Undisputed

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D paired with the Intel Arc B580 produces a fascinating set of results in Undisputed, a sports title that is clearly more demanding on the graphics card than the processor. The data reveals a system that is exceptionally capable at high refresh rates in lower resolutions but begins to buckle under the pixel load of 4K, particularly at the highest settings. This combination occupies a specific niche where the CPU’s immense power is largely held in reserve, waiting for a more graphics-intensive workload.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data across the three resolutions tells a clear story about where the bottleneck lies in this configuration. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo averages 221 FPS, which is a remarkable figure. As the resolution climbs to 2560x1440, that number drops to 160 FPS, and at 3840x2160 it falls further to 101 FPS. This scaling pattern—a 28% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and another 37% decrease from 1440p to 4K—indicates that the rendering load on the GPU is the primary factor limiting performance.

The pattern becomes even more pronounced when examining the High and Ultra presets. At High settings, the system delivers 132 FPS at 1080p, 95 FPS at 1440p, and 60 FPS at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 4K at High settings is a 55% reduction, which is substantial. However, the Ultra preset shows the most dramatic scaling penalty, moving from 85 FPS at 1080p to 61 FPS at 1440p, and finally collapsing to just 39 FPS at 4K. This 54% loss from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings strongly suggests that the Arc B580’s 12 GB VRAM and 192-bit memory bus are being saturated, and the GPU’s compute units are unable to keep up with the increased pixel shader workload.

The fact that the 1080p Low result (221 FPS) is more than double the 4K Ultra result (39 FPS) implies that the CPU is never the limiting factor in this game. Even at the lowest resolution and settings, where CPU overhead would typically become more apparent, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is able to feed the GPU without becoming a bottleneck. The data suggests that players seeking higher frame rates should prioritize reducing resolution over lowering other settings, as the scaling from 4K to 1440p yields a more significant FPS boost than dropping from Ultra to High at the same resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the benchmark database, this specific combination of the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and Intel Arc B580 achieves a combo rank of 2117 out of 2813 tested combinations for Undisputed. This places it in the 75th percentile of all tested systems, meaning roughly a quarter of the combos tested perform better. This ranking is somewhat surprising given the individual components’ strengths, but it reflects the game’s heavy reliance on GPU performance rather than raw CPU power.

The rank suggests that while the CPU is a top-tier performer, the GPU is holding the combo back in this specific title. The Arc B580’s average benchmark score of 23021 places it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs, which is respectable but not exceptional. In contrast, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, a clear mismatch in relative capability. This discrepancy is the core reason the combo does not rank higher; the system is effectively GPU-bound in Undisputed, and the GPU’s mid-pack standing limits the overall result.

When considering the GPU’s nearest rivals, the data shows a tight cluster. The Arc B580’s average score is within 1% of the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. Specifically, it is 0.2% ahead of the RX 580 2048SP, 0.6% ahead of the RTX 2080, and 0.7% behind the RTX 3080. This suggests that in a GPU-bound scenario like Undisputed, the Arc B580 should perform similarly to these cards, all of which are older or lower-tier offerings. The combo rank of 2117 reflects this reality—the system is fast, but it is not in the top tier of configurations for this game because the GPU simply does not have the raw throughput to match the CPU’s potential.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a 12-core, 24-thread processor based on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge. It features a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with a substantial 128 MB of L3 cache. Its benchmark scores are impressive, including a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 47737 and a single-core score of 6739, alongside a Geekbench multi-core score of 22884 and a single-core score of 3041. These numbers place it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, which is just 0.6% behind in average score.

Despite this immense processing power, the measured FPS data in Undisputed indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution or settings combination. The game is a sports simulation that appears to be primarily GPU-bound, as evidenced by the consistent FPS drops when resolution increases. The CPU’s role here is to maintain a stable frame delivery, which it does effortlessly. The 3DMark scores for the CPU, such as 13795 for max threads and 9002 for 8 threads, show strong multi-threaded performance, but the game likely does not utilize all 24 threads effectively. The single-thread score of 1269 in 3DMark and 4646 in Passmark’s single-thread test are more relevant for gaming, and they are more than sufficient for this title.

The L3 cache of 128 MB is a notable feature that typically benefits gaming performance, but in this case, it does not translate to higher FPS because the GPU is the bottleneck. The data implies that a less powerful CPU could achieve nearly identical frame rates in Undisputed when paired with the Arc B580. The CPU’s 120 W TDP and 4 nm process node make it an efficient powerhouse, but its capabilities are simply underutilized in this specific game. The benchmark results indicate that the processor is waiting for the GPU to catch up, particularly at higher resolutions where pixel throughput becomes the primary constraint.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the combo’s performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast, starting with a Low preset average of 221 FPS. Moving to Medium, the average drops to 159 FPS with a minimum of 135 FPS and a maximum of 183 FPS. The High preset averages 132 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 85 FPS. These numbers show that even at the most demanding settings, the system is more than capable of driving a high-refresh-rate monitor at 1080p.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows the expected decline. The Low preset averages 160 FPS, which is still very high. The Medium preset averages 115 FPS with a minimum of 98 FPS and a maximum of 132 FPS. The High preset averages 95 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 61 FPS. The transition from 1080p to 1440p results in a 20-28% performance drop across all settings, indicating a smooth scaling curve that is typical of a GPU-bound scenario.

