Revolution Idle

Revolution Idle is an idle game, which means its rendering demands are modest by modern standards, but the measured frame rates for this specific pairing of an Intel Core i3-12100F and an Intel Arc B370 reveal a system that is heavily constrained by its graphics solution. The data shows a clear pattern: performance collapses as resolution climbs, and even at 1080p, the frame rates are far from impressive. This combination is not one for high-refresh-rate displays or demanding graphical settings, but it is a functional, low-power setup for a genre that does not require rapid camera movement or twitch reflexes. The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the primary bottleneck in every scenario tested, with the CPU's capabilities largely untapped even at lower resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and tells a clear story about where the performance limit lies. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces an average of 56 FPS. Moving to 1440p at the same settings, the average falls to 36 FPS, a reduction of 20 FPS or roughly 36%. At 4K Low, the average plummets to 19 FPS, which is just one-third of the 1080p figure. This steep decline is characteristic of a GPU that is running out of pixel-pushing capacity; the Arc B370, with its system-shared memory and 25 W TDP, is not designed for high-resolution gaming.

The scaling pattern becomes even more telling when looking at the higher settings. At 1080p High, the average is 41 FPS. At 1440p High, it drops to 26 FPS, and at 4K High, it falls to 13 FPS. The delta between 1080p and 4K at High settings is 28 FPS, meaning the 4K result is less than a third of the 1080p result. This is not a linear scaling issue; it is a wall. The GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth, both of which are system-dependent and shared with the CPU, are simply insufficient to handle the fourfold increase in pixel count from 1080p to 4K.

The situation at Ultra settings is even more stark. The combo manages only 26 FPS at 1080p Ultra, 16 FPS at 1440p Ultra, and 9 FPS at 4K Ultra. The 4K Ultra result is effectively unplayable for any game that requires real-time input, and even for an idle game, it would likely cause noticeable stutter. The data suggests that the limiting component is unambiguously the GPU. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates that are more consistent across resolutions, because the CPU's workload does not scale with pixel count in the same way. Instead, the halving of FPS at each resolution step indicates that the Arc B370 is saturated.

What this means for a user is that the system should be run at 1080p for any playable experience. The difference between 1080p Low (56 FPS) and 1440p Low (36 FPS) is a 20 FPS loss, which is significant. The gap between 1080p and 4K is even more punishing. For an idle game, where the action is often minimal, one might tolerate lower frame rates, but the data shows that even at Medium settings, the 4K average of 14 FPS is below the threshold for smooth visual feedback. The recommendation is clear: stick to 1080p and adjust settings from there, as higher resolutions offer no benefit for this hardware.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the decisive factor in this combo's performance. Its specifications are modest, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The memory is listed as "System Shared," with a bus width and bandwidth that are also system-dependent. This means the GPU relies on the CPU's memory controller and RAM bandwidth, which is a significant handicap compared to dedicated graphics cards with their own VRAM. The benchmark results reinforce this: the GPU's only recorded 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is an extremely low score, indicating that the Arc B370 is near the bottom of the performance stack.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are all older, low-end parts: the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (score 1186, delta -0.2%), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190, delta -0.5%), the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (score 1192, delta -0.7%), and the AMD FirePro M2000 (score 1168, delta 1.4%). These are all parts from a bygone era, and the fact that the Arc B370 is trading blows with them in synthetic benchmarks is a damning indicator. In Revolution Idle, the GPU's limited shading units (1280) and ROPs (20) contribute to the low fill rates that we see in the resolution scaling data. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, but these numbers are theoretical; the system-shared memory bottleneck likely prevents them from being fully utilized.

The GPU's TDP is just 25 W, and it is an integrated graphics part (IGP) with no power connectors. This is a power-efficient solution, but efficiency at this level comes at the cost of raw performance. The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at every resolution and setting combination. At 1080p Low, the average FPS of 56 is likely near the practical ceiling for this GPU in this game. The fact that increasing resolution to 1440p drops the average by 20 FPS at Low settings confirms that the GPU is not just the bottleneck; it is the sole constraint. The CPU, as we will see, is not even close to being a limiting factor.

