Hard West

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F paired with the Intel Arc B370 is a combination that sits near the bottom of the performance hierarchy for Hard West, ranking 2721 out of 2949 tested combos. This places it in the 8th percentile of all tested systems, meaning roughly 92% of configurations deliver higher frame rates in this turn-based tactics title. The data indicates this is not a combo built for high-refresh-rate gameplay or maximum visual fidelity, but rather one that can produce playable results at lower resolutions and settings, provided the user adjusts expectations accordingly.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s overall position of 2721 out of 2949 tested combinations places it firmly in the lower quartile of systems evaluated for Hard West. This ranking reflects the cumulative performance of both the CPU and GPU, but in this particular game, the GPU is the dominant constraint. The Intel Arc B370’s average benchmark score is 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 with a score of 1186, the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at 1190, the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at 1192, and the AMD FirePro M2000 at 1168. The delta percentages here are minimal—ranging from -0.7% to +1.4%—indicating that the Arc B370 trades blows with these older, low-end parts. For context, the Arc B370 is 0.2% slower than the Mobility Radeon HD 5570, 0.5% slower than the Radeon HD 5770, 0.7% slower than the Radeon HD 7650M, and 1.4% faster than the FirePro M2000. These are essentially negligible differences, meaning the GPU performs at a level comparable to graphics hardware from over a decade ago.

The CPU, by contrast, is far more capable. The Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32750, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-14600T at 32707, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H at 32697, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H at 32812, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 at 32662. The delta percentages show the 7400F is 0.1% faster than the i5-14600T, 0.2% faster than the Ultra 7 155H, 0.2% slower than the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, and 0.3% faster than the Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360. These are all within a rounding error, so the CPU is essentially matched with these mid-range processors. The data shows the CPU is not the bottleneck here; in Hard West, the GPU’s limited throughput holds the system back, dragging the combo down to near-bottom rankings despite the CPU’s strength.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the primary factor limiting performance in Hard West. Its specifications reveal a part designed for low-power, integrated graphics duty rather than dedicated gaming hardware. The GPU features a 300 MHz base clock and a 2400 MHz boost clock, built on Intel’s 3 nm process with the Xe3-LPG architecture. It has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units. The memory configuration is listed as “System Shared,” meaning it uses the host system’s DDR5 memory rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bus width and bandwidth are also system-dependent, which is a critical weakness for a game like Hard West that needs to load textures and geometry efficiently.

The GPU’s compute capabilities are modest: it delivers 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 12.29 TFLOPS of FP16 performance. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s. These numbers, while not directly compared to rivals in the fact pack, place the GPU in a performance tier that struggles with even moderate graphical loads. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score of 1184 is the sole GPU benchmark provided, and it reinforces the low-end positioning. The GPU’s percentile rank of 5 means it outperforms only 5% of all GPUs in the database. This is an integrated-class part, with a TDP of just 25 W, no power connectors, and an IGP slot width. In practice, this means the Arc B370 has to share memory bandwidth with the CPU, which further hampers its ability to maintain consistent frame rates in Hard West.

The measured FPS data confirms the GPU’s limitations. At 3840x2160, the highest resolution tested, the combo achieves only 16 FPS on High settings, 21 FPS on Medium, and 12 FPS on Ultra. Even on Low settings at 4K, the average FPS is just 26. These numbers are not playable for most users, as they fall well below the 30 FPS threshold typically considered the minimum for acceptable gameplay. The GPU’s shared memory architecture and low pixel throughput are the obvious culprits, as the CPU is more than capable of feeding frames at higher rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo in Hard West comes at 1920x1080 with Low settings. At this configuration, the average FPS is 79, which is smooth and responsive for a turn-based tactics game. The next best option is 1920x1080 with Medium settings, which delivers 64 average FPS, still very playable. However, the jump from Low to Medium costs 15 FPS on average, which might matter if you prefer a higher frame rate for smoother camera panning or animations. High settings at 1080p drop to 49 average FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal, while Ultra settings fall to 37 average FPS, which is borderline.

