Outriders

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor from the Alder Lake-S family, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. It features a 12 MB shared L3 cache and a 58 W TDP, using the Intel Socket 1700. In Outriders, this CPU's performance is sufficient to drive high frame rates, as the benchmark data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the combination reaches an average of 212 FPS. This high frame rate at the lowest settings indicates that the CPU is not a bottleneck at lower resolutions, and the game is likely well-threaded enough to utilize the processor's 8 threads effectively, given its 3DMark 16-thread score of 4051 and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860. The processor's single-thread performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674, also proves adequate for the game's logic and physics, as evidenced by the strong performance at higher settings where the GPU becomes the limiting factor.

While the CPU has a modest core count compared to higher-end processors, the benchmark results in this game show no signs of CPU-bound limitations at the tested settings. The data for the 1080p Medium preset shows an average of 189 FPS, which is only marginally lower than the 212 FPS at Low, suggesting that the CPU can keep up with the increased graphical load. The processor's PassMark multi-thread score of 14015 and Geekbench multi-core score of 7252 place it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a capable mid-range part. In this specific title, the combination of its high boost clock and efficient Alder Lake architecture ensures that it does not hold back the GeForce RTX 3070, allowing the GPU to be the primary driver of performance in most scenarios.

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

The Intel Core i3-12100F’s role in Outriders is to feed the GPU with enough data to maintain high frame rates. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, running at a base of 3.30 GHz and boosting to 4.30 GHz, provide a solid foundation for the game's engine. The L3 cache of 12 MB shared helps reduce memory latency, which is critical for maintaining consistent frame pacing. The CPU's performance in synthetic benchmarks, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11860 and a single-core score of 1674, suggests that it has enough raw throughput to handle the game's AI, physics, and game logic systems. In practice, the measured FPS data shows that at 1080p with Low settings, the system produces 212 FPS on average, which is a very high number and suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor at this resolution and preset.

The processor's TDP of 58 W indicates it is an efficient chip, and its performance in this game aligns with its overall benchmark percentile of 68. Comparing it to its nearest rivals, the Intel Core i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core 3 N355's 13492 (0% difference) and only 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i5-9500's 13452. This indicates that while the CPU is not a top-tier performer, it is competitive with other mid-range options from previous generations. In Outriders, the benefit of this CPU is its high clock speed and modern architecture, which allows it to deliver high minimum frame rates, as seen in the 1080p Medium preset where the average FPS is 189 with a minimum of 160 FPS. The data suggests that the CPU can handle the game's demands without causing stutters, making it a suitable partner for a high-end GPU in this title.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 is the primary driver of visual performance in this setup. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, offering a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1500 MHz and a boost clock of 1725 MHz, with 5888 shading units and 96 ROPs. This hardware configuration is well-suited for Outriders, which is a graphically demanding looter shooter. The 8 GB of VRAM is adequate for the game at the tested resolutions and settings, as the benchmark data shows no indication of memory-related performance drops. The GPU's memory bandwidth is a critical factor, as the game's textures and effects require fast data transfer, and the 448.0 GB/s figure is sufficient to maintain high frame rates.

The RTX 3070's performance in Outriders is strong, as evidenced by the measured FPS. At 1440p with High settings, the system achieves an average of 96 FPS, and at 1080p with High settings, it reaches 152 FPS. The GPU's 20.31 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is a clear indicator of its ability to handle the game's pixel and compute shaders. The GPU's percentile ranking of 61 among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17208, places it in the upper mid-range tier. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT, has an average score of 17083, which is 0.7% lower, showing that the RTX 3070 is a competitive choice. The data shows that GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions and settings, as the frame rates drop significantly when moving from 1080p to 4K, a pattern that is typical for a system with a balanced CPU-GPU pairing.

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

The resolution scaling data for this combo reveals a classic pattern where the GPU becomes the bottleneck as resolution increases. At 1080p with High settings, the system produces an average of 152 FPS. Moving to 1440p High, the average drops to 96 FPS, a 36.8% reduction. At 4K High, the average further drops to 50 FPS, which is a 67.1% reduction from the 1080p figure. This significant drop as resolution increases indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor at 1080p, but rather the GPU's rendering workload is scaling with the number of pixels. The RTX 3070, while powerful, is being pushed to its limits at 4K in this game, which is a common outcome for high-end GPUs in demanding titles.

