Doom

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a striking imbalance in Doom. The 12-core, 24-thread Ryzen 9 7900X, built on the Zen 4 Raphael architecture, is a high-end desktop part designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Arc B390 is an integrated graphics solution from Intel’s Panther Lake generation. This pairing results in a configuration where the CPU’s potential is vastly underutilized, as the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck across all tested scenarios. The data shows a processor that ranks in the 91st percentile against all CPUs, yet the system’s overall gaming performance is constrained by a GPU that sits in the 9th percentile against all GPUs.

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

The Ryzen 9 7900X is a formidable processor on paper, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture. Its base clock of 4.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz are exceptionally high, which should provide ample single-threaded performance for a game like Doom, which was released in 2016 and relies more on raw clock speed than massive core counts. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU demonstrates its strength, achieving a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 29300 and a single-core score of 2016.5. Its 3DMark scores further reinforce its capability, with a max-thread score of 12536 and a single-thread score of 1093.

However, in the context of this specific game benchmark, the CPU’s role is largely secondary. Doom is not a particularly demanding title for modern high-end processors, and the Ryzen 9 7900X provides far more computational headroom than the game requires. The benchmark results indicate that the limiting factor is never the CPU. For instance, at 1080p with Low settings, the average frame rate is 107 FPS. Even at the highest tested settings (Ultra), the average dips to 64 FPS, a drop that is entirely attributable to the GPU’s workload, not the CPU’s capability. The processor’s 64 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 memory support ensure that data feeding is not a constraint, but the system’s frame rate is still capped by the graphics solution. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the AMD EPYC 7313P (0.2% higher average score) and the Intel Core i7-14700F (0.6% lower average score), are also far more powerful than what is necessary for this game, confirming that the CPU is not a performance ceiling here.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is the polar opposite of the CPU in terms of performance class. This integrated GPU, part of the Arc Graphics-M (Panther Lake) generation, uses a 3 nm process node and operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. It features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output pipelines. Its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system’s main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means its performance can vary based on the host system’s RAM speed and configuration.

In the context of Doom, the Arc B390’s limitations are immediately apparent. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is a modest 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all low-end or legacy parts, including the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% higher score) and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (2.7% higher score). This performance tier explains why the system struggles to maintain high frame rates even at lower resolutions. The lack of dedicated VRAM means that texture loading and memory bandwidth are shared with the CPU, which can introduce additional latency and performance penalties, especially at higher resolutions where memory pressure increases. The GPU’s 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power is theoretically sufficient for a well-optimized game like Doom, but the practical integrated architecture and memory sharing severely hamper its real-world gaming performance. The data shows a clear pattern: the GPU is the bottleneck at every resolution and settings combination tested.

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

The resolution scaling data provides a clear picture of where the performance bottleneck lies. Moving from 1080p to 4K at the same settings shows a dramatic drop in frame rates, which is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound system. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 107 FPS at 1920x1080 to 69 FPS at 2560x1440, and then to 37 FPS at 3840x2160. This represents a 65% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K. Similarly, at High settings, the average drops from 78 FPS at 1080p to 51 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 28 FPS at 4K, a 64% reduction.

These scaling patterns are significant because they show that the performance degradation is proportional to the pixel count increase. When the GPU is the limiting component, increasing resolution places a linearly higher demand on the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth, which the Arc B390 cannot sustain. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates plateau or drop only slightly at higher resolutions, as the CPU workload remains relatively constant regardless of resolution. The data shows the opposite, confirming that the Arc B390 is operating at its absolute limits. The fact that the 1440p Medium average is 60 FPS and the 4K Medium average is 33 FPS, with corresponding minimums of 51 and 28 FPS, further illustrates that the integrated GPU’s rendering capacity is exhausted quickly as resolution increases. This is a textbook case of a GPU-bound scenario where the CPU’s powerful 12-core configuration is left waiting for the graphics pipeline to catch up.

