Fivem

Fivem is a multiplayer modification for a popular open-world title, and its performance profile is heavily influenced by both the CPU and GPU. In this analysis, we examine the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 paired with the Intel Arc B390, a combination that produces a specific set of measurable outcomes across different resolutions and quality presets. The data indicates a system that is firmly entry-level in its graphics capabilities, yet the processor brings substantial computational strength to the table. This guide breaks down the measured FPS results, contextualizes the hardware's role, and provides actionable settings recommendations based strictly on the provided metrics.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combination in Fivem?

A: The combo ranks 2656 out of 3005 tested combinations. This places it in the lower percentile of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, its overall performance level is below the majority of other configurations in the benchmark database.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 compare to its nearest rival CPUs in terms of average benchmark score?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has an average benchmark score of 36938. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, scores 36945, which is a 0% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 37018, showing a -0.2% delta, and the Intel Core i9-12900T scores 37112, a -0.5% delta. This means the Ultra 5 225 is essentially on par with these processors, with performance differences of less than one percent.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings preset for achieving a playable frame rate above 60 FPS?

A: The only measured configuration that achieves an average frame rate above 60 FPS is at 1920x1080 with Low settings, which produces an average of 88 FPS. No other resolution or settings combination in the measured data reaches an average of 60 FPS or higher.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390's benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482. This is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX’s score of 1463, 1.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M’s 1460, and 2.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM’s 1446. The data shows it is only marginally faster than these older, entry-level GPUs.

Q: What is the launch MSRP for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225?

A: The launch MSRP for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is $246.

Q: Does the Intel Arc B390 have its own dedicated video memory?

A: No, the Intel Arc B390 uses system shared memory. Its memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's main DDR5 memory rather than having its own dedicated VRAM pool.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary graphics processor in this configuration, and its capabilities are the main limiting factor for Fivem’s performance. The GPU is built on the Xe3-LPG architecture and is designated as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a slot width of "IGP" and no power connectors. Its base clock is 300 MHz, which can boost up to 2500 MHz. The GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output pipelines, along with 12 ray tracing cores. Its theoretical performance is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 operations and 15.36 TFLOPS for FP16 (2:1). The pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s.

The most critical aspect of this GPU is its memory configuration. It has no dedicated VRAM; instead, it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its bandwidth is "System Dependent." This is a significant bottleneck in a game like Fivem, which can be sensitive to memory bandwidth. The GPU's overall performance percentile is 9, placing it in the bottom 10% of all GPUs. Its benchmark score from 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 is 1482, which is only 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, a very old and low-end part. This benchmark data strongly suggests that the Arc B390 is a budget-oriented graphics solution.

In Fivem, the impact of this GPU is immediately visible in the measured FPS data. At 4K (3840x2160), the average frame rates are very low. With Ultra settings, the average is just 16 FPS, which is unplayable. High settings yield 20 FPS, Medium 25 FPS, and even dropping to Low settings only raises the average to 32 FPS. These numbers indicate that the GPU is overwhelmed at this resolution, regardless of the graphical preset. The GPU's limited computational resources and reliance on shared system memory cannot handle the pixel throughput demanded by 4K. The situation improves at 1440p, but it is still far from smooth. The average FPS at 2560x1440 ranges from 29 FPS on Ultra to 58 FPS on Low. This shows a clear trend: the GPU’s performance scales significantly with the workload, and even at a more moderate resolution, high settings are not viable.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Arc B390 combination holds a rank of 2656 out of 3005 tested combos in Fivem. This places it in the bottom 12% of all systems tested for this game. This low ranking is primarily due to the GPU’s weak performance, as the CPU is a relatively strong component. The data shows a stark contrast between the two components. The CPU, as we will examine later, has an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. This pairing creates a significant imbalance, where the processor is capable of far more work than the graphics card can feed.

The combo rank is a holistic measure, but in this case, it is heavily dragged down by the GPU. The measured FPS data supports this. For instance, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves 88 FPS. This is a playable frame rate, and it suggests the CPU is able to drive the game logic and physics. However, the GPU cannot maintain this performance when the resolution or graphical load increases. At 1080p High, the average drops to 56 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it falls to 43 FPS. This pattern of declining performance with increasing graphical load is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is waiting on the GPU to finish rendering frames, and the GPU is struggling to keep up.

In the context of the 3005 tested combos, this system is not designed for high-refresh-rate or high-fidelity gaming in Fivem. Its rank suggests that a majority of other tested systems, likely those with dedicated mid-range or high-end graphics cards, will provide a better experience. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for very modest gaming expectations, such as playing at 1080p with low settings, or for non-gaming tasks where the CPU's strength can be utilized without the GPU being a limiting factor.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience is 1920x1080 with Low settings, which yields an average of 88 FPS. This is the recommended starting point for any user who prioritizes frame rate and responsiveness. The data shows that moving to Medium settings at this resolution is a significant compromise, as the average drops to 70 FPS, with a minimum recorded FPS of 59. While 70 FPS is still playable, the drop indicates that the GPU is starting to struggle, and the minimum FPS figure suggests there may be occasional stutters. High settings at 1080p produce an average of 56 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold that most players consider smooth. Ultra settings should be avoided entirely, as they only produce an average of 43 FPS.

