SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i3-12100F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

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

86 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 14% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
81%
VS
GPU
92%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i3-12100F

13,494 Benchmark Score
Top 19% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

23,172 Benchmark Score
Top 8% 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

Strong Performance

Excellent for 1440p gaming. Most games will run at high/ultra settings smoothly.

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

# Intel Core i3-12100F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

This desktop pairing combines a 4-core/8-thread Intel Core i3-12100F (Alder Lake-S, 10nm) with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (Ampere, 8nm, 10GB GDDR6X). The combination sits at the 68th percentile across all CPU+GPU pairings, with an average measured 154 FPS across the tested game library. The RTX 3080 is the clear performance driver here, delivering top-tier GPU benchmarks, while the Core i3-12100F provides solid single-threaded performance that keeps most games playable but shows clear limits in heavily threaded workloads.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: This build excels at 1080p and 1440p competitive titles. Counter-Strike 2 hits 243 FPS at 1080p and 161 FPS at 1440p, while Valorant reaches 433.2 FPS at 1080p and still holds 379.6 FPS at 4K. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege delivers 289 FPS at 1080p and 190 FPS at 1440p. For esports enthusiasts, this pairing comfortably drives 144Hz and even 240Hz monitors in most competitive shooters.

Streaming: The RTX 3080's 272 tensor cores and 68 RT cores provide hardware acceleration for encoding and AI-enhanced streaming features. The CPU's 8 threads are sufficient for game capture at 1080p, though the 4-core/8-thread configuration means simultaneous streaming and CPU-heavy gaming will strain the processor. The GPU's 29.77 TFLOPS FP32 performance handles the encoding workload without stealing frame time from the game render itself.

Video editing: The GPU's 10GB GDDR6X memory with 760.3 GB/s bandwidth accelerates timeline scrubbing and effects rendering in GPU-accelerated editors. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11860 provides adequate export performance for 1080p projects, but 4K editing workflows will see the 4-core/8-thread processor become a bottleneck during final renders.

3D rendering: The RTX 3080's 8704 shading units and 29.77 TFLOPS FP32 throughput make this a capable GPU-render workstation. The CPU's PassMark multithread score of 14015 and Cinebench R20 multicore score of 4981 suggest CPU-based rendering will be slow. GPU-accelerated renderers that offload to CUDA cores will perform far better than CPU-bound engines.

Software development: The 3DMark single-thread score of 893 and Geekbench single-core score of 1932 indicate snappy compilation for small-to-medium projects. The 4 cores/8 threads handle IDE operations, code analysis, and test suites competently. Large monorepo builds or parallel test runners will expose the CPU's threading limits, with PassMark integer math at 40978 showing moderate throughput for build tasks.

Student and office work: The Core i3-12100F's PassMark single-thread score of 3444 and Geekbench multicore of 7252 handle document processing, spreadsheet calculations, and web browsing effortlessly. The 12MB shared L3 cache keeps frequently accessed data close to the cores. This is an over-specified machine for typical academic workloads, but the 68th percentile CPU rank ensures it will not feel slow in daily use.

FAQ

Q: Can this pairing run Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings?

A: Yes, at 1080p it averages 73.1 FPS, at 1440p it drops to 52.9 FPS, and at 4K it manages 37.9 FPS on ultra settings. The 1440p figure is playable but not smooth enough for high-refresh displays.

Q: Is the RTX 3080 limited by the Core i3-12100F?

A: In CPU-light games like Valorant (433.2 FPS at 1080p) the GPU is fully utilized. In CPU-heavy titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 (65.1 FPS at 1080p) the processor's 4 cores/8 threads can restrict frame delivery, especially at lower resolutions where the GPU has headroom.

Q: What is the best resolution for this build?

A: 1440p represents the sweet spot. The average FPS across all tested games at 2560x1440 is 154 (the pair's overall average). At 1080p the CPU becomes a bottleneck in many titles, while at 4K the GPU's 10GB memory and 320-bit bus keep frame rates playable but below high-refresh thresholds.

