SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

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

Build Configuration

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PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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91 Score

Top 9% Ranking

91 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 9% 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%

GPU

99%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-12400F

19,039 Benchmark Score

Top 16% Market Ranking

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GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

135,218 Benchmark Score

Top 1% Market Ranking

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Market Position

How your build compares to others

Budget

0-30

Mid-Range

30-60

High-End

60-85

Enthusiast

85-100

Your Build

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Optimal Performance

Your system is in the top tier. You can run any modern game at maximum settings.

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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

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-12400F is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor built on Intel's 10 nm Alder Lake architecture. It operates on the Intel Socket 1700 platform with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The chip draws 65 W TDP and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. This CPU does not include integrated graphics, which is indicated by the "F" suffix, and its multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking. The processor was released on January 3, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $174.

Benchmark results show a processor that scales well with thread count. In 3DMark tests, the CPU scores 909 in single-thread, 1,699 in 2-thread, 3,067 in 4-thread, 4,779 in 8-thread, and 5,895 in 16-thread workloads. The max-thread score of 5,912 is only slightly higher than the 16-thread result, indicating that the 6-core/12-thread configuration is fully utilized by that point. The scaling from 8 to 16 threads shows a gain of roughly 24%, while the jump from 4 to 8 threads delivers about 56% more performance. This pattern suggests efficient thread scheduling and good core utilization across the physical and logical cores.

Cinebench results reinforce this picture. In Cinebench R23, the CPU achieves 1,680 in single-core and 12,380 in multi-core tests. The multi-core score is about 7.4 times the single-core score, which is close to the theoretical 12-thread scaling limit, indicating that the Alder Lake architecture effectively extracts performance from its hybrid design. Cinebench R20 shows 985 single-core and 6,980 multi-core, while Cinebench R15 delivers 244 single-core and 1,759 multi-core. Geekbench scores of 1,964 single-core and 9,472 multi-core place the CPU in a competitive position for everyday applications.

PassMark tests provide additional insights into specialized workloads. The CPU scores 59,995 in integer math, 46,759 in floating-point math, and 15,834 in extended instructions. Data compression reaches 233,327, while data encryption hits 11,679. Random string sorting scores 22,975, and prime number finding scores 72. The multi-thread score is 19,433, while single-thread performance sits at 3,481. Physics calculations score 1,202. These results indicate strong integer and floating-point performance, which are critical for productivity applications, scientific computing, and general desktop responsiveness.

The CPU's average benchmark score is 19,039, placing it at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs. This means it outperforms roughly three-quarters of all processors in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with an average score of 19,047 (0% delta), the Intel Core 3 201E at 19,056 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18,982 (0.3% delta), and the AMD EPYC 7773X at 18,979 (0.3% delta). The extremely tight margins—within 0.3% of all rivals—indicate that the i5-12400F sits in a highly competitive performance band where differences are negligible for most workloads.

# Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The CPU's single-thread score of 909 in 3DMark and 1,680 in Cinebench R23 indicate strong per-core performance that supports high frame rates in games that rely on single-threaded game logic. The 6-core/12-thread configuration provides sufficient headroom for modern game engines that utilize multiple threads, and the 73rd percentile CPU ranking suggests it will not bottleneck most gaming workloads. Expect high-refresh 1080p gaming to be well-served by this processor, though the GPU pairing ultimately determines the ceiling.

Streaming: With 12 threads and a 65 W TDP, this CPU can handle simultaneous gaming and encoding workloads. The multi-thread score of 12,380 in Cinebench R23 and 19,433 in PassMark multi-thread show enough parallel throughput for x264 encoding at reasonable presets. However, the absence of integrated graphics means streamers must rely entirely on the discrete GPU for encoding, which is acceptable given the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's capabilities. For software encoding, the 6-core/12-thread configuration may show strain under heavy CPU-bound games plus encoding, but the overall 73rd percentile ranking indicates adequate headroom.

Video editing: The combination of 18 MB of L3 cache and strong multi-thread performance (12,380 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) supports timeline scrubbing, effects processing, and export tasks. The PassMark data compression score of 233,327 indicates fast file I/O operations, which is relevant for video project files and cache management. Floating-point math at 46,759 suggests capable handling of color grading and video effects that rely on FP32 calculations. The CPU's 73rd percentile ranking means it outperforms most processors in the database for multi-threaded video workloads.

