SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900E + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

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

87 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 13% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
78%
VS
GPU
96%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900E

6,611 Benchmark Score
Top 22% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

41,187 Benchmark Score
Top 4% 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

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

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900E sits in the Core 12th Gen family, built on the Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node. It is a 16-core, 24-thread desktop processor with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. This hybrid design combines performance and efficiency cores, though the FACT PACK does not specify the core type split. The chip carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with no ECC support, and provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 is present, making this a versatile part for systems that might not always require a discrete GPU.

Benchmark results place this processor in a specific performance tier. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 23,529 and the single-core score is 3,321. The Cinebench R20 results are 9,882 multi-core and 1,394 single-core, while Cinebench R15 shows 2,371 multi-core and 334 single-core. Geekbench scores are 10,280 multi-core and 1,775 single-core. These numbers indicate a strong multi-threaded performer, with single-core performance that is competitive for its generation. The average benchmark score across all tests is 6,611, which places the CPU in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs tracked.

The nearest rivals provide context for this score. The Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and Intel Core i9-10940X both have an average score of 6,605, putting the 12900E just 0.1% ahead of them. The Intel Core i5-13500E scores 6,586, which is 0.4% lower, and the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 6,638, which is 0.4% higher. This clustering suggests that while the 12900E is a capable chip, its overall average benchmark position is tightly grouped with several other processors, including lower-tier models. The multi-core Cinebench scores, however, show a more differentiated picture: the R23 multi-core result of 23,529 is substantially higher than what the average score suggests, indicating that sustained all-core workloads are a strength.

For real workloads, the data implies that the 12900E excels in rendering, compilation, and any task that can utilize its 24 threads. The single-core Geekbench score of 1,775 and Cinebench R23 single-core of 3,321 are respectable but not class-leading, meaning lightly-threaded tasks like everyday application responsiveness will be good, though not exceptional. The 65 W TDP is notable for a 16-core part, suggesting an efficient design that can be cooled by a capable air cooler in many chassis, and the unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking headroom if the cooling and power delivery permit.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The CPU's single-core performance, as measured by a Geekbench single-core score of 1,775 and Cinebench R23 single-core of 3,321, is sufficient to feed a high-end GPU in most gaming scenarios. However, the GPU pairing is the primary driver here, and the data does not include measured FPS, so gaming outcomes are estimated from the benchmark scores.

Streaming: For streaming while gaming, the 16 cores and 24 threads provide ample headroom for encoding and broadcasting simultaneously with gameplay. The multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 23,529 indicates that the CPU can handle the extra load without significantly impacting frame rates, making this a strong pairing for content creators who stream.

Video editing: Video editing software often benefits from high core counts and fast single-core performance. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 9,882 and Geekbench multi-core of 10,280 suggest that timeline scrubbing, effects processing, and exports will be responsive, though the GPU will handle many acceleration tasks. The 30 MB of L3 cache helps with large media files.

3D rendering: This is where the 12900E shines. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,529 is a strong indicator of render performance in CPU-based engines. Tasks like Blender Cycles or V-Ray will leverage the 24 threads effectively, and the 62nd percentile CPU ranking means it outperforms a majority of processors in this specific workload.

Software development: Compilation and code analysis are heavily parallel tasks. The 24 threads and 16 cores will accelerate build times, while the single-core Geekbench score of 1,775 ensures that IDE responsiveness remains smooth. The dual-channel DDR5 memory support (also DDR4) provides adequate bandwidth for large codebases.

Student and office work: For typical office tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing, the 12900E is overkill. The single-core performance is more than sufficient for these workloads, but the integrated UHD Graphics 770 can handle basic display output if a discrete GPU is not needed. The 65 W TDP means low power draw during idle or light use, making it a quiet and efficient choice for a workstation.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 6,611, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. The GPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, has an average benchmark score of 41,187, which puts it in the 83rd percentile of all GPUs. The combined percentile for this build is 73, indicating that the pairing is above average overall.

Specific GPU benchmark scores include a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5,077, a Geekbench OpenCL score of 170,037, and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 192,697. The Passmark suite shows a G3D score of 26,896, a GPU compute score of 15,282, and DirectX 9/10/11/12 scores of 274, 184, 223, and 110 respectively. These figures illustrate a GPU that is strong in compute-heavy tasks and modern APIs.