Q: Does this system support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the CPU memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, with dual-channel memory bus. The choice of memory generation will affect overall system performance but does not change the CPU or GPU benchmark scores listed here.

Q: How does the RTX 3080 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 3080's average benchmark score is 23172, placing it at the 68th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA P106-100, scores 23249 with a -0.3% delta, meaning the RTX 3080 is effectively at parity with that card. The AMD Radeon RX 6600M scores 23273 (-0.4% delta).

Q: What power supply is recommended for this build?

A: The suggested PSU is 700 watts, based on the RTX 3080's 320W TDP and the Core i3-12100F's 58W TDP. The GPU requires a single 12-pin power connector.

Q: Is the Core i3-12100F comparable to the Intel Core i5-9500?

A: Yes, the i3-12100F has an average benchmark score of 13494, while the i5-9500 scores 13452 (0.3% delta). The two processors are statistically equivalent in average performance, despite the i3 having fewer cores but a newer architecture.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 13494, placing it at the 68th percentile of all processors. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core 3 N355, scores 13492 (0% delta), indicating the i3-12100F sits at a performance plateau shared by several mid-range chips. The Intel Core i7-1250U scores 13351 (1.1% delta), meaning the desktop i3 slightly edges out that mobile chip.

In 3DMark tests, the CPU scores 4051 with 16 threads and 4023 with max threads, showing that the 4-core/8-thread configuration reaches its multi-threaded ceiling quickly — adding more threads beyond 8 yields negligible gains (4026 at 8 threads vs 4023 at max). Single-thread performance is 893, while 2-thread scores hit 1659, demonstrating efficient scaling for lightly threaded workloads. Cinebench R23 shows 11860 multicore and 1674 single-core, with the multicore score representing a 7x multiplier over single-core — reasonable but not exceptional for an 8-thread chip.

The GPU's average benchmark score is 23172, also at the 68th percentile. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 4407. Geekbench OpenCL shows 152423, while Vulkan scores 33620. PassMark G3D gives 25086, and GPU compute adds 14397. The nearest rival comparison shows the NVIDIA P106-100 at 23249 (-0.3% delta) and AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 at 23250 (-0.3% delta) — the RTX 3080 is statistically tied with these cards in aggregate scores, though the modern architecture and feature set differ substantially.

The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pairing is 68, matching both individual component percentiles. The pair ranks 1098 out of 3732 tested combinations, with an average of 154 FPS across all games — a strong showing that places it in the upper third of all tested systems.

Gaming Performance

Measured FPS data is available across 53 games at three resolutions, all at ultra settings. At 1920x1080, the average across the library is 154 FPS, with esports titles far exceeding this: CS:GO hits 534.8 FPS, Valorant 433.2 FPS, and Rainbow Six Siege 289 FPS. Triple-A single-player games remain playable: Cyberpunk 2077 averages 73.1 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 hits 65.1 FPS, and Microsoft Flight Simulator reaches 88 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the overall average drops to approximately 154 FPS (the pair's stated avgFpsAcrossGames). Competitive titles still shine: Valorant manages 408.3 FPS, CS:GO 372.7 FPS, and Counter-Strike 2 161 FPS. Heavier games show the GPU's limits: Cyberpunk 2077 averages 52.9 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 51.1 FPS, and The Medium 43.7 FPS. Ark: Survival Ascended falls to 20.6 FPS, making it unplayable at this resolution on ultra.

At 3840x2160, the picture changes significantly. The RTX 3080's 10GB memory and 320-bit bus keep bandwidth high (760.3 GB/s), but frame rates drop: Valorant still hits 379.6 FPS, CS:GO 220.7 FPS, and Minecraft 79 FPS. Demanding titles struggle: Cyberpunk 2077 averages 37.9 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 32.1 FPS, and Ark: Survival Ascended just 15.1 FPS. The pair's 4K performance is best suited for less demanding games or those willing to lower settings below ultra.

