SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i7-12700 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090

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
90%
VS
GPU
93%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i7-12700

32,942 Benchmark Score
Top 10% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090

27,565 Benchmark Score
Top 7% 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

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i7-12700 is a 12th-generation Alder Lake desktop processor built on Intel's 10 nm process, featuring a hybrid architecture that combines performance and efficiency cores. It contains 12 physical cores and 20 threads, a configuration that allows it to handle heavily threaded workloads while maintaining strong single-thread responsiveness. The base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, a spread that gives the chip both power efficiency at idle and high burst performance under load. The thermal design power is 65 W, which is notably modest for a 12-core part, and the CPU is unlocked for overclocking, meaning users can push beyond stock frequencies if their cooling and motherboard allow.

The cache hierarchy is substantial: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache. This large shared pool is critical for gaming and productivity tasks where data reuse across cores is common. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, giving builders flexibility in platform cost versus memory bandwidth. PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes is available for the primary GPU and NVMe storage, which is forward-looking even by current standards. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a basic display output, but it is not intended for gaming or compute-heavy tasks.

Benchmark data shows a processor that excels in both single-thread and multithreaded scenarios. In 3DMark, the single-thread score is 1012, while the 2-thread score jumps to 1987, and scaling continues to 3824 at 4 threads, 6775 at 8 threads, and 8764 at 16 threads, finally reaching 9446 at max threads. This scaling curve is nearly linear up to 8 threads, which indicates the hybrid core arrangement is being utilized effectively. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21751 versus a single-core score of 1894 places this chip in a strong position for content creation. The single-core score is particularly high, suggesting excellent per-thread performance for legacy applications and lightly threaded games.

The PassMark suite reinforces this picture. The multithread score is 30273, integer math hits 106554, floating point math reaches 81191, and data compression scores 375950. These numbers indicate strong performance in encryption, compression, and scientific computing. The CPU sits at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 32942. Its nearest rivals are closely matched: the Intel Core 5 213PTE scores 32924 (0.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H scores 32812 (0.4% lower), the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D scores 33079 (0.4% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G scores 33089 (0.4% higher). The i7-12700 is effectively within a rounding error of the 7800X3D and 8700G in average score, which is remarkable given that the 7800X3D is a gaming-focused part with 3D V-Cache. The data suggests that for mixed workloads, the i7-12700 is a balanced performer that does not give up much to its newer or more specialized rivals.

For real workloads, the 20 threads and high clock speeds translate to fast compile times in software development, smooth 4K video editing timelines, and responsive multitasking with many background processes. The 25 MB L3 cache helps with database queries and spreadsheet crunching. The 65 W TDP means the CPU will not overwhelm most air coolers, which is a practical advantage for small form factor builds or office environments where noise is a concern.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-12700 compare to the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D in overall benchmark score?

A: The i7-12700 has an average benchmark score of 32942, while the 7800X3D scores 33079, making the 7800X3D 0.4% higher. This is a negligible difference in average terms, though the 7800X3D may still pull ahead in specific gaming scenarios due to its cache layout.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of the i7-12700?

A: The boost clock is 4.90 GHz, while the base clock is 2.10 GHz. This allows the CPU to reach high frequencies for burst workloads while maintaining a low idle clock for efficiency.

Q: Does the i7-12700 support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. This gives builders the choice between cheaper DDR4 modules or faster DDR5 modules, depending on motherboard selection.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i7-12700?

A: The launch MSRP is $349. This positions it as a mid-range enthusiast part at release, though pricing dynamics are not covered in this analysis.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide for the GPU?

A: The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the primary GPU and NVMe storage. This is a high-bandwidth interface that supports modern graphics cards without bottlenecking.

Q: What is the process node and die size of the i7-12700?

A: The CPU is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The smaller die size relative to the GPU in this build indicates a more compact chip that runs cooler per square millimeter.

