Hard West

# Hard West with AMD Ryzen 5 5500 + Intel Arc B570

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 paired with the Intel Arc B570 delivers a playable but uneven experience in Hard West, a turn-based tactics title from 2015. The benchmark data shows this combination ranks 2360th out of 2949 tested combos in this game, placing it in the lower third of the database. The measured frames per second range from a low of 21 FPS at 4K Ultra to a high of 134 FPS at 1080p Low, indicating that the system's capability hinges heavily on resolution and quality preset choices. This analysis walks through the resolution scaling behavior, CPU and GPU contributions, and the practical settings that yield the best experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial across all settings presets, revealing how the workload shifts between components as pixel count increases. At Low settings, the average frame rate falls from 134 FPS at 1920x1080 to 85 FPS at 2560x1440, then further down to 44 FPS at 3840x2160. That represents a 67% reduction from 1080p to 4K, which is a steep decline that points toward the GPU becoming the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions even on the lowest quality preset.

The Medium preset shows a similar pattern but with slightly less dramatic scaling. Starting at 110 FPS at 1080p, the average drops to 69 FPS at 1440p and 36 FPS at 4K. The percentage decrease from 1080p to 4K here is 67%, nearly identical to the Low preset. This consistency across presets suggests that resolution scaling is driven mainly by the pixel fill rate and memory bandwidth of the Intel Arc B570, which has a 160-bit memory bus and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth. The 10 GB GDDR6 memory is sufficient for Hard West at these resolutions, but the bandwidth constraints become apparent as resolution climbs.

High settings follow the same trajectory: 84 FPS at 1080p, 53 FPS at 1440p, and 28 FPS at 4K. The 1080p to 4K drop is 67% again. Ultra settings show the steepest absolute decline, from 63 FPS at 1080p down to 40 FPS at 1440p and finally 21 FPS at 4K, a 67% reduction as well. The uniformity of these scaling ratios across all four presets is notable — it indicates that the limiting factor at high resolutions is consistently the GPU's rendering throughput rather than any particular setting's computational cost.

Looking at the 1440p to 4K transition specifically, the frame rate roughly halves at every preset. Low goes from 85 to 44 FPS, Medium from 69 to 36, High from 53 to 28, and Ultra from 40 to 21. This near-perfect halving suggests the GPU is fully saturated at 4K, with the Arc B570's 200.0 GPixel/s pixel rate becoming the bottleneck. At 1080p, the CPU has more headroom to feed the GPU, which is why the frame rates are substantially higher and less constrained. The data indicates that for smooth 4K play, only the Low preset (44 FPS average) approaches acceptable frame rates, while 1440p offers a better balance across Medium and High presets.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this combo at 1080p?

A: The highest measured average at 1920x1080 is 134 FPS on the Low preset. The Medium preset delivers 110 FPS, High delivers 84 FPS, and Ultra drops to 63 FPS.

Q: Can this system handle 4K resolution in Hard West?

A: At 3840x2160, only the Low preset reaches a playable average of 44 FPS. Medium averages 36 FPS, High averages 28 FPS, and Ultra averages 21 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K has recorded minimums of 31 FPS and maximums of 42 FPS.

Q: How does the Medium preset compare across resolutions in terms of frame consistency?

A: The Medium preset is the only one with min/max data recorded. At 1080p, it ranges from 93 to 126 FPS with a 110 average. At 1440p, the range is 59 to 80 FPS with a 69 average. At 4K, the range narrows to 31 to 42 FPS with a 36 average.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B570 or the Ryzen 5 5500 the limiting factor at 1080p Low?

A: The 134 FPS average at 1080p Low suggests the GPU is still the primary constraint, as the CPU has 6 cores and 12 threads with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The GPU's 11.52 TFLOPS FP32 throughput appears to cap performance even at this light workload.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra at each resolution?

A: At 1080p, Low (134 FPS) is 2.1 times faster than Ultra (63 FPS). At 1440p, Low (85 FPS) is 2.1 times faster than Ultra (40 FPS). At 4K, Low (44 FPS) is 2.1 times faster than Ultra (21 FPS). The consistent ratio indicates the settings scale uniformly across all resolutions.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested combinations in Hard West?

