Inside

The Intel Core i3-12100F pairs with the Intel Arc B370 to deliver a playable, though not spectacular, experience in Inside. This combination ranks 2654th out of 2887 tested combos for this game, placing it in the lower tier of systems. The data shows a clear story: this is a 1080p-focused setup that can handle the game smoothly at medium settings, but struggles significantly at higher resolutions and graphics presets.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and can boost up to 4.30 GHz. This modest core count is typical for the Core i3 class, and for a game like Inside—a 2D puzzle platformer with relatively simple physics—the CPU demands are far from extreme. The benchmark results for this CPU show a solid single-threaded performance with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 893, which is often more critical for gaming than raw multi-core throughput.

The processor's multi-threaded capabilities are adequate for the game's requirements. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11860 and the Geekbench multicore score of 7252 indicate that the i3-12100F can handle general processing tasks without becoming a bottleneck in this context. However, the data suggests that the GPU is the primary limiting factor in this combo. The CPU's 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory support are standard for the platform, ensuring that the processor does not starve the integrated graphics of data.

When compared to its nearest rivals, the i3-12100F holds its own. It performs within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-9500 and is essentially tied with the Intel Core 3 N355. It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i7-1250U by 1.1% in average benchmark score. This indicates that the CPU is not a weak link in the chain; its performance is consistent with other processors in its class. The 3dmark_16_threads score of 4051 and the 3dmark_4_threads score of 2859 show that scaling is reasonable, but the 4-core design means it relies on high clock speeds to maintain performance in lightly-threaded tasks.

In Inside, the CPU's role is to manage game logic, entity updates, and input handling. Given the game's 2016 release date, its engine is not particularly demanding on modern CPUs. The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 141 FPS, which suggests the CPU is capable of feeding frames to the GPU at a high rate. The fact that the FPS drops to 67 at 1080p Ultra, while the CPU load likely remains similar, points to the GPU being the constraining component. The i3-12100F's 4.30 GHz boost clock provides sufficient single-thread speed to ensure that the game's core loop remains responsive, even if the graphics card cannot keep up at higher settings.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output pipelines. It also includes 10 ray tracing cores. Crucially, the memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This has a profound impact on performance, as the bandwidth is "System Dependent."

The GPU's raw specifications suggest it is designed for low-power, portable devices, given its 25 W TDP and IGP slot width. Its performance percentile is 5, placing it in the bottom 5% of all GPUs. This is reflected in its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184, which puts it in the same performance bracket as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770. This is a clear indicator that the Arc B370 is not a high-performance part, and the measured FPS in Inside confirms this.

The data shows that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions and settings. At 4K Ultra, the system manages only 30 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The GPU's shared memory architecture means that the system's RAM speed and capacity directly affect performance. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 141 FPS, but this drops to 67 FPS at 1080p Ultra. This scaling pattern indicates that the GPU's compute and memory bandwidth are insufficient for the demands of higher presets, even at lower resolutions.

The Arc B370's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is modest by modern standards. While it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan 1.4, the hardware is simply not capable of maintaining high frame rates in more demanding scenarios. The pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s are also limiting factors. In Inside, a game with a distinct monochromatic art style and simple geometry, the GPU can handle the workload at low and medium settings, but it runs out of steam at high and ultra presets. The 4K Medium result of 51 FPS with a minimum of 43 FPS shows that even at medium settings, the frame pacing can be inconsistent.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU combo in Inside?*

A: Based on the measured FPS data, 1920x1080 is the most suitable resolution. At 1080p, the system achieves playable frame rates across all settings, with a minimum of 67 FPS on Ultra. At 2560x1440, the average FPS drops below 50 on Ultra, and at 3840x2160, the average FPS falls below 32 on High and Ultra, making those resolutions less viable.

*Q: Can this combo run Inside at 4K?*

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 4K with Low settings, the system averages 64 FPS, which is playable. At Medium settings, it averages 51 FPS. However, at High and Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 32 and 30, respectively, which may feel stuttery and is not recommended for a smooth experience.

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

A: The Arc B370's average benchmark score of 1184 is nearly identical to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which scores 1186. It is also within 0.5% of the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and 0.7% of the AMD Radeon HD 7650M. This places it in a performance class that is several generations old.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B370?

