Undisputed

This combo pairing the Intel Core i5-12400 with the Intel Arc B390 lands at rank 2491 out of 2813 tested combinations in Undisputed. That places it in the bottom 12% of all pairings, a position driven almost entirely by the graphics solution. The i5-12400 is a solid mid-range performer, but the Arc B390's benchmark scores and measured frame rates show it is the definitive bottleneck in this configuration. For a sports title like Undisputed, the data indicates this pairing will require significant settings compromises to achieve playable frame rates, especially at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 2491 out of 2813 combinations is a clear signal that this is not a balanced pairing for gaming. The data shows a massive disparity between the two components' capabilities. The Intel Core i5-12400 sits in the 72nd percentile against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 18683. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7643 (scoring 18697, a delta of -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-1355U (18730, -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (18811, -0.7%), and the Intel Core i3-14100F (18519, +0.9%). This places the i5-12400 in respectable company, showing it is a capable processor that can handle demanding workloads.

In stark contrast, the Intel Arc B390 is in the 9th percentile against all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of just 1482 from its single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test. Its nearest rivals are all legacy or entry-level parts: the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463, +1.3%), the NVIDIA GeForce 800M (1460, +1.5%), the NVIDIA GeForce GT 625 OEM (1446, +2.5%), and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1443, +2.7%). The Arc B390 is only marginally faster than these older, low-end GPUs, and in some cases, its score is within a rounding error of them. This explains the poor overall combo rank; the CPU is doing the heavy lifting, but the GPU is holding back the entire system.

The measured FPS data confirms this imbalance. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 127 FPS, which is excellent. However, this is the only setting where the system truly shines. As resolution and settings increase, the frame rate collapses, showing the GPU's limited pixel throughput and shading power. The combo rank reflects this reality: it is a pairing that can work for esports or very light gaming but struggles with modern titles at higher quality presets.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 a good match for the Intel Arc B390?

A: No, the data suggests it is a heavily unbalanced pairing. The i5-12400 ranks in the 72nd percentile for CPUs with an average score of 18683, while the Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile for GPUs with a score of 1482. The CPU is far more capable than the GPU, meaning the graphics card will limit performance in nearly all gaming scenarios.

Q: What is the best resolution for this combo?

A: Based on the measured FPS, 1920x1080 is the only resolution where this combo achieves consistently high frame rates. At 1080p Low, it hits 127 FPS, and at 1080p Medium, it maintains 91 FPS. At 1440p, even Low settings drop to 92 FPS, and at 4K, only the Low preset (58 FPS) is remotely playable.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming?

A: Not at high quality settings. The measured data shows 4K High at 35 FPS, 4K Medium at 42 FPS, and 4K Ultra at a very choppy 22 FPS. Only 4K Low (58 FPS) approaches playability, but it still falls short of a smooth 60 FPS target.

Q: How does the Arc B390 compare to its nearest GPU rivals?

A: The Arc B390 scores 1482 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. It is 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), 1.5% faster than the GeForce 800M (1460), 2.5% faster than the GT 625 OEM (1446), and 2.7% faster than the GT 710 (1443). These are all very old, low-end parts, indicating the Arc B390 is not a modern gaming GPU.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1080p Low, the combo averages 127 FPS. At 1080p High, it drops to 76 FPS. At 1080p Medium, it is 91 FPS. At 1080p Ultra, the average falls to 49 FPS. This represents a 61% performance drop from Low to Ultra.

Q: What are the CPU's core and clock specifications?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz, and it boosts up to 4.40 GHz. It features 18 MB of shared L3 cache, with 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core. The TDP is rated at 65 W.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is a classic sign of a GPU-limited system. Starting at 1920x1080, the combo achieves playable frame rates across all settings. At Low, it hits 127 FPS, which is excellent for a fast-paced sports title. At Medium, it drops to 91 FPS, and at High, it is 76 FPS. Even Ultra manages 49 FPS, which is borderline but workable for a less twitchy game.

Moving to 2560x1440 reveals the GPU's weakness. The 1080p to 1440p transition causes a significant frame rate hit. At 1440p Low, the average drops to 92 FPS, a 27.5% reduction from 1080p Low. At 1440p Medium, it falls to 66 FPS, a 27.5% drop from 1080p Medium. At 1440p High, it is 55 FPS, a 27.6% reduction, and at 1440p Ultra, it drops to 35 FPS, a 28.6% decline from 1080p Ultra. The consistent ~28% drop across all settings indicates that the GPU is hitting its fill-rate limits, as the same relative performance penalty applies regardless of the graphical complexity.

The jump to 3840x2160 is even more punishing. At 4K Low, the average FPS is 58, which is a 36.9% drop from 1440p Low. At 4K Medium, it is 42 FPS, a 36.4% drop from 1440p Medium. At 4K High, it is 35 FPS, a 36.4% drop from 1440p High. At 4K Ultra, it drops to 22 FPS, a 37.1% decline from 1440p Ultra. The scaling from 1440p to 4K is remarkably linear, with a consistent ~37% performance penalty. This linear degradation across all settings and resolutions strongly suggests the Arc B390's rendering pipeline is saturated. The CPU, which is in the 72nd percentile, is not the limiting factor here; the GPU's 1536 shading units and 24 ROPs simply cannot handle the increased pixel count.

