SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12400 + AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

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
84%
VS
GPU
88%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-12400

18,683 Benchmark Score
Top 16% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

13,543 Benchmark Score
Top 12% 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

This pairing of the Intel Core i5-12400 and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT creates a desktop system that is defined by a significant performance imbalance. The data indicates a build where the GPU is the clear dominant component, capable of delivering high frame rates, but it is frequently held back by the CPU’s processing power. This is not a balanced pairing; it is a GPU-centric configuration that excels in graphically intense scenarios but leaves performance on the table in CPU-bound workloads.

Balance and Bottleneck

The benchmark data clearly identifies the CPU as the primary limiting factor in this system. The Intel Core i5-12400 achieves a percentile of 72 among all CPUs, which is a strong score, but it is overshadowed by the Radeon RX 9070 XT’s performance class. However, the GPU’s own percentile of 55 seems low until the context of its benchmark scores is considered. The GPU’s average benchmark score of 13543 is heavily influenced by older DirectX tests. The system's combined percentile sits at 64, reflecting a configuration where the CPU and GPU are not evenly matched.

The bottleneck becomes evident when analyzing the scaling of frame rates across resolutions. The average FPS across all tested games is 159.7. In a CPU-bound scenario, the frame rate would remain static regardless of resolution. Instead, the data shows a steep drop in performance as resolution increases. For example, in Counter-Strike 2, the frame rate falls from 254.7 FPS at 1920x1080 to 169.8 FPS at 2560x1440, and then to 93.2 FPS at 3840x2160. This scaling pattern indicates that the GPU is the limiting factor at higher resolutions, as its workload increases.

Conversely, at 1080p, the CPU’s limitations are more likely to surface in less demanding titles. Games like Valorant show incredibly high frame rates of 434.2 FPS at 1080p, suggesting the CPU is still able to feed the GPU effectively in light workloads. The 3DMark multi-threaded scores for the CPU, such as 5873 for 16 threads and 5890 for max threads, show only a marginal gain from adding more threads beyond 16. This indicates that the CPU’s six physical cores are the primary resource, and its performance ceiling is reached quickly. The CPU's single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark is decent, but it sets a hard limit on how fast the GPU can render frames in games that rely heavily on single-core performance. Ultimately, the data shows a system that is GPU-bound at higher resolutions but increasingly CPU-bound at 1080p in less demanding, high-FPS titles.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i5-12400 delivers a robust CPU performance profile. Its average benchmark score is 18683, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. This performance is competitive, with its closest rival being the AMD EPYC 7643, which scores an average of 18697, a difference of only -0.1%. It also trades blows with the Intel Core i7-1355U, which is 0.3% faster, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, which is 0.7% faster. The data shows the i5-12400 is 0.9% ahead of the Intel Core i3-14100F. In multi-threaded workloads, the CPU scores 15989 in Cinebench R23, demonstrating solid capability for its 6-core, 12-thread configuration. Single-thread performance is also respectable, with a Cinebench R23 score of 2257 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1848.

The AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT presents a more complex picture. Its average benchmark score is 13543, placing it in the 55th percentile of all GPUs. This percentile is skewed by its performance in legacy tests; for instance, it scores only 78 in Passmark's DirectX 12 test but 292 in DirectX 11. Its modern performance is better reflected in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, where it scores 7260. The GPU’s closest rivals, according to the data, are the AMD Radeon HD 7770M and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570, which are within 0.2% of its average score. This is misleading, as those are much older, lower-tier components. The RX 9070 XT’s true strength is in its raw compute and memory bandwidth, which are not accurately captured by its average benchmark percentile.

The combined picture is of a system where the GPU significantly outclasses the CPU in terms of raw graphical throughput. The CPU is a solid mid-range performer, but the GPU is a high-end part with the memory capacity and bandwidth to handle demanding tasks. The system's pair rank of 965 out of 3732 pairs, with an average FPS of 159.7, shows that while the combination is capable, it is not optimized for maximum frame rate efficiency; the CPU is holding back the GPU from achieving its full potential in many scenarios.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance tier of this CPU and GPU combination?

A: The system has a combined percentile of 64, indicating it performs better than most desktop configurations but is not in the top tier of performance.

Q: How does the Core i5-12400's multi-threaded performance compare to its single-threaded performance?

