SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900E + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4010

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

78 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 22% 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
79%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900E

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

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4010

2,893 Benchmark Score
Top 21% 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

The Intel Core i9-12900E pairs a 16-core Alder Lake-S design with a 65 W TDP, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4010 brings Ampere architecture and a 4 GB frame buffer to a desktop build that sits at the 40th combined percentile. This combination yields an average CPU benchmark score of 6611, placing the processor in the 62nd percentile against all CPUs, while the GPU’s single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 result of 2893 lands it in the 18th percentile. The data shows a system with substantial compute headroom on the processor side, but the graphics component is the clear limiting factor for any visually intensive workload.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900E is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². Its base clock is 2.30 GHz, boosting to 5.00 GHz, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a desktop-class chip that remains in active production, and its launch MSRP was $494.

Benchmark results show a processor that scales strongly with multi-threaded loads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23529 is nearly seven times the single-core score of 3321, indicating that the 24 threads are being utilized effectively in heavily parallel tasks. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 9882 and R15 multi-core score of 2371 follow the same pattern, with single-core scores of 1394 and 334 respectively. Geekbench results echo this: a multi-core score of 10280 versus a single-core score of 1775. These numbers suggest that the i9-12900E excels in rendering, compilation, and other workloads that can spread across all 16 cores.

In terms of relative positioning, the CPU’s average benchmark score of 6611 places it in the 62nd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals show a tight cluster: the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and Intel Core i9-10940X both average 6605, a delta of 0.1% from the 12900E. The Intel Core i5-13500E scores 6586 (0.4% lower), while the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 6638 (0.4% higher). This indicates that despite its i9 branding, the 12900E performs nearly identically to mid-range i5 parts from the same generation in aggregate benchmarks, suggesting that its real advantage lies in sustained multi-threaded workloads rather than peak single-thread performance.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU’s benchmark profile is defined by its 62nd percentile ranking, with an average score of 6611. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 23529 demonstrates strong parallel throughput, while the single-core score of 3321 shows competent but not class-leading per-thread performance. The Geekbench multi-core score of 10280 reinforces the multi-threaded strength, and the single-core score of 1775 confirms that single-threaded tasks will not bottleneck the system when the GPU is the limiting factor.

The GPU’s benchmark data is sparse, with only one result available: a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2893. This places the RTX 4010 in the 18th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are intriguing: the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB scores 2907 (0.5% higher), the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF scores 2910 (0.6% higher), and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB scores 2913 (0.7% higher). The NVIDIA Quadro P600 scores 2923, which is 1% higher than the 4010. This clustering suggests that the RTX 4010’s raw compute performance in this specific test is nearly indistinguishable from these other cards, despite the massive difference in memory capacity and thermal design between them.

The combined picture is one of imbalance. The CPU sits comfortably in the upper-middle range of all processors, while the GPU sits near the bottom quartile. The combined percentile of 40 reflects this gap, indicating that the system’s overall performance is dragged down by the graphics component. For CPU-bound tasks like code compilation or batch image processing, the system will perform at a level consistent with the 62nd percentile. For GPU-bound tasks like 3D rendering or modern gaming, the system will perform near the 18th percentile.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact CPU+GPU combination. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps data, so all frame rates discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores rather than empirical results. The data is not measured, and any specific FPS figures should be treated as projections.

Based on the GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 2893 and its 18th percentile ranking, the RTX 4010 is positioned for low-end gaming. The 4 GB GDDR6 memory with a 64-bit bus and 96.00 GB/s bandwidth will constrain texture-heavy scenes, and the 768 shading units with 24 TMUs and 16 ROPs indicate a chip designed for 1080p or lower resolutions with reduced settings. The CPU’s strong multi-core scores, particularly the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 23529, ensure that the processor will not bottleneck the GPU in most gaming scenarios; the limiting factor will consistently be the graphics card.

