SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12400 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

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

88 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 12% 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
92%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-12400

18,683 Benchmark Score
Top 16% 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
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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

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i5-12400 is built on the Alder Lake architecture and uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform. This is a desktop-class build, and the CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. The platform offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes available from the CPU, which provides substantial headroom for modern storage and expansion cards. The CPU itself has a 65 W TDP, which is modest for a six-core part, and the GPU carries a 320 W TDP with a suggested PSU of 700 W. That 700 W recommendation accounts for the combined draw of the CPU and GPU under load, leaving room for drives, fans, and other peripherals without requiring an oversized power supply.

For a sensible next upgrade, the data points to the GPU as the primary candidate for replacement rather than the CPU. The RTX 3080 sits at the 68th percentile of all GPUs, while the i5-12400 sits at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. The CPU is slightly stronger relative to its own field, so moving to a higher-tier GPU would likely be more beneficial for frame rate increases in GPU-bound scenarios. However, the platform itself has limitations: the i5-12400 is not multiplier-unlocked, so overclocking headroom is absent. The socket supports newer 12th-gen parts, but the data does not specify compatibility beyond the current CPU. Memory upgrades from DDR4 to DDR5 would require a motherboard change, as the CPU supports both but a given board typically supports only one type. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes are a future-proofing feature, though the GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, so current bandwidth needs are fully met.

The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides a fallback display output if the discrete GPU is removed or fails, which is useful for troubleshooting. The CPU's 10 nm process node and 163 mm² die size are modest by current standards, but the 65 W TDP means cooling requirements are manageable with a capable air cooler. The RTX 3080, by contrast, is a dual-slot card measuring 285 mm in length, 112 mm in height, and 40 mm in width, with a single 12-pin power connector. Case compatibility should be checked for length, but the dual-slot design is standard. The suggested 700 W PSU is the key constraint for any upgrade; exceeding that would require a PSU change alongside a GPU swap.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's benchmark results show a clear multi-threaded strength. In 3DMark tests, the i5-12400 scores 5,873 with 16 threads and 5,890 with max threads, while single-thread scores 910. The scaling from 2-thread (1,692) to 8-thread (4,745) is nearly linear, indicating good thread utilization. Cinebench R23 results reinforce this: 15,989 multi-core and 2,257 single-core. The Geekbench scores are 8,564 multi-core and 1,848 single-core. PassMark multi-thread scores 18,747, with integer math at 58,366 and floating-point math at 45,494. The compression score of 226,908 and encryption score of 11,418 show strong data processing capability. The average benchmark score for the CPU is 18,683, placing it at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs.

Against its nearest rivals, the i5-12400 is essentially tied with the AMD EPYC 7643 (delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-1355U (delta -0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (delta -0.7%). It edges out the Intel Core i3-14100F by 0.9%. This means the i5-12400 delivers performance comparable to a high-end server chip and a newer mobile part, which is notable for a desktop mid-range CPU.

The GPU's benchmark scores are similarly strong. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, the RTX 3080 scores 4,407. Geekbench OpenCL scores 152,423 and Vulkan scores 33,620. PassMark G3D scores 25,086, with GPU compute at 14,397. The average benchmark score is 23,172, placing it at the 68th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are oddly lower-tier parts: the NVIDIA P106-100 (delta -0.3%), AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 (delta -0.3%), AMD Radeon RX 6600M (delta -0.4%), and AMD Radeon R9 M290X (delta -0.4%). The RTX 3080 is essentially tied with these in average score, though the specific workloads differ substantially.

The combined picture is a system at the 70th percentile overall. The CPU is slightly ahead of the GPU in relative standing, but both are firmly mid-to-upper tier. The pair's average FPS across all tested games is 154.1, ranking 1,096 out of 3,732 pairs. This puts the combo in the top 30% of all CPU-GPU pairings, which is a strong position for a desktop build.

Gaming Performance

The measured FPS data at ultra settings provides a comprehensive view. At 1920x1080, the system delivers high frame rates in most titles. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive hits 537 FPS, Valorant reaches 436 FPS, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege runs at 289 FPS. Counter-Strike 2 achieves 240.6 FPS, and Minecraft runs at 240 FPS. These are competitive-level frame rates suitable for high-refresh monitors.

At 2560x1440, performance remains strong. Valorant still delivers 413.9 FPS, CS:GO drops to 370 FPS, and Rainbow Six Siege holds at 190 FPS. More demanding titles show the scaling: Call of Duty: Warzone runs at 120 FPS, Assetto Corsa at 101 FPS, and Counter-Strike 2 at 163.9 FPS. Cyberpunk 2077 drops to 54 FPS, which is playable but not high-refresh. Red Dead Redemption 2 runs at 50.1 FPS, and Microsoft Flight Simulator at 73.1 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 3080's 10 GB memory and 760.3 GB/s bandwidth are tested. Valorant still manages 379.9 FPS, but most AAA titles fall below 60 FPS. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 35 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 at 30.2 FPS, and Ark: Survival Ascended at 14.5 FPS. Less demanding titles like CS:GO (218 FPS) and Roblox (117.8 FPS) remain smooth. The 4K experience is inconsistent: esports titles are fine, but modern AAA games require settings reduction to hit 60 FPS.

