Doom

The Intel Core i7-12700K paired with the AMD Radeon RX 9060 delivers a robust 1080p experience in Doom, with performance scaling predictably across resolutions. The combination ranks 1686th out of 2930 tested combos, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the database. The 12-core, 20-thread Alder Lake processor, with its 3.60 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost clock, provides ample headroom for the game's engine, while the GPU's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory becomes a notable factor at higher resolutions. The data indicates a system that excels at high refresh rate 1080p gaming but requires settings adjustments to maintain playable frame rates at 4K.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor built on the Alder Lake architecture. Its configuration combines performance and efficiency cores, a design that allows the processor to handle both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded workloads effectively. The processor's 3.60 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock are critical for game logic and physics calculations, which often rely on single-thread performance. In synthetic benchmarks, the CPU scores 1043 in 3dmark_single_thread and 1850.5 in cinebench_r23_singlecore, indicating strong per-core capability that directly benefits frame pacing in a fast-paced FPS like Doom.

The processor's multi-threaded capabilities are equally robust, with a cinebench_r23_multicore score of 19784 and a passmark_multithread score of 34404. While Doom is not typically a CPU-bound title, the 12 cores and 20 threads ensure that background processes and the game's AI routines do not create bottlenecks. The CPU's 25 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core provide fast access to frequently used data, reducing latency in gameplay scenarios. The 3dmark_16_threads score of 9276 and 3dmark_max_threads score of 9979 show a scaling pattern that, while not linear, indicates the processor can leverage its full thread count when needed.

The i7-12700K's performance relative to its nearest rivals is nearly identical, with a deltaPct of -0.1% compared to the Intel Core i5-13600T, -0.2% versus the Intel Core i7-12700KF, and -0.3% against the Intel Core i7-13700T. This suggests that within this performance bracket, the CPU is not the differentiating factor in gaming benchmarks. The processor's 84th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 35287, confirms it is a high-end part that will not limit the GPU in most gaming scenarios. For Doom specifically, the CPU's role is to feed the GPU with draw calls and process game state updates, a task it handles with significant headroom, as evidenced by the high FPS numbers at 1080p where CPU overhead is most apparent.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the average frame rate at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings?

A: The measured average FPS at 1920x1080 with Ultra settings is 127 frames per second.

Q: How does the RX 9060's benchmark score compare to its closest rival, the RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014, which is 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's score of 16129.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded at 2560x1440 with Medium settings?

A: The minimum FPS recorded at 2560x1440 with Medium settings is 101 frames per second.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bus width and bandwidth?

A: The GPU has a 128-bit memory bus with a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s.

Q: What is the processor's boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has a boost clock speed of 5.00 GHz.

Q: How does the combo rank overall in the database for this game?

A: The combo ranks 1686th out of 2930 tested combinations for Doom.

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

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent drop as resolution increases, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 127. Moving to 2560x1440, the average drops to 82 FPS, a reduction of 45 FPS or approximately 35.4%. At 3840x2160, the average further declines to 45 FPS, a drop of 37 FPS from the 1440p result. This pattern indicates that the AMD Radeon RX 9060 is the primary limiting factor at higher resolutions, as the CPU's performance headroom is unlikely to be exhausted at these frame rates.

The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a steeper percentage drop than from 1440p to 4K. From 1080p to 1440p, performance falls by 35.4%, while from 1440p to 4K, it falls by an additional 45.1%. This non-linear relationship is typical for GPU-bound workloads where the pixel count increases exponentially. The data suggests that the RX 9060, with its 8 GB of VRAM and 128-bit memory bus, struggles to maintain frame rates as the rendering load increases. The GPU's bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s becomes a limiting factor at 4K, where the demand for texture data and frame buffer operations exceeds what the memory subsystem can efficiently provide.

Looking at the Low settings across resolutions provides another perspective. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 211, dropping to 137 at 1440p, and further to 74 at 4K. The percentage drops are 35.1% and 46.0%, respectively, showing a similar scaling pattern. This consistency across settings confirms that the GPU is the limiting component at higher resolutions, regardless of the graphical preset. The CPU's strong single-thread performance, evidenced by its 3dmark_single_thread score of 1043, ensures that it can keep up with the GPU's demands even at lower settings where frame rates are higher. The data unequivocally shows that for this combo, resolution scaling is governed by GPU capabilities rather than CPU performance.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

The measured FPS data offers clear guidance on the optimal settings for different resolutions. At 1920x1080, all settings presets produce playable frame rates, but the High preset at 155 FPS provides an excellent balance between visual fidelity and performance. The Medium preset at 184 FPS is also viable for users prioritizing frame rate over visual quality, while the Ultra preset at 127 FPS remains above the 120 FPS threshold for high-refresh-rate monitors. The Low preset at 211 FPS is only recommended for competitive play where maximum frame rates are essential, as the visual quality degradation is significant.

At 2560x1440, the High preset at 101 FPS is the recommended choice, as it maintains a three-digit frame rate while offering substantial visual improvements over Medium and Low. The Medium preset at 119 FPS is also acceptable, but the jump to High is minimal in performance cost (18 FPS) compared to the visual uplift. The Ultra preset at 82 FPS is playable but may not fully utilize a 144Hz or higher refresh rate monitor. The data suggests that High is the sweet spot for 1440p, providing a smooth experience without sacrificing too much visual detail.

