Dave The Diver

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Its L3 cache is 12 MB shared, and it supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU shows a strong single-threaded capability, scoring 1674 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 893 in 3dmark single-thread. The multi-threaded results are more modest, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860 and a 3dmark max-threads score of 4023, reflecting the physical core limitation. The data places this CPU at the 68th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13494. Compared to its nearest rivals, it essentially trades blows with the Intel Core 3 N355, which scores 13492, a delta of 0%. It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 (13452, +0.3%) and the Intel Core i7-1250U (13351, +1.1%), but trails the Intel Core 5 120UL (13594, -0.7%).

In the context of Dave The Diver, these specifications suggest a processor that is more than adequate for the game's logic and AI. The high single-thread performance is often the most critical factor for game simulation and frame pacing, and the data supports this, as the combo achieves very high frame rates across all tested settings. The 4-core configuration could be a limiting factor in heavily populated scenes, but the measured results indicate that at these frame rates, the CPU is not the bottleneck in this particular title.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its 3840 shading units are clocked at a base of 2280 MHz and a boost of 2497 MHz. The graphics card is positioned at the 72nd percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 26331. Its performance profile is interesting, as its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon 860M (26401, -0.3%) and the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (26421, -0.3%), which are typically integrated or entry-level parts. This suggests the RTX 5060's average score is heavily influenced by its compute and API-specific tests, as its Passmark G3D score of 20891 is substantial. It also trails the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT (26011, +1.2%) and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary (26553, -0.8%) by small margins.

For Dave The Diver, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM is a critical asset, as the game's art style requires transferring a significant amount of texture data. The high memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s ensures that texture streaming is efficient, preventing hitches. The data shows the GPU is the dominant factor in this combo, as frame rates scale consistently with resolution. The RTX 5060's 30 RT cores and 120 Tensor cores are present, but Dave The Diver does not appear to be a demanding ray tracing title, so these units likely contribute less to the final frame output than the raw rasterization performance of the 3840 shading units.

Resolution Scaling

The measured frame rates reveal a clear scaling pattern tied to resolution, which indicates a GPU-bound scenario. At 1080p with High settings, the combo delivers an average of 184 FPS. Moving to 1440p High drops this to 139 FPS, a reduction of 45 FPS, or roughly 24%. At 4K High, the average falls to 93 FPS, a further drop of 46 FPS from the 1440p result, and a total reduction of 91 FPS from 1080p. This linear decline with pixel count suggests the RTX 5060 is the primary performance limiter; the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data at all resolutions.

This pattern is consistent across other settings. For example, at Low settings, the average FPS goes from 247 at 1080p to 186 at 1440p, and then to 124 at 4K. The delta between 1080p and 4K is 123 FPS, which is a larger absolute drop than at High settings, but the percentage scaling is similar. This indicates that even when the graphical load is reduced, the GPU's throughput is still the deciding factor. The 4K Ultra setting is the most demanding, producing an average of 82 FPS, which is still playable, but it shows that the ceiling of this GPU is reached at the highest resolution and quality combination. The data implies that for competitive 1080p play, the combo is overkill, while for 4K, it sits in a comfortable but not excessive performance range.

How This Combo Ranks

When looking at the broader database of tested combinations, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 in Dave The Diver ranks at 1639 out of 3710 combos. This places it in the top half of all systems tested, specifically around the 56th percentile. This ranking is notable because the CPU is a low-end quad-core part, while the GPU is a current-generation mid-range card. The rank suggests that for this particular game, the GPU is doing the heavy lifting, and the CPU is not dragging the system down significantly.

The data shows that this combo sits in a unique position; it is not a top-tier performer, but it is far from entry-level. The high frame rates achieved at 1080p and 1440p indicate that the i3-12100F is not a significant bottleneck, allowing the RTX 5060 to stretch its legs. The rank of 1639 implies that many other combos with more powerful CPUs or GPUs achieve higher scores, but the gap is not vast given the relative cost of the components. The performance is very playable, and the ranking reflects a solid, balanced system for this title, even if it doesn't top the charts. It suggests that users with this pairing are getting a well-optimized experience that leverages the GPU's strengths effectively.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F a bottleneck for the RTX 5060 in this game?