The data shows a clear pattern: the GPU sustains high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p in most titles, but the CPU's 4 cores/8 threads limit performance in simulation-heavy or poorly optimized games regardless of resolution.

Balance and Bottleneck

The RTX 3080's 68th percentile GPU rank versus the i3-12100F's 68th percentile CPU rank suggests balanced overall positioning, but workload-specific data tells a different story. In CPU-light competitive shooters, the GPU is the clear performance driver: Valorant's 433.2 FPS at 1080p and 379.6 FPS at 4K show the GPU scaling well with resolution while the CPU keeps up. In contrast, Red Dead Redemption 2 drops from 65.1 FPS at 1080p to 32.1 FPS at 4K — a 51% reduction that reflects GPU-bound rendering.

The bottleneck manifests most clearly in CPU-heavy titles. Ark: Survival Ascended manages only 38.3 FPS at 1080p, barely improving at lower resolutions because the CPU cannot feed the GPU faster. Microsoft Flight Simulator at 88 FPS (1080p) versus 53.1 FPS (4K) shows a 40% drop, indicating the CPU is holding back the GPU at 1080p. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 4051 versus 8-thread score of 4026 confirms that the CPU's 8 threads are fully saturated — adding more threads does not improve performance.

The PassMark physics score of 985 and 3DMark single-thread score of 893 highlight the CPU's limits in game physics and AI calculations. When paired with a GPU as powerful as the RTX 3080, the i3-12100F becomes the limiting factor in any scenario where game logic, physics, or draw-call processing dominates. The GPU's 68th percentile rank versus the CPU's same percentile obscures this reality — the percentile comparison is against all CPUs and all GPUs respectively, not against each other.

Who Should Build It

Competitive gamers at 1080p/1440p will find this pairing ideal. The measured frame rates (CS:GO 534.8 FPS at 1080p, Valorant 433.2 FPS, Rainbow Six Siege 289 FPS) exceed any current high-refresh monitor's capabilities. The 1440p figures (CS:GO 372.7 FPS, Valorant 408.3 FPS) remain exceptional.

Single-player gamers at 1440p get a strong experience across most titles. Cyberpunk 2077 at 52.9 FPS and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 51.1 FPS on ultra settings are playable, though not high-refresh. Lighter titles like Assetto Corsa (101.5 FPS) and Control (76 FPS) run smoothly.

Content creators using GPU-accelerated workflows benefit from the RTX 3080's 29.77 TFLOPS FP32 and 10GB GDDR6X. Video editors using CUDA-accelerated effects and GPU renderers will see strong performance, provided their software offloads to the GPU rather than relying on the CPU's modest 8 threads.

Students and office workers get an over-specified machine for their needs. The CPU's Geekbench single-core score of 1932 handles everyday tasks effortlessly, and the GPU's compute capabilities are wasted on typical productivity software.

Small business workstations that occasionally need graphics acceleration (CAD, light rendering) benefit from the RTX 3080's compute power, though the CPU's 4 cores may limit multi-threaded professional applications. The system's 68th combined percentile indicates it outperforms most office machines by a wide margin.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i3-12100F is a 4-core, 8-thread processor based on Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10nm process. It operates at a 3.30 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.30 GHz. The 58W TDP makes it an efficient choice for air cooling. Cache configuration includes 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

The benchmark data reveals a processor with excellent single-threaded performance for its class. The 3DMark single-thread score of 893 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1674 are strong for a budget chip. PassMark single-thread at 3444 confirms snappy response in everyday applications. This single-thread strength explains why the processor performs well in games that rely on one or two primary threads.

Multi-threaded performance is where the 4-core/8-thread design shows its limits. The 3DMark scores plateau at 4026 (8 threads) versus 4023 (max threads), demonstrating that the CPU cannot benefit from more than 8 concurrent threads. Cinebench R23 multicore of 11860 is respectable for 8 threads, but the PassMark multithread score of 14015 and physics score of 985 indicate fatigue in heavily threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering.

