Greedfall

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 paired with the Intel Arc B390 in Greedfall represents a study in extreme bottlenecking. The data shows a CPU that is a top-tier performer sitting alongside a GPU whose benchmark percentile places it in the bottom tier of all tested graphics cards. The measured FPS across all resolutions and settings reveals a system where the graphics processor is not just the limiting factor, but the defining characteristic of the entire experience. The combination ranks at 2595 out of 2938 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 12% of all systems, a direct consequence of the GPU's performance ceiling.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 paints a stark picture of the Arc B390's capabilities. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 84 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average drops to 58 FPS, a 31% reduction. Pushing further to 3840x2160, the average plummets to 35 FPS, representing a 58% decline from the 1080p baseline. This scaling pattern is indicative of a GPU that is almost entirely saturated at lower resolutions and simply runs out of processing power as the pixel count increases.

The High settings preset shows a similar, though less steep, trajectory. The measured averages are 60 FPS at 1080p, 42 FPS at 1440p, and 25 FPS at 4K. The delta between 1080p and 1440p is 18 FPS, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is 17 FPS. This suggests that even at High settings, the GPU is the primary constraint, and each step up in resolution adds a nearly linear load that the Arc B390 cannot sustain. The 4K result of 25 FPS is barely playable in a static sense, and the lack of reported minimum FPS data for many of these rows suggests potential stability issues.

The Ultra preset is where the Arc B390 collapses entirely. At 3840x2160, the average FPS falls to a dismal 16 FPS. This is a 58% drop from the 38 FPS average seen at 1080p Ultra. The scaling from High to Ultra at 4K is a 36% performance loss, which is a massive penalty for what is typically a modest increase in visual fidelity. This data implies that the GPU's memory subsystem, which is System Shared, and its limited 24 ROPs are overwhelmed by the combination of high-resolution rendering and the additional shader complexity of the Ultra preset.

The scaling curves suggest that the CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, is never the bottleneck. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see a much smaller difference between resolutions, as the CPU's workload would remain constant. Instead, the FPS drops sharply with each resolution increase, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. The data indicates that the Arc B390 is a component designed for low-resolution or very low-fidelity gaming, and Greedfall at 4K is far beyond its intended operating envelope. The difference between Low and Ultra settings at any given resolution is also substantial, further confirming that the GPU's shading units, TMUs, and ROPs are the limiting resources.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the sole arbiter of performance in this configuration, and the benchmark results are a direct reflection of its hardware specifications. The GPU's benchmark score is 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, GT 625 OEM, and GT 710, are all entry-level parts from a past era. The deltaPct values against these rivals are +1.3%, +1.5%, +2.5%, and +2.7% respectively, meaning the Arc B390 is only marginally faster than these legacy components, cementing its status as a very low-tier graphics solution.

The GPU's architecture is Xe3-LPG, built on a 3 nm process, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. The measured performance, however, shows that these clock speeds cannot compensate for the lack of raw resources. With 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and only 24 ROPs, the pixel fill rate is a modest 60.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance of 7.680 TFLOPS is a theoretical peak that is never approached in practice, as the 4K Ultra result of 16 FPS demonstrates.

Crucially, the memory configuration is "System Shared" for size, type, and bus width, with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent". This is a significant handicap in a game like Greedfall, which is an Action RPG with dense environments and texture streaming. The lack of dedicated VRAM means the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth on the system's DDR5 bus. The CPU's memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s, but this is shared, and the game engine's demands for textures and geometry at higher resolutions will quickly saturate this shared pool, causing stutters and frame drops. The measured FPS data, particularly the low averages at 4K, strongly suggests that memory bandwidth is a severe bottleneck.

The Arc B390's 12 ray tracing cores and DirectX 12 Ultimate support are irrelevant in this context, as the sheer lack of rasterization power prevents any playable frame rates at high resolutions. The GPU's TDP is 80 W, and it is an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) with a slot width of "IGP," meaning it is integrated into the CPU package. This integration explains the System Shared memory, as the GPU has no dedicated VRAM of its own. The data shows that for Greedfall, the Arc B390 is a graphics solution that is only viable for 1080p gaming at Low to Medium settings, and even then, it is barely adequate.

