Doom

The Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 presents a fascinating case study in bottleneck dynamics within the 2016 classic Doom. This combination, ranking 3585th out of 3712 tested combos, is clearly positioned at the entry-level spectrum of the database. The benchmark results reveal a system that is decisively limited by its graphics processor, yet the CPU's strong single-threaded performance prevents the experience from collapsing entirely, creating a nuanced picture for potential users.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a stark and predictable decline as resolution increases, but the magnitude of that decline tells the story of a GPU-bound system. At 1080p with Ultra settings, the combo produces an average of 55 FPS. Moving to 1440p drops that average to 36 FPS, a reduction of 19 frames or roughly 34.5%. Pushing further to 4K at Ultra yields just 19 FPS, which is a 47.2% drop from the 1440p figure and a 65.5% drop from the 1080p baseline illustratively.

This scaling pattern is the classic signature of a system where the graphics card is the limiting component. The GTX 1650, with its 4 GB of GDDR5 memory and 128.1 GB/s bandwidth, is being overwhelmed by the pixel count at higher resolutions. The data implies that the i3-12100F is not the bottleneck here; if it were, we would expect to see a much smaller FPS difference between 1080p and 4K, as the CPU would be maxed out regardless of resolution. Instead, the FPS falls nearly linearly with the increasing pixel workload, indicating that the GPU is working at its maximum capacity.

Interestingly, the drop from 1080p to 1440p (a 46.7% reduction in pixels) is less severe than the drop from 1440p to 4K (a 125% increase in pixels). This non-linearity suggests that at 4K, the GPU is not just limited by raw pixel throughput but potentially by its memory bandwidth and capacity. The 4 GB VRAM buffer may be insufficient for the larger textures and assets required at 4K, causing additional performance penalties beyond simple fill-rate limits. The data points to a system that is comfortable at 1080p, workable at 1440p with compromises, and effectively unplayable at 4K.

FAQ

*Q: Can this combo run Doom at 4K resolution?*

A: Technically yes, but the experience is not smooth. The data shows an average of 24 FPS at High settings and only 19 FPS at Ultra settings for 3840x2160. These frame rates are below the threshold for a fluid gaming experience, suggesting that 4K is not a viable option for this hardware.

Q: What is the best resolution to use with this combination?

A: The benchmark results indicate that 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution. At this setting, even the most demanding preset (Ultra) yields an average of 55 FPS, while less demanding presets like Low and Medium achieve 92 and 80 FPS respectivelyikuha. This is the only resolution where the system consistently hits playable frame rates across all settings.

Q: How does the GTX 1650 compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: The GTX 1650's average benchmark score is 7472, placing it in the 40th percentile of all GPUs. Its closest rival is the Intel Arc A310, which scores 7550, a delta of -1%. Other rivals include the AMD Radeon HD 8850M (score 7447, 0.3% slower) and the Intel UHD Graphics 750 (score 7441, 0.4% slower). This indicates the GTX 1650 is a baseline modern GPU, just barely outperforming some integrated solutions.

Q: Is the Intel Core i3-12100F a strong performer in synthetic benchmarks?

A: Yes, the CPU shows respectable strength. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 11860, and its single-core score is 1674. In Geekbench, it scores 7252 multicore and 1932 single-core. These figures place it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, suggesting it has ample processing power for gaming workloads.

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

A: The difference is significant. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 92 FPS, while the Ultra preset delivers an average of 55 FPS. This represents a 37 FPS (or 67.3%) increase in performance when switching from Ultra to Low, demonstrating that the GPU is heavily taxed by the higher graphical fidelity settings.

Q: Does the CPU's performance bottleneck the GPU in this game?

A: The data suggests it does not. The FPS scales consistently with resolution changes, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound scenario. The i3-12100F's strong single-threaded performance, evidenced by its Passmark single-thread score of 3444, appears sufficient to feed the GTX 1650, allowing the GPU to be the primary determinant of frame rate.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal balance between visual quality and performance is found at the Medium preset for this hardware combination. At 1080p, the Medium preset delivers an average of 80 FPS, with a minimum of 68 FPS and a maximum of 92 FPS. This provides a smooth, responsive experience that is well above the 60 FPS target for most players. The High preset is also viable at 1080p, averaging 68 FPS, but it sacrifices 12 FPS (15%) for what may be a marginal visual improvement.