3D rendering: Cinebench R23 multi-core at 12,380 places this CPU in a solid mid-range position for CPU-based rendering. The 6-core/12-thread design provides predictable scaling in render engines that support multiple threads. The extended instruction score of 15,834 in PassMark indicates good AVX-family performance, which is beneficial for certain rendering algorithms. While not a high-end workstation CPU, the i5-12400F handles moderate rendering tasks competently, with the 73rd percentile ranking confirming its position above the majority of CPUs.

Software development: The 3DMark 2-thread score of 1,699 and 4-thread score of 3,067 show strong responsiveness for compilation tasks that scale across cores. Single-thread performance (909 in 3DMark single-thread) supports fast IDE interactions and code analysis tools. The PassMark integer math score of 59,995 reflects solid performance in computational tasks common in build systems and test suites. With 12 threads, parallel builds and test runners benefit from the multi-core design, though very large codebases may push the CPU toward its limits.

Student and office work: For everyday productivity, the CPU's single-thread performance (3,481 in PassMark single-thread) ensures snappy application launches and responsive document editing. The 65 W TDP means the system runs cool and quiet, ideal for dorm rooms or shared office spaces. The 73rd percentile CPU ranking ensures this processor handles web browsing, spreadsheets, document processing, and presentation software without noticeable lag. The platform's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides flexibility for budget-conscious students or those seeking higher-bandwidth memory.

# FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Core i5-12400F?

A: The i5-12400F has 6 cores and 12 threads, which is a common configuration for mid-range desktop processors in the Core 12th Gen series.

Q: Does the i5-12400F have integrated graphics?

A: No, the "F" designation indicates that integrated graphics are disabled. The CPU has no iGPU, so a discrete graphics card is required for display output.

Q: What memory types does this CPU support?

A: The i5-12400F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. The choice between memory types depends on the motherboard selected.

Q: How does the i5-12400F compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score is 19,039, which is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS at 19,047 (0% delta), the Intel Core 3 201E at 19,056 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-1335U at 18,982 (0.3% delta), and the AMD EPYC 7773X at 18,979 (0.3% delta). All rivals are within 0.3% of each other.

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking?

A: The i5-12400F ranks at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning it outperforms approximately 73% of all processors tracked.

Q: What socket does the i5-12400F use?

A: The CPU uses Intel Socket 1700, which is the socket platform for Alder Lake desktop processors.

Q: Can the i5-12400F be overclocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, meaning the CPU cannot be overclocked through multiplier adjustment. The boost clock of 4.40 GHz is the maximum factory-set frequency.

# Who Should Build It

The Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation pairing targets users who need strong CPU performance for gaming and productivity while leveraging a professional-grade GPU for compute-intensive tasks. The CPU's 73rd percentile ranking and the GPU's 95th percentile ranking create a system that sits at the 84th combined percentile among all builds. This combination is suitable for gamers at 1080p and 1440p resolutions who want high frame rates, as the CPU's single-thread performance (909 in 3DMark single-thread) and multi-thread capability (12,380 in Cinebench R23 multi-core) handle modern game engines effectively.

Content creators working in video editing, 3D rendering, or graphic design will appreciate the CPU's balanced performance profile. The 6-core/12-thread design with 18 MB of L3 cache provides responsive timeline editing and reasonable render times. The PassMark floating-point math score of 46,759 supports GPU-accelerated workflows where the CPU manages scene graphs and physics while the GPU handles rendering. The 65 W TDP keeps thermal output manageable in workstation environments where noise and heat are concerns.

Software developers building applications, running test suites, or managing CI pipelines benefit from the multi-threaded performance (19,433 in PassMark multi-thread). The 2-thread score of 1,699 in 3DMark indicates fast response for interactive development work, while the 8-thread score of 4,779 supports parallel compilation tasks. The platform's PCIe Gen 5 support (20 lanes from the CPU) provides headroom for high-speed storage devices, which reduces build times and improves developer workflow.

Students and small business users who need a reliable desktop for coursework, research, or office tasks will find the i5-12400F more than sufficient. The 73rd percentile ranking ensures smooth performance for word processing, spreadsheet analysis, web browsing, and presentation creation. The CPU's active production status and broad ecosystem of Socket 1700 motherboards make it a versatile choice for a wide range of desktop builds.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i5-12400F uses Intel Socket 1700, which is the platform for Alder Lake desktop processors. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, giving builders flexibility in choosing memory technology based on budget and performance requirements. The platform provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, which supports high-bandwidth devices such as NVMe storage and future expansion cards. The GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, which is fully compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 slot.

