The Long Drive

The Long Drive, a driving simulation released in 2019, presents a unique challenge for the Intel Core i7-14700K paired with the Intel Arc B370. This combination, while featuring a high-end 20-core processor, is constrained by an integrated-class GPU. The measured frame rates across resolutions and settings reveal a system that is heavily GPU-limited, where the CPU’s substantial capabilities are largely left untapped. The data shows a clear pattern: performance scales with resolution in a way that points directly at the graphics solution as the primary bottleneck, while the processor provides a stable foundation that never appears to be the limiting factor.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data for this combo shows a steep decline as resolution increases, which is the classic signature of a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 86 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average drops to 56 FPS, a reduction of 30 FPS. At 3840x2160, the average falls further to 31 FPS. This pattern—where doubling the pixel count from 1080p to 4K cuts the frame rate by more than half—indicates that the Intel Arc B370 is working at its limits, and the CPU is not the constraining factor.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p at High settings shows a similar trend, with averages of 44 FPS and 29 FPS respectively. The 4K High preset yields only 16 FPS. This consistent drop across all quality presets reinforces the idea that the integrated GPU’s rendering throughput is the ceiling. The Intel Core i7-14700K, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, is simply waiting for the GPU to deliver frames. The data suggests that at 1080p, the system is still somewhat playable at lower settings, but at 4K, it falls below playable thresholds for all but the most static scenes.

The difference between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution further illustrates the GPU bottleneck. At 1080p, the gap between Low (86 FPS) and Ultra (31 FPS) is 55 FPS, showing how much headroom the GPU has at lower resolutions to respond to quality changes. At 1440p, the gap narrows to 36 FPS (56 FPS Low vs. 20 FPS Ultra). At 4K, the gap is just 20 FPS (31 FPS Low vs. 11 FPS Ultra). This narrowing delta as resolution increases is a textbook indicator that the GPU is becoming saturated, leaving less performance to sacrifice for higher visual fidelity. The CPU’s role is minimal here; its performance is sufficient to feed the GPU at any resolution tested.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. Its specifications are modest: 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units. It also includes 10 ray tracing cores. The GPU’s boost clock is listed at 2400 MHz, with a base clock of 300 MHz. Its memory configuration is "System Shared," which means it uses a portion of the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory type and bus width are also listed as "System Shared," with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This architecture explains its performance characteristics in The Long Drive.

In the benchmark for 3DMark Steel Nomad (DX12), the Arc B370 scores 1184 points. This score places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, which is very low. Its nearest rivals in the database are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which scores 1186 (a delta of -0.2%), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at 1190 (delta -0.5%), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at 1192 (delta -0.7%). Another rival, the AMD FirePro M2000, scores 1168, which is 1.4% lower than the Arc B370. This comparison shows that the Arc B370 performs in the range of decade-old discrete graphics cards, which is consistent with its integrated nature. The 25 W TDP and lack of any power connectors further confirm its low-power, integrated design.

The GPU’s role in The Long Drive is the decisive factor in the measured FPS. The data shows that at 4K Ultra, the average frame rate is 11 FPS, which is essentially unplayable. Even at 1080p Low, the 86 FPS average is the best this combo can achieve. The frame pacing data from the Medium preset at various resolutions provides additional insight. At 1080p Medium, the average is 71 FPS, with a minimum of 60 FPS and a maximum of 81 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the average is 46 FPS, with a minimum of 40 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS. At 4K Medium, the average is 26 FPS, with a minimum of 22 FPS and a maximum of 30 FPS. These minimums show that the GPU can struggle to maintain consistent frame delivery as resolution increases, leading to potential stutter.

Because the GPU has no dedicated VRAM, its performance is tied to system memory bandwidth. The "System Dependent" label for bandwidth means that the results in The Long Drive could vary based on the speed and configuration of the system RAM. The data measured here represents a specific configuration, but the underlying limitation is clear: the Arc B370 is not designed for high-resolution gaming. Its performance is more akin to an entry-level solution for basic tasks, and The Long Drive, while not a graphically intensive title by modern standards, still overwhelms it at higher settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700K is a desktop processor from the Core 14th Gen series, based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It has 20 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and has a 125 W TDP. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 33440.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2160 in single-core. It also achieves a Passmark multithread score of 52392 and a single-thread score of 4472. These numbers place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, indicating a top-tier processor.

Given the GPU’s limitations, the CPU’s role in The Long Drive is to ensure that it never becomes a bottleneck. The benchmark results show that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 86 FPS, which is likely close to what the GPU can physically render. The CPU’s high single-thread performance, as indicated by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2160, is more than adequate for the game’s logic and physics calculations. The Long Drive is a driving simulation that may involve open-world exploration, but the data does not suggest any CPU-related frame rate drops. The minimum FPS values recorded at Medium settings (60 FPS at 1080p, 40 FPS at 1440p, 22 FPS at 4K) are all consistent with GPU-side frame time variations, not CPU stalls.

The CPU’s nearest rivals in terms of average benchmark score include the AMD EPYC 9115, which scores 69288 (delta 0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, which scores 69515 (delta -0.2%). The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 69875 (delta -0.7%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 69996 (delta -0.9%). These comparisons show that the Core i7-14700K is statistically in the same performance class as these other high-end processors. In The Long Drive, however, this CPU performance is largely irrelevant. The frame rates are dictated by the GPU, and the CPU’s 20 cores and 28 threads are mostly idle while waiting for the Arc B370 to produce frames.

