Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver, a 2D adventure title, presents an interesting case study when paired with the Intel Core i5-13400F and the Intel Arc B390. The data set for this combination reveals a system that is clearly capable of delivering playable frame rates, yet the performance ceiling varies significantly depending on the resolution and quality preset chosen. The measured results indicate a configuration where the integrated-class GPU is the primary limiting factor, while the 10-core CPU provides ample headroom for the game's logic. This analysis explores the measured FPS data, contextualizes the performance against rival components, and provides recommendations for the optimal balance between visual fidelity and smooth gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1920x1080 with Medium settings?

A: The measured average FPS for this combination at 1920x1080 with Medium settings is 91 FPS, with a minimum of 77 FPS and a maximum of 104 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-13400F's average benchmark score compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25292. This places it essentially on par with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (score of 25284, deltaPct of 0) and only 0.3% behind the Intel Core 5 120 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D.

Q: What is the best performance one can expect from this combo at 4K resolution?

A: According to the data, the highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is achieved with Low settings, yielding 55 FPS. This is the only 4K preset that breaks the 50 FPS mark, as High, Medium, and Ultra produce 41, 46, and 36 FPS respectively.

Q: Where does this specific CPU and GPU combination rank among all tested combos in Dave The Diver?

A: The combo holds a rank of 2538 out of 2867 total tested combinations. This places it in the lower percentile of all systems tested for this game, indicating that while it is functional, it is not a high-performance pairing.

Q: Does the Intel Arc B390 GPU have a dedicated memory interface?

A: No, the data shows that the memory size, type, and bus width are all designated as "System Shared". This means the GPU relies on shared system memory rather than a dedicated VRAM pool, and its memory bandwidth is "System Dependent".

Q: What is the difference in average FPS between Low and Ultra settings at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops from 82 FPS on Low settings to 54 FPS on Ultra settings. This represents a significant 28 FPS reduction for the highest visual quality preset.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the Intel Arc B390 handles Dave The Diver across different quality presets. For a smooth experience, the choice of settings is heavily dependent on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the system is notably capable. The Medium preset delivers an average of 91 FPS, which is well above the standard 60 FPS target, and even the High preset achieves a solid 81 FPS average. This suggests that at 1080p, players have the freedom to prioritize visual quality without sacrificing smoothness, with Ultra still providing a playable 72 FPS.

Moving up to 2560x1440, the performance cost becomes more apparent. The Medium preset still provides a good experience with an average of 68 FPS, but the gap between presets widens. Low settings yield 82 FPS, which is excellent, while High drops to 61 FPS, and Ultra falls to 54 FPS. The data implies that for a consistent 60+ FPS experience at 1440p, Medium is the highest preset that comfortably achieves this goal, though High is playable.

At 4K resolution (3840x2160), the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. None of the presets reach the 60 FPS threshold. The highest average FPS is 55, achieved only on Low settings. Medium and High drop to 46 and 41 FPS respectively, and Ultra falls to 36 FPS. For 4K gameplay, the data strongly suggests that Low settings are the only viable option for a reasonably fluid experience, and even then, it falls short of a high-refresh-rate standard. The recommendation is to prioritize the Medium preset at 1080p and 1440p for the best balance of visual quality and performance, while accepting that 4K requires Low settings for the best playable frame rate.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F, with its 10 cores and 16 threads, appears to be more than sufficient for the demands of Dave The Diver. The benchmark data shows a processor with strong multi-threaded capabilities, achieving a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 22604 and a Passmark multithread score of 25032. Its single-thread performance is also respectable, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3191 and a 3dmark single-thread score of 960. In a game like Dave The Diver, which is an adventure title with 2D gameplay, the processing load is typically not as intense as in complex 3D simulations.

The data reveals that the CPU's performance is relative to its peers. Its average benchmark score of 25292 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, and it trades blows with rivals like the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (0% delta) and the Intel Core 5 120 (-0.3% delta). This indicates that the i5-13400F is a capable mid-range processor. However, the measured FPS in the game does not scale with the CPU's full potential. The low FPS at 4K across all settings suggests that the game is not waiting on the CPU to deliver frames. The CPU's job is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic, and with a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, it is unlikely to be the limiting factor in this specific configuration. The performance ceiling is instead dictated by the graphics solution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the game runs smoothly across the board. The Low preset achieves an average of 108 FPS, serving as a high-performance baseline. Medium is a strong step up in quality, with an average of 91 FPS and a minimum of 77 FPS, which is still very fluid. High follows with an average of 81 FPS, and even the Ultra preset manages a respectable 72 FPS average. This resolution demonstrates that the combo is well-suited for 1080p gaming, offering flexibility for players to choose between maximum frame rates and maximum visual fidelity.

