Doom

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti delivers a robust experience in Doom, with benchmark results showing that the combination is capable of high refresh rate gameplay at standard resolutions. The data reveals a system that scales predictably across settings, though the most demanding configuration at 4K pushes the hardware to its limit. Across all tested resolutions, the average frame rates consistently exceed the 60 FPS playability threshold except for one specific preset at 3840x2160, indicating a strong overall match for this fast-paced FPS title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured performance data for Doom shows a clear hierarchy across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional frame rates. With Low settings, the average FPS reaches 238.9, which is the highest figure recorded in the entire dataset. Moving up to Medium settings produces an average of 208.6 FPS, while High settings achieve 175.5 FPS. The most demanding preset at this resolution, Ultra, still maintains a very high average of 142.9 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at 1080p represents a drop of 96 FPS, yet even the lowest figure remains far above the 60 FPS playability threshold.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong but shows a more pronounced impact from the increased pixel count. The Low preset yields an average of 151.5 FPS, which drops to 133 FPS on Medium and 111.7 FPS on High. The Ultra preset at this resolution records an average of 95 FPS, which is still comfortably above the playability threshold. The gap between Low and Ultra at 1440p is 56.5 FPS, a smaller absolute delta than at 1080p but proportionally similar. This resolution appears to be the sweet spot for the hardware, offering high frame rates while allowing the Ultra preset to remain fully playable.

The 3840x2160 results reveal the system's limitations. At Low settings, the average FPS is 80.8, and the Medium preset delivers 72.8 FPS. The High preset barely clears the playability threshold with an average of 61.9 FPS. However, the Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS, recording an average of 49.9 FPS. This is the only configuration in the entire dataset that fails to reach the playable threshold. The progression from Low to Ultra at 4K shows a total reduction of 30.9 FPS, with the steepest drop occurring between Medium and Ultra. Notably, the data does not include min or max FPS values for any resolution or preset, so the analysis relies solely on average performance.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core i3-12100F provide context for the CPU's role in this system. The processor's average benchmark score of 13494 places it close to several other Intel parts. The Intel Core 3 N355 has an average score of 13492, showing a deltaPct of 0, meaning the two CPUs perform nearly identically. The Intel Core i5-9500 scores 13452, which is 0.3% lower, while the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594, a 0.7% advantage. The Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351, putting it 1.1% behind. These rivals represent a tight cluster of performance, with the i3-12100F sitting in the middle. For gaming, this means any of these CPUs would likely produce similar frame rates when paired with the same GPU, though the i3-12100F's single-thread performance may offer a slight edge in lightly threaded titles like Doom.

On the GPU side, the RTX 3060 Ti has an average benchmark score of 16129, with its nearest rivals showing comparable performance. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 scores 16014, which is 0.7% lower, while the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M scores 16351, a 1.4% advantage. The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT scores 16361, also 1.4% higher. The AMD Radeon R9 370X scores 15862, putting it 1.7% behind. The proximity of these scores indicates that swapping the RTX 3060 Ti for any of these alternatives would result in very similar frame rates in Doom. The RX 5700 XT, being the closest competitor at 1.4% faster, would likely deliver nearly identical performance at all resolutions and settings. The RX 9060, at 0.7% slower, would also be nearly indistinguishable in practice. These alternatives suggest that the system's performance is well within a narrow band of what similar hardware can achieve.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals how the CPU and GPU share the workload across different resolutions and presets. At 1920x1080, the high average FPS figures indicate that the GPU is not the primary bottleneck, as even the Ultra preset achieves 142.9 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at this resolution shows a 40.2% reduction in frame rate, suggesting that the GPU is still the limiting factor but has ample headroom. The Core i3-12100F, with its four cores and eight threads, appears sufficient to feed the RTX 3060 Ti at this resolution, as the frame rates do not plateau prematurely.

At 2560x1440, the increased pixel count begins to shift the balance toward the GPU. The Low preset drops from 238.9 FPS at 1080p to 151.5 FPS, a 36.6% reduction, while the Ultra preset drops from 142.9 FPS to 95 FPS, a 33.5% reduction. The consistency of these drops suggests that the GPU is now the dominant factor, as the CPU has less impact when the rendering load increases. The i3-12100F still manages to keep pace, as the frame rates remain high across all presets.

