Doom

# Doom — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D + Intel Arc B580

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the Intel Arc B580 produces a compelling 1080p and 1440p experience in Doom, but the combination hits a clear performance ceiling at 4K. The measured data shows this combo ranks 2175th out of 2930 tested combinations for this game, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the database. The 12-core, 24-thread Zen 5 processor with its 128 MB of L3 cache provides ample compute headroom, while the Arc B580's 12 GB of GDDR6 memory and 456 GB/s bandwidth become the defining factor as resolution increases. The results reveal a system that excels at high refresh rate 1080p gaming, remains very playable at 1440p, but struggles to maintain smooth frame rates at 4K with maximum settings.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals the GPU as the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. At High settings, the combo delivers 137 FPS at 1920x1080, drops to 88 FPS at 2560x1440, and falls to 48 FPS at 3840x2160. That represents a 36% reduction from 1080p to 1440p and a further 45% reduction from 1440p to 4K. The scaling pattern indicates that the Arc B580's rendering throughput — rated at 13.67 TFLOPS FP32 with a 213.6 GPixel/s pixel rate — is insufficient to maintain frame rates as pixel count quadruples from 1080p to 4K.

Looking at Low settings, the resolution scaling is even more pronounced in absolute terms. The combo achieves 186 FPS at 1080p, 120 FPS at 1440p, and 65 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1440p to 4K at Low settings (120 to 65 FPS) represents a 46% decrease, suggesting that even with minimal graphical load, the GPU cannot keep pace with 4K pixel throughput. The 192-bit memory bus and 456 GB/s bandwidth appear to be a limiting factor, as Doom's texture streaming at 4K demands significant memory bandwidth.

The Medium settings row provides the only complete min/max data in the measured set. At 1080p Medium, the combo averages 162 FPS with a minimum of 137 and maximum of 186. At 1440p Medium, the average drops to 105 FPS with a range of 89 to 120. At 4K Medium, the average falls to 57 FPS with a range of 48 to 65. The minimum frame rates at each resolution show that the system maintains relatively tight frame pacing, with the gap between min and max FPS remaining consistent at roughly 17-18 FPS across resolutions.

The scaling behavior points to a system where the CPU is rarely the limiting factor. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D's single-thread performance, measured at 1269 in 3DMark single-thread and 3041 in Geekbench single-core, is more than adequate for Doom's engine. The 186 FPS at 1080p Low suggests the CPU can feed the GPU well beyond what the Arc B580 can render at higher resolutions. As resolution increases, the GPU's pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth become the dominant constraints.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank of 2175 out of 2930 tested combinations places this pairing in the 74th percentile of all tested systems for Doom. This ranking reflects the Arc B580's position in the GPU hierarchy — it sits at the 68th percentile among all GPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 23021. The GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP (average score 23061, 0.2% higher), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (average score 22895, 0.6% lower), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (average score 23172, 0.7% higher), and the NVIDIA P106-100 (average score 23249, 1% higher). This clustering indicates the Arc B580 performs in a tight band around these older and newer NVIDIA/AMD offerings.

The CPU side of the equation is substantially stronger. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D ranks at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 54762. Its nearest CPU rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (average score 55093, 0.6% higher), the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K (average score 54053, 1.3% lower), the Intel Xeon 6505P (average score 53701, 2% lower), and the Intel Core i7-14700F (average score 53620, 2.1% lower). The CPU's 3DMark max-thread score of 13795 and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 indicate substantial processing headroom that Doom does not fully utilize.

The disparity between CPU and GPU percentiles — 91st versus 68th — explains the combo's mid-pack ranking. The system is CPU-heavy relative to its GPU, which means the Arc B580 is the component that determines the gaming experience in this title. The rank of 2175 out of 2930 indicates that many combinations with weaker CPUs but stronger GPUs outperform this pairing in Doom, as the game is more sensitive to GPU throughput than CPU compute.