The data is measured, not estimated, so these figures represent actual observed performance. The pair's average FPS of 154.1 across all games and resolutions indicates that the system is capable of high frame rates in the majority of scenarios, with 4K being the clear limitation.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance between the i5-12400 and RTX 3080 is well-matched for most workloads. The CPU's 72nd percentile and the GPU's 68th percentile are close, suggesting neither component dramatically overshadows the other. In gaming, the bottleneck shifts based on resolution. At 1080p, the CPU is often the limiting factor in esports titles where frame rates exceed 200 FPS. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive at 537 FPS and Valorant at 436 FPS indicate the CPU is working hard to feed the GPU. The 3DMark single-thread score of 910 and 2-thread score of 1,692 show that single-thread performance is adequate but not exceptional.

At 1440p and 4K, the GPU becomes the primary constraint. The FPS scaling from 1080p to 1440p to 4K shows a consistent drop across all titles, with 4K often halving the 1440p score. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 goes from 72 FPS at 1080p to 54 FPS at 1440p to 35 FPS at 4K. This is classic GPU-bound behavior. The RTX 3080's 29.77 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is substantial, but the 10 GB memory size at 4K with ultra settings is a limitation.

The CPU's multi-threaded scores suggest it can handle background tasks while gaming. The 8-thread score of 4,745 and max-thread score of 5,890 indicate that streaming or recording overhead would have minimal impact. However, the PassMark physics score of 1,105 is relatively low, which could affect physics-heavy games. The overall balance favors gaming at 1080p and 1440p, where the pair is well-matched. At 4K, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, and at very high frame rates (above 300 FPS), the CPU may limit performance.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's core and thread configuration?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400 has 6 cores and 12 threads, based on the Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node.

Q: What memory types does this platform support?

A: The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, with a dual-channel memory bus. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i5-12400 is virtually tied with the AMD EPYC 7643 (delta -0.1%), Intel Core i7-1355U (delta -0.3%), and AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 (delta -0.7%), while leading the Intel Core i3-14100F by 0.9%.

Q: What is the GPU's memory capacity and bandwidth?

A: The RTX 3080 has 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus, providing 760.3 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What is the suggested power supply for this build?

A: The GPU's suggested PSU is 700 W, which accounts for the CPU's 65 W TDP and the GPU's 320 W TDP.

Q: Does the GPU support hardware ray tracing?

A: Yes, the RTX 3080 has 68 ray tracing cores and 272 tensor cores, based on the Ampere architecture.

Q: What is the best resolution for this system?

A: Measured data shows strong performance at 1920x1080 and 2560x1440, with 4K being limited to less demanding titles or lower settings.

Who Should Build It

This system targets gamers who prioritize high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p. The measured FPS data shows that at 1920x1080, the pair delivers over 100 FPS in nearly every tested title, and over 200 FPS in CS:GO, Valorant, and Minecraft. At 2560x1440, most games remain above 60 FPS, with esports titles exceeding 150 FPS. Content creators will benefit from the CPU's multi-threaded performance: Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,989 and PassMark multi-thread score of 18,747 indicate solid video editing and rendering capability. The GPU's compute performance (PassMark GPU compute 14,397) supports GPU-accelerated workloads.

Software developers will find the CPU's 12 threads useful for compilation, with the PassMark integer math score of 58,366 reflecting strong processing throughput. Students and small business users will appreciate the balance: the CPU handles productivity tasks well, and the GPU accelerates graphics work. The 65 W CPU TDP keeps system power reasonable, though the GPU's 320 W TDP means the overall system is not low-power. For 4K gaming, this build is not ideal; users should look to lower settings or a more powerful GPU. For 1440p ultra and 1080p high-refresh, this is a capable configuration.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-12400 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from the Core 12th Gen series, based on the Alder Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The process node is 10 nm, and the die size is 163 mm². Cache configuration includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, with a dual-channel bus. It has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides basic display output. The launch MSRP is $199.

Benchmark results show a well-rounded performer. The 3DMark max-thread score of 5,890 is only marginally higher than the 16-thread score of 5,873, indicating that 12 threads are fully utilized. The single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark and 2,257 in Cinebench R23 single-core are competitive for the 12th-gen era. The Geekbench single-core score of 1,848 and multi-core score of 8,564 place it in a strong mid-range position. PassMark results show particular strength in integer math (58,366) and floating-point math (45,494), with data compression at 226,908. The extended instructions score of 15,399 indicates good SIMD performance.

