Inside

The Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the Intel Arc B570 delivers a robust experience in Inside, a 2016 puzzle platformer. The benchmark data shows this combination ranks 2983rd out of 3716 tested combos, placing it in a position where performance is generally smooth, though not at the very top of the charts. The measured FPS across resolutions and settings reveals a system that is clearly GPU-bound at higher presets, while the CPU’s substantial multi-core headroom ensures the game never becomes processor-limited. This analysis breaks down the specific contributions of each component, the measured performance, and the best settings for this particular build.

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

The Intel Core i7-12700KF is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. It operates with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which provides a significant amount of single-thread performance for a game like Inside. This title relies on a single primary game thread for most of its logic and physics, so the high boost clock is directly relevant to maintaining consistent frame times. The CPU’s 3DMark single-thread score of 1043 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071 indicate strong per-core capability, which is a key factor in preventing CPU-related dips in average FPS.

However, Inside is not a demanding multi-threaded title. While the processor’s multi-threaded scores are impressive — a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 and a Passmark multithread score of 34092 — these figures are largely irrelevant to the actual frame rates achieved in this game. The benchmark results confirm this by showing significant FPS drops when moving from Low to Ultra settings at the same resolution, a pattern that indicates the GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU’s 25 MB of shared L3 cache and 80 KB L1 cache per core help reduce memory latency, but the game’s modest CPU demands mean that even the 12 cores and 20 threads are far from being saturated.

The i7-12700KF’s average benchmark score is 35365, placing it in the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700T, which scores 35403 (a delta of -0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-13600T, which scores 35305 (a delta of 0.2%). These small deltas, all within 0.2% of the i7-12700KF’s score, suggest that the CPU’s performance is on par with several mid-range and lower-power parts. In the context of Inside, this means that any of these CPUs would produce nearly identical FPS results because the game’s frame rate is dictated by the GPU, not the processor. The CPU’s role here is to provide a stable base so that the GPU can work without being interrupted by frame pacing issues.

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

The Intel Arc B570 is the primary performance driver in this configuration. It features 10 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 380.0 GB/s. The GPU’s memory clock is 2375 MHz, running at 19 Gbps effective. For a 2D side-scrolling puzzle platformer, the VRAM capacity is more than sufficient; even at 4K Ultra settings, the game’s textures and framebuffers are not likely to exceed 10 GB, which is evidenced by the consistent performance across all tested settings. The GPU’s architecture is Xe2-HPG, built on a 5 nm process, and it has 2304 shading units, 144 TMUs, and 80 ROPs.

The Arc B570’s boost clock is 2500 MHz, identical to its base clock, which simplifies performance expectations. Its FP32 compute throughput is 11.52 TFLOPS, and its pixel rate is 200.0 GPixel/s. These specifications are more than adequate for the game’s visuals, which feature simple geometry and lighting effects. The GPU’s average benchmark score is 20556, placing it in the 65th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile, which scores 20534 (a delta of 0.1%), and the Intel Arc A750, which scores 20582 (a delta of -0.1%). This suggests that the B570 sits in a performance tier that is roughly equivalent to those parts, although those comparisons are based on synthetic benchmarks, not the specific game data here.

In Inside, the GPU’s role is clearly dominant. The measured FPS data shows a consistent drop from Low to Ultra settings, which is a classic sign of GPU-bound performance. For instance, at 1080p, the average FPS goes from 240 on Low to 114 on Ultra, a difference of 126 FPS. This scaling is entirely attributable to the GPU’s workload increasing with texture quality and shadow detail. The GPU also handles the resolution scaling, as shown by the FPS dropping from 120 at 1080p High to 54 at 4K High, which is a direct result of the GPU having to render more pixels. The Arc B570 is the bottleneck in this system, but it is a capable one, as it still manages to maintain playable frame rates even at the highest settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS recorded for this combo, and at which settings?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 240, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only row in the measured data that hits this frame rate, and it indicates that the GPU is not heavily taxed at this preset.