At 1080p with ultra settings, the system would likely deliver playable but modest frame rates in esports titles, while AAA games would require significant settings reductions. The 18th percentile GPU ranking means that the RTX 4010 is outperformed by the vast majority of discrete GPUs, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly. The CPU’s single-core performance, evidenced by the Geekbench single-core score of 1775, is sufficient for modern game engines, but the GPU’s 2.706 TFLOPS of FP32 compute will cap visual fidelity.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data indicates a clear bottleneck structure: the GPU limits gaming and GPU-accelerated workloads, while the CPU provides ample headroom. The CPU’s 62nd percentile ranking versus the GPU’s 18th percentile ranking creates a 44-percentage-point gap in relative performance. In gaming, this means that frame rates will be dictated by the RTX 4010’s capabilities, not the i9-12900E’s. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23529 suggests it could handle far more demanding graphics cards without becoming a constraint.

The FPS scaling evidence is absent since no measured FPS data exists, but the benchmark scores imply that reducing graphical settings or resolution would yield diminishing returns once the GPU’s compute limits are reached. The 4 GB memory capacity and 96.00 GB/s bandwidth are likely to cause stuttering or texture pop-in in modern titles at higher settings, independent of the CPU’s performance. Conversely, CPU-bound tasks like video encoding or software compilation will see no penalty from the GPU, as the i9-12900E’s 24 threads can operate at full capacity without graphics interference.

The power dynamics further reinforce this imbalance. The CPU has a 65 W TDP, while the GPU has a 50 W TDP, and the suggested PSU for the GPU is 250 W. This low power envelope means the GPU is thermally and electrically limited, preventing it from sustaining high clocks under load. The CPU’s 5.00 GHz boost clock, however, can be maintained as long as cooling permits, given its relatively modest 65 W rating.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i9-12900E compare to its closest rivals in benchmark scores?

A: The i9-12900E has an average benchmark score of 6611. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 and Intel Core i9-10940X, both scoring 6605 (0.1% lower), the Intel Core i5-13500E at 6586 (0.4% lower), and the Intel Core i5-13400E at 6638 (0.4% higher).

Q: What is the RTX 4010’s graphics performance percentile?

A: The RTX 4010 sits in the 18th percentile of all GPUs, based on its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2893. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB, scores 2907, which is 0.5% higher.

Q: Does the CPU or GPU limit gaming performance in this build?

A: The GPU is the limiting factor. The CPU ranks in the 62nd percentile, while the GPU ranks in the 18th percentile. The RTX 4010’s 4 GB VRAM and 96.00 GB/s bandwidth will constrain gaming, while the i9-12900E’s 24 threads provide ample processing headroom.

Q: What memory types does the i9-12900E support?

A: The processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bus is dual-channel, and ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the combined performance percentile of this CPU+GPU pairing?

A: The combined percentile is 40, reflecting the significant gap between the CPU’s 62nd percentile and the GPU’s 18th percentile.

Q: What is the power consumption of the RTX 4010?

A: The GPU has a TDP of 50 W and a suggested PSU rating of 250 W. It does not require power connectors, and it is a single-slot card.

Q: Is there measured FPS data for this build?

A: No. The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU combination. All gaming performance figures are estimates based on benchmark scores.

Usage Scenarios

For high-refresh gaming at 1080p, this build is unsuitable without substantial settings reductions. The GPU’s 18th percentile ranking and 2.706 TFLOPS of FP32 compute will struggle to push high frame rates in modern titles, although the CPU’s Geekbench single-core score of 1775 ensures that frame pacing will not suffer from processor stalls. Streaming while gaming would be feasible on the CPU side, given the 24 threads and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23529, but the GPU’s encoding capabilities are unverified in the data.

Video editing is a mixed scenario. The CPU’s multi-core scores, particularly the Geekbench multi-core result of 10280, will accelerate timeline rendering and export tasks. However, GPU-accelerated effects and color grading will be limited by the RTX 4010’s 4 GB VRAM and 768 shading units. 3D rendering in CPU-based engines like Cinebench will perform at the 62nd percentile level, but GPU-based renderers will be constrained by the 18th percentile graphics card.