The 72nd percentile ranking means the i5-12400 outperforms the majority of CPUs in the database. Its performance is comparable to the AMD EPYC 7643, a server-class chip, which speaks to the efficiency of the Alder Lake architecture. For real workloads, this translates to snappy single-threaded responsiveness in everyday tasks, strong multi-threaded performance in content creation, and adequate headroom for gaming with background applications. The 65 W TDP makes cooling straightforward, and the platform's DDR4 support offers a cost-effective memory path, though the data does not specify actual DDR4 vs DDR5 performance differences.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build pairing the Intel Core i5-12400 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080. The CPU is a 6-core, 12-thread Alder Lake part with a 65 W TDP, while the GPU is an Ampere-architecture card with 10 GB of GDDR6X memory and a 320 W TDP. The system's combined percentile is 70, placing it above the majority of all CPU-GPU pairings. The average FPS across all tested games is 154.1, ranking 1,096 out of 3,732 pairs.

The tier is solidly mid-to-upper. The CPU's 72nd percentile and GPU's 68th percentile are both above the median, but neither is a top-10% part. The pair's performance is characterized by high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, with 4K being the limitation. The GPU is end-of-life (production status), while the CPU is still active, which may affect long-term availability. The RTX 3080's predecessor is the GeForce 20 series, and its successor is the GeForce 40 series, but the data does not include performance comparisons to those. The build is best described as a high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming system with solid content creation capability.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: At 1920x1080, the system delivers 240.6 FPS in Counter-Strike 2, 289 FPS in Rainbow Six Siege, and 436 FPS in Valorant. These frame rates exceed the refresh rates of most high-end monitors, making the system ideal for competitive play.

Streaming: The CPU's 12 threads and 3DMark 8-thread score of 4,745 provide enough headroom to encode video while gaming. The GPU's tensor cores can also handle encoding tasks, reducing the load on the CPU.

Video editing: Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15,989 and PassMark multi-thread score of 18,747 indicate strong rendering performance. The GPU's 29.77 TFLOPS of FP32 and 14,397 PassMark GPU compute score accelerate effects and exports.

3D rendering: The CPU's 6 cores and 12 threads handle CPU-based rendering, while the GPU's 8,704 shading units and 272 tensor cores accelerate GPU-based renderers. The 10 GB memory may limit very large scenes.

Software development: PassMark integer math of 58,366 and data compression of 226,908 support fast compilation and data processing. The 12 threads handle parallel builds efficiently.

Student and office work: The CPU's single-thread score of 910 in 3DMark and 1,848 in Geekbench provide responsive everyday performance. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 offers a fallback if the GPU is not needed.

4K gaming: Not recommended. At 3840x2160, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 35 FPS and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 30.2 FPS, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth play.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is based on the Ampere architecture and the GA102 chip, manufactured on an 8 nm process by Samsung. The chip contains 28,300 million transistors on a 628 mm² die, with a transistor density of 45.1M per mm². The GPU has 8,704 shading units, 272 texture mapping units, and 96 raster output units. It includes 68 ray tracing cores and 272 tensor cores. The base clock is 1,440 MHz with a boost clock of 1,710 MHz, and the memory runs at 1,188 MHz (19 Gbps effective). The 10 GB of GDDR6X memory sits on a 320-bit bus, providing 760.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The pixel rate is 164.2 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 465.1 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 29.77 TFLOPS, with FP16 at 29.77 TFLOPS (1:1). The TDP is 320 W, with a suggested PSU of 700 W. It uses a single 12-pin power connector and is a dual-slot card measuring 285 mm in length. The bus interface is PCIe 4.0 x16. The launch MSRP is 699 USD.

Benchmark scores show strong overall performance. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4,407 reflects modern DirectX 12 workload capability. Geekbench OpenCL score of 152,423 indicates excellent compute throughput, while Vulkan score of 33,620 shows good API efficiency. PassMark G3D score of 25,086 and GPU compute score of 14,397 round out the picture. The 68th percentile ranking places it above the majority of GPUs, though it is not a top-tier part by current standards. Its nearest rivals in average score are oddly lower-end cards, which suggests the average benchmark score may not fully capture the RTX 3080's gaming strengths.

For rendering workloads, the 8,704 shading units and 29.77 TFLOPS of FP32 provide substantial compute power. The 272 tensor cores accelerate AI-based features like DLSS, and the 68 ray tracing cores handle real-time ray tracing. The 10 GB memory capacity is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but at 4K with ultra textures, it may become a limiting factor. The 760.3 GB/s bandwidth is high, which helps with memory-intensive workloads. The GPU is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in production, which may affect warranty and availability. For 1080p and 1440p gaming, the RTX 3080 remains a capable performer, as evidenced by the measured frame rates.