Rust

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER delivers a wide spread of performance in Rust, ranging from a barely-playable 44 FPS at 4K Ultra to a very smooth 202 FPS at 1080p Low. The data shows a clear pattern: this combination is extremely capable at 1080p and 1440p, but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 4K with maximum settings. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS, identifies the best settings per resolution, and explains how the CPU and GPU divide the workload.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the RTX 4070 SUPER is never the bottleneck. The Low preset produces an average of 202 FPS. Moving to Medium drops the average to 168 FPS, with a minimum of 143 FPS and a maximum of 193 FPS. The High preset yields 142 FPS on average. Even the most demanding Ultra preset stays well above the playable threshold, averaging 108 FPS. This resolution is clearly where this combo shines, offering headroom for high-refresh-rate monitors.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains strong but shows the expected scaling from 1080p. The Low preset averages 172 FPS, a 30 FPS drop from 1080p Low. Medium averages 116 FPS, with a minimum of 98 FPS and a maximum of 133 FPS. High settings produce an average of 98 FPS. The Ultra preset still clears the 60 FPS bar comfortably, averaging 74 FPS. The data indicates that 1440p Ultra is the highest visual quality setting that maintains a solid frame rate.

At 3840x2160, the performance cliff becomes apparent. The Low preset averages 102 FPS, which is still excellent. Medium averages 68 FPS, with a minimum of 58 FPS and a maximum of 79 FPS – this is the only preset at 4K with a recorded minimum below the 60 FPS threshold. High settings drop to an average of 58 FPS, which is just under the playable line. The Ultra preset falls to an average of 44 FPS, which is not suitable for smooth gameplay. The data shows that 4K is only viable with Medium settings or lower for this combination.

Best Settings per Resolution

At 1920x1080, the best settings are Ultra, which maintains an average of 108 FPS. Since all four presets (Low, Medium, High, Ultra) exceed the 60 FPS playable threshold, the highest quality option is the clear choice. The data shows no reason to compromise on visuals at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the best settings are also Ultra, averaging 74 FPS. While this is below the 1080p Ultra score, it still clears the 60 FPS threshold with a margin of 14 FPS. The High preset offers 98 FPS, but the Ultra preset provides a superior visual experience without sacrificing playability.

At 3840x2160, the best settings are Medium, with an average of 68 FPS. The High preset averages 58 FPS, which fails to meet the 60 FPS playable threshold. The Medium preset is the most demanding option that stays at or above 60 FPS. The data shows that 4K gaming requires a significant settings reduction for this hardware.

CPU and GPU Roles

The benchmark data reveals a clear shift in bottleneck behavior across resolutions. At 1920x1080, the GPU is the dominant factor. The difference between Low (202 FPS) and Ultra (108 FPS) is 94 FPS, showing that the RTX 4070 SUPER is doing most of the heavy lifting and is highly sensitive to graphical settings. The CPU, a 4-core i3-12100F, is sufficient to feed the GPU at this resolution.

At 2560x1440, the balance shifts slightly. The gap between Low (172 FPS) and Ultra (74 FPS) is 98 FPS, which is similar to 1080p. However, the absolute frame rates are lower, indicating that the GPU is working harder. The CPU still appears to be keeping up, as the scaling from 1080p to 1440p is consistent with a GPU-bound scenario.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the overwhelming bottleneck. The difference between Low (102 FPS) and Ultra (44 FPS) is 58 FPS, but the absolute numbers are much lower. The RTX 4070 SUPER is being pushed to its limits, and the CPU's role diminishes. The data shows that the i3-12100F is not the limiting factor at any resolution; the RTX 4070 SUPER's performance at 4K Ultra is what holds this combo back. The CPU’s benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860, support its ability to handle the game's logic at these frame rates.

How This Combo Ranks

This specific combination of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER ranks 641st out of 3723 tested combos in Rust. This places it in the top 17% of all configurations in the database. The GPU is a major contributor to this ranking, as it sits in the 83rd percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU is in the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

The CPU’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i5-9500 (0.3% faster) and the Intel Core 3 N355 (0% difference). This shows the i3-12100F is a solid performer for its class. The GPU is closely matched with the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB (0.1% faster) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile (0.1% faster). The RTX 4070 SUPER's overall average benchmark score of 43223 is significantly higher than the CPU's 13494, confirming the GPU is the performance driver in this pairing.

FAQ

Q: Can this PC run Rust at 1080p with maximum settings?

A: Yes. The Ultra preset at 1920x1080 averages 108 FPS, which is well above the 60 FPS playable threshold.

Q: What is the best quality I can get at 2560x1440 while staying above 60 FPS?

A: The Ultra preset at 2560x1440 averages 74 FPS, making it the best visual quality option that maintains playable frame rates.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this hardware?

A: Yes, but only with reduced settings. The Medium preset at 3840x2160 averages 68 FPS, while the High preset drops to 58 FPS and Ultra falls to 44 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: At 1080p and 1440p, the GPU is the primary factor, as shown by the large performance gap between Low and Ultra presets. At 4K, the GPU is the overwhelming bottleneck, with the CPU playing a lesser role.

Q: How does this combo compare to other tested configurations?

A: It ranks 641st out of 3723 tested combos, placing it in the top 17% of all configurations in the database.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 1440p Medium?

A: The minimum FPS at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 98 FPS, ensuring a consistent experience above the playable threshold.

The Verdict

The data clearly shows that this PC can run Rust effectively. At 1920x1080, the verdict is a resounding yes, with all presets including Ultra (108 FPS) clearing the 60 FPS threshold. At 2560x1440, the verdict is also yes, with the Ultra preset (74 FPS) being the best choice. At 3840x2160, the verdict is conditional: the Medium preset (68 FPS) is playable, but High (58 FPS) and Ultra (44 FPS) are not. For a smooth experience, users should stick to 1080p or 1440p for maximum visual fidelity, or drop to Medium settings at 4K. The i3-12100F and RTX 4070 SUPER combination is a capable pairing for Rust, with the GPU being the deciding factor for high-resolution performance.