Fortnite

Fortnite is a demanding Battle Royale title, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and the Intel Arc B390 delivers a strictly entry-level experience. The data shows that this pairing ranks 2417th out of 2740 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems. While the CPU is a competent six-core part, the GPU is the overwhelming bottleneck, with benchmark results indicating that playable frame rates are only achievable at 1080p with reduced settings. The Arc B390’s performance, as measured by its 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482, places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, making it a very weak performer. Consequently, the measured FPS data shows that this system is not suitable for high-refresh-rate competitive play, but it can manage a playable experience at lower settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance rank of this CPU and GPU combination in Fortnite?

A: The combo ranks 2417th out of 2740 tested combinations, indicating it is in the bottom 12% of all systems tested for this game.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400 compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The i5-9400 has an average benchmark score of 2254. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, scores 2259, which is 0.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 scores 2246, which is 0.4% lower, and the Intel Core i3-10305 scores 2264, which is 0.4% higher.

Q: What is the best frame rate this system can achieve in Fortnite?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 115 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Is this system capable of running Fortnite at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows it can run at 3840x2160, but performance is poor. At Low settings it averages 39 FPS, while at Ultra settings it drops to an average of 14 FPS.

Q: What is the GPU's standing relative to all other GPUs?

A: The Intel Arc B390 is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-9400's single-core performance compare to its multi-core performance?

A: The CPU’s Cinebench R23 single-core score is 935, while its multi-core score is 6629. The single-core score is relatively low, which may limit performance in games that rely heavily on single-threaded performance.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary factor limiting performance in Fortnite for this combination. The GPU’s benchmark data is stark: it scores 1482 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low score, and it is reflected in the measured FPS. The GPU’s nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463, 1.3% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460, 1.5% slower), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446, 2.5% slower). These are all very old, low-end parts, which contextualizes the Arc B390’s performance level. The GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units, along with 12 ray tracing cores. Its boost clock is listed at 2500 MHz, with a base clock of 300 MHz. The memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This shared memory setup, with bandwidth that is "System Dependent," is a significant drawback for gaming, as it can cause performance to vary with the system's memory configuration. The GPU’s FP32 performance is 7.680 TFLOPS, and its texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, but these theoretical figures do not translate into competitive gaming performance. The pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s. The GPU is an integrated part (IGP) with a TDP of 80 W, and it is based on the Xe3-LPG architecture on a 3 nm process node. The data shows that this GPU is not designed for high-end gaming, and its performance in Fortnite is consistent with its low benchmark standing.

The performance impact is evident in the measured FPS data. At 1920x1080, the system averages 63 FPS on High settings, which is playable but not smooth for a competitive shooter. Dropping to Low settings increases the average to 115 FPS, but this is still far from the high refresh rates that competitive players often seek. At 2560x1440, the average FPS on High settings is 40, and at 3840x2160 it drops to 21 FPS on High settings. The GPU is clearly the bottleneck, as the scaling from Low to Ultra settings at any resolution shows a significant performance drop. For instance, at 1080p, the average FPS goes from 115 on Low to 41 on Ultra, a reduction of over 64%. This indicates that the GPU is struggling with the increased graphical load of higher settings, particularly with effects like shadows and textures. The Arc B390's low benchmark score, combined with its shared system memory, suggests that it is better suited for basic computing tasks rather than gaming. The data shows that it can run Fortnite, but only at lower resolutions and settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B390 combination ranks 2417th out of 2740 tested combos in Fortnite. This places it in the bottom 12% of all systems, which is a clear indicator of its overall performance tier. The rank is a composite measure that takes into account the system's performance across all tested settings and resolutions. The data shows that this is a low-end configuration. The CPU, while not a top-tier part, is not the main issue; the GPU's poor performance drags the entire system down. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 2254 places it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, which is roughly mid-pack. However, the GPU’s 9th percentile ranking is far below that, creating a significant imbalance. The system is heavily GPU-bound, meaning that the GPU is unable to keep up with the CPU in most gaming scenarios.

