SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900E + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

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

Build Configuration

Select your components

PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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88 Score

Top 12% Ranking

88 / 100

HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 12% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio

CPU Bottleneck

CPU

78%

GPU

99%

Your CPU is limiting system performance. Consider upgrading to a faster processor to better utilize your GPU.

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900E

6,611 Benchmark Score

Top 22% Market Ranking

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GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

135,218 Benchmark Score

Top 1% 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.

Bottleneck Detected

CPU Bottleneck - Upgrading the weaker component will improve overall performance.

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 and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation pairing represents a desktop build that mixes a mid-range 12th Gen processor with a workstation-grade GPU. No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination in the data, so all gameplay and rendering performance discussion below is estimated from the CPU and GPU benchmark scores, percentiles, and relative positioning. The CPU lands at the 62nd percentile of all processors, while the GPU sits at the 95th percentile, producing a combined percentile of 79. That spread defines the character of the system: the GPU is the dominant component, and the CPU, while capable, will be the first to limit in certain workloads.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900E is a 16-core, 24-thread desktop processor built on the Alder Lake-S architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². It has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, and it is multiplier-unlocked, meaning users can overclock if the platform allows. The cache hierarchy is split across the two core types: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 pool. The CPU supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but does not support ECC. It connects to the platform via Intel Socket 1700, with PCIe Gen 5 providing 20 lanes from the CPU. An integrated UHD Graphics 770 is included, so the system can output to a display even without a discrete GPU. The part was released on January 3, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $494.

Benchmark results from the pack show a clear picture. In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 23529 in multi-core and 3321 in single-core. In R20, it scores 9882 multi-core and 1394 single-core. Geekbench reports 10280 multi-core and 1775 single-core. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 6611. With a percentile of 62, the CPU sits just above the midpoint of all processors. The nearest rivals are all extremely close in average score: the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 scores 6605 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i9-10940X also scores 6605 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-13500E scores 6586 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Core i5-13400E scores 6638 (-0.4% lower). This clustering indicates that the i9-12900E’s overall performance is not exceptional in its generation; it trades blows with much lower-priced parts and a previous-generation HEDT chip.

For real workloads, the 16-core/24-thread configuration gives the CPU strong multi-threaded throughput. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23529 is respectable for rendering, video encoding, and software compilation. Single-core performance is decent but not class-leading, as evidenced by the R23 single-core score of 3321. The 5.00 GHz boost helps in lightly threaded tasks like web browsing and office applications, but the 2.30 GHz base clock means sustained all-core loads will pull more power. The 65W TDP is modest, so the CPU will not require an exotic cooler, but it is not a low-power chip either. In short, the i9-12900E is a competent mid-range performer that does not live up to the “i9” badge when measured against modern equivalents, but it provides 24 threads for productivity and is well suited for mixed workloads that benefit from many cores.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance of this pairing is heavily skewed toward the GPU. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation sits at the 95th percentile among all GPUs, while the i9-12900E is at the 62nd percentile. This 33-percentage-point gap means that in most GPU-bound scenarios, the GPU will be the limiting factor only if the workload is truly graphics-heavy. However, in CPU-bound scenarios, the processor will become the bottleneck. The GPU’s average benchmark score is 135218, while the CPU’s is 6611, a ratio of about 20:1. That ratio is not a direct comparison of workload capacity, but it illustrates the relative performance tier of each part.

For gaming, the CPU’s single-core score of 3321 (R23) and Geekbench single-core of 1775 are sufficient to drive high refresh rates, but the GPU’s 95th percentile means it is capable of much higher frame rates than the CPU can feed in many esports or low-resolution titles. Conversely, at high resolutions like 4K, the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, and the CPU’s 62nd percentile is less of a concern. For content creation, the CPU’s 24 threads help with video encoding and compilation, but the GPU’s 20 GB of VRAM and 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 power will dominate rendering and compute tasks. The combined percentile of 79 is higher than the CPU percentile alone, indicating that the system as a whole is better than the processor’s individual standing. The lack of measured FPS data means we cannot quantify the exact bottleneck, but the score differential strongly suggests that the GPU is the star, and the CPU will limit only in situations that are strictly CPU-bound.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU benchmarks are as follows: Cinebench R15 multi-core 2371, single-core 334; Cinebench R20 multi-core 9882, single-core 1394; Cinebench R23 multi-core 23529, single-core 3321; Geekbench multi-core 10280, single-core 1775. The GPU benchmarks are Geekbench OpenCL 146593 and Geekbench Vulkan 123842. The GPU’s average benchmark score is 135218, and its percentile is 95. The CPU’s average score is 6611, with a percentile of 62. The combined percentile of the CPU+GPU pairing is 79.

