Inside

The data presents a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 delivers an extraordinary performance margin in Inside, a 2016 puzzle platformer. Measured frame rates at every resolution and preset are dramatically above the 60 FPS playability threshold, indicating that this combination is not merely capable but overwhelmingly overqualified for the game’s demands. The benchmark results show a system that leaves no performance headroom unexplored, with average FPS figures that approach or exceed the refresh rates of most high-end displays.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination is uniformly exceptional across all tested configurations. At 3840x2160 (4K), the average frame rates range from a low of 137.8 FPS at Ultra settings to a high of 281.2 FPS at Low settings. The High preset at 4K produces an average of 147.5 FPS, while the Medium preset yields 234.2 FPS. These numbers indicate that even at the most demanding resolution and preset, the system maintains a frame rate more than double the playable threshold.

At 2560x1440, the performance scales upward significantly. The Ultra preset delivers an average of 226 FPS, High produces 231.6 FPS, Medium reaches 300.6 FPS, and Low peaks at 325.9 FPS. The gap between 4K and 1440p is substantial, particularly at the higher quality presets, where the frame rate increases by roughly 64% when moving from Ultra at 4K to Ultra at 1440p.

The 1920x1080 results continue the trend, with the Low preset achieving an average of 364.5 FPS, Medium at 335.3 FPS, High at 281.9 FPS, and Ultra at 275.8 FPS. Interestingly, the delta between 1080p and 1440p is smaller than the delta between 1440p and 4K, suggesting that the GPU begins to encounter more significant workload scaling only as pixel count approaches 4K. No minimum or maximum FPS values were recorded in the data, so the average figures represent the sole measure of performance stability available.

CPU and GPU Roles

The performance scaling between resolutions reveals a workload that is heavily GPU-bound at 4K but becomes increasingly CPU-sensitive at lower resolutions. At 3840x2160, the difference between Low and Ultra presets is substantial — 281.2 FPS versus 137.8 FPS — which represents a 104% performance swing. This indicates that the GPU is the primary bottleneck at 4K, as the settings-driven workload directly impacts the frame rate.

At 2560x1440, the scaling pattern shifts. The Low preset achieves 325.9 FPS, while Ultra reaches 226 FPS, a 44% difference. This narrower gap compared to 4K suggests that the CPU’s role becomes more pronounced as the GPU has less pixel-pushing work to do. The Intel Core i7-12700KF, with its 12 cores and 20 threads, demonstrates ample headroom for this title, as even the most demanding preset at 1440p maintains a frame rate well above 200 FPS.

The 1920x1080 results show the clearest evidence of CPU involvement. Here, the Low preset delivers 364.5 FPS, while Ultra produces 275.8 FPS — only a 32% difference. This compression of the settings-based performance gap indicates that at 1080p, the CPU’s frame pacing and draw call processing begin to limit the GPU’s output. The i7-12700KF’s single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3DMark single-thread score of 1043 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071, proves sufficient to keep the RTX 4090 well-fed, but the data implies that further FPS gains at 1080p would require a faster processor rather than a stronger GPU.

Similar Performance Alternatives

Examining the nearest rivals for the CPU and GPU provides context for how other hardware might behave in this configuration. The Intel Core i7-12700KF’s average benchmark score of 35365 places it within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-12700K, which scores 35287. This means the 12700K would deliver virtually identical frame rates in Inside, as the performance delta is negligible. Similarly, the Intel Core i5-13600T scores 35305, a 0.2% difference, and would produce nearly indistinguishable results.

On the GPU side, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090’s average benchmark score of 60347 is matched almost exactly by the Intel Arc Pro A60, which scores 60326 — a 0.0% delta. This suggests that the Arc Pro A60 could theoretically deliver similar frame rates in Inside, though the RTX 4090’s higher percentile ranking (88th versus the Arc’s position in the same benchmark tier) indicates the 4090 has a slight edge in overall performance. The AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48 scores 60140, a 0.3% difference, while the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M scores 61896, which is 2.5% higher than the RTX 4090. The AMD Radeon PRO V710 scores 58657, a 2.9% deficit.