The processor's memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 gives builders flexibility, though the dual-channel bus means memory bandwidth is shared across all cores. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes (CPU only) provides modern connectivity, though the RTX 3080 uses PCIe 4.0 x16 — backward compatible and not bandwidth-limited in practice.

The nearest rivals — Intel Core 3 N355 (13492, 0% delta) and Intel Core i7-1250U (13351, 1.1% delta) — indicate the i3-12100F sits at a performance tier where it matches or beats several higher-numbered chips. The 68th percentile ranking across all CPUs places it above most office-oriented processors while remaining below workstation and high-end desktop chips.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build pairing a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 with NVIDIA's GeForce 30-series flagship GPU. The Core i3-12100F is an active production processor from Intel's Alder Lake-S generation, while the RTX 3080 is end-of-life, having launched August 31, 2020, with a launch MSRP of 699 USD.

The combination sits at the 68th combined percentile, placing it in the upper third of all tested CPU+GPU pairings. The pair ranks 1098 out of 3732 tested combinations, with an average FPS of 154 across the game library. This places the build firmly in the upper-midrange tier of overall system performance — not a flagship, but significantly above average.

The GPU is the dominant component. The RTX 3080's 8704 shading units, 272 TMUs, 96 ROPs, 68 RT cores, and 272 tensor cores represent a massive compute resource. Its 29.77 TFLOPS FP32 and 760.3 GB/s memory bandwidth are top-tier figures that place it near the top of the GPU hierarchy despite its 68th percentile rank (which reflects all GPUs including newer generations).

The CPU, while modest in core count, punches above its weight thanks to Alder Lake's architecture. The 10nm process and 4.30 GHz boost clock deliver strong single-thread performance that keeps the system responsive. The 58W TDP means cooling is straightforward, and the processor's 68th percentile rank puts it ahead of many older 6-core designs.

The asymmetry between the components is notable: a budget-oriented CPU paired with a high-end GPU. This creates a system that excels in GPU-bound workloads (rendering, gaming at high resolutions) but struggles in CPU-bound tasks (heavy multitasking, multi-threaded productivity). For its intended use as a gaming build, this asymmetry is acceptable; for general productivity, it is less ideal.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The platform is built around Intel Socket 1700, which supports the Core 12th Gen family. The CPU's PCIe Gen 5 interface provides 16 lanes (CPU only), while the RTX 3080 uses PCIe 4.0 x16 — fully compatible and not bottlenecked by the interface. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel operation, allowing builders to choose between established DDR4 pricing or newer DDR5 performance.

The CPU's 58W TDP and the GPU's 320W TDP together require a suggested PSU of 700W. The RTX 3080 uses a single 12-pin power connector, which may require an adapter depending on the power supply's native cabling. The GPU is dual-slot and measures 285mm in length, 112mm in height, and 40mm in width, requiring a case with sufficient GPU clearance.

The most sensible next upgrade is the CPU. The Socket 1700 platform supports higher-core-count 12th Gen processors, which would eliminate the current bottleneck in CPU-heavy games and multi-threaded productivity. Upgrading to a 6-core or 8-core 12th Gen chip would bring the CPU's threading capabilities closer to the GPU's performance tier, improving frame rates in titles like Ark: Survival Ascended (38.3 FPS at 1080p) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (65.1 FPS at 1080p) where the CPU currently limits performance.

The RTX 3080's 10GB GDDR6X memory is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming but shows limits at 4K in VRAM-heavy titles. A future GPU upgrade would address 4K performance, though the current GPU's 68th percentile rank means it remains competitive against most modern cards. The PCIe 4.0 x16 interface ensures compatibility with future GPUs that will use the same or newer PCIe standards.

For memory, the dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support means existing DDR4 kits can be carried over or upgraded to DDR5 without changing the motherboard. The 12MB shared L3 cache benefits from faster memory, so an upgrade to higher-speed DDR5 could improve CPU-bound scenarios. The system's overall balance, however, suggests prioritizing CPU upgrade before memory or GPU changes, as the processor is the primary limiting factor in most demanding workloads.