SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

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

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
84%
VS
GPU
97%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-12400F

19,039 Benchmark Score
Top 16% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

60,347 Benchmark Score
Top 3% 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 pairing of an Intel Core i5-12400F with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 creates a stark contrast in raw capability. The data reveals a system where a mid-range, six-core processor is tasked with feeding a flagship, 24 GB graphics card. This analysis examines the benchmark results to determine where the bottlenecks lie, what the measured performance means for various workloads, and who this desktop configuration genuinely serves.

Balance and Bottleneck

The performance ceiling of this build is heavily defined by the interaction between the CPU and GPU. The RTX 4090, with its 82.58 TFLOPS of FP32 compute and 1.01 TB/s of memory bandwidth, is an extreme performer, sitting in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. In contrast, the Core i5-12400F, while capable, rests in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. This 15-percentile gap between the two components suggests a significant imbalance, with the CPU likely becoming the limiting factor in many scenarios.

Evidence for a CPU bottleneck is most apparent in high-refresh-rate gaming at lower resolutions. At 1920x1080, the system achieves 361.9 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 and 437.7 FPS in Valorant. These frame rates are extraordinarily high, but they are more likely constrained by the CPU's single-thread performance (a score of 909 in 3dmark_single_thread) than the GPU's rendering muscle. The CPU's single-thread score places it at a level where it can generate these frames, but it is the upper boundary of what it can feed to the GPU. As resolution increases to 2560x1440, the CPU load decreases, but the GPU's workload increases, leading to a more balanced but still CPU-influenced pairing in esports titles.

The bottleneck shifts based on workload. In heavily threaded tasks, the CPU's six cores and 12 threads are the limiting factor. Its 3dmark_max_threads score of 5912 is less than half of what a high-core-count workstation CPU would achieve, meaning rendering and video editing will be slower than the GPU's capabilities would suggest. Conversely, in GPU-bound scenarios like 4K gaming in demanding titles, the RTX 4090 becomes the primary constraint. For instance, at 3840x2160, the system drops to 52.1 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 46.4 FPS in Red Dead Redemption 2, indicating that even this massive GPU is working hard at 4K ultra settings, and the CPU is no longer the main bottleneck. The data shows a system that is CPU-limited at 1080p, balanced to a degree at 1440p, and GPU-limited at 4K in AAA titles, with the CPU always capping the absolute maximum frame rate potential.

Benchmark Performance

The combined benchmark picture is one of extreme GPU dominance. The CPU's average benchmark score is 19039, while the GPU's is 60347, a difference of over 3x. This disparity reinforces the notion of a high-end graphics solution paired with a more modest computational core.

The GPU's performance is stellar. It scores 9223 in 3dmark_3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12 and 38194 in passmark_g3d. Its compute capabilities are equally impressive, with a geekbench_opencl score of 255416 and a passmark_gpu_compute score of 26613. These figures place it in the 88th percentile, with its nearest rivals being professional workstation cards like the AMD Radeon PRO V710 (which it leads by 2.9%) and the AMD Radeon Pro W6600M (which leads it by 2.5%). The CPU's performance is adequate but not exceptional. Its cinebench_r23_multicore score of 12380 and passmark_multithread score of 19433 are solid for a six-core part, placing it in the 73rd percentile. Its nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, show a deltaPct of 0, indicating near-identical aggregate performance.

The combined percentile for this pair is 81, and its rank by FPS is 166 out of 3732 pairs, with an average FPS across games of 209.7. This ranking suggests that while the combination is potent, it is not the absolute top-tier pairing, precisely because the CPU holds the system back from achieving the frame rates a top-end CPU would unlock. The data indicates a system that is an exceptional gaming machine, but whose benchmark scores are dragged down by the processor's limitations in multi-threaded scenarios.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, 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. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The processor does not have integrated graphics and is not multiplier-unlocked.

