Doom

The Intel Core i5-12400F presents a compelling case for high-refresh-rate gaming in Doom. With 6 cores and 12 threads, the processor’s architecture is built on the Alder Lake-S design, featuring a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The benchmark data shows a strong single-thread performance, evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 909 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2332, which is critical for the game’s engine. However, the data suggests that the CPU is not the primary bottleneck here. The multi-threaded scores are respectable, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16518 and a Passmark multithread score of 19433, but the frame rates achieved across the measured resolutions imply a workload that scales more heavily with the GPU. This CPU’s performance places it at the 77th percentile when compared to all CPUs, with its average benchmark score of 19221 being nearly identical to rivals like the Intel Core i7-8700K, which has a deltaPct of only 0.1%. This indicates that while the CPU is a capable performer, its influence on the final frame rates in this title is secondary to the graphics card, particularly at higher settings where the GPU is pushed harder. The 18 MB of shared L3 cache helps in maintaining data flow, but the sheer volume of frames being rendered suggests the system is well-balanced, with the CPU providing enough headroom to not starve the GPU of data.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT is the dominant force in this configuration. This GPU, based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture and the Navi 48 chip, brings substantial resources to the table. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 644.6 GB/s. This memory capacity is a significant asset, allowing the card to handle high-resolution textures without stuttering. The GPU’s raw compute power is substantial, with an FP32 performance of 48.66 TFLOPS and a pixel rate of 380.2 GPixel/s. These specifications translate directly into the measured FPS, which remain high even at demanding settings. The boost clock of 2970 MHz is aggressive, and the 4096 shading units ensure that the rendering pipeline is fully saturated. The GPU’s benchmark scores reflect its high-end positioning, with a Passmark G3D score of 26795 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 7260. This performance places the RX 9070 XT at the 82nd percentile among all GPUs. When compared to its nearest rivals, its average benchmark score of 39647 is remarkably close to the AMD Radeon Pro 575, which has a deltaPct of -0.1%, and the NVIDIA RTX A500 Mobile, which is 0.2% behind. This suggests that in synthetic benchmarks, it performs in a similar tier, but the real-world gaming data in Doom shows how this raw power is utilized.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of scaling as resolution increases, which tells a story about system limitations. At 1920x1080 with High settings, the system produces an average of 228.1 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440, the average drops to 149.7 FPS, a reduction that indicates the GPU is beginning to work harder. At 3840x2160, the average falls further to 83.8 FPS. This scaling pattern suggests a system that is largely GPU-bound, especially at higher resolutions. The frame rate drop from 1080p to 4K is substantial, from 228.1 to 83.8 FPS, which is a 63.3% reduction. This significant decrease points to the GPU being the primary limiting factor as pixel count increases. Conversely, the CPU’s role becomes less critical at higher resolutions, as the GPU is tasked with more work per frame. The data implies that the CPU has ample headroom to feed the GPU at 1080p, but as the resolution climbs to 4K, the GPU's rendering capabilities become the sole determinant of performance. The difference between Low and Ultra settings at each resolution further emphasizes the GPU's workload. At 4K, the gap between Low (106.9 FPS) and Ultra (67 FPS) is 39.9 FPS, showing how much additional strain higher visual fidelity places on the graphics card.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive look at performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional performance. With Low settings, the average FPS is 314.4, which is an extremely high frame rate suited for competitive play. Medium settings yield 273.1 FPS, and High settings produce 228.1 FPS. Even at Ultra settings, the average remains high at 189 FPS. This demonstrates that at 1080p, the system is capable of maxing out the game while staying well above the refresh rate of most high-end monitors. Moving to 2560x1440, the performance is still excellent, but the demands of the resolution are apparent. Low settings average 203.3 FPS, while Medium drops to 174.2 FPS. High settings maintain a strong 149.7 FPS, and Ultra settings still provide a smooth 123.4 FPS. The system remains highly capable at this resolution, making it a sweet spot for high-refresh-rate gaming with high visual quality. At 3840x2160, the GPU is truly challenged. Low settings average 106.9 FPS, which is still playable, but Medium drops to 96.2 FPS. High settings produce 83.8 FPS, and Ultra settings bring the average down to 67 FPS. This data shows a clear progression where the system transitions from being overkill at 1080p to being well-suited for 1440p and capable at 4K with adjusted settings.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400F bottlenecking the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT in this game?