At 3840x2160, the frame rates become marginal. The High preset at 54 FPS is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The Medium preset at 65 FPS is the best option for 4K, as it offers a more comfortable frame rate while retaining moderate visual quality. The Low preset at 74 FPS is the only preset that approaches a 75Hz refresh rate, but the visual trade-offs are substantial. The Ultra preset at 45 FPS is not recommended, as it dips below the 50 FPS threshold that many consider the minimum for smooth gameplay. For 4K, the Medium preset provides the best experience per the measured data, balancing frame rate and visual fidelity.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i7-12700K and AMD Radeon RX 9060 combination ranks 1686th out of 2930 tested combos in Doom, placing it in the 42.5th percentile of all tested systems. This ranking indicates that while the combo is capable of running the game well, there are a significant number of faster combinations in the database. The rank suggests that the GPU, which sits in the 59th percentile among all GPUs, is the primary determinant of the combo's position, as the CPU's 84th percentile ranking offers more headroom than the GPU can utilize.

The GPU's average benchmark score of 16014 is closely matched by its nearest rivals, with the RTX 3060 Ti at 16129 (0.7% higher), the Radeon R9 370X at 15862 (1% lower), and the RX 7700 at 15852 (1% lower). This tight grouping suggests that the RX 9060 is positioned in a competitive segment where performance differences are minimal. The combo's rank of 1686 reflects this mid-tier positioning, where it outperforms lower-end combinations but falls behind those with higher-tier GPUs.

Given the CPU's strong benchmark scores, it is evident that the processor is not the bottleneck in this pairing. The 3dmark_16_threads score of 9276 and cinebench_r23_multicore score of 19784 are indicative of a high-performance processor that can support a more powerful GPU. The combo's rank could be improved by pairing the i7-12700K with a faster GPU, as the CPU's performance headroom would allow for higher frame rates without introducing a CPU bottleneck. Conversely, the current GPU pairing leaves performance on the table, as the CPU's capabilities are not fully utilized in GPU-bound scenarios at higher resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

At 1920x1080, the measured average FPS across settings is as follows: Low at 211 FPS, Medium at 184 FPS (with a minimum of 156 FPS and maximum of 212 FPS), High at 155 FPS, and Ultra at 127 FPS. The spread between Low and Ultra is 84 FPS, representing a 39.8% performance difference. The Medium preset's minimum of 156 FPS indicates that even in demanding scenes, the frame rate remains above 144 FPS, which is sufficient for most high-refresh-rate displays. The maximum of 212 FPS at Medium suggests that the system can occasionally exceed 200 FPS, but the average is more representative of typical gameplay.

At 2560x1440, the measured average FPS is: Low at 137 FPS, Medium at 119 FPS (with a minimum of 101 FPS and maximum of 137 FPS), High at 101 FPS, and Ultra at 82 FPS. The performance drop from 1080p is substantial, with the Medium preset losing 65 FPS on average. The minimum of 101 FPS at Medium shows that the system can maintain a three-digit frame rate even in the most demanding scenes, but the average of 119 FPS indicates that 144Hz monitors will not be fully saturated. The Ultra preset at 82 FPS is the first setting that dips below 100 FPS, suggesting that this resolution requires careful settings selection for competitive play.

At 3840x2160, the measured average FPS is: Low at 74 FPS, Medium at 65 FPS (with a minimum of 55 FPS and maximum of 74 FPS), High at 54 FPS, and Ultra at 45 FPS. The performance drop from 1440p is significant, with the High preset losing 47 FPS on average. The Medium preset's minimum of 55 FPS is the only setting that maintains a frame rate above 60 FPS in the worst-case scenario, but the average of 65 FPS suggests that 60Hz displays will be adequately served. The Ultra preset at 45 FPS is the only setting that falls below the 50 FPS threshold, making it unsuitable for smooth gameplay. The data at 4K clearly shows that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU's performance headroom is irrelevant when the GPU cannot render frames fast enough.

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

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is a mid-range GPU based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture, featuring the Navi 44 chip manufactured on a 4 nm process. The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming but becomes a limiting factor at 4K, where the demand for texture data exceeds what the memory subsystem can efficiently provide. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM capacity is sufficient for Doom's textures at all settings, but the bandwidth constraint is evident in the sharp FPS drops at higher resolutions.

The GPU's clock speeds include a base clock of 1700 MHz, a game clock of 2400 MHz, and a boost clock of 2990 MHz. The boost clock of 2990 MHz is notably high, allowing the GPU to achieve a peak performance level that is competitive with its rivals. The GPU's shading units (1792), texture mapping units (112), and render output units (64) are configured to deliver a fp32 performance of 21.43 TFLOPS. This computational throughput is sufficient for Doom's rendering requirements, as evidenced by the high frame rates at 1080p. The GPU's pixel rate of 191.4 GPixel/s and texture rate of 334.9 GTexel/s are also strong indicators of its capability to handle the game's visual effects.

The GPU's benchmark scores show a mixed picture. Its passmark_g3d score of 17631 is respectable, placing it in the 59th percentile among all GPUs. However, its passmark_directx_12 score of 44 is notably low, which may reflect the GPU's performance in specific API workloads. The 3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 score of 3322 is more indicative of modern gaming performance. The GPU's nearest rival, the RTX 3060 Ti, has an average score of 16129, which is 0.7% higher than the RX 9060's 16014. This close margin suggests that the RX 9060 is well-positioned in its performance class, but it does not offer a significant advantage over its competitors. In Doom specifically, the GPU's role is to render the game's fast-paced environments at high frame rates, a task it accomplishes admirably at 1080p but with diminishing returns as resolution increases.