Dave The Diver

# Dave The Diver: Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus + Intel Arc B580

This combination pairs Intel's flagship 24-core Arrow Lake Refresh processor with Intel's Battlemage-generation Arc B580 graphics card, producing a system that handles Dave The Diver with notable ease across all tested resolutions. The data shows a consistent frame rate hierarchy where the CPU's substantial multi-threaded headroom coexists with a GPU that, while not top-tier, delivers playable results even at 4K Ultra. Benchmark results indicate this pairing lands in the 74th percentile of tested combos for this game, a respectable position given the GPU's mid-range standing.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus brings 24 cores and 24 threads to the table, running at a base clock of 3.70 GHz with a boost up to 5.80 GHz. This processor sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 84003. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, scores 83807, a mere 0.2% difference, meaning the 290K Plus offers only marginal synthetic gains over its predecessor. The AMD EPYC 4584PX and EPYC 9135 trail by 1.1% and 1.2% respectively, while the AMD EPYC 7F72 leads by 1.3%.

Dave The Diver is not a CPU-intensive title by nature, but the data reveals how this processor's capabilities manifest in frame rates. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 189 FPS, which is the highest measured average across all settings and resolutions. This suggests that even at the lowest graphical load, the CPU is not the limiting factor — the GPU handles the rendering, and the processor's 24 threads remain largely underutilized. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731 and single-core score of 7303 indicate strong overall compute, but the game's modest thread requirements mean these resources sit mostly idle.

The processor's cache hierarchy — 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3 — provides ample bandwidth for game logic and asset streaming. With dual-channel DDR5 memory support and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, the CPU can feed data to the GPU without bottlenecking. The PassMark integer math score of 166194 and floating point score of 214760 reflect strong arithmetic throughput, which helps with the game's physics and simulation elements, though these are not demanding enough to differentiate this CPU from cheaper alternatives in this specific title.

The data implies that this processor's value in Dave The Diver comes from ensuring frame times remain consistent rather than boosting peak FPS. At 4K Ultra, the system still manages 63 FPS, and the CPU's ability to maintain that floor without stutter is likely tied to its high single-thread performance — the PassMark single-thread score of 4823 places it among the fastest desktop chips. For a game that involves exploration, fishing, and restaurant management, the CPU's role is to keep the world responsive, and the measurements show no resolution or settings combination where the processor becomes a constraint.

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

The Intel Arc B580 uses the BMG-G21 chip on the Xe2-HPG architecture, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It operates at a fixed 2670 MHz base and boost clock, paired with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering 456.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU sits in the 68th percentile of all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 23021. Its nearest rivals paint an interesting picture: the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP scores 23061 (0.2% higher), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 scores 22895 (0.6% lower), and the RTX 3080 scores 23172 (0.7% higher). This clustering suggests the B580 performs in a similar synthetic range to cards from several generations past, yet its 12 GB VRAM buffer is generous for a game like Dave The Diver.

The GPU's compute capabilities include 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 80 ROPs, with a pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s. The FP32 throughput of 13.67 TFLOPS is modest by modern standards, but the game's art style — pixel-art sprites over 3D environments — does not demand heavy shader work. The measured FPS data confirms this: at 1080p Ultra, the system achieves 124 FPS, and at 4K Ultra it maintains 63 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings represents a 49% reduction in frame rate, which is a moderate scaling curve for a GPU of this class.

The 12 GB VRAM is a significant asset. Even at 4K Ultra, the game's texture and asset demands are unlikely to exceed this capacity, avoiding the stutter and texture pop-in that can plague cards with smaller memory pools. The memory bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s helps sustain high FPS at 1440p, where the system records 94 FPS at Ultra — a 24% drop from 1080p Ultra. The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3068 and PassMark G3D score of 15748 indicate it handles DirectX 12 workloads competently, which aligns with the game's modern API support.

The Arc B580's position among rivals is curious. It trades blows with the RTX 2080 and RTX 3080 in synthetic tests, yet those cards have different VRAM configurations and architectural strengths. In Dave The Diver, the data shows no settings combination where the GPU becomes a hard bottleneck at 1080p — the lowest average is 124 FPS at Ultra. This suggests the game is well-optimized for mid-range hardware, and the B580's balanced compute and memory profile is sufficient for a smooth experience.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured FPS rows offer a clear hierarchy across four presets — Low, Medium, High, and Ultra — at each resolution. At 1080p, the differences are stark: Low yields 189 FPS, Medium 158 FPS, High 141 FPS, and Ultra 124 FPS. The jump from Ultra to High recovers 17 FPS (13.7%), while High to Medium adds another 17 FPS (12.1%), and Medium to Low adds 31 FPS (19.6%). For competitive or high-refresh displays, Low is the obvious choice, but for the game's relaxed pacing, High offers a balanced experience at 141 FPS without the visual compromises of lower presets.

At 1440p, the pattern shifts slightly: Low delivers 142 FPS, Medium 119 FPS, High 106 FPS, and Ultra 94 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is 23 FPS, while Medium to High is 13 FPS, and High to Ultra is 12 FPS. The diminishing returns become more apparent here — moving from High to Ultra costs 12 FPS for what may be subtle visual gains. Medium at 119 FPS appears to be the sweet spot for 1440p, offering a 25 FPS advantage over Ultra while retaining most visual fidelity.