The scaling pattern is even more pronounced when looking at the Low settings. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 212 FPS, at 1440p Low it drops to 175 FPS, and at 4K Low it falls to 92 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is a 56.6% reduction, which is less severe than at High settings but still substantial. This suggests that even at the lowest graphical settings, the GPU is still the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. The data confirms that the Intel Core i3-12100F is capable of delivering high frame rates, as the 1080p Low result of 212 FPS is a very high number, but the GPU's rasterization and memory bandwidth limits become apparent as the resolution climbs. The 4K Medium preset shows an average of 67 FPS with a minimum of 57 FPS, indicating that playable frame rates are achievable at 4K, but the system is clearly GPU-bound in this scenario.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Outriders, this pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 has a combo rank of 1439 out of 3710 tested combos. This places it in the top 38.8% of all tested systems, indicating a solid, above-average performance level. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU and GPU, where the GPU's strong performance is not significantly hindered by the CPU in most scenarios. This is a good result for a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU, as it shows that the i3-12100F is a capable partner for the RTX 3070 in this specific game. The rank of 1439 suggests that there are many more powerful combos, likely with higher-end CPUs, but this setup still delivers a strong experience for the majority of players.

The data shows that this combo outperforms a significant portion of the tested systems, which is likely due to the RTX 3070's strong absolute performance. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 22214 is a clear indicator of its capability, and when paired with a CPU that can keep up, the result is a high-performing system. The fact that this combo ranks in the 1439th position out of 3710 means that it is not at the very top, but it is comfortably in the upper half of all tested configurations. This suggests that for Outriders, this combination is a viable choice for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p and 1440p, and it can handle 4K at lower settings. The performance data, such as the 1440p High average of 96 FPS, further supports this ranking, as it shows a playable and smooth experience at a popular resolution.

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

The measured FPS data for this combo provides a comprehensive look at its performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. Starting with 1080p, the system delivers an average of 212 FPS at Low settings, 189 FPS at Medium (with a minimum of 160 FPS and a maximum of 217 FPS), 152 FPS at High, and 109 FPS at Ultra. These numbers indicate that the system is well-suited for high-refresh-rate monitors at 1080p, as even the Ultra preset maintains an average above 100 FPS. The performance at 1080p is consistently high, with the step from Medium to High representing a 19.6% drop in average FPS, which is a typical cost for increased visual fidelity.

At 1440p, the system shows a noticeable but expected decrease in performance. The average FPS at Low settings is 175, at Medium it is 128 (with a minimum of 108 FPS and a maximum of 147 FPS), at High it is 96, and at Ultra it drops to 69. The 1440p High setting of 96 FPS is a solid result for a demanding game, and the Medium preset of 128 FPS is excellent for competitive play. The drop from 1440p High to 4K High is a 47.9% reduction, highlighting the GPU's struggle at higher resolutions. At 4K, the system manages an average of 92 FPS at Low, 67 FPS at Medium (with a minimum of 57 FPS and a maximum of 77 FPS), 50 FPS at High, and 36 FPS at Ultra. The 4K Medium preset provides a playable experience, but the 4K High and Ultra presets fall below the 60 FPS threshold, making them less ideal for smooth gameplay.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo depends on the user's resolution and refresh rate. For 1080p users with a high-refresh-rate monitor (144Hz or higher), the High preset provides an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, with an average of 152 FPS. This is well above the 144Hz threshold, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. For 1080p users with a 240Hz monitor, the Medium preset, with an average of 189 FPS, is the better choice, as it offers a significant frame rate boost while still maintaining good graphical fidelity. The Ultra preset at 1080p, with an average of 109 FPS, is also playable, but the performance gain from dropping to High is worthwhile for most players.

For 1440p users, the Medium preset is the recommended choice, with an average of 128 FPS and a minimum of 108 FPS. This provides a smooth and stable experience, even in intense combat scenarios. The High preset at 1440p, with an average of 96 FPS, is also viable for users with a 100Hz or 120Hz monitor, but the Medium preset offers a more comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold. For 4K users, the Medium preset is the only option that provides a consistently playable experience, with an average of 67 FPS and a minimum of 57 FPS. The Low preset at 4K, with an average of 92 FPS, is also playable, but it sacrifices significant visual quality. The 4K High preset, with an average of 50 FPS, is not recommended for a smooth experience, as it falls below the 60 FPS target. In summary, the data suggests that the Medium preset is the best all-rounder for this combo, providing a great balance of performance and visuals at 1440p and 4K, while High is ideal for 1080p high-refresh-rate gaming.