Fortnite

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a stark contrast in computational pedigree. The CPU is a high-end desktop part with a strong multi-threaded workload capacity, while the GPU is an integrated graphics solution built on a mobile-oriented architecture. This combination yields a system where the processor is vastly more capable than the graphics subsystem, making the GPU the definitive bottleneck in Fortnite. The measured frame rates indicate that this combo is suited for competitive play at lower settings rather than high-fidelity experiences.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance rank of this CPU-GPU combo for Fortnite?

A: The combo ranks 2417 out of 2740 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 12% of all tested systems for this game. This low percentile is almost entirely due to the graphics processor's limited capabilities.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its closest rivals in raw GPU benchmarks?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score is 1482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, scores 1463, which is 1.3% lower. Other close competitors include the GeForce 800M (1460, 1.5% lower) and the GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446, 2.5% lower). This places it in a performance tier with older, entry-level discrete GPUs.

Q: What is the best settings preset for achieving a smooth 60 FPS experience at 1920x1080?

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset yields an average of 115 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset achieves an average of 81 FPS, also providing a playable experience. For a guaranteed 60+ FPS experience, Low is the safest choice, while Medium can be used if some frame rate fluctuation is acceptable.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Core i7-12700K has an average benchmark score of 35287. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-13600T, scores 35305, which is 0.1% higher. The performance delta between the i7-12700K and its closest competitors is negligible, with all within a 0.4% margin.

Q: Does the Arc B390 have dedicated VRAM for gaming?

A: No, the Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory. Its memory size, type, and bus width are all designated as "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's main memory (DDR4 or DDR5) rather than having its own dedicated video memory. The bandwidth is also "System Dependent," varying with the system's memory configuration.

Q: What is the GPU's architecture and process node?

A: The Intel Arc B390 is built on the Xe3-LPG architecture and uses a 3 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It features 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, along with 12 ray tracing cores.

How This Combo Ranks

The performance ranking for this specific configuration is unequivocal. With a combo rank of 2417 out of 2740, this system sits in the lower percentile of all tested combinations for Fortnite. The data suggests that this is not a balanced pairing; the CPU's high benchmark percentile (84th) is entirely negated by the GPU's low percentile (9th). This creates a massive performance bottleneck where the graphics card is unable to keep pace with the processor's ability to feed it data.

The benchmark results confirm this imbalance. The CPU's average benchmark score is 35287, placing it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. In contrast, the GPU's average score is a mere 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. The discrepancy in performance class is stark. The nearest GPU rivals for the Arc B390 are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% slower) and the GeForce 800M (1.5% slower), which are both entry-level parts from previous generations. This demonstrates that the integrated GPU is performing at a level comparable to very old, low-end discrete graphics cards.

The implication for Fortnite is that the system's overall rank is almost exclusively determined by the GPU. While the i7-12700K is more than capable of handling the game's physics and draw calls, the Arc B390 simply cannot render frames fast enough to utilize that CPU power. The combo rank of 2417 is a reflection of the GPU's limited fill rate and shader performance. Any attempt to increase graphical fidelity will result in a significant frame rate drop, as the GPU struggles with the increased workload.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the user's resolution and performance targets. For a 60 FPS target, the Low preset is the only reliable option at most resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 115 FPS, which is more than sufficient for a smooth experience. The Medium preset also achieves a playable average of 81 FPS, providing a better visual experience while maintaining a frame rate above 60. However, the High preset drops to an average of 63 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 41 FPS, making them less ideal for fast-paced gameplay where consistent frame times are critical.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset is the only option that comes close to a 60 FPS target, with an average of 73 FPS. The Medium preset averages 51 FPS, and the High preset drops to 40 FPS. These lower frame rates may be acceptable for slower-paced exploration but will be a disadvantage in competitive scenarios.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is severely overburdened. Even the Low preset only manages an average of 39 FPS. The Medium preset averages 27 FPS, and the High preset averages 21 FPS. None of these settings provide a playable experience for a fast-paced game like Fortnite. The data suggests that 4K resolution is not viable for this combo.

