To The Core

To The Core is an idle game that, on paper, should be trivial for a modern discrete GPU. The benchmark data for the Intel Core i3-12100F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, however, tells a more nuanced story about how frame rates scale with resolution and settings. The measured results show a configuration that is capable of delivering extremely high refresh rates at 1080p, but the performance curve reveals a distinct shift in the limiting factor as the resolution increases. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to understand the relationship between the CPU, GPU, and the game's rendering demands.

Resolution Scaling

The most immediate observation from the measured FPS data is the dramatic impact of resolution on performance. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo produces an average of 431 FPS. This is an exceptionally high frame rate, suggesting that the game engine is highly efficient and that the GPU is not being pushed to its limits. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average FPS drops to 289.6, a significant reduction. Scaling further to 3840x2160 at Low settings yields 168.6 FPS. This progression shows a clear and consistent decline, but the absolute numbers remain high enough for smooth gameplay on any display.

The pattern changes when we look at the higher settings. At 1920x1080 with Ultra settings, the average FPS is 257.2. When the resolution is increased to 2560x1440 on Ultra, the average drops to 168.8 FPS. At 4K (3840x2160) with Ultra, the frame rate falls to 96.3 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings results in a performance drop of approximately 62.5%, which is a substantial hit. This indicates that while the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU at lower resolutions, the rendering load at 4K Ultra is substantial enough to make the RTX 4070 the primary bottleneck, even in an idle game.

The data suggests that the GPU's capabilities are more heavily taxed at higher resolutions and detail levels. The difference between Low and Ultra at 1080p is 431 FPS versus 257.2 FPS, a gap of 173.8 FPS. At 4K, that same gap narrows to 168.6 FPS versus 96.3 FPS, a difference of 72.3 FPS. This narrowing gap is a classic sign of the GPU becoming the limiting factor; the performance headroom that exists at lower resolutions is consumed by the increased pixel count and shading complexity at 4K. The benchmark results indicate that the transition from 1440p to 4K is particularly punishing, with a 216 FPS High setting at 1440p falling to 123.3 FPS at 4K, a reduction of over 40%.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture. Its performance in synthetic benchmarks shows a strong single-thread score, with a 3dmark_single_thread score of 893 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2224. In an idle game like To The Core, where the simulation logic often runs on a limited number of threads, this single-thread strength is likely more critical than raw multi-core throughput. The processor's boost clock of 4.30 GHz provides the necessary speed for game logic and draw calls that cannot be parallelized easily.

The CPU's role becomes apparent when examining the frame rate ceiling. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 431 FPS. This figure is likely near the practical limit for the game engine or the CPU's ability to issue draw calls, regardless of the GPU's potential. The fact that the RTX 4070 can produce over 400 FPS at this resolution suggests that the GPU is not the limiting factor. Instead, the 4-core i3-12100F is setting the pace. This is supported by the CPU's benchmark scores, which place it in the 72nd percentile against all CPUs, indicating it is a capable mid-range part but not a top-tier enthusiast chip.

As the resolution increases, the CPU's burden relative to the GPU decreases. At 4K, the GPU is working much harder to fill the frame buffer, which gives the CPU more time to process game logic without becoming a bottleneck. The measured FPS at 4K High (123.3 FPS) is still very high, but the scaling from 1080p High (314.2 FPS) shows a 60.8% reduction, which is more in line with GPU-bound rendering. This shift suggests that while the i3-12100F can push frames at lower resolutions, it is the combination of the CPU's single-thread performance and the GPU's raw power that defines the overall experience. The processor's L3 cache of 12 MB (shared) is adequate for this game, and its support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives system builders flexibility.

FAQ

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

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 431 at 1920x1080 with Low settings. This represents the peak performance of the configuration in the measured data.

Q: How does the frame rate at 4K Ultra compare to 1080p Ultra?

A: At 1920x1080 Ultra, the average FPS is 257.2. At 3840x2160 Ultra, it is 96.3. This is a reduction of 160.9 FPS, or approximately 62.6%, showing the heavy load that 4K rendering places on the GPU.

Q: Which component is more likely to be the bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the Intel Core i3-12100F is the limiting factor. The very high frame rates at 1080p Low (431 FPS) indicate the GPU has headroom, but the CPU's 4-core/8-thread configuration and single-thread performance cap the output.