CPU Role

The Ryzen 9 9900X3D brings 12 cores and 24 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process. The processor operates with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, backed by 128 MB of L3 cache. This cache configuration is particularly relevant for gaming workloads, as Doom benefits from large on-die caches to reduce memory latency. The CPU's single-thread performance — 1269 in 3DMark single-thread, 679 in Cinebench R15 single-core, 2830 in Cinebench R20 single-core, and 6739 in Cinebench R23 single-core — comfortably handles the game's primary thread.

The multi-threaded capabilities of this CPU are extensive but largely unused in Doom. The processor scores 12490 in 3DMark 16-thread, 13795 in 3DMark max-thread, 20049 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 47737 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Doom's id Tech 6 engine scales across multiple threads, but the measured frame rates suggest the GPU saturates before CPU thread utilization becomes a constraint. At 1080p Low, the 186 FPS average is likely near the engine's frame rate ceiling or the GPU's maximum output, not a CPU limitation.

The CPU's memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s (dual-channel DDR5) and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity (24 lanes from the CPU) provide ample data transfer capability. The processor's 16,630 million transistors across a 2x 70.6 mm² die size, built on a 4 nm process, contribute to its efficiency. The TDP of 120 watts is modest for a 12-core part, and the unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, though the data suggests the stock configuration is sufficient for Doom.

The benchmark data shows this CPU performs within 2.1% of its nearest rivals in average score, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF leading by only 0.6%. This tight clustering indicates that for Doom specifically, the choice between these high-end CPUs would have minimal impact on measured FPS — the GPU would remain the limiting factor regardless of which of these processors is installed.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its strongest results. Low settings produce an average of 186 FPS, Medium settings average 162 FPS (minimum 137, maximum 186), High settings average 137 FPS, and Ultra settings average 112 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a 40% reduction in frame rate (186 to 112 FPS), indicating that graphical settings have a substantial impact even at 1080p. The 74 FPS gap between Low and Ultra settings demonstrates that Doom's quality presets significantly alter the GPU workload at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the averages drop but remain playable. Low settings average 120 FPS, Medium averages 105 FPS (minimum 89, maximum 120), High averages 88 FPS, and Ultra averages 72 FPS. The 1080p to 1440p transition costs between 31% (High: 137 to 88 FPS) and 36% (Low: 186 to 120 FPS) of frame rate. At 1440p Ultra, the 72 FPS average is still above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay, making this a viable resolution for the combo with high settings.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles to maintain playable frame rates at higher settings. Low settings average 65 FPS, Medium averages 57 FPS (minimum 48, maximum 65), High averages 48 FPS, and Ultra averages 39 FPS. The 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS falls below the 40 FPS minimum for comfortable gameplay, and even 4K High at 48 FPS is borderline. Only 4K Low (65 FPS) and 4K Medium (57 FPS) deliver averages above 60 FPS, though the 4K Medium minimum of 48 FPS indicates occasional dips below that threshold.

The data shows a consistent pattern: each settings tier costs roughly 15-20% of frame rate compared to the tier below it, regardless of resolution. The gap between Low and Ultra is approximately 40% at 1080p (186 to 112), 40% at 1440p (120 to 72), and 40% at 4K (65 to 39). This consistency suggests the settings presets scale the GPU workload proportionally across resolutions, with the Arc B580's performance ceiling being the dominant factor.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580, based on the Xe2-HPG architecture (Battlemage generation), is built on TSMC's 5 nm process with 19,600 million transistors across a 272 mm² die. The GPU operates at a fixed 2670 MHz base and boost clock, with memory running at 2375 MHz (19 Gbps effective) across a 192-bit bus for 456 GB/s bandwidth. The 12 GB GDDR6 frame buffer is generous for this performance class and provides sufficient capacity for Doom's textures at all tested resolutions.

The GPU's compute resources include 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, and 80 ROPs, yielding a pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s. The FP32 throughput of 13.67 TFLOPS places this card in a specific performance tier, and the benchmark data confirms its position: the GPU's average benchmark score of 23021 sits within 1% of its nearest rivals (RTX 2080, RTX 3080, RX 580 2048SP, and P106-100). The 68th percentile ranking among all GPUs reflects this mid-range positioning.

