Greedfall

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B390 combination delivers playable frame rates at 1080p, but the integrated GPU becomes the overwhelming bottleneck as resolution climbs. In Greedfall, this pairing offers a clear case study in how an extremely capable processor can be held back by a graphics solution designed for portability rather than high-end desktop gaming.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates show a steep and consistent decline as resolution increases, with the GPU clearly being the limiting component. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves 84 FPS average. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings drops performance to 58 FPS, a reduction of 26 FPS. At 3840x2160, the average falls further to 35 FPS. This scaling pattern indicates that pixel throughput, not CPU capability, is the determining factor.

The High preset tells a similar story. At 1080p, the system reaches 60 FPS, which is a playable threshold for most action RPGs. At 1440p, that figure drops to 42 FPS, and at 4K it collapses to 25 FPS. The gap between 1080p and 4K at High settings is 35 FPS, representing a 58% reduction in average frame rate. For a game like Greedfall, which features dense environments and frequent combat encounters, this scaling behavior points directly at the Intel Arc B390's limited fill rate and memory bandwidth.

The Medium preset shows the most detailed data, including minimum and maximum frame rates. At 1080p, the average is 66 FPS with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS. At 1440p, the average drops to 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS. At 4K, the average falls to 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 FPS and a maximum of 32 FPS. The minimum frame rates at 4K dip below 24 FPS, which is the traditional threshold for smooth motion, suggesting stutter-prone gameplay in heavy scenes.

Ultra settings are the most demanding, and the results are stark. At 1080p, the Ultra preset yields just 38 FPS average. At 1440p, that falls to 27 FPS, and at 4K, it bottoms out at 16 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Ultra represents a 22 FPS drop, which is a 58% performance loss. The data shows that the Ultra preset is not viable at any resolution for this combination, as even the 1080p result is below the 60 FPS target.

The resolution scaling analysis reveals that this system is GPU-bound at every tested resolution and settings level. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D has ample headroom, as evidenced by its strong synthetic benchmarks, but the Arc B390's shared memory architecture and low pixel rate prevent it from translating that CPU power into higher frame rates as resolution increases.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the primary constraint in this system, and its specifications explain the measured results. This GPU features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output pipelines. It has 12 ray tracing cores and operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. The architecture is Xe3-LPG, built on Intel's 3 nm process, and it is designated as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a slot width of "IGP" and no power connectors.

The memory configuration is particularly important for understanding Greedfall's performance. The Arc B390 uses System Shared memory, meaning it relies on the host system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory type is System Shared, the bus width is System Shared, and the bandwidth is System Dependent. This design means the GPU's memory performance is tied directly to the CPU's memory subsystem, which for the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. In a demanding game like Greedfall, which benefits from fast memory access for textures and geometry, this shared configuration is a limiting factor.

The GPU's benchmark results are modest. In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, the Arc B390 scores 1482 points. Its percentile versus all GPUs is just 9, indicating that it performs better than only 9% of the graphics cards in the database. The nearest rivals put this into context: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463 (1.3% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460 (1.5% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446 (2.5% slower), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1443 (2.7% slower). These rivals are all entry-level or legacy parts, confirming that the Arc B390 is positioned at the very bottom of the GPU performance spectrum.

The GPU's thermal and power envelope is also notable. It has a TDP of 80 W, which is low for a desktop part but appropriate for an IGP. The pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is 7.680 TFLOPS. These figures are all consistent with a GPU that can handle 1080p gaming at moderate settings but struggles with higher resolutions.

In Greedfall specifically, the GPU's role is to render the game's detailed environments and character models. The game was released in 2019 and is an Action RPG, which typically features large open areas with many objects on screen. The Arc B390's 24 ROPs and 48 TMUs are insufficient for high-resolution rendering, which is why the frame rates drop so dramatically at 1440p and 4K. The shared memory bandwidth also becomes a bottleneck when the game needs to stream in textures, which explains the low minimum frame rates at 4K Medium settings.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a high-end desktop processor that provides more than enough computational power for Greedfall. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The processor is based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

The cache hierarchy is a defining feature of this CPU. It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 96 MB of shared L3 cache. This large L3 cache is designed to reduce memory latency and improve gaming performance, which is why the 5800X3D is considered a strong gaming CPU. The processor's TDP is 105 W, and it was released in April 2022 with a launch MSRP of $449.

Synthetic benchmarks show the CPU's strength. In Cinebench R23, it scores 14317 in multi-core and 1452 in single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 11765 in multi-core and 2017 in single-core. The 3DMark results are also strong: 7299 in the 16-thread test, 5906 in the 8-thread test, 3392 in the 4-thread test, and 884 in the single-thread test. The PassMark multi-thread score is 28309, with a single-thread score of 3234. These results place the CPU in the 80th percentile versus all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 27896.

The nearest rivals provide context for the CPU's performance. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887 (0% difference), the Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872 (0.1% faster), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 scores 27932 (0.1% slower), and the Intel Core i5-12600KF scores 27799 (0.3% faster). These deltas are all within 0.3%, indicating that the 5800X3D performs on par with these other processors in general workloads, despite its older architecture.

