Doom

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

The measured FPS data for this Intel Core i3-12100F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination in Doom reveals a predictable but telling scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 314 FPS average. Moving to 1440p Low drops that to 203 FPS, a reduction of 111 FPS. At 4K Low, the average falls further to 110 FPS. This progression shows a steep drop-off as pixel count increases, with 4K delivering roughly one-third of the 1080p frame rate at identical settings.

The scaling curve steepens when considering higher quality presets. At High settings, the system delivers 231 FPS at 1080p, 150 FPS at 1440p, and 81 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 1440p at High is approximately 35%, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is approximately 46%. This accelerating decline with resolution indicates that the rendering pipeline becomes progressively more pixel-bound, which is expected behavior for a modern GPU paired with a mid-range CPU.

The limiting component shifts across the resolution spectrum. At 1080p, the frame rates exceed 300 FPS on Low settings, which places significant demand on the CPU to feed the GPU with draw calls and game logic updates. The Intel Core i3-12100F, with its 4 cores and 8 threads, must work hard to sustain such high frame rates. The data suggests that at 1080p Low, the CPU is the primary constraint, as the GPU has ample headroom to render frames faster than the CPU can issue them.

At 4K, the situation reverses. The RTX 4070 must process 8.3 million pixels per frame, and the frame rate drops to 110 FPS on Low settings. Here, the GPU becomes the bottleneck, as the pixel throughput requirements dominate the frame time budget. The CPU, while still active, has far less influence on the final frame rate because the GPU takes longer to complete each frame.

The Medium preset data provides additional insight into the scaling behavior. At 4K Medium, the average FPS is 96, with a minimum of 81 and maximum of 110. At 1440p Medium, the average rises to 177 FPS with a range of 150 to 204. At 1080p Medium, the average reaches 273 FPS with a range of 232 to 314. The spread between minimum and maximum frame rates widens at lower resolutions, suggesting that CPU-bound scenarios introduce more frame time variance, while GPU-bound scenarios at higher resolutions produce more consistent frame pacing.

Ultra settings show the most dramatic resolution sensitivity. The system produces 189 FPS at 1080p Ultra, 122 FPS at 1440p Ultra, and 66 FPS at 4K Ultra. The 4K Ultra result represents a 65% reduction from the 1080p Ultra figure. This indicates that the Ultra preset's additional graphical effects, such as enhanced lighting and shadow quality, impose a significant GPU workload that scales with pixel count.

Overall, the resolution scaling analysis reveals a balanced system that transitions from CPU-limited at 1080p to GPU-limited at 4K. The sweet spot for this combination appears to be 1440p, where the frame rates remain high enough to leverage the CPU's capabilities while still providing a substantial visual upgrade over 1080p.

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

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The CPU has a 12 MB shared L3 cache, with 80 KB of L1 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core. Its TDP is rated at 58 W, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

In Doom, the CPU's role is most evident at 1080p, where frame rates are highest. The game's engine, built on the id Tech 6 framework, is known for its efficient multi-threading, but it still benefits from strong single-thread performance. The i3-12100F's boost clock of 4.30 GHz provides solid single-core throughput, as reflected in its benchmark scores: 3DMark single-thread score of 893, Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674, and Geekbench single-core score of 1932. These scores place the CPU in the 68th percentile compared to all CPUs, indicating above-average single-thread capability for its class.

The 8 threads available through Hyper-Threading allow the CPU to handle the game's background tasks, such as audio processing and physics simulation, without starving the main rendering thread. The 3DMark 8-thread score of 4026 and max-thread score of 4023 show that scaling beyond 8 threads provides minimal additional performance, which aligns with Doom's thread usage patterns. The CPU's multithreaded scores, including Cinebench R23 multicore of 11860 and Geekbench multicore of 7252, indicate that it can manage moderate parallel workloads effectively.

The CPU's performance relative to its nearest rivals helps contextualize its role in this game. The i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (0.3% delta). It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core 5 120UL, which scores 13594 (-0.7% delta), and the Intel Core i7-1250U at 13351 (1.1% delta). These comparisons show that the i3-12100F sits in a competitive mid-range position, capable of driving high frame rates in CPU-light scenarios.

