Inside

Inside is a puzzle platformer from 2016, and the question of whether a modern mid-range combo like the Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT can run it is almost a foregone conclusion. The benchmark data, however, reveals a fascinating spectrum of performance that scales dramatically with resolution and settings, offering more insight than a simple "yes" or "no." This analysis breaks down how this specific pairing handles the game's side-scrolling world, where the frame rates reach heights that would make most AAA titles envious.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the confines of our tested hardware database for Inside, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-12400F and the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT holds a combo rank of 2355 out of a total of 3716 tested combinations. This places it in the upper-middle tier of all tested systems for this particular title. It is crucial to contextualize this rank; it does not imply poor performance, but rather that a significant number of other, likely more powerful and expensive, combinations have also been tested. The rank is a relative measure within a vast pool of hardware pairings, not an absolute measure of capability.

The data indicates that this combo is firmly in the 60th percentile for the GPU and the 73rd percentile for the CPU when compared against all other parts in our database. While the combo rank might seem modest, the performance metrics for this specific game tell a story of overwhelming capability. The measured frame rates are exceptionally high, suggesting that the system's rank is likely held back by the sheer number of higher-end, flagship components tested, rather than any deficiency in playing Inside. The system is not at the advanced, but the game itself is not demanding. The data suggests the bottleneck is not the hardware, but the game's own engine limits or the low graphical overhead of the side-scrolling perspective.

CPU and GPU Roles

For a game like Inside, the visual style is minimalist but atmospheric, relying on silhouettes, lighting, and physics-based puzzles rather than sprawling, texture-heavy environments. The measured FPS data shows a clear trend: the GPU is the primary driver of performance, but the CPU's role becomes more apparent at lower resolutions. At 1920x1080, the difference between Low and Ultra settings is a massive jump from 291.5 FPS to 140.6 FPS. This 150 FPS swing is almost entirely dictated by the GPU's workload. The RX 7600 XT is being pushed harder at Ultra, but even at its most taxed, it still delivers a framerate over 140 FPS.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a less dramatic but still significant drop. At Ultra settings, the frame rate falls from 140.6 FPS to 102.5 FPS, a reduction of about 27%. Moving from 1440p to 4K (3840x2160) at Ultra shows another significant drop, down to 61.5 FPS. This linear scaling with resolution is a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU, the Intel Core i5-12400F with its 6 cores and 12 threads, has more than enough headroom to feed the GPU at all these settings. The data implies that the CPU's role is to maintain a stable minimum frame rate, which it does admirably, preventing any hitches or stutters that might break the game's contemplative pace. Even at 4K Ultra, where the system is most stressed, the average FPS of 61.5 suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor; the GPU is simply working harder to render the higher pixel count.

Best Settings per Resolution

The objective for this analysis is to find the most demanding preset that maintains an average frame rate at or above 60 FPS, our playable threshold. Based on the measured data, this system does not just meet that threshold; it obliterates it at every resolution.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the system can run the game at the Ultra preset. The measured average frame rate at this setting is 61.5 FPS. This is a razor-thin margin above the 60 FPS target, but it is technically playable. The High preset at this resolution yields a much more comfortable 68.4 FPS, but Ultra is the most demanding that still clears the bar. It is notably the Low preset at 4K hits 134.4 FPS, showcasing the GPU's headroom.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the system has significant breathing room. The Ultra preset is easily achievable, with a measured average of 102.5 FPS. This is a far more comfortable experience than at 4K, offering a high refresh rate experience that is smooth and responsive. The jump from Ultra at 4K to Ultra at 1440p is a 40 FPS increase, highlighting how much less demanding the lower resolution is on the GPU.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the performance is staggering. The Ultra preset delivers an average of 140.6 FPS. This is well beyond the 60 FPS target and is suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors. The data shows that at 1080p, the system is so far ahead of the playability threshold that it could be considered overkill for this title, with even the most demanding settings producing a framerate that is more than double the target.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Looking at the nearest rivals for the components in this combo provides insight into what other systems might deliver similar frame rates in Inside. For the CPU, the Intel Core i5-12400F has an average benchmark score of 19039. Its closest rivals, with nearly identical scores, are the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (19047, 0% delta), the Intel Core 3 201E (19056, -0.1% delta), and the Intel Core i5-1335U (18982, 0.3% delta). This suggests that a laptop with a Ryzen 5 7535HS or an Intel Core i5-1335U should provide a very similar CPU experience in this game, meaning their frame rates would likely be within a few percentage points of the i5-12400F, assuming they are paired with a comparable GPU.

