Minimum

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Arc B390 combination ranks near the bottom of the database for Minimum, landing at position 2602 out of 2939 tested combos. This places it in the 12th percentile of all systems, indicating that while the hardware is functional for basic operation, it is not positioned to deliver a high-refresh-rate experience in this title. The data shows a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution, which struggles to maintain playable frame rates at higher resolutions and settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 2602 out of 2939 combos signals a fundamental performance ceiling. This is not a mid-pack result; it is firmly in the lower tier of all tested configurations. The CPU, an AMD Ryzen 5 5500, is a capable 6-core, 12-thread processor with a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, and its synthetic benchmark scores reflect a solid mid-range part. Its average benchmark score of 19593 places it at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, a stark contrast to the overall system ranking. This disparity suggests the processor is not the primary bottleneck.

Looking at the CPU's nearest rivals, the Ryzen 5 5500 sits within a tight performance band. It is 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i5-12500. Conversely, it is 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i7-10700F and 0.7% behind the Intel Core i5-11600KF. These negligible deltas confirm that the CPU is performing exactly as expected for its class; it is neither a standout nor a laggard in processing power.

The system's low overall rank is almost entirely attributable to the Intel Arc B390. This GPU holds a 9th percentile ranking among all graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of just 1482. Its nearest rivals are entry-level or legacy parts: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1.3% ahead), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1.5% ahead), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (2.5% ahead), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (2.7% ahead). The B390's performance is essentially at parity with these very old, low-end GPUs, which explains why the combined system languishes at the bottom of the rankings. The data is clear: the CPU has significant headroom, but the GPU anchors the entire system's gaming potential.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the defining component in this system, and its specifications reveal why the measured frame rates are so low. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process. Critically, it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM of its own. This forces the GPU to share the system's main memory bandwidth, which is a major limiting factor for gaming performance.

The GPU's clock speeds range from a 300 MHz base to a 2500 MHz boost. While the boost clock is respectable, the shared memory architecture and the modest execution resources cap its real-world output. It has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster output units. For context on its capabilities, the pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s. While these numbers are not directly comparable to rival specs, the benchmark results show that this configuration produces an average score of 1482, which is competitive with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710.

The lack of dedicated VRAM is a critical factor. In Minimum, which was released in 2014, texture data and frame buffers must be constantly shuffled through the system's shared memory. This creates a severe bandwidth bottleneck that directly impacts frame pacing and average FPS, especially as resolution and texture quality increase. The GPU's API support includes DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, so it is feature-complete for modern standards, but the raw throughput is simply insufficient for demanding scenarios. The 80 W TDP for the GPU further suggests it is a low-power, efficiency-focused part rather than a performance-oriented one.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, confirming that the Intel Arc B390 is the dominant limiting factor. At the "Low" settings preset, the average frame rate drops from 95 FPS at 1920x1080 to 61 FPS at 2560x1440, a decrease of 34 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the average plummets to 33 FPS. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU that is overwhelmed by the pixel count; each resolution step roughly doubles the number of pixels, and the GPU's fixed execution resources cannot keep up.

This pattern is repeated across all settings presets. At "High" settings, the average FPS falls from 61 at 1080p to 39 at 1440p, and then to 21 at 4K. At "Medium" settings, the averages are 72, 47, and 25 FPS for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K respectively. The "Ultra" preset shows the most dramatic degradation, starting at 46 FPS at 1080p, dropping to 30 FPS at 1440p, and bottoming out at 16 FPS at 4K. The scaling is not linear but exponential in its falloff, indicating that the GPU is hitting a hard computational wall.

The data also reveals that the CPU is not the bottleneck in this scenario. If the processor were the limiting factor, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across resolutions, as the CPU's workload does not change with pixel count. Instead, the FPS drops by roughly half at each resolution step, which is a textbook sign of a GPU-bound system. The Ryzen 5 5500, with its strong synthetic scores, is likely idling or only partially loaded while the Arc B390 struggles to fill the framebuffer. This means that for the vast majority of gaming scenarios at 1080p and above, the GPU is the sole performance ceiling.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system is closest to playable. The "Low" preset yields an average of 95 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. The "Medium" preset averages 72 FPS, with a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 83 FPS, indicating a stable experience. The "High" preset drops to 61 FPS average, which is still feasible for many players. The "Ultra" preset, however, falls to 46 FPS average, which introduces noticeable stutter and is below the threshold for competitive play.

Moving to 2560x1440, the system begins to struggle. The "Low" preset is still playable at 61 FPS average, but this is a significant drop from the 95 FPS at 1080p. The "Medium" preset averages 47 FPS (minimum 40, maximum 54), which is starting to feel sluggish. The "High" preset drops to 39 FPS, and "Ultra" falls to 30 FPS, both of which are not ideal for a fast-paced third-person shooter. The data shows that 1440p is only viable at the lowest settings if a consistent 60 FPS is the target.

At 3840x2160, the system is largely unplayable. The "Low" preset manages an average of 33 FPS, which is below the threshold for smooth gameplay. The "Medium" preset averages 25 FPS (minimum 21, maximum 29), and the "High" preset averages 21 FPS. The "Ultra" preset is the worst, averaging just 16 FPS. These numbers are all well below 30 FPS, which is generally considered the minimum for a playable experience. The data clearly indicates that 4K resolution is not a realistic option for this hardware combination in Minimum, regardless of settings.

FAQ

*Q: Is this combo better suited for 1080p or 4K gaming in Minimum?*

A: The data strongly indicates 1080p is the only viable resolution. At 1080p Low, the system averages 95 FPS, while at 4K Low it averages 33 FPS. The 4K results are all below 34 FPS, making them unplayable.

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

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. It is 1.3% behind the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% behind the GeForce 800M, 2.5% behind the GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% behind the GT 710.

Q: What is the frame rate difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 61 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 30 FPS. This is a 31 FPS difference, showing a massive performance cost for higher graphical fidelity.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 a high-performing CPU?

A: Yes, relative to other CPUs. It has a 73rd percentile ranking and an average benchmark score of 19593. Its performance is within 0.7% of rivals like the Intel Core i5-11600KF and Intel Core i5-12500.

Q: Does the system have dedicated video memory?

A: No. The Intel Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it relies on the system's main memory for graphics data. This shared architecture is a key reason for its low performance.

Q: What is the lowest average FPS recorded in the data?

A: The lowest average is 16 FPS, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured frame rates, the optimal experience for this system is found at 1920x1080 with the Low settings preset, which delivers an average of 95 FPS. This is the only configuration that provides a high-refresh-rate experience, offering a smooth and responsive feel for the third-person gameplay. The "Medium" preset at 1080p is a viable alternative for those who prefer better visual quality, averaging 72 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS, ensuring it stays above the 60 FPS threshold.

For players who prioritize visual fidelity over raw frame rate, the "High" preset at 1080p is the highest setting that remains playable, with an average of 61 FPS. The "Ultra" preset should be avoided, as its 46 FPS average at 1080p introduces a level of input lag and stutter that is detrimental to the experience. At 2560x1440, the only recommendation is the "Low" preset, which averages 61 FPS; any higher setting drops below 50 FPS, which is not recommended for this genre. 4K resolution is not recommended under any settings, as all presets fail to reach an acceptable playable frame rate.

The data suggests that users should not attempt to run the game at higher resolutions or settings with this hardware. The system is fundamentally a 1080p machine for Minimum, and aiming for anything beyond that will result in a subpar experience. The "Medium" preset at 1080p offers the best balance of visual improvement and performance stability, but the "Low" preset is the safest choice for ensuring consistently high frame rates.