At 2560x1440, the data suggests sticking with Low settings for a 50 average FPS experience. Medium at 1440p drops to 41 average FPS, which is still playable but less comfortable. High at 1440p yields 31 average FPS, which is below the 30 FPS minimum for many players, and Ultra drops to 23 average FPS, which is not recommended. At 3840x2160, no settings are truly playable, as even Low only reaches 26 average FPS, and Medium hits 21 average FPS. The Ultra preset at 4K produces just 12 average FPS, making it unusable.

The data shows a clear pattern: the combo’s sweet spot is 1080p with Low or Medium settings. For players who prioritize frame rate stability, Low at 1080p is the safest choice. For those who want slightly better visuals, Medium at 1080p provides a good balance, with a minimum FPS of 55 and a maximum of 74, indicating acceptable frame time consistency. Avoid Ultra settings at any resolution, as the performance penalty is steep, and avoid 4K entirely unless you are willing to accept sub-30 FPS gameplay.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed picture of how the combo performs across resolutions and settings. At 3840x2160, the results are uniformly poor. With Low settings, the average FPS is 26. Medium settings yield an average of 21 FPS, with a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 25. High settings drop to 16 average FPS, and Ultra settings bottom out at 12 average FPS. The narrow range between minimum and maximum at Medium (18 to 25 FPS) suggests the GPU is consistently overwhelmed, with no headroom for burst performance. No minimum or maximum values are provided for Low, High, or Ultra at this resolution, but the averages alone are enough to recommend against 4K gaming.

At 2560x1440, performance improves but remains limited. Low settings deliver 50 average FPS, which is the best result at this resolution. Medium settings produce 41 average FPS, with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 47, showing a somewhat wider range but still stable enough for turn-based play. High settings drop to 31 average FPS, which is marginal, and Ultra settings fall to 23 average FPS. The jump from Low to Medium costs 9 FPS on average, while the jump from Medium to High costs another 10 FPS. This indicates that each settings tier has a significant performance impact, and users should carefully weigh visual improvements against frame rate losses.

At 1920x1080, the combo finally reaches playable territory. Low settings achieve 79 average FPS, which is excellent for this hardware class. Medium settings produce 64 average FPS, with a minimum of 55 and a maximum of 74, indicating good consistency. High settings drop to 49 average FPS, which is still playable but noticeably less smooth. Ultra settings yield 37 average FPS, which is on the edge of playability. The scaling from Low to Medium is a 15 FPS drop, from Medium to High is another 15 FPS drop, and from High to Ultra is a 12 FPS drop. This linear degradation suggests the GPU’s pixel and texture throughput are the limiting factors, as each incremental increase in settings directly reduces frame rate.

The data also shows that the combo performs better at lower resolutions relative to settings, which is expected given the GPU’s shared memory architecture. At 1080p Low, the 79 average FPS is more than triple the 16 average FPS at 4K High, highlighting the GPU’s sensitivity to resolution changes. For users with 1080p monitors, this combo is viable, but for those with higher-resolution displays, the experience will be compromised.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to use with this combo for Hard West?

A: The data shows 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the combo achieves consistently playable frame rates. At 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 79, and with Medium settings it is 64. At 2560x1440, the best result is 50 average FPS on Low settings, while at 3840x2160, the best result is 26 average FPS on Low settings, making 1080p the clear recommendation.

Q: Can this combo handle Ultra settings in Hard West?

A: Ultra settings are only marginally playable at 1920x1080, where the average FPS is 37. At 2560x1440, Ultra drops to 23 average FPS, and at 3840x2160, it falls to 12 average FPS. Given these numbers, Ultra settings are not recommended at any resolution, as the frame rates are too low for a smooth experience.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1184, which puts it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186, -0.2% delta), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190, -0.5% delta), the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1192, -0.7% delta), and the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168, +1.4% delta). These differences are negligible, meaning the Arc B370 performs at a level comparable to these older parts.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 7400F a bottleneck for this combo?

