Road 96

Road 96, an adventure title from 2021, presents a unique challenge for the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the Intel Arc B390. The benchmark data indicates this combination is positioned at rank 2575 out of 2903 tested combos, placing it in the lower percentile of systems. This is a system where the graphics solution, an integrated-class GPU, heavily dictates the overall gaming experience, and the measured frame rates across all resolutions and settings confirm a performance ceiling that is far below what the capable processor can deliver.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution increases, a clear indicator that the Intel Arc B390 is the primary limiting component in this configuration. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 94 FPS. This is the peak performance point in the entire dataset. Moving to 1440p at the same Low settings, the average FPS drops by 34 frames to 60 FPS, a significant 36% reduction. The scaling continues to be punishing at 4K, where the Low preset yields an average of just 32 FPS, representing a further 47% drop from the 1440p result.

This pattern is consistent across all quality presets. For instance, High settings produce 56 FPS at 1080p, 35 FPS at 1440p, and a mere 19 FPS at 4K. The frame rate is nearly halved with each step up in resolution, from 1080p to 1440p, and then again from 1440p to 4K. Such aggressive scaling is characteristic of a GPU that is overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count. The data suggests that the rendering pipeline is saturated by the fill-rate and memory bandwidth demands of higher resolutions, leaving the CPU with significant headroom to spare. The Intel Core i7-12700KF, with its high multi-threaded and single-threaded benchmark scores, is not the bottleneck; the GPU simply cannot maintain playable frame rates as the workload becomes more pixel-bound.

The difference between 1080p and 4K at Low settings is a 62 FPS average drop, from 94 down to 32 FPS. This is not a marginal decline but a fundamental collapse in performance. It strongly implies that for a smooth experience, users must stay at the lower end of the resolution spectrum, and even then, settings must be carefully managed. The data indicates that the limiting component is unambiguously the GPU, as the CPU's performance metrics, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 and a single-core score of 4071, show it is far more capable than what these frame rates suggest.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the deciding factor in this system's gaming performance. Its specifications, including a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz, are paired with a "System Shared" memory configuration. This means the GPU does not have dedicated video memory; instead, it relies on the system's main memory, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This architecture is a significant constraint, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory access, which can severely impact performance, especially at higher resolutions where memory bandwidth demands are greatest.

The GPU's compute capabilities are modest, with 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 render output units. It also features 12 ray tracing cores. Its raw performance is quantified by a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482, which places it at the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This score is remarkably low, putting it in direct competition with legacy entry-level discrete GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, which it outperforms by 1.3%, and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, which it leads by 2.7%. These comparisons underscore its position as a very low-performance part, more suited for basic tasks than demanding gaming.

The GPU's role in Road 96 is to be the bottleneck. The measured FPS data shows that even at the lowest resolution and settings, the system cannot reach the 100 FPS mark, and at higher settings, it struggles to maintain 60 FPS. The "System Shared" memory is a likely culprit, as it introduces latency and bandwidth limitations that a dedicated VRAM pool would not. The 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 performance is not enough to drive modern game engines at high resolutions with high fidelity. The data clearly indicates that the Arc B390's capabilities are exhausted by Road 96's rendering demands, and its performance is the sole reason for the low frame rates observed across the board.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and Intel Arc B390 ranks at 2575 out of 2903 total combos. This places it in the bottom 11% of all systems tested, a clear indication of its overall performance tier. The rank is a direct reflection of the GPU's limitations; the processor is a high-end desktop part, but it is paired with a graphics solution that is at the bottom of the performance spectrum.

The processor itself is a strong performer. Its average benchmark score is 35365, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700T, which scores 35403 (a -0.1% difference), and the Intel Core i5-13600T, which scores 35305 (a 0.2% difference). This shows the i7-12700KF is competitive with these parts in general compute tasks. However, this CPU strength is entirely negated in gaming when combined with the Arc B390, which has an average benchmark score of just 1482 and sits at the 9th percentile.

The combination's rank of 2575 confirms how a weak GPU can drag down an otherwise powerful system. The data suggests that this pairing is highly unbalanced. While the CPU could easily support a much more powerful graphics card, the Arc B390 holds the entire system back. This is not a system built for high-refresh-rate gaming or high-fidelity visuals; its rank reflects a performance level that is suitable only for the most undemanding of titles or at the lowest possible settings. The benchmark results indicate that the combo's performance is essentially dictated by the GPU, making the CPU's contribution almost irrelevant to the final gaming experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the system's performance across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system achieves its best results. With Low settings, the average FPS is 94. Moving to Medium settings, the average drops to 69 FPS, with a minimum of 59 and a maximum of 79. High settings yield an average of 56 FPS. The most demanding preset, Ultra, brings the average down to 43 FPS. This shows that even at 1080p, the system is only capable of a smooth experience at Low or Medium settings.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset is the only one to achieve an average of 60 FPS, which is the minimum threshold for a generally considered smooth experience. Medium settings average 44 FPS, with a range of 37 to 50 FPS. High settings drop to an average of 35 FPS, and Ultra falls to 28 FPS. The 1440p results demonstrate that the GPU's memory bandwidth limitations become more pronounced, as the frame rates are not sufficient for demanding gaming.

