High On Life

The data presents a striking mismatch: a top-tier 16-core CPU paired with an integrated graphics solution that ranks near the bottom of all tested GPUs. The Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B390 combination produces playable frame rates only at the lowest settings, and the benchmark results reveal a system almost entirely constrained by its graphics processor. The measured FPS values across resolutions and settings tell a clear story of a CPU with immense headroom that is never fully utilized, as the Arc B390's performance ceiling is reached long before the i7-13700K is challenged.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and reveals a system that is purely GPU-limited. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 78 at 1920x1080 to 55 at 2560x1440, a 30% reduction. Pushing further to 3840x2160 yields an average of 33 FPS, which is 58% lower than the 1080p result. This steep decline is a classic indicator that the graphics processor is the limiting factor; as the pixel count increases, the GPU's workload grows almost linearly, while the CPU's role in frame generation remains relatively constant.

The scaling pattern for Medium settings is similarly telling. The average FPS drops from 61 at 1080p to 43 at 1440p, and then to 26 at 4K. The gap between 1440p and 4K is a 40% performance loss, which is a larger relative drop than the 30% loss seen between 1080p and 1440p. This suggests that at 4K, the Arc B390 is not just struggling with the resolution but is likely hitting a hard architectural limit, possibly related to its memory bandwidth, which is listed as "System Dependent" and shared with the CPU.

The Ultra preset data reinforces this analysis. The average FPS at 1080p is 38, which is already low, but at 1440p it falls to 26, and at 4K it collapses to 16. The delta between 1080p and 4K is a 58% reduction in performance. This is a clear sign that the GPU's shading units, texture mapping units, and raster output pipelines are being overwhelmed by the combination of high resolution and maximum graphical fidelity. The CPU, with its 16 cores and 24 threads, is not the bottleneck at any resolution; the data implies that even a much weaker processor would produce nearly identical frame rates in this configuration.

What is most curious is the behavior at 4K High versus 4K Medium. The High preset averages 21 FPS, while Medium averages 26 FPS. This is a 19% performance difference, which is less than the gap between Low and Medium at the same resolution (33 FPS vs 26 FPS, a 21% difference). This non-linear scaling suggests that the GPU is not simply running out of raw compute power, but may be hitting specific bottlenecks related to certain rendering features that are enabled at High but not at Medium.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a powerhouse on paper, but its role in this combination is largely theoretical. With 16 cores (8 performance and 8 efficient), 24 threads, a base clock of 3.40 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, this CPU has more than enough processing power for any modern game. Its benchmark scores are impressive, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 30745 and a single-core score of 2116. The Geekbench multicore score of 19429 and single-core score of 2529 further confirm its high-end status.

However, the measured FPS data shows that this CPU is never the limiting factor. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 78, which is a respectable frame rate but not one that stresses a CPU capable of significantly more. The fact that the frame rate drops to 55 at 1440p and 33 at 4K at the same settings proves that the GPU is the sole constraint. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rates would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload is largely independent of resolution.

The CPU's 30 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB per-core L2 cache are more than sufficient for game data. The processor's architecture, Raptor Lake, is designed for high single-thread performance, which is critical for gaming. The 3DMark single-thread score of 1136 and the Passmark single-thread score of 4333 indicate strong per-core performance. Yet, the data suggests that the i7-13700K is spending most of its time idle, waiting for the Arc B390 to finish rendering each frame. The game's CPU utilization is likely low, as the GPU is the bottleneck, and the i7's vast resources are simply not needed to maintain the 16-26 FPS averages seen at 4K.

The comparison to the nearest rivals for the CPU shows that the i7-13700K is a top-tier part. It is within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and Intel Xeon w3-2535 in average benchmark score, and just 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 5900. This places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, meaning it outperforms 89% of processors on the market. In this game, however, that raw power is irrelevant, as the GPU cannot translate it into higher frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2608 out of 2958 tested combos for High On Life. This places it in the bottom 12% of all tested systems, which is a surprisingly low position for a CPU that ranks in the 89th percentile. The combo's rank is almost entirely determined by the GPU, which ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

This discrepancy highlights the importance of balance in a gaming system. The data shows that pairing a high-end CPU with a low-end integrated GPU results in a system that performs worse than a mid-range CPU paired with a dedicated graphics card. The combo rank of 2608 is a clear indicator that the Arc B390 is the weak link, and its performance is the primary factor dragging the entire system down.

The GPU's nearest rivals are all ancient, low-end parts. The Arc B390's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is just 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M, and 2.5% higher than the GeForce GT 625 OEM. This puts the Arc B390 in the same performance class as GPUs that are over a decade old. For a modern integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, this is a disappointing result, and it directly explains why the combo ranks so poorly in this game.