At 2560x1440, the performance is still playable but the pressure on the GPU begins to show. The Low preset delivers a high average of 82 FPS. Medium provides a good balance at 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS threshold but generally acceptable. High drops to 61 FPS, making it a borderline choice for a 60 FPS lock. The Ultra preset averages 54 FPS, which is a noticeable step down and shows the cost of the highest settings. The data indicates that for a target of 60 FPS or higher, Medium is the safest choice at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the performance takes a significant hit, and the GPU's limitations are fully exposed. The Low preset is the only one that produces a playable average, at 55 FPS. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS with a minimum of 39 FPS, which can be visibly stuttery. High settings average 41 FPS, and Ultra drops to 36 FPS. The frame rates at 4K are consistently below the 60 FPS target, making this resolution a challenge for the Intel Arc B390. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming is not a strong suit for this configuration, and players would need to significantly compromise on visual quality to get a playable experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2538 out of 2867 tested combos in Dave The Diver. This places it in the bottom 11.5% of all systems tested, which is a clear indicator of its performance class. This low ranking is predominantly due to the GPU. While the CPU is a solid performer, the data suggests that the integrated graphics solution is holding the system back. The GPU's own percentile ranking is 9, placing it in the bottom tier of all GPUs, and its nearest rivals are all legacy or entry-level NVIDIA parts like the GeForce GT 520MX and GT 710.

The contrast between the CPU and GPU rankings is stark. The processor is in the 77th percentile, while the graphics card is in the 9th percentile. This bottleneck is evident in the measured FPS, where the system struggles to reach high frame rates at higher resolutions. In the context of Dave The Diver, this combo is functional and provides a decent 1080p experience, but it is not a competitive or high-performing pairing. Users looking for a higher rank or better performance would need to pair the i5-13400F with a significantly more powerful discrete GPU. The data indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this setup; the GPU is.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary determinant of this combo's performance in Dave The Diver. The data shows that this is a low-power integrated graphics solution, with a TDP of 80 W and no dedicated memory, relying on "System Shared" memory. Its 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all NVIDIA parts from the GT 600 and GT 700 series, such as the GeForce GT 625 OEM and GT 710, which are extremely low-performance cards. This context is crucial for understanding its gaming capabilities.

The GPU's clock speeds, with a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 2500 MHz, are not indicative of high performance on their own. More importantly, the lack of dedicated VRAM and the reliance on system memory bandwidth creates a severe limitation, especially at higher resolutions. This is reflected in the measured FPS. The game's performance scales directly with the GPU's workload. At 1080p, the GPU can manage, but as the resolution increases to 1440p and 4K, the fill rate and memory bandwidth requirements exceed its capabilities, causing the average FPS to plummet. The data suggests that the Arc B390 is only suitable for light gaming at lower resolutions and settings. In Dave The Diver, it is the definitive bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving high frame rates or utilizing the full potential of the Core i5-13400F.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data shows a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. From 1920x1080 to 2560x1440, the average FPS drops by a consistent margin across most settings. For example, on Medium settings, the FPS goes from 91 to 68, a reduction of 23 FPS. On High settings, it drops from 81 to 61, a reduction of 20 FPS. This scaling indicates that the GPU is starting to become a limiting factor as the pixel count increases by roughly 78%, but the performance dip is not catastrophic, suggesting a balance between CPU and GPU at this transition.

The scaling from 2560x1440 to 3840x2160 is much more dramatic. The number of pixels nearly doubles, and the FPS takes a severe hit. On Medium settings, the average drops from 68 to 46, a 22 FPS loss. On Low settings, it goes from 82 to 55, a 27 FPS loss. The drop on High settings is from 61 to 41, a 20 FPS loss. This steep decline in performance, particularly on the lower presets, is characteristic of a GPU that is running out of memory bandwidth and raw compute power. The data indicates that the GPU is the limiting component at 4K.

This scaling behavior is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the FPS would remain relatively constant regardless of resolution, as the CPU's workload (game logic and draw calls) does not change with pixel count. The fact that FPS drops significantly as resolution increases proves that the Intel Arc B390 is struggling to render the frames. The system is capable at 1080p, playable at 1440p with some compromises, but severely constrained at 4K. The performance curve suggests that for a smooth experience, 1080p is the target resolution for this combo, and 4K should be avoided unless the user is willing to accept low frame rates.