while remaining comfortably above 90 FPS, which is ideal for 144Hz displays. The Ultra preset at 83 FPS is also viable for 60Hz monitors, but High delivers a smoother experience with minimal visual difference in this art style. The Medium preset, with its 89 FPS minimum, is a safe fallback for those prioritizing frame rate stability above all else.

At 4K, the choice is more constrained. The Medium preset, averaging 70 FPS with a minimum of 60 FPS, is the recommended setting. It is the only 4K preset that consistently stays above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring a judder-free experience. The High preset at 63 FPS is close, but its lower average and lack of reported min/max data make it a riskier choice for maintaining a locked 60 FPS. The Low preset at 84 FPS is faster but compromises visual fidelity significantly. The Ultra preset at 55 FPS is not recommended for 4K, as it falls below the playable standard for most users.

In summary, the best experience per the measured rows is: 1080p Ultra (110 FPS) for maximum quality, 1440p High (94 FPS) for the best balance, and 4K Medium (70 FPS) for a playable 4K experience. These presets optimize the use of the Arc B570's capabilities while leveraging the CPU's strength to maintain high minimum frame rates.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a high-end desktop processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge). It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The processor has a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which, combined with its high clock speeds, makes it exceptionally strong for gaming workloads. Its benchmark scores reinforce this: it achieves 22807 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2228 in single-core, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Dave The Diver, the CPU's role is to provide a robust foundation that never becomes a limiting factor. The game is not heavily multi-threaded, but the Ryzen 7 9850X3D's high single-thread performance ensures that the main game logic and physics calculations are handled with ease. The ample L3 cache likely helps with asset streaming and procedural generation, reducing stutter and maintaining consistent frame pacing, even at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the bottleneck.

The data supports this interpretation. At 1080p Low, the combo hits 167 FPS, which confirms the CPU's ability to feed frames rapidly. However, as resolution increases, the frame rate drops in a manner consistent with GPU limitations, not CPU constraints. The CPU's 120W TDP and 4nm process node indicate an efficient design that does not require exotic cooling, but its raw power is more than sufficient for this title. The presence of 16 threads and a high single-core score means the system has ample headroom for background tasks or streaming while gaming, without impacting the measured frame rates. The processor's 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and DDR5 support further ensure that data can be fed to the GPU quickly, avoiding any potential data starvation. Ultimately, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a top-tier component that enables the Arc B570 to perform at its best, with the GPU's capabilities being the sole determinant of frame rate scaling across different settings and resolutions.