SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP

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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84 Score

Top 16% Ranking

84 / 100

HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 16% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio

Well Balanced

CPU

94%

GPU

74%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900F

47,176 Benchmark Score

Top 6% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP

0 Benchmark Score

Top 26% 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

# Usage Scenarios

The Intel Core i9-12900F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP is a desktop configuration that targets a specific performance envelope, sitting at the 70th combined percentile. This pairing is not about chasing the absolute top of the charts; it is about delivering strong, well-rounded performance across a broad range of tasks without the need for extreme hardware.

For high-refresh gaming at 1080p, this system is capable, though not extreme. The CPU’s single-core performance is a standout, with a Geekbench single-core score of 2339 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4292, which places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. This strong single-threaded showing ensures that game logic, physics, and frame pacing are handled with minimal bottlenecking. The GPU, sitting at the 50th percentile of all GPUs, will be the limiting factor in achieving very high frame rates. While the CPU can push frames, the RTX 3060 3840SP will hold back the absolute maximum FPS in less demanding titles, making high-refresh 1080p achievable but with settings adjustments needed for the most demanding games.

Streaming and content creation are where this build starts to show its dual strengths. The i9-12900F’s 16 cores and 24 threads deliver a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30405, which is only 0.3% behind the Intel Core i7-13700KF and 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900. This multi-core muscle can handle game capture, encoding, and streaming software simultaneously without crippling the gaming performance. The RTX 3060’s dedicated tensor cores and RT cores can also offload encoding tasks via NVENC, though specific encoding performance is not in the data. The benchmark results indicate a system that can manage a live stream and a game concurrently, but the GPU’s mid-range percentile suggests that heavy encoding tasks might need to be balanced with lower in-game settings to maintain smooth output.

Video editing and 3D rendering benefit significantly from this CPU. The Passmark multi-thread score of 35912 and the floating-point math score of 96452 point to a processor that can chew through video timelines and 3D scene calculations efficiently. The CPU’s performance in Cinebench R20 multi-core (12770) and R15 multi-core (3064) further supports this, showing consistent scaling across different rendering workloads. The GPU’s 14.22 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 222.2 GTexel/s texture rate make it a capable partner for GPU-accelerated effects and rendering previews, but the 50th percentile GPU ranking means it’s not a top-tier render powerhouse. For a hobbyist or small studio, this is a very capable configuration; for a professional 24/7 render farm, the GPU would be a bottleneck.

Software development is a strong use case for this CPU. The high single-thread score is crucial for compilation times of many small files, and the multi-core grunt helps with parallel builds. The Passmark data encryption score of 25251 and extended instructions score of 28265 indicate solid performance for cryptographic operations and modern code that uses SIMD instructions. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache is ample for holding working sets in memory, reducing the need to hit slower system memory. This is a workstation-grade processor for a developer, with the GPU being sufficient for UI rendering and local testing of GPU-based algorithms, but not for large-scale machine learning training.

For student and office work, this configuration is massively over-specified. The CPU’s single-thread performance will make spreadsheets, word processing, and web browsing feel instantaneous. The multi-core performance is wasted on such tasks, but it does ensure that the system will not become obsolete quickly as software becomes more demanding. The 50th percentile GPU is more than enough for 2D desktop rendering and video playback. The power draw of 65W TDP for the CPU is relatively low, making it an efficient choice for a machine that might be left on for long periods, though the GPU’s 185W TDP and 450W suggested PSU mean it’s not a low-power build overall.

# FAQ

Q: How does the CPU in this build compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-13700KF?

A: The i9-12900F has an average benchmark score of 47176, which is 0.3% lower than the Core i7-13700KF’s average score of 47330. This difference is negligible, meaning the two processors are effectively tied in overall performance.

Q: Is the GPU performance good enough for modern gaming?

A: The RTX 3060 3840SP sits at the 50th percentile of all GPUs. This indicates that it is an average-performing card, capable of running modern games at 1080p with high settings, but it is not a high-end part suited for 4K or maximum refresh rates.

