Dave The Diver

# Dave The Diver: Intel Core i5-14600KF + Intel Arc B390

This combination pairs a high-end 14-core desktop processor with an integrated graphics solution, producing a dataset that reveals a stark imbalance: the CPU sits in the 90th percentile of all processors tested, while the GPU ranks in only the 9th percentile. The measured results in Dave The Diver show a system that can deliver playable frame rates at lower resolutions and settings, but one that is consistently constrained by its graphics subsystem. The data presents a curious case of a powerful compute core mated to a weak visual output, making this combo a study in bottleneck dynamics rather than balanced performance.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor from the Core 14th Gen series, built on Intel's 10 nm Raptor Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, featuring a 125 W TDP. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. These specifications place it firmly in the high-end desktop segment, with a launch MSRP of $294 and an active production status.

The benchmark data underscores the CPU's strength. In Cinebench R23, it scores 32,544 multi-core and 4,594 single-core. Geekbench results show 17,085 multi-core and 2,445 single-core. The PassMark multi-thread score is 38,697, while single-thread is 4,273. Its average benchmark score of 49,394 places it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs tested, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 (deltaPct 0.3), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755G (deltaPct 0.4), Intel Core Ultra 5 245 (deltaPct 0.8), and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 (deltaPct -0.8). This means the i5-14600KF is essentially tied with the Ryzen 9 7900, sitting just 0.3% above it in average score.

For Dave The Diver, an adventure game that is not typically CPU-intensive, this processor provides an enormous surplus of compute capacity. The 14 cores and 20 threads are far beyond what the game's logic likely demands, even when simulating fish behavior, diving mechanics, and restaurant management systems simultaneously. The 5.30 GHz boost clock ensures that any single-threaded workloads, which games often rely on, are handled with maximum responsiveness. The data shows that in this combo, the CPU is never the limiting factor; even at 1080p Low, where the average FPS reaches 108, the processor has ample headroom. The Cinebench R15 scores of 3,280 multi-core and 462 single-core further confirm that this chip can handle far more demanding computational loads than the game presents.

The CPU's memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5, along with dual-channel memory bus and ECC capability, adds flexibility, though the GPU's reliance on system memory means the chosen RAM type could influence graphics performance indirectly. The 24 MB L3 cache is shared across all cores, which helps with data locality in multi-threaded scenarios, though for this game, the benefit is marginal. The processor's PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 lanes is irrelevant here since the Arc B390 is an integrated GPU, using the system's shared memory rather than dedicated PCIe lanes. Overall, the CPU role in this pairing is to provide a rock-solid foundation that never stutters, letting the GPU be the sole determinant of frame rates.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process node. It features 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, 24 ROPs, and 12 ray tracing cores. Its clocks run at a base of 300 MHz and boost up to 2500 MHz, with a TDP of 80 W. Critically, the GPU uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM; instead, it draws from the system's main memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a fundamental constraint for gaming performance.

The GPU's benchmark results are modest. In 3DMark Steel Nomad (DX12), it scores 1,482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs tested. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (deltaPct 1.3), NVIDIA GeForce 800M (deltaPct 1.5), NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (deltaPct 2.5), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (deltaPct 2.7). This means the Arc B390 is only slightly faster than a GT 520MX, a GPU from a previous era, and just 2.7% above the GT 710. These are entry-level, low-power graphics solutions, and the Arc B390's performance aligns with that tier.

For Dave The Diver, the GPU's role is pivotal and clearly limiting. The measured FPS data shows a consistent pattern: at every resolution and setting combination, the frame rates are moderate but never high. At 1080p Low, the average is 108 FPS, which is acceptable, but dropping to 4K Ultra yields only 36 FPS. The shared memory architecture means that at higher resolutions, the GPU must compete with the system for memory bandwidth, which likely explains the steep performance drop as resolution increases. The boost clock of 2500 MHz provides decent compute for an iGPU, but the 24 ROPs and system-dependent bandwidth cap its fill rate and memory throughput.

