Doom

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 delivers a versatile 1080p and 1440p gaming experience in Doom, with 4K playability limited to lower presets. Benchmark data indicates this combo ranks at 2281 out of 3712 tested configurations, placing it in the upper third of systems. The verdict is clear: this is a high-refresh-rate machine at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440, while 3840x2160 demands compromises. The RTX 5050’s 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth, combined with the i5-12600KF’s 10 cores and 16 threads, prove sufficient for the 2016 FPS title, which scales well across all tested settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo’s rank of 2281 out of 3712 tested systems places it in the 61st percentile of all configurations evaluated for Doom. This position reflects a balanced pairing where the CPU’s strong multi-threaded performance prevents any bottleneck at lower resolutions. The i5-12600KF achieves an average benchmark score of 27799, which sits at the 79th percentile among all CPUs. This processor delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 and a single-core score of 3302, indicating ample headroom for the game’s engine.

At 1920x1080, the combo’s performance is exceptional, with the Ultra preset averaging 122 FPS. This places the system firmly in high-refresh territory, exceeding the 60 FPS playable threshold by over 100%. The 2560x1440 results are equally strong, with Ultra averaging 79 FPS, still well above the threshold. However, at 3840x2160, the system’s rank becomes more telling: only Low and Medium presets clear 60 FPS, with Ultra dropping to 43 FPS. This pattern suggests the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K, while the CPU remains capable across all resolutions.

The rank also reflects the GPU’s position relative to other cards. The RTX 5050 scores in the 66th percentile among all GPUs, with a PassMark G3D score of 17326. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which trails by 1.6%, and the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL, which leads by 0.6%. These margins indicate that the RTX 5050 is competitively positioned within its performance class, and the data shows no significant CPU-induced frame drops in any tested scenario.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU’s nearest rivals provide context for systems with similar processing power. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896, a mere 0.3% higher than the i5-12600KF’s 27799 average. This suggests that swapping to the 5800X3D would yield nearly identical frame rates in Doom, as the game is not heavily CPU-bound. Similarly, the Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872, just 0.3% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U scores 27887, also 0.3% ahead. These deltaPct values confirm that the i5-12600KF is well-matched to its peers, with no single rival offering a meaningful performance advantage.

On the GPU side, the RTX 5050’s nearest rivals show a tight cluster. The NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile scores 21379, leading by 1.6%, while the AMD Radeon HD 8970M scores 21237, leading by 1.0%. The AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL scores 21153, just 0.6% ahead, and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT scores 20713, trailing by 1.6%. These narrow margins mean that systems built with any of these GPUs would deliver nearly identical FPS in Doom at the same settings. For example, at 2560x1440 Ultra, the RTX 5050 averages 79 FPS; a system with an RTX A4000 Mobile would likely achieve a comparable figure, given the 1.6% benchmark advantage.

Data suggests that users with any of these rival components can expect similar behavior to the reviewed combo. The CPU’s 0.3% deltas and the GPU’s sub-2% deltas translate to frame rate differences of only 1-2 FPS in most scenarios. Therefore, the performance profile described here applies broadly to systems within this hardware tier.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, but only at Low and Medium settings. The data shows 3840x2160 Medium averages 62 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS, while Low averages 71 FPS. High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, with High at 52 FPS and Ultra at 43 FPS.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 2560x1440?

A: The Ultra preset is playable at 2560x1440, averaging 79 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that stays at or above 60 FPS, making it the best choice for maximum visual quality at this resolution.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT?

A: The RTX 5050 has an average benchmark score of 21035, which is 1.6% higher than the RX 5600 XT’s 20713. In Doom, this translates to slightly higher frame rates, though the difference is small enough that the two GPUs perform nearly identically.

Q: Does the i5-12600KF bottleneck the RTX 5050 in Doom?

A: No. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 27799 places it at the 79th percentile, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23391 provides ample processing power. The FPS data shows consistent scaling across resolutions, indicating no CPU bottleneck.

Q: What frame rates can I expect at 1920x1080 with High settings?

A: The data shows an average of 149 FPS at 1920x1080 High. This is well above the 60 FPS threshold and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: Is the 4K Medium preset smooth enough for play?

A: Yes, with caveats. The average is 62 FPS, but the minimum recorded is 52 FPS, which can cause occasional dips below the 60 FPS threshold. For a locked experience, the Low preset at 71 FPS is safer.

The Verdict

This PC can run Doom at all three tested resolutions, but the experience varies significantly. At 1920x1080, every preset clears 60 FPS by a wide margin, with Ultra averaging 122 FPS and Low reaching 202 FPS. This resolution is ideal for high-refresh displays, and even the most demanding settings deliver smooth gameplay. At 2560x1440, all four presets remain playable, with Ultra averaging 79 FPS and Low reaching 131 FPS. This makes 1440p a strong choice for this combo, offering a balance of visual fidelity and performance.

At 3840x2160, the verdict is mixed. The data shows that only Low and Medium presets are playable, with Medium averaging 62 FPS and Low averaging 71 FPS. High and Ultra fall short, with averages of 52 FPS and 43 FPS respectively. For a locked 60 FPS experience at 4K, the Medium preset is the best option, though users may notice dips to 52 FPS. Choosing Low provides a more consistent experience with a higher average. Overall, the system is best suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, with 4K requiring settings compromises.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed view of performance across resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the Low preset averages 202 FPS, making it the fastest configuration tested. Medium averages 176 FPS with a minimum of 150 FPS and a maximum of 203 FPS, while High averages 149 FPS. The Ultra preset averages 122 FPS, still more than double the 60 FPS threshold. These figures indicate that the RTX 5050 has significant headroom at 1080p, even at the highest settings.

Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains robust. Low averages 131 FPS, Medium averages 114 FPS with a minimum of 97 FPS and a maximum of 131 FPS. High averages 96 FPS, and Ultra averages 79 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 52 FPS, showing that the GPU scales predictably with settings. All presets maintain averages above 60 FPS, making 1440p a fully playable resolution.

At 3840x2160, the data reveals the GPU’s limits. Low averages 71 FPS, Medium averages 62 FPS with a minimum of 52 FPS and a maximum of 71 FPS. High drops to 52 FPS, and Ultra falls to 43 FPS. The transition from Medium to High represents a 10 FPS loss, while High to Ultra costs another 9 FPS. This steep drop-off indicates that the 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient for the highest 4K presets, which likely require more memory and bandwidth.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice, averaging 122 FPS. This is the most demanding setting that stays at or above 60 FPS, and it does so with a comfortable margin. Users with 144Hz or 165Hz monitors will benefit from the high frame rates, though those seeking maximum performance can drop to Medium for 176 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset remains the best option, averaging 79 FPS. This provides a significant visual upgrade over lower presets while still maintaining a frame rate above 60 FPS. For users who prioritize smoothness over visuals, High averages 96 FPS, but Ultra offers the best balance of quality and performance.

For 3840x2160, the Medium preset is the most demanding option that clears 60 FPS, averaging 62 FPS. However, the minimum of 52 FPS means occasional dips below the threshold. The Low preset averages 71 FPS and provides a more consistent experience, making it the safer choice for competitive play. Users who accept frame rate fluctuations can opt for Medium, but those seeking a locked 60 FPS should choose Low.