For users with a 1440p monitor, the data suggests that even Low settings are not ideal. The average FPS at 2560x1440 with Low settings is 58, which is just below the 60 FPS target. Medium settings at this resolution produce an average of 46 FPS, and High and Ultra settings drop to 37 and 29 FPS, respectively. These results indicate that 1440p gaming is not a realistic option for this combo if a smooth experience is desired. The 4K resolution is not viable for gaming, as all settings produce averages below 32 FPS, with the lowest being 16 FPS on Ultra.

The best experience per the measured rows is unequivocally 1920x1080 on Low. This setting provides a playable frame rate with a comfortable margin. It is important to note that the data does not include a "Very Low" preset, so Low is the lowest available option. The performance delta between Low and Medium at 1080p is 18 FPS (88 vs 70), which is a substantial 20% performance hit for a visual quality improvement that may not be worth the loss in smoothness. Given the GPU’s low performance percentile, it is advisable to prioritize frame rate stability and playability over visual fidelity. The recommendation is to use 1080p Low settings and potentially adjust other in-game options to reduce the load on the GPU, as the data shows this is the only way to get above the 60 FPS mark.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. We will analyze each resolution in turn.

3840x2160 (4K):

At this resolution, the system is completely GPU-bound and produces unplayable frame rates. The highest average FPS is achieved with Low settings at 32 FPS. Medium settings produce an average of 25 FPS, with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 29 FPS. High settings average 20 FPS, and Ultra settings average just 16 FPS. The data shows a clear linear progression: as settings increase, performance decreases. The gap between Low and Ultra is 16 FPS, which highlights the GPU's inability to handle the increased shader complexity and texture detail. This resolution is not recommended for any gameplay.

2560x1440 (1440p):

The performance at 1440p is better than 4K but still not sufficient for a consistently smooth experience. Low settings produce an average of 58 FPS, which is close to the 60 FPS target but does not quite reach it. Medium settings drop to an average of 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 53 FPS. This range indicates noticeable frame time variance, which can be perceived as stuttering. High settings average 37 FPS, and Ultra settings average 29 FPS. The performance scaling is again linear, with a 29 FPS difference between Low and Ultra. For a user with a 1440p monitor, the data suggests that only Low settings are worth considering, and even then, the experience will not be perfectly smooth.

1920x1080 (1080p):

This is the resolution where the combo shows its best results. Low settings deliver an average of 88 FPS, which is a very playable frame rate. Medium settings produce an average of 70 FPS, with a minimum of 59 and a maximum of 80 FPS. This is the second-best configuration, but the minimum FPS of 59 shows it is on the edge of the 60 FPS threshold. High settings average 56 FPS, which is below the smoothness target. Ultra settings average 43 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. The data shows a clear recommendation: 1080p Low is the only setting that provides a comfortable performance buffer, while 1080p Medium is a viable alternative for users who can tolerate occasional dips below 60 FPS.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake architecture and fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has 10 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The CPU has a TDP of 65 W and supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor is not multiplier-unlocked and has an 85th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicating it is a solid mid-range performer.

The CPU’s benchmark scores are strong. In Cinebench R23, it scores 25891 in multi-core and 3655 in single-core. In PassMark, it scores 30459 in multithread and 4412 in single-thread. These scores show that the CPU is more than capable of handling the computational demands of Fivem, which is a multiplayer game that can be heavily reliant on CPU performance for server-side and client-side physics, AI, and entity management. The CPU’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, which has a nearly identical average benchmark score, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, which is only slightly faster. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 225 is competitive with other mid-range processors.

In the context of this combo, the CPU is not the bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 88 FPS, which is a good result and suggests the CPU can drive the game's logic at a high enough rate. However, as the resolution and settings increase, the frame rate drops sharply, which points directly to the GPU as the limiting factor. The CPU has plenty of headroom to process more frames, but the Arc B390 cannot render them fast enough. The CPU's high single-thread score of 3655 in Cinebench R23 is particularly relevant for Fivem, as many game tasks are single-threaded. This means the Core Ultra 5 225 is well-equipped to handle the game's main thread, and its performance will not be a limiting factor in most scenarios. The data suggests that if this CPU were paired with a more powerful GPU, the system's overall performance in Fivem would be significantly higher, as the CPU is capable of supporting much higher frame rates than the current GPU allows. The 10 cores and 10 threads also provide ample processing power for background tasks and other applications running alongside the game.