The CPU's TDP is 65 W, while the GPU has a TDP of 130 W. The suggested PSU for the GPU is 300 W, which indicates that a modest power supply can support this pairing. The GPU uses a single 16-pin power connector and occupies a single slot, making it suitable for compact or multi-GPU workstation configurations. The system's combined power requirements are modest enough for most mid-range power supplies, with the 300 W suggested PSU providing a baseline for sizing.

A sensible next upgrade path involves moving to a higher-core-count CPU within the same Socket 1700 platform, provided the motherboard's BIOS supports newer Alder Lake variants. The 18 MB of L3 cache and 6-core/12-thread configuration leave room for growth, but users seeking more multi-threaded performance can consider CPUs with higher core counts in the same generation. Memory upgrades from DDR4 to DDR5 (or vice versa) require a motherboard change, as the memory controller supports one or the other depending on the board. The GPU's 20 GB of GDDR6 memory and 360.0 GB/s bandwidth provide substantial headroom for professional workloads, so the GPU is likely to remain relevant longer than the CPU. The platform's PCIe Gen 5 support future-proofs storage upgrades, with 20 lanes available for high-speed devices.

# Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination of Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps data, so all FPS figures discussed in this section are estimates based on the benchmark scores of the CPU and GPU rather than direct gameplay measurements.

The CPU's single-thread performance (909 in 3DMark single-thread, 1,680 in Cinebench R23 single-core) suggests it can maintain high frame rates in games that are primarily single-threaded. Many esports titles and older games fall into this category, where the CPU's strong per-core performance (3,481 in PassMark single-thread) supports frame rates well above 60 FPS at 1080p. The 4-thread score of 3,067 in 3DMark indicates that games using four threads will see solid performance, which covers the majority of modern game engines.

For more demanding titles, the 8-thread score of 4,779 in 3DMark shows that the CPU can leverage its 12 threads effectively. Games that scale across 6 to 8 threads will benefit from the CPU's multi-core capability, which reduces the likelihood of CPU bottlenecks in scenarios with complex physics, dynamic environments, or large numbers of AI agents. The 73rd percentile CPU ranking confirms that this processor outperforms most CPUs in the database, providing a robust foundation for gaming.

The GPU's performance is substantial, with a 95th percentile ranking among all GPUs. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation delivers 26.73 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, 48 ray tracing cores, and 192 tensor cores, making it a formidable workstation GPU that also excels in gaming. The 20 GB of GDDR6 memory with 360.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures that texture-heavy games at high resolutions are handled without memory bandwidth limitations. The 5 nm process node from TSMC and 35,800 million transistors indicate a high-performance design.

Given the CPU's 73rd percentile and the GPU's 95th percentile rankings, this pairing is likely GPU-bound in most gaming scenarios. At 1080p, the CPU can deliver frame rates that allow the GPU to stretch its legs, while at 1440p and 4K, the GPU's parallel processing power becomes the dominant factor. The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA A10M (0% delta), AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (-0.1% delta), AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (-0.4% delta), and AMD Radeon PRO V620 (-0.9% delta), all of which are professional-class GPUs with similar performance envelopes.

# Balance and Bottleneck

The Intel Core i5-12400F ranks at the 73rd percentile among CPUs, while the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation ranks at the 95th percentile among GPUs. This 22-percentage-point gap indicates that the GPU is significantly stronger relative to its peers than the CPU is relative to its peers. In most gaming workloads, the GPU will be the limiting factor, which is generally the desired balance for gaming systems—the GPU does the heavy lifting for frame rendering, while the CPU handles game logic and scene management.

The CPU's average benchmark score is 19,039, while the GPU's average benchmark score is 135,218. The GPU's score is roughly 7.1 times the CPU's score, which reflects the different performance scales of these components. In compute-heavy workloads like 3D rendering or scientific simulation, the GPU's FP32 throughput of 26.73 TFLOPS will dominate, while the CPU's 12 threads handle data preparation and orchestration. The combined percentile of 84 for this build indicates that the system as a whole outperforms 84% of all builds in the database.