A: Based on the data, the CPU does not appear to be a bottleneck. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 314.4 FPS, which is a very high frame rate. The performance scaling as resolution increases suggests the GPU is the limiting factor, as the frame rate drops significantly from 314.4 FPS at 1080p Low to 106.9 FPS at 4K Low.

Q: What is the performance difference between 1080p and 4K at Ultra settings?

A: At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 189. At 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 67. This represents a substantial drop of 122 FPS, or a 64.6% decrease in performance, clearly indicating the heavy load that 4K rendering places on the GPU.

Q: How does the CPU's benchmark performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F has an average benchmark score of 19221. This is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-8700K, which has a deltaPct of 0.1%. It is slightly ahead of the Intel Core i5-1335U by 0.3% and behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS by 0.7%. This indicates it is competitively positioned in its performance tier.

Q: What is the best resolution for a 144Hz monitor based on the data?

A: A 2560x1440 resolution with High settings, which yields 149.7 FPS, is a strong candidate for a 144Hz monitor. Even Ultra settings at this resolution, with an average of 123.4 FPS, would provide a good experience. At 1080p, all settings exceed 144Hz, but 1440p offers a better balance of visual quality and performance.

Q: How much of a performance gain is there from using Low settings compared to Ultra at 4K?

A: At 3840x2160, Low settings produce an average of 106.9 FPS, while Ultra settings produce 67 FPS. This is a difference of 39.9 FPS, or a 59.6% performance uplift when using the lowest settings. This suggests that lowering settings has a significant impact on frame rates at this high resolution.

Q: Does the system's in-game ranking suggest it is a top-tier combination?

A: The combo ranks 452 out of 1681 tested combinations. This places it in the top 27% of all tested combos, indicating that it is a high-performing system overall, but not the absolute best configuration that has been benchmarked for this game.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides clear guidance for the optimal settings experience. For users with a 1080p monitor, the Ultra preset, which yields an average of 189 FPS, is the clear recommendation. This setting provides the highest visual fidelity while still delivering frame rates that far exceed the refresh rate of standard gaming monitors. The system has so much headroom at this resolution that there is little reason to compromise on visual quality. For 1440p, the High preset, with an average of 149.7 FPS, offers the best balance. It provides a significant visual upgrade over Medium and still maintains a frame rate that is ideal for high-refresh-rate displays. While Ultra is playable at 123.4 FPS, High ensures a more consistent and fluid experience. At 4K, the choice becomes more nuanced. The Medium preset, averaging 96.2 FPS, is the recommended starting point. It offers a good visual experience while keeping the frame rate above 90 FPS. The High preset, at 83.8 FPS, is also viable for those who prioritize visual fidelity and have a 60Hz or 75Hz monitor. The Ultra preset, at 67 FPS, is the most demanding and is only recommended for users who value maximum graphical detail over frame rate and are comfortable with sub-70 FPS performance.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-12400F and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT achieves a rank of 452 out of 1681 tested combos in Doom. This ranking places the system in the upper echelon of tested configurations, specifically in the top 27%. This is a strong result, indicating that this pairing is well-matched for this title. The high ranking confirms the GPU's raw power, which is the primary driver of the high frame rates observed. The CPU, while not the star of the show, provides sufficient performance to support the GPU without introducing a bottleneck. The data suggests that this combo is an excellent choice for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and for a high-quality 4K experience. The system’s performance is not at the absolute top, but its rank demonstrates that it outperforms the vast majority of systems that have been tested, making it a formidable setup for Doom. The gap between the GPU and its closest rivals in synthetic benchmarks is minimal, but in-game, the RX 9070 XT's high memory bandwidth and compute capabilities deliver results that justify its upper-tier ranking.