To The Core

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D paired with the Intel Arc B370 occupies a specific and challenging position in the benchmark hierarchy for To The Core. The combo ranks 2750 out of 2991 tested combinations, placing it in the 8th percentile of all tested systems. This rank indicates that while the configuration is functional, it sits well below the median performance tier for this game, largely due to the GPU's limitations. The data shows a system where the processing power is exceptionally high, but the graphics output is a significant bottleneck, resulting in a pairing that performs far below what the CPU alone would suggest.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame of 2750 out of 2991 is a decisive data point. It places this specific CPU-GPU pairing in the bottom 8% of all tested configurations for To The Core. This is not a middle-of-the-pack result; it is a clear indicator that the combination is heavily constrained. The CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, is a top-tier processor, but the Intel Arc B370 is a low-power integrated graphics solution. The massive disparity in their respective performance tiers is the defining characteristic of this combo.

To contextualize the CPU's potential, its avgBenchmarkScore is 75779, which places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in terms of overall CPU score are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755, which is 0.1% faster, and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D, also 0.1% faster. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is 0.4% slower. This shows the 9950X3D is performing at the absolute peak of CPU capability. In stark contrast, the GPU's avgBenchmarkScore is a mere 1184, placing it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, which is 0.2% faster, and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which is 0.5% faster. This places the Arc B370 in the company of decade-old, low-end graphics hardware.

The result is a system where the CPU is a supercar engine, and the GPU is a set of economy tires. The benchmark results for the game reflect the limiting factor, which is almost entirely the GPU. In an idle game like To The Core, where the workload might not be heavily multi-threaded, the CPU's 16 cores and 32 threads are largely underutilized, leaving the game's performance at the mercy of the Intel Arc B370's output. The rank of 2750 is a direct consequence of this GPU bottleneck, and it highlights that the selection of this particular GPU negates the considerable investment in the CPU.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the primary determinant of this combo's performance in To The Core. Its specifications reveal its integrated, low-power nature. It is built on the Xe3-LPG architecture and is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a TDP of just 25 W. The GPU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz. The memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it uses a portion of the system's main DDR5 memory rather than dedicated VRAM. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means its performance is tied to the speed and configuration of the system RAM. This is a fundamental architectural choice that severely limits its ability to handle graphical data.

The GPU's raw compute capabilities are correspondingly modest. It has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance is 6.144 TFLOPS. When looking at the benchmark data, the Arc B370's score in 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 is 1184. This score, as noted, places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs and in direct competition with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and ATI Radeon HD 5770. This is a stark illustration of its limited performance envelope.

In the context of To The Core, the GPU's role is to render the game's visuals. The measured FPS data shows that this rendering is the limiting factor at all resolutions. The system-shared memory and low TDP mean the GPU cannot sustain high frame rates, especially at higher settings. The data shows that even at 1080p with Low settings, the average FPS is 132, which is a decent number, but it drops significantly as resolution and settings increase. The GPU is the clear bottleneck, and its limited capabilities directly cap the performance of the entire combo. The CPU is never the limiting factor; the GPU is always working at its maximum capacity, which is insufficient for high-end gaming performance in this title.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K. This pattern provides insight into which component is the limiting factor. When a system is GPU-bound, the FPS drops proportionally with the increase in pixel count. The data here shows exactly that.

At Low settings, the average FPS drops from 132 at 1920x1080 to 89 at 2560x1440, and then to 51 at 3840x2160. This represents a 33% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 43% drop from 1440p to 4K. At High settings, the averages are 97, 65, and 37 FPS for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively. This is a 33% drop and then a 43% drop again. The relative consistency of these percentage drops across different settings is a strong indicator that the GPU is the primary constraint.

If the CPU were the bottleneck, the FPS would remain relatively flat as resolution increases, because the CPU's workload (draw calls, game logic) does not change with resolution. The data shows the opposite. The FPS drops significantly at every step, which is the classic behavior of a GPU-bound scenario. The Intel Arc B370, with its system-shared memory and low compute power, is simply overwhelmed by the increasing pixel count at 1440p and 4K. The performance decline is almost entirely attributable to the GPU's inability to fill the larger frame buffers. At 4K, the GPU is rendering four times the pixels as at 1080p, and the frame rate drops accordingly, confirming that the CPU's capabilities are not being tested in this game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the combo's performance across all tested settings and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the combo performs the best, which is expected. The average FPS ranges from a high of 132 at Low settings to a low of 78 at Ultra settings. Medium settings yield an average of 112 FPS, with a minimum of 95 and a maximum of 129. High settings produce an average of 97 FPS. This shows that at 1080p, the system can achieve playable frame rates, even on Ultra. The jump from Low to Medium is a 15% drop in FPS, while the jump from High to Ultra is a 20% drop, indicating that the Ultra preset is particularly demanding.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance drops noticeably. At Low settings, the average is 89 FPS. Medium settings average 75 FPS, with a minimum of 64 and a maximum of 87. High settings average 65 FPS, and Ultra settings drop to an average of 53 FPS. The data shows that at 1440p, the GPU is starting to struggle. The 25% drop in average FPS from 1080p to 1440p at High settings (97 to 65 FPS) is significant. The minimum FPS of 64 at Medium settings also suggests that there can be moments of noticeable stuttering.

