High On Life

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates for High On Life with the Intel Core i5-12400 and Intel Arc B390 reveal a steep performance drop as resolution increases, indicating that the graphics subsystem is the primary limiting factor across all tested settings. At 1080p Low, the combo produces 78 FPS average, but at 4K Low, that figure falls to 33 FPS — a 58% reduction in throughput. This dramatic scaling pattern is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the rendering workload at higher resolutions overwhelms the Arc B390's capabilities.

The progression from 1080p to 1440p shows a moderate but consistent decline. At High settings, the average drops from 50 FPS at 1080p to 35 FPS at 1440p, a 30% loss. Moving from 1440p to 4K High further reduces performance from 35 FPS to 21 FPS, another 40% decrease. These diminishing returns at each resolution step confirm that the Arc B390, with its modest 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 24 ROPS, cannot sustain playable frame rates beyond 1080p for this title.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution increases, which is telling. At 1080p, the spread between Low (78 FPS) and Ultra (38 FPS) is 40 FPS. At 1440p, that spread narrows to 29 FPS (55 FPS Low versus 26 FPS Ultra). At 4K, the spread compresses further to 17 FPS (33 FPS Low versus 16 FPS Ultra). This compression at higher resolutions indicates that pixel throughput becomes the bottleneck, and settings adjustments yield diminishing returns once the GPU is saturated.

The data strongly suggests that the Intel Core i5-12400 is not the limiting component in any configuration tested. The CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads, with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, provide ample headroom for this game. Evidence for this conclusion comes from the scaling behavior: if the CPU were the bottleneck, frame rates would remain relatively flat across resolutions because the CPU workload would stay constant. Instead, every resolution increase produces a substantial FPS drop, which is the signature of a GPU-limited system.

For users targeting smooth gameplay, the practical ceiling for this combo is 1080p. Even at 1440p Low, the 55 FPS average is borderline for fast-paced FPS action, and the 4K results — ranging from 16 to 33 FPS depending on settings — are uniformly below acceptable playability thresholds. The measured data indicates that this configuration is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can achieve playable frame rates across all settings except Ultra.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on Intel's 3 nm process. Its specifications paint a clear picture of a low-power, entry-level graphics solution: 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and just 24 raster output units. The GPU operates at a base clock of 300 MHz with a boost clock of 2500 MHz, and its TDP is rated at 80 W.

The memory configuration is particularly notable for its lack of dedicated VRAM. The Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it relies on the system's DDR4 or DDR5 RAM rather than having its own dedicated video memory pool. The bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which introduces variability based on the host system's memory configuration. This shared memory architecture is a significant factor in the game's performance, as High On Life's texture streaming and geometry demands must compete with CPU workloads for the same memory bandwidth.

The GPU's benchmark positioning reinforces its entry-level status. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile among all GPUs, indicating that it outperforms only a small fraction of the database's tracked graphics cards. The nearest rivals based on average benchmark scores are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% faster), NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1.5% faster), NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (2.5% faster), and NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (2.7% faster). These rivals are all legacy, low-end discrete GPUs from previous generations, which contextualizes the Arc B390's performance tier.

The combination of low percentile ranking and proximity to decade-old entry-level GPUs explains the measured FPS results in High On Life. The GPU's 60.00 GPixel/s pixel rate and 120.0 GTexel/s texture rate are simply insufficient for the game's visual complexity at higher resolutions. The 12 ray tracing cores are present, but their impact on this game's performance is not separately measured in the data.

Interestingly, the Arc B390 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. High On Life runs on Unreal Engine, which can leverage modern APIs, but the hardware's raw throughput limitations cap what these API features can deliver in practice. The game's measured performance at 1080p Low (78 FPS) represents the practical maximum for this GPU, and even that figure is modest by modern gaming standards.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run High On Life at 4K?

A: Technically yes, but not at playable frame rates. The measured 4K results range from 16 FPS at Ultra settings to 33 FPS at Low settings. The highest 4K average is 33 FPS at Low, which falls below the 60 FPS threshold typically expected for smooth gameplay, and the frame pacing would likely feel inconsistent given the GPU's performance characteristics.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system?

A: The data clearly favors 1080p. At 1080p, the combo achieves 50 FPS at High, 61 FPS at Medium, and 78 FPS at Low. These are the only resolution-settings combinations that approach or exceed 60 FPS. At 1440p, the best result is 55 FPS at Low, which is borderline, while all 4K results are below 35 FPS.

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

A: In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, the Arc B390 scores 1482 points. 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 leads all these rivals, but the margins are small.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 holding back the GPU?

A: No. The resolution scaling pattern — where frame rates drop consistently as resolution increases — indicates the GPU is the bottleneck. The i5-12400's benchmark scores, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15989 and a single-core score of 2257, suggest ample CPU headroom. The CPU ranks in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, a much stronger position than the GPU's 9th percentile.

Q: What FPS can I expect at 1440p Medium settings?

A: The measured average is 43 FPS, with a minimum of 36 FPS and a maximum of 49 FPS. This is playable for slower-paced games but may feel inconsistent in fast-action FPS sequences. The minimum frame rate of 36 FPS indicates potential stuttering during intense scenes.

Q: Does the GPU have dedicated VRAM?