The FP32 performance of 7.680 TFLOPS sounds substantial, but for a game like Dave The Diver, which features water rendering, lighting effects, and detailed sprites, the actual throughput is hampered by the lack of dedicated VRAM. The 12 RT cores are present but largely irrelevant for this title, which likely doesn't use ray tracing in a significant way. The DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) is a plus, ensuring API compatibility, but it doesn't translate into higher frame rates. The GPU's data indicates it is the bottleneck in nearly every scenario, with the CPU waiting idle while the iGPU struggles to push pixels. This is a classic case of a high-end processor being paired with a low-end graphics solution, resulting in performance that reflects the GPU's 9th percentile ranking rather than the CPU's 90th percentile standing.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390 scores 1,482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad (DX12), placing it 1.3% above the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% above the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, 2.5% above the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% above the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710. This indicates it is marginally faster than these entry-level GPUs but remains in the 9th percentile overall.

Q: What is the best performance this combo achieves in Dave The Diver?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 108 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At the same resolution, Medium settings yield 91 FPS, High yields 81 FPS, and Ultra yields 72 FPS. The data shows that the combo can exceed 100 FPS only at 1080p Low.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this system?

A: The GPU is clearly the limiting factor. The Intel Core i5-14600KF ranks in the 90th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 49,394, while the Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile with a score of 1,482. The FPS data shows performance scaling that is consistent with GPU constraints, not CPU limitations.

Q: How does the combo rank among all tested combinations for this game?

A: The combo ranks 2,538 out of 2,867 tested combos for Dave The Diver. This places it in the lower percentiles of performance, which is expected given the GPU's low ranking, despite the CPU's high performance.

Q: Does the Arc B390 have dedicated VRAM?

A: No. The GPU's memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This means it uses the system's main memory, which affects performance, particularly at higher resolutions where memory bandwidth demands increase.

Q: What is the FPS drop from 1080p to 4K at Medium settings?

A: At 1920x1080 Medium, the average FPS is 91. At 2560x1440 Medium, it drops to 68. At 3840x2160 Medium, it drops further to 46. This represents a 49.5% decrease from 1080p to 4K, indicating a significant dependency on resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a full picture of this combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings levels. At 1920x1080, the average frame rates are 108 FPS on Low, 91 FPS on Medium, 81 FPS on High, and 72 FPS on Ultra. The Medium setting includes min and max values of 77 and 104 FPS, respectively, showing a range of 27 FPS. This resolution is the only one where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates, with even Ultra staying above 70 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. Low settings average 82 FPS, Medium averages 68 FPS (with min 58 and max 78), High averages 61 FPS, and Ultra averages 54 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at Low is 26 FPS (24.1%), while at Ultra it is 18 FPS (25%). This resolution still offers playable performance, but the headroom narrows, especially at Ultra where 54 FPS is borderline for smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes marginal. Low settings average 55 FPS, Medium averages 46 FPS (with min 39 and max 53), High averages 41 FPS, and Ultra averages 36 FPS. The 4K resolution clearly stresses the GPU, with all settings below 60 FPS. The Medium setting's min FPS of 39 indicates that even mid-range settings can produce stutter. The data shows a consistent pattern: each settings tier costs roughly 5-10 FPS, and each resolution step costs roughly 15-25 FPS, with the GPU's shared memory architecture amplifying the impact of higher pixel counts.

The settings scaling within each resolution is consistent. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 36 FPS (33.3%). At 1440p, it is 28 FPS (34.1%). At 4K, it is 19 FPS (34.5%). This suggests that the GPU's performance scales predictably with settings, but the absolute values are low enough that only 1080p offers a comfortable margin. The Medium setting at each resolution provides the only complete min/max data, showing that frame time variance increases with resolution, from a 27 FPS range at 1080p to a 14 FPS range at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank for this pairing in Dave The Diver is 2,538 out of 2,867 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 11.5% of all combos. This is a low ranking that reflects the GPU's 9th percentile standing, despite the CPU's 90th percentile performance. The data suggests that the combo is heavily unbalanced, with the i5-14600KF providing far more computational power than the Arc B390 can utilize in this game.