Software development benefits strongly from the CPU. Compilation tasks that use multiple threads will leverage the 24 threads and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 9882 indicates fast build times for parallel codebases. For student and office work, the system is overkill on the CPU side; the i9-12900E’s performance is far beyond what typical productivity applications require, and the GPU is adequate for basic 2D workloads, though its 4 GB memory is more than sufficient for document editing and web browsing.

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who prioritize CPU compute over graphics. Gamers at 1080p with low settings can use this system, but those seeking high-refresh experiences at higher resolutions will be disappointed by the 18th percentile GPU. Content creators who work primarily in CPU-bound workflows, such as video encoding with 24 threads or software compilation, will find the i9-12900E’s 62nd percentile performance valuable. Developers building large codebases will benefit from the multi-core scores, while students and small business workstations that need reliable multi-threaded performance without demanding graphics can use this pairing effectively.

The RTX 4010 is suitable for users who need basic display output, CUDA acceleration for lightweight tasks, or legacy application support. Its 4 GB VRAM and 64-bit bus limit its utility for modern graphics workloads. The system is not aimed at enthusiasts seeking high-end gaming or professional 3D rendering, as the GPU’s 18th percentile ranking places it below the vast majority of discrete offerings.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build combining the Intel Core i9-12900E, a 12th-generation Alder Lake-S processor, with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4010, a GeForce 40-series card based on the Ampere architecture. The CPU uses the Intel Socket 1700 and has a 16-core, 24-thread configuration with a 5.00 GHz boost clock. The GPU is a single-slot, 50 W card with 4 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit bus. The combined percentile of 40 places this system in the lower-middle range of all configurations, with the CPU’s 62nd percentile offset by the GPU’s 18th percentile. The build’s overall tier is that of a CPU-dominant workstation with entry-level graphics capability.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4010 is built on the GA107 chip using Samsung’s 8 nm process, with 8,700 million transistors on a 200 mm² die. It has 768 shading units, 24 texture mapping units, and 16 ROPs, along with 6 RT cores and 24 tensor cores. The base clock is 1417 MHz, boosting to 1762 MHz, with memory running at 1500 MHz or 12 Gbps effective. The 4 GB GDDR6 memory operates on a 64-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 96.00 GB/s.

The GPU’s benchmark score of 2893 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 places it in the 18th percentile, which is low but not bottom-tier. Its nearest rivals include the RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB (2907, 0.5% higher), RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF (2910, 0.6% higher), RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB (2913, 0.7% higher), and Quadro P600 (2923, 1% higher). This clustering suggests that the 4010’s raw compute is comparable to these cards in this specific test, but its 4 GB memory capacity and 96.00 GB/s bandwidth will limit real-world rendering performance in modern applications that require larger frame buffers.

The pixel rate is 28.19 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 42.29 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 2.706 TFLOPS, with FP16 at the same rate (1:1 ratio). The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, and it has 4x mini-DisplayPort 1.4a outputs. For rendering tasks, the tensor cores can accelerate AI workloads, but the 4 GB VRAM will be a hard limit for high-resolution textures or large models. The RT cores provide ray tracing capability, but the low compute throughput will result in minimal ray tracing performance.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses Intel Socket 1700, which supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The platform provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, which is compatible with the CPU’s PCIe Gen 5 slots, though the GPU will operate at PCIe 4.0 speeds. The CPU has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking if the motherboard supports it. Integrated graphics are available via UHD Graphics 770, which can serve as a fallback if the dedicated GPU is removed.

The GPU has a TDP of 50 W and a suggested PSU of 250 W, meaning the current power supply requirements are modest. The CPU’s 65 W TDP is also low, so a system with this pairing is unlikely to require a high-wattage PSU. A sensible next upgrade would be to replace the RTX 4010 with a stronger GPU, as the CPU’s 62nd percentile performance has significant headroom to support a more capable graphics card. The 16-core, 24-thread processor can handle a modern mid-range or high-end GPU without becoming a bottleneck. However, the 4 GB VRAM and 18th percentile ranking of the current GPU mean that any graphics-intensive upgrade would yield substantial gains in gaming and rendering performance, while the CPU can remain in place for several more years.