Undisputed

The Intel Core i5-11400F paired with the Intel Arc B390 presents a fascinating study in bottleneck dynamics within the sports title Undisputed. The data reveals a configuration where the CPU's substantial processing power is consistently held back by a GPU that ranks in the 9th percentile among all tested graphics cards. This imbalance creates a predictable pattern across resolutions and settings, where frame rates are dictated almost entirely by graphical fidelity rather than computational load. The measured results show a system that can achieve high frame rates at lower settings but struggles to maintain playability at the highest presets, making it a prime example of GPU-limited performance in a modern game.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-11400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Rocket Lake architecture, built on Intel's 14 nm process. Its base clock of 2.60 GHz can boost up to 4.40 GHz, providing a solid foundation for gaming workloads. In synthetic benchmarks, this CPU demonstrates strong multi-threaded capability, scoring 5,652 in 3dmark_max_threads and 14,340 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its single-thread performance is also respectable, with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 868 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1,777, which is often critical for game logic and physics calculations.

In the context of Undisputed, the CPU's role appears to be largely secondary to the GPU. The data shows that even at 1080p Low settings, where the CPU would typically be most stressed to keep up with a powerful GPU, the system achieves 127 FPS. This high frame rate at the lowest graphical load suggests that the i5-11400F has ample headroom to feed frames to the Arc B390. The processor's 12 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support provide sufficient bandwidth for the game's data streams. The CPU’s performance percentile of 71 places it well above the average, and its nearest rivals, such as the AMD EPYC 7H12 and Intel Core i5-12450H, show that it is a capable mid-range performer that should not be the primary constraint in most gaming scenarios.

The fact that frame rates scale so dramatically with resolution and settings changes—dropping from 127 FPS at 1080p Low to 22 FPS at 4K Ultra—points to the GPU being the definitive limiting factor. The CPU is likely capable of delivering far more frames than the GPU can render, especially at higher resolutions where pixel throughput becomes the bottleneck. This is a classic sign of a CPU that is "too strong" for its GPU pairing, leaving performance on the table in graphically intensive scenarios. Therefore, while the i5-11400F provides the necessary compute power for a smooth experience, its potential is not fully realized due to the constraints imposed by the graphics card.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

*Q: What is the best-case scenario for this CPU-GPU combo in Undisputed?*

A: Based on the measured data, the best-case scenario for achieving a high frame rate is at 1920x1080 with Low settings, where the combo averages 127 FPS. This is the only tested configuration that breaks the 120 FPS threshold, indicating that the system is capable of very smooth gameplay when graphical demands are minimized.

Q: How does the Intel Core i5-11400F compare to its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: The i5-11400F has an average benchmark score of 17,177. This places it 0.3% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7H12 (17,120), 0.6% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 164U (17,074), and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i5-12450H (17,239). These deltas are minimal, indicating near-identical synthetic processing power among these four CPUs.

*Q: Can this system run Undisputed at 4K resolution?*

A: Yes, but with significant compromises. At 3840x2160, the system achieves 58 FPS on Low settings and 35 FPS on High settings. However, it drops to 22 FPS on Ultra, which is not a playable experience. The data suggests that 4K gaming is only feasible on the lowest preset.

Q: What is the performance gap between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the average frame rate drops from 92 FPS on Low settings to 35 FPS on Ultra settings. This represents a 57 FPS reduction, or approximately a 62% decrease in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest graphical preset.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390's performance compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1,482. This makes it 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1,463), 1.5% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1,460), and 2.7% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1,443). These are extremely close scores, placing the B390 in the same performance tier as these older entry-level GPUs.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The resolution scaling data for this combo provides a clear picture of where the performance bottleneck lies. Moving from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 on High settings, the average frame rate drops from 76 FPS to 55 FPS, a reduction of 21 FPS or roughly 28%. Scaling further to 3840x2160, the frame rate falls to 35 FPS, a 47 FPS drop from the 1080p result, which is a 62% decrease. This pattern of diminishing frame rates as resolution increases is a hallmark of GPU-limited performance.

The trend is even more pronounced at higher settings. At Ultra, the system goes from 49 FPS at 1080p to 35 FPS at 1440p and finally to 22 FPS at 4K. The consistent and significant frame rate drops with each resolution increase indicate that the Intel Arc B390 is struggling to fill the increasing number of pixels. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see more consistent frame rates across resolutions, as the CPU workload remains relatively constant. Instead, the data shows that the GPU's rendering throughput is the primary constraint.