Q: Is the i7-12700 an unlocked multiplier processor?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked. This means users cannot freely overclock via the multiplier, though base clock adjustments may still be possible on some motherboards.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is an Ampere-architecture GPU built on Samsung's 8 nm process, with a massive GA102 chip containing 28,300 million transistors on a 628 mm² die. The transistor density is 45.1 million per square millimeter, reflecting a dense but power-hungry design. The GPU has 10496 shading units, 328 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output units. More importantly for modern workloads, it includes 82 RT cores and 328 tensor cores, which accelerate ray tracing and AI-based tasks like DLSS. The base clock is 1395 MHz with a boost clock of 1695 MHz, and the memory clock runs at 1219 MHz with an effective data rate of 19.5 Gbps.

The memory subsystem is the standout feature: 24 GB of GDDR6X on a 384-bit bus yields a bandwidth of 936.2 GB/s. This is an enormous amount of memory bandwidth that is crucial for 4K texture loads, large machine learning models, and 3D rendering scenes that exceed the VRAM capacity of lower-tier cards. The pixel rate is 189.8 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 556.0 GTexel/s, indicating strong fill rates for high-resolution rasterization. The FP32 performance is 35.58 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 35.58 TFLOPS in a 1:1 ratio, which is unusual and beneficial for workloads that can use reduced precision.

Benchmark results show a GPU that is strong but not class-leading in every test. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 5118, which is a modern DirectX 12 test that stresses ray tracing and mesh shaders. The Geekbench OpenCL score is 172758, and Vulkan scores 53927. PassMark G3D scores 26645, while GPU compute scores 15356. The percentile vs all GPUs is 73, with an average benchmark score of 27565. The nearest rivals are all within a narrow band: the RTX 4070 Mobile scores 27435 (0.5% higher), the RX 6700 XT scores 27425 (0.5% higher), the Radeon Pro Vega 20 scores 27839 (1% lower), and the RX 7800M scores 27883 (1.1% lower). This means the RTX 3090 is essentially at parity with mid-range desktop and high-end mobile GPUs in these aggregate benchmarks, which is surprising given its 24 GB VRAM and 350 W TDP. The explanation lies in the fact that the 3090's massive memory pool and bandwidth do not always translate to higher frame rates in rasterization-heavy tests, but they do benefit specific compute workloads.

The RTX 3090 has a TDP of 350 W, requiring a suggested PSU of 750 W, and uses a single 12-pin power connector. It is a triple-slot card measuring 336 mm in length, 140 mm in height, and 61 mm in width, which means case compatibility is a concern for smaller builds. The display outputs are 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, supporting high refresh rate 4K monitors and multi-display setups. The API support includes DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, ensuring compatibility with the latest game engines and professional applications.

For rendering, the 24 GB VRAM is the defining feature. Scenes with complex geometry, high-resolution textures, or large numbers of objects can be held entirely in VRAM, avoiding the dreaded fallback to system memory. The bandwidth of 936.2 GB/s allows the GPU to stream textures and geometry data quickly, which is essential for real-time viewport performance in applications like Blender or Unreal Editor. The RT cores accelerate ray-traced lighting, and the tensor cores handle denoising and AI-accelerated features in renderers that support them.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination of Intel Core i7-12700 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps data, so all frame rate discussion below is estimated from the benchmark scores of the individual components. The CPU's 83rd percentile and the GPU's 73rd percentile suggest a pairing that is capable of high frame rates at 1440p and 4K, but the exact figures depend heavily on the game engine and optimization.

At 4K resolution, the RTX 3090's 24 GB VRAM and 936.2 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for ultra texture settings in virtually all current titles. The GPU's pixel rate of 189.8 GPixel/s supports high resolution rendering without fill-rate bottlenecks. The 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 5118 indicates that the GPU can handle modern DX12 workloads with ray tracing enabled, though the performance delta in real games will vary. The CPU's single-thread score of 1012 in 3DMark suggests that frame pacing at high refresh rates (144 Hz and above) will be smooth, as the CPU can feed the GPU without stuttering.