At 1080p Low, the system reaches 314 FPS, which is a demanding scenario for any CPU. The fact that the i3-12100F can sustain this frame rate suggests that its 4.30 GHz boost clock and efficient architecture provide sufficient instruction throughput for Doom's rendering loop. However, the frame rate ceiling appears to be limited by the CPU at this resolution, as the RTX 4070 is capable of significantly higher output in less CPU-constrained titles.

The CPU's memory support for DDR5 could provide additional bandwidth advantages, but the data does not specify which memory type was used in the measured results. The dual-channel configuration is standard for gaming workloads, and the 12 MB L3 cache helps mitigate memory latency penalties during frame rendering.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process node, with 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. It features 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, delivering 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has a base clock of 1920 MHz and a boost clock of 2475 MHz, with memory operating at 1313 MHz (21 Gbps effective). Its 5888 shading units, 184 TMUs, and 64 ROPs provide substantial rasterization throughput, rated at 158.4 GPixel/s pixel rate and 455.4 GTexel/s texture rate.

In Doom, the GPU's role becomes increasingly dominant as resolution and settings increase. At 4K Ultra, the system produces 66 FPS, which is the lowest measured result. This frame rate is primarily dictated by the GPU's ability to process the game's advanced visual effects at high pixel counts. The RTX 4070's 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for Doom's texture requirements, even at 4K Ultra, as the game's textures are not exceptionally demanding by modern standards.

The GPU's benchmark scores provide context for its performance. Its Passmark G3D score of 26927 and average benchmark score of 37648 place it in the 81st percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA Tesla P4 at 37628 (0.1% delta) and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 at 37507 (0.4% delta), while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile scores higher at 38135 (-1.3% delta) and the AMD Radeon PRO W6400 trails at 37157 (1.3% delta). These comparisons indicate that the RTX 4070 performs near the top of its segment, though Doom's older engine may not fully utilize its architectural efficiencies.

The GPU's FP32 throughput of 29.15 TFLOPS is more than sufficient for Doom's rendering workload, which uses a combination of forward and deferred rendering techniques. The RTX 4070's ray tracing cores and tensor cores, while present, are not heavily utilized in Doom, as the game's original release predates widespread ray tracing adoption. This means the GPU's raw rasterization performance is the primary factor in the measured FPS results.

At 1080p, the GPU is underutilized, as evidenced by the 314 FPS Low result. The GPU's pixel rate of 158.4 GPixel/s theoretically allows for much higher frame rates at 1080p, but the CPU limits the actual output. At 1440p, the GPU workload increases, and the system produces 203 FPS on Low settings, showing that the GPU begins to take a more active role. At 4K, the GPU becomes fully engaged, with 110 FPS on Low settings reflecting the pixel throughput demands.

The GPU's memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s is adequate for Doom's texture streaming and frame buffer operations. The 12 GB VRAM capacity ensures that texture data remains resident in video memory even at 4K Ultra, preventing stutter from memory swapping. The GPU's boost clock of 2475 MHz provides consistent performance across the resolution range, as evidenced by the relatively stable frame times at 4K Medium, where the minimum FPS of 81 is close to the average of 96.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combination achieves in Doom?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 314, achieved at 1920x1080 with Low settings.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its closest rival in benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, which is essentially tied with the Intel Core 3 N355 at 13492 (0% delta) and slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-9500 at 13452 (0.3% delta).

Q: What is the lowest measured FPS for this combo?

A: The lowest average FPS is 66, recorded at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings.

Q: Does the GPU outperform its nearest rival in average benchmark score?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37648, which is 0.1% higher than the NVIDIA Tesla P4 at 37628 and 0.4% higher than the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 at 37507.

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking among all tested CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100F ranks in the 68th percentile, indicating it outperforms 68% of all CPUs in the benchmark database.

Q: How many total combos are ranked in Doom, and where does this combo place?

A: This combo ranks 860th out of 3712 tested combinations, which places it in the top 23% of all combos tested in Doom.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i3-12100F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination ranks 860th out of 3712 tested combos in Doom. This placement puts the system in the upper quartile of all tested configurations, which is notable given the CPU's mid-range positioning. The ranking reflects the strong performance of the RTX 4070, which compensates for the i3-12100F's limited core count.