CPU Role

In contrast to the GPU, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a powerful processor whose capabilities are almost entirely wasted in this configuration. The CPU has 10 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 and a single-core score of 3655. It sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 36938. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, have average scores of 36945 and 37018 respectively, with deltaPct values of 0% and -0.2%, meaning the Ultra 5 225 is effectively performance-equivalent to these chips.

Given this CPU's strength, the measured FPS in Greedfall is entirely dictated by the GPU. The CPU's role is to feed the graphics card with draw calls and game logic, and with 10 cores running at up to 4.90 GHz, it is more than capable of handling the game's CPU-side workload. The fact that the FPS drops by 58% from 1080p Low to 4K Low (84 FPS to 35 FPS) is a clear indication that the CPU is not the limiting factor; if it were, the frame rate would remain relatively constant regardless of resolution. The CPU is likely idle or underutilized while the GPU struggles to render each frame.

The CPU's cache structure, with a 20 MB shared L3 cache, is more than sufficient for gaming. The 10 cores and 10 threads (no hyperthreading) are also adequate for modern game engines, though some titles can use more threads. The data shows that the Ultra 5 225's performance is not a factor in this combo's low ranking. The bottleneck is entirely on the GPU side. The 4K Ultra result of 16 FPS reflects the GPU's inability to process the graphical load, not a limitation of the CPU's processing power. The CPU is a top-tier part that is being held back by a bottom-tier graphics solution, resulting in a profoundly unbalanced system.

The CPU's 3 nm process node and architecture, Arrow Lake-S, are modern, but this has no bearing on the gaming results presented here. The CPU's passmark physics score of 2342 and multithread score of 30459 are strong, but again, these scores do not translate into higher FPS in this specific game because the GPU is the bottleneck. The benchmark data for this combo is a clear example of how a high-end CPU cannot compensate for a low-end GPU. The system's performance is capped by the weakest link, and in this case, that weak link is the Arc B390 by a wide margin.

FAQ

Q: Why is the frame rate so low at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The Intel Arc B390 GPU has only 24 ROPs and a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s. At 3840x2160, the sheer number of pixels to fill overwhelms the GPU, resulting in an average of 16 FPS. The GPU's 9th percentile benchmark ranking confirms it lacks the raw power for such high resolutions.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 CPU causing the low performance?

A: No. The benchmark data shows the CPU is in the 85th percentile of all CPUs with a strong Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891. The FPS drops significantly as resolution increases (84 FPS at 1080p Low to 35 FPS at 4K Low), which indicates the CPU is not the bottleneck; the GPU is.

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

A: The Arc B390's nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, GeForce 800M, GT 625 OEM, and GT 710. The deltaPct values show the Arc B390 is only 1.3% to 2.7% faster than these GPUs, indicating it is in the same performance tier as these very old, entry-level graphics cards.

*Q: What is the best resolution to play Greedfall with this hardware?*

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can achieve playable frame rates. At 1080p with High settings, the average FPS is 60, while at 2560x1440 with High settings, it drops to 42 FPS. 4K is not a viable option, with averages below 35 FPS.

Q: Does the shared system memory affect performance?

A: Yes. The Arc B390 has no dedicated VRAM; its memory size, type, and bus width are all "System Shared". This means it uses the system's DDR5 memory, and the bandwidth is "System Dependent". In a game like Greedfall, this shared memory architecture likely contributes to the low average FPS, as the GPU competes with the CPU for bandwidth.

Q: Given the GPU's low benchmark score, is the system's ranking in the game expected?