At 1440p, the balance shifts toward the CPU, and the i7-12700's 20 threads and 4.90 GHz boost clock are more than adequate to drive the RTX 3090 in most titles. The 2-thread score of 1987 and 4-thread score of 3824 indicate strong scaling for games that use a limited number of threads, which is still common in esports titles. For competitive shooters at 1080p, the CPU is likely the limiting factor, but the GPU's raw power means frame rates will still be well above 144 FPS in most cases.

The lack of measured FPS data means these are estimates, but the component scores provide a solid foundation. The RTX 3090's nearest rivals in benchmark score, such as the RX 6700 XT, are known to deliver excellent 1440p performance, and the 3090's 24 GB VRAM gives it additional headroom for texture-heavy mods or future games. The CPU's parity with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D in average score, which is a dedicated gaming CPU, suggests that the i7-12700 will not hold back the GPU in gaming scenarios.

Balance and Bottleneck

The combined percentile for this build is 78, which places it above the majority of systems. The CPU is at the 83rd percentile, while the GPU is at the 73rd percentile, indicating that the CPU is the stronger component in relative terms. This means that in CPU-bound workloads, such as esports at 1080p or physics-heavy simulations, the i7-12700 will be the primary driver of performance. In GPU-bound workloads, such as 4K gaming with ultra settings or rendering, the RTX 3090 will be the limiting factor.

The FPS scaling evidence, while not measured, can be inferred from the benchmark scores. The CPU's 3DMark 16-thread score of 8764 and max-threads score of 9446 show that it can handle heavy multithreading, but the GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 5118 indicates that the GPU is the bottleneck in GPU-heavy scenes. The CPU's single-thread score of 1012 is sufficient to avoid bottlenecking the GPU in most games, but at very high frame rates (above 200 FPS), the CPU may become the constraint.

In content creation, the balance is more even. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21751 will handle video encoding and 3D scene preparation, while the GPU's 24 GB VRAM and 35.58 TFLOPS FP32 will accelerate rendering. For tasks that use both, such as real-time preview in a renderer, the workload will shift between the two components. The data suggests that for most users, neither component will be severely underutilized, making this a balanced pairing despite the GPU's lower percentile ranking.

Who Should Build It

This build targets enthusiasts and professionals who need both strong CPU and GPU performance. Gamers at 1440p and 4K will benefit from the RTX 3090's high bandwidth and VRAM, which support ultra settings and ray tracing. The CPU's 83rd percentile ensures that frame rates remain high even in CPU-intensive titles. Content creators working with 4K video will find the CPU's 20 threads and the GPU's 24 GB VRAM sufficient for editing, color grading, and rendering without proxies.

3D artists using applications that leverage CUDA acceleration will see significant speedups in rendering, with the GPU's 328 tensor cores and 82 RT cores handling the heavy lifting. Software developers compiling large codebases will appreciate the CPU's multithreaded performance, with a PassMark multithread score of 30273 and integer math score of 106554. Students in engineering or computer science fields can run simulations and compile code efficiently, while small business workstations handling data analysis or CAD will benefit from the 25 MB L3 cache and the GPU's compute capabilities.

The 65 W TDP of the CPU and the 350 W TDP of the GPU mean that a 750 W PSU is recommended, which is reasonable for a high-end desktop. The triple-slot GPU requires a full tower case, so small form factor builds are not feasible without modifications. This is a system for users who prioritize performance over compactness.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses Intel Socket 1700, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. This gives builders a choice: use existing DDR4 modules to save money, or invest in DDR5 for higher bandwidth. The platform supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, which is future-proof for next-generation GPUs and NVMe drives. The CPU's 65 W TDP leaves significant headroom for cooling, so a modest air cooler is sufficient, and the unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking if a compatible motherboard is used.

The GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, which is backward compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 slots. The suggested PSU of 750 W provides headroom for the 350 W TDP of the GPU and the 65 W TDP of the CPU, leaving room for additional drives or peripherals. However, the RTX 3090 is end-of-life, with a successor in the GeForce 40 series, so a sensible next upgrade would be to a newer GPU when prices and availability allow. The CPU is still active in production, so a future upgrade to a higher-tier 12th-gen or 13th-gen chip on the same socket is possible, depending on motherboard compatibility.

