SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i3-12100E + NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

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

99%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i3-12100E

16,853 Benchmark Score

Top 18% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

117,088 Benchmark Score

Top 1% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

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

View All Games →

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

The Intel Core i3-12100E and NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation pairing is a compact desktop workstation combination that delivers an exceptional balance of single-threaded responsiveness and professional-grade graphics compute. The data shows a combined percentile of 83, indicating this build outperforms the vast majority of systems in the benchmark database. The CPU, while a budget-oriented quad-core part, demonstrates strong per-core performance that rivals much more expensive processors, while the GPU is a top-tier workstation accelerator with a 95th percentile ranking among all GPUs. This is a system built for professional productivity and high-efficiency rendering, not for raw multi-core throughput.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i3-12100E is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It operates at a base clock of 3.20 GHz and can boost up to 4.20 GHz, which is a substantial frequency range for this class of chip. The CPU features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. This cache hierarchy is designed to provide low-latency access to frequently used data, which is critical for single-threaded performance.

Benchmark results confirm that this CPU punches well above its core count. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1631 is the standout metric, placing it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs. This indicates that for tasks like spreadsheet calculations, web browsing, and application launch times, the i3-12100E will feel exceptionally snappy. The multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 11559 is respectable for a 4-core part but reveals its limitations. The data shows it is nearly identical in average benchmark score (16853) to the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (16827), a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS (16902), a 0.3% deficit. This places the i3-12100E in a performance class with mobile processors that have similar thread counts but often different power characteristics.

In Geekbench, the single-core score of 2202 and multi-core score of 7661 reinforce the narrative of strong per-thread performance. PassMark tests paint a detailed picture of its capabilities: integer math scores (40885) are notably higher than floating-point math (31919), suggesting the architecture is well-optimized for general-purpose computing tasks. The data encryption score (8069) and data compression score (160112) are strong for consumer workloads. For real-world productivity, this CPU excels in office applications, code compilation, and light video editing, but it will lag behind higher-core-count alternatives in heavy 3D rendering and multi-tasking scenarios involving many simultaneous CPU-intensive processes. The 60 W TDP is a critical factor, indicating that this is a highly efficient part that can be cooled effectively in small form factor systems.

Balance and Bottleneck

The fundamental characteristic of this build is a massive imbalance between CPU and GPU capabilities. The GPU, with a 95th percentile ranking, is a professional powerhouse. The CPU, at the 70th percentile, is competent but not in the same league. Consequently, the CPU will be the primary limiting factor in almost any workload that requires both components to operate simultaneously.

In gaming, the RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is capable of massive frame rates at high resolutions, but the i3-12100E will likely constrain the system at lower resolutions like 1080p where the CPU must process game logic and draw calls. The data shows the CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 3438 is high, but the 4-core/8-thread configuration will limit performance in modern games that increasingly utilize more than 8 threads. For professional applications like 3D rendering, the bottleneck shifts depending on the render engine. GPU-accelerated renderers will be limited by the CPU's ability to feed the GPU with geometry and scene data, while the CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11559 will determine the speed of CPU-based physics simulations and final-frame rendering.

The FPS scaling in this system is dictated by the CPU's performance ceiling. In a game with ultra settings, the GPU will often sit idle waiting for the CPU to deliver frames at 1080p or 1440p, resulting in a CPU-bound scenario. The data suggests that the i3-12100E's PassMark multi-thread score of 14271 is the relevant metric for this bottleneck, as it is significantly lower than what would be expected from a CPU that can fully saturate a 95th-percentile GPU. The memory bandwidth of the GPU (280.0 GB/s) is ample, but the CPU's dual-channel memory support may also contribute to the bottleneck in memory-intensive scenarios. The conclusion is that this is a GPU-centric build; the CPU is a capable companion but will not unlock the full potential of the RTX 4000 SFF in frame-rate-limited tasks.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The platform is built around the Intel Socket 1700, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility in choosing memory that balances cost and performance. The CPU provides Gen 5 PCIe lanes (20 lanes), which is a forward-looking feature, though the GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides a useful fallback for troubleshooting or basic display output without the discrete GPU.

