SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-12500 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

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

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%
VS
GPU
97%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-12500

19,668 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
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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

# Intel Core i5-12500 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090: An Unconventional Desktop Pairing

This build marries a mid-range 12th-generation Intel processor with the flagship Ada Lovelace GPU, creating a desktop configuration where the graphics card vastly outperforms the CPU in raw compute potential. The Core i5-12500 sits in the 73rd percentile among all CPUs, while the RTX 4090 ranks in the 88th percentile among all GPUs, giving the combined system an 81st percentile overall standing. There is no measured FPS data for this exact combination, so all gaming performance estimates are derived from the individual benchmark scores rather than direct testing.

FAQ

Q: Is the RTX 4090 too powerful for the Core i5-12500?

A: In GPU-bound scenarios, the RTX 4090 will operate at its full potential, but in CPU-limited workloads, the i5-12500's 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 4.60 GHz boost clock will cap frame rates. The CPU's 3DMark 8-thread score of 4862 and max-thread score of 6023 indicate strong multi-threading for a mid-range part, yet the GPU's 82.58 TFLOPS FP32 performance is in a different class entirely.

Q: What kind of gaming performance can this system deliver at 4K?

A: At 4K resolution, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, and the RTX 4090's 24 GB GDDR6X memory with 1.01 TB/s bandwidth is well-suited for high-resolution textures. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 38194 places it in the 88th percentile, suggesting excellent 4K capability, though the CPU's single-thread score of 951 in 3DMark may limit maximum frame rates in esports titles.

Q: How does the i5-12500 compare to its nearest CPU rivals?

A: The i5-12500 has an average benchmark score of 19668, which is 0.3% above the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (19617) and 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (19593). It trails the Intel Core i5-11600KF by 0.3% (19723) and the i5-11600K by 0.6% (19786). These are effectively performance ties, making the i5-12500 competitive with its direct predecessors and AMD equivalents.

Q: Can this CPU handle video editing workloads alongside the RTX 4090?

A: Yes, but with caveats. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16759 and Geekbench multi-core score of 9374 indicate solid rendering capability, while the GPU's Geekbench OpenCL score of 255416 provides massive acceleration for GPU-accelerated effects. However, the 6-core/12-thread CPU may become a bottleneck in CPU-heavy timeline operations, particularly when compared to higher-core-count alternatives.

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

A: The suggested PSU for the RTX 4090 is 850 W, which accounts for the GPU's 450 W TDP. The CPU has a 65 W TDP, so the combined power draw is well within the 850 W recommendation, leaving headroom for other components. The GPU requires a single 16-pin power connector.

Q: Does this system support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the i5-12500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through its dual-channel memory bus, depending on the motherboard chosen. The memory bandwidth is not specified in the benchmark data, but the dual-channel configuration is standard for this platform. The CPU supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Is the RTX 4090 still a current product?

A: The RTX 4090 is marked as end-of-life in production status, with the GeForce 50 series listed as its successor. It was released in September 2022 and remains a high-performance option, but it is no longer in active production. The CPU is still active in production.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The RTX 4090's raw power (PassMark G3D 38194) can drive extremely high frame rates at 1440p and 4K, but the i5-12500's 3DMark single-thread score of 951 may limit performance in lightly-threaded game engines. At 1080p with high refresh rates, the CPU will likely become the limiting factor in many titles, capping FPS below what the GPU could otherwise deliver.

Streaming: The GPU's 512 tensor cores and 128 RT cores provide hardware acceleration for encoding and AI-enhanced streaming features. The CPU's 12 threads handle the streaming overhead and game logic simultaneously, though its PassMark multi-thread score of 19893 suggests adequate but not exceptional multi-tasking headroom. The system can handle 1080p60 streaming with game capture, but concurrent CPU-heavy tasks may cause frame drops.

Video editing: This is a strong scenario for this pairing. The GPU's 24 GB VRAM and 1.01 TB/s bandwidth accelerate timeline rendering, effects, and exports, while the CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16759 handles codec encoding and project management. The PassMark data compression score of 238753 indicates fast file operations, and the GPU's compute performance (PassMark GPU compute 26613) accelerates effects rendering significantly.