At 4K, the presets compress further: Low gives 95 FPS, Medium 80 FPS, High 71 FPS, and Ultra 63 FPS. The 4K Medium row includes measured min and max values of 68 and 92 FPS, indicating some frame time variance, but the average of 80 FPS is playable. High at 71 FPS is still smooth for this genre, while Ultra dips to 63 FPS — just above the 60 FPS threshold. Given the game's non-competitive nature, High at 4K provides the best balance, sacrificing only 8 FPS versus Medium while likely improving visual quality significantly. The data suggests that players should prioritize a stable 60+ FPS floor, which all presets at all resolutions achieve.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This specific combination of Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and Intel Arc B580 ranks 2132 out of 2867 tested combos in Dave The Diver, placing it in the 74th percentile. While this is a solid position, it reveals an imbalance in the pairing — the CPU is a top-tier performer (96th percentile among all CPUs), while the GPU sits in the 68th percentile. This mismatch suggests that the processor is overqualified for the graphical demands of this game, and the frame rates are almost entirely GPU-limited.

The rank of 2132 means that roughly 735 other combinations deliver higher average FPS in this title. Given the GPU's synthetic benchmark proximity to the RTX 2080 and RTX 3080, many of those higher-ranked combos likely pair this class of GPU with equal or lower-tier CPUs, confirming that the 290K Plus is not the differentiator here. Conversely, the combo outperforms the remaining 735 combos, which likely include weaker GPUs or less capable processors. The data implies that for Dave The Diver specifically, downgrading the CPU to a more modest model would yield nearly identical frame rates, freeing budget for a stronger GPU if higher FPS is the goal.

The ranking also highlights the game's accessibility — it does not demand flagship hardware to run well. A combo ranked at 2132 still achieves 63 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is a playable experience. This positions Dave The Diver as a title where mid-range GPUs shine, and the 290K Plus's inclusion in this combo is more about future-proofing for other titles than optimizing for this specific game.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Dave The Diver with this combo?

A: The data shows 1440p High at 106 FPS as a strong balance, but 1080p Ultra at 124 FPS is also excellent. For maximum smoothness, 1080p Low hits 189 FPS, while 4K Ultra still manages 63 FPS.

Q: Does this combo maintain 60 FPS at 4K in Dave The Diver?

A: Yes. The measured averages are 95 FPS at Low, 80 FPS at Medium, 71 FPS at High, and 63 FPS at Ultra for 3840x2160 resolution, all above the 60 FPS threshold.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: Its average benchmark score of 23021 is 0.2% below the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, 0.6% above the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, and 0.7% below the RTX 3080, placing it in a tight performance cluster.

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

A: The GPU is the primary limiter. At 1080p Low, the system hits 189 FPS, but this drops to 63 FPS at 4K Ultra, a 67% reduction that correlates with GPU load. The CPU's high percentile ranking (96th) means it is not constraining frame rates.

Q: What are the min and max FPS values for the Medium preset?

A: At 4K Medium, the measured min is 68 FPS and max is 92 FPS. At 1440p Medium, min is 101 FPS and max is 137 FPS. At 1080p Medium, min is 134 FPS and max is 182 FPS.

Q: How much VRAM does the Arc B580 have, and does it suffice?

A: The Arc B580 has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus. Given the game's modest visual demands and the fact that no settings combination shows signs of memory pressure, 12 GB is ample for Dave The Diver.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured frame rates form a complete grid across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers 189 FPS on Low, 158 FPS on Medium, 141 FPS on High, and 124 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset at 1080p shows a min of 134 FPS and max of 182 FPS, indicating a 48 FPS range that suggests some scene complexity variation. Moving to 2560x1440, the averages are 142 FPS on Low, 119 FPS on Medium, 106 FPS on High, and 94 FPS on Ultra. The 1440p Medium row has a min of 101 FPS and max of 137 FPS, a 36 FPS spread.

At 3840x2160, the averages compress to 95 FPS on Low, 80 FPS on Medium, 71 FPS on High, and 63 FPS on Ultra. The 4K Medium preset records a min of 68 FPS and max of 92 FPS, a 24 FPS range that narrows as resolution increases. Across all resolutions, the step from Low to Medium costs roughly 16-17% of performance, Medium to High costs 11-13%, and High to Ultra costs 11-12%. This consistent scaling suggests the game's settings have predictable GPU load impacts, with no single preset causing a disproportionate FPS drop.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling pattern reveals a classic GPU-bound scenario. From 1080p to 1440p at Ultra, the average FPS drops from 124 to 94, a 24.2% reduction. From 1440p to 4K at Ultra, it drops further to 63 FPS, a 33.0% reduction. The total drop from 1080p to 4K at Ultra is 49.2%, which is substantial but not catastrophic. At Low settings, the scaling is similar: 189 FPS at 1080p, 142 FPS at 1440p (24.9% drop), and 95 FPS at 4K (33.1% drop from 1440p), for a total 49.7% reduction.

This nearly identical percentage drop across Low and Ultra settings indicates that the GPU's pixel throughput — not texture memory or shading complexity — is the primary constraint. The Arc B580's pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and the 4K resolution's 8.3 million pixels per frame explain why the system cannot maintain 100+ FPS at 4K regardless of preset. The measured FPS at 4K Low (95) versus 1080p Ultra (124) further confirms that resolution has a larger impact than quality settings, as the 4K image at Low still requires more than double the pixel work of 1080p at Ultra.

The data also reveals that the CPU's role diminishes as resolution increases. At 1080p Low, the system hits 189 FPS, which is likely near the game's engine or frame pacing limit rather than a processor bottleneck — the 290K Plus has far more compute headroom. As resolution rises to 4K, the GPU becomes the sole limiter, and the CPU's 24 threads remain largely idle. This is consistent with the combo ranking: the 290K Plus adds little to Dave The Diver's frame rates, and the Arc B580's performance ceiling defines the experience. For players seeking higher 4K FPS, the data suggests a stronger GPU would yield greater gains than any CPU upgrade.