Fortnite

This analysis examines the performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X paired with the Intel Arc B390 in Fortnite, based on measured benchmark data. The dataset provides a clear picture of how this combination handles the game across different resolutions and settings, revealing a system where the graphics processor is the definitive limiting factor in nearly every scenario. The following sections break down the specific contributions of each component, scaling behavior, and the practical implications for players.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a desktop processor from the 5000 series, built on the Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Vermeer) using a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The CPU has a 65 W TDP and supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. It also includes 32 MB of shared L3 cache, alongside 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 cache per core.

In the context of Fortnite, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and handle game logic. The 5700X’s 8-core/16-thread layout is substantial for a game that is not particularly demanding on high core counts. Its single-thread performance, as measured by benchmarks, is solid: a 3dmark_single_thread score of 921 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2016. Multi-threaded performance is strong as well, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 13184 and a Passmark multithread score of 26612.

However, the measured FPS data in Fortnite shows that the CPU is far from being the bottleneck. For example, at 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 115 FPS average. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect this number to be lower, as low settings reduce GPU load and put more pressure on the processor. The fact that the frame rate is high here suggests the CPU can handle the game’s demands easily. Furthermore, the CPU’s percentile ranking is 79th among all CPUs, indicating it is a capable part, but the real constraint in this system lies elsewhere.

When comparing the 5700X to its nearest rivals, we see it is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-12600K (deltaPct 0) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 (deltaPct 0.2). It is also 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X and 0.3% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H. These differences are negligible in real-world gaming, meaning the CPU is not the differentiating factor in this combo’s performance. The data suggests that the 5700X provides ample processing headroom, and the observed frame rates are not a reflection of CPU limits but rather of the GPU’s capabilities.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated GPU (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, part of the Panther Lake chip, manufactured on Intel’s 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Crucially, its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and instead uses the system’s main memory. This is a fundamental design characteristic that heavily influences its performance in a game like Fortnite.

The GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units (TMUs), and 24 raster operations pipelines (ROPs). It also includes 12 ray tracing cores. Its theoretical performance is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 operations and 60.00 GPixel/s for pixel fill rate. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means it relies on the shared memory bus, a factor that often becomes a performance limiter.

In Fortnite, the measured FPS data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck. For instance, at 1080p High settings, the system averages 63 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 40 FPS, and at 4K High, it falls to 21 FPS. This performance pattern is typical of a GPU with limited memory bandwidth and no dedicated VRAM, as higher resolutions require more memory throughput and capacity. The GPU’s percentile ranking is 9th among all GPUs, placing it in the bottom tier, which aligns with the observed frame rates.

The nearest rivals to the Arc B390, based on the 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, are all older, low-end NVIDIA parts: the GeForce GT 520MX (deltaPct 1.3), GeForce 800M (deltaPct 1.5), GeForce GT 625 OEM (deltaPct 2.5), and GeForce GT 710 (deltaPct 2.7). The Arc B390 scores 1482, which is only slightly higher than these parts. This confirms that the GPU is the limiting component in this combo, as its performance level is comparable to entry-level dedicated GPUs from over a decade ago, and it is being paired with a modern mid-range CPU that vastly outclasses it.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is a direct indicator of where the bottleneck lies. Examining the Low settings row, the system achieves 115 FPS at 1080p, drops to 73 FPS at 1440p, and further to 39 FPS at 4K. This is a reduction of approximately 36.5% from 1080p to 1440p, and another 46.6% from 1440p to 4K.

If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect the frame rate to remain relatively constant across resolutions, as the CPU’s workload (draw calls, game logic) does not scale significantly with resolution. However, the steep drop-off in FPS as resolution increases indicates that the GPU is unable to keep up with the increased pixel rendering workload. The shared memory system becomes a particular liability at higher resolutions, as the bandwidth requirement for accessing textures and frame buffers grows exponentially.

At Medium settings, the scaling is similar: 81 FPS at 1080p, 51 FPS at 1440p, and 27 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p is about 37%, and from 1440p to 4K is about 47%. This consistent pattern across settings further reinforces that the GPU is the sole limiting factor. The CPU’s performance is sufficient to maintain a high frame rate at 1080p Low, but the GPU’s rendering capabilities cap the output at every resolution.

