Inside

The Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is an exceptionally capable combination for running Inside, a Puzzle Platformer released in 2016. Measured data confirms that this hardware configuration delivers frame rates far exceeding the 60 FPS playable threshold at every tested resolution and quality preset, from 1080p Low to 4K Ultra. The following analysis breaks down the measured performance metrics, optimal settings, and comparative positioning of this CPU/GPU combo.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results across all resolutions and settings paint a picture of overwhelming performance headroom. At 1920x1080, the lowest tested resolution, the combo produces a minimum average of 210 FPS at Ultra settings, with the Low preset reaching an extraordinary 359 FPS. The Medium preset at 1080p shows a measured average of 331 FPS, with a minimum of 281 FPS and a maximum of 381 FPS, indicating exceptional frame pacing stability. The High preset at 1080p delivers 220 FPS on average.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains remarkably high. The Low preset averages 317 FPS, while Medium achieves 253 FPS with a 215 FPS minimum and 291 FPS maximum. The High preset at 1440p records an average of 158 FPS, and even the most demanding Ultra settings maintain a 151 FPS average. These numbers suggest that the RTX 3080 is only mildly taxed at this resolution, with the CPU still providing ample headroom.

At 3840x2160, the scaling shows the GPU taking on more responsibility. The Low preset still manages a 199 FPS average, while Medium delivers 159 FPS with a 135 FPS minimum and 183 FPS maximum. High settings at 4K produce 99 FPS on average, and Ultra settings remain comfortably above the playability threshold at 95 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra at each resolution shows a consistent, predictable drop in frame rates, with the largest relative decline occurring between Medium and High at 4K (from 159 to 99 FPS). Notably, the gap between High and Ultra is consistently small across all resolutions, suggesting diminishing returns in visual fidelity for the performance cost.

Best Settings per Resolution

For 1920x1080, the data indicates that Ultra settings are fully viable, with an average of 210 FPS. This is more than three times the 60 FPS threshold, leaving substantial headroom for any potential frame drops during complex scenes. The Medium preset’s minimum of 281 FPS further confirms that even in the most demanding moments, the system will not stutter.

At 2560x1440, Ultra settings again represent the best choice, delivering a 151 FPS average. This resolution is the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate monitors, as even the Ultra preset’s average exceeds the refresh rate of most 144Hz displays. The measured minimum for Medium at 215 FPS suggests that frame drops are minimal, and Ultra likely follows a similar pattern.

For 3840x2160, the best settings remain Ultra, with an average of 95 FPS. While this is lower than lower resolutions, it still clears the 60 FPS threshold by a substantial margin. The High preset at 4K offers 99 FPS, which is only 4 FPS higher than Ultra, making Ultra the logical choice for maximum visual quality without sacrificing smoothness. The 4K Medium preset’s 135 FPS minimum provides a safety net, indicating that even in the heaviest scenes, the system will not dip below playable levels.

Similar Performance Alternatives

The CPU’s nearest rivals, based on average benchmark scores, include several interesting alternatives. The Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872, which is a 0.3% delta relative to the i5-12600KF’s 27799 average. This means the i5-12600KF actually performs slightly better than the i9-10900K in aggregate benchmarks, despite being a lower-tier product. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D scores 27896, a 0.3% difference, placing it essentially on par with the i5-12600KF. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800U and AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE show deltas of -0.3% and 0.3% respectively, with scores of 27887 and 27712. In practical terms, any of these CPUs would deliver nearly identical frame rates in Inside, as the game is not likely to be CPU-bound given the GPU’s performance.

On the GPU side, the RTX 3080’s nearest rivals are less conventional. The NVIDIA P106-100, AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16, AMD Radeon RX 6600M, and AMD Radeon R9 M290X all have average scores within 0.4% of the RTX 3080’s 23172 average. However, these rivals include mobile and older workstation parts, which may not translate directly to identical gaming performance. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M, a laptop GPU, is the closest mainstream comparison, with a 23273 average score (0.4% delta). Despite the similar aggregate benchmark scores, the RTX 3080’s 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and 760.3 GB/s bandwidth provide a distinct advantage in texture-heavy scenes, which could manifest as higher minimum frame rates in Inside.

The Verdict

The data unequivocally shows that this PC can run Inside at maximum settings across all tested resolutions. At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset achieves a 95 FPS average, which is 58% above the 60 FPS playable threshold. All four settings at 4K—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—are listed as playable in the verdict data. At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset delivers 151 FPS, and at 1920x1080, Ultra reaches 210 FPS. The system never approaches the 60 FPS limit, even at the most demanding combination of 4K and Ultra.

The benchmark results indicate that the RTX 3080 is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as evidenced by the larger performance drop from Medium to High at that resolution compared to 1440p or 1080p. However, even this bottleneck leaves the system with significant headroom. For users with 120Hz or 144Hz 4K displays, the 95 FPS average at Ultra may not fully saturate the refresh rate, but the High preset’s 99 FPS offers a marginal improvement. For 1440p 144Hz displays, the 151 FPS average at Ultra is sufficient. At 1080p, the system can drive even 240Hz panels, as the Ultra preset’s 210 FPS and Medium preset’s 331 FPS indicate.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 4K Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 95 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: Can this system run Inside at 1440p with all settings maxed?

A: Yes, the Ultra preset at 2560x1440 delivers a 151 FPS average, making it fully playable and suitable for high-refresh-rate monitors.

Q: How does the CPU compare to the Intel Core i9-10900K?

A: The Intel Core i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27799, while the Intel Core i9-10900K scores 27872, a delta of -0.3%. This means the i5-12600KF is effectively on par with the i9-10900K in aggregate performance.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 4K Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS at 3840x2160 with Medium settings is 135 FPS, with a maximum of 183 FPS and an average of 159 FPS.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 the limiting factor at any resolution?

A: The data suggests the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at 3840x2160, where the drop from Medium to High is more pronounced than at lower resolutions. However, the system still maintains high frame rates.

Q: What is the best settings preset for 1080p?

A: The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 achieves a 210 FPS average, making it the best choice for maximum visual quality without sacrificing performance.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Inside, this specific combo ranks 857 out of 3716 total configurations. This places it in the top 23% of all tested systems, indicating that the i5-12600KF and RTX 3080 combination performs well above the median for this game. The ranking reflects the CPU’s strong single-threaded and multi-threaded capabilities, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 scores of 3302 single-core and 23391 multi-core, combined with the GPU’s high average benchmark score of 23172.

The 857th rank out of 3716 combos means there are 2859 slower configurations and 856 faster ones. Given that this game is a 2D puzzle platformer from 2016, the high ranking is unsurprising, as the hardware vastly exceeds the game’s requirements. The combo’s percentile ranking of 79 for the CPU and 68 for the GPU further contextualizes its position: the CPU outperforms 79% of all tested CPUs, while the GPU outperforms 68% of all tested GPUs. The combination of these two components creates a system that is far more powerful than necessary for Inside, making it an excellent choice for playing this title at maximum settings on any resolution up to 4K.