The Low preset is not recommended for general play, as the 92 FPS average it provides comes at the cost of significant visual fidelity. However, for competitive play or for users with high-refresh-rate monitors, the Low preset's performance headroom could be valuable. At 1440p, the Medium preset becomes the minimum viable option, averaging 52 FPS (min 44, max 60), but users should be prepared for occasional dips below 60 FPS. The Ultra preset should be avoided entirely at 1440p and above, as the 36 FPS average at 1440p and 19 FPS at 4K render the game unplayable. The data indicates that the Medium preset at 1080p is the "sweet spot," offering a 33.3% performance increase over High while maintaining a stable frame rate.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's ranking of 3585 out of 3712 tested combinations places it firmly in the bottom 3.4% of all systems in the database for Doom performance. This is a low rank, but it is not a surprising one. The GTX 1650 is a low-end GPU, and its 40th percentile ranking among all GPUs reflects its position. The i3-12100F, while a competent CPU, is also from the budget tier, ranking in the 68th percentile. Together, they form a system that is outclassed by the vast majority of gaming rigs tested.

This ranking should not be interpreted as a failure, but rather as a signal of Doom's excellent optimization. The fact that this low-ranking combo can still achieve an average of 55 FPS at 1080p Ultra is remarkable. The data implies that the game's engine is highly scalable and can run on modest hardware, even if it cannot reach the high frame rates achievable on more powerful systems. For a user with this combo, the ranking indicates that expectations must be managed. This is not a system for high-refresh-rate 1440p gaming or any 4K gaming, but it can deliver a solid 1080p experience.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is the primary driver of the performance metrics observed. Its specifications paint a picture of a modest, entry-level card. It features a TU117 chip on a 12 nm process, with 896 shading units, 56 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The GPU has a base clock of 1485 MHz and a boost clock of 1665 MHz. Its memory configuration is a critical limitation: 4 GB of GDDR5 on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 128.1 GB/s.

The benchmark results directly correlate with these specs. At 1080p Low, the card achieves 92 FPS, but this drops to 55 FPS at Ultra. This 40.2% performance penalty is due to the increased shader and texture work required by higher settings. The 4 GB VRAM is likely a major factor at 1440p and 4K. At 4K Ultra, the card can only muster 19 FPS, suggesting that it is running out of memory bandwidth and capacity, causing severe performance degradation. The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 7880 and its 40th percentile ranking confirm it is a below-average performer, which is expected for a card that was launched as an end-of-life product. The data shows that the GTX 1650 is the clear bottleneck in this combo, and its limitations define the playable range of settings and resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of the combo's performance across resolutions and settings.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the results are largely unplayable. The Low preset yields an average of 32 FPS. The Medium preset averages 28 FPS (min 24, max 32). The High preset drops to 24 FPS, and the Ultra preset bottoms out at 19 FPS. None of these are acceptable for a smooth experience.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the situation improves but remains challenging. The Low preset achieves an average of 59 FPS, which is borderline playable. The Medium preset averages 52 FPS (min 44, max 60). The High preset averages 44 FPS, and the Ultra preset falls to 36 FPS. Users at this resolution would need to stick to Low or Medium settings.

At 1920x1080 (1080p), the combo becomes viable. The Low preset delivers a strong 92 FPS average. The Medium preset provides a solid 80 FPS (min 68, max 92). The High preset averages 68 FPS, maintaining playability. The Ultra preset averages 55 FPS, which is just on the edge of the 60 FPS target. This resolution is the only one where the system can consistently deliver a good gaming experience.

The data shows a consistent pattern: for every resolution, the FPS difference between Low and Ultra is approximately 40-41%. This consistent ratio reinforces the point that the GPU is the limiting factor, as its performance scales predictably with the graphical workload.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F serves as a surprisingly capable partner to the GTX 1650. This CPU features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. It is built on the Alder Lake architecture using a 10 nm process. Its cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache.

The CPU's benchmark scores indicate that it is not a limiting factor in this game. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674 and multicore score of 11860 are respectable. Its Passmark single-thread score of 3444 is particularly notable, as Doom is a game that benefits from strong single-threaded performance. The 3DMark scores reinforce this, with a 2-thread score of 1659 and a single-thread score of 893.

The data implies that the i3-12100F has sufficient processing power to keep the GTX 1650 fed with data. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see similar FPS numbers across different resolutions, as the CPU would be at its limit regardless of the GPU's workload. Instead, we see FPS scaling with resolution, which proves the CPU is not the primary constraint. The CPU's 68th percentile ranking shows that it is a mid-range processor, and in this specific context with a low-end GPU, it is more than adequate for the task. The data suggests that upgrading the GPU would yield significant performance improvements, while the i3-12100F could likely support a more powerful graphics card without becoming a significant bottleneck.