Doom

The Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combination delivers a highly capable 1080p and 1440p experience in Doom, with 4K remaining a viable option at reduced settings. The measured data places this pairing at rank 1690 out of 3712 tested combos, indicating a solidly above-average configuration. This analysis explores the benchmark results, focusing on how the CPU and GPU interact across resolutions and settings to determine the optimal ways to play this classic FPS.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Examining the nearestRivals data for both components provides context for how this combo behaves relative to other hardware. For the CPU, the Intel Core i3-12100F's average benchmark score of 13494 places it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest competitor is the Intel Core 3 N355, which has a nearly identical average score of 13492, representing a 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-9500 trails by a mere 0.3% with a score of 13452, meaning the i3-12100F offers essentially the same computational performance as these older or lower-tier parts. Conversely, the Intel Core 5 120UL scores 13594, which is 0.7% higher, while the Intel Core i7-1250U sits 1.1% behind at 13351. In practice, these rival CPUs would create a similar CPU-bound bottleneck ceiling in Doom, with differences of around one percent being imperceptible in real-world frame rates.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 achieves an average benchmark score of 26331, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon 860M, scores 26401, which is 0.3% higher, indicating a near-identical performance envelope. The NVIDIA GeForce MX550 also posts a score of 26421, another 0.3% lead. Interestingly, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26553, a 0.8% advantage, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT lags by 1.2% with a score of 26011. This suggests that in Doom, the RTX 5060's performance is closely matched by a range of other graphics solutions, from integrated graphics like the 860M to older discrete cards like the RX 5700 XT. The data implies that users with any of these alternative GPUs would see very similar frame rates at the same settings and resolution.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark results across different resolutions and presets reveal a clear pattern of GPU dominance in Doom. At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high, with the Low preset reaching 243.5 FPS and the Ultra preset still hitting 142.3 FPS. The scaling from Low to Ultra at this resolution shows a performance drop of 101.2 FPS, which is a 41.6% reduction. This substantial decrease indicates that the GPU is the primary factor limiting performance, even at 1080p. The CPU, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, is capable of feeding the GPU at these high frame rates, as evidenced by the fact that the RTX 5060 is able to reach over 240 FPS on Low settings.

As the resolution increases, the GPU's role becomes even more pronounced. At 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers 159.2 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to 92.3 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the Low preset yields 83.9 FPS, but the Ultra preset falls below the 60 FPS playable threshold to 50.9 FPS. The performance gap between Low and Ultra settings widens with resolution, from a 101.2 FPS difference at 1080p to a 33 FPS difference at 4K. This pattern confirms that the RTX 5060 is the bottleneck at all three resolutions. The data shows that the i3-12100F provides sufficient single-threaded performance (as indicated by its single-core benchmarks) to avoid holding back the GPU, even when frame rates are at their highest. The CPU's performance is only relevant in that it must be strong enough to not create a bottleneck; in this case, the data strongly suggests it does not.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at performance across all resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the combination achieves its highest frame rates. The Low preset averages 243.5 FPS, Medium averages 208.9 FPS, High averages 179.4 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 142.3 FPS. All settings at this resolution clear the 60 FPS playable threshold by a wide margin, with even the most demanding preset nearly 2.4 times above the target.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. The Low preset averages 159.2 FPS, Medium averages 135.7 FPS, High averages 118 FPS, and Ultra averages 92.3 FPS. Every preset at this resolution also maintains an average well above 60 FPS. The Ultra preset, while the most demanding, still provides a fluid and responsive experience.

At 3840x2160, the performance ceiling becomes more apparent. The Low preset averages 83.9 FPS, Medium averages 73.5 FPS, and High averages 61.6 FPS. The Ultra preset, however, drops to an average of 50.9 FPS, falling below the 60 FPS playable threshold. This means that at 4K, users must select High or lower settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The min and max FPS values were not recorded, so the data only speaks to average performance, but the step-down from High to Ultra is a 10.7 FPS drop, indicating a significant increase in GPU load.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Doom at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, but not at the highest settings. The data shows that at 3840x2160, the High preset averages 61.6 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Low and Medium presets also achieve playable averages of 83.9 FPS and 73.5 FPS, respectively. However, the Ultra preset falls to 50.9 FPS, which is below the threshold.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1440p gaming?

A: According to the verdictByResolution data, all four presets at 2560x1440 are playable. The "best" settings are considered the most demanding preset that stays at or above 60 FPS, which is the Ultra preset, achieving an average of 92.3 FPS.

Q: How does the performance at 1080p Ultra compare to 4K Ultra?

A: The difference is substantial. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 142.3. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 50.9. This represents a 91.4 FPS (or 64.2%) decrease in performance when moving from 1080p to 4K at the same settings.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F a bottleneck for the RTX 5060 in Doom?

A: The benchmark data suggests it is not. At 1080p Low settings, the system achieves 243.5 FPS, which is an extremely high frame rate. The fact that the GPU can reach this level indicates the CPU is feeding it enough data. The performance scaling from Low to Ultra is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario.

Q: Which component is more important for performance in Doom?

A: The GPU. The frame rates scale significantly with resolution and settings, which are primarily GPU-dependent variables. For example, moving from Medium to Ultra at 1440p reduces the average FPS from 135.7 to 92.3, a 43.4 FPS drop. The CPU's performance is sufficient to not be a limiting factor.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combination?

A: The comboRankInGame data places this specific configuration at rank 1690 out of 3712 tested combos. This means it outperforms roughly 54% of all other CPU and GPU pairings tested for Doom.

Best Settings per Resolution

For each resolution, the most demanding preset that maintains an average FPS at or above the 60 FPS playable threshold is the recommended "best" setting. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset achieves an average of 142.3 FPS, making it the clear choice for maximum visual fidelity without sacrificing performance. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset is also the best option, delivering an average of 92.3 FPS. This provides a high quality image while still leaving a comfortable margin above the playable threshold. At 3840x2160, the High preset is the most demanding playable option, with an average of 61.6 FPS. This is a much tighter margin, but it remains just above 60 FPS. Pushing to Ultra at 4K would drop the average below the playable threshold, so High is the optimal balance for a 4K experience.

How This Combo Ranks

The comboRankInGame data shows that the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combination is ranked 1690 out of 3712 tested combos. This places it in the top half of all configurations tested for Doom. The percentile data for the individual components supports this: the CPU is in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 72nd percentile of all GPUs. This pairing represents a well-balanced mid-range setup. The ranking implies that while it is not a top-tier enthusiast configuration, it significantly outperforms the majority of other combinations, offering a high level of playability across most settings and resolutions.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear: this PC can run Doom exceptionally well. The verdictByResolution data confirms that all settings presets are playable at both 1920x1080 and 2560x1440. At 1920x1080, even the Ultra preset averages 142.3 FPS, providing a very smooth experience. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset averages 92.3 FPS, which also offers a fluid and responsive experience. The only limitation is at 3840x2160, where the Ultra preset falls below the 60 FPS threshold, averaging 50.9 FPS. However, the High preset at 4K averages 61.6 FPS, which is just above the playable threshold. Ultimately, this system is more than capable of running Doom at high frame rates for most users. Those with a 4K display can still play the game at High settings, while 1440p and 1080p users can max out the settings for the best possible visual experience.