Dave The Diver

Dave The Diver is an adventure title that, on the surface, does not appear to be a demanding showcase for high-end hardware. However, the measured data for the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER reveals a combination that delivers exceptional frame rates across all tested configurations. The CPU, a 12-core, 20-thread Alder Lake-S part with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, provides a robust foundation. The GPU, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with 10,240 shading units and a 16 GB GDDR6X memory buffer on a 256-bit bus, is clearly the dominant force in this pairing. The benchmark results indicate that this system is not merely capable, but vastly overqualified for the game's graphical demands, producing frame rates that far exceed the refresh rates of most displays.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF’s role in this configuration is to provide a high-throughput platform that does not bottleneck the GPU. With 12 cores and 20 threads, the processor offers a substantial amount of parallelism. The benchmark data for the CPU shows a significant scaling from the 3dmark_2_threads score of 2065 to the 3dmark_max_threads score of 9983, indicating that the processor's performance grows considerably as more threads are utilized. In a game like Dave The Diver, which is not known for heavy multi-threaded workloads, the single-thread performance is often more critical. The CPU’s 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043 and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4091 suggest that it can handle the primary game logic thread with ease, leaving ample headroom for background tasks.

The core configuration of 12 cores (likely a mix of performance and efficiency cores, given the Alder Lake architecture) ensures that even if the game spawns numerous background simulation threads, the CPU has resources to spare. The high boost clock of 5.00 GHz is advantageous for maintaining high minimum frame rates, which is crucial for a smooth experience. The data shows the CPU sits in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35355. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14400, scores nearly identically with a deltaPct of only 0.1%, meaning the i7-12700KF is statistically tied with a newer, more modern chip in overall CPU benchmarks. This suggests that while the CPU is not the weakest link, it is also not the primary driver of performance here; its capability is sufficient to feed the RTX 4080 SUPER without creating a bottleneck, but the GPU is the component dictating the final frame rates.

FAQ

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested CPU and GPU combinations for Dave The Diver?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER combination ranks 101st out of 1626 total tested combos in this game, placing it in the top 6.2% of all configurations.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor at 1080p resolution?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary determinant of performance, but the CPU is not a bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 403.9 FPS. This high frame rate indicates that the CPU is capable of directing the GPU to its limits, but the sheer speed of the RTX 4080 SUPER is what allows for such high output.

Q: How does the i7-12700KF compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-14400?

A: The two processors are effectively tied in overall benchmark performance. The i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35355, while the Core i5-14400 scores 35336, a negligible deltaPct of 0.1%. This indicates that in CPU-bound scenarios, there would be no perceptible difference between them.

Q: What is the performance difference between the RTX 4080 SUPER and the RTX 5070 Ti in this context?

A: Based on average benchmark scores, the RTX 4080 SUPER (score of 53610) is 2.9% ahead of the RTX 5070 Ti (score of 52086). This is a small margin, suggesting the two GPUs offer similar raw computational power, though the 4080 SUPER has a slight edge.

Q: What is the highest average frame rate recorded for this combo?

A: The highest average frame rate is 403.9 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low graphics settings.

Q: Does increasing the graphics settings from High to Ultra have a significant impact on performance at 4K?

A: Yes, the impact is substantial. At 3840x2160, the average frame rate drops from 151.8 FPS on High settings to 133.9 FPS on Ultra settings, a decrease of 17.9 FPS. This shows that the Ultra preset is more demanding, though the combo still maintains a very playable frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's rank of 101 out of 1626 configurations places it in the upper echelon of tested systems for Dave The Diver. This is a strong showing, but the percentile data for the individual components offers a more nuanced view. The CPU is in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, and the GPU is in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. This means the system is comprised of two very high-performing parts. The fact that the combination ranks at 101 out of 1626 (approximately the 94th percentile) suggests that the pairing is synergistic, performing slightly better than the sum of its parts might indicate.

