Doom

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Doom with the Intel Core i3-12100F and AMD Radeon RX 9060 shows a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases, but the magnitude of the drop reveals where the bottleneck sits. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces 211 FPS average. Moving to 1440p at the same settings drops that to 137 FPS, a reduction of roughly 35%. Pushing to 4K at Low settings yields 74 FPS, which is about 46% lower than the 1440p result. This steep decline as pixel count rises is the signature of a GPU-bound scenario — the Radeon RX 9060 is doing the heavy lifting, and its 8 GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus with 288.0 GB/s bandwidth becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Low settings tells a story of raw pixel throughput. Doubling the linear resolution from 1080p to 4K quadruples the pixel count, and the FPS drops from 211 to 74 — that is a 65% loss. If the CPU were the constraint, this drop would be far less severe, because the processor’s workload would remain relatively constant regardless of resolution. The i3-12100F, with its 4 cores and 8 threads boosting to 4.30 GHz, is clearly keeping pace at 1080p where the GPU is the ceiling, but at 4K the GPU’s rendering limits dominate entirely.

Looking at the Medium settings across resolutions reinforces this. At 1080p Medium, the combo hits 184 FPS average with a minimum of 156 and maximum of 212. At 1440p Medium, the average falls to 119 FPS with a range of 101 to 137. At 4K Medium, the average drops to 65 FPS with a minimum of 55 and maximum of 74. The minimum FPS values scale almost identically to the averages, suggesting consistent frame pacing rather than sudden CPU-induced stutters. The spread between min and max at each resolution remains tight — about 30% of the average at 1080p, 30% at 1440p, and 29% at 4K — indicating that the limiting component is delivering steady performance rather than spiking.

The Ultra preset shows the same pattern but with lower absolute numbers. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 127 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it falls to 82 FPS. At 4K Ultra, it drops to 45 FPS. The percentage loss from 1440p to 4K at Ultra is about 45%, nearly identical to the Low preset’s loss. This consistency across quality presets is a strong signal that resolution, not graphical complexity, is the primary driver of performance degradation. In other words, this combo is well-balanced for 1080p and 1440p gaming in Doom, but 4K pushes the GPU past its comfortable operating range, especially at higher presets where the average dips below 60 FPS.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a quad-core processor with 8 threads, running at a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boosting to 4.30 GHz. Its cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. In Doom, a game that is largely GPU-bound at higher resolutions, the CPU’s role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic without becoming the bottleneck. The benchmark results suggest the i3-12100F succeeds at this for the most part, but the data hints at where its limits lie.

At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 211 FPS average. This is a very high frame rate, and it suggests the CPU is capable of pushing well over 200 frames per second in this title. The single-threaded performance of the i3-12100F, as measured by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1932, indicates strong per-core throughput that suits older game engines like the one powering Doom. The 3DMark single-thread score of 893 and 2-thread score of 1659 further corroborate that this processor can handle the primary game thread without breaking a sweat.

However, the multi-threaded scores reveal that the i3-12100F is not a heavyweight in parallel workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 11860, and its 3DMark 16-thread score is 4051, which is nearly identical to its 8-thread score of 4026 and max-thread score of 4023. This flat scaling beyond 8 threads confirms that the 4-core/8-thread design is the ceiling — adding more threads does not yield additional performance. In Doom, which is not heavily multi-threaded, this is unlikely to matter much, but it does mean the CPU is not future-proof for titles that scale across many cores.

The percentile ranking of the i3-12100F against all CPUs is 68, meaning it outperforms roughly two-thirds of processors in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 3 N355 with an average score of 13492 (0% delta), the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (0.3% ahead), and the Intel Core 5 120UL at 13594 (0.7% behind). These rivals are all comparable in average benchmark score, but the i3-12100F’s advantage lies in its high boost clock and modern architecture, which translate to strong single-threaded performance — exactly what Doom’s engine prefers.

The data shows that the CPU is not the limiting factor in any of the measured configurations. At 4K Ultra, where the average FPS is 45, the GPU is clearly saturated. At 1080p Low, where the average is 211, the GPU is still the ceiling because the frame rate is so high that the CPU would need to be exceptionally weak to hold it back. Given that the i3-12100F scores 14015 in Passmark multithread and 3444 in Passmark single-thread, it is more than capable of sustaining the frame rates observed. The conclusion is that this CPU provides adequate headroom for the RX 9060 in Doom, and any performance gains from a stronger processor would be marginal at best.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Doom with this combo for a smooth 60+ FPS experience?

A: The data shows that 1440p with High settings delivers 101 FPS average, and 4K with Low settings delivers 74 FPS average. For a comfortable 60+ FPS experience, 1440p at High or Ultra (82 FPS) is ideal, while 4K requires Low settings to stay above 60 FPS.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at any resolution?

A: Benchmark results indicate the GPU is the limiting factor across all tested configurations. At 1080p Low, the combo reaches 211 FPS, and the CPU’s 4-core/8-thread design with a 4.30 GHz boost clock is sufficient to feed the GPU. The flat multi-thread scores (3DMark 8-thread at 4026 vs 16-thread at 4051) suggest the CPU is not the constraint.

Q: How does the RX 9060 compare to its nearest rival, the RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The RX 9060’s average benchmark score is 16014, while the RTX 3060 Ti scores 16129, which is 0.7% higher. In real-world Doom performance, the RX 9060’s measured FPS at 1080p High (155 FPS) and 1440p High (101 FPS) indicate it is fully capable of high-refresh gaming, with the rival being virtually identical in synthetic tests.