Benchmark results show a processor with strong single-threaded performance and moderate multi-threaded capability. Its 3dmark_single_thread score of 909 and cinebench_r23_singlecore score of 1680 are competitive, indicating good responsiveness for everyday tasks and gaming. The multi-threaded scores, such as cinebench_r23_multicore at 12380 and geekbench_multicore at 9472, reflect the limitations of having only six physical cores. This is a processor that excels when a workload uses one or two threads, but it will struggle to keep up with higher-core-count alternatives in rendering or heavy multitasking. The passmark_find_prime_numbers score of 72 suggests that it is not optimized for pure integer-heavy parallel workloads. For a 2022 processor, it offers solid, balanced performance, but its architecture is now a generation old. The data implies that for this CPU, tasks like 3D modeling and video rendering will be functional but not its primary strength, while gaming and general productivity will be its forte.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: This build is exceptional for competitive and high-refresh gaming at 1080p and 1440p. The data shows 361.9 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 and 427 FPS in Tom Clancy S Rainbow Six Siege at 1920x1080, well above the threshold for any high-refresh monitor. At 2560x1440, the system still delivers 237.7 FPS in Counter-Strike 2, ensuring smooth gameplay.

Streaming: The CPU's 12 threads are sufficient for encoding a stream while gaming, but the 3dmark_16_threads score of 5895 suggests there is limited headroom. Streaming and playing a demanding game like Cyberpunk 2077 (which gets 87.4 FPS at 1080p) may cause frame drops without dedicated hardware encoding, which the RTX 4090 does support.

Video Editing: This workload is a mixed bag. The RTX 4090's 512 tensor cores and 24 GB VRAM can accelerate effects and exports, but the CPU's cinebench_r23_multicore score of 12380 will be the bottleneck for timeline processing and rendering. It will be faster than a low-end system, but not as fast as a build with a higher-core-count CPU.

3D Rendering: The CPU's six cores are the clear limiting factor. With a 3dmark_max_threads score of 5912, rendering tasks in applications like Blender will take significantly longer than with a high-end workstation CPU. The GPU will help with viewport and render tasks that use it, but the overall experience will be CPU-bound.

Software Development: This is a suitable environment for code compilation and running virtual machines. The passmark_multithread score of 19433 and 12 threads provide a decent foundation for build times. The high single-thread performance (passmark_single_thread of 3481) will make the IDE and UI responsive.

Student and Office Work: This pairing is massively overpowered for these tasks. The CPU's single-thread score of 909 in 3dmark ensures snappy performance for spreadsheets, documents, and web browsing. The GPU's capabilities are entirely unnecessary for this workload, but it does not negatively impact it either.

FAQ

Q: Which component is the bottleneck in this system for gaming?

A: The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-12400F is the primary bottleneck, especially at 1080p and 1440p. For example, the system achieves 361.9 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p, but this is likely limited by the CPU's single-thread performance (909 in 3dmark_single_thread) rather than the RTX 4090's capabilities.

Q: What is the RTX 4090's performance tier compared to other GPUs?

A: The RTX 4090 sits in the 88th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 60347. Its nearest rival, the Intel Arc Pro A60, has a deltaPct of 0, meaning they have nearly identical average scores.

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

A: The CPU shows a significant difference. Its 3dmark_single_thread score is 909, while its 3dmark_max_threads score is 5912. This indicates strong single-core capability but more modest multi-core scaling, which is expected from a 6-core part.

Q: What kind of memory does this CPU support?

A: The Intel Core i5-12400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory types, operating over a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming?

A: Yes, but not always with ultra settings. In demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the system delivers 52.1 FPS at 3840x2160, and in Red Dead Redemption 2 it gets 46.4 FPS. It is more playable in less demanding titles like Valorant, which hits 384.8 FPS at 4K.

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

A: The RTX 4090 has a TDP of 450 W, and the suggested PSU for the system is 850 W. The CPU has a much lower TDP of 65 W.

Q: Is the CPU's performance close to any other processors?

A: Yes, the CPU's average benchmark score is 19039. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, has an average score of 19047, with a deltaPct of 0, indicating they are statistically tied in overall performance.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is a flagship graphics card built on the Ada Lovelace architecture. It is a massive chip, with 76,300 million transistors on a 609 mm² die, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It features 16384 shading units, 512 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output pipelines. For ray tracing and AI workloads, it includes 128 RT cores and 512 tensor cores.

Its memory subsystem is equally formidable, with 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. The card's clocks are high, with a base of 2235 MHz and a boost of 2520 MHz. This hardware translates into extraordinary compute power, with an FP32 performance of 82.58 TFLOPS. Benchmark scores confirm its top-tier status. It scores 9223 in 3dmark_3dmark_steel_nomad_dx12, a DirectX 12 test, and its passmark_g3d score is 38194. In compute-bound tasks, it achieves 255416 in geekbench_opencl and 26613 in passmark_gpu_compute.

