SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i3-12100E + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

Get a comprehensive performance analysis of your gaming rig with detailed benchmarks, bottleneck detection, and upgrade recommendations

Build Configuration

Select your components

PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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90 Score

Top 10% Ranking

90 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 10% of systems. Capable of 4K Ultra gaming and advanced rendering.

4K 60+ FPSVR ReadyRay Tracing

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio

Well Balanced

CPU

82%

GPU

98%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i3-12100E

16,853 Benchmark Score

Top 18% Market Ranking

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GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

79,842 Benchmark Score

Top 2% Market Ranking

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Market Position

How your build compares to others

Budget

0-30

Mid-Range

30-60

High-End

60-85

Enthusiast

85-100

Your Build

Game Performance Benchmarks

Real-world 4K FPS in popular titles

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Performance Insights

Tips to maximize your system

Optimal Performance

Your system is in the top tier. You can run any modern game at maximum settings.

4K Gaming Ready

Consider a 4K 144Hz monitor to fully utilize your hardware capabilities.

Compatible Games See what you can play Compare CPUs Find upgrades Compare GPUs Find upgrades

Performance Tiers Explained

90-100

Ultimate

4K Ultra gaming, VR ready, ray tracing enabled, professional workloads

4K 60+ FPS VR Ready

70-89

High-End

1440p Ultra or 4K High settings, excellent for modern AAA titles

1440p Ultra 4K High

50-69

Mid-Range

1080p Ultra or 1440p Medium, great value for most gamers

1080p Ultra 1440p Med

30-49

Entry Level

1080p Medium settings, suitable for eSports and older titles

1080p Med eSports

0-29

Legacy

Basic gaming, older titles, consider upgrading for modern games

720p-1080p Low Older Games

# Gaming Performance — Estimated from Benchmark Scores

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so the data cannot provide direct frame-rate figures at any resolution. All gaming performance statements below are estimates derived from the CPU and GPU benchmark scores, not from empirical game testing.

The RTX 5090's PassMark G3D score of 39,650 places it in the 92nd percentile among all GPUs, indicating exceptional raw graphics throughput that should drive very high frame rates at any resolution, including 4K ultra settings. The GPU's 32 GB of GDDR7 memory with 1.79 TB/s bandwidth provides enormous headroom for texture-heavy workloads, and its 104.8 TFLOPS FP32 compute suggests that even the most demanding modern titles will run at high frame rates. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 18,355 further confirms strong DirectX 12 performance, which is the API used by most contemporary AAA games.

However, the Intel Core i3-12100E's PassMark single-thread score of 3,438 and multi-thread score of 14,271 may become the limiting factor in CPU-bound scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is not fully saturated. At 1080p ultra settings, the CPU's single-core performance could constrain frame rates in games that rely heavily on one or two threads, though the 4.20 GHz boost clock helps mitigate this. At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the dominant factor, and the RTX 5090's massive compute resources should push frame rates well past 60 FPS in most titles, likely exceeding 120 FPS in esports and less demanding games. The estimated frame rates at 4K ultra are expected to be consistently above 100 FPS for most titles, given the GPU's 92nd percentile standing and the CPU's 70th percentile position.

# Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score of 16,853 places it in the 70th percentile among all CPUs, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,559 and single-core score of 1,631. In single-threaded workloads, the i3-12100E is within 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS (score 16,902, deltaPct -0.3%) and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1235U (score 16,770, deltaPct 0.5%). The 4-core, 8-thread configuration delivers competent multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by the PassMark multi-thread score of 14,271, but it is clearly positioned in the mid-range rather than the enthusiast tier.

The GPU's average benchmark score of 79,842 places it in the 92nd percentile, with the GeekBench OpenCL score of 334,370 and Vulkan score of 376,728 demonstrating outstanding compute capabilities. The RTX 5090 is 0.3% ahead of the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 16 GB (score 79,605, deltaPct 0.3%) and 0.6% ahead of the Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB (score 79,396, deltaPct 0.6%), while trailing the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 64X by 1.4% (score 80,959, deltaPct -1.4%). These comparisons show the RTX 5090 is in the upper echelon of graphics performance, though its nearest rivals are professional-grade compute cards rather than gaming GPUs.

The combined percentile for this pairing is 81, indicating that the system as a whole sits comfortably above the median but is held back by the CPU's more modest standing. The data shows a significant disparity between the GPU's 92nd percentile and the CPU's 70th percentile, which will manifest in CPU-limited scenarios. In rendering workloads like Cinebench R23, the CPU's 11,559 multi-core score is respectable for a 4-core chip but far below what high-end desktop CPUs achieve, meaning the system's overall benchmark picture is one of GPU dominance with CPU constraints.

# GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture with a 5 nm TSMC process, featuring 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die. The GPU has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, delivering 1.79 TB/s of memory bandwidth—a figure that enables extremely high texture throughput and large dataset handling without memory bottlenecks. The base clock runs at 2017 MHz with a boost clock of 2407 MHz, and memory operates at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective), providing substantial headroom for overclocking and sustained performance.

The 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output pipelines deliver a pixel rate of 423.6 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 1,636.8 GTexel/s. These specifications translate to exceptional fill rates, meaning the GPU can handle 4K and even 8K resolutions with demanding anti-aliasing and post-processing effects. The 170 RT cores and 680 tensor cores provide dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI acceleration, with FP32 compute of 104.8 TFLOPS and FP16 compute of 104.8 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio), indicating balanced performance across precision levels.

The PassMark G3D score of 39,650 in the 92nd percentile confirms that this GPU handles DirectX 11 workloads well, while the PassMark DirectX 12 score of 185 and DirectX 10 score of 226 are lower, though these are synthetic measures that don't fully capture real-world gaming performance. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 18,355 is the more relevant modern metric, showing strong DirectX 12 gaming capability. The GeekBench OpenCL score of 334,370 and Vulkan score of 376,728 indicate exceptional compute performance for rendering tasks, machine learning inference, and other GPU-accelerated workloads. The 12 Ultimate (12_2) DirectX support ensures compatibility with the latest graphics features, including mesh shaders and variable rate shading.

# Balance and Bottleneck

The data reveals a pronounced bottleneck imbalance: the GPU sits at the 92nd percentile while the CPU is at the 70th percentile, a 22-point gap that will manifest in CPU-limited workloads. In gaming, this means that at 1080p resolution, the CPU's single-thread performance (PassMark single-thread score of 3,438) will likely cap frame rates before the GPU can reach its full potential. The CPU's boost clock of 4.20 GHz helps, but a 4-core, 8-thread design is not sufficient to keep up with a GPU capable of 104.8 TFLOPS in lightly-threaded game logic.

At higher resolutions like 4K, the bottleneck shifts toward the GPU, as the rendering load increases and the CPU has more time to prepare frames. The RTX 5090's 32 GB memory and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth mean that even at 4K ultra, the GPU is unlikely to be memory-constrained, so the CPU's limitations become less apparent. The PassMark physics score of 1,185 suggests that physics-heavy games with many interacting objects will be particularly CPU-bound, potentially causing frame dips even at higher resolutions.

In non-gaming workloads, the balance depends on the task. Video encoding and 3D rendering that utilize the GPU's compute capabilities will be GPU-dominated, with the CPU's Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 4,854 providing adequate but not exceptional CPU-side performance. Data compression (PassMark score of 160,112) and encryption (8,069) tasks are CPU-bound and will not benefit from the GPU's power. The FPS scaling pattern, while not directly measured, can be inferred from the percentile gap: expect frame rates to scale strongly with resolution because the GPU has ample headroom, while CPU-bound scenarios will show diminishing returns from GPU upgrades.

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i3-12100E is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from the Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node. It features a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, with a TDP of 60 W. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, though ECC memory is not supported. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides basic display output, but the presence of a dedicated RTX 5090 makes this irrelevant for gaming.

In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 11,559 in multi-core and 1,631 in single-core, with Cinebench R20 scores of 4,854 and 685 for multi- and single-core, respectively. The GeekBench scores of 7,661 (multi-core) and 2,202 (single-core) confirm that the i3-12100E performs best in single-threaded tasks, which is typical for 4-core designs with high clock speeds. The PassMark single-thread score of 3,438 is the same as the single-thread score, reinforcing its strength in lightly-threaded applications.

The nearest rivals show how tightly grouped this CPU is with other mid-range parts. It is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (score 16,827) and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1235U (score 16,770), but 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS (score 16,902) and 0.5% behind the AMD EPYC 7702 (score 16,932). These deltas are all within 1%, indicating that the i3-12100E is competitive with its direct peers but does not stand out in either direction. The PassMark integer math score of 40,885 and floating-point math score of 31,919 suggest balanced arithmetic capability, while the find prime numbers score of 63 and extended instructions score of 10,814 indicate that the CPU handles specialized workloads without issue.

# FAQ

Q: What is the combined performance percentile of this CPU+GPU pairing?

A: The combined percentile is 81, placing the system in the 81st percentile overall, though the GPU's 92nd percentile and CPU's 70th percentile show significant imbalance.

Q: How much memory does the RTX 5090 have and what type is it?

A: The RTX 5090 has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, providing 1.79 TB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: What are the CPU's core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz.

Q: Does the CPU support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, but ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the GPU's FP32 compute performance?