The power delivery requirements are modest. The CPU has a 60 W TDP, and the GPU has a 70 W TDP. The suggested PSU for the entire system is 250 W, which is remarkably low and indicates that this build can operate with a small, efficient power supply. This is a key advantage for small form factor (SFF) builds where space and thermal management are at a premium. The GPU requires no external power connectors, simplifying cable management.

A sensible next upgrade would be to replace the CPU with a higher-core-count Alder Lake or Raptor Lake processor on the same LGA 1700 socket. This would directly address the system's primary bottleneck without requiring a motherboard change. The DDR5 memory support would allow for a future-proof memory configuration, and the PCIe Gen 5 support from the CPU ensures that future high-bandwidth storage devices can be accommodated. The GPU, being a professional workstation part, is likely to remain relevant for several years, but if more graphics compute is needed, the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot is standard and will support a wide range of alternatives. The platform's longevity is a strong point, with the socket and memory support providing a clear and cost-effective upgrade path.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation is overkill for 1080p high-refresh gaming, but the CPU will be the limiting factor. Benchmark results indicate the GPU can easily push hundreds of frames per second in esports titles, but the i3-12100E's 4 cores may struggle to maintain high minimum frame rates in more demanding AAA games, leading to stutter despite high average FPS.

Streaming: This build is capable of streaming, but with caveats. The GPU's NVENC encoder (implied by the Ada Lovelace architecture) can handle the video encoding offload, but the CPU must handle the game logic and streaming software overhead. The i3-12100E's PassMark multi-thread score of 14271 suggests it can handle a single game and encoding task, but performance will degrade if the game is CPU-intensive. The 8 threads will be a limiting factor for simultaneous gaming, encoding, and chat applications.

Video editing: This is a strong use case. The GPU's 20 GB of VRAM is exceptional for scrubbing timelines and applying effects in 4K or even 8K projects. The CPU's strong single-core performance (Cinebench R23 score of 1631) ensures smooth interface responsiveness, and the multi-core score of 11559 is sufficient for encoding previews. The GPU's 19.17 TFLOPS of FP32 performance will accelerate effects rendering, making this a very capable editing workstation.

3D rendering: The GPU is the star here. Its Geekbench OpenCL score of 124812 is a top-tier result, indicating that GPU-accelerated renderers like Octane or Redshift will perform exceptionally well. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11559 will provide moderate performance for CPU-based rendering, but the system is clearly designed for GPU-centric workflows. The 20 GB VRAM is a major advantage for large scenes and textures.

Software development: The i3-12100E is a good choice for development. The high single-core performance (Geekbench single-core score of 2202) speeds up compilation of single files and IDE responsiveness. The 8 threads handle multi-tasking with background services and containers. The data shows the PassMark integer math score of 40885 is strong, indicating solid performance in logic-heavy workloads. The GPU is not a major factor for most coding tasks, but it will accelerate shader compilation and any GPU compute tasks.

Student and office work: This build is massively overpowered for this segment. The CPU's performance will make word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing feel instant. The integrated GPU is more than enough for these tasks, and the discrete RTX 4000 SFF would be underutilized. The system is efficient, with a low TDP, but the cost is not justifiable for standard office productivity.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU achieves an average benchmark score of 16853, placing it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (16827, 0.2% faster), the Intel Core i5-1235U (16770, 0.5% faster), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS (16902, 0.3% slower). These deltas are negligible, indicating that the i3-12100E performs on par with these mobile and low-power parts in aggregate. Specific CPU scores include a Geekbench multi-core score of 7661 and a single-core score of 2202, a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11559 and single-core score of 1631, and a PassMark multi-thread score of 14271.

The GPU is in a different class entirely. It achieves an average benchmark score of 117088, placing it in the 95th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA GB10 (117393, 0.3% faster), the AMD Radeon PRO W7700 (118976, 1.6% faster), and the NVIDIA Tesla V100 SXM2 16 GB (114395, 2.4% slower). The GPU's Geekbench OpenCL score is 124812, and its Vulkan score is 109364. The combined system percentile is 83, highlighting that the GPU's exceptional performance lifts the entire build despite the CPU's mid-range standing. The data shows a clear picture: this is a system where the GPU is the dominant component, and the CPU is a supporting player.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so all frame rate expectations are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The GPU's 95th percentile ranking and 19.17 TFLOPS of compute power suggest it can run any modern game at ultra settings with high frame rates at 1440p and 4K resolutions. However, the CPU's 4-core/8-thread configuration will likely prevent the system from achieving maximum frame rates at 1080p in CPU-bound titles.

