Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 presents a demanding workload that stresses both the processor and the graphics card, and the Intel Core i5-12600KF paired with the Intel Arc B580 produces a specific performance profile. The data shows a configuration that is capable but heavily constrained by graphical settings and resolution, with a clear trade-off between visual fidelity and frame rate.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Core i5-12600KF is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, running on the Intel Socket 1700 platform. Its base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, and it has a 125 W TDP. This hybrid design, combining performance and efficiency cores, provides substantial multi-threaded capacity. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU achieves a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23444 and a single-core score of 3309, indicating strong overall compute performance. Its 3DMark max-threads score of 7952 further confirms its ability to handle parallel workloads.

In the context of Cyberpunk 2077, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and manage game logic. The benchmark results suggest that at lower resolutions and settings, the CPU is less of a bottleneck. For instance, at 1080p with Low settings, the combo reaches 87.9 FPS, showing the processor can keep up when the GPU load is reduced. However, the CPU’s performance relative to its peers is tight. Its average benchmark score of 27827 places it at the 84th percentile of all CPUs, with the nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-10900K, scoring 27829, a delta of 0%. This indicates the i5-12600KF is a well-balanced performer, nearly identical to older flagship parts in aggregate compute. The data implies that in this game, the CPU provides a stable foundation, but it is not the primary factor limiting frame rates at higher graphical presets, where the GPU becomes the dominant constraint.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1080p with High settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings is 45.5 FPS. This is a playable but not smooth experience, suggesting that High settings at this resolution require some compromises.

Q: How does the performance at 1440p Low compare to 1080p Low?

A: At 2560x1440 with Low settings, the average FPS is 65.6, while at 1920x1080 with Low settings, it is 87.9. This represents a 25.4% drop in frame rate when moving from 1080p to 1440p, indicating that the GPU is the primary bottleneck even at low graphical fidelity.

Q: Is the Intel Arc B580 closer in performance to a desktop or mobile GPU?

A: According to the benchmark data, the Arc B580’s average score of 23021 is closest to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, which has an average score of 23181, a delta of -0.7%. The next closest rival is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile, with a score of 22729 and a delta of 1.3%, showing the desktop card is slightly ahead of the mobile version but very close to both.

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo in the measured data?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 87.9, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This is the only configuration in the measured rows that approaches high-refresh-rate territory, though it requires the lowest visual quality preset.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its closest rival?

A: The i5-12600KF has an average benchmark score of 27827, which is virtually identical to the Intel Core i9-10900K’s score of 27829, resulting in a delta of 0%. This suggests that in aggregate CPU tasks, the two processors perform at the same level, despite architectural differences.

Q: Does the data show any setting where the frame rate exceeds 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: Yes, at 2560x1440 with Low settings, the average FPS is 65.6. This is the only 1440p configuration in the measured data that surpasses 60 FPS, highlighting that high refresh rates at this resolution require significant graphical compromises.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which strongly indicates the GPU is the limiting component. Starting at 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves 45.5 FPS. Moving to 1440p High, the frame rate drops to 32.7 FPS, a decline of 28.1%. At 4K High, the average FPS falls to 23.6, which is a 48.1% drop from the 1080p result. This steep scaling curve is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario, where the rendering resolution directly impacts the pixel throughput.

The trend is even more pronounced at Low settings. At 1080p Low, the system produces 87.9 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 65.6 FPS, a 25.4% reduction. At 4K Low, the average FPS plummets to 40.4, which is a 54% decrease from the 1080p baseline. This consistent scaling across different settings suggests that the Intel Arc B580’s rendering capabilities are the primary constraint. The CPU’s performance remains relatively constant regardless of resolution, so the frame rate differences are almost entirely attributable to the GPU’s workload. The data implies that for a smoother experience, lowering the resolution is more effective than adjusting the in-game graphics preset, as the GPU is the bottleneck at all measured configurations.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i5-12600KF and Intel Arc B580 ranks 1302 out of 1710 total combos for Cyberpunk 2077. This places it in the lower third of all tested systems, indicating that while it is functional, it does not deliver top-tier performance for this title. The rank of 1302 suggests that many other CPU-GPU pairings achieve higher average frame rates in this game.