The 24 GB VRAM on the GPU is currently more than sufficient for gaming and most professional workloads, so an upgrade is likely driven by performance needs rather than capacity. The CPU's 20 threads are also ample for current software, meaning this platform has a long useful life before requiring a full rebuild.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build pairing the Intel Core i7-12700 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090. The CPU is a 12-core, 20-thread Alder Lake part with a 65 W TDP and a 4.90 GHz boost clock. The GPU is an Ampere-architecture card with 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, a 384-bit bus, and 936.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The combined percentile is 78, placing it in the upper quartile of all systems. The CPU's 83rd percentile and the GPU's 73rd percentile indicate a high-performance pairing with the CPU being the relatively stronger component.

This is a system for users who want no compromises in gaming or content creation. The 24 GB VRAM is future-proof for high-resolution textures, and the 20 threads handle multithreaded workloads with ease. The build class is desktop, meaning it is not portable, but it offers the highest performance per watt in a stationary form factor. The overall tier is high, as evidenced by the 78th percentile combined score, which is above the majority of systems in the database.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i7-12700 achieves an average benchmark score of 32942, placing it at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, scores 33079, a 0.4% difference that is within measurement noise. The CPU's best results are in multithreaded tests: Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 21751, PassMark multithread scores 30273, and integer math reaches 106554. Single-thread performance is also strong, with a 3DMark single-thread score of 1012 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1894.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 achieves an average benchmark score of 27565, placing it at the 73rd percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the RTX 4070 Mobile, scores 27435, a 0.5% difference. The GPU's standout results are in compute tests: Geekbench OpenCL scores 172758, PassMark G3D scores 26645, and GPU compute scores 15356. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5118 indicates solid modern API performance.

Combined, the CPU and GPU provide a system that is well above average in most workloads. The CPU's 83rd percentile and the GPU's 73rd percentile yield a combined percentile of 78, which is a strong overall showing. The CPU's higher percentile means it will drive performance in CPU-bound tasks, while the GPU will limit in GPU-bound tasks. The parity between the CPU and its nearest rivals suggests that the i7-12700 is a well-balanced choice that does not sacrifice single-thread performance for multicore capability.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The CPU's 83rd percentile and strong single-thread score of 1012 in 3DMark ensure that frame rates remain high in esports titles, while the GPU's 73rd percentile and 24 GB VRAM support ultra settings at 1440p and 4K. The 936.2 GB/s bandwidth prevents texture streaming bottlenecks in open-world games.

Streaming: The CPU's 20 threads handle game capture and encoding simultaneously without significant frame drops. The PassMark multithread score of 30273 and the GPU's NVENC (not in the FACT PACK, but implied by the architecture) work together to deliver a smooth stream. The 65 W TDP means the CPU does not add excessive heat to the system during long streaming sessions.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21751 accelerates timeline rendering and export. The GPU's 24 GB VRAM allows for large preview buffers and fast effect processing. The OpenCL score of 172758 indicates strong compute capability for GPU-accelerated effects.

3D rendering: The RTX 3090's 82 RT cores and 328 tensor cores accelerate ray-traced rendering and denoising. The 24 GB VRAM holds large scenes entirely on the GPU, avoiding memory swaps. The FP32 performance of 35.58 TFLOPS provides fast compute for physics simulations.

Software development: The CPU's 20 threads and high integer math score of 106554 speed up compilation and code analysis. The 25 MB L3 cache reduces latency for frequently accessed data. The system can run multiple virtual machines or containers without severe performance degradation.

Student and office work: The CPU's 65 W TDP and integrated UHD Graphics 770 provide a quiet and efficient experience for document editing and web browsing. The PassMark single-thread score of 3864 ensures responsive application usage. The GPU is underutilized in these scenarios, but the system is ready for any demanding tasks that arise.