For a game as lightweight as Inside, these rival components would all deliver playable performance, but the data indicates that none would meaningfully outperform the RTX 4090 in this specific title. The CPU alternatives, particularly the 12700K, would be indistinguishable in practice.

The Verdict

The verdict by resolution is unambiguous: this PC runs Inside flawlessly at every tested setting. At 3840x2160, all four presets — Low, Medium, High, and Ultra — are classified as playable, with the best settings being Ultra at an average of 137.8 FPS. This comfortably clears the 60 FPS playable threshold by more than double.

At 2560x1440, the system achieves a best-case average of 226 FPS at Ultra settings, with all presets again marked as playable. The margin above 60 FPS is even more pronounced here, representing a 277% overshoot. At 1920x1080, the Ultra preset delivers 275.8 FPS, which is more than 4.5 times the playable threshold.

The data shows no configuration where this combo fails to meet or massively exceed the 60 FPS target. The question is not whether the game runs, but rather how much untapped performance headroom exists. Given that the RTX 4090 is marked as end-of-life and the CPU is from the 12th generation, the system’s capability in this title is essentially future-proof for any conceivable update or mod.

Best Settings per Resolution

For players seeking the highest visual fidelity without compromising frame rate, the best settings per resolution are straightforward. At 3840x2160, the Ultra preset is the most demanding option that stays at or above 60 FPS, achieving an average of 137.8 FPS. This provides the full visual experience at 4K with a frame rate that exceeds most display refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, the Ultra preset delivers 226 FPS, making it the optimal choice for high-refresh-rate monitors. The gap between Ultra and the next tier down (High at 231.6 FPS) is minimal, so players can select Ultra without any meaningful performance penalty. At 1920x1080, Ultra produces 275.8 FPS, which is the best choice for competitive play or extremely high refresh rate displays.

In all three resolutions, choosing Ultra over High incurs a modest frame rate cost: 9.7 FPS at 4K, 5.6 FPS at 1440p, and 6.1 FPS at 1080p. The data suggests that Ultra is the sensible default for any resolution, as the performance hit is negligible relative to the visual quality gains.

FAQ

*Q: Can this PC run Inside at 4K Ultra settings?*

A: Yes, the benchmark data shows an average of 137.8 FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, which is more than double the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the highest average FPS achievable with this combo?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 364.5, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-12700KF compare to its nearest CPU rival in this game?

A: The i7-12700KF scores 35365 on average benchmarks, which is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-12700K (35287), so performance in Inside would be effectively identical.

*Q: Is the RTX 4090’s performance in Inside similar to any other GPU?*

A: The Intel Arc Pro A60 has an average benchmark score of 60326, which is 0.0% different from the RTX 4090’s 60347, indicating near-identical performance potential.

Q: At which resolution does the CPU begin to limit performance?

A: At 1920x1080, the difference between Low (364.5 FPS) and Ultra (275.8 FPS) is only 32%, compared to 104% at 4K, suggesting the CPU becomes a more significant factor at lower resolutions.

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

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 achieves 226 FPS, which is the most demanding option that remains well above 60 FPS.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Inside, this pairing of Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 ranks 167th out of 3716 combos. This places it in the top 4.5% of all tested systems, reflecting the substantial performance headroom this combination offers for the game.

The rank is notable because Inside is a puzzle platformer from 2016 with modest graphical demands, yet this hardware combination still outperforms the vast majority of alternatives. The high ranking is driven by the RTX 4090’s exceptional raw throughput, as evidenced by its 88th percentile ranking among all GPUs, combined with the i7-12700KF’s 85th percentile standing among CPUs. The data suggests that for players seeking absolute maximum frame rates in Inside, few combinations would deliver better results, and those that rank higher likely pair even more recent flagship components. The practical takeaway is that this system is overbuilt for the game, with performance that will remain excessive for the foreseeable future.