At 3840x2160, the performance is the most constrained. The average FPS at Low settings is 51. Medium settings drop to 43 FPS, with a minimum of 37 and a maximum of 50. High settings average 37 FPS, and Ultra settings fall to an average of just 30 FPS. At 4K, the Arc B370 is clearly over its head. None of the settings achieve a solid 60 FPS, and even the Low preset, which yields 51 FPS, is not consistently smooth. The Ultra preset at 30 FPS is at the edge of playability but will feel sluggish. The data indicates that 4K gaming with this combo is not a viable option for a smooth experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and the user's preference for frame rate over visual fidelity.

For a 1920x1080 display, the High preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 97 FPS, which is well above the smooth 60 FPS threshold. While the Ultra preset is technically playable at 78 FPS average, the 20% performance cost over High yields diminishing visual returns for an idle game. The Medium preset at 112 FPS is also viable, but High provides a better balance of visual quality and performance.

For a 2560x1440 display, the Medium preset is the sweet spot. It provides an average of 75 FPS, which is a solid, playable frame rate. The High preset at 65 FPS is also acceptable, but the Medium preset offers a more comfortable margin above 60 FPS. The Low preset at 89 FPS leaves performance on the table, while the Ultra preset at 53 FPS is below the 60 FPS target and may result in a less fluid experience.

For a 3840x2160 display, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only one that comes close to playable, with an average of 51 FPS. However, this is still below 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 43 FPS and High at 37 FPS are not recommended for a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 30 FPS is not recommended. For 4K, the data suggests that users should lower expectations and accept that the game will not run at a high frame rate with this GPU. The best experience at 4K would be the Low preset, but even that is a compromise.

FAQ

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

A: This combo ranks 2750 out of 2991 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems for this game.

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

A: The Intel Arc B370 has an average benchmark score of 1184. Its nearest rival, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, is 0.2% faster, and the ATI Radeon HD 5770 is 0.5% faster. This places the Arc B370 in the 5th percentile of all GPUs.

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

A: The GPU is the clear limiting factor. The FPS drops significantly as resolution increases from 1080p to 4K, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound system. The CPU's performance is far above the GPU's, so it is not the bottleneck.

Q: What is the best settings preset to use at 1920x1080 resolution?

A: The High preset is recommended for 1080p. It delivers an average of 97 FPS, providing a smooth experience. The Ultra preset is also playable at 78 FPS, but the performance cost is significant.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in To The Core?*

A: The data shows that 4K gaming is not viable for a smooth experience. The best average FPS at 3840x2160 is 51 FPS on the Low preset. All other presets at 4K yield average frame rates below 45 FPS.

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking compared to all other CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has an average benchmark score of 75779, which places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. It is 0.1% slower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 and 0.4% faster than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a powerhouse processor, but its role in this combo's performance in To The Core is largely passive due to the GPU bottleneck. The CPU is a 16-core, 32-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge). It has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. It features a large 128 MB L3 cache, which is a significant asset for many workloads. Its multi-core performance is exceptional, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42018 and its Geekbench multi-core score of 26736. Its single-core performance is also strong, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2259.

The CPU's avgBenchmarkScore of 75779 places it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rivals being the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D, both of which are a marginal 0.1% faster. This data confirms that the 9950X3D is at the very top of the CPU performance hierarchy. In terms of synthetic benchmarks, it scores 17184 in 3dmark_max_threads and 70255 in passmark_multithread, demonstrating its immense parallel processing power.

However, in To The Core, this CPU power is not fully utilized. The game is an idle game, which typically does not have demanding CPU requirements that would stress a 16-core processor. The measured FPS data shows that the performance ceiling is set by the GPU. For instance, at 1080p Low, the system achieves 132 FPS. If the CPU were the limiting factor, this number would not drop so dramatically when the resolution is increased to 1440p (89 FPS) and 4K (51 FPS). The fact that it does drop confirms the CPU is not the bottleneck. The CPU is essentially waiting for the GPU to finish rendering each frame. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D has more than enough headroom to handle the game's logic and draw calls, but the Intel Arc B370 cannot deliver frames fast enough to fully utilize the CPU's capabilities. The CPU's role is to provide a stable, high-performance platform, but its influence on the final frame rate is negligible compared to the GPU's constraints.