The Long Drive

The Long Drive pairs the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the Intel Arc B370, an integrated graphics solution, and the measured frame rates show a system that is heavily constrained by its GPU. The data indicates a playable experience only at lower resolutions and settings, with the combination ranking in the 2700th position out of 2934 tested combos for this title.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1080p to 4K reveals a stark performance cliff, underscoring the Arc B370's limitations as the primary bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 86 FPS, but this figure drops to 56 FPS at 1440p and plummets to 31 FPS at 4K. This represents a 35% reduction in average frame rate from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 45% reduction from 1440p to 4K. The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings presets, indicating that the GPU is being saturated well before the CPU can become a limiting factor.

Examining the High preset, the average FPS falls from 44 at 1080p to 29 at 1440p and then to 16 at 4K. The drop from 1440p to 4K here is a 45% decrease, mirroring the Low preset's behavior. This linear degradation with resolution is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario, where the render resolution directly dictates the workload on the graphics processor. The data shows that the Intel Arc B370’s integrated nature means it shares system memory, and its performance scales predictably with the pixel count.

The Medium preset provides the only complete dataset with minimum and maximum FPS values. At 1080p, the average is 71 FPS with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 81. Moving to 1440p, the average drops to 46 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 53. At 4K, the average falls to 26 FPS, with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 30. This data shows a consistent 35% performance hit when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 43% hit from 1440p to 4K. The frame time consistency appears to hold, as the minimum FPS values scale proportionally with the averages.

The Ultra preset is the most demanding, yielding only 31 FPS at 1080p, 20 FPS at 1440p, and a nearly unplayable 11 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is a 35% reduction, and from 1440p to 4K it is a 45% reduction. This consistent pattern across all four presets strongly suggests that the limiting component is the GPU. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus, with its 24 cores and 24 threads, is not the bottleneck at any of these resolutions.

The data indicates that for a smooth experience, users must target 1080p. Even at 1440p, only the Low preset approaches 60 FPS, and the higher presets fall well below that threshold. The 4K resolution is only viable for static scenes or screenshot purposes, as even the Low preset cannot maintain a playable frame rate. The scaling behavior is a textbook example of a system where the integrated GPU is the definitive performance ceiling.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process. Its performance profile is modest, as evidenced by its 5th percentile ranking among all GPUs and an average benchmark score of 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. This score places it in direct competition with legacy parts like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, with delta percentages of -0.2% and -0.5% respectively. The data clearly shows that this is not a high-performance part, but rather an entry-level solution for basic gaming.

The GPU operates with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the main system RAM, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a critical limitation, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth. The shading units number 1280, with 40 texture mapping units and 20 render output units. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s, with a FP32 performance of 6.144 TFLOPS.

These specifications explain the measured FPS results. The integrated GPU's shared memory architecture and low power envelope of 25 W TDP inherently limit its ability to handle the demands of The Long Drive at higher resolutions. The game, a driving simulation, likely requires consistent texture streaming and geometry processing, which stresses the GPU's memory bandwidth and shading capabilities. The benchmark results show that the GPU is the decisive factor in performance, as the frame rates scale directly with resolution and preset.

The GPU's nearest rivals, all with average scores around 1184, confirm its position in the performance hierarchy. The AMD FirePro M2000 is 1.4% ahead, while the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 is 0.2% behind. These are all older, low-power parts, reinforcing that the Arc B370 is not designed for demanding gaming scenarios. The data indicates that its role in this combo is to provide basic graphical output, and the measured FPS reflects that reality.

Given its 25 W TDP and "IGP" slot width, the Arc B370 is not a discrete card but an integrated solution. Its 1280 shading units and 40 TMUs are sufficient for light loads, but the system shared memory is a major constraint. The benchmark results show that the GPU's performance is the primary reason for the low frame rates at 1440p and 4K. At 1080p Low, the GPU can produce 86 FPS, but the headroom is quickly exhausted as the workload increases.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a high-end desktop processor with 24 cores and 24 threads, based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture and built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, with a TDP of 125 W. Its cache configuration includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU performs exceptionally well, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51731 and a single-core score of 7303. Its Passmark multithread score is 60860, and its single-thread score is 4823. The CPU's average benchmark score is 84003, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with an average score of 83807 (a 0.2% difference) and the AMD EPYC 4584PX with a score of 83090 (a 1.1% difference). These scores show that the 290K Plus is a top-tier processor for compute-heavy tasks.

However, in The Long Drive, the CPU's role is secondary. The measured FPS data shows no indication of CPU bottlenecking, as performance scales directly with GPU load. The game is not CPU-intensive enough to challenge a 24-core processor. The CPU's high single-thread performance, evidenced by its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7303, is more than sufficient for the game's logic and physics. The data suggests that the CPU is effectively idle, waiting for the GPU to complete its rendering tasks.

The processor's 24 threads and high clock speeds are irrelevant to the frame rates in this game because the GPU is the limiting factor. Even at 1080p Low, where the GPU produces 86 FPS, the CPU has ample headroom. The memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s is also a non-issue, as the system shared GPU memory is the constraint. The CPU's 36 MB of L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache are beneficial for general performance but do not influence the measured FPS in this title.