A: The data suggests no. At 1080p High, the combo produces 184 FPS, and at 4K High, it produces 93 FPS. The consistent frame rate scaling with resolution indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, not the 4-core CPU.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at with this combo?

A: All tested resolutions are playable. The 1440p Medium setting yields an average of 155 FPS, which is excellent, while 4K High yields 93 FPS. For the highest fidelity, 4K Ultra is still above 60 FPS at 82 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its direct rivals?

A: The i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494. It is exactly matched with the Intel Core 3 N355 (13492, 0% delta), slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 (13452, +0.3%) and Intel Core i7-1250U (13351, +1.1%), but slightly behind the Intel Core 5 120UL (13594, -0.7%).

Q: How does the GPU's performance metric compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 5060 has an average score of 26331. It is marginally behind the AMD Radeon 860M (26401, -0.3%) and NVIDIA GeForce MX550 (26421, -0.3%), but it outperforms the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT (26011, +1.2%).

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1080p, the Low preset averages 247 FPS, while the Ultra preset averages 163 FPS. This is a difference of 84 FPS, or about a 34% reduction in performance for the higher visual quality.

Q: Does the combo maintain a playable frame rate at 4K?

A: Yes. The lowest average FPS recorded is 82 at 4K Ultra. The 4K Low setting reaches 124 FPS, and 4K Medium achieves 104 FPS, so all 4K settings are well above standard playability thresholds.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data is directly measured for this specific hardware configuration and game.

1080p Resolution:

• Low: Average FPS of 247. This is the highest frame rate recorded in the entire dataset.
• Medium: Average FPS of 207, with a minimum of 176 and a maximum of 238.
• High: Average FPS of 184.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 163.

1440p Resolution:

• Low: Average FPS of 186.
• Medium: Average FPS of 155, with a minimum of 132 and a maximum of 179.
• High: Average FPS of 139.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 123.

4K Resolution:

• Low: Average FPS of 124.
• Medium: Average FPS of 104, with a minimum of 89 and a maximum of 120.
• High: Average FPS of 93.
• Ultra: Average FPS of 82.

The data shows a clear hierarchy: reducing resolution and settings increases frame rates proportionally. The 1080p Low setting is the only configuration to break the 240 FPS barrier, while the 4K Ultra setting is the only one to drop below 90 FPS. The min and max FPS data for Medium settings across all resolutions shows a stable frame delivery, with the variance between min and max being relatively consistent, suggesting a smooth gameplay experience without major stutters.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured rows, the optimal experience depends on the display and the user's preference for frame rate over visual fidelity. For users with high refresh rate 1080p monitors, the High preset at 184 FPS is the best balance, as it provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium while still delivering frame rates that exceed the refresh rate of most standard displays. The Ultra preset at 163 FPS is also viable for 1080p and offers the best image quality, but the 21 FPS difference from High may not be visually noticeable to all players.

For 1440p users, the High preset at 139 FPS is the recommended starting point. It provides a smooth and responsive experience that is well above the 100 FPS threshold for competitive play. The Medium preset at 155 FPS is a better choice for those who prioritize maximum frame rate, but the difference is marginal. The Ultra preset at 123 FPS is still excellent and offers the best visual experience at this resolution.

At 4K, the High preset at 93 FPS is the recommended setting, as it provides a great balance of visual quality and performance, keeping the frame rate well above 60 FPS. The Medium preset at 104 FPS is also a strong choice if a few extra frames are desired. The Ultra preset at 82 FPS is playable but represents the edge of the GPU's capability at this resolution; it is best used for slower-paced exploration rather than fast action. The Low preset at any resolution is not recommended, as the visual hit is substantial, and the frame rate gains are less critical when the High or Medium presets already deliver high performance.