Palworld

Palworld is a demanding survival title, and the combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 with the Intel Arc B390 produces a very specific set of results that are heavily skewed by the graphics processor. The data shows a system that can handle the game at 1080p with playable frame rates, but struggles significantly as resolution increases. The Intel Arc B390 is the clear bottleneck in this pairing, and its performance profile dictates that users must carefully select settings to achieve a smooth experience. This analysis will break down the CPU and GPU roles, answer common questions, provide settings recommendations, and detail the measured performance across all resolutions and presets.

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

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This is a capable desktop CPU with a 65 W TDP, and its benchmark scores place it in the 72nd percentile against all CPUs, indicating solid mainstream performance. For a game like Palworld, which involves world simulation, creature AI, and base building, the CPU handles the core game logic. The processor’s 18 MB of shared L3 cache and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory give it flexibility.

However, in this specific system, the CPU’s performance is largely untapped. Looking at the measured FPS data, the frame rates are consistently low, especially at higher resolutions. For example, at 2560x1440 with Low settings, the average FPS is 56. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, it drops to 31. These numbers are far below what this CPU is capable of driving in less GPU-bound scenarios. The bottleneck is clearly the graphics card. The i5-12400 has plenty of headroom; its multi-threaded benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15989 and a Passmark multithread score of 18747. These scores suggest that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any of the tested settings.

The data indicates that the CPU is waiting on the GPU. This is a common scenario in gaming, but it is exceptionally pronounced here. The Arc B390’s performance is so low that even at 1920x1080 with Low settings, where the average FPS is 84, the system is still likely GPU-limited. The CPU’s 3DMark scores, such as a single-thread score of 910 and a 16-thread score of 5873, show it is more than capable of feeding frames to a much faster graphics card. In terms of rivals, the i5-12400 is nearly identical in average benchmark score to the AMD EPYC 7643, with a deltaPct of -0.1%, and slightly behind the Intel Core i7-1355U by -0.3%. It is also ahead of the Intel Core i3-14100F by 0.9%. These comparisons show that the CPU is in a good performance tier, but this fact does not translate to high frame rates in Palworld due to the GPU constraint.

The practical takeaway is that the Core i5-12400 is a non-issue for this game. It has enough cores and clock speed to handle Palworld’s simulation and AI elements. If a user were to upgrade the graphics card in the future, this CPU would not hold back performance in most scenarios. The 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for modern gaming, and the single-thread performance, reflected in a Geekbench single-core score of 1848, is robust. The CPU’s role here is to provide a stable foundation, and the data shows it does so without contributing to the low frame rates. The problem is entirely with the graphics solution.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Critically, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system’s RAM instead of dedicated VRAM. The memory bus width and bandwidth are also listed as "System Shared" and "System Dependent," respectively. This is the fundamental weakness of this GPU for gaming. Without dedicated video memory, the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which severely hampers performance in a graphics-intensive game like Palworld.

The GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, along with 12 ray tracing cores. Its theoretical performance is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS for FP32 operations. On paper, this might sound reasonable, but its benchmark results tell a different story. The only benchmark available for this GPU is a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is an exceptionally low score, putting it in the same performance class as very old or entry-level discrete GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, which it beats by 1.3%, and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, which it beats by 1.5%. It also edges out the GeForce GT 625 OEM by 2.5% and the GeForce GT 710 by 2.7%. These are all extremely weak GPUs from years ago, which contextualizes the Arc B390’s performance level.

The impact on Palworld is severe. The measured FPS data shows the GPU struggling at every setting. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the average FPS is 84, which is the only clearly playable result. At Medium settings, it drops to 68, and at High, it falls to 53. At Ultra settings, the average FPS is just 40. At 2560x1440, the situation worsens dramatically, with the average FPS ranging from 56 on Low to 26 on Ultra. At 4K (3840x2160), performance collapses completely, with average FPS ranging from 31 on Low to just 15 on Ultra. The GPU’s lack of dedicated VRAM and its low compute performance make it unsuitable for high-resolution gaming. The system’s memory bandwidth is the bottleneck, and this is an architectural limitation that cannot be fixed with drivers.

The Arc B390’s TDP is 80 W, and it is an IGP with no power connectors, indicating it is designed for low-power systems. This is not a gaming GPU. The data suggests it is more suited for basic desktop tasks than for rendering a demanding open-world survival game. The 12 ray tracing cores are present, but they are useless in this context given the overall performance ceiling. When comparing to rivals, the fact that it is only slightly faster than a GeForce GT 710, which is a decade-old entry-level card, highlights how far behind it is. The GPU is the sole reason for this combo’s poor ranking, and its limitations define the entire user experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Palworld with this combo?

A: Based on the measured data, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where average frame rates reach a generally playable level. At this resolution, the average FPS ranges from 40 on Ultra to 84 on Low. At 2560x1440, the best average FPS is 56 on Low, and at 3840x2160, the best average FPS is 31 on Low. The data clearly shows that 1080p is the intended use case for this system.

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

A: The Arc B390’s average benchmark score is 1482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, has a score of 1463, making the Arc B390 1.3% faster. It is also 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M, 2.5% faster than the GeForce GT 625 OEM, and 2.7% faster than the GeForce GT 710. These are all extremely low-performing GPUs, indicating the Arc B390 sits at the very bottom of the performance spectrum.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 a bottleneck in this system?

