Doom

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the Intel Arc B390 in Doom presents a dataset where the CPU’s substantial compute resources are consistently bottlenecked by the integrated graphics solution. The measured frames per second across resolutions and settings reveal a system that can handle the game’s logic and physics with ease, but the rendering pipeline caps the experience at levels far below what the processor could otherwise support. This analysis walks through the CPU’s role, the scaling behavior, and the practical implications for playing this 2016 title.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a 10-core, 16-thread processor from the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 20 MB L3 cache. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU scores 23,391 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,302 in single-core, while its 3DMark 16-thread score is 7,956. These numbers place the processor in the 79th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27,799.

In Doom, the CPU’s role is to manage game logic, physics, and draw calls. The 10 cores and 16 threads provide ample parallel processing headroom, and the 4.90 GHz boost clock ensures strong single-thread performance for the primary game thread. However, the measured FPS data shows that the CPU is never the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the system reaches 107 FPS average, which is the highest recorded value in the dataset. The fact that lowering the resolution from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K produces significant FPS drops—107 to 69 to 37 at Low settings—indicates that the graphics subsystem, not the CPU, dictates performance.

The CPU’s nearest rivals in the benchmark database include the Intel Core i9-10900K (average score 27,872, delta -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE (27,712, delta +0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (27,887, delta -0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (27,896, delta -0.3%). These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, meaning the i5-12600KF’s compute performance is statistically indistinguishable from these alternatives. Yet in Doom, the GPU bottleneck makes this CPU’s strength irrelevant to the final frame rate. The processor’s 3DMark 2-thread score of 1,995 and 4-thread score of 3,806 are more than sufficient for a game from 2016, which was designed for quad-core processors of that era.

The CPU’s memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, along with its 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, allows for a high-bandwidth connection to a discrete GPU, but in this configuration, the Arc B390 is an integrated part (IGP), sharing system memory. This shared memory architecture is a key constraint, as the CPU and GPU compete for the same bandwidth. The benchmark results suggest that the CPU’s 20 MB L3 cache helps mitigate some latency, but the overall system still falls short of delivering playable frame rates at higher resolutions.

FAQ

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

A: The highest average FPS is 107, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only setting and resolution combination that exceeds 100 FPS in the measured data.

Q: How does the CPU’s multi-core performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27,799. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, scores 27,896, a delta of -0.3%, meaning the i5 is slightly behind but effectively tied. The Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27,872, also a -0.3% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27,712, a +0.3% delta, indicating the i5 is marginally ahead of that chip.

Q: At 4K resolution, what is the difference between Low and Ultra settings?

A: At 3840x2160, Low settings produce an average of 37 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 22 FPS. This is a difference of 15 FPS, representing a 40.5% drop from Low to Ultra. Medium settings sit between at 33 FPS, and High yields 28 FPS.

Q: Does the CPU show any signs of bottlenecking in the measured data?

A: No. The FPS scales inversely with resolution and settings, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU’s 10 cores and 16 threads are never saturated, as evidenced by the fact that 1080p Low (107 FPS) is the only configuration where the system approaches a higher frame rate, and even then, the CPU has headroom.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested combinations for Doom?

A: The combo ranks 2,580 out of 2,930 tested combinations. This places it in the bottom 12% of all combos, reflecting the GPU’s low performance percentile.

Q: How does the GPU’s average benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1,482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, scores 1,463, a delta of +1.3% (the Arc is ahead). The NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1,460 (+1.5%), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1,446 (+2.5%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1,443 (+2.7%).

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling data for this combo shows a steep decline in performance as pixel count increases. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 107 at 1920x1080 to 69 at 2560x1440, a 35.5% reduction. Moving from 1440p to 3840x2160, the FPS drops from 69 to 37, a 46.4% reduction. The overall drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is from 107 to 37 FPS, a 65.4% decrease.