The fact that the CPU is in the 89th percentile while the GPU is in the 9th percentile creates a massive imbalance. The combo rank of 2608 reflects this, as it is far lower than what the CPU alone would suggest. This is a system where the CPU is overqualified for the task, and the GPU is underqualified. The data implies that this combo is not suitable for High On Life at any resolution above 1080p Low, and even at 1080p Low, the 78 FPS average is not particularly high for a system with such a powerful processor.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across twelve distinct scenarios. At 1920x1080, the results range from a low of 38 FPS on Ultra to a high of 78 FPS on Low. The Medium preset averages 61 FPS with a minimum of 52 and a maximum of 70, while High averages 50 FPS. These numbers show that at 1080p, the system is capable of producing playable frame rates, but only if settings are kept to Low or Medium.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset averages 55 FPS, which is still playable, but Medium drops to 43 FPS with a range of 36 to 49. High averages 35 FPS, and Ultra falls to 26 FPS. At this resolution, the system is only comfortable at Low settings, and even then, the 55 FPS average is not ideal for a fast-paced FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Low averages 33 FPS, Medium averages 26 FPS, High averages 21 FPS, and Ultra averages a mere 16 FPS. The Medium preset has the only recorded minimum and maximum values at 4K, with a range of 22 to 30 FPS. These numbers confirm that 4K gaming is not a viable option for this combo, as even the lowest settings fail to reach 60 FPS.

The data shows a consistent pattern: each increase in resolution or settings tier results in a substantial FPS drop. The transition from 1080p Low (78 FPS) to 1440p Low (55 FPS) is a 23 FPS loss, and the further transition to 4K Low (33 FPS) is another 22 FPS loss. This linear degradation is typical of a GPU-limited system, and it underscores the fact that the Intel Arc B390 is the sole determinant of performance in this configuration.

The minimum and maximum FPS values provided for the Medium preset at each resolution show a relatively tight frame time distribution. At 1080p, the range is 52-70 FPS, at 1440p it's 36-49 FPS, and at 4K it's 22-30 FPS. This suggests that the GPU is delivering consistent frame pacing, without major stutters, but the overall frame rates are too low for a smooth experience at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run High On Life at 60 FPS?

A: No, the measured data shows that the maximum average FPS is 78 at 1080p Low. At 1080p Medium, the average is 61 FPS, which is just above 60, but the minimum is 52 FPS. At any other resolution or settings tier, the average FPS is below 60.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can maintain an average FPS above 50 on any setting. At 2560x1440, only the Low preset averages above 50 FPS. At 3840x2160, all presets average below 34 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The benchmark results clearly indicate the GPU is the bottleneck. The frame rates drop significantly as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of GPU limitation. The CPU, with its high benchmark scores, is not being fully utilized.

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

A: The Arc B390's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is only 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M (1460), and 2.5% higher than the GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446). This places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What is the combo's rank compared to all tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2608 out of 2958 tested combinations for High On Life. This puts it in the bottom 12% of all systems tested.

Q: Is the i7-13700K a good match for the Arc B390?

A: The data shows a significant mismatch. The CPU is in the 89th percentile, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The CPU's performance is wasted in this configuration, as the GPU cannot deliver frame rates high enough to benefit from the CPU's processing power.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal setting for this combo in High On Life is 1920x1080 with the Low preset. This is the only configuration that delivers an average FPS above 70, specifically 78 FPS. This provides the smoothest experience and is the only setting that comes close to taking advantage of a high-refresh-rate monitor.

For players who prefer higher visual quality, 1920x1080 Medium is a viable alternative, averaging 61 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS. While the average is above 60, the minimum dips below, which could lead to occasional stutters. The High preset at 1080p averages 50 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for a competitive FPS.

At 2560x1440, only the Low preset is recommended, as it averages 55 FPS. The Medium preset averages 43 FPS, which is borderline playable but may feel sluggish. The High and Ultra presets at this resolution are not recommended due to their low frame rates of 35 and 26 FPS, respectively.

The data suggests that 3840x2160 is not a viable resolution for this system. Even the Low preset averages only 33 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 4K averages just 16 FPS, making it essentially unplayable. The best experience is clearly at 1080p Low, which offers the only consistently high frame rates in the dataset.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process. It has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output pipelines. Its boost clock is 2500 MHz, and it features 12 ray tracing cores. The GPU's theoretical performance is 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 and 15.36 TFLOPS for FP16. Despite these specifications, its actual gaming performance is remarkably low, as evidenced by its 9th percentile ranking.

The GPU's memory configuration is a major concern. It uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it relies on the CPU's system RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bus width and bandwidth are also "System Shared" and "System Dependent," respectively. This means the GPU's performance is heavily influenced by the speed and bandwidth of the system's DDR4 or DDR5 memory. This shared memory architecture is likely the primary reason for the GPU's poor performance, as it creates a significant bottleneck for data transfer.

The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is its only benchmark result, and it places the GPU in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all extremely low-end parts, with the Arc B390 being only 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX. This data confirms that the Arc B390 is not designed for gaming and is more suited for basic desktop tasks.

In High On Life, the GPU's limitations are exposed. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU cannot handle the game's demands at any resolution above 1080p Low. The rendering pipeline, with its 48 TMUs and 24 ROPs, is insufficient for the game's visual effects. The pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s are far too low for modern game rendering. The GPU's 80 W TDP and lack of dedicated power connectors indicate it is designed for power efficiency, not performance, and this trade-off is clearly reflected in the benchmark results.