The Medium

The Intel Arc B390, paired with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X in The Medium, presents a dataset that is heavily skewed by the graphics solution. The measured frames per second are consistently low across all resolutions and settings, with the combination ranking 2581st out of 2911 tested configurations. This places the system in a very low percentile for this specific title, indicating a fundamental performance ceiling that the CPU cannot overcome. The data suggests that the primary bottleneck is overwhelmingly the GPU, as even at 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS barely reaches the playable threshold, and any increase in graphical fidelity or resolution leads to a rapid and severe decline in performance.

Resolution Scaling

The resolution scaling data in The Medium reveals a classic pattern of a GPU-bound workload, where the frame rate is highly sensitive to the number of pixels rendered. The Arc B390’s performance degrades significantly as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At Medium settings, the average FPS drops from 32 at 1080p to 27 at 1440p, a noticeable decrease, and then plummets to 21 at 4K. This steep drop-off from 1440p to 4K indicates that the GPU is running out of fillrate and shading power, as the pixel count increases dramatically.

The trend is consistent across other presets. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 23 at 1080p to 19 at 1440p, and then to 15 at 4K. The Low preset shows a similar trajectory, moving from 51 FPS at 1080p to 43 FPS at 1440p, and finally 34 FPS at 4K. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p is less punishing than the jump to 4K, which suggests that the GPU can still manage some level of performance at lower pixel counts, but the demands of 4K rendering are simply too high. This behavior confirms that the limiting component is the graphics card, as a CPU bottleneck would typically show more consistent frame rates across different resolutions.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the undeniable performance limiter in this configuration. Its benchmark results are exceptionally low; its average benchmark score is 1482, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a stark indicator of its entry-level positioning. The nearest rivals in the benchmark data, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX with a score of 1463, are all legacy or low-end parts, and the Arc B390 is only 1.3% ahead of that. This context is crucial: the B390 is not competing with modern gaming GPUs, but rather with a much older and less capable tier of hardware.

The GPU’s specifications align with its low benchmark performance. It has a boost clock of 2500 MHz, but it only features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 ROPs. The memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's DDR4 memory rather than dedicated VRAM, with bandwidth described as "System Dependent." This is a significant handicap for a game like The Medium, which likely requires substantial memory bandwidth for its high-resolution textures and effects. The 12 ray tracing cores are present, but given the overall low compute performance, they are unlikely to provide a playable experience with ray tracing enabled. The Arc B390’s 7.680 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is a theoretical measure that does not translate into practical gaming performance in this title, as evidenced by the measured FPS data.

CPU Role

In stark contrast to the GPU, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is a high-performance desktop processor that is not the limiting factor in this scenario. Its average benchmark score is 29123, placing it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rivals, like the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H with a deltaPct of 0.1%, are similarly capable, indicating that the CPU is competitive with modern mid-range and high-end options. The Ryzen 7 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 3 architecture, with a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. This processing power is more than sufficient to feed a low-end GPU in most gaming scenarios.

The CPU’s synthetic benchmark scores reinforce its capability. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 15476, and its single-core score is 1574.5. The 3DMark 16-thread score is 7586. These numbers show a processor with substantial multi-threaded and single-threaded headroom. Since the measured FPS in The Medium is so low, the CPU is likely idling, waiting for the GPU to produce frames. A CPU bottleneck would manifest as lower frame rates across all resolutions, but the data shows a clear pattern of FPS decreasing as resolution increases, which is the signature of a GPU bottleneck. Therefore, the Ryzen 7 5800X is not holding the system back; rather, it is being held back by the Arc B390.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 51 FPS, which is the highest average recorded in the entire dataset. This is the only configuration that approaches a smooth experience. Medium settings at 1080p yield an average of 32 FPS, with a minimum of 27 and a maximum of 37. High settings drop the average to 23 FPS, and Ultra settings bring it down to an unplayable 18 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance degrades further. Low settings produce an average of 43 FPS, which is still playable but shows a significant 8 FPS drop from 1080p. Medium settings average 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 and maximum of 31. High settings average 19 FPS, while Ultra settings average just 15 FPS. At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain playable frame rates. Low settings average 34 FPS, Medium settings average 21 FPS (with a minimum of 18 and maximum of 24), High settings average 15 FPS, and Ultra settings average a slideshow-like 12 FPS.