At High settings, the scaling is similar but with lower absolute numbers: 78 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 28 FPS at 4K. The percentage drops are 34.6% (1080p to 1440p) and 45.1% (1440p to 4K). Medium settings show 93 FPS at 1080p, 60 FPS at 1440p, and 33 FPS at 4K, with drops of 35.5% and 45.0%. Ultra settings have the lowest baseline: 64 FPS at 1080p, 41 FPS at 1440p, and 22 FPS at 4K, with drops of 35.9% and 46.3%.

These consistent percentage drops across all settings indicate that the limiting component is the GPU. The pixel throughput required at 4K is roughly four times that at 1080p, and the Arc B390 cannot keep up. The data shows that the FPS roughly halves every time the resolution doubles in linear dimensions (1080p to 4K is a 4x pixel increase, but the FPS drops by about 65-70%, not 75%, suggesting some efficiency gains at lower resolutions). The 1440p to 4K drop is steeper than the 1080p to 1440p drop, which is typical of a GPU that struggles with memory bandwidth in a shared system memory configuration.

The min and max FPS values, available only for Medium settings, reinforce this. At 4K Medium, the range is 28 to 37 FPS, with an average of 33. At 1440p Medium, the range is 51 to 69 FPS, average 60. At 1080p Medium, the range is 79 to 107 FPS, average 93. The fact that the min and max values bracket the averages tightly suggests stable frame pacing, but the overall performance is low. The CPU’s role in this scaling is minimal—if the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect similar FPS across resolutions, but the data shows a clear resolution-dependent pattern.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo rank for this Intel Core i5-12600KF and Intel Arc B390 pairing in Doom is 2,580 out of 2,930 tested combinations. This places it in the 12th percentile of all combos, meaning 88% of tested systems perform better in this game. The rank reflects the GPU’s limitations, as the CPU is in the 79th percentile of all processors. This stark contrast—a high-ranking CPU paired with a low-ranking GPU—explains the poor overall result.

The GPU’s percentile vs all GPUs is 9, meaning it outperforms only 9% of all graphics cards in the database. Its average benchmark score of 1,482 comes from a single test: 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, where it scored 1,482. This is a low score, and the nearest rivals—all NVIDIA integrated or entry-level parts from a decade ago—confirm the Arc B390’s position at the bottom of the performance hierarchy. The deltaPct values against these rivals are +1.3% (GT 520MX), +1.5% (GeForce 800M), +2.5% (GT 625 OEM), and +2.7% (GT 710), meaning the Arc B390 is only slightly faster than these ancient parts.

In Doom specifically, the combo’s rank of 2,580 out of 2,930 means it is in the bottom 12%. This aligns with the measured FPS: at 1080p High, the system averages 78 FPS, which is playable but not impressive. At 4K Ultra, it averages 22 FPS, which is unplayable. The CPU’s strong synthetic scores (e.g., 23,391 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) do not translate to better game performance because the GPU is the hard ceiling. The data indicates that any of the CPU’s nearest rivals—the i9-10900K, Ryzen 5 8500GE, Ryzen 7 6800U, or Ryzen 7 5800X3D—would produce nearly identical results in this combo, as the GPU would still limit the frame rate.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, Low settings provide the highest average FPS at 107, which is smooth for a fast-paced FPS like Doom. Medium settings drop to 93 FPS, and High to 78 FPS, both still playable. Ultra settings yield 64 FPS, which is borderline but acceptable for single-player. The data suggests that at 1080p, even High settings (78 FPS) are sufficient for a good experience, and Low settings offer the best headroom for maintaining 100+ FPS.

At 2560x1440, the options narrow. Low settings produce 69 FPS, which is playable, while Medium drops to 60 FPS, still acceptable. High settings yield 51 FPS, which may feel less responsive in a game that benefits from high frame rates. Ultra settings at 41 FPS are not recommended for competitive play but could be tolerable for casual play. The min/max data at Medium (51-69 FPS) shows that the frame rate can dip to 51 FPS, so Low is the safer choice for maintaining a stable experience.

