Inside

Inside is a 2016 puzzle platformer that is remarkably light on GPU load, and the measured results for the Intel Core i7-12700KF paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 confirm this. The data shows a configuration capable of extreme frame rates across all tested presets, but the scaling pattern reveals that the CPU is the primary limiting factor at lower resolutions, while the GPU begins to assert its influence only at 4K. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to understand where the bottleneck lies and how to optimize the experience.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate data reveals a classic resolution scaling curve that shifts the bottleneck between the CPU and GPU. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo produces 364 FPS, which drops to 272 FPS at 1440p and further to 171 FPS at 4K. This represents a 53% drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings, indicating that while resolution scaling is present, the absolute numbers remain exceptionally high. The performance gap tightens as settings increase; at High settings, the drop from 189 FPS at 1080p to 85 FPS at 4K is a 55% reduction, showing a similar scaling pattern but with lower absolute values.

The Medium preset provides the most complete data set, with minimum and maximum frame rates recorded. At 1080p Medium, the average is 302 FPS with a range from 257 to 347 FPS. Moving to 1440p Medium drops the average to 217 FPS (a 28% reduction), while 4K Medium averages 136 FPS (a further 37% reduction from 1440p). The minimum frame rates scale similarly: 257 FPS at 1080p, 185 FPS at 1440p, and 116 FPS at 4K. This consistent scaling suggests that the game engine is well-optimized for resolution changes, with no anomalous spikes or stutters indicated by the min/max spread.

What the scaling pattern says about the limiting component is telling. At 1080p, the delta between Low (364 FPS) and Ultra (180 FPS) is a 50% performance swing, which is entirely driven by GPU load since the CPU remains constant. However, the fact that even at 4K Ultra the system still delivers 81 FPS indicates that the RTX 3070 is never fully saturated to the point of becoming a severe bottleneck. The CPU's 12 cores and 20 threads, with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, clearly provide enough headroom to feed the GPU at all resolutions. The data suggests that for most users, the limiting component at 1080p and 1440p will be the GPU's shading capabilities under higher presets, but even at 4K, the system maintains playable frame rates across all settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700KF brings substantial processing power to this pairing, and its specifications help explain the high frame rates observed. With 12 cores and 20 threads, the CPU offers significant parallel processing capability, though Inside's puzzle platformer nature likely doesn't utilize all threads heavily. The base clock of 3.60 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz provide strong single-thread performance, which is often more critical for game logic and physics in titles like this. The 25 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close to the cores, reducing latency.

Benchmark data for the CPU shows strong multi-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838 and a single-core score of 4071. The 3DMark tests reveal scaling from 2065 at 2 threads to 9983 at max threads, indicating that the processor handles thread scaling efficiently. The PassMark multi-thread score of 34092 and single-thread score of 3984 further confirm balanced performance. However, the percentile ranking of 85 versus all CPUs suggests that while this is a top-tier processor, it is not the absolute fastest available.

In the context of Inside's measured results, the CPU's role appears to be providing a stable foundation that never becomes the primary constraint. At 1080p Low, the 364 FPS result indicates the CPU can process game logic fast enough to feed the GPU for extremely high frame output. The near-linear scaling from Low to Ultra at each resolution (e.g., 364 to 180 FPS at 1080p) suggests that the CPU overhead is consistent regardless of graphical settings, as the GPU takes on more work with higher presets. Compared to its nearest rivals in CPU benchmarks—the Intel Core i7-13700T (0.1% faster in average score) and Intel Core i5-13600T (0.2% slower)—the i7-12700KF sits in a competitive position, though these differences are negligible in real-world gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate achievable with this combo?

A: The highest average FPS recorded is 364 FPS at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This drops to 302 FPS at Medium and 189 FPS at High settings, showing that even at maximum quality, the system maintains well above 144 Hz at 1080p.

Q: How does 4K performance compare to 1080p performance?

A: At 4K Ultra, the average FPS is 81, which is 55% lower than the 180 FPS at 1080p Ultra. At Low settings, the drop is from 364 FPS at 1080p to 171 FPS at 4K, a 53% reduction. The scaling is consistent across all presets, indicating a well-behaved engine.

Q: Is the RTX 3070 or the i7-12700KF the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data suggests the GPU becomes the primary limiter at 4K, especially at Ultra settings where the average drops to 81 FPS. At 1080p and 1440p, the CPU provides ample headroom, with frame rates exceeding 180 FPS even at High settings, indicating the GPU is the limiting factor for higher resolutions.

Q: What are the minimum frame rates recorded at Medium settings?

