To The Core

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 and Intel Arc B390 combination presents a fascinating case study in bottleneck dynamics within the idle game "To The Core." While the CPU is a capable 8-core desktop part, the GPU is an integrated graphics solution that anchors the overall performance. The measured frame rates reveal a system that is overwhelmingly constrained by its graphics processor, with the CPU's multi-threaded headroom largely untapped. This analysis breaks down the measured data to understand where the limits lie and what settings offer the best playable experience.

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

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700 is a Zen 3 (Cezanne) architecture processor built on a 7 nm process, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads. Its base clock is 3.70 GHz, which can boost up to 4.60 GHz. This hardware profile is a significant step up from what is typically required for an idle game. The CPU's benchmark scores reinforce its position as a strong desktop processor. For instance, its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 20655, and its Geekbench multicore score is 9959. In the broader context of all CPUs, it sits at the 78th percentile, indicating solid performance relative to the wider market.

Looking at its nearest rivals, the data shows a very tight cluster. The Ryzen 7 5700 has an average benchmark score of 25517, which is just 0.1% lower than the Intel Xeon D-2752TER's score of 25530 and 0.1% lower than the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H's score of 25550. Conversely, it is 0.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U's 25485 score and 0.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U's 25446 score. This suggests that in raw synthetic workloads, these processors are nearly interchangeable, but the Ryzen 7 5700's desktop-class core count and high boost clock are theoretically more than sufficient for any game logic.

However, the measured FPS in "To The Core" suggests this CPU power is largely dormant. The game's frame rate does not scale with the CPU's capabilities; instead, it appears limited by the graphics pipeline. An idle game typically has minimal physics or AI simulation demands that would stress the CPU. The high single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3dmark_single_thread score of 901 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3296, is more than adequate for the game's update loop. Therefore, the CPU is not the limiting factor. The data implies the processor is effectively waiting on the GPU, ensuring that the graphics card is the sole determinant of frame rate in every scenario tested.

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

The measured data provides a clear hierarchy of performance across the four settings presets. To determine the "best" experience, one must balance visual fidelity with the playability threshold of 60 FPS. The results indicate that the choice of preset is heavily dependent on resolution, but the Medium preset offers the most consistent blend of performance and quality.

At 1920x1080, all presets are playable. The Low preset delivers an average of 147 FPS, but the Medium preset still achieves a very high 124 FPS, with a minimum of 105 FPS, ensuring no noticeable stutter. The High preset drops to 107 FPS, and Ultra falls to 86 FPS. While all are smooth, the Medium preset offers a significant visual upgrade over Low while maintaining a substantial frame rate cushion. At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the only one that comfortably maintains 60 FPS, averaging 83 FPS with a minimum of 71 FPS. The High preset averages 72 FPS but has no reported minimum, making it a riskier choice. Low is fluid at 99 FPS, but Medium provides better image quality without sacrificing the 60 FPS target.

The situation changes dramatically at 3840x2160. No preset can maintain a 60 FPS average. The Low preset comes closest with an average of 56 FPS, but it falls short of the target. The Medium preset averages 48 FPS, and High averages 41 FPS. Ultra is the least viable, averaging just 33 FPS. Consequently, the data suggests that for a consistent and smooth experience, the Medium preset is the recommended choice for 1080p and 1440p. At 4K, users must accept a lower frame rate; the Low preset provides the highest average FPS, suggesting it is the best option for those prioritizing fluidity over fidelity at that resolution.

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

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and uniform across all settings, which is a classic indicator of a GPU-bound system. At Low settings, the average FPS falls from 147 at 1920x1080 to 99 at 2560x1440, a reduction to roughly 67% of the original. At 3840x2160, it drops further to 56 FPS, which is only about 38% of the 1080p performance. This pattern is consistent for Medium (124 to 83 to 48 FPS), High (107 to 72 to 41 FPS), and Ultra (86 to 58 to 33 FPS).

This scaling is directly attributable to the Intel Arc B390's memory configuration. The GPU uses "System Shared" memory, meaning its bandwidth is "System Dependent." As resolution increases, the demand for fill rate and memory bandwidth grows exponentially. The data shows the GPU cannot sustain the workload at higher resolutions. The fps drop from 1080p to 1440p is significant, but the drop from 1440p to 4K is even more severe in absolute terms. For example, on Medium settings, the frame rate falls by 41 FPS going from 1080p to 1440p, and then by another 35 FPS going to 4K. This halving of performance at each major resolution step is a clear sign that the integrated GPU's execution units and its shared memory bus are saturated. The CPU's role is effectively eliminated as a variable; the data shows a pure graphics throughput limitation.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for "To The Core," this specific pairing of the AMD Ryzen 7 5700 and Intel Arc B390 holds a ranking of 2643 out of 2991 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 12th percentile of all systems tested, which is a low standing for a CPU that is in the 78th percentile overall. This discrepancy is a powerful illustration of the GPU bottleneck at play.

