The Long Drive

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

The measured FPS data for The Long Drive with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Arc B370 reveals a steep performance cliff as resolution climbs. At 1080p Low, the combo delivers 86 FPS average. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 56 FPS, a 35% reduction. At 4K Low, the average falls to 31 FPS — less than half of the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is far steeper than what would be expected if the CPU were the primary bottleneck, suggesting the integrated graphics solution is struggling to keep up with pixel throughput demands.

The Medium preset tells a similar story. At 1080p Medium, the average is 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 and maximum of 81. At 1440p Medium, that average falls to 46 FPS (min 40, max 53). At 4K Medium, it drops further to 26 FPS (min 22, max 30). The gap between 1080p and 1440p Medium is 25 FPS, while the gap between 1440p and 4K Medium is 20 FPS — a relatively consistent degradation per resolution step, which points to a GPU that is uniformly taxed by increasing pixel counts rather than hitting a sudden memory or bandwidth wall.

High settings show the same pattern. From 44 FPS at 1080p to 29 FPS at 1440p and 16 FPS at 4K, the drops are roughly 34% and 45% respectively. Ultra settings are the most punishing: 31 FPS at 1080p, 20 FPS at 1440p, and just 11 FPS at 4K. The fact that even 1080p Ultra cannot hold 30 FPS average indicates that the Arc B370's compute resources are fundamentally limited for this title at high quality levels.

What does this say about the limiting component? The CPU in this combo — a 12-core, 24-thread Ryzen 9 7900X with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz — is far more capable than what this game's rendering workload demands. The benchmark data for the CPU shows a passmark multithread score of 51,406 and a single-thread score of 4,238, placing it in the 91st percentile among all CPUs. The GPU, by contrast, sits in the 5th percentile among all GPUs with an average benchmark score of 1,184. The resolution scaling behavior — where FPS roughly halves from 1080p to 4K at every preset — is the signature of a GPU-bound scenario.

The data implies that upgrading the graphics solution would yield substantial FPS gains across all resolutions, while the CPU has ample headroom. The 4K numbers are particularly telling: even at Low settings, 31 FPS is below the 60 FPS threshold many players expect. At 4K Ultra, the 11 FPS average makes the game effectively unplayable for smooth motion.

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How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

This specific CPU-GPU combination ranks 2700 out of 2934 tested combos for The Long Drive. That places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations measured in the database. The ranking is a strong signal that this pairing is heavily imbalanced for this game's requirements — the CPU is far stronger than the GPU, and the overall experience is dragged down by the graphics side.

To contextualize the GPU's contribution, the Intel Arc B370's nearest rivals in the benchmark database are all older, low-end parts. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 scores 1,186 (delta -0.2% relative to the Arc B370's 1,184), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 scores 1,190 (delta -0.5%), the AMD Radeon HD 7650M scores 1,192 (delta -0.7%), and the AMD FirePro M2000 scores 1,168 (delta +1.4%). The Arc B370 is essentially tied with these legacy GPUs, none of which are known for modern gaming performance. The GPU's percentile rank of 5 versus the CPU's 91 illustrates the mismatch clearly.

On the CPU side, the Ryzen 9 7900X sits near a cluster of similarly performing processors. The AMD EPYC 7313P scores 53,206 (delta +0.2% relative to the 7900X's 53,288 average), the Intel Xeon Phi 7290 scores 53,469 (delta -0.3%), the Intel Xeon 634 scores 52,974 (delta +0.6%), and the Intel Core i7-14700F scores 53,620 (delta -0.6%). These deltas are all within 1%, showing that the 7900X is a mainstream high-end CPU with strong compute credentials, but its performance in this game is entirely gated by the GPU.

The combo rank of 2700 out of 2934 means that roughly 234 combinations perform worse in this game, but over 2,700 perform better. This is a bottom-decile result. For a driving simulation game, where smooth frame pacing is important for controlling vehicles, this ranking suggests that the experience will be compromised at most settings and resolutions. The data does not show any scenario where this combo achieves a 60 FPS average at 4K, and even at 1080p Low, the 86 FPS average is the only setting that clears that bar comfortably.

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

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on Zen 4 architecture (codename Raphael), built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. Its base clock is 4.70 GHz with a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. This is a high-end desktop CPU, released in late 2022 with an unlocked multiplier.