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

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system achieves its best results, but they are still modest. With Low settings, the average frame rate is 107 FPS, which is the highest recorded for this configuration. Medium settings yield an average of 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 FPS and a maximum of 107 FPS. High settings produce an average of 78 FPS, while Ultra settings bring the average down to 64 FPS. The spread between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 43 FPS, indicating that the GPU’s ability to handle increased graphical complexity is limited.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. Low settings average 69 FPS, Medium averages 60 FPS (with a minimum of 51 and maximum of 69), High averages 51 FPS, and Ultra averages 41 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at this resolution is 28 FPS, showing that the GPU’s headroom is shrinking. At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playability. Low settings average 37 FPS, Medium averages 33 FPS (with a minimum of 28 and maximum of 37), High averages 28 FPS, and Ultra averages just 22 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at 4K narrows to 15 FPS, demonstrating that the GPU is saturated and additional settings changes have diminishing returns. The minimum frame rates recorded for the Medium preset at each resolution (79 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 28 FPS at 4K) provide a lower bound for stability, which is critical for a fast-paced FPS like Doom where frame pacing is essential.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The overall ranking for this CPU-GPU combination in Doom is notably poor, reflecting the GPU’s limitations. The combo ranks 3300 out of 3712 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 11% of all systems tested for this game. This ranking is unsurprising given the Arc B390’s GPU percentile of 9 and its benchmark scores, which are comparable to NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 710. The high-performance CPU does little to boost the system’s standing because the game’s frame rate is entirely dependent on the GPU’s rendering speed.

In comparison to other combos, this system is positioned near the bottom of the pack, lower than any configuration that would pair the Ryzen 9 7900X with a discrete graphics card, even an entry-level one. The data indicates that the CPU’s 91st percentile ranking is irrelevant to the gaming experience here, as the combo’s rank is dragged down by the GPU’s 9th percentile performance. The ranking suggests that for Doom, this configuration is severely unbalanced, with the CPU’s capabilities wasted in favor of a graphics solution that cannot keep up with even modest gaming demands. The 3712 total combos tested shows that this pairing is an outlier in terms of performance mismatch, as most systems with a CPU of this caliber would include a far more capable GPU.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution, but the overall goal of achieving a smooth, playable experience in a fast-paced FPS should prioritize frame rate stability. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 107 FPS, which is the only settings level that exceeds the 100 FPS threshold. This is the recommended preset for competitive play at this resolution, as it provides the highest frame rate and lowest input latency. The Medium preset at 93 FPS is also acceptable, but the 14 FPS drop from Low may not be worth the minor visual improvements given the GPU’s constraints.

At 2560x1440, the situation changes. The Low preset averages 69 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for a fast-paced shooter. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 FPS, which is still within the bounds of playability but may suffer from occasional stutters. For the best balance of visuals and performance at 1440p, the Low preset is the safer choice, as it provides a higher average and better frame pacing. At 3840x2160, none of the presets deliver a truly playable experience, with the highest average being 37 FPS on Low. The Ultra preset at 22 FPS is effectively unplayable. For 4K, the data suggests that the user should either lower the resolution to 1440p or accept that this configuration is not suitable for 4K gaming. The Medium preset at 4K provides a minimum of 28 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay in Doom.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Doom?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 107 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or the Intel Arc B390 the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data indicates the Intel Arc B390 is the bottleneck. Frame rates drop significantly with increased resolution and settings, which is characteristic of a GPU-limited system, while the CPU has substantial headroom.

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

A: The Arc B390 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482. It is 1.3% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% ahead of the GeForce 800M, and 2.7% ahead of the GeForce GT 710, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming based on the measurements?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset provides an average of 69 FPS. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS with a minimum of 51 FPS. For a more stable frame rate, the Low preset is recommended.

Q: Can this system run Doom at 4K resolution smoothly?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 37 on the Low preset, and the Ultra preset drops to 22 FPS. The minimum FPS on the Medium preset is 28, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: How does this system rank among all tested combos for Doom?

A: This combination ranks 3300 out of 3712 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 11% of all systems tested for this game.