Doom

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a peculiar case in Doom. The CPU is a modern 20-thread desktop part, while the GPU is an integrated graphics solution with a 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This massive imbalance dictates the game's performance profile, making the Arc B390 the primary limiting component at every resolution tested. The data shows a combo that struggles to maintain playable frame rates, with the CPU’s substantial processing power left largely untapped by the graphics bottleneck.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a stark and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 107 FPS. This is the highest performance point in the entire dataset, indicating that the integrated GPU can still deliver a playable experience when the load is minimized. Moving to 2560x1440 at Low settings drops the average to 69 FPS, a reduction of 38 FPS, or roughly 35.5% lower than the 1080p result. This sharp decline is the first clear indication that the Arc B390’s fill rate and shading power are being saturated quickly.

The scaling continues, though less severely, when moving to 3840x2160. At 4K with Low settings, the average FPS falls to 37. This is a further 32 FPS drop from the 1440p result, representing a decline of approximately 46.4%. The consistent and significant frame rate reduction with each resolution step demonstrates that the GPU is the bottleneck. A system limited by the CPU would show relatively stable frame rates across resolutions, as the processor would be maxed out regardless of the pixel count. Here, the frame rate is directly tied to the number of pixels being rendered, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario.

The pattern is identical across all quality presets. For instance, at High settings, the average FPS goes from 78 at 1080p to 51 at 1440p and finally to 28 at 4K. The deltas between resolutions are substantial, confirming that the Arc B390's performance scales inversely with resolution in a predictable, linear fashion. The data strongly suggests that the limiting component is the integrated GPU, as the Intel Core Ultra 7 265, with its high multi-threaded performance (Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216), is not being stressed by Doom's engine at these frame rates. The game’s demands are far below the CPU's capacity, leaving all the performance pressure on the graphics solution.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a formidable processor on paper. It features 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Its benchmark results are impressive, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216 and a single-core score of 5960, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. However, in the context of this specific Doom benchmark, its role is almost entirely secondary. The measured frame rates are so low, particularly at higher resolutions, that the CPU’s vast computational resources are never the limiting factor.

The data shows a clear GPU bottleneck. For example, at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the average FPS is 60, with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69. This range is consistent with a GPU that is working at its limit. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates that are more consistent, potentially with a lower average FPS that does not scale as dramatically with resolution changes. Instead, the frame rate scales almost perfectly with the resolution, which is a direct indicator that the Arc B390's pixel processing capabilities are being exceeded.

The CPU's architecture, Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process from TSMC, provides ample headroom. Its 30 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support help ensure that data is fed to the GPU without stalling, but this does not translate into higher FPS when the GPU cannot render frames fast enough. The CPU's score in Passmark's multithread test is 49682, and its data compression score is 522983, both of which are far beyond what a game like Doom, released in 2016, would require. The conclusion is that while the CPU is a top-tier component, its performance is effectively irrelevant to the final FPS numbers in this configuration. The Intel Arc B390, with its low 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482, is the sole determinant of the gaming experience. The CPU is waiting, but the GPU cannot keep up.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 bottleneck the Intel Arc B390 in Doom?

A: No. The benchmark data indicates the opposite. The FPS scales dramatically with resolution, from 107 FPS at 1080p Low to 37 FPS at 4K Low. This is the hallmark of a GPU-bound system. The CPU's capabilities, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42216, far exceed the demands of the game at these frame rates.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at with this combo?

A: According to the measured data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution that provides a consistently playable experience. At Low settings, it averages 107 FPS. At Medium and High settings, it averages 93 and 78 FPS, respectively. Even the Ultra preset at 1080p averages 64 FPS. All 1440p and 4K resolutions produce average FPS below 70 and 40, respectively.

Q: How does this combo compare to other tested systems in the database?

A: The combo ranks 2580 out of 2930 tested combinations in Doom. This places it in the bottom half of all systems, specifically in the lower 12th percentile. This low ranking is directly attributable to the Intel Arc B390's low performance, as its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is only in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B390 a discrete graphics card?

A: No. The data describes it as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a slot width of "IGP." It is part of the Panther Lake chip, using the Xe3-LPG architecture, and shares system memory. Its performance is comparable to very old discrete GPUs, with its nearest rivals including the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 and GT 625 OEM.