The processor’s support for ECC memory and its PCIe Gen 5 interface are features that matter for workstation tasks, but they have no measurable impact on this game. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 is present on the CPU, but the system is using the Arc B370 for display output. The data shows that the combination of this powerful CPU with a weak GPU results in a system where the CPU is never the limiting factor. The bottleneck is entirely on the graphics side, and any performance improvements would require a more capable GPU, not a faster processor.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i7-14700K and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2700 out of 2934 combos for The Long Drive. This places it in the bottom 8% of all tested configurations. The rank is a direct consequence of the GPU’s low performance. The CPU’s high percentile ranking (94th) does not compensate for the GPU’s low percentile ranking (5th). The overall combo rank is a weighted measure of how well the two components work together in this specific game, and the data shows that the Arc B370 drags the combination down.

Comparing this combo to others in the database, the rank of 2700 out of 2934 means that there are only 234 tested combos that perform worse. This is a poor showing, but it is not surprising given the GPU’s specifications. The fact that the GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score is only 1184, which is below even the ATI Radeon HD 5770 from many years ago, sets the expectation for low gaming performance. The combo rank in The Long Drive is a reflection of this GPU limitation. A system with a mid-range discrete GPU and a weaker CPU would likely rank much higher because the GPU would not be the sole bottleneck.

The data indicates that this combo is fundamentally unbalanced for gaming. The CPU is a top-tier model, but the GPU is an integrated solution meant for basic tasks. The rank of 2700 out of 2934 is a clear verdict on this pairing. It is not a viable configuration for smooth gameplay in The Long Drive at any resolution above 1080p with low settings. The measured FPS values confirm this, with 4K Ultra yielding just 11 FPS. Even at 1080p High, the average of 44 FPS might be acceptable for some players, but it is not a high-performance result. The combo’s rank is a quantitative way of saying that the whole is much less than the sum of its parts, with the GPU being the clear weak link.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo in The Long Drive is achieved at 1920x1080 with the Low preset. At this setting, the average frame rate is 86 FPS, which provides a smooth and responsive experience. The Low preset at 1440p offers an average of 56 FPS, which is also playable, but the 1080p Low setting gives the highest headroom for maintaining consistent frame pacing. The Medium preset at 1080p yields 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 FPS, which is also a good option if the player wants slightly better visuals without sacrificing too much performance. The frame time data for 1080p Medium shows a minimum of 60 FPS, which suggests that it can hold a 60 Hz refresh rate without dipping below.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset is the only viable option for a decent frame rate, with an average of 56 FPS. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 46 FPS, which is playable but may feel less smooth in fast-paced sections. The High preset at 1440p drops to 29 FPS, which is below the threshold for comfortable play. At 3840x2160, even the Low preset only averages 31 FPS, which is marginal. The Medium preset at 4K averages 26 FPS, and High drops to 16 FPS. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it yields an average of 31 FPS at 1080p, 20 FPS at 1440p, and 11 FPS at 4K. These frame rates are too low for a driving simulation where smooth motion is important.

For a balance of visual quality and performance, the data suggests that 1080p Medium is the sweet spot. It provides an average of 71 FPS, which is well above the playable threshold, and the minimum of 60 FPS ensures that the experience remains fluid. If the player prioritizes frame rate over visuals, 1080p Low at 86 FPS is the best choice. There is no measured data for any settings above 1080p that provide a consistently smooth experience, so the recommendation is to stay at 1080p. The High preset at 1080p, with an average of 44 FPS, is a compromise, but the lower settings offer a more significant performance advantage. The data is clear: to get the most out of this combo, the resolution and quality settings must be set to the lowest values that the player can tolerate visually.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution and settings for this combo in The Long Drive?

A: According to the measured data, 1920x1080 with the Low preset provides the highest average frame rate at 86 FPS. The Medium preset at 1080p is also a good option, with an average of 71 FPS and a minimum of 60 FPS, offering a slightly better visual experience while maintaining smooth performance.

Q: Is this combo capable of running The Long Drive at 4K?

A: The data shows that at 3840x2160, the average frame rates are 31 FPS for Low, 26 FPS for Medium, 16 FPS for High, and 11 FPS for Ultra. These results are below the playable threshold for a smooth experience, so 4K is not recommended for this pairing.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of GPU benchmark scores?

A: The Arc B370 scores 1184 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad benchmark. Its nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 at 1186 (delta -0.2%), the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at 1190 (delta -0.5%), and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M at 1192 (delta -0.7%). The AMD FirePro M2000 scores 1168, which is 1.4% lower.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-14700K the bottleneck in this system for The Long Drive?

A: No. The CPU’s benchmark scores, such as its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 33440.5, indicate high performance. The frame rate scaling with resolution shows that the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU is not the bottleneck; the integrated Arc B370 is.

Q: What is the combo's rank compared to other tested systems for this game?

A: The combination of the Intel Core i7-14700K and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2700 out of 2934 total tested combos for The Long Drive. This places it in the bottom tier of all configurations in the database.

Q: What is the highest average frame rate this combo can achieve in The Long Drive?

A: The highest measured average frame rate is 86 FPS, which is achieved at 1920x1080 with the Low preset. The next highest is 71 FPS at 1080p Medium, followed by 56 FPS at 1440p Low.