Inside

The Intel Core i5-12400 paired with the AMD Radeon RX 580 is a combination that targets 1080p and 1440p gaming with a strong focus on CPU headroom. The i5-12400 features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This Alder Lake-S architecture chip uses a 10 nm process and supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, though the game’s performance here is largely dictated by the GPU. For a puzzle platformer like Inside, the CPU’s single-threaded strength—evidenced by a 3DMark single-thread score of 910 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2249—ensures that frame pacing remains consistent. The 18 MB of shared L3 cache also helps reduce latency in scene transitions, which matters in a game that relies on tight environmental storytelling.

The i5-12400’s multi-threaded capabilities are robust but not the limiting factor in this combo. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15935 and PassMark multithread score of 18747 place it well above the demands of a title like Inside, which is not heavily threaded. The CPU’s percentile of 77 versus all CPUs means it outperforms most processors on the market, and the benchmark averages show it is nearly identical to rivals like the Intel Core i7-9700 (deltaPct of 0.1) and slightly ahead of the Core i7-8700 (deltaPct of -0.2). In practical terms, this CPU will not bottleneck the RX 580 at any resolution tested, allowing the GPU to be the primary driver of frame rates. The launch MSRP for this CPU is $199, but the analysis focuses on performance metrics rather than cost.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested CPU and GPU combinations for Inside, this pairing ranks 1560 out of 1671 combos. That places it in the lower half of all tested systems, which is expected given the GPU’s age and tier. The rank reflects that while the CPU is strong, the RX 580 holds the combo back relative to modern graphics cards. However, within the context of the measured data, this rank does not tell the full story about playability. The combo’s performance is highly resolution-dependent, and the data shows it can deliver smooth experiences at 1080p and acceptable ones at 1440p, with 4K being a challenge.

The RX 580 itself sits at the 53rd percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 13559. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (deltaPct of 0), the GTX 950 (deltaPct of 0.1), and the AMD Radeon Pro 455 (deltaPct of 1.1). This means the GPU is on par with older mid-range cards, but the i5-12400’s modern architecture ensures that any performance ceiling is purely graphical. The combo rank of 1560 suggests that users should temper expectations for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming, but the measured FPS data below shows that the system is far from unusable.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-12400 strong enough for this game?

A: Yes. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2249 and 3DMark single-thread score of 910 indicate ample processing power for Inside, which is not a demanding title. The 6-core, 12-thread design with a 4.40 GHz boost clock ensures the game’s logic and physics run without stutter.

Q: How does the RX 580 compare to its closest GPU rivals?

A: The RX 580 has an average benchmark score of 13559, which is nearly identical to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (deltaPct of 0) and GTX 950 (deltaPct of 0.1). It is slightly ahead of the AMD Radeon Pro 455 (deltaPct of 1.1) and behind the NVIDIA P106-090 (deltaPct of -1.1).

*Q: What is the best resolution for this combo in Inside?*

A: The data shows 1920x1080 as the sweet spot. At Low settings, the combo reaches 150.2 FPS, and even at Ultra it maintains 72.6 FPS. At 2560x1440, performance drops to 108.7 FPS on Low and 50.7 FPS on Ultra, which is still playable but less fluid.

*Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming in Inside?*

A: Barely. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average FPS is 68.2, which is smooth. However, at High and Ultra settings, the frame rate falls to 32.2 FPS, which is not ideal for a game that benefits from smooth motion.

Q: How much VRAM does the RX 580 have, and does it matter?

A: The RX 580 has 8 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 256-bit bus and 256.0 GB/s bandwidth. For a puzzle platformer like Inside, the VRAM is more than sufficient, even at 4K, where the bottleneck is raw GPU compute rather than memory capacity.

Q: What is the CPU’s launch MSRP?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has a launch MSRP of $199, though this analysis does not focus on cost or value.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data for Inside reveals a clear pattern: performance scales predictably with resolution and settings. At 1920x1080, the combo delivers excellent frame rates across all presets. Low settings produce 150.2 FPS, Medium yields 117.5 FPS, High achieves 75.7 FPS, and Ultra drops to 72.6 FPS. The gap between High and Ultra is minimal (a 3.1 FPS difference), suggesting that the Ultra preset is not worth the extra graphical load for this GPU.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain respectable but show the GPU’s limits. Low settings hit 108.7 FPS, which is smooth for most displays. Medium drops to 84.9 FPS, High falls to 55.2 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 50.7 FPS. The step from High to Ultra at 1440p is a 4.5 FPS loss, which is negligible, but the step from Medium to High costs 29.7 FPS, indicating a significant graphical demand increase.

At 3840x2160, the combo struggles with higher presets. Low settings manage 68.2 FPS, which is playable, but Medium drops to 53.2 FPS. High and Ultra both produce 32.2 FPS, making them unsuitable for a smooth experience. The data shows that 4K is only viable with Low settings, and even then, the frame rate is borderline for a game that benefits from 60 FPS.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 580 is a Polaris 20 chip built on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It features 2304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 32 ROPs, with a base clock of 1257 MHz and a boost clock of 1340 MHz. The GPU’s memory operates at 2000 MHz, effectively delivering 8 Gbps across a 256-bit bus, resulting in a bandwidth of 256.0 GB/s. This configuration yields a pixel rate of 42.88 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 193.0 GTexel/s, with a FP32 performance of 6.175 TFLOPS.

In Inside, the GPU’s role is dominant. The game’s art style is minimalist but uses dynamic lighting and shadows, which stress the ROPs and shading units. The RX 580’s 32 ROPs are adequate for 1080p but become a limiting factor at 4K, where the pixel fill rate is insufficient for High and Ultra presets. The 8 GB VRAM is never a constraint, as the game’s assets are modest. The GPU’s 185 W TDP and dual-slot design are typical for its class, and its DirectX 12 support (12_0) ensures compatibility with modern titles, though Inside is not graphically intensive enough to leverage advanced features.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo depends on the target resolution. For 1920x1080, the High preset at 75.7 FPS offers the best balance of visual fidelity and smoothness, as the jump to Ultra only gains a marginal visual improvement while losing 3.1 FPS. For users prioritizing frame rate, the Medium preset at 117.5 FPS is excellent, and Low at 150.2 FPS is unnecessary unless chasing the highest refresh rates.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset at 84.9 FPS is the recommended choice, as it keeps the experience fluid while retaining enough detail. High at 55.2 FPS is playable but may feel less responsive, and Ultra at 50.7 FPS is not worth the drop from Medium. Low at 108.7 FPS is viable but sacrifices visual quality for performance that many displays cannot show.

For 3840x2160, the only viable option is Low at 68.2 FPS. Medium at 53.2 FPS is borderline, while High and Ultra at 32.2 FPS should be avoided due to poor frame pacing. The data indicates that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming, with 1440p as a secondary option at Medium settings. The 4K results confirm that this GPU is not designed for that resolution in Inside, despite the CPU’s capability. Users should stick to 1080p High or 1440p Medium for the best experience with this hardware pairing.