Doom

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of an Intel Core i5-12600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 sits at rank 2909 out of 3712 tested combos in the database for Doom. That places it in the lower-middle portion of all possible pairings, but the ranking is heavily influenced by the GPU, which is the limiting factor here. The RTX 2060 holds a percentile rank of 58 among all GPUs, meaning it outperforms just over half of the tested graphics cards. The CPU, by contrast, is a far stronger component, sitting at the 79th percentile among all processors. The data indicates this is a system where the graphics card is the bottleneck for demanding resolutions, while the processor has ample headroom.

The recorded benchmark scores reinforce this imbalance. The CPU delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 and a single-core score of 3302, which are strong numbers for a desktop part. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 14111 is respectable but far from class-leading. In practical terms for Doom, the combination produces playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but fails to maintain 60 FPS at 4K on any preset. The rank of 2909 out of 3712 reflects this mixed capability: the system is clearly capable for mainstream gaming, but not positioned near the top of the database's hierarchy.

Best Settings per Resolution

The database records measured average FPS for four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) across three resolutions. The playable threshold is 60 FPS, and the verdict data shows which settings clear that bar.

At 1920x1080, every preset is playable. The most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS is Ultra, which delivers an average of 104.8 FPS. This is the best visual quality available while maintaining a comfortable margin above the threshold. High runs at 127.3 FPS, Medium at 155.2 FPS, and Low at 173.6 FPS, but Ultra is the recommended choice since it provides the highest fidelity without sacrificing smoothness.

At 2560x1440, all four presets also remain playable. The most demanding preset above 60 FPS is again Ultra, with an average of 69.8 FPS. This is a tighter margin than at 1080p, but still playable. High runs at 85.8 FPS, Medium at 102.1 FPS, and Low at 110.6 FPS. For users who prioritize higher frame rates over visual detail, dropping to High offers a significant FPS boost, but Ultra remains the best setting that clears the threshold.

At 3840x2160, the situation changes dramatically. No preset reaches 60 FPS. Low averages 59 FPS, which is just below the threshold. Medium averages 51.2 FPS, High averages 47.9 FPS, and Ultra averages 39.2 FPS. The verdict data lists no playable settings at this resolution, meaning the system cannot maintain 60 FPS at 4K regardless of quality level. The best option for users with a 4K display is to lower the resolution or accept frame rates below the playable threshold.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data shows a clear division of labor between the CPU and GPU across resolutions. At 1080p, the CPU has significant headroom, and the GPU is the primary constraint. The frame rates scale almost linearly with GPU load: from Low at 173.6 FPS down to Ultra at 104.8 FPS, a drop of 68.8 FPS when moving from the least to most demanding preset. The CPU's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 1016 and a Passmark single-thread score of 3925, ensures it is not a limiting factor at this resolution.

At 1440p, the GPU becomes more dominant. The spread between Low (110.6 FPS) and Ultra (69.8 FPS) is 40.8 FPS, which is smaller than at 1080p. This suggests that as resolution increases, the GPU's workload grows, and the CPU's role diminishes. The CPU still provides enough throughput to avoid bottlenecking, but the GPU is clearly carrying more of the load.

At 4K, the GPU is overwhelmingly the limiting factor. The frame rates compress further: Low (59 FPS) to Ultra (39.2 FPS) is a spread of only 19.8 FPS, and even the lowest preset fails to hit the 60 FPS threshold. The RTX 2060's 6 GB of GDDR6 memory and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the pixel throughput required at 3840x2160. The CPU's performance, while strong, cannot compensate for the GPU's inability to render frames quickly enough at this resolution. In summary, the CPU matters most at 1080p, while the GPU dominates at 1440p and becomes the sole limiting factor at 4K.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The database lists nearest rivals for both components, based on average benchmark scores. These alternatives would produce similar behavior in Doom, assuming the other component remains unchanged.

For the Intel Core i5-12600KF, the closest rivals are all within 0.3% of its average score of 27799. The Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887 (0.3% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 27712 (0.3% lower). In practice, any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Doom, as the game is not heavily CPU-bound at the tested resolutions. The i9-10900K and Ryzen 7 5800X3D are particularly notable as direct drop-in replacements in terms of performance, though they use different sockets.

For the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, the nearest rivals are also extremely close. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 matches with a delta of 0%, scoring 15283 versus the RTX 2060's 15290. The AMD Radeon 680M scores 15270 (0.1% lower), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM scores 15199 (0.6% lower), and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 scores 15171 (0.8% lower). These alternatives would produce nearly identical frame rates in Doom. The RX 7600 and RTX 3050 OEM are more modern parts, but their average scores indicate they perform at the same level as the RTX 2060. Users upgrading from a GTX 580 would see a substantial generational leap, but within the context of this database, all five GPUs are effectively interchangeable for Doom.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Doom at 1080p on Ultra settings?

A: Yes. The database records an average of 104.8 FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best setting for 1440p gaming?

A: Ultra is the most demanding preset that stays above 60 FPS, with an average of 69.8 FPS. High runs at 85.8 FPS if you prefer a larger frame rate buffer.

Q: Is 4K playable on this system?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest recorded average is 59 FPS on Low settings, which is just below the 60 FPS threshold. Medium (51.2 FPS), High (47.9 FPS), and Ultra (39.2 FPS) are all below the playable threshold.

Q: How does the RTX 2060 compare to the RX 7600 in this game?

A: The RTX 2060 has an average benchmark score of 15290, while the RX 7600 scores 15171, a delta of 0.8%. In Doom, the frame rates would be nearly identical, with the RTX 2060 holding a slight edge.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU more important for this game?

A: It depends on resolution. At 1080p, the GPU is the main constraint, but the CPU's strong single-thread performance (3DMark single-thread score of 1016) ensures it is not a bottleneck. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes increasingly dominant, and at 4K it is the sole limiting factor.

Q: What CPU would perform similarly to the i5-12600KF?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900K (0.3% higher average score), AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D (0.3% higher), AMD Ryzen 7 6800U (0.3% higher), and AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE (0.3% lower) are all within a negligible margin.

The Verdict

This PC can run Doom, but the experience depends heavily on the display resolution. At 1920x1080, the system is fully capable, with all presets exceeding 60 FPS. The best choice is Ultra, which runs at 104.8 FPS, providing high visual quality with a substantial frame rate margin. At 2560x1440, the system remains playable on all presets, with Ultra at 69.8 FPS being the most demanding playable option. This is a solid result for a 1440p monitor, though users who prefer 100+ FPS should consider High (85.8 FPS) or Medium (102.1 FPS).

At 3840x2160, the system fails to meet the 60 FPS threshold on any preset. The closest is Low at 59 FPS, which is technically below the playable threshold. The RTX 2060's 6 GB memory and 336.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for 4K rendering in this game. Users with a 4K display should either lower the resolution to 1440p or accept sub-60 FPS frame rates.

Overall, the verdict is clear: this is a capable 1080p and 1440p gaming system, but not a 4K machine for Doom. The CPU is not the limiting factor at any resolution, and the GPU is the component to upgrade if higher resolutions are desired. The database records a combo rank of 2909 out of 3712, which reflects this mixed capability: strong for mainstream resolutions, but outclassed at the high end.