Q: What memory types are supported by this CPU?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bandwidth is rated at 76.8 GB/s.

Q: What is the CPU’s physical design and power requirement?

A: The CPU has a TDP of 65W and uses the Intel Socket 1700. It is built on Intel’s 10nm process node with a die size of 215 mm².

Q: Does the GPU have dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI?

A: Yes, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP is based on the Ampere architecture and includes 30 RT cores for ray tracing and 120 tensor cores for AI-accelerated workloads.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the CPU?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core i9-12900F was $494.

Q: Is this build better for multi-core or single-core workloads based on the scores?

A: The CPU is strong in both, but its single-core performance is particularly notable. With a Geekbench single-core score of 2339 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4292, it ranks in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, making it excellent for tasks that rely on single-thread speed.

# Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data presents a clear picture of a CPU that is significantly stronger than the GPU. The Intel Core i9-12900F achieves an average benchmark score of 47176, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. This is a top-tier result. In comparison, its nearest rivals are extremely close: the Intel Core i7-13700KF scores 47330 (0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 scores 47022 (0.3% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 scores 46971 (0.4% lower). The CPU is essentially tied with these high-end parts, showing that it remains a highly competitive processor.

Looking at specific CPU workloads, the multi-core performance is robust. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 30405, while the Cinebench R20 multi-core score is 12770 and the R15 multi-core score is 3064. These results show consistent scaling across generations of the Cinebench test. The Geekbench multi-core score of 15965 further corroborates this. In single-core tests, the processor shines, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4292 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2339. The Passmark single-thread score of 4017 is also strong.

The GPU, in contrast, has no benchmark scores listed in the data. Its percentile ranking is 50, which places it exactly in the middle of all GPUs. This is a stark contrast to the CPU’s 89th percentile. The combined percentile for this build is 70, which is a weighted average that reflects the dominance of the CPU in the overall performance picture. The GPU’s average benchmark score is listed as 0, which is not a literal performance figure but rather indicates that no specific benchmark data was provided for this analysis.

The combined picture is one of a high-end CPU dragging a mid-range GPU. The system will excel in CPU-bound tasks like compilation, rendering, and productivity. The GPU will handle gaming and graphics tasks at a mainstream level, but it will not provide the raw graphical throughput to match the CPU’s computational prowess. This is a mismatch in tiers: the CPU is a flagship part, while the GPU is a mid-range offering. The data suggests that for workloads that are purely CPU-intensive, this system will feel exceptionally fast, but for graphics-intensive tasks, the GPU will be the clear limiting factor.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The foundation of this build is the Intel Socket 1700 platform. This socket supports the Core 12th Gen series, and the i9-12900F is one of the flagship parts for that generation. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility in choosing their memory. The memory bus is dual-channel, with a maximum bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The platform also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which is forward-looking for future storage and expansion cards. The CPU also supports ECC memory, which is a feature typically found in workstation-class systems, making this a potential platform for a small server or workstation build.

The GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, which is fully compatible with the CPU’s PCIe Gen 5 slots, albeit running at the older standard. The RTX 3060 3840SP has a TDP of 185W and a suggested PSU of 450W. The CPU has a TDP of 65W. This means the total system power draw is well within the range of a standard 500W to 600W power supply, leaving headroom for overclocking the CPU (which has an unlocked multiplier) or adding additional storage drives.

A sensible next upgrade path depends on the user’s priorities. For gaming, the most impactful upgrade would be to replace the GPU. The CPU has enough headroom to support a much more powerful graphics card, as indicated by its high percentile ranking. For content creation, the CPU is already very strong, so the upgrade path might involve adding more memory or faster NVMe storage, leveraging the PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The platform is not a dead-end; the Socket 1700 also supports 13th Gen Intel Core processors, which could be a drop-in upgrade for the CPU in the future, though specific compatibility is not detailed in this data. The ECC memory support suggests that this could also be a platform for a home server, where the 16 cores and 24 threads would be excellent for virtualization.