A: It ranks 2360th out of 2949 tested combos, placing it in the 80th percentile from the bottom. This suggests that while the system can run the game, many other CPU/GPU pairings deliver higher frame rates.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, with a 16 MB L3 cache and 512 KB L2 per core. The 65 W TDP and dual-channel DDR4 memory support with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth position it as a mid-range desktop chip. In terms of raw single-thread performance, its 3DMark single-thread score of 836 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2319 indicate competent but not exceptional per-core capability.

For a turn-based tactics game like Hard West, the CPU workload is typically lighter than in real-time action titles, as the game logic runs in discrete turns rather than continuous simulation. The benchmark data shows that at 1080p Low, the system reaches 134 FPS, which is well above the threshold where CPU bottlenecks typically appear. However, the fact that frame rates scale down uniformly with resolution — even at Low settings — suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution. The 4K Low result of 44 FPS is more than three times lower than 1080p Low, which would not happen if the CPU were constraining performance.

The Ryzen 5 5500's multi-threaded capabilities are solid for its class. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16429 and Geekbench multi-core score of 7976 show it can handle concurrent workloads effectively. In Hard West, where AI pathfinding and turn resolution might use multiple threads, the 12 threads provide adequate headroom. The processor's 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database reinforces that it is a capable mid-tier option, though not a top performer. Its nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (0.1% lower), Intel Core i5-12500 (0.4% lower), and Intel Core i7-10700F (0.5% higher), indicating it sits in a tightly contested performance band.

The memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s combined with the PCIe Gen 3 interface could theoretically limit data transfer to the GPU, especially given the Arc B570 uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface. However, the measured frame rates do not show any anomalous stalls that would indicate memory or bus bottlenecks. The CPU's 16 MB L3 cache is modest by modern standards but adequate for a game of Hard West's age and complexity. Overall, the data indicates the Ryzen 5 5500 provides sufficient processing power for this title, with the GPU being the dominant factor in frame rate outcomes.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its strongest performance across all settings. The Low preset achieves an average of 134 FPS, which is the highest measured value in the entire dataset. Medium follows at 110 FPS with a recorded range of 93 to 126 FPS, showing good frame pacing. High drops to 84 FPS, and Ultra settles at 63 FPS. All 1080p presets are playable, with even the most demanding Ultra setting staying above 60 FPS. The spread from Low to Ultra is 71 FPS, which gives users a wide range of quality options at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably but remains respectable for most presets. Low averages 85 FPS, which is still smooth for a tactics game. Medium averages 69 FPS with a range of 59 to 80 FPS, meaning the minimum dips just below 60 FPS in demanding moments. High averages 53 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for those sensitive to frame rate drops. Ultra averages 40 FPS, which falls below the smooth threshold but remains functional for a turn-based game where reaction speed is not critical. The 1440p results show a clear trade-off between visual quality and frame rate, with Medium providing the best balance of smoothness and fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. Low averages 44 FPS, which is technically playable but shows the GPU's limitations at this resolution. Medium averages 36 FPS with a range of 31 to 42 FPS, indicating occasional dips below 30 FPS. High averages 28 FPS, and Ultra averages 21 FPS — both are marginal for gameplay, though turn-based titles can tolerate lower frame rates better than action games. The 4K data shows that the Intel Arc B570's 10 GB VRAM and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to handle the pixel throughput demands of this resolution in Hard West. The frame rate drops from 1080p to 4K are steep at every preset, confirming the GPU as the primary performance limiter.

The Medium preset is the only one with complete min/max data across all three resolutions, providing insight into frame consistency. At 1080p, the 93 FPS minimum keeps gameplay smooth. At 1440p, the 59 FPS minimum is borderline but acceptable. At 4K, the 31 FPS minimum is the lowest recorded value, which could cause noticeable stutter in busy scenes. The narrowing range from 1080p (33 FPS spread) to 4K (11 FPS spread) suggests that as the GPU becomes saturated, frame times become more uniform but at a lower overall level.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B570 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture using a 5 nm TSMC process, featuring 19,600 million transistors on a 272 mm² die. It has 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 80 raster operation units, along with 18 ray tracing cores. The GPU operates at a fixed 2500 MHz base and boost clock, delivering 11.52 TFLOPS FP32 performance and a texture rate of 360.0 GTexel/s. The 10 GB GDDR6 memory runs at 2375 MHz with a 160-bit bus, providing 380.0 GB/s bandwidth. This configuration places the card in the mid-range segment, with a 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs in the database.

