To The Core

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X paired with the Intel Arc B390 in To The Core delivers a performance profile that is almost entirely dictated by the graphics processor. The data shows a system that is capable of high frame rates at lower resolutions but begins to struggle as pixel count increases, firmly placing this combination in the lower percentile of tested hardware. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS across settings and resolutions, contextualizes the component roles, and offers actionable settings guidance based strictly on the benchmark results.

FAQ

*Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combo in To The Core?*

A: The combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2643 out of 2991 tested combos in the game, placing it in the lower portion of the performance spectrum.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen 9 5900X has an average benchmark score of 41376. It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H (41263), 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H (41215), and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (41208), while being 0.5% behind the Intel Core i7-14650HX (41576).

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile relative to all other graphics cards?

A: The Intel Arc B390 sits in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, indicating that it performs better than only a small fraction of the database's tested graphics processors.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo at 1920x1080?

A: The highest average FPS at 1920x1080 is 147, achieved with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the GPU's memory bandwidth a factor in performance?

A: The GPU uses System Shared memory, and its bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent." This means that performance is tied to the overall system memory configuration rather than a dedicated VRAM pool.

Q: What is the CPU's boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, built on a 7 nm process. With a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, it is a high-end desktop part. Its synthetic benchmark scores reinforce its position as a strong performer; for example, it scores 16262 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 1527 in single-core, with a Passmark multithread score of 39002. The CPU also holds an 87th percentile ranking against all CPUs, suggesting it is far more capable than the average processor.

In the context of To The Core, the CPU's role appears to be one of providing ample headroom. The benchmark results for this combo show that at lower resolutions, the frame rates are high, but the GPU becomes the limiting factor as resolution increases. The CPU's 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support (with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s) provide a solid foundation, yet the measured FPS numbers never suggest that the 5900X is the bottleneck. The data indicates that the CPU is likely not the constraint in this pairing, as the GPU's performance percentile is drastically lower, pointing to a significant imbalance where the processor's capabilities far exceed what the graphics solution can utilize in this specific game.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process. It features 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, with a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz. Its memory configuration is entirely System Shared, meaning it relies on the host system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. The GPU's compute capabilities are modest, with an FP32 throughput of 7.680 TFLOPS and a pixel rate of 60.00 GPixel/s.

The benchmark data shows that the Arc B390 is a very weak performer in absolute terms. Its only recorded 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (score 1463, deltaPct 1.3), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (score 1460, deltaPct 1.5), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (score 1446, deltaPct 2.5), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (score 1443, deltaPct 2.7). This places it in the company of very old, low-end discrete graphics solutions, despite being a newer integrated part. The GPU's performance is the dominant factor in this combo's measured FPS, as it struggles to maintain high frame rates even at 1080p when settings are increased.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo's capabilities across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves its best results. On Low settings, the average FPS is 147. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 124, with a minimum of 105 and a maximum of 143. High settings yield an average of 107 FPS. Ultra settings bring the average down to 86 FPS. This shows a playable experience at 1080p across all presets, but the scaling from Low to Ultra results in a 41.5% reduction in average frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the performance takes a significant hit. Low settings produce an average of 99 FPS, which is a 32.7% drop from the 1080p Low result. Medium settings average 83 FPS (min 71, max 96), High settings average 72 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to an average of 58 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra at this resolution is also 41.4%, showing a similar scaling pattern to 1080p, but at lower absolute numbers.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is clearly overburdened. Low settings yield an average of 56 FPS, which is the only preset at 4K that approaches a playable level. Medium settings drop to an average of 48 FPS (min 41, max 55), High settings average 41 FPS, and Ultra settings plummet to an average of 33 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is a 41.1% reduction, again consistent with the other resolutions but bringing the lowest absolute values observed in the data. The frame time data available for Medium settings shows a consistent pattern, with the variance between min and max FPS being 14 FPS at 1080p, 25 FPS at 1440p, and 14 FPS at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2643 out of 2991 tested combinations in To The Core. This rank places it in the bottom 12% of all tested pairings, which is consistent with the GPU's low 9th percentile standing. The data suggests that this rank is almost entirely due to the graphics processor's limitations, as the CPU is a high-end component that ranks in the 87th percentile against all CPUs.

The disparity between the CPU's and GPU's performance percentiles is stark. While the Ryzen 9 5900X is a top-tier processor, the Arc B390 is a low-tier integrated GPU. This imbalance means that the combo's rank is not a reflection of a balanced system, but rather of a pairing where one component is severely limiting the other. In a game like To The Core, the data shows that the GPU's 3D rendering ability is the bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving higher frame rates that the CPU could easily support. The combo's rank is a direct consequence of this GPU-bound scenario.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the resolution and the desired frame rate target. For a smooth 60 FPS experience at 1920x1080, the Ultra preset (86 FPS average) is viable, while High (107 FPS) and Medium (124 FPS) provide more headroom. The Low preset at 147 FPS is excessive for most displays, but it is available for maximum performance.

At 2560x1440, the choice becomes more constrained. To maintain a 60 FPS average, the High preset (72 FPS) is the highest setting that achieves this, while Medium (83 FPS) is also a solid option. The Ultra preset at 58 FPS falls just short of a 60 FPS average, making it a borderline choice for those who prioritize visual fidelity over a strict frame rate target. The Low preset at 99 FPS is the best option for high refresh rate monitors.

At 3840x2160, the data suggests that only the Low preset (56 FPS) approaches a playable frame rate. The Medium preset (48 FPS) will feel noticeably less smooth, and the High (41 FPS) and Ultra (33 FPS) presets are likely to provide a suboptimal experience. For 4K gaming, users would need to accept the Low preset to get the best performance out of this combo. The data indicates that the Medium preset at 4K provides a minimum FPS of 41, which might be acceptable for some, but the average of 48 FPS suggests it is a compromise.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K clearly illustrates the GPU's limited capabilities. At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 147 at 1920x1080 to 99 at 2560x1440 and then to 56 at 3840x2160. This represents a 32.7% decrease from 1080p to 1440p and a further 43.4% decrease from 1440p to 4K. From 1080p to 4K, the average FPS falls by 61.9%.

At Medium settings, the scaling is similar: 124 FPS at 1080p drops to 83 FPS at 1440p (a 33.1% decrease) and then to 48 FPS at 4K (a 42.2% decrease from 1440p). The High preset shows 107 FPS at 1080p, 72 FPS at 1440p (a 32.7% decrease), and 41 FPS at 4K (a 43.1% decrease from 1440p). Finally, at Ultra settings, the values are 86 FPS at 1080p, 58 FPS at 1440p (a 32.6% decrease), and 33 FPS at 4K (a 43.1% decrease).

The consistency of these percentage drops across all settings presets is a strong indicator of a GPU-bound system. The frame rate is scaling almost exactly with the number of pixels, which is the classic signature of a graphics card that is operating at its limit. The CPU's role in this scaling is negligible; if the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would drop more steeply at lower resolutions and flatten out at higher ones. The data shows a linear relationship between resolution and FPS, confirming that the Intel Arc B390 is the definitive limiting component in this configuration.