3D rendering: The RTX 4090 excels in GPU-accelerated renderers, with its 82.58 TFLOPS FP32 and 82.58 TFLOPS FP16 performance providing massive compute throughput. The CPU's 6 cores with 12 threads will handle scene preparation and physics, but final frame rendering will be predominantly GPU-bound. The CPU's Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 7038 shows it can keep up with moderate complexity scenes, though it will lag behind higher-core CPUs in CPU-only renders.

Software development: The CPU's PassMark integer math score of 61626 and floating-point math score of 48004 provide decent compile times for moderate-sized projects. The 12 threads handle parallel builds reasonably well, and the GPU's compute power is largely unused in typical development workflows. The system's 73rd CPU percentile means it outperforms most development machines, but it is not a high-end workstation CPU.

Student and office work: This pairing is vastly overpowered for standard productivity. The i5-12500's PassMark single-thread score of 3666 ensures snappy responsiveness in office applications, while the GPU's capabilities are essentially dormant. The system's 65 W CPU TDP keeps power consumption reasonable for daily use, and the integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback display output if the dedicated GPU is not needed.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-12500 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 163 mm². It operates at a 3.00 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.60 GHz, with a 65 W TDP. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache, which is adequate for a mid-range desktop part.

Benchmark results show a consistent performance profile. The 3DMark tests reveal scaling from 951 single-thread to 6007 for 16 threads, with 4-thread at 3125 and 8-thread at 4862. The max-thread score of 6023 indicates that the CPU does not scale perfectly beyond 8 threads, typical for a 6-core part. Cinebench R23 scores of 2366 single-core and 16759 multi-core place it solidly in the mid-range category.

The PassMark suite provides additional insight into workload-specific performance. The multi-thread score of 19893 and single-thread score of 3666 are respectable, while the integer math score of 61626 and floating-point math score of 48004 show balanced arithmetic capability. The data encryption score of 12033 and extended instructions score of 16090 indicate reasonable cryptographic and SIMD performance. The find prime numbers score of 75 is notably low, suggesting this CPU is not optimized for pure integer iteration tasks.

The CPU's 73rd percentile ranking among all CPUs means it outperforms roughly three-quarters of the desktop and mobile processors in the database. Its nearest rivals are all within 0.6% in average score, making the i5-12500 effectively equivalent to the i5-11600K, i5-11600KF, Ryzen 5 5500, and Ryzen AI 5 430. This is a mature, well-balanced mid-range processor that will not surprise but also will not disappoint in most workloads.

The processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility in platform choice. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 20 CPU lanes provides future-proofing for high-bandwidth storage and next-generation GPUs, though the RTX 4090 uses PCIe 4.0 x16. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not possible, but the boost behavior is adequate for stock performance.

Who Should Build It

This configuration targets users who prioritize GPU performance above all else and operate at resolutions where the CPU's limitations are minimized. Gamers playing at 4K resolution will benefit most from the RTX 4090's massive memory bandwidth and compute throughput, as higher resolutions shift the bottleneck away from the CPU. At 1440p with ultra settings, the system will still deliver high frame rates in GPU-heavy titles, but esports games at lower resolutions will expose the CPU's mid-range status.

Content creators working with GPU-accelerated software will find this pairing highly effective. Video editors using effects-heavy timelines, 3D artists using GPU renderers, and machine learning practitioners leveraging CUDA cores will all see substantial acceleration from the RTX 4090's 16384 shading units and 512 tensor cores. The CPU's 12 threads handle the non-GPU portions of these workflows adequately, though longer render times in CPU-only tasks are expected.

Software developers who work on large codebases and also game or use GPU compute for testing will appreciate the balance. The CPU's PassMark integer math score of 61626 provides solid compilation speed, while the GPU can be used for parallel processing tasks. Students in computer science or digital media programs will find this system exceeds the requirements for coursework, though its power and size (304 mm GPU length, triple-slot width) may be impractical for dorm rooms.