At 3840x2160, the GPU's role becomes even more pronounced. The Low preset drops to 80.8 FPS, a 46.7% reduction from 1440p, while the Ultra preset falls to 49.9 FPS, a 47.5% reduction. This near-uniform scaling indicates that the RTX 3060 Ti is now the clear bottleneck, with the CPU contributing minimally to the overall performance. The fact that the Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS at this resolution is a direct consequence of the GPU's raw throughput limits rather than any CPU constraint. The data shows that the CPU's role diminishes as resolution increases, while the GPU's impact grows proportionally.

The Verdict

The verdict by resolution confirms that this system can run Doom effectively across most configurations. At 1920x1080, all four presets — Low, Medium, High, and Ultra — are playable, with the Ultra preset achieving an average of 142.9 FPS. This resolution offers the best experience, as even the most demanding settings maintain frame rates well above the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, all presets are also playable, with Ultra averaging 95 FPS. This resolution provides a strong balance between visual quality and performance, making it a viable option for players who prioritize image fidelity.

At 3840x2160, the system can run the game at Low, Medium, and High settings, with High achieving 61.9 FPS. However, the Ultra preset falls short of the playable threshold, averaging only 49.9 FPS. This means that 4K Ultra is not a viable option for this hardware, as the frame rate drops below the 60 FPS target. The data indicates that the system is capable of handling 4K with reduced settings, but players seeking the highest visual quality at this resolution would need more powerful hardware. Overall, the i3-12100F and RTX 3060 Ti combination is well-suited for Doom at 1080p and 1440p, with 4K reserved for lower presets.

Best Settings per Resolution

The optimal settings for each resolution are determined by the most demanding preset that maintains an average FPS at or above 60. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear choice, as it delivers an average of 142.9 FPS. This provides the highest visual quality while still offering substantial headroom above the playability threshold. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset also emerges as the best option, with an average of 95 FPS. This strikes an excellent balance, offering detailed graphics while keeping frame rates well within the playable range.

At 3840x2160, the situation is more constrained. The High preset is the best playable option, achieving an average of 61.9 FPS. While this clears the 60 FPS threshold, it leaves little margin for fluctuations, so players may prefer the Medium preset at 72.8 FPS for additional stability. The Ultra preset at 49.9 FPS is not recommended, as it falls below the playable threshold. For players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity, the Low preset at 80.8 FPS offers the smoothest 4K experience. The data suggests that 4K players should choose between High for maximum quality and Medium for a safer margin.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Doom at 60 FPS in 4K?

A: Yes, but only with the High preset or lower. The High preset averages 61.9 FPS, the Medium preset averages 72.8 FPS, and the Low preset averages 80.8 FPS. The Ultra preset falls below 60 FPS at 49.9 FPS.

Q: What is the highest playable setting at 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is fully playable at 1440p, with an average frame rate of 95 FPS. This is the most demanding preset that stays above the 60 FPS threshold at this resolution.

Q: How does the RTX 3060 Ti compare to its nearest rivals in this game?

A: The nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 9060 at 0.7% slower, the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M at 1.4% faster, and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT at 1.4% faster. These differences would result in very similar frame rates in Doom.

Q: Is the Core i3-12100F a bottleneck for the RTX 3060 Ti at 1080p?

A: The data shows high frame rates at 1080p, with the Ultra preset averaging 142.9 FPS. The scaling across settings indicates the GPU is the primary factor, suggesting the CPU does not significantly limit performance at this resolution.

Q: What is the average FPS at 1080p with Medium settings?

A: The Medium preset at 1920x1080 achieves an average frame rate of 208.6 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold and provides a very smooth experience.

Q: How many total combinations were tested for this game?

A: The combo rank for this system is 1830 out of 3712 tested combinations, placing it in the upper half of all tested hardware configurations for Doom.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti combination ranks 1830 out of 3712 tested combos in Doom. This places the system in the 49th percentile of all tested configurations, meaning nearly half of the tested hardware pairs perform better and a slightly larger portion perform worse. The rank reflects the system's strong performance at 1080p and 1440p, where it competes with more expensive setups, but its struggles at 4K Ultra likely prevent a higher placement. The GPU's 59th percentile ranking among all GPUs and the CPU's 68th percentile ranking among all CPUs suggest that the graphics card is the limiting factor in this pairing, particularly at higher resolutions. The data implies that the system is well-balanced for mainstream gaming, with the CPU providing sufficient headroom for the GPU to operate effectively. The rank also indicates that while this combo is not at the top of the charts, it delivers solid performance that would satisfy most players, especially those targeting 1080p or 1440p displays. The proximity of the GPU's rivals suggests that small performance differences could shift the rank, but the overall positioning is stable within the tested dataset.