The 3840x2160 resolution is where the system begins to struggle. The Low preset still manages a respectable 101 FPS, but the Medium preset drops to 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 84 FPS. The High preset averages exactly 60 FPS, which is the minimum for smooth gameplay on many displays. The Ultra preset, however, falls to just 39 FPS, which is below the threshold for a playable experience on most monitors. This breakdown shows that 4K gaming is only viable at Low or Medium settings, and even then, the frame rates are not consistently high. The 4K Ultra result of 39 FPS represents a 54% drop from the 1080p Ultra result of 85 FPS, highlighting the GPU’s limitations at this resolution.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B580 is the limiting component in this configuration for Undisputed. It is based on the Xe2-HPG architecture, codenamed Battlemage, and features 2560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 80 raster output units. It has 20 ray tracing cores and operates at a base and boost clock of 2670 MHz. The GPU is equipped with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. Its FP32 performance is rated at 13.67 TFLOPS, and it has a pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s.

The GPU’s average benchmark score of 23021 places it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs, with a Passmark G3D score of 15748 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3068. Its nearest rivals are tightly clustered, including the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP (0.2% behind), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (0.6% behind), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (0.7% ahead). This indicates that the Arc B580 performs at a level comparable to these older or mid-range cards, which is consistent with its measured FPS in Undisputed.

The data shows that the GPU is the primary determinant of performance in this game. The 12 GB VRAM is likely sufficient for most settings, but the 192-bit memory bus and 456.0 GB/s bandwidth may become a constraint at 4K Ultra settings, where the 39 FPS result suggests the GPU is heavily overloaded. The GPU’s 190 W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for this performance class, and its PCIe 4.0 x8 interface is adequate for the bandwidth requirements of this title. The benchmark results indicate that the Arc B580 is a capable mid-range GPU, but it is not powerful enough to fully utilize the Ryzen 9 9900X3D’s potential in Undisputed.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the target resolution and refresh rate. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice, as it delivers an average of 85 FPS, which is smooth for most gaming scenarios. The High preset at 132 FPS would be preferred for competitive play on a 144Hz monitor, but the Ultra preset offers a better visual experience at a still-playable frame rate. The Medium preset at 159 FPS is also viable, but the visual quality gains from Ultra are worth the FPS trade-off.

For 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended choice, delivering an average of 95 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and performance, and it is well above the 60 FPS threshold. The Medium preset at 115 FPS is an option for those who prioritize frame rate, but the High preset’s visual improvements are significant. The Ultra preset at 61 FPS is playable but leaves little headroom for demanding scenes, so it is not recommended unless the user has a variable refresh rate monitor.

For 3840x2160, the options are more limited. The Low preset at 101 FPS is the only way to achieve a high frame rate, but it sacrifices visual quality. The Medium preset at 73 FPS is the best balance for 4K, providing a playable experience with decent visuals. The High preset at 60 FPS is acceptable for slower-paced gameplay, but the Ultra preset at 39 FPS is not recommended due to stuttering and a sub-60 FPS average. The data suggests that 4K gaming with this combo is best experienced at Medium settings, as the High and Ultra presets do not provide a consistently smooth frame rate.

FAQ

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Undisputed?*

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 offers the highest frame rates across all settings, with the Ultra preset averaging 85 FPS. 2560x1440 is also viable, with the High preset averaging 95 FPS. 3840x2160 is only playable at Low or Medium settings, with averages of 101 FPS and 73 FPS, respectively.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this game?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck. The measured FPS drops significantly as resolution increases, from 221 FPS at 1080p Low to 101 FPS at 4K Low, while the CPU’s benchmark scores (91st percentile) are far higher than the GPU’s (68th percentile). This indicates the GPU is limiting performance.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B580 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B580’s average benchmark score is 23021. It is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, 0.6% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, and 0.7% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. These are very close margins, suggesting similar performance in GPU-bound games.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 2117 out of 2813 tested combinations for Undisputed, placing it in the 75th percentile. This is primarily due to the GPU’s mid-range performance, which limits the system in this GPU-intensive title.

*Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Undisputed?*

A: Yes, but only at lower settings. The 4K Low preset averages 101 FPS, and the Medium preset averages 73 FPS. The High preset averages exactly 60 FPS, while the Ultra preset falls to 39 FPS, which is not recommended for smooth gameplay.

Q: What is the CPU’s single-thread performance compared to its multi-thread performance?

A: The CPU has a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6739 and a multi-core score of 47737. Its 3DMark single-thread score is 1269, while its max-thread score is 13795. This shows strong performance in both areas, but the game does not appear to be CPU-limited.