Benchmark results for the 7900X show strong multi-threaded performance: Cinebench R23 multicore scores 29,300, Geekbench multicore scores 19,267, and Passmark multithread scores 51,406. Single-thread performance is also solid, with Cinebench R23 singlecore at 2,016.5, Geekbench singlecore at 2,617, and Passmark single-thread at 4,238. The CPU's 3DMark scores scale with thread count: 2,137 for 2 threads, 4,151 for 4 threads, 7,798 for 8 threads, 10,972 for 16 threads, and 12,536 for max threads. This scaling indicates good multi-core efficiency, though the game's performance data suggests The Long Drive does not heavily tax many threads.

In The Long Drive, the CPU's role appears minimal based on the measured FPS. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see FPS stay relatively constant as resolution increases — because the CPU workload would remain unchanged while GPU load grows. Instead, FPS drops significantly at every resolution step. For example, at Low settings, FPS goes from 86 at 1080p to 56 at 1440p to 31 at 4K. This is not a CPU-limited pattern.

The CPU's high single-thread performance (4,238 Passmark single-thread, 91st percentile) is more than adequate for a driving simulation game. Even if The Long Drive has a single-threaded physics or game logic bottleneck, the 7900X's single-core capabilities are far above what would be needed to hold 60 FPS. The fact that the combo cannot sustain 60 FPS at 1440p Medium (46 FPS average) or 1080p High (44 FPS average) cannot be attributed to CPU limitations.

The data implies that the CPU is effectively idle in this pairing, waiting for the GPU to render frames. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration is overkill for this workload, and players would see no meaningful difference with a cheaper CPU. The system's DDR5 memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s is also unlikely to be a limiting factor, as the GPU uses system shared memory, but the GPU's low compute throughput (6.144 TFLOPS FP32) is the more probable constraint.

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FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in The Long Drive?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 86, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. The next best is 71 FPS at 1080p Medium, followed by 56 FPS at 1440p Low.

Q: Can this combo run The Long Drive at 4K with playable frame rates?

A: At 4K, the highest average FPS is 31 on Low settings, dropping to 26 on Medium, 16 on High, and 11 on Ultra. None of these meet a 60 FPS target, and only Low comes close to 30 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest benchmarks rivals?

A: The Arc B370 scores 1,184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. Its nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1,186, -0.2%), ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,190, -0.5%), AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1,192, -0.7%), and AMD FirePro M2000 (1,168, +1.4%). All are within 1.4% of each other.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested CPU-GPU pairs for this game?

A: This combo ranks 2700 out of 2934 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all configurations for The Long Drive.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 7900X the bottleneck in this setup?

A: No. The CPU ranks in the 91st percentile overall, with a passmark multithread score of 51,406. The resolution-dependent FPS drops indicate the GPU is the limiting factor.

Q: What FPS can be expected at 1440p with Medium settings?

A: The measured average is 46 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and maximum of 53. This is below the 60 FPS threshold but playable for less demanding users.

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

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture (chip codename Panther Lake), manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel. Its base clock is 300 MHz with a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The GPU features 1,280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, 20 raster output units, and 10 ray tracing cores. Compute throughput is rated at 6.144 TFLOPS FP32 and 12.29 TFLOPS FP16 (2:1 ratio). Pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s.

Crucially, the memory configuration is "System Shared" — meaning there is no dedicated VRAM. Memory type, bus width, and bandwidth are all listed as "System Shared" or "System Dependent." This means the GPU relies on the CPU's DDR5 memory, which in this case is dual-channel with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The lack of dedicated video memory is a severe handicap for gaming at high resolutions, where large frame buffers and texture caches are required.

The GPU's benchmark presence is minimal: only one result exists, a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,184. This places the Arc B370 in the 5th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all legacy parts from the early 2010s, as detailed in the FAQ. The TDP is just 25 W, and the slot width is "IGP" (integrated graphics processor), confirming this is not a discrete card.

How do these specs explain the measured FPS? The 6.144 TFLOPS FP32 figure is low by modern standards, and the 20 ROPs limit pixel fill rate to 48 GPixel/s. At 4K (3840x2160), each frame requires 8.3 million pixels to be processed. Even at 48 GPixel/s, that's roughly 5.8 million pixels per frame at 60 FPS, so the ROP count alone would cap 4K performance below 60 FPS. The measured 4K Low average of 31 FPS aligns with this fill-rate constraint.