The combo's rank suggests that Doom is not particularly demanding on the CPU, allowing the GPU to dominate the performance profile. The game's efficient engine scales well with GPU capabilities, and the RTX 4070's high rasterization throughput enables frame rates that exceed what many higher-end CPUs paired with weaker GPUs could achieve. The 860th rank out of 3712 represents a solid position, indicating that this combo outperforms approximately 77% of all tested systems in this game.

The ranking also reflects the balance between CPU and GPU. Systems with more powerful CPUs but weaker GPUs would likely rank lower in this GPU-centric title, while systems with similar CPU specifications but less capable GPUs would also fall behind. The i3-12100F's 4 cores are sufficient to avoid becoming a severe bottleneck, allowing the RTX 4070 to operate near its full potential at resolutions above 1080p.

Compared to the CPU's percentile rank of 68 and GPU's percentile rank of 81, the combo's game-specific rank is lower than both component percentiles. This indicates that Doom's performance characteristics do not perfectly align with the average benchmark scores of either component. The game's optimization for high frame rates and its relatively modest CPU requirements mean that the GPU's capabilities are more directly translated into FPS, but the overall combo rank is tempered by the CPU's limitations at very high frame rates.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance on which settings preset offers the best experience. At 1080p, all presets deliver high frame rates, but the differences between them are substantial. Low settings produce 314 FPS, Medium produces 273 FPS, High produces 231 FPS, and Ultra produces 189 FPS. The jump from Low to Ultra costs 125 FPS, which may not be justified by the visual improvements in a fast-paced FPS where frame rate is paramount.

At 1440p, the Medium preset delivers 177 FPS with a minimum of 150 FPS, which provides a good balance between visual quality and smoothness. High settings at 1440p produce 150 FPS, while Ultra drops to 122 FPS. The Medium preset's minimum FPS of 150 ensures that the frame rate rarely dips below the refresh rate of most high-refresh monitors, making it a strong recommendation for competitive play.

At 4K, the High preset produces 81 FPS, which is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced action. The Medium preset at 4K delivers 96 FPS with a minimum of 81 FPS, offering a better balance. Ultra at 4K drops to 66 FPS, which may feel less responsive. For 4K gaming, the Medium preset provides the smoothest experience while maintaining acceptable visual quality.

For players prioritizing competitive performance, the Low preset at 1080p offers the highest frame rate at 314 FPS, ensuring maximum responsiveness. However, this comes at the cost of reduced visual fidelity. The Medium preset at 1440p represents the best overall compromise, with 177 FPS average and a minimum of 150 FPS, providing both high frame rates and improved visual detail over 1080p.

Generally, the Medium preset appears to be the optimal choice across all resolutions. It maintains a minimum FPS of 81 at 4K, 150 at 1440p, and 232 at 1080p, ensuring that frame pacing remains consistent even in demanding scenes. The High preset, while offering better visuals, reduces average FPS by 15-20% compared to Medium at each resolution, which may be noticeable in fast movement sequences.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for this combination covers 12 distinct configuration points, spanning four resolutions and four quality presets.

At 1920x1080, the system achieves the following average FPS:

• Low: 314
• Medium: 273 (minimum 232, maximum 314)
• High: 231
• Ultra: 189

At 2560x1440, the results are:

• Low: 203
• Medium: 177 (minimum 150, maximum 204)
• High: 150
• Ultra: 122

At 3840x2160, the results are:

• Low: 110
• Medium: 96 (minimum 81, maximum 110)
• High: 81
• Ultra: 66

The Medium preset rows include both minimum and maximum FPS values, providing insight into frame time consistency. At 1080p Medium, the range spans 232 to 314 FPS, a spread of 82 FPS that indicates some frame time variability during intense scenes. At 1440p Medium, the range narrows to 150 to 204 FPS, a spread of 54 FPS. At 4K Medium, the range is 81 to 110 FPS, a spread of 29 FPS. This narrowing spread at higher resolutions confirms that GPU-bound scenarios produce more consistent frame pacing.

The data shows that the transition from Low to Medium settings costs approximately 41 FPS at 1080p, 26 FPS at 1440p, and 14 FPS at 4K. The cost of moving from Medium to High is 42 FPS at 1080p, 27 FPS at 1440p, and 15 FPS at 4K. The step from High to Ultra costs 42 FPS at 1080p, 28 FPS at 1440p, and 15 FPS at 4K. These consistent deltas across resolution indicate that each quality tier imposes a similar relative GPU workload increase, independent of pixel count.