The data indicates that the GPU's memory bandwidth of 280.0 GB/s and 20 GB of VRAM are sufficient for high-resolution textures and ray tracing workloads. In GPU-intensive scenarios, such as 4K gaming with ultra settings, the RTX 4000 SFF will deliver excellent performance. In less demanding competitive games like esports titles, the CPU will become the bottleneck, and frame rates may be limited to what the i3-12100E can process, likely in the range of 100-150 FPS depending on the game. The system is best suited for 1440p or 4K gaming where the GPU's workload is high enough to reduce the relative impact of the CPU's limitations. These are estimates, not measured results, and actual performance will vary by game and driver optimization.

Who Should Build It

This system is targeted at professionals who need workstation-grade graphics performance in a compact desktop form factor. The primary audience is 3D artists and animators who rely on GPU-accelerated rendering and need the 20 GB of VRAM for large scenes. Video editors working with high-resolution footage will benefit from the GPU's compute power and the CPU's responsive single-threaded performance for timeline scrubbing.

The build is also suitable for engineers and scientists using CUDA-accelerated simulation and data analysis tools. The GPU's 6144 shading units and 192 tensor cores are well-suited for AI inference tasks. In contrast, it is not an ideal choice for gamers seeking maximum high-refresh-rate performance at 1080p, as the CPU will limit the experience. Students and office workers would find this overkill and expensive for their needs. Small business workstations that require reliable, quiet, and efficient operation for professional software would be an excellent fit, given the low power requirements and the GPU's certified driver performance in professional applications.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build pairing Intel's Alder Lake-based Core i3-12100E CPU with NVIDIA's RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation workstation GPU. The CPU is a 4-core/8-thread part with a 60 W TDP, and the GPU is a 70 W dual-slot professional card with 20 GB of GDDR6 memory and no external power connectors. The system's combined performance percentile is 83, with the GPU contributing a 95th percentile score and the CPU a 70th percentile score. This represents a top-tier professional graphics solution paired with a mid-range entry-level CPU, creating a system that is unmatched in GPU compute for its size and power envelope. The build is designed for SFF workstation chassis where high-performance graphics and quiet operation are paramount.

FAQ

Q: What is the performance class of the CPU compared to its rivals?

A: The i3-12100E has an average benchmark score of 16853, placing it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs. It is nearly identical in performance to the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U, which is 0.2% faster, and the Intel Core i5-1235U, which is 0.5% faster.

Q: How does the GPU compare to other professional workstation cards?

A: The RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation has an average benchmark score of 117088, placing it in the 95th percentile of all GPUs. It is 1.6% slower than the AMD Radeon PRO W7700 and 2.4% faster than the NVIDIA Tesla V100 SXM2 16 GB.

Q: What kind of power supply is needed for this build?

A: The suggested PSU for this system is 250 W. The CPU has a 60 W TDP and the GPU has a 70 W TDP, and the GPU requires no external power connectors, making it very power-efficient.

Q: Can this system support high-resolution gaming?

A: The GPU is powerful enough for 4K gaming, but the CPU may bottleneck performance at lower resolutions. The data suggests the GPU is in the 95th percentile, but the CPU is only in the 70th, so frame rates at 1080p may be limited by the CPU.

Q: What are the main advantages of the 20 GB of VRAM?

A: The 20 GB of GDDR6 memory is a major advantage for professional workloads like 3D rendering and video editing, allowing for larger scenes, higher-resolution textures, and more complex GPU-accelerated effects without running out of memory.

Q: Is this build suitable for software development?

A: Yes, the CPU's high single-core performance (Geekbench single-core score of 2202) and strong integer math score (40885) make it a responsive and capable platform for coding, compilation, and running development environments.

Q: What is a sensible first upgrade for this system?

A: The most effective upgrade would be to replace the CPU with a higher-core-count model on the same Intel Socket 1700, as this would directly address the system's primary bottleneck without requiring a motherboard or power supply change.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i3-12100E + NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i3-12100E

NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation

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

CPU Analysis

Balance and Bottleneck

Upgrade Path and Platform

Usage Scenarios

Benchmark Performance

Gaming Performance

Who Should Build It

Build Overview

FAQ

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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