# Balance and Bottleneck

The balance in this system is heavily skewed toward the CPU. The i9-12900F is in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the RTX 3060 3840SP is in the 50th percentile of all GPUs. This indicates a significant bottleneck in graphical performance. The CPU has the processing power to feed frames to a much faster GPU, but it is being held back by the graphics card.

In CPU-bound workloads, such as data compression (Passmark score 451402) or integer math (Passmark score 129504), the CPU will run at its full potential, delivering top-tier performance. In GPU-bound workloads, such as gaming at high resolutions, the GPU will be the limiting factor. The FPS in games will be determined by the GPU’s 50th percentile performance, not the CPU’s 89th percentile capability.

There is no measured FPS data for this exact combination in the FACT PACK, so all FPS discussions are estimated from the benchmark scores. The estimated FPS scaling would show that at 1080p, the CPU can handle the frame generation, but the GPU’s pixel rate of 88.90 GPixel/s and texture rate of 222.2 GTexel/s will set the limit. At 1440p or 4K, the GPU will be even more of a constraint, as the resolution increases the load on the GPU while the CPU’s workload per frame remains relatively constant. The 6 GB of VRAM on the GPU could also become a bottleneck in modern games at higher resolutions and texture settings, as this is a mid-range capacity.

The overall system balance is that of a high-performance CPU in a mid-range gaming rig. This is not a balanced build for 4K gaming, but it is a well-balanced build for productivity tasks that are CPU-intensive, with the GPU providing adequate support for display and light graphics work.

# Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this specific CPU+GPU combination. Therefore, all FPS figures discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores of the individual components. The data clearly indicates that the CPU is not the limiting factor for gaming performance; the GPU is.

The RTX 3060 3840SP, being in the 50th percentile of all GPUs, is an average performer. With 3840 shading units and a boost clock of 1852 MHz, it is capable of delivering playable frame rates at 1080p in most modern titles. For esports titles like Counter-Strike or Valorant, which are not heavily GPU-dependent, the system could likely achieve high refresh rates (144Hz+) at 1080p with competitive settings, as the CPU’s strong single-core performance will ensure high frame generation.

For triple-A games at 1080p with ultra settings, this GPU would likely deliver between 60 and 100 FPS depending on the title’s optimization and graphical fidelity. Games with heavy ray tracing would see a larger performance hit, as the 30 RT cores on the GPU are not top-tier hardware. The 6 GB of VRAM is a potential concern for the newest titles at high texture quality, which might require reducing texture settings to avoid stuttering.

At 1440p, the GPU would start to struggle to maintain 60 FPS in demanding titles, and the user would likely need to lower settings to medium or high to get a smooth experience. At 4K, this GPU is not a viable option for modern gaming, as the estimated FPS would drop below 30 in most demanding titles. The estimated FPS figures are speculative but grounded in the GPU’s mid-range percentile and its raw specs like the 336.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 14.22 TFLOPS FP32 performance. The CPU’s performance, while excellent, will not save the gaming experience because the GPU will be the bottleneck.

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900F is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10nm process node. It has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The CPU has a TDP of 65W, making it a relatively power-efficient flagship part. The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

The benchmark scores for this CPU are exceptional. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30405 places it in the top tier of desktop processors. The single-core score of 4292 is also outstanding, indicating excellent per-thread performance. The Geekbench scores (15965 multi-core, 2339 single-core) are in line with these results. The Passmark scores provide a more granular look at specific workloads: data compression at 451402, data encryption at 25251, floating-point math at 96452, and integer math at 129504.

This data implies a CPU that is a powerhouse for both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The 5.10 GHz boost clock is high, and the 10nm process node allows for this clock speed while maintaining a 65W TDP. The 30 MB of L3 cache is substantial, aiding in keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores. The CPU’s 89th percentile ranking confirms that it outperforms the vast majority of CPUs on the market.

For real workloads, this means fast application launches, rapid code compilation, smooth video editing timelines, and quick 3D rendering. The CPU’s architecture is mature and well-supported, and its performance is consistent across various benchmark suites. The only potential weakness is that it is not the newest generation, but its scores show that it still competes with newer parts like the Core i7-13700KF, which is only 0.3% faster on average.

