Minimum

The Intel Core i5-10400F paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a unique case in the benchmark database for Minimum. This combination, with a 6-core, 12-thread Comet Lake processor and a 3 nm Xe3-LPG integrated GPU, produces results that are heavily skewed by graphics performance. The data shows a system that can achieve playable frame rates at 1080p with lower settings, but which struggles significantly at higher resolutions and quality presets. The following analysis breaks down the measured performance, contextualizes it within the broader database, and examines the distinct roles of the CPU and GPU in this specific title.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved by this combo in Minimum?*

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 95, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is a significant jump from the next highest score of 72 FPS, which was recorded at the same resolution with Medium settings.

Q: How does the combo perform at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the performance is largely unplayable. The average frame rates are 33 FPS on Low, 25 FPS on Medium, 21 FPS on High, and only 16 FPS on Ultra. These figures indicate that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at this resolution.

Q: What is the combo's overall rank among all tested combinations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 2602 out of 2939 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom percentile of systems. This suggests that while it can run the game, its overall performance is far below the majority of other tested hardware configurations.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more likely to be the limiting factor in this system?

A: The data strongly suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. The GPU's average benchmark score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile, while the CPU's average score of 14185 places it in the 68th percentile. This massive disparity indicates the GPU cannot keep up with the CPU's capabilities.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the difference is substantial. The Low preset yields an average of 61 FPS, while the Ultra preset yields an average of 30 FPS. This represents a drop of 31 FPS, or roughly half the performance, when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings.

Q: What are the minimum and maximum FPS recorded for the Medium preset at 1080p?

A: For the 1920x1080 Medium preset, the measured data includes a minimum FPS of 62 and a maximum FPS of 83, with an average of 72 FPS. This indicates a relatively stable frame time, with a variance of about 21 FPS between the lows and highs.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 95 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same settings, the average drops to 61 FPS, a decrease of 34 FPS or roughly 36%. At 3840x2160, the average plummets further to 33 FPS, which is a 65% drop from the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is consistent across all settings presets.

This behavior is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound scenario. The Intel Arc B390, with its 1536 shading units and 24 ROPs, is simply overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count. The CPU, which is capable of feeding the GPU at lower resolutions, becomes less relevant as the resolution rises. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is not linear; it is exponential, which aligns with the quadrupling of pixel count from 1080p to 4K. The GPU's fillrate and pixel processing capabilities are the primary constraints.

The data implies that the i5-10400F is not the limiting factor in this configuration. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see a smaller difference between 1080p and 1440p performance, as the GPU would have more headroom. Instead, the consistent and significant frame rate drops at higher resolutions point directly to the GPU's inability to process the increased graphical load. The system is effectively throttled by the integrated graphics solution, which is a fundamental design constraint of this particular pairing.

How This Combo Ranks

In the context of all tested hardware combinations for Minimum, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-10400F and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2602 out of 2939. This places it in the bottom 11% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a relatively low-performance configuration for this game. The ranking is a composite measure that reflects the system's overall ability to handle the game's demands across various settings and resolutions.

The low combo rank is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The i5-10400F itself is a capable processor, as evidenced by its 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Xeon 6756E, have an average score that is only 0.2% different, showing that the CPU is competitive within its own market segment. However, the GPU's 9th percentile ranking, with rivals like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, which it outperforms by only 1.3%, drags the entire system's combined score down.

This combination highlights a severe performance imbalance. While the CPU is well above average, the GPU is far below it, creating a system where the potential of the processor is completely untapped. The data suggests that this combo would be a poor choice for playing Minimum at any resolution above 1080p, and even at 1080p, users would be restricted to lower quality presets to achieve playable frame rates. The ranking is a clear warning that the GPU is the dominant and limiting factor in this pairing.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a granular look at the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system shows a wide range of performance. The Low preset delivers an average of 95 FPS, which is the highest of any configuration. The Medium preset averages 72 FPS, with a minimum of 62 and a maximum of 83, showing a playable and relatively stable experience. The High preset drops to an average of 61 FPS, which is still technically playable but begins to show the GPU's strain. The Ultra preset yields an average of 46 FPS, which is a significant drop and may feel less smooth.

At 2560x1440, the performance degrades noticeably. The Low preset is the only option that remains comfortably playable, with an average of 61 FPS. The Medium preset averages 47 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 54, indicating a playable but less stable experience. The High preset falls to an average of 39 FPS, which is below the ideal threshold for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset drops to an average of 30 FPS, which is on the edge of playability for many users.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates across all presets. The Low preset averages 33 FPS, the Medium preset averages 25 FPS, the High preset averages 21 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages only 16 FPS. These figures are all below what is generally considered to be a playable threshold for a third-person shooter. The data indicates that 4K gaming is not a viable option for this hardware combination.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated GPU based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, along with 12 ray tracing cores. Its base clock is 300 MHz, with a boost clock of 2500 MHz. It features system-shared memory, meaning its VRAM size, type, and bandwidth are system-dependent, which can be a significant performance handicap.

The GPU's benchmark results are telling. Its single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extremely low score, indicating that the GPU is designed for basic tasks rather than demanding gaming. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, are older, low-end discrete GPUs, and the Arc B390 only outperforms them by a small margin (1.3% to 2.7%).

In Minimum, the GPU's role is the primary bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that the system is entirely GPU-limited. The low pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s are insufficient for higher resolutions. The system-shared memory is also a concern, as it competes with the CPU for bandwidth, potentially causing stutters. The GPU's architecture and specifications make it clear that it is not designed for high-performance gaming, and the data from Minimum confirms this assessment.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Comet Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. It features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

The CPU's benchmark results are respectable. Its average benchmark score is 14185, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 10283, and its single-core score is 1451. These scores indicate that the CPU is a solid mid-range performer that should not bottleneck most games, especially at 1080p.

In Minimum, the CPU's role is interesting. The data suggests that it is more than capable of handling the game's processing demands. The fact that the system achieves 95 FPS at 1080p Low suggests that the CPU can feed the GPU at a high rate. However, the CPU's performance becomes irrelevant at higher resolutions because the GPU cannot keep up. The CPU is effectively waiting on the GPU to finish rendering frames. This is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck, where the CPU's potential is left untapped. The i5-10400F is a strong partner, but its performance is wasted by the weak integrated graphics.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo are heavily dependent on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the Low preset is the clear winner, delivering an average of 95 FPS. This provides the smoothest experience and is the best choice for fast-paced gameplay. The Medium preset at 72 FPS is also a viable option, offering a better visual quality with a still-playable frame rate. The High preset at 61 FPS is a compromise, but the Ultra preset at 46 FPS is not recommended, as the drop in frame rate may be noticeable.

At 2560x1440, the choices are more limited. The Low preset is the only one that consistently delivers a playable experience, with an average of 61 FPS. The Medium preset at 47 FPS is playable but may have noticeable dips. The High and Ultra presets, at 39 FPS and 30 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a smooth experience. For a balance of quality and performance at this resolution, the Low preset is the safest choice.

At 3840x2160, no settings preset provides a playable experience. The highest average FPS is 33 on Low, which is still below the 60 FPS target. All other presets are in the low 20s or teens. For this resolution, the data suggests that the game is not realistically playable with this hardware. Users should avoid 4K altogether. The recommendation is clear: for the best experience, stick to 1080p with Low or Medium settings, and avoid higher resolutions where the GPU's limitations become the dominant factor.