Palworld

Palworld with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Arc B370 presents a stark illustration of GPU-bound performance. The data shows that the Arc B370, a 25 W integrated-class part, is the definitive bottleneck across all tested configurations, with frame rates collapsing as resolution increases. The combination ranks in the 8th percentile of tested combos, and the measured FPS suggests that this setup is only viable for low-fidelity gaming at 1080p.

Resolution Scaling

The scaling from 1080p to 4K reveals a near-linear relationship with pixel count, confirming that the Intel Arc B370 is the sole limiting factor. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 76 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops the average to 50 FPS, a reduction of 34.2%. At 4K Low, the average falls to 28 FPS, which is 63.2% lower than the 1080p result. This pattern is almost perfectly aligned with the increase in pixel count from 1080p to 4K (a 4x increase in pixels resulting in roughly a 2.7x drop in frame rate), leaving no headroom for the CPU to demonstrate its capabilities.

The trend continues across all settings presets. With High settings, the frame rate drops from 47 FPS at 1080p to 31 FPS at 1440p (a 34% decrease), and then to 17 FPS at 4K (a 63.8% decrease from 1080p). The Ultra preset shows the same pattern: 36 FPS at 1080p, 24 FPS at 1440p, and 13 FPS at 4K. The consistency of these percentage drops across different quality levels is a clear indicator that the GPU’s rendering throughput, not the CPU’s processing power, is the bottleneck. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D, with its 12 cores and 24 threads, is effectively idle while the Arc B370 struggles to fill frames.

The data suggests that resolution scaling is the primary lever for performance. The 1080p to 1440p jump is the most punishing relative to the visual fidelity gained, as the GPU’s fill rate is insufficient for the increased workload. The 4K results are uniformly unplayable, with the highest average being 28 FPS at Low settings. This indicates that the Arc B370 is not a 4K-capable part for this title, regardless of the CPU’s potential. The limiting component is unequivocally the GPU, as evidenced by the fact that the powerful CPU cannot mitigate the frame rate collapse at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average frame rate this combo can achieve in Palworld?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 76, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only configuration that approaches a high-refresh-rate experience.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D or the Intel Arc B370 the limiting factor in this game?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is the definitive limiting factor. The frame rates scale almost exactly with resolution changes, which is a hallmark of GPU-bound performance. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D, which has a benchmark score of 54,762, is far more powerful than what the GPU can utilize.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370's benchmark performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B370's average benchmark score is 1184. It is 0.2% slower than the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (score 1186) and 0.5% slower than the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190). It is 1.4% faster than the AMD FirePro M2000 (score 1168).

Q: Can this combo run Palworld at 4K resolution?

A: No. At 4K, the highest average FPS is 28 on Low settings, and the Ultra preset yields only 13 FPS. These results are far below a playable threshold, indicating the GPU lacks the necessary fill rate for 4K.

Q: What is the combo's ranking among all tested system configurations?

A: This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2706 out of 2944 tested combos in Palworld, placing it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems.

Q: What is the difference in performance between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset achieves an average of 76 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves an average of 36 FPS. This represents a 52.6% reduction in average frame rate when moving from the lowest to the highest quality settings.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370’s role in this configuration is the primary determinant of the gaming experience, and the data shows it is a severe constraint. The GPU’s benchmark score is 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all legacy or low-end parts, such as the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190, 0.5% faster) and the AMD FirePro M2000 (score 1168, 1.4% slower). This context makes it clear why the frame rates are so low.

The GPU’s specifications further explain its performance. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, which are relatively low. More critically, it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and shares system memory, which is a major bottleneck for texture bandwidth. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which, in a system with a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus (89.6 GB/s), is far less than what a dedicated GPU would provide. The GPU has only 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs, which are very low numbers for modern gaming.

These hardware limitations manifest directly in the measured FPS. The GPU’s low fill rate (48.00 GPixel/s) and texture rate (96.00 GTexel/s) are insufficient for the demands of Palworld at higher resolutions or quality settings. The frame rate differences between presets are significant, but the resolution scaling is the most telling. The GPU is unable to maintain playable frame rates at 1440p or 4K, and even at 1080p, only the Low and Medium presets exceed 60 FPS. The 25 W TDP and "IGP" slot width confirm that this is an integrated graphics solution, which is not designed for the workload presented by a modern 3D title like Palworld.