A: In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 15989 in multi-core and 2257 in single-core, showing strong scaling with its 6 cores and 12 threads, but its single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark is a key indicator of its ceiling in lightly-threaded tasks.

Q: Is the Radeon RX 9070 XT's average benchmark score representative of its gaming performance?

A: No. The GPU's average score of 13543 is pulled down by low scores in older DirectX tests (e.g., 78 in Passmark DX12). Its modern performance is better indicated by its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 7260 and high Geekbench Vulkan score of 65879.

Q: At what resolution does this system perform best?

A: The data shows the system is capable at all resolutions, but the frame rates scale down as resolution increases. For high-refresh-rate gaming, 1920x1080 offers the highest FPS, while 2560x1440 provides a good balance of visual fidelity and performance.

Q: Does this system have enough memory bandwidth for the GPU to perform well?

A: Yes, the Radeon RX 9070 XT features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 644.6 GB/s, which is more than sufficient for high-resolution textures and demanding workloads.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Core i5-12400 is nearly identical in performance to the AMD EPYC 7643, being just 0.1% slower. It also trades blows with the Intel Core i7-1355U and AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, and is 0.9% faster than the Intel Core i3-14100F.

Q: What is the CPU's power consumption requirement?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has a TDP of 65 W, which is modest for a desktop processor. The GPU, however, has a TDP of 304 W, and the system suggests a 700 W PSU.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: This is a primary use case for this build, but with a caveat. At 1920x1080, the system excels in esports titles, hitting 560 FPS in CS:GO and 434.2 FPS in Valorant. In more demanding AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, it achieves 74.9 FPS at 1080p, which is playable. However, the CPU will limit performance in some CPU-bound titles, preventing the GPU from reaching its maximum potential at this resolution.

Streaming: The 6-core, 12-thread i5-12400 can handle the encoding workload associated with streaming, but it will put additional strain on the CPU. The GPU's performance in games like Call of Duty: Warzone (136.3 FPS at 1080p) leaves some headroom, but users may need to rely on the GPU's hardware encoders to maintain smooth gameplay and stream quality simultaneously.

Video Editing: This system is well-suited for video editing. The CPU's multi-threaded performance (15989 in Cinebench R23) provides solid rendering times for effects and exports. The GPU's massive 16 GB of VRAM and high bandwidth (644.6 GB/s) are excellent for processing high-resolution video timelines and applying GPU-accelerated effects, making the editing experience fluid.

3D Rendering: The combination is powerful for 3D rendering. The CPU's 12 threads will handle CPU-based rendering tasks, while the GPU's 48.66 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 64 RT cores can accelerate GPU-based renderers significantly. The 16 GB of VRAM allows for complex scenes and high-resolution textures to be loaded without issue.

Software Development: The i5-12400 is a capable processor for compilation and general development tasks. Its passmark multi-thread score of 18747 and data compression score of 226908 indicate it can handle code compilation and large data sets efficiently. The GPU is not a limiting factor for most development workloads, making this a versatile machine for a developer.

Student and Office Work: This system is massively over-powered for standard student and office tasks. The CPU’s single-thread performance (3456 in Passmark) ensures snappy application responsiveness, and the system will breeze through document editing, web browsing, and spreadsheet work. The GPU provides no tangible benefit for these tasks, making this an expensive choice if this is the sole use case.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor based on the Alder Lake architecture and built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. It features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 18 MB L3 cache.

Benchmark results show this is a balanced performer. Its 3DMark scores scale predictably from 1692 in the 2-thread test to 5890 in the max-thread test, showing good scaling from its 12 threads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15989 is a strong result for its class, confirming its capability in multi-threaded productivity applications. The single-core score of 2257 is also competitive, ensuring good performance in everyday tasks and older games.

The CPU's performance in specialized tests is notable. Its Passmark data encryption score of 11418 and extended instructions score of 15399 show it can handle secure and complex computational tasks. However, its floating-point math score of 45494 and integer math score of 58366 indicate it is not a top-tier compute monster, but rather a solid mid-range chip. The CPU's overall average benchmark score of 18683 and 72nd percentile ranking confirm its position as a competent, mainstream processor that pairs well with a powerful GPU in many but not all scenarios. The 18 MB of shared L3 cache is a significant resource for gaming, helping to reduce memory latency.