The combo's rank is not a reflection of the CPU's inadequacy, but rather the severe limitation imposed by the integrated graphics. The CPU is likely capable of much higher frame rates if paired with a more powerful discrete GPU. The ranking indicates that most other combinations, even those with less capable processors, will outperform this setup in this game simply because they have a discrete graphics card. The combo rank serves as a warning that this configuration is not suited for high-refresh-rate gaming, even in an undemanding title. The data suggests that the system's 1% low performance, implied by the rank, is dictated by the GPU's 9th percentile standing among all GPUs, not the CPU's 78th percentile standing. This pairing creates a massive imbalance where the CPU's potential is left on the table.

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

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. Its specifications are modest, with 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. It has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Critically, its memory is "System Shared," meaning it has no dedicated VRAM. This forces the GPU to rely on system memory, which is a significant factor in its performance.

The GPU's benchmark results place it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its only recorded benchmark score is a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 1482. This puts it in direct competition with very old, low-end discrete GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (score 1463), which it leads by 1.3%, and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (score 1460), which it leads by 1.5%. It also leads the GeForce GT 625 OEM (score 1446) by 2.5% and the GeForce GT 710 (score 1443) by 2.7%. While it technically outperforms these ancient parts, they all belong to a performance tier that is fundamentally incapable of modern gaming at high resolutions.

The data from "To The Core" corroborates this. The GPU's compute power, while able to produce playable frame rates at 1080p, is overwhelmed by the pixel throughput required at 4K. The "System Shared" memory bandwidth is the primary suspect. As the resolution increases, the amount of data that needs to be read from and written to system memory balloons. The GPU's 60.00 GPixel/s pixel rate and 120.0 GTexel/s texture rate are fixed hardware limits, but the memory subsystem becomes the bottleneck. The result is a clear demonstration of an IGP struggling under a high-resolution workload, confirming that the GPU is the definitive limiting component in this configuration.

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

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the system's capabilities across all tested scenarios. The following is a detailed breakdown of the average frame rates, with minimums and maximums where available.

At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably for an IGP:

• Low: 147 FPS average.
• Medium: 124 FPS average, with a minimum of 105 FPS and a maximum of 143 FPS.
• High: 107 FPS average.
• Ultra: 86 FPS average.

At 2560x1440, performance begins to decline, but remains mostly playable:

• Low: 99 FPS average.
• Medium: 83 FPS average, with a minimum of 71 FPS and a maximum of 96 FPS.
• High: 72 FPS average.
• Ultra: 58 FPS average.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain smooth frame rates:

• Low: 56 FPS average.
• Medium: 48 FPS average, with a minimum of 41 FPS and a maximum of 55 FPS.
• High: 41 FPS average.
• Ultra: 33 FPS average.

The data shows a clear pattern. At 1080p, the user has the freedom to choose any preset for a smooth experience. At 1440p, the Medium preset is the safest choice to stay above 60 FPS, while High is borderline. At 4K, no preset achieves a 60 FPS average, and the Low preset offers the best performance.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 5700 a good match for the Intel Arc B390 in this game?

A: No, the data indicates a severe bottleneck. The CPU is in the 78th percentile of all processors, while the GPU is in the 9th percentile. The combo ranks 2643 out of 2991, showing that the GPU's limitations dominate the system's performance in "To The Core."

Q: Why does the frame rate drop so much from 1080p to 4K?

A: The Intel Arc B390 uses "System Shared" memory with "System Dependent" bandwidth. As resolution increases, the demand on this shared memory bus grows, causing a steep drop in performance. The average FPS on Medium settings falls from 124 at 1080p to 48 at 4K.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p monitor?

A: Based on the measured data, the Medium preset is recommended. It is the only preset at 2560x1440 that maintains an average FPS above 60, with an 83 FPS average and a 71 FPS minimum.

Q: Can this system run the game at 4K?

A: It can run, but not smoothly. The highest average FPS at 3840x2160 is 56 FPS on the Low preset, which is below the 60 FPS target. Higher presets yield even lower frame rates, such as 33 FPS on Ultra.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 1482, which is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463) and 1.5% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460). It also leads the GeForce GT 625 OEM by 2.5% and the GeForce GT 710 by 2.7%.

Q: Is the CPU or the GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The benchmark results clearly indicate the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU's single-thread score of 3296 is more than adequate for an idle game. The FPS remains low despite the CPU's high standing, and the performance scaling with resolution is a classic sign of a graphics bottleneck.