Doom

The Intel Arc B390, an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, paired with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D, delivers playable but constrained performance in Doom. The benchmark data reveals a system where the graphical processor is the definitive bottleneck, with the CPU's substantial resources remaining largely untapped. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across resolutions and settings to show exactly where this combo stands.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates show a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, but the magnitude of the drop-off is severe. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 107 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that average to 69 FPS, a 35.5% reduction. Pushing further to 4K (2160p) results in a 37 FPS average, which is another 46.4% reduction from the 1440p figure. This steep decline across every resolution step indicates that the rendering pipeline is saturated by the GPU's limits, not the CPU's.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K is particularly telling. At the High preset, the average FPS falls from 78 at 1080p to 51 at 1440p, and finally to 28 at 4K. This represents a total performance loss of over 64% from the lowest to the highest resolution tested. In a balanced system, this drop would be less pronounced, as the CPU would begin to take a more active role at lower resolutions. Here, the data suggests the Arc B390 is completely overwhelmed as pixel count increases. The 4K results are consistently below the threshold for comfortable playability, with even the Low preset only managing 37 FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K is the worst-case scenario, collapsing to a 22 FPS average, which is a slideshow by any measure.

The fact that the frame rate drops by more than half when moving from 1080p to 4K on the Low preset (107 to 37 FPS) points directly to the GPU's fillrate and shading limitations. The integrated graphics solution has a fixed pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s, which are simply insufficient for the demands of 4K rendering in a fast-paced title. The data shows a system where the limiting component is unequivocally the graphics processor, and this is true across all tested presets.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is a mobile-oriented integrated graphics processor with a 3 nm process node from Intel. Its performance class is made starkly apparent by its benchmark scores and nearest rivals. It scores only 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest competitors, according to the data, are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (with a score of 1463) and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (with a score of 1460). The Arc B390 is just 1.3% ahead of the GT 520MX and 1.5% ahead of the 800M, placing it in the same performance tier as decade-old entry-level mobile parts.

The GPU's memory configuration is a major factor in its performance. It uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it relies on the CPU's main system RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means its performance is directly tied to the speed and configuration of the installed system memory. This shared memory architecture is a common bottleneck for iGPUs, as it contends with the CPU for memory access.

The core clocks are also revealing. The base clock is a low 300 MHz, boosting up to 2500 MHz. This low base clock helps keep the TDP at just 80 W, but it means the GPU is designed to be efficient at low power, not to deliver high-end gaming performance. The 1536 shading units and 24 ROPs are modest numbers that align with its low percentile ranking. The data indicates that this GPU is designed for basic graphical tasks and light gaming, and Doom at high settings is a significant challenge for it.

The results at 1080p underscore this. At the Medium preset, the average FPS is 93, which is playable, but the Low preset is the only one that pushes past the 100 FPS mark. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops the average to 64 FPS, showing that even at the lowest resolution, the GPU cannot handle the highest quality settings. The GPU's role here is that of a strict limiter; its performance ceiling is the defining characteristic of this entire combination.

CPU Role

In stark contrast to the GPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a high-end desktop processor with immense processing power. It features 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its performance metrics are exceptional, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 54762 is nearly identical to its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (which scores 55093, a -0.6% difference), showing that it is a top-tier part.

The CPU's synthetic benchmark scores are far beyond what any game needs for basic physics and game logic. For example, its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 47737, and its single-core score is 6739. This raw compute capability is more than sufficient to feed any modern GPU. The massive 128 MB of L3 cache is a key feature of the 3D V-Cache lineup and is designed to reduce latency in gaming workloads, making the CPU an ideal partner for a powerful discrete GPU.

However, in this specific combination, the CPU's role is largely passive. The benchmark data shows that the GPU is the bottleneck, meaning the CPU is likely sitting idle waiting for the Arc B390 to finish rendering each frame. The evidence for this is in the resolution scaling. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would see similar FPS across different resolutions. Instead, we see a massive drop from 1080p to 4K, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D has the headroom to handle far more demanding graphics workloads than the Arc B390 can provide. The CPU's massive thread count and high clock speeds are completely untapped in this pairing, as the game’s performance is dictated solely by the iGPU’s output.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in Doom?*

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

*Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Doom?*

A: The data shows it is not. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS recorded is 37 on the Low preset. The Ultra preset at this resolution only manages a 22 FPS average, which is below playable thresholds.

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

A: The Arc B390 is only 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and 1.5% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, placing it in the very low end of GPU performance, at the 9th percentile.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D a good match for this game?

A: While the CPU is extremely powerful, it is severely held back by the GPU. The CPU's performance is not the limiting factor, as the FPS drops significantly at higher resolutions, a sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU has the power to drive far more powerful graphics cards.

Q: What settings provide the highest minimum FPS?

A: The only preset with a recorded minimum FPS is Medium. At 1920x1080, the Medium preset has a minimum FPS of 79, while at 2560x1440 it drops to 51, and at 3840x2160 it drops to 28.

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this combo?

A: This combination ranks 2580 out of 2930 tested combos for Doom, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems tested.

How This Combo Ranks

The pairing of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Arc B390 results in a rank of 2580 out of 2930 tested combos for Doom. This puts the system in the bottom percentile, specifically in the 12th percentile of all tested combinations. This low ranking is a direct consequence of the massive imbalance between the CPU and GPU. The CPU is a top-tier performer, ranking in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The system's overall rank is dragged down entirely by the GPU.

The data shows that this is a severely bottlenecked system. The integrated Arc B390 cannot provide enough frames to make use of the Ryzen 9 9900X3D's power. The combo's ranking is a reflection of the weakest link in the chain. It is a clear case where a high-end CPU is paired with an entry-level GPU, resulting in a system that performs at the level of its graphics component, not its processor. The result is a rank that is far closer to the bottom of the list than to the top, despite the presence of a flagship-class processor. The system's performance is effectively capped by the GPU's low compute throughput and shared memory limitations.

Settings Recommendations

The benchmark data offers a clear guide for getting the best experience from this hardware. The most important factor is resolution; 4K should be avoided entirely, as the highest average FPS there is a mere 37. For a stable and playable experience, 1920x1080 is the only viable resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset provides the highest average FPS at 107 and is the only setting that consistently delivers a high refresh rate experience.

The Medium preset at 1080p is a strong alternative for better visual quality. It provides an average of 93 FPS with a minimum of 79 FPS, which is still well within the playable range and offers a significant visual upgrade over the Low preset. The High preset at 1080p yields a 78 FPS average, which is playable but begins to show the GPU's struggle. The Ultra preset at 1080p should be avoided, as the average FPS drops to 64, which can feel less smooth in a fast-paced game like Doom.

At 1440p, even the Low preset drops to a 69 FPS average, which is acceptable but less consistent. The Medium preset at 1440p maintains a 60 FPS average with a 51 FPS minimum, which is the best balance of quality and performance at that resolution. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p fall below 51 FPS and are not recommended.

The optimal configuration is to play at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset. This provides a 93 FPS average with a 79 FPS minimum, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience while offering a notable improvement in visual fidelity over the Low preset. If maximum frame rate is the priority, the Low preset at 1080p is the best choice. Any attempt to play at 4K will result in a suboptimal experience, and the Ultra preset is not viable at any resolution for this hardware combination.