This ranking is reflective of the Arc B580’s position in the GPU hierarchy. The card sits at the 66th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23021. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, has a score of 23181, a delta of -0.7%, meaning the Arc B580 is slightly slower. When paired with a mid-range CPU like the i5-12600KF, the overall combo performance is constrained by the GPU’s capabilities. The data shows that this combo is not optimized for high-end Cyberpunk 2077 play, as the low rank implies that most other tested combinations provide better frame rates. The CPU’s high percentile ranking (84th) does not compensate for the GPU’s more modest standing, confirming that the graphics card is the limiting factor in this pairing.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B580 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture and features 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. Its base and boost clocks are both 2670 MHz, and it has 2560 shading units. The card’s memory clock is 2375 MHz, translating to 19 Gbps effective. With 20 ray tracing cores, it is equipped for modern graphical features. The GPU’s FP32 performance is rated at 13.67 TFLOPS, and its pixel rate is 213.6 GPixel/s.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the GPU’s role is dominant. The measured FPS across all resolutions and settings shows that the card’s performance is the primary driver of frame rates. At 1080p Medium, the combo achieves 63.7 FPS, but at 1080p Ultra, it drops to 43.2 FPS, a 32.2% reduction. This sensitivity to settings suggests that the GPU’s shading units and memory bandwidth are taxed heavily by higher presets. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for the measured settings, but the core compute performance limits the card. The benchmark results show a Passmark G3D score of 15748, which places it at the 66th percentile, and its nearest rival, the RTX 4060, scores 23181, a delta of -0.7%. This indicates the Arc B580 is a competent 1080p card but struggles to maintain high frame rates at 1440p and 4K, as evidenced by the data showing only 23.6 FPS at 4K High.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four settings. At 1920x1080, the average FPS ranges from 87.9 at Low to 43.2 at Ultra. The Medium preset yields 63.7 FPS, and High produces 45.5 FPS. This shows a clear gradient, with the Low preset being the only one that approaches high-refresh-rate gaming.

At 2560x1440, the performance drops significantly. The Low preset achieves 65.6 FPS, which is the only 1440p setting above 60 FPS. Medium produces 45.3 FPS, High yields 32.7 FPS, and Ultra drops to 32.0 FPS. The gap between Low and Medium is substantial, indicating that the GPU struggles with the increased shading and texture work at this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the results are largely unplayable for smooth gameplay. The Low preset averages 40.4 FPS, Medium drops to 31.0 FPS, High falls to 23.6 FPS, and Ultra is at 24.4 FPS. The data shows that 4K is not a viable option for this combo, as even the lowest settings fail to maintain a consistent 60 FPS. The pattern across all resolutions is consistent: lowering settings provides a significant boost, while raising resolution has a more severe impact on performance, confirming the GPU bottleneck.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience depends on the user’s target resolution and frame rate preference. For 1080p gaming, the Medium preset at 63.7 FPS offers a solid balance between visual quality and smoothness. This is the highest setting that reliably stays above 60 FPS at this resolution. The Low preset at 87.9 FPS is the best for competitive play or high refresh rate monitors, but it sacrifices most graphical features. High and Ultra at 45.5 FPS and 43.2 FPS respectively are playable but not smooth, and the data suggests they do not provide a proportional visual improvement over Medium for the frame rate cost.

For 1440p, the Low preset at 65.6 FPS is the only option that provides a consistently smooth experience. All other settings at this resolution fall below 50 FPS, with High and Ultra at 32.7 and 32.0 FPS respectively, which are likely to feel stuttery in fast-paced action. The data indicates that users with 1440p monitors should either accept Low settings or consider the 1080p Medium preset for a better balance.

At 4K, none of the measured settings are recommended for comfortable gameplay. The highest average FPS is 40.4 at Low, which is below the threshold for smooth action. The data suggests that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming in Cyberpunk 2077, and users should opt for a lower resolution to achieve playable frame rates. Overall, the best experience per the measured rows is 1080p Medium, which offers a reasonable compromise between visual fidelity and performance, with the 1440p Low preset as a viable alternative for those requiring higher resolution.