The boost clock of 2400 MHz is respectable, but the low shading unit count (1,280) limits shader throughput. The 10 ray tracing cores are unlikely to be utilized in The Long Drive, as driving simulations rarely employ RT effects. The system shared memory means bandwidth is shared with CPU operations, which could cause contention in busy scenes. The measured FPS drops at higher resolutions are consistent with a GPU that is bandwidth-limited and fill-rate-limited, rather than compute-limited.

The GPU's percentile rank of 5 versus the CPU's 91 is the clearest statistical evidence of imbalance. The data shows that for this game, the GPU is the decisive component, and its low-end positioning results in sub-60 FPS at most settings above 1080p Low.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend heavily on the target resolution and acceptable frame rate. The data provides four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) at three resolutions (1080p, 1440p, 4K).

At 1080p, the Low preset delivers 86 FPS average, which is smooth and responsive. Medium drops to 71 FPS (min 60, max 81), still above the 60 FPS threshold. High drops to 44 FPS, and Ultra to 31 FPS. For players with 1080p displays, Medium is the sweet spot: it stays above 60 FPS average and maintains a minimum of 60 FPS, indicating consistent frame pacing. Low offers a higher headroom (86 FPS) but sacrifices visual quality. High and Ultra are not recommended at 1080p because they fall below 60 FPS, and the visual gains may not justify the frame rate penalty.

At 1440p, no preset achieves a 60 FPS average. Low gives 56 FPS, Medium gives 46 FPS (min 40, max 53), High gives 29 FPS, and Ultra gives 20 FPS. The best experience is Low at 56 FPS, which is close to 60 FPS and likely the only playable option for most users. Medium is playable but with dips to 40 FPS, which could cause noticeable stutter in a driving game. High and Ultra are too demanding for this GPU at this resolution.

At 4K, all presets fail to reach 30 FPS except Low at 31 FPS. Medium is 26 FPS, High is 16 FPS, and Ultra is 11 FPS. The only viable option is Low, and even that is marginal. Players who prioritize 4K resolution would need to accept a sub-30 FPS experience, which is generally considered unplayable for action-oriented games.

The data suggests the following general guidance: For 1080p gaming, use Medium for a balanced experience or Low for maximum smoothness. For 1440p, use Low as the only acceptable option. For 4K, the combo is not suitable for smooth gameplay, and users should consider lowering resolution to 1440p or below. There is no preset at any resolution that achieves both high visual quality and high frame rate with this hardware.

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

The following table summarizes all measured FPS data for The Long Drive with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and Intel Arc B370.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 86 FPS average
• Medium: 71 FPS average, 60 FPS minimum, 81 FPS maximum
• High: 44 FPS average
• Ultra: 31 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 56 FPS average
• Medium: 46 FPS average, 40 FPS minimum, 53 FPS maximum
• High: 29 FPS average
• Ultra: 20 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 31 FPS average
• Medium: 26 FPS average, 22 FPS minimum, 30 FPS maximum
• High: 16 FPS average
• Ultra: 11 FPS average

The data shows a clear progression: at every resolution, FPS drops as settings increase from Low to Ultra. The percentage loss from Low to Ultra is consistent across resolutions. At 1080p, Ultra is 64% slower than Low (86 to 31). At 1440p, Ultra is 64% slower than Low (56 to 20). At 4K, Ultra is 65% slower than Low (31 to 11). This consistency indicates that the settings presets scale compute and memory loads proportionally, and the GPU responds predictably.

The minimum FPS data available only for Medium settings shows that frame dips are relatively modest. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 60 FPS (15% below the 71 average). At 1440p Medium, the minimum is 40 FPS (13% below the 46 average). At 4K Medium, the minimum is 22 FPS (15% below the 26 average). This suggests the game's frame pacing is stable, without sudden spikes, but the overall performance level is too low at higher resolutions.

The 1080p Low result of 86 FPS is the only measurement that exceeds 60 FPS by a wide margin. The 1080p Medium result of 71 FPS is the only other measurement above 60 FPS. All other configurations fall below this threshold. The 1440p Low result of 56 FPS is the closest to 60 FPS outside of 1080p, but it still falls short.

What this breakdown implies is that the combo is only suitable for 1080p gaming at Low or Medium settings, with 1440p limited to Low, and 4K effectively not viable. The data shows no scenario where this hardware combination delivers a high-refresh-rate experience. The CPU's vast compute resources are underutilized, while the GPU's integrated nature caps performance at entry-level levels. For The Long Drive, this pairing is best suited for players who prioritize resolution over quality, or who are willing to accept 1080p Medium as their ceiling.