The VRAM situation is worth noting. Since the memory is "System Shared," the GPU has no dedicated VRAM pool. This means that the amount of available memory for the GPU is dependent on the system's total RAM and how much is allocated to the integrated graphics. This can cause performance drops in games that require more memory, but in an idle game like Revolution Idle, the memory footprint is likely small. Still, the lack of dedicated VRAM is a structural weakness that prevents the GPU from ever performing beyond its modest compute capabilities.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor from the Alder Lake-S architecture, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its TDP is 58 W, and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU posts a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11860 and a single-core score of 1674. Its average benchmark score is 13494, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. This is a solid mid-range performer for everyday tasks and gaming, and the data shows that it is far more capable than the GPU paired with it.

The CPU's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are the Intel Core 3 N355 (avg score 13492, delta 0%), the Intel Core i5-9500 (avg score 13452, delta 0.3%), the Intel Core 5 120UL (avg score 13594, delta -0.7%), and the Intel Core i7-1250U (avg score 13351, delta 1.1%). These are all comparable processors, and the i3-12100F is in the same performance tier. In Revolution Idle, the CPU's role is likely minimal. The game is an idle genre title, which means the computational load is typically low, consisting of background calculations and simple logic rather than complex physics or AI.

The measured FPS data supports this interpretation. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would see frame rates that are similar across different resolutions, because the CPU's workload does not increase with pixel count. Instead, we see a sharp drop in FPS as resolution increases, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. For example, at 1080p Medium, the average FPS is 43, and at 1440p Medium, it is 27. This is a 16 FPS drop, which cannot be explained by CPU limitations. The CPU is likely not even breaking a sweat in this game; its 4 cores and 8 threads are more than sufficient for an idle title.

The CPU's single-thread performance is particularly strong, with a Geekbench single-core score of 1932 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3444. This is important because many games, even idle ones, rely on a single primary thread for game logic. The i3-12100F's boost clock of 4.30 GHz ensures that this thread has ample headroom. The data from the benchmark results suggests that the CPU is not the limiting component in this combo; the GPU is. The CPU is essentially waiting for the GPU to finish rendering each frame, and in an idle game, that wait is long due to the GPU's low performance.

The CPU's cache hierarchy includes an 80 KB L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a typical desktop configuration and is more than adequate for the game's demands. The memory support for DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel bus, provides flexibility for system builders, but the GPU's reliance on system memory means that faster RAM could marginally help the GPU's performance. However, the data does not provide any specific test of this, so it remains a qualitative consideration.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The full measured FPS data provides a comprehensive picture of this combo's performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the results are as follows: Low settings average 56 FPS, Medium settings average 43 FPS (with a minimum of 36 and a maximum of 49), High settings average 41 FPS, and Ultra settings average 26 FPS. The drop from Low to Ultra is 30 FPS, which is a 54% reduction. This indicates that the game's Ultra settings are particularly taxing on the GPU, likely due to increased shadow quality, post-processing, or anti-aliasing effects that fill the GPU's limited resources.

At 2560x1440, the averages are: Low at 36 FPS, Medium at 27 FPS (minimum 23, maximum 31), High at 26 FPS, and Ultra at 16 FPS. The pattern is similar to 1080p, but with a uniform reduction of about 15-20 FPS across all settings. The 1440p Ultra result of 16 FPS is particularly poor, and it suggests that any attempt to run the game at high quality on a 1440p monitor will result in a sub-30 FPS experience. The Medium settings at 1440p, with an average of 27 FPS, are the highest playable option, but even that is below the 30 FPS threshold that many consider the minimum for smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the results are: Low at 19 FPS, Medium at 14 FPS (minimum 12, maximum 16), High at 13 FPS, and Ultra at 9 FPS. These are all unplayable by any standard. The 4K Ultra result of 9 FPS is a slideshow, and even the best 4K result (Low at 19 FPS) is below what most would consider playable. The data shows that this combo is strictly a 1080p solution, and even then, it is best paired with Low or Medium settings for a stable experience. The 1080p Low result of 56 FPS is the only config that approaches a standard 60 FPS target, and it does so only at the lowest quality preset.

