To The Core

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a stark contrast in component performance tiers. The CPU is a strong mid-range desktop part, while the GPU is an integrated solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture. Benchmark data for To The Core shows a combination that is capable of playable frame rates, but the results are heavily dictated by the graphics processor's limitations. The following analysis breaks down the measured performance data for this specific pairing.

FAQ

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

A: The combo ranks 2643 out of 2991 tested combinations in the database. This places it in the lower percentile of all tested systems for this specific game.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1482. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446), placing it roughly 1.3% to 2.5% above these older mobile and entry-level parts.

Q: What is the best frame rate achieved at 1080p for this combo?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 147 FPS, which is achieved at the 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. The Ultra preset at the same resolution yields an average of 86 FPS.

Q: How does the frame rate scale from 1080p to 4K at High settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with High settings, the average frame rate is 107 FPS. This drops to 72 FPS at 2560x1440 and further down to 41 FPS at 3840x2160 with the same High settings preset.

Q: What are the specifications of the Intel Core i5-13400F?

A: The CPU features 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. It has 20 MB of shared L3 cache and a 65 W TDP. Its average benchmark score is 25292, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What kind of memory and bus interface does the Intel Arc B390 use?

A: The Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a bus interface of "IGP." Its memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared," meaning it utilizes the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM.

How This Combo Ranks

The database positions this specific configuration at rank 2643 out of 2991 tested combos for To The Core. This places the system in the bottom 12th percentile of all tested configurations, indicating that while it can run the game, its overall performance level is far from the top. This low ranking is a direct consequence of the significant disparity between the two components. The CPU is a high-performing desktop processor, but the GPU is an integrated unit with performance characteristics that align more closely with entry-level dedicated graphics cards from over a decade ago.

The CPU's percentile ranking of 77th among all CPUs suggests it is a robust processor capable of handling demanding workloads. In contrast, the GPU's percentile ranking of 9th among all GPUs highlights its position as a very low-tier graphics solution. The combination's ranking in the game is a reflection of the GPU being the primary bottleneck. The data suggests that the powerful CPU is largely held back, as the integrated graphics cannot translate the CPU's processing capability into high frame rates in a graphics-intensive scenario. The result is a system that falls into the lower quartile of performance for this game, despite having a capable central processor.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a predictable but steep decline in performance as resolution increases, which is a clear indicator of GPU-bound performance. At 1920x1080, the system can push high frame rates, with the Low preset hitting an average of 147 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440, the same Low preset drops to 99 FPS, a reduction of 48 FPS. The trend continues to 3840x2160, where the Low preset yields an average of 56 FPS. This scaling pattern demonstrates that the rendering resolution has a massive impact on the Arc B390.

This behavior is characteristic of a system where the graphics processor is the limiting factor. As the resolution increases, the number of pixels the GPU must process grows exponentially, and the Arc B390's limited compute resources (1536 shading units) and system-shared memory bandwidth become increasingly strained. The CPU, with its 16 threads and high boost clock, is unlikely to be the bottleneck at any of these resolutions. The frame rate drops are almost entirely attributable to the GPU's inability to keep up with the increased pixel workload. The data shows that for a smooth experience, users must be willing to lower the resolution, as the performance cost of moving from 1080p to 4K is severe, cutting frame rates by more than half in all tested settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of performance across a matrix of resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system performs best. The Low preset delivers an average of 147 FPS. The Medium preset averages 124 FPS, with a minimum of 105 and a maximum of 143 FPS. High settings produce an average of 107 FPS. The Ultra preset yields an average of 86 FPS. All settings at this resolution are playable, with even the most demanding preset maintaining a frame rate well above 60 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance drops noticeably. The Low preset averages 99 FPS, which is still smooth. The Medium preset averages 83 FPS, with a minimum of 71 and a maximum of 96 FPS. High settings produce an average of 72 FPS. The Ultra preset is the first to dip below the 60 FPS threshold, averaging 58 FPS. This resolution is generally playable, but the headroom for high refresh rates is gone.

At 3840x2160, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. The Low preset averages 56 FPS, which is borderline. The Medium preset drops to an average of 48 FPS, with a minimum of 41 and a maximum of 55 FPS. High settings yield an average of 41 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of only 33 FPS. At 4K, the system is only playable at Low settings, and even then, it is close to the edge of what would be considered a smooth experience.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the decisive component in this pairing. Its specifications reveal why it performs as it does. The GPU is an integrated part based on the "Panther Lake" chip and Xe3-LPG architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process. Its clock speeds are listed as a 300 MHz base and a 2500 MHz boost. The most critical factor is its memory configuration: the memory size, type, and bus width are all "System Shared." This means the GPU relies on the system's main RAM, and its bandwidth is "System Dependent."

This lack of dedicated video memory is a severe limitation for a game like To The Core. The GPU's compute resources are also modest, with 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. The measured FPS data reflects these constraints. The synthetic benchmark score of 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad places it at the 9th percentile of all GPUs, directly alongside the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 and GT 625 OEM. The frame rate data confirms this low standing. The GPU's performance is the primary reason the combo ranks so poorly in the game. It is a component suited for basic display output, not for high-end gaming, and the data shows a consistent inability to maintain high frame rates at higher resolutions and settings.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo depends heavily on the target resolution and desired smoothness. At 1920x1080, the High preset is the recommended choice. It provides an average of 107 FPS, leaving a comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold and still offering a significant visual upgrade over the Low and Medium presets. While the Ultra preset is playable at 86 FPS, the performance cost may not be worth the visual gain for a game in this genre.

For users at 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the most balanced option. It yields a solid average of 83 FPS with a minimum of 71 FPS, ensuring a consistent and smooth experience. The High preset is also viable at 72 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a more stable frame rate with less risk of drops below 60 FPS. The Ultra preset is not recommended due to its average of 58 FPS, which is too close to the performance floor for comfort.

At 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only setting that provides a near-playable experience, with an average of 56 FPS. However, users should be aware that this is on the edge. For a more stable experience at 4K, one would need to consider lowering the resolution, as the Medium, High, and Ultra presets all fall below 48 FPS average, which is not ideal for smooth gameplay. The data suggests that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, where it can handle high settings with ease.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a powerful desktop processor that is vastly more capable than the GPU it is paired with. Its specifications are robust for gaming: 10 cores, 16 threads, a 4.60 GHz boost clock, and 20 MB of L3 cache. The CPU's benchmark results confirm its strength, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 22604 and a PassMark multithread score of 25032. Its average benchmark score of 25292 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, both of which are high-performance mobile processors.

In the context of To The Core, the CPU's role is to prepare frames and handle game logic, but its potential is untapped. The measured FPS data shows that performance scales almost entirely with resolution, which is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU is likely delivering frames faster than the Arc B390 can render them. This is evident at 1080p, where the frame rate is high (107+ FPS on High), but it does not increase to the level the CPU could theoretically support. The CPU is essentially idle-waiting for the GPU to catch up. The data indicates that this processor has far more headroom than the graphics solution can use, meaning the i5-13400F is not the limiting factor in this configuration; it is a high-end component held back by a low-end graphics processor.