Comparing the GPU to its nearest rivals, the AMD Radeon Pro 5300 scores 40,870, which is 0.8% lower, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 scores 40,377, which is 2% lower. The NVIDIA Tesla M40 24 GB scores 41,707, which is 1.2% higher, and the Tesla M40 scores 41,897, which is 1.7% higher. This places the RTX 3080 Ti in a competitive position, slightly ahead of some newer consumer parts and slightly behind some older workstation cards in aggregate score.

The combined picture is a CPU that is mid-pack in its overall percentile but strong in multi-core, paired with a GPU that is in the top quartile. This creates an imbalance where the GPU is significantly more capable relative to its peers than the CPU is, which has implications for workload distribution and bottleneck analysis.

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who prioritize GPU-accelerated workloads and high-resolution gaming over raw CPU performance. Gamers at 4K resolution will find the RTX 3080 Ti's 83rd percentile GPU ranking to be the primary driver of frame rates, with the CPU's 62nd percentile ranking being sufficient to avoid major bottlenecks. Content creators working with 3D rendering or video editing will benefit from the CPU's 24 threads, but the GPU's compute scores (OpenCL 170,037, Vulkan 192,697) suggest that GPU-accelerated rendering will be faster than CPU-only workflows.

Software developers compiling large projects will appreciate the 16 cores and 24 threads, as Cinebench R23 multi-core of 23,529 indicates strong parallel throughput. Students and small business workstations do not need this level of performance, but the 65 W TDP and integrated graphics make it a flexible platform that can run without a discrete GPU if needed, though the included RTX 3080 Ti suggests a focus on graphics-intensive tasks. The build class is desktop, confirming this is a stationary workstation or gaming rig.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data reveals a clear performance hierarchy. The GPU's 83rd percentile is substantially higher than the CPU's 62nd percentile, meaning that in most gaming and GPU-accelerated scenarios, the CPU is the limiting factor. However, the CPU's multi-core scores are strong enough that the bottleneck is more likely to manifest in high-frame-rate, low-resolution gaming where single-core performance matters most. The Geekbench single-core score of 1,775 and Cinebench R23 single-core of 3,321 are the relevant metrics here.

In CPU-bound workloads like 3D rendering, the balance shifts. The Cinebench R23 multi-core of 23,529 is a fraction of the GPU's compute performance, so the GPU will dominate in rendering tasks. The Passmark GPU compute score of 15,282 is nearly three times the CPU's average benchmark score of 6,611, indicating that the GPU is the workhorse for parallel compute. For FPS scaling, without measured data, the expectation is that at 1080p, the CPU may hold back the GPU in esports titles, while at 4K, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck. The combined percentile of 73 suggests that this is a well-matched system for high-end 1440p or 4K gaming.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination in the FACT PACK. The measuredFpsUltraByGame field is empty, and dataIsMeasured is false. Therefore, all FPS figures discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores of the CPU and GPU, not from direct testing.

Based on the GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5,077 and its 83rd percentile ranking, this system should deliver high frame rates at 1440p and 4K in most modern titles. The CPU's single-core performance, while not top-tier, is sufficient to drive the GPU in most games, especially at higher resolutions where GPU load is heavier. For esports titles like Counter-Strike or Valorant, the CPU's single-core scores (Geekbench 1,775) may limit maximum FPS to the 200-300 range at 1080p, but at 4K, the GPU becomes the limiting factor. For AAA games, the RTX 3080 Ti's 12 GB of VRAM and high bandwidth will handle ultra settings at 4K, though the exact FPS will vary by title.

The Passmark G3D score of 26,896 and DirectX 12 score of 110 suggest strong performance in modern APIs, but the lack of measured FPS means these are qualitative expectations. The GPU's high compute scores (OpenCL 170,037) indicate that games with heavy physics or AI computation will benefit, but the CPU's 62nd percentile may introduce occasional stutters in CPU-intensive scenes. Overall, this is a high-refresh 1440p or solid 4K gaming system, but the estimates should be treated as approximations.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is built on the Ampere architecture with the GA102 chip, manufactured by Samsung on an 8 nm process node. It contains 28,300 million transistors on a 628 mm² die, with a transistor density of 45.1M per mm². The GPU has 10,240 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, and 112 raster output units. It features 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores, enabling hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS. The base clock is 1,365 MHz with a boost clock of 1,665 MHz, and the memory clock runs at 1,188 MHz, translating to 19 Gbps effective.

