The Long Drive

The Long Drive pairs the AMD Ryzen 7 5700 with the Intel Arc B370, a combination that produces a dramatic and revealing performance profile. The data shows a system where the integrated GPU is the absolute limiting factor, creating a stark divide between playable low-settings operation and slideshow-like ultra presets. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across resolutions and settings, contextualizes the combo's low rank, and examines the distinct roles of the CPU and GPU in shaping the experience.

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

The scaling behavior from 1080p to 4K is textbook evidence of a GPU-bound scenario. At Low settings, the average frame rate drops from 86 FPS at 1920x1080 to 56 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 30 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the average plummets further to 31 FPS. This represents a 55 FPS drop from 1080p, or a 64% decrease in performance. The scaling is not linear; the transition from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, suggesting the GPU’s pixel throughput is exhausted.

A similar, though steeper, pattern emerges at Medium settings. The average FPS at 1080p is 71, which falls to 46 at 1440p and then to 26 at 4K. The difference between 1440p and 4K is again 20 FPS, indicating a consistent bottleneck. At High settings, the trend continues: 44 FPS at 1080p, 29 at 1440p, and just 16 at 4K. The spacing between resolutions is roughly 13-15 FPS, showing a uniform decline as pixel count increases.

The Ultra preset reveals the most brutal scaling. Starting from an already low 31 FPS at 1080p, it drops to 20 FPS at 1440p and then to 11 FPS at 4K. The fact that even 1080p Ultra cannot maintain a playable frame rate is a clear indicator that the GPU lacks the raw power for this game's highest fidelity settings. The data implies that the Arc B370, with its system-shared memory and 25 W TDP, is saturated by the game's rendering demands long before the CPU can become a factor.

This scaling pattern strongly suggests that the limiting component is the graphics processor. The CPU’s performance is consistent regardless of resolution, but the GPU’s workload increases exponentially with pixel count. The sharp FPS declines as resolution increases are a direct function of the GPU’s fill rate and memory bandwidth, both of which are constrained by its "System Shared" memory configuration. In essence, this is a case where the resolution is the primary dial for performance, and the GPU is the component that responds to it.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combo’s overall standing in The Long Drive is remarkably low. It holds a combo rank of 2700 out of 2934 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems. This rank is a composite score, reflecting that this specific CPU+GPU pairing struggles to deliver competitive frame rates across the board. The percentile for the GPU alone is 5, meaning it outperforms only 5% of all GPUs in the database, which heavily drags down the combo's overall position.

The CPU, in contrast, is a strong performer. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 has a percentile of 78 among all CPUs, indicating it is better than 78% of its peers. This massive disparity between the CPU's high percentile and the GPU's low percentile is the defining characteristic of this combo. The system is fundamentally unbalanced; the processor is capable of far more work than the graphics solution can handle.

Looking at the CPU’s nearest rivals further illustrates this point. The Intel Xeon D-2752TER has an average score of 25530, which is a 0.1% delta from the Ryzen 7 5700’s average of 25517. The AMD Ryzen 5 7640U (25485, +0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 5 6600H (25550, -0.1%) are also in the same performance tier. These comparisons show that the CPU is performing exactly as expected for its class, meaning it is not a source of weakness. The bottleneck is unequivocally the GPU, which sits near the bottom of the performance hierarchy.

The data implies that if this CPU were paired with a more capable graphics card, the combo's rank would improve dramatically. The current rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations, not the CPU's capabilities. The 2700th place finish is a reflection of the integrated graphics solution's inability to keep up with the processor's potential, making this a system where the graphics card is the sole determinant of gaming performance.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 brings substantial processing power to the table, which is largely untapped in this configuration. It features 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. This is a modern, capable desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. Its benchmark scores are robust, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 20655 and a single-core score of 2916. These numbers indicate a CPU that can handle heavy multi-threaded workloads and maintain strong single-thread performance.

In The Long Drive, a driving simulation, the CPU's role is to manage game logic, physics, and AI. The data suggests that the CPU is not a limiting factor, as the frame rates are consistently low across all settings. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see performance plateaus at lower resolutions, where the GPU has less work to do. However, the FPS continues to scale with resolution, confirming that the CPU has headroom to spare.

The CPU’s 16 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide sufficient bandwidth for the game's data streams. The Passmark multithread score of 24303 and the 3DMark 16-thread score of 6628 further demonstrate its ability to feed the GPU with data. Yet, the game's average FPS at 1080p Low is just 86, which is not particularly high. This indicates that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is unable to render frames fast enough to challenge the CPU.

The data implies that the Ryzen 7 5700 is overqualified for this pairing. Its performance is so far ahead of the GPU that it will never be the cause of a frame rate drop. The CPU's high percentile (78) and its proximity to rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H (25550, -0.1% delta) show that it is a solid mid-range performer. In this game, its 8 cores and 16 threads are more than enough to ensure that the graphics card is the only component working at its limit.