Q: Is the i3-12100F a good match for the RX 9060 in this game?

A: Yes. The CPU’s percentile rank of 68 and its single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674) are sufficient for Doom’s engine. The measured FPS at 1080p High (155) and 1440p High (101) show no signs of CPU limitation, and the combo ranking of 1686 out of 2930 tested combos places it in the upper half of configurations.

Q: What is the frame time consistency like across resolutions?

A: The Medium preset provides min/max data at all resolutions. At 1080p, the range is 156 to 212 FPS (average 184). At 1440p, the range is 101 to 137 FPS (average 119). At 4K, the range is 55 to 74 FPS (average 65). The spread remains proportional to the average, indicating stable frame pacing without large spikes.

Q: Can this combo handle Ultra settings at 4K?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 45, which is below the 60 FPS threshold for smooth gameplay. The data suggests that Ultra settings at 4K are not playable for a competitive experience, and users should drop to Medium (65 FPS) or Low (74 FPS) for 4K gaming.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 ranks 1686 out of 2930 tested combos in Doom. This places the configuration in the 57th percentile of all tested combinations, meaning it outperforms the majority of systems but is not at the top tier. The ranking reflects a balanced pairing where neither component is severely mismatched — the CPU is not weak enough to hold back the GPU, and the GPU is not so powerful that it is wasted on the processor.

To put this in context, the GPU’s percentile rank against all GPUs is 59, and its average benchmark score is 16014. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, scores 16129 — a delta of 0.7% higher. The RX 9060 also edges out the AMD Radeon R9 370X (15862, 1% lower) and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 (15852, 1% lower). This suggests the GPU is a solid mid-range performer, and the combo ranking reflects that positioning.

The CPU’s percentile rank of 68 is slightly higher than the GPU’s, indicating that the processor is relatively stronger in the broader hardware landscape. The i3-12100F’s average benchmark score of 13494 is virtually identical to its nearest rival, the Intel Core 3 N355, at 13492. This means the CPU is not a liability in this pairing — it provides adequate single-threaded performance for Doom, as evidenced by the high FPS at 1080p.

The combo’s rank of 1686 out of 2930 suggests that there is room for improvement, but for a budget-oriented pairing, it delivers strong results. The measured FPS data shows that the combo is capable of 155 FPS at 1080p High and 101 FPS at 1440p High, which are excellent numbers for a mid-range setup. The ranking would likely be higher if the GPU were paired with a stronger CPU, but the current configuration is well-balanced for the demands of Doom.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution and desired frame rate. For 1080p gaming, the Low preset delivers 211 FPS average, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Medium preset at 184 FPS and High at 155 FPS are also excellent choices, offering better visual quality while still maintaining frame rates well above 144 FPS. Ultra at 127 FPS is playable but provides diminishing returns for the visual fidelity gain.

For 1440p, the High preset at 101 FPS is the recommended balance between visual quality and performance. Medium at 119 FPS is also viable for those who prefer smoother motion, while Low at 137 FPS is the best choice for competitive play. Ultra at 82 FPS is acceptable for single-player experiences but may not be ideal for fast-paced multiplayer where higher frame rates are advantageous.

For 4K, the data clearly shows that Ultra settings are not viable, with an average of 45 FPS. The Low preset at 74 FPS provides the smoothest experience, while Medium at 65 FPS offers a better visual experience at the cost of some fluidity. High at 54 FPS is borderline playable but may feel sluggish in intense combat scenarios. The recommendation is to use Low or Medium at 4K, depending on whether frame rate or image quality takes priority.

In summary, the best experience per the measured rows is 1440p High (101 FPS) for a balance of visuals and performance, or 1080p High (155 FPS) for those who prioritize high frame rates. For 4K users, Low settings at 74 FPS are the most playable option.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for Doom with the Intel Core i3-12100F and AMD Radeon RX 9060 is as follows:

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 211 FPS average
• Medium: 184 FPS average, with a minimum of 156 and maximum of 212
• High: 155 FPS average
• Ultra: 127 FPS average

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 137 FPS average
• Medium: 119 FPS average, with a minimum of 101 and maximum of 137
• High: 101 FPS average
• Ultra: 82 FPS average

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 74 FPS average
• Medium: 65 FPS average, with a minimum of 55 and maximum of 74
• High: 54 FPS average
• Ultra: 45 FPS average

The data shows a consistent pattern where each step up in settings costs approximately 15-20% of the frame rate at a given resolution. At 1080p, the difference between Low and Ultra is 84 FPS (from 211 to 127). At 1440p, the difference is 55 FPS (from 137 to 82). At 4K, the difference is 29 FPS (from 74 to 45). This suggests that the GPU’s rendering capabilities are the primary determinant of performance, and the CPU maintains its headroom across all settings.

The Medium preset is the only one with full min/max data, showing tight frame pacing: at 1080p the minimum is 156 FPS (85% of the average), at 1440p the minimum is 101 FPS (85% of the average), and at 4K the minimum is 55 FPS (85% of the average). This consistency indicates that the combo delivers stable performance without significant frame drops, which is a positive sign for gameplay smoothness.

For users targeting 60 FPS as a baseline, the combo achieves this at every resolution and settings combination except 4K Ultra (45 FPS) and 4K High (54 FPS). At 4K Medium (65 FPS) and 4K Low (74 FPS), the 60 FPS threshold is cleared. At 1440p and 1080p, all settings exceed 60 FPS, with even the most demanding 1080p Ultra hitting 127 FPS. This makes the combo versatile for various display setups, though 4K users will need to compromise on settings to maintain smooth performance.