To The Core

The pairing of an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an Intel Arc B390 in To The Core presents an unusual profile: a top-tier desktop processor from the 9000 series working alongside an integrated-class graphics solution from Intel’s Panther Lake generation. The measured frames per second (FPS) data across three resolutions and four quality settings reveal a system where the GPU is the dominant constraint, while the CPU’s substantial multi-threading and single-thread capabilities remain largely underutilized in this idle-genre title. Benchmark results indicate that the combo ranks 2643rd out of 2991 tested combinations, placing it in the lower portion of the database, and the performance deltas between quality presets at each resolution confirm that graphical load, not processor throughput, dictates the playable experience.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS drop from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160 is steep and consistent across all four settings, which points directly to the Intel Arc B390 as the limiting component. At High settings, the average FPS falls from 107 at 1920x1080 to 72 at 2560x1440, then further to 41 at 3840x2160. That represents a 33% reduction when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a 43% reduction when moving from 1440p to 4K. The cumulative drop from 1080p to 4K is 62%, meaning the frame rate at 4K is less than two-fifths of what it is at 1080p. Such scaling behavior is typical for a GPU whose render output units (24 ROPs) and pixel rate (60.00 GPixel/s) are modest, and whose FP32 compute is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS.

Looking at Low settings, the pattern repeats but with higher absolute numbers. At 1920x1080, the average is 147 FPS; at 2560x1440, it drops to 99 FPS; and at 3840x2160, it falls to 56 FPS. The percentage drops are 33% from 1080p to 1440p and 43% from 1440p to 4K, which is nearly identical to the High preset. This similarity suggests that the scaling penalty is resolution-driven rather than settings-driven—the GPU’s fillrate and shading capacity are exhausted at higher pixel counts regardless of the quality level. Medium settings show a slightly different curve: 124 FPS at 1080p, 83 FPS at 1440p, and 48 FPS at 4K, with drops of 33% and 42% respectively. Ultra settings are the most demanding, yielding 86 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p, and 33 FPS at 4K, with drops of 33% and 43%.

The consistency of these percentage drops across all four presets—approximately one-third loss per step up in resolution—indicates that the Arc B390’s memory bandwidth (listed as "System Dependent" and system shared) and its 1536 shading units are the bottleneck. The CPU’s 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and dual-channel DDR5 support are irrelevant here because the GPU relies on the same system memory, but the measured FPS scaling does not show any sign of CPU-side stalls. If the processor were the constraint, we would expect smaller FPS differences at 4K versus 1080p, but the data shows the opposite: the gap widens as resolution rises, which is a classic GPU-bound signature.

For an idle game like To The Core, where the graphical workload is likely simple geometry and minimal effects, the Arc B390 still struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K. Even at Low settings, 4K only reaches 56 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS threshold that many users consider smooth. At 1440p, Low settings achieve 99 FPS, which is playable, but High and Ultra drop to 72 and 58 FPS respectively. The data suggests that 1080p is the only resolution where this combo can deliver consistently high frame rates across all settings, and even then, Ultra dips to 86 FPS while Low reaches 147 FPS.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a desktop processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, based on the Zen 5 architecture (codename Granite Ridge) on a 4 nm process from TSMC. Its base clock is 4.70 GHz, and it boosts to 5.20 GHz, with a TDP of 120 W. The processor has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, plus 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 80 KB of L1 cache per core. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 23230 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2080 in single-core, along with 18696 in Geekbench multi-core and 2964 in single-core. Its 3DMark scores are 10081 for 16 threads and 1212 for single-thread, and its PassMark multi-thread score is 40009 with a single-thread score of 4430.

For To The Core, an idle genre game, the CPU’s role is to handle game logic, simulation updates, and any background tasks. The measured FPS data shows that the processor is not the limiting factor at any resolution or setting. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 147 FPS, which is far below the CPU’s potential frame generation capability. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 2394 and 4-thread score of 4669 indicate strong low-thread performance, but the game does not appear to stress even those threads heavily. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would see FPS plateau at a certain level regardless of resolution, but instead FPS scales inversely with pixel count, confirming that the GPU is the constraint.

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s percentile versus all CPUs is 87, meaning it outperforms 87% of processors in the database. Its average benchmark score is 39768, which places it near rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (avg score 39603, deltaPct 0.4), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (avg score 40048, deltaPct -0.7), the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 (avg score 39485, deltaPct 0.7), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (avg score 40081, deltaPct -0.8). These deltas are all within 1%, indicating that the 9800X3D sits in a tight performance band with those processors in aggregate benchmarks. However, in To The Core, the CPU’s headroom is wasted because the Arc B390 cannot produce frames fast enough to utilize it.