Small business workstations that occasionally need high-end GPU acceleration for tasks like CAD rendering, video production, or data visualization will benefit from this pairing. The CPU's 65 W TDP keeps electricity costs moderate, and the system's 81st combined percentile ensures it handles demanding professional applications. However, businesses requiring 24/7 reliability might prefer a workstation-grade GPU, as the RTX 4090 is designed for consumer use.

Balance and Bottleneck

The performance imbalance in this system is stark: the GPU's average benchmark score of 60347 is over three times the CPU's 19668. This disparity means the GPU will be starved for data in CPU-limited scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions and in games with heavy physics or AI simulation. The CPU's 3DMark 2-thread score of 1741 indicates that games relying on one or two threads will be particularly constrained.

Gaming at 1080p will be CPU-bound in most titles, as the CPU's single-thread performance (951 in 3DMark single-thread, 3666 in PassMark single-thread) will cap frame rates well below what the RTX 4090 can deliver. At 1440p, the balance shifts toward GPU-bound as resolution increases, and at 4K the GPU becomes the primary constraint. The CPU's 8-thread score of 4862 suggests that modern 8-thread optimized games will see better utilization, but the 6-core limit remains a hard ceiling.

In productivity workloads, the bottleneck depends on the application. Video editing with GPU acceleration will be limited by the CPU during timeline scrubbing and codec operations, but effects rendering will be GPU-bound. 3D rendering in GPU-based renderers will show the GPU at full utilization, while CPU-based renderers will be limited to the i5-12500's 6 cores. The PassMark physics score of 1242 indicates that physics simulations will be CPU-bound, potentially limiting frame rates in games with advanced physics.

The memory subsystem is a secondary consideration. The dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support provides adequate bandwidth for the CPU, but the RTX 4090's 1.01 TB/s memory bandwidth is independent of the system memory. This means the GPU's frame buffer is not a bottleneck, but the CPU's access to system memory could be a limiting factor in data-intensive workloads.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process, with 76,300 million transistors on a 609 mm² die. It features 16384 shading units, 512 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output units, along with 128 RT cores and 512 tensor cores. The GPU operates at a 2235 MHz base clock and boosts to 2520 MHz, with memory running at 1313 MHz (21 Gbps effective).

The 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus provides 1.01 TB/s of bandwidth, which is exceptional for high-resolution textures and large datasets. The pixel rate of 443.5 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1,290.2 GTexel/s indicate the GPU can fill and texture frames at extremely high rates. FP32 performance is 82.58 TFLOPS, with FP16 at the same rate (1:1 ratio), which is useful for AI workloads and some rendering tasks.

Benchmark scores confirm the GPU's high-end status. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 9223 is a strong result, while Geekbench OpenCL (255416) and Vulkan (271631) scores show excellent compute and graphics API performance. The PassMark G3D score of 38194 places it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs, and the GPU compute score of 26613 demonstrates substantial compute throughput. The DirectX 12 PassMark score of 150 is notably lower than DirectX 11 (326), which is unusual but may reflect driver optimizations or test methodology.

The GPU's nearest rivals in the database are professional workstation cards: the Intel Arc Pro A60 (0% delta), AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48 (0.3% delta), AMD Radeon Pro W6600M (-2.5% delta), and AMD Radeon PRO V710 (2.9% delta). This proximity to professional cards highlights the RTX 4090's dual consumer/prosumer appeal, though its 450 W TDP and triple-slot width make it a substantial physical presence in any build.

The 1x 16-pin power connector and 850 W suggested PSU are important build considerations. The GPU measures 304 mm in length, 137 mm in height, and 61 mm in width, requiring a case with significant clearance. Display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, supporting multiple high-resolution monitors.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's benchmark scores establish a clear performance tier. Cinebench R23 multi-core of 16759 and single-core of 2366 are typical for a 6-core Alder Lake part, while Geekbench multi-core of 9374 and single-core of 1969 align with expectations. The 3DMark suite shows consistent scaling from 951 single-thread to 6023 max-thread, with the 16-thread score of 6007 nearly matching the max-thread result, indicating the CPU is fully utilized at 12 threads.