A: No, the CPU data suggests it is not the limiting factor. The Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32750, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs. Its scores are nearly identical to rivals like the Intel Core i5-14600T (32707) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (32697). The GPU’s low performance is what drags down the combo’s frame rates, not the CPU.

Q: What is the minimum FPS for Medium settings at 1920x1080?

A: At 1920x1080 with Medium settings, the combo achieves an average FPS of 64, with a minimum FPS of 55 and a maximum FPS of 74. This indicates a relatively stable performance profile, with frame rates staying above 55 FPS throughout the tested session.

Q: How does the combo rank overall compared to other tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 2721 out of 2949 tested combinations for Hard West, placing it in the bottom 8% of systems. This ranking is primarily due to the GPU’s low performance, as the CPU ranks in the 83rd percentile, but the GPU ranks in the 5th percentile, dragging the overall score down.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. The CPU features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The CPU is built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. It uses the AMD Socket AM5 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes.

In Hard West, the CPU’s role is secondary to the GPU, but the data shows it is more than adequate for the game’s demands. The Ryzen 5 7400F’s Cinebench R23 multicore score is 21765, and its single-core score is 3072. The PassMark multithread score is 25645, and the single-thread score is 3689. These scores indicate a strong processor that can handle turn-based tactics calculations, AI pathfinding, and game logic without issue. The CPU’s 83rd percentile ranking among all CPUs further confirms that it is not a weak point in this combo.

The nearest CPU rivals, including the Intel Core i5-14600T, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360, all have average benchmark scores within a fraction of a percent of the 7400F. This means the CPU is competitive with mid-range and upper-mid-range processors from both AMD and Intel. The fact that the combo still ranks so low in Hard West is entirely attributable to the GPU’s inability to keep up. The CPU’s high single-thread performance, as evidenced by the Cinebench R15 single-core score of 309 and the PassMark single-thread score of 3689, ensures that frame rates are not CPU-limited even at lower resolutions where the GPU might otherwise be the bottleneck.

In turn-based tactics games like Hard West, CPU performance often matters less than in real-time strategy or action titles, because the game logic is not as demanding per frame. However, the Ryzen 5 7400F’s 12 threads and high clock speeds provide ample headroom for any background tasks or overlays. The CPU’s 32 MB of L3 cache is also beneficial for keeping frequently accessed game data close to the cores. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the combo achieves 79 average FPS, which is likely near the CPU’s frame delivery limit for this game, given the GPU’s constraints. At higher settings, the GPU becomes the limiting factor, as evidenced by the steep FPS drops when increasing resolution or graphical fidelity.

The CPU’s memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s is worth noting, especially because the GPU uses system-shared memory. This means the CPU and GPU share the same DDR5 bandwidth pool, which could introduce contention in memory-intensive scenarios. However, Hard West is not a memory-bandwidth-heavy game, and the measured FPS data does not show severe stuttering or frame time spikes at lower settings. The Medium settings at 1080p show a minimum FPS of 55 and a maximum of 74, which suggests the shared memory architecture does not cause major instability, at least at this resolution. The CPU’s ECC memory support and dual-channel configuration also contribute to system stability, though these are not directly measured in the FPS data.

Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 7400F is a capable processor that is wasted in this pairing, as the GPU holds it back. For users who might upgrade the GPU later, the CPU has enough performance to support a much faster graphics card. The CPU’s 83rd percentile ranking and its tight grouping with rival processors indicate that it is not the reason for the combo’s low position in the Hard West benchmark rankings. Instead, the Intel Arc B370’s 5th percentile GPU ranking is the sole cause, and any performance improvements would require a GPU upgrade. The data is clear: the CPU is ready for more demanding tasks, but the GPU limits the entire system to low-resolution, low-settings gameplay.