Doom

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a particularly lopsided combination in Doom, where the CPU’s high-end specifications are consistently constrained by the GPU’s entry-level throughput. The measured frame rates reveal a system where the graphics card is the definitive bottleneck at every resolution, and the CPU’s substantial compute resources are left largely underutilized. The data indicates that users can expect playable performance only at 1080p, with a steep decline in capability as resolution increases.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is severe and clearly demonstrates that the Intel Arc B390 is the limiting component in this pairing. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 107 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings, the average falls to 69 FPS, a reduction of 38 FPS. At 4K, the average plummets to 37 FPS, which is a 70 FPS drop from the 1080p baseline. This represents a 65% decrease in frame rate from 1080p to 4K, a scaling pattern that is characteristic of a GPU that is overwhelmed by the pixel count.

The trend holds across all settings. At High settings, the averages are 78 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 28 FPS at 4K. The gap between 1440p and 4K becomes more pronounced at higher quality presets, suggesting that the GPU’s fill rate and memory bandwidth are exhausted quickly. The fact that the frame rate at 4K Ultra is just 22 FPS reinforces this; the GPU is simply unable to process the geometry and shading required at that resolution.

This scaling behavior indicates that the Ryzen 5 7500F is not a factor in these results. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller performance delta between 1080p and 1440p, as the load would shift to the GPU. Instead, the frame rate drops almost linearly with the increase in pixel count, which is the classic signature of a GPU-limited scenario. The CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data far faster than the Arc B390 can render it, meaning that every resolution increase directly taxes the GPU’s limited resources.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500F is a modern 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 974 in the 3dmark single-thread test and 6,379 in the max-threads test, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 22,799 further confirms its position as a strong performer for gaming workloads. The data suggests that the CPU has more than enough horsepower to handle Doom's engine, which is known for being well-optimized.

However, the measured FPS in Doom shows that the CPU’s capabilities are irrelevant to the final outcome. The lowest average frame rate observed is 22 FPS at 4K Ultra, which is a far cry from the CPU’s potential. The CPU is not the limiting factor; the GPU is. The benchmark results show that even at 1080p Low, where the CPU would be most likely to become a constraint, the system achieves 107 FPS. This is a solid frame rate, but it is still well below what the Ryzen 5 7500F could theoretically support. The CPU’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support (83.2 GB/s bandwidth) provide a robust platform, but the GPU simply cannot translate that into higher frame rates.

The data implies that the CPU’s role in this specific setup is to provide a stable base without introducing any stutters or frame dips. The minimum FPS figures support this; at 1080p Medium, the min FPS is 79, and at 1440p Medium, it is 51. These minimums are close to the averages, indicating that the CPU is delivering consistent frame times. There is no evidence of CPU-related bottlenecks, such as sudden drops or inconsistent performance. The processor is effectively idle, waiting for the GPU to catch up.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Doom at 4K?*

A: The data shows it is not viable for smooth gameplay. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 37 on Low settings, dropping to 22 on Ultra. These are below standard playability thresholds.

Q: What is the best resolution for this setup?

A: 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo delivers consistently high frame rates. All four settings presets at 1080p produce averages above 64 FPS, with Low reaching 107 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 5 7500F has an average benchmark score of 24,964. It is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-11850H and 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F. These differences are negligible, indicating the CPU’s performance is on par with its direct competitors.

Q: Is the GPU comparable to any dedicated graphics cards?

A: The Intel Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1,482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1,463) and GeForce 800M (1,460), which are entry-level mobile parts. This confirms its low performance tier.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 107 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 64 FPS. This is a difference of 43 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset imposes a significant load on the GPU.

Q: Does the GPU have its own dedicated video memory?

A: No. The Intel Arc B390 uses System Shared memory, with its bandwidth described as System Dependent. This means it relies on the system’s DDR5 memory, which can be a limiting factor in performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2,580 out of 2,930 tested combos in Doom. This places it in the bottom 12% of all configurations, which is a direct reflection of the GPU’s weak performance. The CPU’s high percentile ranking (77th) is completely undermined by the GPU’s low ranking (9th percentile). The data shows that the overall combo rank is dictated almost entirely by the graphics card.

This low ranking is consistent with the measured frame rates. The combo is not competitive with systems that pair a mid-range GPU with a similar CPU. The fact that the GPU’s nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GeForce 800M, both of which are older, low-end parts, highlights the extent of the performance gap. The CPU is a top-tier component, but it is paired with a GPU that is fundamentally incapable of delivering high-end gaming performance. The result is a system that underperforms its potential, with the combo rank reflecting the weakest link in the chain.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system’s capabilities across all settings and resolutions.

At 3840x2160, the performance is uniformly poor. The Low preset averages 37 FPS, which is unplayable for a fast-paced FPS. The Medium preset averages 33 FPS, with a minimum of 28 FPS and a maximum of 37 FPS. High settings drop the average to 28 FPS, and Ultra brings it down to 22 FPS. None of these results are suitable for competitive or even casual play.

At 2560x1440, the situation improves but remains marginal. The Low preset averages 69 FPS, which is a playable frame rate for some users. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS and a maximum of 69 FPS. High settings yield an average of 51 FPS, while Ultra drops to 41 FPS. The frame rates here are borderline; users may find them acceptable for single-player, but they are not ideal.

At 1920x1080, the combo finally shows its potential. The Low preset averages 107 FPS, providing a smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 107 FPS. High settings still deliver a solid 78 FPS average. The Ultra preset averages 64 FPS, which is playable but shows the GPU is struggling with the higher quality settings. This is the only resolution where the system can be considered fully functional.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p with the Medium preset. The Medium preset averages 93 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. Its minimum FPS of 79 ensures that there are no significant drops during intense scenes. The jump from Low to Medium provides a noticeable visual improvement without a catastrophic impact on performance; the average only drops by 14 FPS.

For users who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset at 1080p is the best choice, delivering 107 FPS. However, the visual fidelity is likely to be too low for many players. The High preset at 1080p is also a viable option, with an average of 78 FPS. It offers a better visual experience than Medium, but the 15 FPS drop from Medium is a consideration. The Ultra preset at 1080p should be avoided, as the 64 FPS average is lower than what the High preset offers at a fraction of the visual cost. At 1440p, the Low preset is the only one that approaches a smooth experience, but it is still inferior to the 1080p Medium result. All 4K presets are not recommended due to the low frame rates.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Its memory configuration is System Shared, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on the system’s DDR5 memory. The GPU has 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, which are specifications that align with its low benchmark scores. Its FP32 performance is 7.680 TFLOPS, and its pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s.

The GPU’s role in this system is the primary bottleneck. Its 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,482 places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GeForce 800M, which are decades-old entry-level parts. This data confirms that the Arc B390 is not designed for demanding gaming workloads. The measured FPS in Doom directly reflects this, as the GPU cannot maintain high frame rates even at lower resolutions.

The GPU’s lack of dedicated memory is a significant factor. The System Shared memory configuration means that the GPU and CPU are competing for the same memory bandwidth. While the CPU supports a high bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, the practical bandwidth available to the GPU is System Dependent, which is likely lower. This contributes to the performance collapse at higher resolutions, where the demand for memory bandwidth increases. The boost clock of 2500 MHz does not compensate for the underlying architectural limitations. The data shows that the GPU is the single most important factor in this combo’s low ranking and poor frame rates.