Gaming Performance

The measured data shows this system is a capable gaming machine, with performance varying significantly by title and resolution. The data is measured, not estimated.

At 1920x1080, esports and competitive titles see exceptional frame rates. Counter-Strike 2 runs at 254.7 FPS, Valorant at 434.2 FPS, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege at 302 FPS. These numbers are far beyond the refresh rates of most monitors, ensuring a fluid experience. Less demanding games also perform well, with Minecraft hitting 250 FPS and Roblox at 329.2 FPS.

For AAA and graphically demanding titles, 1080p performance is still strong. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 74.9 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 at 67 FPS, and Call of Duty: Warzone at 136.3 FPS. These are all playable, but not max-refresh-rate territory. At 2560x1440, performance drops, but remains respectable. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 55.2 FPS, and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 50.9 FPS, which is still smooth for these demanding games. At 3840x2160, the system begins to struggle with the most demanding titles. Cyberpunk 2077 drops to 34.5 FPS, and Red Dead Redemption 2 to 31.7 FPS. Lighter games like Valorant still manage 381.4 FPS, but the system is clearly better suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The most demanding title tested, Ark: Survival Ascended, only reaches 37 FPS at 1080p and 12 FPS at 4K, showing the limits of this configuration.

Who Should Build It

This build is for a gamer who prioritizes high frame rates at 1080p and 2560x1440 resolutions. The data shows that this system is perfect for competitive esports players who require maximum FPS in titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. It is also a strong choice for gamers who play a mix of AAA and indie titles at high settings, as it consistently delivers over 60 FPS at 1440p in most games, except the most demanding ones.

Content creators, specifically video editors and 3D artists, will find this system highly capable. The GPU's 16 GB of VRAM and high compute performance (48.66 TFLOPS FP32) make it excellent for rendering and GPU-accelerated effects. The CPU's 12 threads provide adequate processing power for video encoding and 3D scene manipulation. This is a workstation-class GPU paired with a mid-range CPU, which is a sensible combination for creative professionals who spend more time in GPU-accelerated applications than in CPU-only rendering.

Students and office workers should not build this system. It is significantly more powerful than needed for such tasks. Software developers, however, will benefit from the CPU's strong multi-threaded performance for compilation and the large memory capacity for running virtual machines, although the GPU is overkill for this use case. Small business workstations that require GPU acceleration for specific applications, such as CAD or data visualization, would also benefit, but general office work does not justify this hardware.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The platform is based on the Intel Socket 1700. This socket supports the Core 12th Gen series, of which the i5-12400 is a part. The system supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing flexibility, though a dual-channel configuration is required for optimal performance. The CPU provides Gen 5 PCIe lanes, with 16 lanes available from the CPU itself. The GPU, however, uses a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface.

The most sensible next upgrade is the CPU. The 65 W TDP of the i5-12400 means it is power-efficient, but the platform also supports higher-end processors that would better match the GPU's performance. Upgrading to a more powerful CPU would alleviate the bottleneck observed in 1080p gaming and improve the system's multi-threaded performance. The GPU is a high-end part, so it does not need an immediate upgrade.

The power supply requirement is a critical consideration. The GPU has a TDP of 304 W and requires 2x 8-pin power connectors. The system suggests a 700 W PSU, which should provide enough headroom for the current components. When upgrading the CPU, users should ensure their PSU has sufficient wattage and connectors for the new processor. The GPU is a dual-slot card, so case compatibility is not a major issue, but length should be checked.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build that pairs the Intel Core i5-12400 CPU with the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU. It represents a configuration where a high-end graphics card is combined with a mid-range processor. The combined percentile of 64 indicates that this system outperforms the majority of desktop PCs, but it is not at the very top of the performance hierarchy.

The system's overall tier is defined by its GPU. The RX 9070 XT is the star of the show, providing excellent performance in modern games and compute workloads. The i5-12400 is a capable supporting actor, but it is not in the same performance class as the GPU. This results in a system that is excellent for high-resolution gaming and GPU-accelerated tasks, but one that is not perfectly balanced. The data clearly shows that this is a GPU-centric build, and its performance is ultimately bound by the capabilities of its processor in certain workloads. It is a powerful, but not fully optimized, pairing.