A: Yes. The combo ranks 2595 out of 2938 tested combos, placing it in the bottom 12% of systems. This is consistent with the GPU's performance level, which is in the 9th percentile, and its proximity in performance to GPUs like the GeForce GT 710.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only reasonable settings for this hardware are at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset achieves an average of 84 FPS, which is the highest measured frame rate in the entire dataset. The Medium preset averages 66 FPS, with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS, providing a smoother and more visually detailed experience while still maintaining a playable frame rate. The High preset averages 60 FPS, but the lack of minimum FPS data suggests it may not be as stable as the Medium preset.

For players seeking the best balance between visual quality and performance, the Medium preset at 1920x1080 is the optimal choice. It offers a significant visual upgrade over Low while maintaining an average FPS that is 10% higher than the High preset. The High preset's 60 FPS average is on the edge of playability, but the Medium preset's reported minimum of 56 FPS indicates a more consistent frame pacing. The Ultra preset at 1080p averages 38 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay and should be avoided.

At 2560x1440, the performance is marginal. The Low preset averages 58 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 FPS, which can lead to noticeable stuttering in combat or crowded scenes. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p are not recommended, as they produce averages of 42 FPS and 27 FPS, respectively. The 3840x2160 resolution is not viable for this hardware, as even the Low preset only achieves 35 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages a slideshow-like 16 FPS. The data strongly suggests that 1080p Medium is the "sweet spot" for this combination, offering the best playable experience without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2595 out of 2938 tested combos in Greedfall. This places the system in the bottom 11.7% of all configurations tested. This low ranking is a direct result of the GPU's performance, which is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. The CPU, conversely, is in the 85th percentile, creating a massive performance disparity. The data shows that this is a severely unbalanced system, where the CPU's potential is completely untapped.

The ranking implies that the vast majority of other tested combos, even those with older or less powerful CPUs, will outperform this setup because they likely have a more capable GPU. The Arc B390's nearest rivals are GPUs like the GeForce GT 710, which are not designed for modern gaming at high resolutions. This combo's rank is a reflection of the GPU's limitations, not the CPU's. The system is essentially a productivity powerhouse paired with a legacy-level gaming component, and the game's performance metrics clearly demonstrate this mismatch.

The low rank is not an anomaly; it is consistent with the measured FPS data. The average FPS at 1080p High is 60, which is a passable result, but the system cannot scale to higher resolutions or settings. The 4K Ultra result of 16 FPS is among the lowest possible outcomes. The data suggests that any other GPU in the test pool, even those in the 10th or 20th percentile, would likely provide a better gaming experience in Greedfall than the Arc B390. This combo's ranking is a cautionary tale about the importance of GPU selection for gaming, regardless of CPU performance.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete set of measured average FPS data for Greedfall with the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and Intel Arc B390.

1920x1080

• Low: Average FPS 84.
• Medium: Average FPS 66, with a minimum of 56 and a maximum of 76.
• High: Average FPS 60.
• Ultra: Average FPS 38.

2560x1440

• Low: Average FPS 58.
• Medium: Average FPS 46, with a minimum of 39 and a maximum of 53.
• High: Average FPS 42.
• Ultra: Average FPS 27.

3840x2160

• Low: Average FPS 35.
• Medium: Average FPS 27, with a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 32.
• High: Average FPS 25.
• Ultra: Average FPS 16.

This data reveals a clear pattern. The performance drops are substantial with each increase in resolution and settings preset. The only configuration that consistently delivers a 60 FPS or higher average is 1080p Low. The Medium preset at 1080p is the most balanced, with a 66 FPS average and a reported minimum of 56 FPS. Moving to 1440p results in a significant performance hit, with the Low preset barely maintaining a 58 FPS average. The 4K results are all below 35 FPS, making the game effectively unplayable at that resolution. The lack of minimum and maximum FPS data for several rows, particularly at High and Ultra settings, suggests that these configurations may be prone to frame pacing issues and stutters, even if the average is reported as a specific number. The overall picture is one of a GPU that is overwhelmed by Greedfall's rendering demands at any setting above 1080p Medium.