# Build Overview

This build is a desktop configuration that pairs a flagship-tier CPU with a mid-range GPU. The Intel Core i9-12900F is a 16-core, 24-thread processor from the Core 12th Gen series, while the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP is a 6 GB GPU from the GeForce 30-series. The combined percentile for this build is 70, indicating that it outperforms 70% of all build configurations in the database.

The class is clearly "desktop", as specified in the buildClass field. The CPU is the dominant component, with an 89th percentile ranking that puts it in the upper echelon of processors. The GPU is an average part, ranking in the 50th percentile. This creates a system with a high ceiling for CPU-bound tasks and a moderate ceiling for graphics-bound tasks.

The overall tier of this build is "high-end CPU, mid-range GPU". It is not a top-tier gaming rig, but it is a very capable workstation for tasks that leverage the CPU’s multi-core might. The system is not balanced, but that imbalance is not necessarily a negative. It offers a user the ability to perform heavy computational work while still being able to play games at decent settings. The launch MSRP of the CPU was $494, which is a significant portion of the build cost.

# Who Should Build It

This configuration is ideal for users who prioritize CPU performance over GPU performance. The primary target is a professional or prosumer who works with CPU-intensive applications. This includes software developers who will benefit from the 16 cores and 24 threads for parallel compilation, and the high single-core score for interactive response. The Passmark integer math score of 129504 and floating-point math score of 96452 indicate strong performance for scientific computing and financial modeling.

Content creators who edit video or work with 3D rendering will find the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30405 to be a significant asset. The system can handle complex timelines and renders with ease. The GPU, while not the best, is sufficient for real-time previews and GPU-accelerated effects. For students in engineering or computer science, this build offers the headroom to run simulations and compile large projects. The ECC memory support is a bonus for those who need data integrity.

Gamers who target 1080p with high refresh rates will find this build to be capable, but they should be aware that the GPU is the limiting factor. It is not a build for 4K gaming or for those who want to max out all settings with ray tracing. It is, however, a solid choice for a small business workstation that needs to handle heavy spreadsheets, databases, and data analysis, with the Passmark data compression score of 451402 highlighting its capability in this area. The 65W TDP of the CPU makes it a reasonable choice for an office environment where power consumption is a consideration.

# GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP is a mid-range GPU based on the Ampere architecture and built on Samsung’s 8nm process node. It features the GA106 chip with 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The GPU has 3840 shading units, 120 texture mapping units, and 48 raster operation units. It also includes 30 RT cores and 120 tensor cores for ray tracing and AI work.

The memory configuration consists of 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 336.0 GB/s. The clock speeds are a base of 1627 MHz and a boost of 1852 MHz. The memory clock is 1750 MHz, which translates to 14 Gbps effective. The pixel rate is 88.90 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 222.2 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is 14.22 TFLOPS, with FP16 performance matching at 14.22 TFLOPS (1:1).

The GPU’s 50th percentile ranking indicates that it is an average performer in the current market. There are no benchmark scores provided for this specific GPU model, so the analysis relies on its specifications and percentile. The 14.22 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is sufficient for 1080p gaming, but it is not high-end. The 336.0 GB/s of bandwidth is adequate for the 6 GB of VRAM, but the VRAM capacity is a limiting factor for modern games at high resolutions.

The RT cores and tensor cores are present, but they are not top-tier. Ray tracing performance would be acceptable at 1080p with DLSS enabled, but not at higher resolutions. The tensor cores can be used for DLSS, which can help boost frame rates. The GPU has a TDP of 185W and requires a 450W PSU, which is a moderate power draw. The dual-slot design and 242 mm length make it a standard size card that fits in most cases. The display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a, which is a standard set of connections. For rendering, the GPU can handle light to moderate 3D work, but a higher-tier GPU would be needed for professional-grade rendering.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900F + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP

Power Build

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12900F

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 3840SP

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

Performance Insights

Strong Performance

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

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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