At 3840x2160, no setting achieves a comfortable frame rate. Low settings average 37 FPS, Medium 33 FPS, High 28 FPS, and Ultra 22 FPS. For a game like Doom, which rewards quick reflexes, 4K is not viable with this combo. The best experience at 4K would be Low settings (37 FPS), but even that falls below the 60 FPS threshold that most players consider necessary for a smooth experience. The recommendation is to play at 1080p with High settings (78 FPS) for a balanced visual quality and performance, or 1080p Low (107 FPS) for maximum fluidity.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of this combo’s performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 64 (Ultra) to 107 (Low). The specific values are: High 78 FPS, Low 107 FPS, Medium 93 FPS (with min 79 and max 107), and Ultra 64 FPS. This shows a clear progression where each settings tier reduces performance by roughly 15-20 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 43 FPS, a 40.2% reduction.

At 2560x1440, the averages are: High 51 FPS, Low 69 FPS, Medium 60 FPS (min 51, max 69), and Ultra 41 FPS. The progression is consistent, with a 28 FPS difference between Low and Ultra, representing a 40.6% drop. At 3840x2160, the averages are: High 28 FPS, Low 37 FPS, Medium 33 FPS (min 28, max 37), and Ultra 22 FPS. The Low to Ultra difference is 15 FPS, a 40.5% drop, which is remarkably consistent with the other resolutions.

The min and max FPS values for Medium settings show that the frame rate range is 79-107 at 1080p, 51-69 at 1440p, and 28-37 at 4K. These ranges indicate that the system maintains a relatively stable frame rate, with the max at 1080p Medium matching the Low average (107 FPS), suggesting that the CPU can push beyond the average when the scene allows. The data also shows that the FPS scales almost linearly with settings: Low to Medium is a drop of 14 FPS at 1080p, 9 FPS at 1440p, and 4 FPS at 4K. Medium to High is a drop of 15 FPS at 1080p, 9 FPS at 1440p, and 5 FPS at 4K. High to Ultra is a drop of 14 FPS at 1080p, 10 FPS at 1440p, and 6 FPS at 4K. This pattern suggests that each settings tier imposes a similar relative cost, but the absolute impact diminishes at higher resolutions where the GPU is already saturated.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz, with memory that is system shared, meaning it uses the same RAM as the CPU. The GPU features 1,536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units, along with 12 ray tracing cores. Its pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s, texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, and it delivers 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. The TDP is 80 W, and it has no dedicated power connectors, as it is an integrated part.

In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, the Arc B390 scores 1,482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all NVIDIA parts from the early 2010s: the GT 520MX (1,463, delta +1.3%), GeForce 800M (1,460, +1.5%), GT 625 OEM (1,446, +2.5%), and GT 710 (1,443, +2.7%). The deltas show that the Arc B390 is only marginally faster than these ancient parts, confirming its position as a low-end integrated solution. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 1,482 is the same as its single Steel Nomad score, indicating that this is the only benchmark available for this part.

In Doom, the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The measured FPS at 4K Ultra (22 FPS) is below the threshold for playable, and even 1080p Ultra (64 FPS) is below the 70 FPS target many players prefer. The GPU’s shared memory architecture means that it competes with the CPU for bandwidth, and the system dependent bandwidth further hampers performance. The boost clock of 2500 MHz is high for an integrated part, but the low shading unit count (1,536) and 24 ROPs limit the fill rate. The texture rate of 120 GTexel/s is adequate for older games, but the pixel rate of 60 GPixel/s becomes a bottleneck at 4K, where the GPU must process over 8 million pixels per frame.

The GPU’s support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 means it can technically run Doom, which uses Vulkan, but the hardware cannot deliver the performance needed. The data shows that the Arc B390’s role is to provide basic graphical output, but for a demanding FPS like Doom, it falls short. The combo’s rank of 2,580 out of 2,930 is a direct result of this GPU performance. The CPU’s 79th percentile ranking is irrelevant when the GPU is in the 9th percentile. In this pairing, the GPU dictates every aspect of the gaming experience, from resolution scaling to settings viability, and the data confirms that the Arc B390 is the definitive bottleneck.