Q: Is the RTX 4070 sufficient for 4K gaming in this title?

A: Yes. The measured data shows an average of 123.3 FPS at 4K High and 96.3 FPS at 4K Ultra. These are strong results, confirming the GPU is more than capable for this game at 4K.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threaded performance compare to its single-threaded performance?

A: The Core i3-12100F scores 5003 in Cinebench R20 multicore and 706 in single-core. The single-core score is relatively high, which is beneficial for game logic, while the multicore score shows limited scaling due to only having 4 physical cores.

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

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves 289.6 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves 168.8 FPS. The difference is 120.8 FPS, indicating that graphics settings have a substantial impact on performance at this resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for To The Core, this specific pairing of the Intel Core i3-12100F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is ranked 447 out of 1756 combos. This places it in the upper quartile of all tested systems, which is a strong showing for a mid-range CPU paired with a high-end GPU. The rank suggests that this configuration is well-balanced for this game, outperforming the majority of other tested setups.

The CPU's individual performance percentile is 72, meaning it scores higher than 72% of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 13516 places it in close competition with the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX (score 13534, deltaPct -0.1) and the Intel Core i7-1250U (score 13462, deltaPct 0.4). The GPU's percentile is even higher at 81, with an average score of 37283. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, has a score of 37507, a deltaPct of -0.6, meaning the RTX 4070 is slightly behind in that specific synthetic test.

The combination's rank of 447 indicates that the sum of its parts is effective. While the CPU is not a top-tier performer, its high single-thread speed pairs well with the RTX 4070's raw power. The data shows that this is a more effective combo than many others, likely because the game does not heavily utilize the multi-core capabilities that higher-end CPUs offer. The high GPU percentile (81) compared to the CPU percentile (72) suggests that the system is slightly more GPU-dependent, which is a favorable trait for this title.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following data represents all measured average FPS values for the Intel Core i3-12100F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination in To The Core.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 431.0 FPS
• Medium: 363.8 FPS
• High: 314.2 FPS
• Ultra: 257.2 FPS

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 289.6 FPS
• Medium: 242.9 FPS
• High: 216.0 FPS
• Ultra: 168.8 FPS

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 168.6 FPS
• Medium: 139.7 FPS
• High: 123.3 FPS
• Ultra: 96.3 FPS

The data reveals a consistent linear progression of performance based on settings. At 1080p, the gap between each preset is roughly 50-60 FPS, with a total spread of 173.8 FPS from Low to Ultra. At 1440p, the spread narrows to 120.8 FPS, and at 4K, it narrows further to 72.3 FPS. This compression of the settings-based performance delta as resolution increases is a key indicator of the GPU becoming the bottleneck. The 4K Ultra result of 96.3 FPS is the only measurement that falls below the 100 FPS mark, showing that the combo can handle the most demanding preset at the highest resolution, but only just crosses the high-refresh threshold.

Settings Recommendations

For players using a 1080p or 1440p high-refresh-rate monitor, the Ultra preset is the clear choice. At 1080p, Ultra delivers 257.2 FPS, which is far beyond the refresh rate of most displays. Even at 1440p, the Ultra preset achieves 168.8 FPS, which is still very high and will satisfy most gaming needs. The performance headroom at these resolutions is so large that there is no need to compromise on visual quality for the sake of frame rate.

At 4K, the recommendation becomes more nuanced. The High preset offers 123.3 FPS, which is an excellent balance of visual fidelity and performance for a 120Hz display. The Ultra preset at 96.3 FPS is still playable and would be suitable for a 60Hz or 100Hz monitor, but the drop below 100 FPS may be noticeable to sensitive users. The Low preset at 4K (168.6 FPS) offers the highest frame rate but significantly reduces visual quality for a game that is primarily about watching numbers grow.

The data suggests that the High preset is the "sweet spot" for 4K, providing a 27 FPS advantage over Ultra while maintaining a high level of visual detail. For those who prioritize maximum smoothness above all else, the Medium preset at 4K (139.7 FPS) is also a viable option. Given that this is an idle game, the visual differences between High and Ultra are likely subtle in practice, so the performance gain from selecting High is a worthwhile trade-off. The benchmark results indicate that the optimal experience is to run at the highest settings that still comfortably exceed the display's refresh rate; for 4K, that is the High preset, while for 1080p and 1440p, it is the Ultra preset.