Q: How does the CPU’s multi-threaded performance compare to its nearest rival?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700KF has an average benchmark score of 35365, which is 0.1% lower than the Intel Core i7-13700T’s score of 35403. The delta is negligible, meaning the two CPUs are effectively identical in overall synthetic performance.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for 4K Ultra settings in this game?

A: Yes, the Intel Arc B570 has 10 GB of GDDR6 memory, and the measured data shows an average FPS of 52 at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings. This indicates that the game does not run out of memory or experience stuttering due to VRAM limitations.

Q: What is the FPS difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset yields an average FPS of 172, while the Ultra preset yields 82. This represents a 90 FPS drop when moving to the highest quality settings, showing a significant GPU workload increase.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in this game?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The evidence is that FPS scales dramatically with settings changes; for example, at 1080p the FPS drops from 240 on Low to 114 on Ultra, which is a 126 FPS difference. If the CPU were the bottleneck, this scaling would be much smaller.

Q: What is the combo’s rank among all tested combinations?

A: The combo ranks 2983rd out of 3716 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 20% of all tested systems, though the actual game performance is still smooth due to the low system requirements of Inside.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700KF and Intel Arc B570 achieves a rank of 2983 out of 3716 tested combos in Inside. This rank is a relative measure of overall system performance in this specific game, and it places the combo in the lower half of the distribution. However, the rank should be interpreted with caution. Inside is a lightweight title, and the rank is influenced by the fact that many other tested combos include far more powerful GPUs or CPUs that can achieve higher frame rates at the same settings. The data shows that this combo is not at the top, but it is also far from the bottom, where playability might be compromised.

To put this rank in perspective, the combo is below the median, but the actual FPS numbers are still high. For example, at 1080p High settings, the combo achieves 120 FPS, which is above the standard 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. The rank of 2983 suggests that there are many other systems that can push the game to higher frame rates, particularly at 4K, where this combo only manages 54 FPS on High settings. The CPU’s performance is a non-factor in this ranking, as its 85th percentile standing among all CPUs is far better than the combo’s overall rank. This discrepancy reinforces that the GPU is the primary determinant of the final rank, and the Arc B570’s 65th percentile standing among GPUs aligns more closely with the combo’s placement.

The nearest rival GPUs to the Arc B570 include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile and the Intel Arc A750, with average scores of 20534 and 20582, respectively. These are close to the B570’s 20556, but the rank of 2983 indicates that even small differences in GPU performance can shift the ranking significantly when thousands of combos are considered. For a game like Inside, which is not graphically intensive, the rank is more of a reflection of the GPU’s raw throughput than its actual playability. The combo’s performance is sufficient for a comfortable experience, but it is not a high-end system that would appear near the top of the list.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 3840x2160 (4K), the average FPS ranges from 108 on Low to 52 on Ultra. The Low preset hits 108 FPS, which is playable, but the Ultra preset drops to 52 FPS, which is just below the 60 FPS threshold for many users. The Medium preset at 4K offers a middle ground with an average FPS of 87, and it is the only 4K row with min and max FPS data: a minimum of 74 and a maximum of 100. This indicates some variance, but the average is solid. The High preset at 4K produces 54 FPS, which is nearly identical to the Ultra preset’s 52 FPS, suggesting that the difference between High and Ultra is minimal in terms of GPU load.

At 2560x1440 (1440p), the performance improves considerably. The Low preset achieves 172 FPS, while Medium hits 138 FPS, with min and max values of 117 and 159, respectively. High settings at 1440p yield 86 FPS, and Ultra drops to 82 FPS. The gap between High and Ultra is only 4 FPS, which is smaller than the 2 FPS gap seen at 4K. This suggests that the Ultra preset is not significantly more demanding than High at this resolution. The 1080p results are the strongest, with Low hitting 240 FPS, Medium at 192 FPS (with min and max of 163 and 221), High at 120 FPS, and Ultra at 114 FPS. The 1080p Low result of 240 FPS is likely a cap or a reflection of the GPU’s maximum output, as the game may be limited by its engine’s frame rate cap.