When compared to other combos, this system is clearly at the bottom tier. The rank of 2417 out of 2740 means that 323 other combinations are slower. This is not a system for high-end gaming. The measured FPS data supports this ranking. The best case scenario is 115 FPS average at 1080p Low, which is acceptable but not great. Most other settings and resolutions produce frame rates that are below 60 FPS, which is the typical threshold for smooth gameplay. For example, at 1440p Medium, the average FPS is 51, and at 4K Low it is 39. These numbers are not competitive. The system’s rank is a reflection of its overall performance, and the data indicates that it is best suited for casual gaming at low settings. The fact that it ranks so low is not a surprise given the GPU's benchmark results. The Arc B390's 3DMark score of 1482 is very low, and its nearest rivals are all legacy GPUs from over a decade ago. This combination confirms how much GPU performance matters in modern gaming.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this system in Fortnite is at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This configuration yields an average FPS of 115, which is the highest average recorded for any setting and resolution combination. This is the only setting that approaches the 120 FPS mark, which is often considered the minimum for competitive play. The next best option is 1920x1080 with Medium settings, which produces an average of 81 FPS. This is still playable, but the higher visual fidelity comes at a significant performance cost. High settings at 1080p produce an average of 63 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. Ultra settings at 1080p drop the average to 41 FPS, which is not recommended for a smooth experience.

At higher resolutions, the system struggles. At 2560x1440, Low settings produce an average of 73 FPS, which is decent, but Medium drops to 51 FPS, High to 40 FPS, and Ultra to 26 FPS. These are all below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. At 3840x2160, even Low settings only average 39 FPS, with Medium at 27 FPS, High at 21 FPS, and Ultra at 14 FPS. These frame rates are not suitable for a competitive game like Fortnite. The data clearly shows that the system is best used at 1080p. For users who prioritize frame rate, Low settings are the clear choice. For those who prefer visual quality, Medium settings at 1080p provide a reasonable balance, but the average FPS of 81 is still lower than what most competitive players would prefer. The data suggests that the "best" experience is a trade-off: Low settings at 1080p for maximum performance, or Medium settings at 1080p for a better-looking game at a still-playable frame rate. Given that Fortnite is a competitive game, the higher frame rate of Low settings is likely the better option.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across four resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system achieves its best results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 115. This is the highest average recorded for this system. Medium settings yield an average of 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS. High settings produce an average of 63 FPS. Ultra settings are the most demanding, resulting in an average of 41 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a clear and steep decline in performance, with the Ultra preset delivering only about 36% of the performance of the Low preset.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. Low settings average 73 FPS, which is still a playable frame rate. Medium settings average 51 FPS, with a minimum of 44 FPS and a maximum of 59 FPS. High settings average 40 FPS, and Ultra settings average 26 FPS. The data shows that 1440p is only viable for gaming at Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is lower than what is achievable at 1080p. The minimum FPS of 44 on Medium settings indicates that there can be noticeable stutters during gameplay. At 3840x2160, the system is not capable of delivering a smooth experience. Low settings average 39 FPS, Medium settings average 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 FPS and a maximum of 31 FPS. High settings average 21 FPS, and Ultra settings average 14 FPS. These frame rates are too low for any kind of competitive play, and even casual play would be hindered by the lack of responsiveness. The data shows that this system is only suitable for 1080p gaming, with 1440p being a stretch and 4K being effectively unplayable.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a six-core, six-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The CPU’s TDP is 65 W, and it supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Its L3 cache is 9 MB (shared). In synthetic benchmarks, the i5-9400 scores 6629 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 935 in single-core. Its Geekbench scores are 5141 multi-core and 1389 single-core. The average benchmark score is 2254, which places it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that the CPU is a mid-range part, capable of handling most gaming workloads. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (0.2% faster), the Intel Core i7-10710U (0.3% slower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (0.4% slower). These are all similar in performance, confirming that the i5-9400 is a solid, if unremarkable, processor.

In the context of Fortnite, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with data. The data shows that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck in this system. The GPU is clearly the limiting factor, as evidenced by the dramatic frame rate drops when increasing graphical settings. The CPU’s six cores and six threads are sufficient for Fortnite, which is not a highly multi-threaded game. The boost clock of 4.10 GHz should provide adequate single-threaded performance. However, the CPU’s single-core score of 935 in Cinebench R23 is relatively low, which could limit performance in certain game scenarios that are heavily dependent on single-thread speed. But the measured FPS data suggests that the GPU is the main constraint. For example, at 1080p Low, the system averages 115 FPS. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see similar frame rates across different resolutions at the same settings. However, the data shows that at 1440p Low, the average FPS drops to 73, and at 4K Low, it drops to 39. This scaling with resolution is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is capable of producing more frames, but the GPU cannot keep up. Therefore, while the CPU is not a high-end part, it is not the reason for the low performance in Fortnite. The system is GPU-bound, and upgrading the GPU would yield the most significant performance improvements. The CPU’s 47th percentile ranking shows that it is a competent processor for gaming, but it is paired with a GPU that is in the bottom 10%, creating a significant performance imbalance.