To The Core

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X paired with the Intel Arc B370 delivers a playable, though hardly luxurious, experience in To The Core. The data shows a system that is firmly GPU-bound at higher resolutions, but which can still produce smooth frame rates at 1080p when settings are kept in check. The benchmark results paint a clear picture of a combo that prioritizes CPU headroom over graphical grunt, making it a niche but functional pairing for this specific title.

Resolution Scaling

Resolution scaling has a dramatic and predictable impact on the measured frame rates. The data shows a clear linear progression where dropping resolution directly translates into higher average FPS across all settings presets. At the demanding 4K resolution (3840x2160), the combo manages an average of 37 FPS on High settings. Stepping down to 1440p (2560x1440) on the same preset yields a substantial jump to 65 FPS, an increase of roughly 76%. Moving further down to 1080p (1920x1080) on High pushes the average to 97 FPS, representing another significant leap in performance.

This scaling pattern indicates that the Intel Arc B370 is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions. The gap between 4K and 1440p is far more pronounced than the gap between 1440p and 1080p, suggesting that the GPU is struggling to fill the pixel count at 4K. For instance, on Low settings, the frame rate scales from 51 FPS at 4K to 89 FPS at 1440p and finally to 132 FPS at 1080p. The consistent and large jumps, particularly from 4K to 1440p, are classic signs of a GPU hitting its fillrate and pixel throughput limits.

The data also reveals how the performance delta between resolutions changes with settings. On Ultra, the 4K average is just 30 FPS, which climbs to 53 FPS at 1440p and 78 FPS at 1080p. While the absolute gains are smaller at the highest preset due to the overall lower performance, the relative percentage increase from 4K to 1080p is more than double. This suggests that at Ultra settings, the GPU is so heavily loaded that even a resolution drop cannot fully compensate for the graphical demands.

Conversely, the CPU's role becomes more apparent at 1080p. The jump from 1440p to 1080p on Low settings is 43 FPS (from 89 to 132), which is a larger absolute gain than the 38 FPS jump seen from 4K to 1440p on the same settings. This suggests that at 1080p Low, the system is beginning to become less GPU-bound and the Ryzen 5 9600X's six cores and 12 threads are better able to keep up with the GPU's output. However, the fact that frame rates still scale significantly with resolution at 1080p indicates the GPU remains the dominant bottleneck even at the lowest tested resolution.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal balance between visual fidelity and performance is found on the High preset. At 1080p, High yields a comfortable 97 FPS average, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay in a fast-paced title. The Medium preset offers a higher 112 FPS average, but the jump from Medium to High is only a 15 FPS cost for what is likely a noticeable improvement in visual quality. The Ultra preset, while offering the highest fidelity, drops the average to 78 FPS, which is still playable but represents a significant 19 FPS hit compared to High.

For users prioritizing maximum smoothness, the Low preset at 1080p delivers an excellent 132 FPS average. This mode strips away many visual effects to provide the highest possible frame rate, which can be advantageous for competitive play. However, the data shows that the step from Low to Medium only costs 20 FPS (from 132 to 112), making Medium a strong contender for those who want a mix of performance and quality. The High preset strikes the best balance, offering a 97 FPS average that is smooth while likely retaining most of the game's visual charm.

At 1440p, the High preset drops to 65 FPS, which is still a respectable average for a more demanding resolution. The Low preset at this resolution offers an 89 FPS average, making it the best choice for high-refresh-rate 1440p monitors. The Medium preset at 75 FPS is another solid option. The 4K resolution is where the combo struggles; only the Low preset manages to stay above 51 FPS, while High and Medium hover around 37 and 43 FPS, respectively. The Ultra preset at 4K is effectively unplayable with a 30 FPS average.

The data suggests that the "best experience" is resolution-dependent. For 1080p, High is the clear winner. For 1440p, users should choose between Low for maximum frame rates or High for a better visual experience. The 4K resolution should be reserved for Low settings or avoided altogether with this GPU. The measured min FPS values, where available, are also informative; the Medium preset at 1080p shows a minimum of 95 FPS, indicating that the frame pacing is stable and unlikely to stutter.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is clearly the performance ceiling for this pairing. Its benchmark scores and specifications are modest, which is reflected in the measured frame rates. The GPU has a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low standing, and its nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, ATI Radeon HD 5770, and AMD Radeon HD 7650M, all of which are much older parts. The data indicates this is an entry-level integrated graphics solution.

The GPU's clock behavior shows a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. This wide boost range allows the chip to scale its performance based on thermal and power headroom, but the overall computing resources are limited. The Arc B370 has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. This configuration, combined with its 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power, explains why it struggles with the pixel-heavy workload of 4K rendering. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, which is a limiting factor when trying to drive 3840x2160 pixels.