Q: What are the FPS implications of using the Ultra preset?

A: The Ultra preset is the most demanding. The measured data shows average FPS of 64 at 1080p, 41 at 1440p, and 22 at 4K. While the 1080p result is technically playable, the frame rates at higher resolutions are not. The data shows a 42 FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p and a further 19 FPS drop moving to 4K.

Q: How powerful is the CPU relative to other processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 is a high-end desktop processor. Its average benchmark score is 64640, which places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F, showing it is competitive with server-class and other high-end desktop parts.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The dataset provides a complete matrix of average frame rates across three resolutions and four quality settings. The data shows a clear hierarchy, where lower resolutions and lower settings yield higher FPS.

At 1920x1080, the performance range is the widest. With Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 107 FPS. Moving to Medium settings reduces the average to 93 FPS, with a minimum of 79 and a maximum of 107. The High preset delivers an average of 78 FPS. The most demanding setting, Ultra, produces an average of 64 FPS. This is the only resolution where all presets yield an average above 60 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset averages 69 FPS. The Medium preset averages 60 FPS, with a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 69. The High preset drops to an average of 51 FPS. The Ultra preset is the weakest, with an average of 41 FPS. This resolution is marginal for playable frame rates, with only the Low and Medium presets staying near or above the 60 FPS threshold.

At 3840x2160, the performance is poor across the board. The Low preset averages 37 FPS. The Medium preset averages 33 FPS, with a minimum of 28 and a maximum of 37. The High preset averages 28 FPS. The Ultra preset falls to an average of 22 FPS. None of these results are playable for a fast-paced FPS like Doom. The data shows that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming under any settings.

The data for the Medium preset at each resolution provides a good illustration of the scaling. The average FPS goes from 93 at 1080p, to 60 at 1440p, and finally to 33 at 4K. This represents a 35.5% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a 45% drop from 1440p to 4K. This consistent degradation confirms that the Intel Arc B390 is the performance ceiling, and its limitations are directly exposed by increasing resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of the benchmark database, this combination of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265 and the Intel Arc B390 is a poor performer for Doom. The combo ranks 2580 out of 2930 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems. This ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's performance. The Intel Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482, which puts it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the database provide a stark illustration of its performance class. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX has an average score of 1463, which is 1.3% lower than the Arc B390. The NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460, 1.5% lower. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446, 2.5% lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1443, 2.7% lower. These are all legacy, low-end mobile or entry-level desktop parts. The Arc B390 is performing in their league, not in the league of any modern discrete gaming GPU.

This low GPU ranking completely overshadows the CPU's high standing. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265 sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 64640. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 4464P (0.3% faster), the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F (0.3% slower), and the AMD EPYC 7343 (0.7% slower). The CPU is a top-tier component, but it cannot compensate for the GPU's severe lack of graphics processing power. The combo's final rank of 2580 reflects the fact that in gaming, the GPU is king, and a weak one will drag down the best of CPUs.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured data, the only viable way to play Doom with this combo is at 1920x1080 resolution. The higher resolutions of 2560x1440 and 3840x2160 produce average frame rates that are too low for a responsive and enjoyable experience, especially in a fast-paced FPS. At 4K, even the Low preset fails to reach an average of 40 FPS, which is below playability thresholds.

At 1080p, the best experience is achieved with the Low preset, which produces an average of 107 FPS. This provides a smooth and responsive frame rate that is ideal for the quick movements and reactions required in Doom. If a user prefers better visual quality, the Medium preset is a strong alternative, with an average of 93 FPS and a minimum of 79 FPS. This still offers a very playable experience while providing a significant visual upgrade over Low. The High preset, with an average of 78 FPS, is also acceptable for most players, though it starts to approach the lower end of what is considered high-refresh-rate territory.

The Ultra preset is not recommended. While it produces an average of 64 FPS at 1080p, the visual fidelity gains over the High preset are minimal in many games, and the 14 FPS drop from High to Ultra is a substantial performance cost. For this specific combo, the data suggests that the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the sweet spot, offering a strong balance between a high average FPS of 93 and improved visual quality over the Low preset. The minimum FPS of 79 ensures that the experience remains fluid even during intense action sequences. Users who prioritize maximum smoothness should select Low, while those who value visuals should choose Medium; both are far more optimal than any 1440p or 4K configuration.