The best experience for this system is at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset. It provides the best balance between visual quality and performance, with an average of 81 FPS and a minimum of 69 FPS, which keeps the gameplay fluid. For those who prioritize maximum frame rates, the Low preset is the clear choice.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates illustrate a clear performance hierarchy based on resolution and settings. The data shows a consistent trend: as resolution and graphical fidelity increase, the average frame rate decreases significantly.

At 1920x1080, the system performs at its best. The Low preset yields an average of 115 FPS. Moving to Medium reduces the average to 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS, indicating a playable range. The High preset drops the average to 63 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, producing an average of only 41 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the frame rates drop by roughly 35-40% across all settings. The Low preset averages 73 FPS. The Medium preset averages 51 FPS, with a range between 44 and 59 FPS. The High preset averages 40 FPS. The Ultra preset is nearly unplayable with an average of 26 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is overwhelmed. The Low preset is the only setting that breaks the 30 FPS barrier, with an average of 39 FPS. The Medium preset averages 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 FPS and a maximum of 31 FPS. The High preset averages 21 FPS. The Ultra preset produces a slideshow-like average of 14 FPS.

The data shows that the Arc B390's performance scales poorly with resolution. The difference between 1920x1080 and 3840x2160 is substantial, highlighting the GPU's limited pixel throughput. The minimum FPS data points, where available, show that frame times are not entirely stable, with drops of up to 12 FPS from the average in the Medium preset at 2560x1440.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary limiting factor in this system. The data indicates that this is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a TDP of 80 W and a slot width of "IGP," confirming it is not a discrete add-in card. Its performance is defined by its modest specs: a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. The GPU has a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s.

The GPU's memory configuration is particularly important. It uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM. The memory type, bus width, and bandwidth are all listed as "System Shared" or "System Dependent." This means the GPU's performance is directly tied to the system's main memory speed and architecture. In this configuration, the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which can further limit performance.

This lack of dedicated VRAM is a significant handicap in Fortnite. The game's textures and assets must be stored in system memory, and the GPU accesses them over the memory bus. The "System Dependent" bandwidth is a bottleneck, especially at higher resolutions where more data needs to be transferred. The benchmark results reflect this, showing a steep decline in performance as resolution increases.

The GPU's raw compute power is also limited. It has 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. The FP32 performance is 7.680 TFLOPS. While this is not negligible, it is far below the capabilities of even mid-range discrete GPUs. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, aligning with its closest rivals like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX. This confirms that the Arc B390 is an entry-level graphics solution that is only suitable for light gaming at low settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a high-performance desktop processor that is vastly overqualified for the task of gaming alongside the Arc B390. The data shows it is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 125 W. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache.

In synthetic benchmarks, the i7-12700K excels. It scores 19,784 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 1,850.5 in single-core. Its Geekbench scores are 15,790 (multi-core) and 2,308 (single-core). The PassMark multi-thread score is 34,404, and the single-thread score is 4,013. These results place it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35,287. Its nearest rivals are all extremely close in performance, with the Intel Core i5-13600T being only 0.1% faster, and the Core i7-12700KF being 0.2% slower.

In the context of Fortnite, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and draw calls. The i7-12700K has ample headroom for these tasks. Even with its 12 cores and 20 threads, the game will likely only utilize a fraction of its capacity. The CPU's high single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1,850.5) is beneficial for the main game thread.

However, this CPU power is untapped. The measured FPS in Fortnite is limited by the GPU, not the CPU. The i7-12700K is capable of delivering much higher frame rates, but the Arc B390 cannot render them. The CPU's performance is essentially a non-factor in this specific system's gaming performance. The bottleneck is entirely on the graphics side, making the CPU's powerful specifications irrelevant for this game's frame rate.