At 4K (3840x2160), the system is effectively unable to provide a playable experience. The Low preset averages just 32 FPS, Medium averages 23 FPS (with a min of 20 and max of 27), High averages 19 FPS, and Ultra averages a mere 15 FPS. These numbers are all well below the 30 FPS threshold that is often considered the absolute minimum for playability. The data shows a clear and consistent degradation in performance as resolution increases, with the system losing over half its frame rate when moving from 1080p to 4K at any given setting. The most playable configuration according to this data is 1080p Low, which is the only setup that approaches high frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this system is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset provides an average of 94 FPS, ensuring a fluid and responsive experience. This is the only setting that offers a significant performance margin. The Medium preset at 1080p, with an average of 69 FPS, also provides a good balance, offering improved visual fidelity while maintaining frame rates that are mostly above 60 FPS, with the minimum recorded at 59 FPS.

For users who prioritize smoothness above all else, 1080p Low is the clear recommendation. The 94 FPS average provides ample headroom for any scene variations. If visual quality is more important, 1080p Medium is a viable alternative, as its average of 69 FPS is still within a playable range, though it may dip slightly below the 60 FPS mark during intense moments. The High and Ultra presets at 1080p, with averages of 56 and 43 FPS respectively, are less desirable for a consistently smooth experience.

At 1440p, only the Low preset is recommended, as it achieves a 60 FPS average. However, this is a marginal result with no headroom, and any demanding scene could cause a drop below 60 FPS. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets at 1440p all fall below the 60 FPS target and are not recommended for a comfortable gaming experience. The 4K resolution should be avoided entirely, as all presets fail to reach 30 FPS, rendering the game unplayable. In summary, the data suggests that the best experience is found at 1080p with Low or Medium settings, with 1080p Low being the safest choice for consistent performance.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a high-performance desktop processor, and its specifications suggest it is more than capable of handling the demands of Road 96. It features 12 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its architecture is Alder Lake, built on a 10 nm process. It has a substantial 25 MB of shared L3 cache. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Geekbench multi-core score of 14367 and a single-core score of 2255, and a Passmark multi-thread score of 34092.

In the context of this gaming benchmark, the CPU's role is minimal. The measured FPS data indicates that the system is entirely GPU-bound. The processor is not the limiting factor at any resolution or setting. For example, at 1080p Low, the GPU is still the bottleneck, preventing the system from exceeding 94 FPS, despite the CPU's ability to handle far more. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz and strong single-threaded performance, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071, ensure it can feed the GPU with data, but the GPU cannot process it fast enough.

The CPU's performance is a non-issue in this configuration. Its 85th percentile ranking and its closeness to rivals like the Intel Core i7-13700T and i5-13600T in average benchmark scores show it is a strong part. However, its power is being completely wasted by the weak Arc B390. The data suggests that the game's performance is dictated almost entirely by the graphics card. The CPU is effectively waiting for the GPU, and its vast computational resources remain largely idle. In this specific pairing, the CPU is a high-performance component that is being held back by a severely underpowered graphics solution, and its role is to ensure that it is never the cause of a frame rate drop.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings to play Road 96 with this hardware?

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 with Low settings provides the highest average frame rate at 94 FPS. The Medium preset at 1080p is also viable, with an average of 69 FPS. Higher resolutions and settings result in significantly lower performance.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of raw GPU score?

A: The Arc B390 has a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482. This is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX's score of 1463, and 2.7% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710's score of 1443.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700KF the reason for the low frame rates in Road 96?

A: No. The CPU's benchmark scores are very high, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838. The frame rates are consistently low across all settings, which points to the Intel Arc B390 as the primary bottleneck.

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1440p with High settings?

A: The measured data shows an average of 35 FPS at 2560x1440 with High settings. This is below the 60 FPS target for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the system's overall rank among all tested combinations?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and Intel Arc B390 is ranked 2575 out of 2903 tested combos for Road 96, placing it in the lower 11% of all systems.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS at 4K resolution?

A: No. The highest average frame rate at 3840x2160 is 32 FPS with Low settings. All other presets at 4K yield lower averages, with Ultra setting averaging just 15 FPS.