At Low settings, the scaling is slightly less dramatic but still evident. The system achieves 127 FPS at 1080p, 92 FPS at 1440p, and 58 FPS at 4K. Even with the lowest graphical load, the GPU cannot maintain high frame rates at 4K, further confirming that it is the weak link in this pairing. This suggests that for players seeking higher resolutions, they would need to consider a more powerful GPU to unlock the full potential of the Intel Core i5-11400F. The CPU is clearly capable of supporting higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 1080p results, but the GPU's limitations cap the overall system performance at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The benchmark data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers its best results, with an average of 127 FPS on Low settings. The Medium preset yields an average of 91 FPS, with minimum and maximum values of 78 and 105 FPS, respectively. High settings produce 76 FPS on average, while the Ultra preset brings the frame rate down to 49 FPS. This shows a clear performance hierarchy at 1080p, with the system capable of providing a highly responsive experience at lower settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates drop across the board. Low settings average 92 FPS, which is still quite playable. The Medium preset averages 66 FPS, with a recorded range of 56 to 76 FPS. High settings see the average fall to 55 FPS, and Ultra drops further to 35 FPS. The 1440p results indicate that the system can handle medium-to-high settings for a decent experience, but the Ultra preset becomes challenging for the GPU.

At 3840x2160, the performance takes a significant hit, reinforcing the GPU bottleneck. Low settings are the only playable option, averaging 58 FPS. Medium settings drop to an average of 42 FPS, with a range of 36 to 48 FPS. High settings average only 35 FPS, and the Ultra preset is nearly unplayable at 22 FPS. The 4K data clearly shows that this combination is not suited for high-fidelity gaming at this resolution, as even the Low preset struggles to maintain a solid 60 FPS. The measured FPS values across all resolutions and settings paint a consistent story of a GPU that is outmatched by the demands of higher resolutions and graphical presets.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It features 1,536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 raster operation pipelines. The GPU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2500 MHz, which is a significant range that allows for dynamic performance scaling. Crucially, its memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's DDR4 memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This shared memory architecture can lead to performance bottlenecks, especially at higher resolutions where memory bandwidth demands increase.

The GPU's benchmark performance is quite low, with a 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 1,482. This places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, indicating that it is a very low-performing part. Its nearest rivals, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GT 710, are from a much older era, underscoring its position at the bottom of the performance spectrum. The data suggests that the Arc B390 is not designed for demanding gaming workloads, and its performance in Undisputed reflects this.

In practice, the GPU's limitations are evident in the measured frame rates. The system's inability to maintain high frame rates at 1080p Ultra (49 FPS) and 4K Low (58 FPS) points to the GPU's raw compute and memory bandwidth constraints. The shared system memory for VRAM likely contributes to the performance drops at higher resolutions, as the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory access. The boost clock of 2500 MHz provides some performance headroom, but it is insufficient to overcome the fundamental architectural limitations of this integrated solution. The GPU's role is clearly the determining factor in this combo's gaming performance, acting as a significant bottleneck to the capable CPU.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the optimal settings for this combo depend heavily on the user's target resolution and desired frame rate. For a 1080p display, the Medium preset appears to be the sweet spot, offering an average of 91 FPS with a minimum of 78 FPS. This provides a smooth and responsive experience while maintaining a reasonable level of visual fidelity. The High preset also offers a playable 76 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a larger safety margin above the 60 FPS threshold. The Ultra preset, at 49 FPS, should be avoided for competitive play but might be acceptable for casual play if visual quality is prioritized over frame rate.

At 1440p, the Low preset is the only setting that guarantees a consistently high frame rate, averaging 92 FPS. The Medium preset averages 66 FPS, which is still above 60, but the minimum of 56 FPS indicates potential dips below that threshold. The High preset at 55 FPS is borderline playable, but the Ultra preset at 35 FPS is not recommended for a smooth experience. For 1440p, the Low or Medium presets are the most viable options, with Medium offering a better balance of visual quality and performance.

At 4K, the situation is more challenging. The Low preset is the only one that provides a playable frame rate, averaging 58 FPS. The Medium preset at 42 FPS and High at 35 FPS are too low for a satisfactory gaming experience. The Ultra preset at 22 FPS is effectively unplayable. Therefore, for 4K gaming, users must accept the Low preset to achieve a near-60 FPS experience. The data indicates that the best overall experience, balancing visual quality and performance, is achieved with the Medium preset at 1080p, or the Low preset at 1440p. The system is not well-suited for high-fidelity gaming at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i5-11400F and Intel Arc B390 combination ranks 3,304th out of 3,718 tested combos in Undisputed. This places it in the bottom 11% of all tested systems, indicating that it is a low-performing configuration for this specific game. The ranking is a direct consequence of the GPU's weak performance, which severely limits the system's ability to achieve high frame rates at most settings and resolutions.

This low rank is expected given the GPU's 9th percentile performance ranking among all GPUs. The CPU, by contrast, is a solid mid-range performer with a 71st percentile ranking. The disparity between the CPU's and GPU's performance levels creates a significant bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving results that would place it higher in the rankings. The combo's performance is consistent with its hardware, as the measured frame rates align with what would be expected from a CPU of this caliber paired with a very low-end integrated GPU.

Compared to other combos, this configuration is clearly at the lower end of the spectrum. The 3,304th rank out of 3,718 means that the vast majority of tested systems outperform it in Undisputed. The data suggests that this is not a configuration intended for high-performance gaming, but rather for basic playability at lower settings. The ranking serves as a quantitative confirmation of the qualitative analysis from the performance data: the GPU is the primary limiting factor, and the combo as a whole is not competitive with more balanced or high-end systems in this title.