The performance delta between the 290K Plus and its nearest rival, the 285K, is only 0.2%, indicating that the processor is not the differentiator in this combo. The CPU is a top performer, but its capabilities are wasted in this configuration due to the GPU's limitations. The data shows that the combo's rank of 2700 out of 2934 is entirely attributable to the GPU, not the CPU. For a driving simulation like The Long Drive, the CPU provides more than enough power, but the integrated graphics cannot translate that power into high frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus and the Intel Arc B370 ranks 2700th out of 2934 tested combos for The Long Drive. This places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations, a poor result that underscores the GPU's severe performance deficit. The CPU is a top-tier part, ranking in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, but the GPU ranks in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This massive imbalance is the reason for the low overall rank.

The data shows that this combo is not competitive for this game. The 2700th rank out of 2934 means that 2700 other combinations of CPUs and GPUs deliver higher average frame rates. This is not a slight against the CPU, which is excellent, but rather a reflection of the integrated GPU's limitations. The Arc B370's integrated nature, with its system shared memory and 25 W TDP, simply cannot provide the graphical horsepower needed for a smooth experience.

The combo's rank is predictable given the GPU's benchmark scores. The Arc B370's average score of 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad places it in the 5th percentile, and its nearest rivals are all legacy or low-power parts. When paired with a high-end CPU, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck. The CPU's performance, while excellent on its own, does not contribute to a better gaming experience in this specific title because the GPU cannot keep up.

For context, the CPU's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and the AMD EPYC 4584PX, have average scores within 1.1% of the 290K Plus. This shows that the CPU is not holding the combo back. The GPU's nearest rivals, such as the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, have scores within 0.7% of the Arc B370. The data clearly indicates that the GPU is the weak link, and the combo's rank reflects that. Any user considering this configuration for The Long Drive should expect performance in line with a low-end system from a decade ago.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only viable settings for a playable experience are at 1080p with the Low or Medium presets. The Low preset at 1080p yields an average of 86 FPS, which is smooth and responsive. The Medium preset at 1080p provides an average of 71 FPS, with a minimum of 60 FPS, which is also acceptable. These two options are the only ones that consistently maintain frame rates above 60 FPS.

The High preset at 1080p, with an average of 44 FPS, is playable but not ideal, as it may suffer from noticeable stutters in demanding scenes. The Ultra preset at 1080p drops to an average of 31 FPS, which is borderline and likely to feel sluggish. For a driving simulation where smooth movement is critical, the Medium preset at 1080p offers the best balance between visual quality and performance, with a minimum FPS of 60 ensuring no drops below the refresh rate of a standard monitor.

At 1440p, the Low preset is the only option that approaches playability, with an average of 56 FPS. However, this is below the 60 FPS threshold and may not be smooth enough for all users. The Medium preset at 1440p averages 46 FPS, with a minimum of 40, which is playable but not ideal. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p are not recommended, as they fall to 29 and 20 FPS respectively.

At 4K, no preset is recommended for actual gameplay. The Low preset averages 31 FPS, which is too low for a smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 26 FPS, and the High and Ultra presets are unplayable at 16 and 11 FPS. The data suggests that 4K is only suitable for taking screenshots or viewing static scenes.

The best experience per the measured rows is clearly the Medium preset at 1080p. It provides a 71 FPS average with a 60 FPS minimum, ensuring consistent performance. The Low preset at 1080p offers higher frame rates but sacrifices visual fidelity. For users who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset at 1080p is the choice. For a balance of visuals and performance, the Medium preset at 1080p is the recommended setting.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the combo's performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves an average of 86 FPS, the highest recorded for this configuration. The Medium preset averages 71 FPS, with a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 81. The High preset averages 44 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 31 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 56 FPS, a significant drop from 1080p. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS, with a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 53. The High preset averages 29 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 20 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a consistent 35% reduction in average FPS for the Low, Medium, and High presets, while the Ultra preset sees a similar 35% drop.

At 3840x2160, the Low preset averages 31 FPS, which is the best result at this resolution. The Medium preset averages 26 FPS, with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 30. The High preset averages 16 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 11 FPS. The reduction from 1440p to 4K is approximately 45% for all presets, showing that the GPU's performance scales linearly with pixel count.

The complete dataset shows that the Medium preset is the only one with full minimum and maximum FPS values at all resolutions. At 1080p, the range is 60 to 81 FPS; at 1440p, it is 40 to 53 FPS; and at 4K, it is 22 to 30 FPS. This data indicates that the frame time consistency is maintained, with the minimum FPS being roughly 85% of the average. The Low, High, and Ultra presets lack minimum and maximum data, but the averages are consistent with the expected scaling.

The measured FPS breakdown confirms that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming. The 86 FPS average at 1080p Low is the only result that approaches high refresh rate territory. The 71 FPS average at 1080p Medium is also solid. All other configurations fall below 60 FPS, with 4K results being uniformly poor. The data shows a clear hierarchy: 1080p Low > 1080p Medium > 1080p High > 1440p Low > 1080p Ultra > 1440p Medium > 1440p High > 4K Low > 1440p Ultra > 4K Medium > 4K High > 4K Ultra. This ranking allows users to prioritize their preferred settings based on the measured performance.