The CPU’s 8 cores and 16 threads are ample for an idle game, which typically runs on a single thread or a few threads. The high boost clock of 5.20 GHz and single-thread score of 2080 in Cinebench R23 suggest that even a single core could handle the game’s logic without breaking a sweat. The L3 cache of 96 MB is unusually large, which helps with data locality but has no measurable impact on FPS in this title because the GPU is the bottleneck. Benchmark results indicate that the CPU’s contribution to the measured FPS is essentially neutral—it neither limits nor enhances the frame rate beyond what the GPU can deliver.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for To The Core, this specific pairing of AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2643rd out of 2991 combos. That places it in the bottom 12% of all tested systems, which is consistent with the GPU’s low percentile versus all GPUs (9th percentile) and its average benchmark score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. The Arc B390’s nearest rivals in that benchmark are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (avg score 1463, deltaPct 1.3), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (avg score 1460, deltaPct 1.5), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (avg score 1446, deltaPct 2.5), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (avg score 1443, deltaPct 2.7). These are all low-end or legacy GPUs, and the Arc B390 only slightly outperforms them by 1.3% to 2.7%.

Given that the GPU ranks in the 9th percentile, the combo’s rank of 2643 out of 2991 is expected. The CPU, ranking in the 87th percentile, does not boost the combo because the game’s performance is entirely GPU-bound. For comparison, if the same CPU were paired with a stronger GPU, the combo rank would likely be much higher, but with the Arc B390, the measured FPS at 4K Ultra (33 FPS) and even 1440p Ultra (58 FPS) are below what many users would consider acceptable. The rank reflects the average FPS across all tested settings and resolutions, and since the GPU struggles at higher resolutions, the overall position is low.

The deltaPct values for the GPU’s nearest rivals are small, meaning the Arc B390 is only marginally better than those older cards. This explains why the combo does not climb the rankings despite having a powerful CPU. In To The Core, the game’s graphical demands are low, but the Arc B390’s 24 ROPs and 48 TMUs, combined with a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s, are simply not enough to push high frame rates at 1440p or 4K. The combo rank of 2643 out of 2991 means that 348 other combos performed worse, but the vast majority of tested systems did better, likely because they had more capable GPUs.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Medium settings for this combo?

A: The measured average FPS is 124, with a minimum of 105 and a maximum of 143.

Q: How does the CPU’s benchmark score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with a score of 40081 (deltaPct -0.8), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 with 40048 (deltaPct -0.7), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS with 39603 (deltaPct 0.4), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 with 39485 (deltaPct 0.7). All rivals are within 1% of the 9800X3D’s score.

*Q: What is the combo’s rank in To The Core?*

A: The combo ranks 2643rd out of 2991 tested combinations, placing it in the lower 12% of all systems.

Q: At 4K resolution, which settings preset yields the highest average FPS?

A: Low settings yield the highest average FPS at 4K, with 56 FPS. Medium yields 48 FPS, High yields 41 FPS, and Ultra yields 33 FPS.

Q: What is the GPU’s boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Arc B390 has a boost clock of 2500 MHz and a base clock of 300 MHz.

Q: How many shading units does the GPU have, and what is its FP32 performance?

A: The Intel Arc B390 has 1536 shading units and its FP32 performance is rated at 7.680 TFLOPS.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics solution from the Arc Graphics-M (Panther Lake) generation, built on Intel’s 3 nm process. It has 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, 24 render output units, and 12 ray tracing cores. Its base clock is 300 MHz, and it boosts to 2500 MHz. The memory is system shared, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM; instead, it uses the system’s DDR5 memory, with bandwidth listed as "System Dependent." The GPU’s FP32 performance is 7.680 TFLOPS, and its pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s with a texture rate of 120.0 GTexel/s. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

In To The Core, the GPU’s role is to render the game’s visuals, and the measured FPS data shows that it is the limiting component at every resolution above 1080p. At 1080p, the GPU can deliver 147 FPS on Low and 107 FPS on High, which are acceptable numbers. However, at 1440p, the average FPS drops to 99 on Low and 72 on High, and at 4K, it drops further to 56 on Low and 41 on High. The GPU’s 24 ROPs are a likely bottleneck for pixel fill at higher resolutions, and its system shared memory means that bandwidth is shared with the CPU, which can cause contention.