A: No. The Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it draws from the system's main RAM. The memory type, bus width, and bandwidth are all listed as "System Shared" or "System Dependent." This architecture means overall system memory configuration can impact gaming performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-12400 + Intel Arc B390 combination ranks 2608 out of 2958 tested combos in High On Life, placing it in the bottom 12% of all configurations in the database. This ranking reflects the GPU's severe performance limitations rather than the CPU's capabilities, as the i5-12400 is a mid-range desktop processor with strong benchmark scores.

The CPU alone performs well relative to the broader market. Its average benchmark score of 18683 places it in the 72nd percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7643 (0.1% slower), Intel Core i7-1355U (0.3% slower), AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (0.7% slower), and Intel Core i3-14100F (0.9% faster). These are all respectable competitors, and the i5-12400 holds its own against them with margins under 1%.

In stark contrast, the GPU's average benchmark score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile among all GPUs. This means 91% of tracked graphics cards outperform it. The nearest GPU rivals — GT 520MX, 800M, GT 625 OEM, and GT 710 — are all legacy entry-level parts, and the Arc B390's margins over them are only 1.3% to 2.7%. This places the GPU in a performance tier that is fundamentally unsuited for demanding modern games at high resolutions.

The combo rank of 2608 out of 2958 suggests that most other tested configurations deliver better performance in High On Life. This is expected given the GPU's extreme low-end positioning. The CPU's strength is effectively neutralized by the GPU's weakness, resulting in a system that can only handle the game at 1080p with reduced settings.

For context, the combo's rank is not an indictment of the i5-12400, which demonstrates solid multi-threaded performance in synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench R23 (15989 multi-core) and PassMark (18747 multithread). Rather, it reflects the fundamental mismatch between a capable mid-range CPU and an integrated GPU that performs at the level of decade-old discrete graphics. Users considering this combo for gaming should understand that the GPU will be the deciding factor in achievable performance.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and the user's frame rate priorities. At 1080p, Medium settings deliver 61 FPS average with a minimum of 52 FPS, which provides a good balance between visual quality and smoothness. This is the recommended configuration for users who want playable performance without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.

For users who prioritize maximum smoothness, 1080p Low delivers 78 FPS average, which is the highest measured result in the entire dataset. This setting is recommended for competitive FPS play where frame rate consistency matters more than visual detail. The jump from Low to Medium costs 17 FPS (78 to 61), which is a meaningful trade-off for visual improvements.

At 1440p, the situation becomes more constrained. The best option is Low settings, which produce 55 FPS average. This is marginally playable but comes with a significant visual quality penalty. Medium settings at 1440p drop to 43 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. High and Ultra at 1440p (35 FPS and 26 FPS respectively) are not recommended for active play.

At 4K, no settings configuration achieves acceptable performance. The best 4K result is 33 FPS at Low, with Medium at 26 FPS, High at 21 FPS, and Ultra at 16 FPS. None of these are suitable for a fast-paced FPS game. Users with 4K displays should consider reducing the game's render resolution or accepting significantly lower visual quality.

The Ultra preset at any resolution is not recommended. Even at 1080p Ultra, the average drops to 38 FPS, which is below the smoothness threshold. The data shows that the performance cost of Ultra settings is substantial across all resolutions, with the 1080p Ultra result being 40 FPS lower than 1080p Low.

The best overall experience per the measured data is 1080p Medium, offering 61 FPS average with a minimum of 52 FPS. This configuration maintains playable frame rates while preserving a moderate level of visual detail. For users with higher refresh rate displays, 1080p Low is the only setting that approaches the 78 FPS mark, which is still below 144 Hz but represents the practical maximum for this hardware.

Measured FPS Breakdown

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 78 FPS average
• Medium: 61 FPS average, 52 FPS minimum, 70 FPS maximum
• High: 50 FPS average
• Ultra: 38 FPS average

At 1080p, the combo delivers its best performance. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a steady decline: 78 → 61 → 50 → 38 FPS. The Medium settings provide the only configuration with both minimum and maximum frame rate data, showing a 52-70 FPS range. This resolution is the sweet spot for this hardware combination.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 55 FPS average
• Medium: 43 FPS average, 36 FPS minimum, 49 FPS maximum
• High: 35 FPS average
• Ultra: 26 FPS average

1440p shows a similar pattern with lower absolute values: 55 → 43 → 35 → 26 FPS. The Medium settings exhibit a 36-49 FPS range, indicating noticeable frame pacing variance. The 20 FPS difference between Low and Ultra at this resolution is smaller than at 1080p (40 FPS difference), reflecting the GPU becoming more pixel-bound.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 33 FPS average
• Medium: 26 FPS average, 22 FPS minimum, 30 FPS maximum
• High: 21 FPS average
• Ultra: 16 FPS average

4K performance is uniformly poor: 33 → 26 → 21 → 16 FPS. The Medium settings show a 22-30 FPS range, which is narrow and consistently below playable thresholds. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is only 17 FPS, confirming that the GPU is completely saturated at this resolution regardless of settings.

Across all resolutions, the Medium settings are the only ones that include both minimum and maximum FPS measurements. The data shows that minimum frame rates are consistently lower than averages, which is expected for a GPU with limited headroom. The variance between minimum and average is approximately 9-11 FPS across resolutions, indicating that frame pacing issues are present but not extreme.