In Doom specifically, the GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution rises. At 1080p, the GPU's 186 FPS at Low settings suggests it can handle the game's rendering demands at lower resolutions with substantial headroom. The drop to 112 FPS at 1080p Ultra shows that higher settings increase the GPU workload significantly. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor — even at Low settings, the 65 FPS average is well below what the CPU could theoretically support.

The GPU's memory bandwidth of 456 GB/s appears adequate for 1080p and 1440p but becomes a constraint at 4K. The 192-bit bus width, combined with 19 Gbps effective memory speed, provides the bandwidth that Doom's texture-heavy environments require. The 12 GB VRAM capacity is not a limiting factor at any tested resolution, as Doom's texture sets fit comfortably within this allocation. The GPU's 190 W TDP and 450 W suggested PSU indicate moderate power requirements, though power consumption data is not part of the measured FPS results.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data supports specific settings recommendations based on target frame rates and resolution. For 1920x1080, all settings presets deliver playable results, with even Ultra averaging 112 FPS. Players targeting 144 Hz or higher refresh rates should consider Medium settings (162 FPS average) or Low settings (186 FPS average) to maximize smoothness. The High preset at 137 FPS provides a good balance of visual quality and performance for 120 Hz displays.

At 2560x1440, the High preset (88 FPS average) offers the best experience for 60-90 Hz displays, while Medium (105 FPS average) is preferable for 100+ Hz monitors. The Ultra preset at 72 FPS is playable but leaves little headroom for demanding scenes. The Low preset at 120 FPS is recommended for competitive play or high refresh rate displays, though the visual compromise is significant.

At 3840x2160, the Medium preset (57 FPS average, 48 FPS minimum) is the highest quality setting that maintains an average above 55 FPS. The Low preset (65 FPS average) is the only setting that consistently stays above 60 FPS, making it the recommended choice for 4K gaming with this combo. The High preset (48 FPS) and Ultra preset (39 FPS) are not recommended for 4K, as they fall below smooth gameplay thresholds.

For the best overall experience, the 1440p High preset (88 FPS average) provides the optimal balance of visual fidelity and performance. The 1080p Ultra preset (112 FPS) is also viable for players who prioritize image quality over frame rate. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p high refresh rate gaming or 1440p standard refresh rate gaming, with 4K reserved for lower settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combo in Doom?

A: The measured data shows 2560x1440 at High settings delivers 88 FPS average, which is the best balance of visual quality and performance. At 1920x1080, all settings exceed 112 FPS, while at 3840x2160, only Low (65 FPS) and Medium (57 FPS) settings average above 55 FPS.

Q: How does this combo perform at 4K Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the combo averages 39 FPS, which falls below the 40 FPS threshold for comfortable gameplay. The 4K Medium preset averages 57 FPS with a minimum of 48 FPS, making it the highest quality 4K setting that maintains playable frame rates.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in Doom?

A: The GPU is clearly the limiting factor, especially at higher resolutions. The CPU ranks at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU ranks at the 68th percentile. The FPS drops from 1080p to 4K (e.g., 137 to 48 FPS at High settings) indicate GPU-bound performance, as the CPU's single-thread score of 1269 in 3DMark is more than sufficient for Doom.

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

A: The Arc B580's average benchmark score of 23021 is within 1% of its nearest rivals: the RX 580 2048SP (23061, 0.2% higher), RTX 2080 (22895, 0.6% lower), RTX 3080 (23172, 0.7% higher), and P106-100 (23249, 1% higher). This indicates the GPU performs in a tight band around these cards.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1080p with this combo?

A: At 1920x1080, the combo averages 186 FPS at Low, 162 FPS at Medium, 137 FPS at High, and 112 FPS at Ultra settings. All presets deliver smooth gameplay, with the Medium preset offering the best combination of high frame rate (162 FPS) and improved visual quality.

Q: Does the 12 GB VRAM on the Arc B580 cause any limitations in Doom?

A: No. The 12 GB GDDR6 memory is sufficient for Doom at all tested resolutions and settings. The limiting factor at 4K is the GPU's compute throughput (13.67 TFLOPS FP32) and memory bandwidth (456 GB/s), not VRAM capacity, as no resolution or settings combination exhausted the frame buffer.