The CPU's role is secondary, as its performance headroom is wasted. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a 3DMark max threads score of 13795 and a single-thread score of 1269, which are strong numbers. However, the GPU simply cannot render frames fast enough to utilize this processing power. The data suggests that any modern CPU would produce nearly identical frame rates with this GPU, as the GPU is the bottleneck in every configuration.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2706 out of 2944 tested combos in Palworld. This places it in the 8th percentile of all tested systems, indicating it is one of the lowest-performing combinations in the database for this game. The rank is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations. While the CPU is a high-performing part with an average benchmark score of 54,762 and a percentile rank of 91, the GPU's score of 1184 (5th percentile) drags the entire combo down.

The stark contrast between the CPU and GPU percentile ranks is the key takeaway. The combo rank is not an average of the two; it is a reflection of the system's weakest link. In gaming workloads, the GPU is almost always the limiting factor, and this case is extreme. The data shows that the GPU is performing at a level comparable to a discrete GPU from over a decade ago, based on its nearest rivals, while the CPU is a current-generation flagship. This mismatch creates a massively unbalanced system that cannot deliver a satisfactory gaming experience in Palworld.

The rank of 2706 out of 2944 means that 238 other tested combos perform worse, which is a small number. This suggests that almost every other combination of CPU and GPU in the database provides better performance in this game. This is not a surprising result given the GPU's specs and benchmark scores; it is a confirmation that the Arc B370 is not a suitable part for this game, even when paired with one of the most powerful CPUs available. The high CPU rank is irrelevant to the gaming experience because the GPU cannot feed it with enough frames.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo's capabilities across resolutions and settings. The results are directly tied to the GPU's limitations, as demonstrated by the large gaps between presets and the significant drop-off at higher resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the results are the best of the bunch. The Low preset yields an average of 76 FPS, which is the only result that approaches a playable high-refresh rate. The Medium preset produces an average of 62 FPS, with a minimum of 52 FPS and a maximum of 71 FPS, which is acceptable for a standard 60 Hz display. The High preset drops to 47 FPS, which is playable but shows the GPU starting to struggle. The Ultra preset produces an average of 36 FPS, which is not a smooth experience.

At 2560x1440, the performance degrades significantly. The Low preset averages 50 FPS, which is a 34.2% drop from 1080p. The Medium preset averages 41 FPS, with a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 47. The High preset drops to 31 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 24 FPS. None of these results are ideal for a competitive or smooth experience, and they indicate that 1440p is too demanding for this GPU.

At 3840x2160, the results are poor. The Low preset is the best, averaging 28 FPS. The Medium preset averages 23 FPS, with a minimum of 19 and a maximum of 26. The High preset averages 17 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 13 FPS. These frame rates are not playable for an action-oriented survival game, as they would appear as a slideshow. The data shows a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation as both resolution and quality settings increase, with the GPU being the sole cause.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Arc B370 in Palworld is to prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity at 1080p. The Low preset is the only configuration that delivers a consistently high frame rate, with an average of 76 FPS. This is the recommended setting for any player seeking a responsive and fluid experience, as it provides a significant margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

For players who prefer higher visual quality, the Medium preset at 1080p is the next best option. It achieves an average of 62 FPS, with a minimum of 52 FPS, meaning it will occasionally dip below 60 FPS but remains largely playable. This preset offers a balance between visual fidelity and performance, and it is the highest quality setting that the GPU can handle without dropping below a generally acceptable playable frame rate. The High preset at 1080p, with an average of 47 FPS, is playable but not ideal, and the Ultra preset should be avoided due to its low average of 36 FPS.

At 1440p, the data suggests that only the Low preset is viable, averaging 50 FPS. The Medium preset is borderline, averaging 41 FPS, but the minimum of 35 FPS suggests stuttering may occur. All other settings at 1440p, and all settings at 4K, should be avoided as they fall below the 30 FPS threshold, which is generally considered the minimum for a playable experience in a game with real-time action. The recommendation is clear: for a playable experience, use Low or Medium settings at 1080p. For a high-refresh-rate experience, use Low at 1080p. The GPU's limitations mean that higher resolutions and settings are not feasible.