A: At Medium preset, the minimum FPS are 257 at 1080p, 185 at 1440p, and 116 at 4K. These minimums are consistently above 100 FPS at all resolutions, indicating smooth frame pacing without severe drops.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested configurations for Inside?

A: The combo ranks 1357 out of 3716 tested combos, placing it in the top 37% of all configurations. This mid-tier ranking reflects that while the performance is excellent in absolute terms, many other high-end combos achieve even higher frame rates.

Q: Does the CPU's 20-thread count provide any benefit in this game?

A: The benchmark data shows strong multi-threaded performance (Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 28838), but Inside's simple game logic likely doesn't require extensive thread usage. The single-core performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4071) is more relevant for this genre.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 364 FPS on Low, 302 FPS on Medium (with a minimum of 257 FPS and maximum of 347 FPS), 189 FPS on High, and 180 FPS on Ultra. This shows a 50% performance drop from Low to Ultra at 1080p, with the gap between High and Ultra being minimal at just 9 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the results scale predictably: 272 FPS on Low, 217 FPS on Medium (minimum 185 FPS, maximum 250 FPS), 136 FPS on High, and 129 FPS on Ultra. The performance difference between High and Ultra narrows further to just 7 FPS, suggesting diminishing returns from the highest preset. The drop from 1080p to 1440p averages around 25-28% across presets, consistent with the increased pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the system delivers 171 FPS on Low, 136 FPS on Medium (minimum 116 FPS, maximum 157 FPS), 85 FPS on High, and 81 FPS on Ultra. The 4K results show the most significant scaling, with Low to Ultra representing a 53% performance drop. Interestingly, the difference between High and Ultra remains tiny at just 4 FPS, indicating that Ultra offers negligible visual benefit for the performance cost at this resolution. The minimum FPS at 4K Medium (116 FPS) still exceeds 100 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay even in demanding scenes.

How This Combo Ranks

The combo's ranking of 1357 out of 3716 tested configurations places it in the upper-middle tier of all systems tested for Inside. This position is notable because the absolute frame rates are extremely high—even the lowest recorded average of 81 FPS at 4K Ultra is well above the 60 FPS target most games aim for. The ranking suggests that while many other combos achieve even higher frame rates (likely those with more powerful GPUs or newer CPUs), this pairing offers no practical disadvantage in real gameplay scenarios.

Examining the individual components' rankings provides context. The CPU ranks in the 85th percentile among all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 61st percentile among all GPUs. This discrepancy indicates that the CPU is relatively stronger than the GPU in this pairing. The CPU's nearest rivals—the Core i7-13700T and Core i5-13600T—differ by only 0.1-0.2% in average benchmark scores, showing that the i7-12700KF is competitively positioned within its performance class. The GPU's nearest rivals, including the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT (0.7% faster) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (1% faster), show that the RTX 3070 sits in a tight performance band with its peers.

The combination's rank relative to other combos is more indicative of the GPU's mid-tier status than any CPU limitation. Since Inside is not graphically demanding, the GPU's 61st percentile ranking becomes the limiting factor in combo rankings, as CPUs with higher percentiles can't overcome the GPU's performance ceiling. The data indicates that for this specific game, the combo delivers consistent, high-quality performance that would satisfy most users, even if it doesn't top the charts.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display refresh rate and resolution. For 1080p displays, all presets deliver well above 144 FPS, with even Ultra maintaining 180 FPS. The Medium preset at 302 FPS offers a balanced choice, providing a 67% improvement over Ultra while maintaining a minimum of 257 FPS. For users with 240 Hz displays, the Low preset at 364 FPS is the only option that fully saturates such high refresh rates, though Medium at 302 FPS may be sufficient for most competitive scenarios.

At 1440p, the Medium preset at 217 FPS is the recommended choice for high-refresh-rate monitors, as it maintains a minimum of 185 FPS. High settings at 136 FPS are suitable for 144 Hz displays, while Ultra at 129 FPS offers a marginal 5% performance penalty for potentially minimal visual gains. The data shows that High and Ultra are nearly identical in performance at this resolution, making High the more efficient choice if visual differences are negligible.

For 4K displays, the Medium preset at 136 FPS is the standout recommendation, as it provides a 60% performance advantage over High (85 FPS) while maintaining a minimum of 116 FPS. This makes Medium the only preset that comfortably exceeds 100 FPS at 4K, ensuring a smooth experience on 120 Hz displays. Users with 60 Hz displays can safely choose Ultra at 81 FPS, which still provides a 35% headroom above the refresh rate. However, given the minimal performance difference between High and Ultra (just 4 FPS), High at 85 FPS is the more practical choice for those seeking maximum quality without the negligible Ultra overhead.