The data implies that this system is not just for playing at high settings, but for obliterating them. The combination is likely held back only by the game's engine limits or the display's refresh rate, as the raw frame rates are exceptionally high. The nearest rivals for the GPU, such as the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT (with a deltaPct of 0.2%), show that the RTX 4080 SUPER is at the top of the performance stack, and this combo rank confirms that the overall system is a top-tier performer for this title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data reveals a clear hierarchy based on resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, performance is extraordinary. With Low settings, the system achieves an average of 403.9 FPS. Moving to Medium yields 340.7 FPS, High produces 305.2 FPS, and even the demanding Ultra preset maintains an average of 265.7 FPS. These numbers demonstrate that at 1080p, the system is massively over-provisioned, and the frame rate is likely limited by the CPU's ability to issue draw calls or the game's internal engine tick rate.

Stepping up to 2560x1440, the performance remains incredibly high but begins to show the GPU's workload. The Low preset averages 305.8 FPS, which is a noticeable drop from the 1080p Low score. Medium settings average 255.7 FPS, High averages 227.4 FPS, and Ultra averages 204.6 FPS. The scaling here is more linear, indicating a shift towards GPU-bound performance. At 3840x2160, the system still delivers outstanding results. Low settings average 207.1 FPS, Medium averages 170.1 FPS, High averages 151.8 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 133.9 FPS. Even at 4K Ultra, the system is far above the 60 FPS standard, and it is also above the 120 FPS mark, which is a significant achievement.

Resolution Scaling

The data shows a predictable yet severe scaling of performance as resolution increases. Comparing the Low preset across all resolutions, the drop from 1080p to 1440p is 98.1 FPS (from 403.9 to 305.8), and the drop from 1440p to 4K is 98.7 FPS (from 305.8 to 207.1). This consistent drop of roughly 100 FPS per resolution step indicates a strong GPU dependency. The RTX 4080 SUPER's 16 GB of GDDR6X memory with 736.3 GB/s of bandwidth is likely the key factor in maintaining these high frame rates, as the increased pixel count at 4K demands more memory throughput.

However, the scaling between settings is also informative. At 1080p, the gap between Low and Ultra is 138.2 FPS (403.9 vs 265.7). At 4K, this gap narrows to 73.2 FPS (207.1 vs 133.9). This narrowing suggests that at higher resolutions, the GPU is working closer to its maximum capacity, and the relative cost of enabling higher graphical features becomes more pronounced. The system is clearly not CPU-limited at 4K, as the frame rates still scale significantly with GPU settings. Conversely, at 1080p, the smaller difference between High and Ultra (305.2 vs 265.7 FPS) compared to the difference between Low and Medium (403.9 vs 340.7 FPS) suggests that the CPU might be starting to cap the frame rate at the very high end, preventing the GPU from fully stretching its legs on the lower presets.

Settings Recommendations

For users with a display capable of 144Hz or higher, the High preset at 2560x1440 is the optimal choice. It delivers an average of 227.4 FPS, which is well above the refresh rate of most high-end monitors, while still providing a substantial visual upgrade over Medium settings. The data shows that the Ultra preset at this resolution costs 22.8 FPS compared to High (204.6 vs 227.4), a noticeable drop for what is often a marginal visual improvement in a game like this.

For 4K gaming, the High preset is also the recommended setting. The 151.8 FPS average is exceptional for 4K and provides a fluid experience on high-refresh-rate 4K displays. The Ultra preset, while still playable at 133.9 FPS, represents a 11.8% performance loss over High. Given the already high fidelity of the High preset, the visual gains from Ultra may not justify the performance hit. The Medium preset at 4K (170.1 FPS) is a good choice for those who prioritize maximum frame rates above all else, but the High preset strikes the best balance between image quality and performance, according to the measured data. The system is so powerful that there is no scenario where a user must compromise heavily on settings to achieve a playable frame rate; the only question is whether to prioritize maximizing FPS or visual fidelity.