A: No, the data does not indicate that the CPU is a bottleneck. The i5-12400 has a strong average benchmark score of 18683 and is in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. In Palworld, the frame rates are low across all settings, which points to the GPU as the limiting factor. The CPU has enough multi-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15989, to handle the game’s logic without holding back the GPU.

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

A: At 1920x1080, the average FPS on Low settings is 84. On Medium settings, it is 68. On High settings, it is 53. On Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 40. This represents a 52.4% decrease in average FPS from Low to Ultra, showing a significant performance cost for higher visual fidelity.

Q: Can this system run Palworld at 4K?

A: The measured data shows that 4K performance is not playable. At 3840x2160, the average FPS is 31 on Low, 25 on Medium, 19 on High, and 15 on Ultra. These frame rates are well below the threshold for a smooth gaming experience, indicating that 4K is not a viable option for this combo.

Q: How does the CPU perform relative to its nearest rivals in general benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400’s average score is 18683. The AMD EPYC 7643 has an average score of 18697, making the i5-12400 0.1% slower. The Intel Core i7-1355U scores 18730, putting the i5-12400 0.3% behind. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 scores 18811, placing the i5-12400 0.7% behind. The i5-12400 is 0.9% faster than the Intel Core i3-14100F, which scores 18519.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear path for settings optimization. The primary goal should be to maintain a stable frame rate above 60 FPS where possible, or at least a consistent 30 FPS for a playable experience. Given the GPU’s limitations, the settings must be chosen carefully to balance visual quality with performance.

At 1920x1080, the only way to get close to 60 FPS is to use Low settings, which yield an average of 84 FPS. This is the most responsive experience and is highly recommended for any action-heavy gameplay or for users sensitive to frame drops. Medium settings at 1080p produce an average of 68 FPS, which is also smooth and offers better visual fidelity than Low. The data shows a minimum FPS of 58 on Medium, so it should remain fluid in most scenes. High settings at 1080p drop the average to 53 FPS, which is still playable but may feel less smooth in busy areas. Ultra settings, with an average of 40 FPS, are not recommended for a good experience, as the frame rate is likely to dip further in intense moments.

For users who must play at 2560x1440, the situation is more constrained. Low settings yield an average of 56 FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal. Medium settings drop to 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS, which can be choppy. High and Ultra settings, with averages of 35 and 26 FPS respectively, are not recommended due to the risk of significant stuttering. At 3840x2160, all settings produce average frame rates below 31 FPS, making the game essentially unplayable. The best advice is to avoid 4K entirely.

The best overall experience is at 1920x1080 with Medium settings. This preset provides a good balance between visual polish and performance, with an average FPS of 68 and a minimum of 58, ensuring the game remains fluid in most situations. If a higher frame rate is prioritized over visuals, Low settings at 1080p are the best choice. The data suggests that Medium at 1080p is the sweet spot for this hardware, offering a playable and visually acceptable experience without pushing the GPU to its breaking point. High settings are a compromise, but the lower average FPS makes it less appealing. The recommendation is to start with Medium at 1080p and adjust based on personal preference for frame rate versus fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i5-12400 and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2607 out of 2944 tested combos for Palworld. This places it in the bottom 11.5% of all tested systems, which is a direct reflection of the GPU’s extremely low performance. The CPU is not the issue; the ranking is dragged down entirely by the Arc B390. The combo is in the bottom percentile of systems, meaning that almost any other tested GPU would provide a better experience.

The ranking indicates that this is one of the weakest systems tested for this game. The Arc B390’s performance, which is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, is the primary driver of this poor ranking. Even a modestly better discrete GPU would likely move this combo up significantly in the rankings. The CPU’s 72nd percentile standing shows it has the potential to support a much higher-ranked configuration. The delta between the CPU’s relative strength and the GPU’s weakness is stark, and the combo ranking reflects the worse of the two components.

In practical terms, this ranking means users should not expect a high-quality Palworld experience. The data suggests that the system will struggle to maintain playable frame rates at anything above 1080p. The combo’s rank of 2607 out of 2944 is a warning sign for anyone considering this hardware for this game. It is a clear indication that the graphics solution is inadequate for the demands of Palworld. The only positive takeaway is that the CPU is a solid component, but it is wasted in this configuration.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at how this combo performs across all tested resolutions and settings. All numbers below are taken directly from the dataset.

At 1920x1080, the system delivers its best results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 84. Medium settings produce an average of 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS. High settings yield an average of 53 FPS. Ultra settings bring the average down to 40 FPS. This resolution is the only one where the game is consistently playable.

At 2560x1440, performance drops significantly. Low settings average 56 FPS. Medium settings average 45 FPS, with a minimum of 38 FPS and a maximum of 52 FPS. High settings average 35 FPS. Ultra settings average 26 FPS. The frame rates here are marginal, with only Low settings approaching a smooth experience.

At 3840x2160, the system is overwhelmed. Low settings average 31 FPS. Medium settings average 25 FPS, with a minimum of 21 FPS and a maximum of 29 FPS. High settings average 19 FPS. Ultra settings average 15 FPS. None of these results are playable for a smooth gaming experience.

The data shows a clear pattern: performance scales inversely with resolution, and the GPU’s lack of dedicated memory severely limits its ability to handle higher pixel counts. The only acceptable configuration is 1080p with Low or Medium settings. The step from 1080p to 1440p results in a substantial frame rate drop across all settings, and the step to 4K makes the game unplayable. This breakdown highlights the GPU’s fundamental limitations and confirms that this combo is only suitable for low-resolution, low-to-medium detail gaming.