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

The measured data provides a complete picture of the system's performance envelope. At 1920x1080, the lowest resolution tested, the system achieves its best results. The Low preset yields an average of 86 FPS, which is the highest recorded for any configuration. Medium settings average 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 81, indicating a playable and stable experience. High settings drop to 44 FPS, while Ultra falls to a stuttery 31 FPS. This shows a clear hierarchy where Low and Medium are the only viable options at 1080p.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance takes a significant hit. Low settings average 56 FPS, which is still playable but a 35% drop from 1080p. Medium averages 46 FPS (min 40, max 53), which is borderline for smooth gameplay. High settings fall to 29 FPS, and Ultra becomes nearly unplayable at 20 FPS. The data indicates that 1440p is only feasible with the Low or Medium presets, and even then, the frame rates are not high.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles severely. Low settings average 31 FPS, which is below the threshold for comfortable play. Medium averages 26 FPS (min 22, max 30), High averages 16 FPS, and Ultra is a slideshow at 11 FPS. The data shows that 4K resolution is not a realistic option for this combo, as even the lowest settings fail to reach 60 FPS. The minimum FPS values at Medium settings show that the system can dip to 22 FPS at 4K, making for a very inconsistent experience.

The pattern is consistent: every increase in resolution or settings level results in a measurable FPS loss. The most playable configuration is 1080p Low, which is the only setup that approaches a high refresh rate. The data suggests that users must make a strict choice between resolution and fidelity, and that the system is best suited for 1080p gaming with reduced graphical details.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is the decisive component in this system, and its specifications explain the performance ceiling. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a 25 W TDP, based on the Xe3-LPG architecture. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Critically, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it uses the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This configuration is a major bottleneck, as the memory bandwidth is "System Dependent" and is not optimized for graphics workloads.

The GPU’s raw specs are modest: 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and has a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s, but the lack of dedicated memory severely limits its effective throughput. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad score is 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This low score is corroborated by its nearest rivals, which are all older or low-end parts. For example, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 has a score of 1186 (-0.2% delta), and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 has a score of 1190 (-0.5% delta). This shows the Arc B370 is performing at the level of a decade-old discrete GPU.

The data strongly suggests that the GPU's shared memory architecture is the primary cause of the low frame rates. As resolution increases, the demand for memory bandwidth grows, and the shared system memory cannot keep up. This is why the FPS drops so sharply from 1080p to 4K. The GPU is also limited by its low TDP, which restricts its clock speeds under load. The boost clock of 2400 MHz is not sustained effectively, as the thermal and power constraints of an IGP prevent it from running at maximum performance for extended periods.

In The Long Drive, the GPU is responsible for rendering the environment, which includes detailed terrain and vehicle models. The data shows that it simply lacks the fill rate and memory bandwidth to handle high resolutions and detail settings. The 11 FPS at 4K Ultra is a direct result of the GPU being overwhelmed. The implication is that this GPU is only suitable for esports titles or older games at low settings, and it is not designed for modern simulation games at high fidelity.

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

Based on the measured data, the only configuration that provides a consistently smooth experience is 1080p with the Low preset, which averages 86 FPS. This is the clear recommendation for any user seeking a responsive and fluid gameplay experience. The Medium preset at 1080p also offers a playable experience with an average of 71 FPS, and its minimum of 60 FPS ensures that it rarely drops below a playable threshold. This is the best balance between visual quality and performance, as it provides a noticeable improvement in graphics over Low without sacrificing frame rate stability.

At 1440p, the Low preset is the only reasonable option, averaging 56 FPS. This is playable, but the frame rate is lower than what most gamers would prefer. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 46 FPS, which is marginal and may result in noticeable stuttering in fast-paced driving sections. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p are not recommended, as they fall below 30 FPS.

For 4K, the data shows that no preset provides a satisfactory experience. The Low preset averages 31 FPS, which is below the standard for smooth gameplay. The Medium preset is slightly worse at 26 FPS. Users should avoid 4K resolution entirely with this combo, as even the lowest settings cannot deliver a consistently playable frame rate.

The data implies that the "best" experience is a trade-off between resolution and detail. For a smooth experience, 1080p Medium is the recommended setting, as it offers a good visual upgrade over Low while maintaining an average above 60 FPS. For maximum frame rates, 1080p Low is the only choice. The Ultra preset is effectively unusable at any resolution, as it never exceeds 31 FPS and drops to 11 FPS at 4K. The system is best treated as a 1080p machine with settings turned down to achieve playable performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in The Long Drive?

A: The highest average FPS is 86, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is this system capable of 4K gaming in The Long Drive?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the best average FPS is 31 with the Low preset. The Ultra preset averages only 11 FPS, making 4K impractical.

Q: How does this combo's overall performance rank compared to other tested systems?

A: The combo ranks 2700 out of 2934 total combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems for this game.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main performance bottleneck?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. The Intel Arc B370 has a percentile of 5, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700 has a percentile of 78, indicating the graphics card is far weaker than the processor.

Q: What settings provide a playable frame rate above 60 FPS?

A: Only the 1080p Low settings (86 FPS) and 1080p Medium settings (71 FPS, min 60) achieve an average above 60 FPS. No other resolution or preset combination reaches this threshold.

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

A: At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 86 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 31 FPS. This represents a 55 FPS decrease, or a 64% performance drop, when moving from Low to Ultra settings.