The minimum FPS data points, which are only available for Medium settings, show that there is some frame time variance. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 36 FPS, which is 7 FPS below the average of 43. At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 23 FPS, which is 4 FPS below the average of 27. At 4K Medium, the minimum is 12 FPS, which is 2 FPS below the average of 14. These minimums indicate that the GPU's performance is not perfectly consistent, and there are moments where the frame rate dips further, which could cause noticeable stutter in gameplay. For an idle game, these dips might be tolerable, but they are not ideal.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combos for Revolution Idle, this pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2736 out of 2986 total combos. This places it in the bottom 9% of all tested configurations, which is a poor showing. The combo rank is a reflection of the overall FPS performance across all resolutions and settings, and given the GPU's limitations, this low rank is expected. The data shows that most other tested combos achieve higher frame rates, likely due to more capable graphics cards.

The combo's rank is not a surprise given the GPU's 5th percentile performance in synthetic benchmarks. The Arc B370 is an integrated graphics solution that is not designed for gaming, and its inclusion in a combo with a relatively strong CPU like the i3-12100F creates a significant imbalance. The CPU is capable of much higher frame rates in this game, but it is held back by the GPU. If the GPU were replaced with a dedicated graphics card, even a low-end one, the combo's rank would likely improve substantially. However, as tested, this combo is near the bottom of the pile.

The ranking data suggests that for users who already own this CPU, the Arc B370 is a poor pairing for Revolution Idle. The CPU's performance is not the issue; it is the GPU. The fact that the combo ranks 2736 out of 2986 means that there are only 250 combos that perform worse, and those are likely to feature even older or less capable integrated graphics. This is a clear signal that the Arc B370 should not be considered for gaming, even for a lightweight title like Revolution Idle. The user would be better served by any dedicated GPU, as the i3-12100F's 68th percentile CPU ranking indicates it has plenty of headroom.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for this combo in Revolution Idle?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 with Low settings is the only configuration that approaches a smooth experience, averaging 56 FPS. At 1080p Medium, the average drops to 43 FPS, with a minimum of 36 FPS, which is still playable but less consistent. Higher resolutions or settings result in averages below 30 FPS, which is not recommended.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system for Revolution Idle?

A: The benchmark results indicate that the GPU is the clear bottleneck. The frame rate drops significantly as resolution increases, from 56 FPS at 1080p Low to 19 FPS at 4K Low, which is a pattern consistent with GPU limitations. The CPU's performance, as measured by its 68th percentile ranking, is far more capable than the GPU.

Q: How does this combo's performance compare to similar hardware in the database?

A: The Intel Arc B370's nearest rivals in GPU benchmarks are older parts like the ATI Radeon HD 5770 (score 1190) and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (score 1192), with deltas of -0.5% and -0.7% respectively. The combo itself ranks 2736 out of 2986 in Revolution Idle, placing it in the bottom 9% of all tested configurations.

Q: Can this system run Revolution Idle at 4K?

A: The data shows that 4K performance is poor across all settings. The highest 4K average is 19 FPS at Low settings, and Ultra settings drop to 9 FPS. These frame rates are below the threshold for smooth gameplay, so 4K is not a viable option for this combo.

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile, and what does that mean for gaming?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, meaning it performs worse than 95% of tested GPUs. Its only 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184, which is comparable to low-end parts from over a decade ago. This indicates that it is not suitable for demanding gaming tasks.

Q: Does the CPU's 4-core/8-thread configuration limit performance in this game?

A: The CPU's 4 cores and 8 threads, with a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, are sufficient for Revolution Idle. The frame rate data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor, not the CPU. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11860 and single-core score of 1674 indicate it has ample power for an idle game.