Hard West

Hard West is a turn-based tactics title from 2015, and the benchmark data for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D paired with the Intel Arc B370 shows a system that is decisively GPU-limited at every resolution tested. The measured frames per second (FPS) are low across the board, indicating that the integrated graphics solution is the primary bottleneck, while the processor has ample headroom. This combination ranks at 2721 out of 2949 tested combos in this game, placing it in the bottom 8th percentile of all tested systems, which aligns with the GPU's low overall benchmark percentile of 5.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals a steep and consistent performance penalty as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a system constrained by its graphics processor. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 79 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings drops the average to 50 FPS, a 37% reduction in performance. Pushing further to 4K at Low settings yields only 26 FPS, which is a 67% drop from the 1080p baseline. This scaling pattern is not linear, but it is clearly tied to the number of pixels being rendered, confirming that the Intel Arc B370's fillrate and compute capabilities are being saturated.

The trend holds true across all settings presets. For High settings, the average FPS falls from 49 at 1080p to 31 at 1440p (a 37% decrease) and then to 16 at 4K (a 67% decrease from 1080p). At Medium settings, the drop is from 64 FPS at 1080p to 41 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 21 FPS at 4K. Even at Ultra settings, which produce the lowest overall scores, the pattern persists: 37 FPS at 1080p, 23 FPS at 1440p, and 12 FPS at 4K.

The consistency of these percentage drops across different presets is telling. It suggests that the game's visual complexity at these settings does not change the fundamental nature of the bottleneck. The limiting component is not the CPU, as the Ryzen 5 5500X3D’s strong processor benchmarks (85th percentile) would easily handle the game's logic at these frame rates. Instead, the data indicates that the Intel Arc B370, with its 25 W TDP and integrated design, is the sole factor determining performance. The 4K resolution is effectively unplayable at any setting, while 1440p is only borderline playable at the lowest settings, and 1080p remains the only realistic target for this hardware in Hard West.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is a unique piece of hardware in this context, functioning as an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with system-shared memory. Its specifications are modest by modern discrete GPU standards, featuring 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 render output units. The clock speeds are listed with a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 2400 MHz, and the memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means it shares the system's DDR4 memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This shared memory architecture is a critical factor, as it often results in lower effective bandwidth compared to dedicated VRAM, which can severely impact performance in texture-heavy scenes.

The GPU's benchmark results are stark. It scores just 1184 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in that benchmark are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which are over a decade old. This comparison is not favorable, and it underscores the GPU's position as an entry-level, low-power solution. The measured FPS in Hard West reflect this, as even the best-case scenario at 1080p Low only reaches 79 FPS, with most settings falling well below the 60 FPS threshold.

The GPU's boost clock of 2400 MHz is relatively high, and the pixel rate is listed at 48.00 GPixel/s, but these figures are insufficient to overcome the lack of dedicated memory and the low overall compute throughput of 6.144 TFLOPS. The game's results show that the GPU is consistently the limiting factor, as evidenced by the significant FPS drops when resolution increases. The VRAM situation is particularly important; with "System Shared" memory, the Arc B370 is contending with the CPU for the same memory pool, which can lead to stuttering and frame time spikes, even if the average FPS appears stable. The data shows that this combo is not suitable for high-fidelity gaming at higher resolutions, and its role is best defined as a basic display adapter for light or older titles at 1080p.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience for this combo in Hard West is found at 1080p with Low settings. This is the only configuration that consistently delivers an average FPS above 60, hitting 79 FPS. While this is not a high-refresh-rate experience, it is the only playable one that provides a smooth enough frame rate for a turn-based game. The Medium preset at 1080p is also viable, with an average of 64 FPS and a minimum of 55 FPS, which is adequate for this genre, but it does dip below 60 FPS at times.

At 1440p, the situation becomes more challenging. Low settings yield 50 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings at 1440p drop to 41 FPS, and High settings fall to 31 FPS, which are increasingly less smooth. For a turn-based tactics game where quick reactions are not critical, 1440p Low might be acceptable for users who prioritize resolution over fluidity, but the data suggests that 1080p is the intended target for this hardware. At 4K, all settings produce average FPS below 30, which is not recommended for any gaming scenario, as the game will feel sluggish and unresponsive.