For rendering, this GPU is a monster. The combination of high VRAM, immense bandwidth, and tensor core performance means it can handle complex 3D scenes, 8K video editing, and AI processing with ease. The data shows it is the dominant component in this build, and its performance is what will drive any demanding graphics workload. Its nearest rivals in the database are professional-grade cards, indicating its compute performance is on par with workstation solutions.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i5-12400F uses the Intel Socket 1700. This platform supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but a motherboard choice locks the user into one type. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, which is a forward-looking feature for future storage and GPU connectivity. The RTX 4090, however, uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface.

The TDP of the CPU is 65 W, and the RTX 4090 has a TDP of 450 W. The suggested PSU for this configuration is 850 W, which leaves some headroom but not a vast amount for overclocking or adding many peripherals. The RTX 4090 requires a single 16-pin power connector and is a triple-slot card, so physical space in the case is a consideration.

A sensible next upgrade for this platform would be a higher-core-count CPU on the same LGA1700 socket, such as a Core i7 or i9 from the 12th or 13th generation, to better balance the system and remove the CPU bottleneck. This would not require a motherboard change and would allow the RTX 4090 to reach its full potential in CPU-bound scenarios. The platform's support for PCIe Gen 5 also means that future storage devices will be able to run at full speed.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build class pairing of a mid-range 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and a flagship GeForce 40-series GPU. The data shows a system with a combined percentile of 81, placing it in the upper echelon of all possible pairings. The RTX 4090 is the clear star, sitting in the 88th GPU percentile, while the CPU is more modest, in the 73rd percentile. This makes for an odd combination: a budget-conscious CPU paired with a top-tier, enthusiast-level GPU. The pairing's rank by FPS is 166 out of 3732, with an average FPS of 209.7 across the tested games. This rank is high, but it is not number one, which the data suggests is due to the CPU's inability to keep up with the GPU in lower-resolution gaming. Overall, this build is a gaming powerhouse that is somewhat held back by its processor in specific scenarios, but still delivers an average frame rate that is far above what most systems can achieve.

Who Should Build It

This configuration targets users who prioritize gaming performance above all else, specifically at high resolutions. The data shows excellent 4K performance in less demanding titles and playable frame rates in AAA games. Gamers with a 1440p or 4K high-refresh monitor who want to play with all settings maxed out will find this build compelling. The RTX 4090's 24 GB of VRAM and compute power also make it attractive for content creators who work with large video files or complex 3D scenes and can utilize the GPU for accelerated rendering. Software developers who need fast compilation and a powerful GPU for testing or local AI model work could benefit, though the CPU may limit parallel build times. Students in fields like game design or data science could use the GPU's power, but the CPU may not be ideal for large-scale simulation. For small business workstations that need to run CUDA-accelerated applications, this pairing offers immense compute power, but the CPU is a mismatch for heavily threaded professional workloads.

Gaming Performance

The gaming performance data is measured and comprehensive, covering a wide range of titles across three resolutions. The system is an absolute monster at 1920x1080, delivering triple-digit frame rates in nearly every game. Esports titles run at extreme speeds: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive hits 793 FPS, Valorant reaches 437.7 FPS, and Tom Clancy S Rainbow Six Siege runs at 427 FPS. Even more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 run at 87.4 FPS, and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 97 FPS.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains exceptionally high. Counter-Strike 2 still runs at 237.7 FPS, and Valorant at 412.4 FPS. AAA games are still very playable, with Cyberpunk 2077 at 78.6 FPS and Call of Duty: Warzone at 120.7 FPS. The system begins to show its limits at 3840x2160, where the GPU is fully taxed. Valorant still runs at 384.8 FPS, and Counter-Strike 2 at 133.1 FPS. However, more demanding titles see frame rates drop: Cyberpunk 2077 falls to 52.1 FPS, and Ark: Survival Ascended is a challenging 17 FPS. The data shows that while the GPU is powerful, it is not invincible at 4K, and the CPU bottleneck becomes less of an issue here as the GPU takes on the primary workload. This is a system that can dominate at 1080p and 1440p and provide a very good, though not perfect, 4K experience.