A: The RTX 5090 delivers 104.8 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, with the same 104.8 TFLOPS for FP16 at a 1:1 ratio.

Q: What PCIe interface does the GPU use?

A: The RTX 5090 uses a PCIe 5.0 x16 bus interface, while the CPU provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the CPU's L3 cache size?

A: The i3-12100E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i3-12100E uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The CPU provides Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes (CPU only), enabling fast connectivity for the RTX 5090's PCIe 5.0 x16 interface. The 60 W TDP of the CPU means that power delivery is not a concern for the processor itself, but the GPU's 575 W TDP requires substantial power supply headroom. The suggested PSU for the GPU is 950 W, which accommodates the combined power draw of both components and leaves room for other system components.

The memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 gives builders flexibility, though DDR5 will provide better bandwidth for the CPU's dual-channel memory bus. The lack of ECC memory support limits use in error-sensitive workloads, but for gaming and general desktop use this is not a limitation. The socket 1700 platform is mature, with a wide range of compatible motherboards, though the i3-12100E's multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.

A sensible next upgrade for this system would be a higher-core-count CPU on the same socket 1700 platform, as the socket supports the full range of Core 12th Gen processors. Upgrading to a CPU with more cores and threads would address the bottleneck in CPU-bound workloads while retaining the existing motherboard and memory. The GPU, being at the 92nd percentile, does not need upgrading for the foreseeable future, and its 32 GB memory capacity provides long-term headroom for increasingly demanding games and applications. The 16-pin power connector and dual-slot design are standard for high-end GPUs, and the 950 W suggested PSU is a realistic requirement that accommodates the 575 W GPU TDP plus the 60 W CPU TDP.

# Build Overview

This is a desktop build class pairing an Intel Core i3-12100E with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. The combined percentile of 81 places this system in the upper tier of all configurations, though the component balance is heavily skewed toward the GPU. The CPU's 70th percentile and GPU's 92nd percentile create a system that excels in GPU-intensive tasks but lags in CPU-heavy workloads. This is a pairing that makes sense for users who prioritize graphics performance above all else, such as those gaming at 4K or running GPU-accelerated compute tasks.

The i3-12100E is a 4-core, 8-thread processor with a 60 W TDP, making it an efficient choice that runs cool and draws little power. The RTX 5090, by contrast, is a 575 W GPU that demands a 950 W power supply, so the system's power profile is dominated by the graphics card. The desktop form factor means there are no thermal constraints beyond what a standard ATX case can handle, and the dual-slot GPU is compatible with most mid-tower and full-tower cases. The system's overall tier is high-end on the graphics side and mid-range on the CPU side, creating a hybrid that is best suited for specific use cases rather than general-purpose computing.

The 10 nm CPU process node and 5 nm GPU process node reflect the different manufacturing generations, with the GPU's 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die representing a much more complex and capable chip than the CPU's 163 mm² die. The GPU's 1.79 TB/s memory bandwidth dwarfs what the CPU can utilize, so the system's memory architecture is also GPU-centric. This build is not a balanced generalist system but rather a specialized configuration for graphics and compute-intensive workloads.

# Who Should Build It

This pairing targets users who demand maximum GPU performance and are willing to accept CPU limitations. Gamers at 1440p and 4K resolutions will benefit most, as the RTX 5090's 92nd percentile performance ensures high frame rates at ultra settings, while the CPU's 70th percentile is sufficient at these resolutions where the GPU is the primary bottleneck. Esports gamers at 1080p may find the CPU limiting, but for AAA titles at high resolutions, this build delivers exceptional visual fidelity and performance.

Content creators working with GPU-accelerated rendering, video editing, or 3D modeling will find the RTX 5090's compute capabilities (GeekBench OpenCL score of 334,370, Vulkan score of 376,728) to be transformative, though CPU-side tasks like scene setup and asset compilation will be slower due to the 4-core design. Machine learning developers and researchers who rely on CUDA and tensor cores (680 tensor cores) will benefit from the GPU's 104.8 TFLOPS FP16 compute, making this a viable workstation for model training and inference despite the CPU's modest performance.

Students and small business users building a system for general productivity, web development, or office applications will find the CPU more than adequate for these tasks, while the GPU provides future-proofing for any graphics-intensive work. Data analysts using GPU-accelerated libraries will appreciate the 32 GB memory capacity, which allows large datasets to reside in VRAM. However, users whose workloads are heavily single-threaded or CPU-bound, such as software compilation or spreadsheet processing, should consider a different build with a stronger CPU. This configuration is a specialized tool for graphics and compute, not a balanced all-rounder.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i3-12100E + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i3-12100E

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

4K Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1440p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1080p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

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