The GPU's benchmark scores are in a different league. The PassMark G3D score of 38194 is more than double what most mid-range GPUs achieve, and the 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 9223 reflects strong DirectX 12 performance. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 271631 and OpenCL score of 255416 show the GPU excels in both gaming and compute workloads.

When combined, the system's 81st percentile ranking reflects the GPU's dominance in the overall score. The CPU's 73rd percentile and GPU's 88th percentile create an asymmetric profile where the GPU lifts the system's tier despite the CPU being mid-range. In GPU-bound scenarios, the system performs like a top-tier gaming machine; in CPU-bound scenarios, it performs like a solid mid-range desktop.

The lack of measured FPS data for this combination means all gaming estimates are inferred from the component scores. The RTX 4090's 88th percentile GPU ranking suggests it can run any game at high settings, while the i5-12500's 73rd percentile CPU ranking indicates it will handle modern games but may struggle with the most CPU-intensive titles. The 24 GB VRAM ensures no memory-related stuttering in current games, and the 1.01 TB/s bandwidth prevents texture streaming bottlenecks.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Socket 1700 platform supports the Core 12th Gen series, and the i5-12500 is compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The CPU supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the RTX 4090 uses PCIe 4.0 x16, so the GPU runs at full bandwidth. The memory bus is dual-channel, and ECC memory is not supported.

The 65 W CPU TDP and 450 W GPU TDP together suggest a total system draw that the 850 W suggested PSU can comfortably handle. The 1x 16-pin GPU power connector is standard for the 40-series, and the triple-slot width limits case compatibility. The platform has no CPU overclocking capability (locked multiplier), but the GPU can be overclocked separately.

A sensible next upgrade would be a higher-core-count CPU on the same socket, such as a Core i7 or i9 from the 12th or 13th generation, which would better match the RTX 4090's performance. This would require a motherboard with adequate VRM cooling and a BIOS update, but the socket remains compatible. Alternatively, users could upgrade to a newer platform with PCIe Gen 5 support and DDR5 memory to fully utilize the GPU's bandwidth, though the RTX 4090's PCIe 4.0 interface means the current platform does not bottleneck the GPU.

The platform's PCIe Gen 5 support provides headroom for future high-bandwidth storage devices, and the 20 CPU lanes allow for multiple NVMe drives. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a backup display output and can handle basic tasks if the GPU is removed. The production status of the CPU is active, meaning it remains available for purchase, while the GPU is end-of-life.

Build Overview

This desktop build pairs the Intel Core i5-12500 (6 cores, 12 threads, 3.00 GHz base, 4.60 GHz boost, 65 W TDP) with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB GDDR6X, 82.58 TFLOPS FP32, 450 W TDP). The CPU is a mid-range Alder Lake part in the 73rd CPU percentile, while the GPU is a flagship Ada Lovelace card in the 88th GPU percentile, resulting in a combined 81st percentile overall.

The system is clearly GPU-dominant, with the RTX 4090 providing the vast majority of compute capability. This makes the build ideal for GPU-accelerated workloads and high-resolution gaming, but the CPU will limit performance in CPU-bound scenarios. The RTX 4090's 24 GB VRAM and 1.01 TB/s bandwidth are exceptional for content creation, machine learning, and 4K gaming, while the i5-12500 provides adequate general-purpose performance.

The GPU's end-of-life status and the CPU's active production status create an interesting dynamic for builders. The RTX 4090 remains a high-performance card, but its successor (GeForce 50 series) has already been announced. The Core i5-12500, despite being from the 2022 generation, remains a competitive mid-range option. This pairing makes sense for users who already own the CPU and want to upgrade their GPU to the maximum possible performance, accepting the CPU bottleneck in some workloads.

In practical terms, this is a system that excels at 4K gaming, video editing, 3D rendering with GPU acceleration, and any workload that leverages CUDA cores. It is less ideal for 1080p high-refresh gaming, CPU-based rendering, or productivity tasks that are single-threaded. The 850 W PSU requirement and triple-slot GPU dimensions demand a spacious case with good airflow. Overall, this is a specialized configuration that maximizes GPU performance within a mid-range CPU budget, delivering outstanding results in GPU-bound tasks while accepting limitations in CPU-bound scenarios.