A critical aspect of this GPU is its memory configuration. It uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM. Its memory bandwidth is also "System Dependent," relying on the system's main DDR5 memory. This is a major handicap in modern games, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth. The data suggests this shared memory architecture is a significant reason for the poor performance at high resolutions and settings. The system memory bandwidth of the Ryzen 5 9600X is 89.6 GB/s, but the actual bandwidth available to the GPU will be lower due to overhead and contention.

The GPU's TDP is a mere 25 W, and it is classified as an IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) with a slot width of "IGP". This confirms that the Arc B370 is not a discrete graphics card but an integrated solution, likely part of the Panther Lake platform. Its performance, as measured, aligns with that classification. The 3DMark score of 1184 is a direct measure of its 3D rendering capability, and the benchmark results in To The Core are consistent with a GPU that has very limited fillrate and bandwidth resources.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run To The Core at 4K?*

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. The data shows that at 4K with Low settings, the average FPS is 51, which is playable. However, High settings yield 37 FPS, and Ultra drops to 30 FPS, which are not ideal for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system?

A: The benchmark results clearly favor 1080p. At this resolution, the system consistently achieves high frame rates, with the High preset averaging 97 FPS and the Low preset averaging 132 FPS. It is the only resolution where the system can comfortably exceed 60 FPS on most presets.

Q: Why is the performance so low compared to other systems?

A: The Intel Arc B370 is a major bottleneck. Its 3DMark benchmark score is 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. It also relies on System Shared memory, which has bandwidth that is "System Dependent," limiting its ability to handle high-resolution textures and data.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 9600X causing a bottleneck in this game?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not the primary bottleneck. The frame rates scale significantly with resolution, which is a hallmark of GPU limitation. The CPU's strong single-threaded performance, with a Geekbench single-core score of 2923 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2183.5, is likely sufficient for the demands of To The Core.

Q: Should I use the High or Medium preset at 1080p?

A: The data shows High preset averages 97 FPS, while Medium averages 112 FPS. The 15 FPS difference is a trade-off for potentially better visuals. Given that both are well above 60 FPS, the High preset is generally recommended for a better experience.

Q: How does the Arc B370's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The GPU's average benchmark score is 1184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, has an average score of 1186, a difference of -0.2%. The ATI Radeon HD 5770 is 0.5% faster, and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M is 0.7% faster, while the AMD FirePro M2000 is 1.4% slower. This shows the Arc B370 is statistically tied with these legacy parts.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2750 out of 2991 tested combos in To The Core. This places it in the bottom 8% of all configurations, a poor standing that is almost entirely attributable to the GPU. The rank of 2750 indicates that the vast majority of other CPU-GPU pairings tested by the database deliver better performance in this specific game.

This low ranking is a direct consequence of the Arc B370's position in the GPU hierarchy. As an integrated graphics solution with a 5th percentile standing, it is outperformed by nearly all discrete graphics cards. The CPU, on the other hand, is a high-end part that scores in the 81st percentile of all CPUs. The pairing of a top-tier CPU with a bottom-tier GPU creates a massive imbalance, and the database ranking reflects the overall system performance, which is dragged down by the GPU.

The ranking suggests that users with this combo have a significant upgrade path. Replacing the integrated graphics with even a modest discrete GPU would likely catapult the system's ranking in To The Core. The data shows that the CPU has substantial headroom, as evidenced by its average benchmark score of 29713, which is far above what is needed to feed the Arc B370. The combo's rank is a clear indication that the system's performance is not representative of the CPU's potential.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X plays a supporting, yet crucial, role in this configuration. With 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture, it provides ample processing power for the game's logic and physics. Its high boost clock of 5.40 GHz, combined with a base clock of 3.90 GHz, ensures strong single-threaded performance, which is often critical for game engine frame pacing. The CPU's benchmark results are strong, with a Geekbench single-core score of 2923 and a multi-core score of 14438.

In To The Core, the CPU's role is to ensure that it can feed the GPU with enough draw calls and data to avoid becoming a bottleneck. The data suggests it succeeds in this task. The frame rates scale consistently with resolution and settings, indicating that the GPU is the limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see frame rates plateau at lower resolutions and settings, which is not the case. For example, the jump from 1440p to 1080p on Low settings still yields a 43 FPS improvement, showing the GPU can still be pushed harder.

The CPU's memory support for DDR5 and its 32 MB of shared L3 cache help maintain high memory bandwidth, which is essential for feeding the integrated GPU's System Shared memory. While the GPU's memory bandwidth is "System Dependent," the CPU's dual-channel memory bus provides the foundation for that shared pool. The 89.6 GB/s system bandwidth is a theoretical maximum, and the actual performance will depend on how the Intel Arc B370 accesses it.

The Ryzen 5 9600X's performance in standard benchmarks underscores its capability. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 17528.5, and its single-core score is 2183.5. These scores, along with a PassMark multithread score of 30027, place it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs. This means it is more than capable of handling the computational load of To The Core, ensuring that the system's performance is limited solely by the graphics solution. The data shows a clear division of labor: the CPU provides a high-performance foundation, but the GPU caps the ultimate frame rate output.