The data shows that the system is heavily GPU-bound. Even at 1080p High, the frame rate drops to 63 FPS, which is a significant decrease from the 115 FPS at Low. This suggests that the GPU struggles with the increased shader complexity and texture quality of the High preset. The resolution scaling analysis indicates that for playable performance, the user must either reduce the resolution to 1080p or lower the settings to reduce the GPU load, as the CPU is not the constraint.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2417th out of 2740 total combos in Fortnite. This places it in the lower echelon of performance, specifically in the bottom 12% of all tested systems. The combo’s rank is a direct reflection of the GPU’s limitations, as the CPU is a high-percentile part (79th) while the GPU is a low-percentile part (9th).

The ranking indicates that the vast majority of other CPU+GPU combinations tested perform better in this game. This is not surprising given the GPU’s performance metrics and its nearest rivals. The Arc B390’s 3dmark score of 1482 is only slightly better than the GeForce GT 520MX (1463) and GeForce 800M (1460), which are parts from a much older generation. In a fast-paced competitive game like Fortnite, this level of GPU performance is a significant disadvantage.

The combo’s rank is also proof of the mismatch between the CPU and GPU. The 5700X is capable of delivering high frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios, but it is paired with a GPU that cannot translate that capability into playable frame rates at higher settings. The data shows that the combo’s overall performance is capped by the GPU, and the CPU’s potential is largely untapped. For users looking at this data, the ranking serves as a warning that this combo is not suitable for a smooth Fortnite experience beyond very low settings at 1080p.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system achieves a playable average FPS. At 1080p Low, it reaches 115 FPS, and at 1080p Medium, it reaches 81 FPS. Higher resolutions result in sub-60 FPS averages, which are generally not ideal for a competitive shooter.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the definitive bottleneck. This is evident from the resolution scaling, where FPS drops significantly as resolution increases (e.g., 115 FPS at 1080p Low vs 39 FPS at 4K Low). The CPU’s performance is strong, but the GPU, with its shared memory and low performance percentile, cannot keep up.

Q: Can this combo handle Fortnite at Ultra settings?

A: No, it cannot handle Ultra settings at any resolution. The highest average FPS at Ultra is 41 FPS at 1080p, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. At 4K Ultra, the average FPS drops to 14, which is unplayable.

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

A: In the 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, the Arc B390 scores 1482. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M (1460), 2.5% faster than the GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446), and 2.7% faster than the GeForce GT 710 (1443). These are all low-end parts, indicating the GPU’s performance tier.

Q: What is the impact of the GPU having "System Shared" memory?

A: The "System Shared" memory means the GPU has no dedicated VRAM and uses the system’s main memory. This is a major factor in its performance, as memory bandwidth is "System Dependent." The data shows that this limitation becomes more pronounced at higher resolutions, where memory demands increase.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 5700X compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The 5700X has an average benchmark score of 27578, which is identical to the Intel Core i5-12600K (deltaPct 0). It is 0.2% faster than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 (27535) and 0.3% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H (27507). It is 0.2% slower than the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (27636).

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo are highly dependent on the user’s performance targets. If the goal is to achieve a high frame rate for competitive play, the 1080p Low preset is the only viable option, yielding an average of 115 FPS. This is the only setting/resolution combination that approaches the refresh rates of typical gaming monitors.

For a balance between visual quality and performance, the 1080p Medium preset is the best choice. It delivers an average of 81 FPS with a minimum of 69 FPS, which is still above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The 1440p Medium preset is also an option, offering 51 FPS average, but this falls below the 60 FPS target and may feel less smooth in fast-paced action.

The High preset is not recommended, as it drops the average FPS to 63 at 1080p, which is a significant reduction from Medium. The Ultra preset is not viable for this combo, as the average FPS at 1080p is only 41, and it drops to 14 at 4K. The data suggests that users should stick to 1080p and use either Low or Medium settings to ensure a playable experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is a detailed breakdown of the measured average FPS for each resolution and settings combination.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 39 FPS average
• Medium: 27 FPS average (min 23, max 31)
• High: 21 FPS average
• Ultra: 14 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 73 FPS average
• Medium: 51 FPS average (min 44, max 59)
• High: 40 FPS average
• Ultra: 26 FPS average

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 115 FPS average
• Medium: 81 FPS average (min 69, max 93)
• High: 63 FPS average
• Ultra: 41 FPS average

The data shows a consistent trend: lower resolutions and lower settings yield higher frame rates. The only configuration that exceeds 100 FPS is 1080p Low. The minimum FPS data, available only for Medium settings, shows that the frame rate can dip below the average, but at 1080p Medium, the minimum of 69 FPS is still acceptable. At 1440p Medium, the minimum of 44 FPS indicates potential stuttering in demanding scenes. This breakdown confirms that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the frame rates scale almost linearly with the rendering load.