For the GPU, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT has an average benchmark score of 17083. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (17037, 0.3% delta), the AMD Radeon HD 7970M (17019, 0.4% delta), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (17208, -0.7% delta). The presence of the RTX 3070 in this list is notable; despite being a different architecture, its average score in our database is nearly identical. This implies that a system with an RTX 3070 would likely produce very similar frame rates in Inside to the RX 7600 XT. The other rivals, the GTX 690 and HD 7970M, are older, dual-GPU or high-end mobile parts, but their scores suggest they could also hold their own in this specific game, though driver support and VRAM limitations might be a concern in other titles.

FAQ

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

A: Yes, it can. The data shows that at 3840x2160, the system achieves a playable average frame rate at all presets. The most demanding preset, Ultra, averages 61.5 FPS, which is just above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the highest quality setting I can use at 1440p?

A: The system can run the game at the Ultra preset at 2560x1440, with a measured average frame rate of 102.5 FPS. This provides a smooth and highly playable experience with all visual features enabled.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400F a bottleneck for the RX 7600 XT in this game?

A: The benchmark data suggests no. The frame rates scale consistently with resolution changes, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound workload. The CPU's performance is sufficient to keep the GPU fed, as evidenced by the very high frame rates at 1080p Low (291.5 FPS).

Q: How does the RX 7600 XT compare to an RTX 3070 for this game?

A: According to our benchmark data, they are very close. The RX 7600 XT has an average score of 17083, while the RTX 3070 has a score of 17208, a delta of -0.7%. This suggests their performance in a game like Inside would be nearly identical.

Q: What is the least demanding preset's frame rate at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080 with the Low preset, the system achieves a measured average of 291.5 FPS. This is the highest frame rate recorded for this combo in our testing.

Q: Is the 4K Ultra setting comfortable or just barely playable?

A: The data indicates it is just barely playable. The average frame rate at 3840x2160 Ultra is 61.5 FPS, which is only 1.5 FPS above the 60 FPS threshold. While playable, it does not leave much headroom for demanding scenes, unlike the High preset which averages 68.4 FPS.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: this PC can run Inside. The verdict by resolution confirms that the system clears the 60 FPS playable threshold at all tested settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally powerful, averaging 140.6 FPS at Ultra settings. At 2560x1440, it still provides a fantastic experience with 102.5 FPS at Ultra. The most demanding scenario, 3840x2160 at Ultra, is also playable, with an average of 61.5 FPS, though this is the only configuration that sits this close to the performance floor. For a game like Inside, which relies on a consistent, cinematic frame rate, the higher settings at 1080p and 1440p will provide the most visually flawless experience, while 4K is a viable option for those seeking maximum pixel density. The system is more than capable of handling this title, delivering frame rates that far exceed what is necessary for a smooth experience.

Measured FPS Breakdown

This section provides the complete raw data for the Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT combination in Inside.

3840x2160 (4K)

• Low: Average FPS 134.4
• Medium: Average FPS 104.0
• High: Average FPS 68.4
• Ultra: Average FPS 61.5

2560x1440 (1440p)

• Low: Average FPS 209.2
• Medium: Average FPS 166.1
• High: Average FPS 104.1
• Ultra: Average FPS 102.5

1920x1080 (1080p)

• Low: Average FPS 291.5
• Medium: Average FPS 234.9
• High: Average FPS 148.9
• Ultra: Average FPS 140.6