The Long Drive

This analysis examines the measured performance of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 paired with the Intel Arc B370 in The Long Drive. The data indicates a combination heavily skewed by the integrated graphics solution, resulting in a very specific performance profile across resolutions and settings.

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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The processor's 16 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support (providing 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth) are standard for its segment. In the broader context of all CPUs, this chip sits at the 73rd percentile, indicating it is a reasonably capable mid-range part.

Its synthetic benchmark scores show a balanced profile: the Cinebench R23 multicore result is 16,429, while the single-core result is 2,319. This suggests the CPU has sufficient single-thread strength for typical game logic and physics, which are often the primary CPU loads in a driving simulation. The 3DMark scores further illustrate scaling from 1,645 in the 2-thread test to 5,411 in the max-thread test.

However, in this specific pairing, the CPU's role is largely subordinated to the GPU. The measured data shows that as resolution increases, frame rates drop dramatically. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 86, but at 4K Low, it falls to 31. This steep decline is not characteristic of a CPU bottleneck; rather, it indicates that the processor is waiting on the graphics solution to render frames. The Ryzen 5 5500 has more than enough headroom to feed the Intel Arc B370, meaning the game's performance ceiling is defined by the GPU, not the CPU. The CPU's 65W TDP and active production status suggest it is a modern, efficient part, but its performance here is masked by the integrated graphics bottleneck.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is the definitive performance limiter in this configuration. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture and the Panther Lake chip. Its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's DDR4 RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means its performance is directly tied to the speed and configuration of the system memory.

The GPU's clock speeds are 300 MHz base and 2400 MHz boost, but its most telling specifications are its raw throughput numbers. With 1,280 shading units, it produces 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s. In the global GPU percentile rankings, this part sits at the 5th percentile, placing it in the very lowest tier of graphics hardware. Its average benchmark score is 1,184, which is nearly identical to the 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1,184.

The measured frames per second reflect this low standing. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 31; at 4K Ultra, it drops to a slideshow-like 11 FPS. The GPU's 25W TDP and "IGP" slot width confirm its integrated nature. The performance data shows a clear pattern: this GPU is only capable of playable frame rates at the lowest settings and resolutions. The system shared memory architecture is a critical constraint, as it not only has to handle the game's assets but also competes with the CPU for memory bandwidth. This explains why the frame rates are so low and why they scale so poorly with increased graphical load.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and acceptable frame rate. For a consistently playable experience, the Low preset is the only viable option at higher resolutions, and even then, it has limitations.

At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 86 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. The Medium preset at this resolution yields 71 FPS, still a very good experience, with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 81 FPS. The High preset drops to 44 FPS, which is borderline for fast-paced driving. The Ultra preset at 1080p produces 31 FPS, which is generally considered too choppy for a smooth driving experience.

Moving to 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only one that remains playable, delivering 56 FPS. The Medium preset falls to 46 FPS, which may be acceptable to some but is not ideal. The High preset at 29 FPS and Ultra at 20 FPS are not recommended for active gameplay. At 3840x2160, the Low preset manages 31 FPS, which is barely playable on a large screen. Medium at 26 FPS, High at 16 FPS, and Ultra at 11 FPS are all effectively unplayable.

The data suggests that for the best balance of visual quality and performance, the Medium preset at 1080p is the sweet spot. It offers a minimum of 60 FPS, ensuring no significant stutter, while providing better visuals than Low. If a higher resolution is required, dropping to Low is necessary to maintain playability, but the visual compromise is significant.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2700 out of 2934 tested combos in this game. This places it in the bottom 8% of all systems tested, confirming its position as a low-performance configuration.

The GPU's percentile ranking of 5% is the primary driver of this low combo rank. The CPU, despite being in the 73rd percentile for all CPUs, cannot compensate for the GPU's lack of power. The data shows that the CPU's nearest rivals (AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, Intel Core i5-12500, Intel Core i7-10700F, Intel Core i5-11600KF) all have average scores within 0.7% of the Ryzen 5 5500, meaning the CPU is a competent performer.