The FPS scaling evidence, while estimated, suggests that at lower resolutions (1080p), the CPU's single-thread performance becomes more relevant, as the GPU can produce frames faster than the CPU can feed them. The 909 single-thread 3DMark score and 1,680 Cinebench R23 single-core score indicate that the CPU is not a high-end performer in single-threaded tasks, which could limit frame rates in esports titles that rely heavily on per-core performance. At higher resolutions (1440p and 4K), the GPU's pixel throughput becomes the bottleneck, and the CPU's 73rd percentile ranking provides adequate support.

For productivity workloads, the balance shifts depending on the application. In CPU-bound tasks like video encoding or compilation, the i5-12400F's 6-core/12-thread configuration is the limiting factor, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12,380 and PassMark multi-thread score of 19,433. In GPU-accelerated tasks like machine learning inference or ray-traced rendering, the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 192 tensor cores and 48 ray tracing cores take over, making the GPU the dominant component. The system's 84th combined percentile reflects a build that is stronger on the GPU side but still well-balanced for a wide range of applications.

# Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core i5-12400F, a 6-core/12-thread desktop CPU from Intel's Core 12th Gen series, with the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation, a workstation GPU based on the Ada Lovelace architecture. The build class is desktop, meaning this is a stationary system designed for performance rather than portability. The CPU uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the GPU uses the AD104 chip on a 5 nm process node from TSMC.

The system's combined percentile is 84, placing it in the top 16% of all builds in the database. The CPU's 73rd percentile and the GPU's 95th percentile create a configuration that is heavily weighted toward GPU performance, which is typical for systems intended for graphics-intensive work or high-resolution gaming. The CPU was released on January 3, 2022, while the GPU was released on August 8, 2023, making this a pairing of a slightly older CPU with a newer GPU.

The overall tier of this build is high-end on the GPU side and upper-mid-range on the CPU side. The GPU's 95th percentile ranking places it among the top 5% of all GPUs, while the CPU's 73rd percentile places it above most processors but below the top quartile. This combination is well-suited for users who prioritize GPU performance for professional workloads like 3D rendering, video editing, or compute acceleration, while maintaining solid CPU performance for everyday tasks and gaming.

# Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i5-12400F achieves an average benchmark score of 19,039, placing it at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs. In 3DMark tests, the CPU scores 909 (single-thread), 1,699 (2-thread), 3,067 (4-thread), 4,779 (8-thread), and 5,895 (16-thread), with a max-thread score of 5,912. Cinebench results show 1,680 single-core and 12,380 multi-core in R23, 985 single-core and 6,980 multi-core in R20, and 244 single-core and 1,759 multi-core in R15. Geekbench scores are 1,964 single-core and 9,472 multi-core. PassMark tests deliver 59,995 in integer math, 46,759 in floating-point math, 15,834 in extended instructions, 233,327 in data compression, 11,679 in data encryption, 22,975 in random string sorting, 72 in prime number finding, 19,433 in multi-thread, and 3,481 in single-thread.

The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation achieves an average benchmark score of 135,218, placing it at the 95th percentile among all GPUs. In Geekbench tests, the GPU scores 146,593 in OpenCL and 123,842 in Vulkan. The GPU processes 139.2 GPixel/s of pixel rate and 417.6 GTexel/s of texture rate, with FP32 performance of 26.73 TFLOPS and FP16 performance of 26.73 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio).

The combined picture shows a system where the GPU's performance is exceptional, ranking in the top 5% of all GPUs, while the CPU's performance is solidly above average, ranking in the top 27% of all CPUs. The GPU's nearest rivals—the NVIDIA A10M (0% delta), AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (-0.1% delta), AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (-0.4% delta), and AMD Radeon PRO V620 (-0.9% delta)—are all professional workstation GPUs with similar performance characteristics. The CPU's nearest rivals—the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS (0% delta), Intel Core 3 201E (-0.1% delta), Intel Core i5-1335U (0.3% delta), and AMD EPYC 7773X (0.3% delta)—are all within 0.3% of the i5-12400F's performance.

The combined percentile of 84 indicates that this build outperforms 84% of all systems in the database. The significant gap between the GPU's 95th percentile and the CPU's 73rd percentile means the GPU will be the primary driver of performance in GPU-accelerated workloads, while the CPU provides competent support for general-purpose computing. This pairing is best suited for users who need professional-grade GPU performance for rendering, simulation, or AI workloads, with a CPU that delivers strong multi-threaded performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12400F + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i5-12400F

NVIDIA RTX 4000 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

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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