These numbers paint a clear picture: the system is only viable at 1080p with Low or perhaps Medium settings. The jump to 1440p and 4K is not recommended, as the average FPS falls below the threshold for a smooth experience in all but the lowest settings. The minimum FPS values for Medium settings across all resolutions (27, 23, and 18) show that there are significant frame dips, which will result in stuttering and an inconsistent experience.

FAQ

*Q: Can this system run The Medium at 4K resolution?*

A: Based on the measured data, 4K is not a viable option. At 3840x2160, the highest average FPS is 34 on Low settings, which is borderline playable. Medium, High, and Ultra settings produce averages of 21, 15, and 12 FPS respectively, which are all too low for a smooth gaming experience.

Q: What is the best resolution for this GPU and CPU combination?

A: The data clearly shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can achieve a reasonable frame rate. At 1080p, the Low preset averages 51 FPS, which is the only playable result in the dataset. Medium settings at 1080p average 32 FPS, which may be acceptable for some, but it is below the standard for a consistently smooth experience.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or the Intel Arc B390 the bottleneck?

A: The Intel Arc B390 is the definitive bottleneck. The GPU's average benchmark score is in the 9th percentile, and its closest rivals are legacy parts like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX. In contrast, the Ryzen 7 5800X is in the 81st percentile. The FPS dropping significantly as resolution increases confirms the GPU is the limiting component, as the CPU has ample power to handle the game's logic at these low frame rates.

Q: How does the Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of benchmark scores?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, has a score of 1463, making the Arc B390 only 1.3% faster. It is also just 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M and 2.5% faster than the GeForce GT 625 OEM. This shows it is closely matched with very old, entry-level graphics solutions.

Q: What is the expected performance at 1440p on High settings?

A: The measured data shows an average of 19 FPS at 2560x1440 on High settings. This is not a playable frame rate for a game like The Medium. To achieve a better result at 1440p, you would need to lower the settings to Low, which yields an average of 43 FPS.

Q: Is the Ryzen 7 5800X a good match for the Arc B390?

A: From a performance standpoint, the Ryzen 7 5800X is severely overqualified for the Arc B390. The CPU is in the 81st percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The system's performance is entirely dictated by the GPU, meaning the CPU's substantial power is left largely unused in this configuration.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the only way to get a playable experience in The Medium with this hardware is to prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. The Low preset at 1920x1080 is the clear recommendation, as it is the only configuration that breaks the 50 FPS barrier, averaging 51 FPS. This should provide a relatively smooth and responsive experience. While the visual quality will be reduced, it is the only way to play the game without significant frame pacing issues.

The Medium preset at 1920x1080 is a secondary option for those who want better visuals, but it comes with a substantial performance cost. The average FPS drops to 32, and the minimum FPS of 27 indicates that there will be noticeable stutters during intense scenes. This could be acceptable for a horror game where atmosphere is key, but it is a compromise. The data shows that Medium at 1440p (27 FPS average) and 4K (21 FPS average) are not viable, as they fall below the playable threshold.

All High and Ultra presets are not recommended. At any resolution, these settings produce average FPS values in the teens or low 20s, which is too low for a game that requires timing and immersion. The Low preset at 1440p (43 FPS) is the only other configuration that approaches playability, but it is still inferior to 1080p Low and does not offer a resolution advantage significant enough to justify the 8 FPS loss. Ultimately, the system's performance is so constrained by the GPU that the only practical advice is to play at 1080p with the lowest settings.