The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all older, low-end NVIDIA cards, and the deltaPct values show that the Arc B390 is only 1.3% faster than the GT 520MX and 2.7% faster than the GT 710. This indicates that the Arc B390 is not a gaming-class GPU, and its performance in To The Core reflects that. The game’s idle genre likely has simple graphics, but the GPU still cannot maintain high frame rates at 4K, even on Low settings.

The GPU’s TDP is 80 W, which is low, and it has no power connectors, relying on system power. Its bus interface is IGP, meaning it is integrated into the processor package. This design limits its memory bandwidth to what the system provides, which is "System Dependent." For users with fast DDR5 memory, the GPU might perform slightly better, but the measured FPS data does not indicate any scenario where the GPU exceeds 147 FPS, even at 1080p Low.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the best experience depends on the target resolution and acceptable frame rate. At 1920x1080, all settings are playable, but Medium offers a balanced experience with an average FPS of 124, a minimum of 105, and a maximum of 143. High yields 107 FPS, while Low yields 147 FPS, and Ultra drops to 86 FPS. For users who prioritize smoothness, Low at 1080p gives the highest average FPS, but Medium provides a better visual quality with only a 16% reduction in average FPS compared to Low. Ultra at 1080p is still above 60 FPS but may not be worth the visual gain given the 19% drop from High to Ultra.

At 2560x1440, the situation tightens. Low settings achieve 99 FPS, which is smooth, but Medium drops to 83 FPS, and High falls to 72 FPS, while Ultra is only 58 FPS. For a consistently fluid experience, Low settings are recommended, as they keep the average above 90 FPS. Medium is acceptable for users who can tolerate occasional dips below 60 FPS, as the minimum FPS is 71. High and Ultra at 1440p are not recommended because their averages fall below 75 FPS, and Ultra’s average of 58 FPS is near the edge of playability.

At 3840x2160, none of the settings achieve 60 FPS on average. Low settings yield 56 FPS, which is the only preset close to 60, while Medium yields 48 FPS, High yields 41 FPS, and Ultra yields 33 FPS. For 4K users, Low settings are the only viable option, but even then, the average is below 60, so users should expect occasional frame drops. Medium at 4K has a minimum FPS of 41, which indicates that the GPU can stutter under load. Therefore, the recommended settings hierarchy is: for 1080p, use Medium for a balance; for 1440p, use Low for smoothness or Medium if visual quality is prioritized; for 4K, use Low, but be aware that the frame rate will not be consistently smooth.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS values are: Low 147, Medium 124, High 107, and Ultra 86. The Medium preset also records a minimum of 105 and a maximum of 143, showing a 38 FPS range. At 2560x1440, the averages are: Low 99, Medium 83, High 72, and Ultra 58. Medium at 1440p has a minimum of 71 and a maximum of 96, a 25 FPS range. At 3840x2160, the averages are: Low 56, Medium 48, High 41, and Ultra 33. Medium at 4K has a minimum of 41 and a maximum of 55, a 14 FPS range.

The data shows that the FPS spread between settings narrows as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 61 FPS (147 minus 86). At 1440p, that difference shrinks to 41 FPS (99 minus 58). At 4K, it shrinks further to 23 FPS (56 minus 33). This compression indicates that the GPU is becoming the limiting factor at higher resolutions, and the settings have less impact because the pixel fill rate is saturated. The minimum FPS values for Medium settings also decrease with resolution: 105 at 1080p, 71 at 1440p, and 41 at 4K. That is a 64 FPS drop in minimum FPS from 1080p to 4K, which is more severe than the average FPS drop of 76 FPS (124 to 48), suggesting that frame pacing becomes less stable at higher resolutions.

The maximum FPS for Medium settings follows a similar trend: 143 at 1080p, 96 at 1440p, and 55 at 4K. The difference between maximum and minimum FPS is 38 at 1080p, 25 at 1440p, and 14 at 4K, which means the frame time variance decreases as resolution increases, but the absolute frame rates are too low to be enjoyable at 4K. For users targeting 60 FPS, the only settings that achieve it on average are 1080p Low (147), 1080p Medium (124), 1080p High (107), 1080p Ultra (86), 1440p Low (99), 1440p Medium (83), and 1440p High (72). At 4K, no preset reaches 60 FPS on average, with Low at 56 being the closest.