The data indicates that this combo is only viable at 1080p. At 1440p, the frame rates become marginal for a smooth experience, and at 4K, only the Low preset is even close to playable. The limiting component is unambiguously the Intel Arc B390.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the combo's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. The numbers are as follows:

1920x1080:

• Low: 127 FPS average
• Medium: 91 FPS average, with a minimum of 78 FPS and a maximum of 105 FPS
• High: 76 FPS average
• Ultra: 49 FPS average

2560x1440:

• Low: 92 FPS average
• Medium: 66 FPS average, with a minimum of 56 FPS and a maximum of 76 FPS
• High: 55 FPS average
• Ultra: 35 FPS average

3840x2160:

• Low: 58 FPS average
• Medium: 42 FPS average, with a minimum of 36 FPS and a maximum of 48 FPS
• High: 35 FPS average
• Ultra: 22 FPS average

The 1080p results show that the combo can handle the game well at lower settings. The 127 FPS at Low is excellent, and even Medium at 91 FPS is very smooth. The minimum FPS of 78 at 1080p Medium indicates that frame times are relatively consistent, with no severe stutters. High at 76 FPS is still playable, but Ultra at 49 FPS is starting to feel less responsive.

At 1440p, the system struggles. The Low preset at 92 FPS is still good, but Medium drops to 66 FPS, and the minimum recorded is 56 FPS. This suggests occasional dips below the average, which could be noticeable. High at 55 FPS is the edge of playability, and Ultra at 35 FPS is not recommended for a competitive or smooth experience.

The 4K results are disappointing. Only Low at 58 FPS approaches a playable level. Medium at 42 FPS, High at 35 FPS, and Ultra at 22 FPS are all too low for a sports game where timing and reaction are important. The minimum FPS of 36 at 4K Medium confirms that the system will experience frame drops below the already low average.

The scaling between presets is worth noting. At each resolution, the jump from Low to Medium costs roughly 28-30% of the frame rate. The jump from Medium to High costs another 16-20%. The jump from High to Ultra is the most expensive, costing around 35-37% of the frame rate. This indicates that the Ultra preset is particularly demanding on the GPU's resources.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset. The 91 FPS average, with a minimum of 78 FPS and a maximum of 105 FPS, provides a smooth and consistent frame rate that is well-suited for a sports title. The frame time variance is low, as evidenced by the narrow min-max spread, which is crucial for responsive gameplay.

For players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, the 1080p Low preset at 127 FPS is the best choice. This ensures maximum responsiveness and is ideal for those with high-refresh-rate monitors. However, the visual quality will be noticeably lower. The 1080p High preset at 76 FPS is a compromise, offering better visuals than Medium but still maintaining a playable frame rate. The Ultra preset at 49 FPS is not recommended, as the frame rate dips too low for consistent performance in a game where timing is key.

At 1440p, the only viable option is the Low preset at 92 FPS. This yields a smooth experience, but the visual downgrade from Medium or High is significant. The 1440p Medium preset at 66 FPS is borderline; it may be acceptable for single-player modes, but the minimum FPS of 56 could cause noticeable hitches. The 1440p High (55 FPS) and Ultra (35 FPS) presets are not recommended.

The 4K resolution is not practical for this combo. Even the Low preset at 58 FPS is below the 60 FPS target, and the lower presets (Medium at 42 FPS, High at 35 FPS, Ultra at 22 FPS) are all too slow for a satisfying experience. The data suggests that 4K should be avoided entirely with this pairing.

The best experience, balancing visual quality and performance, is clearly the 1080p Medium preset. It offers a stable frame rate well above 60 FPS, with enough graphical detail to be enjoyable. If a higher frame rate is desired, dropping to Low at 1080p is the only other sensible choice. The performance gap between Medium and High is steep enough to recommend sticking with Medium, as the visual gains from High do not justify a 16% performance loss.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process node. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, plus 18 MB of shared L3 cache. These specifications put it in the upper mid-range tier for gaming CPUs.

In the context of Undisputed, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with enough data to maintain high frame rates. Given that the i5-12400 scores 15989 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2257 in single-core, it is more than capable of handling the game's physics, AI, and game logic. The single-thread performance, which is crucial for many game engines, is solid, as indicated by the 910 score in 3DMark single-thread and 3456 in Passmark single-thread.

However, the benchmark results indicate that the CPU is not the limiting factor in this combo. The GPU's performance is so low that the CPU is often idle, waiting for the graphics card to complete its rendering tasks. This is evident in the resolution scaling: the frame rate drops consistently as resolution increases, which is a GPU-bound behavior. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively flat across resolutions.

The CPU's multi-threaded capabilities are also more than sufficient for a sports game. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 5873 and the Passmark multi-thread score of 18747 show strong performance across all cores. The 12 threads allow the game to utilize multiple cores for background tasks without impacting the main game thread. The 18 MB of L3 cache is also beneficial for keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores.

Given the GPU's limitations, the i5-12400's performance headroom is wasted in this configuration. The CPU is capable of supporting a much more powerful graphics card, and in a different pairing, it would likely deliver significantly higher frame rates. In this specific combo, the CPU is effectively waiting on the GPU, which is why the overall ranking is so low. The data shows that the i5-12400 is a strong foundation, but the Arc B390 is not a suitable partner for achieving high-performance gaming in Undisputed.