The data reveals a consistent pattern: FPS decreases as resolution increases and as settings are raised. The most significant drop occurs between Low and Medium settings, while the drop from High to Ultra is often small. For instance, at 1080p, the FPS drops by 48 from Low to Medium (240 to 192), but only by 6 from High to Ultra (120 to 114). This indicates that the Medium preset is where the GPU starts to work harder, while High and Ultra are closer in performance. The min FPS values are only provided for Medium settings at each resolution, and they show that the combo maintains a minimum above 74 FPS in all cases, which is good for frame pacing.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the resolution and the user’s target frame rate. For 1080p, the High preset is the best recommendation, as it achieves 120 FPS, which is double the standard 60 FPS target and provides a smooth experience. The Ultra preset at 1080p yields 114 FPS, which is only 6 FPS slower, so the visual upgrade may be worth it for some users, but High offers a better balance of performance and quality. The Medium preset at 1080p hits 192 FPS, which is excellent for high-refresh-rate monitors, but it may not look as good as High.

For 1440p, the High preset is again the best choice, delivering 86 FPS. This is above the 60 FPS threshold and provides a good visual experience. The Ultra preset at 1440p produces 82 FPS, which is still playable, but the 4 FPS difference does not justify the potential visual improvements for most users. The Medium preset at 1440p achieves 138 FPS, which is ideal for high-refresh-rate displays, but the drop in texture quality might be noticeable. For 4K, the Medium preset is the recommended setting, as it achieves 87 FPS, which is above 60 and offers a good balance. The High and Ultra presets at 4K both fall below 60 FPS (54 and 52, respectively), making them less ideal for a smooth experience.

The data suggests that the Medium preset is the sweet spot for this combo at higher resolutions, while High works best at 1080p and 1440p. The Low preset, while offering the highest FPS, is not recommended because the visual quality is significantly reduced, and the game’s atmospheric lighting and shadows are a core part of the experience. For the best overall experience, users should prioritize High settings at 1080p or 1440p, and only drop to Medium if they are playing at 4K and want to maintain a consistent frame rate above 60 FPS.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a clear pattern of GPU-bound performance. At High settings, the average FPS drops from 120 at 1080p to 86 at 1440p, and then to 54 at 4K. This represents a 45% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a 37% decrease from 1440p to 4K. The drop is not linear, which is expected because the number of pixels scales quadratically with resolution. The data indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor, as the CPU’s performance is constant across these resolutions, and the FPS changes are solely due to the GPU’s rendering workload.

At Low settings, the scaling is even more pronounced, with FPS dropping from 240 at 1080p to 172 at 1440p, and then to 108 at 4K. The 1080p Low result of 240 FPS is likely a cap, as the game may not be able to render more frames than that. At Medium settings, the FPS drops from 192 at 1080p to 138 at 1440p, and then to 87 at 4K. The Ultra settings show the smallest absolute drop in FPS, going from 114 at 1080p to 82 at 1440p, and then to 52 at 4K. This smaller drop at Ultra settings suggests that the GPU is already heavily loaded at 1080p, so the additional pixel count at higher resolutions has a relatively smaller impact.

The resolution scaling data confirms that the Intel Arc B570 is the primary bottleneck. The CPU, with its high single-thread and multi-thread scores, is not being stressed by the game at any resolution. The FPS drops are entirely attributable to the GPU’s limited pixel throughput. For users wanting to play at 4K, the Medium preset is the only viable option above 60 FPS, while High and Ultra will require a more powerful GPU. At 1080p, the combo is more than capable of delivering high frame rates, even at Ultra settings, making it a solid choice for users with 1080p monitors.