The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, have average scores within 0.8% of the i5-14600KF, indicating that the processor is competitive with top-tier alternatives. However, the GPU's nearest rivals, including the GT 520MX and GT 710, are all low-end parts that would struggle with modern games. The combination of a 90th percentile CPU and a 9th percentile GPU creates a situation where the combo rank is dragged down almost entirely by the graphics component.

In the context of the 2,867 combos, this pairing sits below the median, which is expected given the GPU's limitations. The data implies that if the same CPU were paired with a mid-range dedicated GPU, the combo rank would likely be substantially higher. Conversely, if the Arc B390 were paired with a weaker CPU, the rank might be similar, as the GPU would still be the bottleneck. This suggests that for Dave The Diver, the GPU is the primary determinant of combo performance, and the CPU's high-end specifications do not compensate for the GPU's low-end output.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target display resolution and the user's preference for visual quality versus smoothness. At 1920x1080, the Low setting offers the highest average FPS at 108, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate displays. However, Medium at 91 FPS provides a better balance, with the min FPS of 77 ensuring that most scenes stay fluid. High at 81 FPS is also playable, and Ultra at 72 FPS is acceptable for users who prioritize visuals over frame rate. For 1080p, Medium is the recommended sweet spot, as it maintains a comfortable margin above 60 FPS while offering improved visual fidelity over Low.

At 2560x1440, the options narrow. Low at 82 FPS is the only setting that comfortably exceeds 60 FPS, while Medium at 68 FPS is playable but closer to the threshold, with a min FPS of 58 that could cause occasional dips. High at 61 FPS and Ultra at 54 FPS are below the ideal threshold for fast-paced gameplay, though Dave The Diver's slower pacing may make them tolerable. For 1440p, Low is the safest recommendation, with Medium as a viable option for those who accept minor frame dips. At 3840x2160, all settings are below 60 FPS, with Low at 55 FPS being the highest. Medium at 46 FPS is the best visual compromise, but the min FPS of 39 indicates potential stutter. For 4K, Low is the only setting that approaches playability, and users may need to consider lowering the resolution to achieve smoother performance.

The data shows that Medium settings consistently offer the most balanced experience across all resolutions, providing a 17-20% FPS improvement over High while maintaining a similar visual quality delta. For users who prioritize frame rate, Low settings at 1080p or 1440p are the best choice, while those who prefer visuals should stick to Medium at 1080p to stay above 90 FPS.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals important insights into the system's limiting component. At Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 91 at 1920x1080 to 68 at 2560x1440 (a 25.3% decrease), and then to 46 at 3840x2160 (a 32.4% decrease from 1440p). The total drop from 1080p to 4K is 45 FPS, or 49.5%. This is a significant scaling penalty that indicates the GPU is heavily dependent on pixel count, consistent with its shared memory architecture and limited ROP count.

At Low settings, the drop is from 108 at 1080p to 82 at 1440p (24.1% decrease) and then to 55 at 4K (32.9% decrease from 1440p). At High settings, the drop is from 81 at 1080p to 61 at 1440p (24.7% decrease) and then to 41 at 4K (32.8% decrease from 1440p). At Ultra, the drop is from 72 at 1080p to 54 at 1440p (25.0% decrease) and then to 36 at 4K (33.3% decrease from 1440p). The consistency of these scaling patterns, roughly 25% per resolution step, suggests that the GPU's rendering pipeline is scaling linearly with resolution, which is typical of a fill-rate-limited component.

The steep drop from 1440p to 4K, where the pixel count increases by 2.25x but FPS drops by only about 1.5x, indicates that the GPU is not purely pixel-bound; other factors, such as memory bandwidth or shader execution, are also at play. The shared memory system likely becomes a bottleneck at 4K, as the GPU must access system memory for textures and frame buffers, which is slower than dedicated VRAM. This is evident in the Medium setting's min FPS of 39 at 4K, which suggests significant frame time spikes. The data implies that the CPU is not a limiting factor at any resolution; the consistent scaling pattern across all settings and resolutions points squarely at the GPU as the bottleneck. Users seeking higher frame rates at 4K would need to reduce resolution or settings, but even then, the Arc B390's 9th percentile performance limits the ceiling.