However, the GPU's nearest rivals (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, ATI Radeon HD 5770, AMD Radeon HD 7650M, AMD FirePro M2000) are all legacy or entry-level parts with average scores within 1.4% of the Arc B370. This indicates that the graphics solution is performing at a level comparable to hardware from over a decade ago. The combination of a modern, capable CPU with an extremely weak GPU results in a system that is fundamentally unbalanced for gaming. The combo's rank of 2700 is a direct reflection of this severe imbalance, where the GPU is the sole bottleneck.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play this game with this hardware?

A: The measured data shows that 1920x1080 is the best resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset achieves 86 FPS and the Medium preset achieves 71 FPS, both of which are playable. At 2560x1440, the best result is 56 FPS on Low, and at 3840x2160, the best is 31 FPS on Low.

Q: Can this setup run the game at Ultra settings?

A: No, not at a playable frame rate. At 1080p Ultra, the average FPS is 31. At 1440p Ultra, it drops to 20 FPS, and at 4K Ultra, it is 11 FPS. The data indicates that Ultra settings are not viable for this configuration.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its close rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has an average benchmark score of 19,593. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, has a score of 19,617, which is 0.1% higher. The Intel Core i5-12500 is 0.4% higher, and the Intel Core i7-10700F is 0.5% lower. This indicates the CPU is very competitive with its peers.

Q: How does the GPU's performance compare to its close rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1,184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, has a score of 1,186, which is 0.2% higher. The ATI Radeon HD 5770 is 0.5% higher, and the AMD FirePro M2000 is 1.4% lower. This shows the GPU is performing at the level of very old, low-end hardware.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Medium setting at 1080p?

A: The measured data shows a minimum FPS of 60 for the 1920x1080 Medium setting, with an average of 71 FPS and a maximum of 81 FPS.

Q: Is this a balanced system for gaming?

A: Based on the data, it is heavily unbalanced. The CPU is in the 73rd percentile for all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 5th percentile. This severe discrepancy means the GPU is always the limiting factor, preventing the CPU from performing at its full potential in gaming workloads.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The following is the complete set of measured frame rate data for this combination in The Long Drive.

1920x1080:

• Low: Average FPS is 86.
• Medium: Average FPS is 71, with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 81.
• High: Average FPS is 44.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 31.

2560x1440:

• Low: Average FPS is 56.
• Medium: Average FPS is 46, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 53.
• High: Average FPS is 29.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 20.

3840x2160:

• Low: Average FPS is 31.
• Medium: Average FPS is 26, with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 30.
• High: Average FPS is 16.
• Ultra: Average FPS is 11.

The data shows a consistent and predictable pattern: each step up in settings or resolution results in a significant drop in frame rate. The delta between Low and Ultra is substantial across all resolutions, highlighting the GPU's inability to handle advanced graphical effects.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K provides clear evidence of the GPU bottleneck. Moving from 1920x1080 Low to 3840x2160 Low, the average FPS drops from 86 to 31, a reduction of 55 FPS or roughly 64%. This is a massive performance hit for a resolution change.

At Medium settings, the drop is from 71 FPS at 1080p to 26 FPS at 4K, a 63% reduction. At High settings, it falls from 44 FPS to 16 FPS, a 64% reduction. This consistency across settings is telling. A CPU bottleneck would typically show a smaller frame rate difference between 1080p and 4K, as the CPU load remains similar while the GPU load increases. Here, the frame rate scales almost linearly with the pixel count, which is a classic symptom of a GPU-bound scenario.

The pixel count at 4K is four times that of 1080p. The frame rate at 1080p Low is 86 FPS. If the GPU were the sole limiting factor and scaling were perfect, the 4K frame rate would be approximately 21.5 FPS (86 divided by 4). The measured 4K Low result is 31 FPS, which is actually higher than this theoretical perfect scaling. This suggests that at 1080p Low, the GPU is not being fully saturated, and some overhead is being mitigated by the CPU's speed. However, at higher settings, the GPU saturates more quickly.

The data indicates that this system is entirely GPU-limited. The Intel Arc B370's system-shared memory architecture and low compute power mean that it cannot keep up with the demands of higher resolutions. The CPU, which is capable of much higher performance, is left idle, waiting for the GPU to complete its rendering tasks. The result is a system that is only suitable for 1080p gaming at Low to Medium settings, with any attempt to increase resolution or graphical fidelity resulting in an unplayable experience.