The High and Ultra presets offer diminishing returns for this hardware. At 1080p High, the average FPS is 49, which is a significant drop from Low. At 1080p Ultra, it falls to 37 FPS. The visual fidelity improvements from Low to Ultra are not worth the frame rate sacrifice on this GPU. Therefore, the recommendation is to stick with 1080p Low or Medium. The Medium preset at 1080p provides a balanced compromise, offering 64 FPS average with a minimum of 55 FPS, which is likely the best visual experience that maintains acceptable performance. Users should avoid Ultra settings entirely, as they do not provide a smooth experience at any resolution.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data provides a complete breakdown of the measured average FPS for this combo across all tested resolutions and settings.

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: 79 FPS average
• Medium: 64 FPS average, with a minimum of 55 FPS and a maximum of 74 FPS
• High: 49 FPS average
• Ultra: 37 FPS average

The 1080p results show a clear hierarchy, with Low being the only preset that allows for a comfortable margin above 60 FPS. Medium is the next best option, staying above 60 FPS on average but with dips into the 50s. High and Ultra are playable but not smooth, with averages below 50 FPS.

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: 50 FPS average
• Medium: 41 FPS average, with a minimum of 35 FPS and a maximum of 47 FPS
• High: 31 FPS average
• Ultra: 23 FPS average

At 1440p, the performance drops are pronounced. Only Low settings manage to stay above 50 FPS. Medium falls to 41 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for smooth gameplay, and High and Ultra are in the 20-30 FPS range, which is not recommended.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: 26 FPS average
• Medium: 21 FPS average, with a minimum of 18 FPS and a maximum of 25 FPS
• High: 16 FPS average
• Ultra: 12 FPS average

The 4K results are uniformly poor. Even at Low settings, the average FPS is only 26, which is far below playable standards. The Medium preset has a minimum of 18 FPS, indicating significant frame drops. This resolution is not viable for this hardware in this game.

How This Combo Ranks

In the comprehensive database of tested combinations for Hard West, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D + Intel Arc B370 combo ranks 2721 out of 2949 total tested combos. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested for this game. The ranking reflects the severe performance limitations imposed by the GPU, which is the clear bottleneck in this pairing.

The CPU itself is a high performer, with an average benchmark score of 37018 and a percentile rank of 85 among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, which scores 37093 (a -0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i9-12900T, which scores 37112 (a -0.3% delta). These rivals are all within 0.3% of the 5500X3D's score, indicating that the processor is competitive with these other options. However, this processing power is wasted in Hard West because the GPU cannot keep up.

Conversely, the Intel Arc B370 is a low performer, with an average benchmark score of 1184 and a percentile rank of 5 among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which scores 1186 (a -0.2% delta), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M, which scores 1192 (a -0.7% delta). The GPU's performance is on par with these legacy mobile and desktop parts, which explains why the combo ranks so low. The data clearly shows that the GPU is holding back the entire system, and a more balanced pairing would require a significantly more powerful graphics solution.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Hard West with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: The measured data shows that 1080p is the only resolution where the combo can achieve a smooth experience. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 79, and at 1080p Medium, it is 64 FPS. Higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K result in average FPS below 50 and 30, respectively, which are not recommended.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B370 in this game?

A: No. The data indicates the opposite. The CPU has a high average benchmark score of 37018 and an 85th percentile ranking, while the GPU has a 5th percentile ranking. The FPS drops from 1080p to 4K are consistent with a GPU bottleneck, not a CPU one.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, the Arc B370 scores 1184. Its nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which scores 1186, and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which scores 1190. The performance is essentially equivalent to these older parts.

Q: Can this combo run Hard West at Ultra settings?

A: It can run the game at Ultra settings, but the frame rate is not playable. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 37, at 1440p Ultra it is 23 FPS, and at 4K Ultra it is only 12 FPS. These scores are too low for a comfortable gaming experience.

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Hard West?

A: The highest average FPS recorded in the measured data is 79 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only configuration that breaks the 60 FPS barrier.

Q: How does this combo's overall rank compare to other tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2721 out of 2949 tested combos for Hard West. This places it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a below-average performer for this game due to the GPU's limitations.