The memory subsystem is substantial: 12 GB of GDDR6X on a 384-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 912.4 GB/s. This high bandwidth is critical for 4K textures and compute workloads. The pixel rate is 186.5 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 532.8 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is rated at 34.10 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 34.10 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio). The TDP is 350 W, requiring a 750 W suggested PSU, and it uses a dual-slot cooler with a single 12-pin power connector.

Benchmark scores confirm the GPU's high-end positioning. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 5,077 is a modern DirectX 12 benchmark, and the Geekbench Vulkan score of 192,697 is particularly strong, indicating excellent performance in Vulkan-based games and applications. The Passmark G3D score of 26,896 is impressive, but the DirectX 12 score of 110 is lower, which may reflect driver or benchmark quirks rather than real-world performance. The 83rd percentile ranking means it outperforms the vast majority of GPUs, and the nearest rival comparison shows it is competitive with newer cards like the RTX 5070, which is 2% slower in aggregate.

For rendering, the 12 GB VRAM and 912.4 GB/s bandwidth are well-suited for 4K texture sets and complex scenes. The tensor cores enable DLSS, which can boost frame rates with minimal visual impact, and the RT cores provide dedicated ray tracing hardware. The GPU compute score of 15,282 in Passmark indicates strong general-purpose compute, making this a capable card for GPU rendering, machine learning inference, and other parallel workloads. The 80 RT cores and 320 tensor cores are the key differentiators for modern gaming and creation tasks.

FAQ

Q: What is the socket type for the Intel Core i9-12900E?

A: The CPU uses the Intel Socket 1700, which is compatible with 12th Gen Alder Lake motherboards.

Q: Does the RTX 3080 Ti support ray tracing?

A: Yes, the GPU has 80 RT cores dedicated to hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the RTX 3080 Ti?

A: The memory bandwidth is 912.4 GB/s, achieved with 12 GB of GDDR6X on a 384-bit bus.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-core performance compare to its rivals?

A: The CPU's average benchmark score of 6,611 is 0.1% higher than the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and 0.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-13500E, but 0.4% lower than the Intel Core i5-13400E.

Q: What is the TDP of the CPU and GPU?

A: The CPU has a TDP of 65 W, while the GPU has a TDP of 350 W. The suggested PSU for the GPU is 750 W.

Q: Does the CPU support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, the CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus.

Q: Is the GPU still in production?

A: The GPU's production status is End-of-life, and it has a successor in the GeForce 40 series.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900E is based on the Alder Lake architecture and uses the Intel Socket 1700. This socket is shared with other 12th Gen and 13th Gen processors, meaning users can potentially upgrade to a newer Core i9 or i7 part from those generations without changing the motherboard, provided the BIOS supports it. The CPU supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, so users have a choice of memory technology, but cannot mix them. The platform provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, ensuring compatibility with the latest high-speed SSDs and GPUs.

The GPU, an RTX 3080 Ti, uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, which is backward compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 slots. The GPU's suggested PSU is 750 W, and its TDP is 350 W, leaving headroom for a 65 W CPU and other components. The power connector is a single 12-pin, which may require an adapter for older PSUs. For a sensible next upgrade, the CPU could be swapped for a higher-tier 13th Gen part on the same socket, while the GPU could be replaced with a GeForce 40-series card, though the 3080 Ti's 83rd percentile ranking means it is not yet a bottleneck in most workloads. The DDR5 memory support allows for future bandwidth upgrades, and the 30 MB L3 cache is adequate for gaming and productivity.

Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core i9-12900E with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti in a desktop configuration. The CPU is a 16-core, 24-thread Alder Lake part with a 65 W TDP, while the GPU is an Ampere architecture card with a 350 W TDP. The combined percentile for this pair is 73, indicating it outperforms the majority of systems tracked. The CPU's 62nd percentile and GPU's 83rd percentile show a GPU-heavy system, where the graphics card is the primary driver of performance.

The CPU's average benchmark score of 6,611 and the GPU's average score of 41,187 reveal a significant performance gap, with the GPU being roughly six times more powerful in aggregate benchmarks. This is a high-end desktop build suited for 4K gaming, GPU-accelerated rendering, and demanding compute tasks. The 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 912.4 GB/s bandwidth make it future-proof for upcoming games, while the CPU's 24 threads ensure smooth multitasking. The launch MSRP for the CPU was $494 and for the GPU was $1,199, though the GPU is now end-of-life. Overall, this is a capable, balanced system for enthusiasts who prioritize graphics performance over CPU-bound workloads.