In context, the GPU’s nearest rivals are the NVIDIA A10M (avg score 135230, delta 0%), the AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (135396, -0.1%), the AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (135774, -0.4%), and the AMD Radeon PRO V620 (136472, -0.9%). These are all workstation-class GPUs, and the RTX 4000 Ada is essentially tied with them in average performance. The CPU’s nearest rivals are the Pentium Gold G6405 and Core i9-10940X (both 6605, +0.1%), the Core i5-13500E (6586, +0.4%), and the Core i5-13400E (6638, -0.4%). This grouping shows the CPU is in a performance band where the difference between the i9-12900E and a dual-core Pentium is statistically negligible.

The combined picture is that the GPU provides high-end compute and rendering capability, while the CPU delivers mid-range multi-core performance. In a system with a 95th-percentile GPU and a 62nd-percentile CPU, the GPU will dominate in any graphics or compute-heavy application. The CPU will not hold back the GPU in most professional workloads, but in CPU-limited tasks like physics simulations or single-threaded compilation, the processor is the weaker link.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Core i9-12900E?

A: The CPU has 16 cores and 24 threads, based on the Alder Lake-S architecture.

Q: What is the memory support for this CPU?

A: It supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but does not support ECC.

Q: What is the GPU’s VRAM capacity?

A: The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation has 20 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus, providing 360.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What is the GPU’s architecture and process node?

A: The GPU is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture, using a 5 nm TSMC process with 35,800 million transistors.

Q: What is the CPU’s socket and PCIe support?

A: The CPU uses Intel Socket 1700 and provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the processor.

Q: How does the GPU perform relative to its peers?

A: The GPU is at the 95th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 135218, placing it near the NVIDIA A10M and AMD Radeon PRO W6800.

Q: What is the CPU’s TDP?

A: The i9-12900E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the GPU has a TDP of 130 watts.

Who Should Build It

This system is best suited for users who need high-end GPU compute and rendering performance but do not require a flagship CPU. The 95th-percentile GPU with 20 GB VRAM and 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 power makes it a strong choice for professional 3D rendering, video editing, and GPU-accelerated workloads such as machine learning inference or scientific simulation. The CPU’s 24 threads at a 62nd percentile are sufficient for multitasking and general productivity, but not for extreme multi-threaded workloads like heavy 3D scene simulation or large-scale software compilation. For gamers, this pairing is ideal for high-resolution gaming (1440p or 4K) where the GPU is the primary driver; at 1080p high-refresh, the CPU may limit frame rates. Content creators who work with 4K video editing and color grading will benefit from the GPU’s VRAM and compute, while the CPU will handle the rest. Students and small business workstations that need a reliable system for office tasks, coding, and occasional rendering will find the CPU more than capable, but the GPU is overkill for basic office use.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation is a workstation-class GPU built on the AD104 chip, manufactured on TSMC’s 5 nm process with 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. It features 6144 shading units, 192 TMUs, 64 ROPs, 48 RT cores, and 192 tensor cores. The base clock is 1500 MHz, and the boost clock is 2175 MHz. The memory subsystem consists of 20 GB of GDDR6 on a 160-bit bus, yielding 360.0 GB/s bandwidth. The memory clock is 2250 MHz, with an effective 18 Gbps. The GPU delivers a pixel rate of 139.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 417.6 GTexel/s. Its FP32 performance is 26.73 TFLOPS, and FP16 is also 26.73 TFLOPS (1:1). The board is single-slot, draws 130 W, and uses a single 16-pin power connector. The suggested PSU is 300 W. The GPU interfaces via PCIe 4.0 x16 and offers four DisplayPort 1.4a outputs. It supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Benchmark results show the GPU scoring 146593 in Geekbench OpenCL and 123842 in Vulkan. Its average score is 135218, placing it at the 95th percentile. The nearest rivals are the NVIDIA A10M (135230, 0% delta), AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (135396, -0.1%), AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (135774, -0.4%), and AMD Radeon PRO V620 (136472, -0.9%). These are all high-end workstation GPUs, and the RTX 4000 Ada is essentially tied with them. For rendering workloads, the 20 GB VRAM is ample for large scenes and textures, while the 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 provides solid compute power. The RT cores support ray tracing, and the tensor cores accelerate AI and deep learning tasks. The 360 GB/s bandwidth is moderate for the VRAM size, but it is sufficient for the GPU’s core capabilities. The single-slot design and 130 W TDP make it a practical choice for multi-GPU configurations in a server or workstation chassis.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The platform is built on Intel Socket 1700, which supports 12th-generation Alder Lake processors. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, so a system builder can choose either memory type, but the dual-channel memory bus is a limitation for high-memory-bandwidth tasks. The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, but the GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, so the GPU will not be bottlenecked by the PCIe interface. The TDP of the CPU is 65 W, while the GPU is 130 W, so the suggested PSU of 300 W for the GPU alone indicates the system will likely need a 400-500 W PSU, but the data does not specify that. The CPU’s TDP is low, so a capable air cooler is sufficient. The GPU’s single-slot and 130 W power draw allow for multiple GPUs if the motherboard supports it, but the CPU’s PCIe lane count is only 20, so two GPUs would run at x8 each, which is still acceptable for most workloads.