In Hard West, the Arc B570's performance is characterized by strong 1080p results but rapid degradation at higher resolutions. The 134 FPS at 1080p Low demonstrates the card's raw capability when pixel count is modest. However, the steep scaling to 44 FPS at 4K Low reveals that the memory bandwidth and pixel rate are insufficient for high-resolution rendering. The 200.0 GPixel/s pixel rate, while respectable, is simply not enough to maintain high frame rates at 4K with this game's rendering requirements.

The GPU's nearest rivals in average benchmark score include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (0.1% higher), Intel Arc A750 (0.1% lower), and AMD Radeon R9 M390X (0.5% lower). This close clustering indicates the Arc B570 performs at a well-established mid-range level. The passmark G3D score of 14195 and 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2649 provide additional context for its gaming capabilities. The GPU's 10 GB VRAM is ample for Hard West, which is a 2015 title with modest texture demands, so memory capacity is not a limiting factor — bandwidth and fill rate are the constraints.

The fixed 2500 MHz clock speed means the GPU does not boost dynamically, which could limit performance in lighter scenes that might otherwise trigger higher clocks. The 150 W TDP and 450 W suggested PSU indicate a power-efficient design that should run consistently. The PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, while half the lanes of a x16 connection, is unlikely to bottleneck in this title given the measured frame rates. Overall, the Arc B570 proves capable at 1080p and acceptable at 1440p with lowered settings, but it is not suited for 4K gaming in Hard West.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience depends on the target resolution and the user's tolerance for frame rate variations. At 1920x1080, the High preset at 84 FPS is the recommended choice because it provides a substantial visual upgrade over Medium (110 FPS) while maintaining a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset at 63 FPS is also viable for those who prioritize visual fidelity, as it stays above 60 FPS, but the drop from High to Ultra is 21 FPS, which may not justify the visual gains in a turn-based game where motion smoothness is less critical.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset at 69 FPS is the optimal balance. The minimum of 59 FPS means occasional dips just below 60, but the average remains smooth. The High preset at 53 FPS is acceptable for gameplay, though the average falls below the 60 FPS target. The Low preset at 85 FPS is the smoothest option but sacrifices visual quality. For most users, Medium at 1440p offers the best compromise between image quality and performance, especially since the game's tactical nature does not require high frame rates for competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset at 44 FPS is the only recommendation for playable performance. Medium at 36 FPS with a 31 FPS minimum is borderline, and the visual improvement over Low may not be worth the frame rate drop. High and Ultra at 28 and 21 FPS respectively are not recommended for regular play, as the low frame rates could impair readability during camera pans. Users with 4K displays should consider running the game at 1440p with Medium settings instead, as the pixel density difference is less noticeable in a turn-based game.

Across all resolutions, the Medium preset shows the most consistent frame pacing, with recorded minimums and maximums that indicate fewer extreme frame time spikes. This consistency is valuable in a tactics game where sudden frame drops could coincide with important combat animations. The data suggests that choosing Medium over High or Ultra provides a more stable experience, even when the average frame rate is higher on the more demanding presets.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Arc B570 ranks 2360th out of 2949 tested combos in Hard West, placing it in the 80th percentile from the bottom of the database. This is a low ranking that reflects the system's limitations at higher resolutions and settings, despite its competent 1080p performance. The ranking indicates that a significant majority of tested CPU/GPU combinations deliver better frame rates in this game, which may be surprising given the title's age and modest system requirements.

The rank is likely dragged down by the GPU's poor 4K performance, as the Arc B570's 380.0 GB/s bandwidth and 200.0 GPixel/s pixel rate are insufficient for that resolution. At 1080p, the combo performs respectably, with all presets exceeding 60 FPS. However, the database's ranking system likely weights performance across all tested resolutions, and the 21 FPS result at 4K Ultra significantly penalizes the overall standing. The CPU's 73rd percentile ranking and GPU's 65th percentile ranking suggest both components are mid-tier, but their combination does not synergize particularly well for this game's rendering requirements.

The 2360th rank out of 2949 combos means that roughly 80% of tested systems outperform this pairing in Hard West. This is a notable gap, but it does not tell the full story. For users playing at 1080p, which is the resolution most likely for a system with these components, the experience is solid. The rank should be interpreted as a measure of overall capability across all scenarios, not a definitive statement on the system's viability for this specific game at common settings. The measured data shows that at 1080p Medium and High, the combo provides a smooth, playable experience that would be entirely satisfactory for the turn-based tactics genre.