A: The data suggests it is not. The CPU's single-threaded performance is strong, and the frame rates drop significantly when the graphics settings are increased. This indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor. For example, at 1080p, the FPS drops from 141 on Low to 67 on Ultra, while the CPU workload remains similar.

Q: What is the performance percentile of the Intel Arc B370?

A: The GPU's percentile versus all GPUs is 5, meaning it performs better than only 5% of the GPUs in the database. This puts it in the lowest performance tier, which is consistent with its integrated graphics design and shared memory architecture.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS at 1440p Medium settings?

A: At 2560x1440 with Medium settings, the system posts an average FPS of 81, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS. This shows a relatively stable frame rate, though the minimum is noticeably lower than the average.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data clearly indicates that the Medium preset provides the best balance between visual quality and performance for this combo. At 1920x1080, Medium yields an average of 113 FPS, with a minimum of 96 FPS and a maximum of 130 FPS. This ensures a smooth, consistent experience that is well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Low preset is also viable, offering 141 FPS at 1080p, but the visual downgrade is unnecessary given the headroom at Medium.

At higher resolutions, the Medium preset becomes the only viable option for a playable frame rate. At 2560x1440, Medium produces an average of 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS. While this is lower than 1080p, it remains smooth. At 3840x2160, Medium drops to an average of 51 FPS with a minimum of 43 FPS, which is borderline playable but may exhibit noticeable stutter in fast-moving scenes. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended at any resolution above 1080p. At 1080p High, the average is 70 FPS, and at 1080p Ultra, it drops to 67 FPS. While these are technically playable, the performance gain from Medium to High is minimal, and the Ultra preset offers no tangible benefit over High.

For the best experience, the data supports using the Medium preset at 1080p. This provides a high frame rate with a comfortable buffer above the minimum, ensuring that the game remains responsive. If a higher resolution is desired, Medium at 1440p is the only preset that maintains an average above 60 FPS. The Low preset is a fallback for 4K, but the Medium preset at 1440p is a better choice for overall visual fidelity and smoothness.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2654th out of 2887 tested combos for Inside. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested, indicating that it is a low-performance configuration. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations, as the CPU is a relatively capable budget part. The GPU's 5th percentile performance and its position among rivals like the ATI Radeon HD 5770 highlight the age and low power of the graphics solution.

The rank of 2654 suggests that the vast majority of other tested systems will outperform this combo in Inside. This is not surprising given that the Arc B370 is an integrated GPU with shared memory, while most other combos likely feature dedicated graphics cards. The combo's performance is sufficient for 1080p gaming at medium settings, but it lacks the overhead for higher resolutions or more demanding presets. Users with this setup should set their expectations accordingly, focusing on 1080p Medium to achieve a stable frame rate. The rank is a useful indicator for potential buyers, showing that this is a basic entry-level configuration rather than a gaming powerhouse.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the system shows its best performance. On Low settings, the average FPS is 141, which is exceptionally smooth. Medium settings deliver an average of 113 FPS, with a minimum of 96 FPS and a maximum of 130 FPS. High settings reduce the average to 70 FPS, and Ultra settings bring it down to 67 FPS. The drop from Medium to High is significant, but the system remains playable at all settings at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance degrades noticeably. Low settings produce an average of 101 FPS, which is still very good. Medium settings lower the average to 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS and a maximum of 93 FPS. High settings drop the average to 51 FPS, and Ultra settings bring it down to 48 FPS. At this resolution, the High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, making them less desirable for a consistent experience.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles significantly. Low settings yield an average of 64 FPS, which is playable but not ideal. Medium settings produce an average of 51 FPS, with a minimum of 43 FPS and a maximum of 59 FPS. This indicates potential frame drops in demanding scenes. High settings average only 32 FPS, and Ultra settings average 30 FPS. These results are generally considered too low for a smooth gaming experience, and the game may feel sluggish at these settings.

The data shows a clear trend: the system is best suited for 1080p Medium or Low settings. The frame rates at higher resolutions and settings are either below 60 FPS or have minimums that dip into uncomfortable territory. The 4K Low result of 64 FPS is an outlier, but the minimum FPS is not recorded, so the consistency of that performance is unknown. Overall, the measured FPS breakdown confirms that this is a 1080p-oriented setup.