The upgrade path is straightforward: a user could replace the i9-12900E with a higher-tier CPU on the same socket, such as a 13th-gen i7 or i9, which would improve multi-core performance and raise the CPU percentile. The GPU is already at the 95th percentile, so an upgrade would only be necessary for future generation demands. The memory can be upgraded to DDR5 if the system currently uses DDR4, but the dual-channel limit remains. The platform is not the latest, but it is modern enough for high-end workstations.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build that pairs a mid-range 12th-gen Core i9 with a high-end workstation GPU. The combined percentile of 79 indicates that the system as a whole is in the upper quartile of all configurations, but the CPU is not the reason for that ranking. The GPU at 95th percentile and the CPU at 62nd percentile create an imbalance where the GPU is the star. The system is best classified as a professional workstation for GPU-accelerated tasks, or a high-end gaming PC for 4K gaming. It is not a balanced CPU+GPU pairing; it is a GPU-centric build with a sufficient CPU. The CPU’s 24 threads and 5.00 GHz boost provide enough processing power for most tasks, but the GPU’s 20 GB VRAM and 26.73 TFLOPS dominate the performance narrative.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: At 1080p, the CPU’s single-core score of 3321 (R23) can drive high frame rates, but the GPU’s 95th percentile is capable of far more, so the CPU may limit the maximum FPS in esports titles. At 1440p or 4K, the GPU takes over and the system will deliver excellent visual quality and frame rates.

Streaming: The 16-core/24-thread CPU can handle encoding for streaming while gaming, with its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23529 providing enough headroom. The GPU’s NVENC (if present) is not detailed, but the CPU is capable for software encoding.

Video editing: The GPU’s 20 GB VRAM and 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 power accelerate effects, rendering, and color grading. The CPU’s multi-core score supports timeline editing and export.

3D rendering: The GPU is the star here. Its 95th percentile and 360 GB/s bandwidth allow for complex scenes, and the 48 RT cores support ray tracing. The CPU will handle viewport and simulation tasks, but the GPU will be the bottleneck in final renders.

Software development: The 24 threads and 5.00 GHz boost clock help with compilation and multi-threaded build tools. The CPU’s Geekbench multi-core score of 10280 indicates strong multi-threaded performance for code compilation.

Student and office work: The CPU’s 62nd percentile is more than enough for web browsing, word processing, and spreadsheets. The GPU is overkill, but the system will handle any office workload with ease. The 65W TDP CPU means the system runs cool and quiet, making it suitable for a study or small office.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900E + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

Power Build

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12900E

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

Strong Performance

Bottleneck Detected

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

CPU Analysis

Balance and Bottleneck

Benchmark Performance

FAQ

Who Should Build It

GPU Analysis

Upgrade Path and Platform

Build Overview

Usage Scenarios

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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