In Greedfall, the CPU's role is to handle game logic, physics, and AI. The game is not particularly CPU-intensive, as it was designed for the previous console generation. The 8 cores and 16 threads are more than sufficient, and the high boost clock of 4.50 GHz ensures strong single-thread performance, which is often what matters most in games. The large 96 MB L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing the need to access system memory.

The data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this system. At 1080p Low settings, the frame rate reaches 84 FPS, which suggests the CPU can feed the GPU with enough data. The fact that performance drops so significantly at higher resolutions confirms that the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D has significant headroom in Greedfall, and in a system with a more powerful discrete GPU, it would likely deliver much higher frame rates.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combo in Greedfall?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only viable resolution. At High settings, the average frame rate is 60 FPS, which is the minimum for smooth gameplay. At 2560x1440, the average drops to 42 FPS, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 25 FPS.

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

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, the Arc B390 scores 1482. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX scores 1463 (1.3% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460 (1.5% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446 (2.5% slower), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 scores 1443 (2.7% slower). The Arc B390 outperforms all of these entry-level parts.

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 5800X3D a good match for an integrated GPU like the Arc B390?

A: The CPU is significantly more powerful than the GPU. The 5800X3D ranks in the 80th percentile versus all CPUs, while the Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile versus all GPUs. This imbalance means the GPU is always the limiting factor in Greedfall.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the average frame rate is 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS. This is playable but not ideal for a fast-paced action RPG, as the minimum frame rate can dip below 40 FPS.

Q: How does the Ryzen 7 5800X3D perform in synthetic benchmarks compared to the Intel Core i9-10900K?

A: The 5800X3D has an average benchmark score of 27896, while the i9-10900K scores 27872. The delta is 0.1%, meaning the 5800X3D is essentially tied with the i9-10900K in overall performance.

Q: Can this system handle Ultra settings in Greedfall?

A: No. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average frame rate is 38 FPS. At 2560x1440, it drops to 27 FPS, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 16 FPS. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution for this combo.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2595 out of 2938 tested combos in Greedfall. This places it in the bottom 12% of all system pairings in the database. The ranking reflects the severe imbalance between the CPU and GPU, where the processor is capable of much higher performance but is held back by the integrated graphics.

The rank of 2595 out of 2938 means that 2594 other combos deliver higher frame rates in Greedfall. This is a poor result for a system with a flagship-class CPU like the 5800X3D. The CPU's high synthetic benchmark scores do not translate into competitive gaming performance because the Arc B390 is the bottleneck. The GPU's 9th percentile performance ranking versus all GPUs drags the entire combo down, despite the CPU's 80th percentile ranking.

The data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming at Low or Medium settings, where it can achieve frame rates above 60 FPS. At 1080p Low, the average is 84 FPS, and at Medium, it is 66 FPS. These are acceptable for a smooth experience. However, the system's low rank indicates that most other tested combos, even those with less powerful CPUs, would outperform it in Greedfall due to having more capable graphics solutions.

The rank also highlights a practical issue: the Arc B390 is an integrated GPU, meaning it cannot be upgraded without changing the entire platform. The Ryzen 7 5800X3D uses the AM4 socket, which is a desktop platform, but the Arc B390 is designated as an IGP with a slot width of "IGP" and no power connectors. This suggests the GPU is not a standard discrete card, making the combo's upgrade path unclear. For Greedfall, the data is clear: this pairing is at the low end of the performance spectrum.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal settings for this combo in Greedfall depend on the user's frame rate target. The data shows that the Low preset at 1920x1080 delivers the highest average frame rate of 84 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. This is the best choice for users who prioritize performance over visual fidelity.

For a balance between visuals and performance, the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the recommended option. It achieves an average of 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS. This preset provides better graphical quality than Low while maintaining frame rates that are consistently above 60 FPS. The minimum frame rate of 56 FPS is acceptable, though it may cause slight stutters in the most demanding scenes.

The High preset at 1920x1080 is a viable alternative for users who want improved visuals. It delivers an average of 60 FPS, which meets the standard for smooth gameplay. However, there is no minimum frame rate data available for this preset, so users should be aware that performance may dip below 60 FPS in heavy combat or large outdoor areas. The High preset at 2560x1440 is not recommended, as it drops to 42 FPS average.

The Ultra preset should be avoided entirely. At 1920x1080, it only achieves 38 FPS average, which is below the playable threshold for an action RPG. At higher resolutions, the performance becomes unplayable, with 27 FPS at 1440p and 16 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset offers no benefit for this combo, as the GPU cannot handle the increased graphical load.

At 2560x1440, only the Low preset provides acceptable performance, with 58 FPS average. The Medium preset drops to 46 FPS, and the High preset to 42 FPS, both of which are below the 60 FPS target. At 3840x2160, no preset delivers playable frame rates, with the highest being 35 FPS at Low settings. Users with this combo should stick to 1080p for the best experience, and choose the Medium preset as the default recommendation for its combination of visual quality and frame rate stability.