SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

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

Build Configuration

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PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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91 Score

Top 9% Ranking

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

93%

GPU

89%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900K

42,335 Benchmark Score

Top 7% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

15,199 Benchmark Score

Top 11% 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

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

The Intel Core i9-12900K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is a study in stark contrast: a high-end 2021 processor paired with an entry-level 2022 graphics card. The data shows a desktop build where the CPU operates in the 88th percentile against all processors, while the GPU sits in the 57th percentile against all graphics cards. This pairing creates a significant imbalance, with the CPU capable of far more than the GPU can feed it in most graphical workloads. This analysis relies strictly on the benchmark scores and specifications provided; no measured FPS data exists for this exact combination, so all frame-rate discussions are estimates derived from the performance scores.

GPU Analysis — VRAM, bandwidth, clocks, RT/tensor hardware, what the benchmark scores mean for rendering

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on the Ampere architecture, fabricated on Samsung's 8 nm process with 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1515 MHz and a boost clock of 1755 MHz. Memory is configured as 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s with a memory clock of 1750 MHz, translating to 14 Gbps effective. The board is a dual-slot design, 242 mm in length, and requires a single 8-pin power connector.

The compute resources include 2304 shading units, 72 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output units. For hardware-accelerated ray tracing, it has 18 RT cores, and for AI-accelerated workloads, it has 72 tensor cores. The pixel rate is 56.16 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 126.4 GTexel/s. The FP32 and FP16 performance are both rated at 8.087 TFLOPS, with the FP16 rate being 1:1 to FP32. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, and connects via a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface. Display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1 and 3x DisplayPort 1.4a.

Benchmark results place the RTX 3050 OEM in the 57th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 15199. The data shows a PassMark G3D score of 11857, which is a measure of general 3D graphics performance. In compute-oriented tests, the GPU scores 5779 in PassMark GPU Compute and 60740 in Geekbench OpenCL. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 7600, has an average score of 15171, a delta of just 0.2%, indicating the RTX 3050 OEM is statistically equivalent to that card in overall benchmark averages. In contrast, it is only 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon 680M and 0.6% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060.

For rendering workloads, the 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical factor, but the 128-bit memory bus limits bandwidth to 224.0 GB/s, which will constrain performance in high-resolution texture streaming. The 18 RT cores and 72 tensor cores provide entry-level access to ray tracing and DLSS features, but with FP32 performance at 8.087 TFLOPS, the raw compute throughput is modest. The PassMark DirectX 12 score of 58 and DirectX 11 score of 86 suggest that the card handles older APIs more efficiently than the latest ones. The 57th percentile position indicates this is a mid-to-lower-tier GPU, suitable for 1080p gaming with adjusted settings, but it will struggle to maintain high frame rates in modern titles at higher detail levels.

Balance and Bottleneck — which component limits which workload, using percentiles and FPS scaling as evidence

The fundamental issue with this pairing is the enormous gap between CPU and GPU capability. The CPU's percentile rank is 88, while the GPU's is 57, a 31-point difference. In gaming workloads, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The RTX 3050 OEM's average benchmark score of 15199 is the limiting factor for frame production, as the CPU has significant headroom to process game logic and physics. The CPU's multi-threaded benchmark score of 11620 in 3DMark Max Threads and 41213 in PassMark Multithread are far beyond what the GPU can render, meaning the CPU will often be idle waiting for the GPU to finish.

However, the bottleneck shifts depending on the workload. In lightly-threaded tasks, the CPU's performance is still strong, with a 3DMark Single Thread score of 1073 and a PassMark Single Thread score of 4136. This means the CPU will not bottleneck even in games that are poorly optimized for multi-threading. In content creation tasks, the CPU is the dominant component. For example, in Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 26125 multi-core and 2004.5 single-core, which are the primary drivers for video encoding and 3D rendering. The GPU's compute score of 5779 in PassMark is far lower, so for GPU-accelerated rendering, the GPU will be the bottleneck.

The combined percentile for this build is 73, reflecting the overall tier of the system. The lack of measured FPS data means we cannot see the actual frame-time scaling, but the benchmark scores suggest that in most games, the GPU will be at 100% utilization while the CPU sits at a fraction of its capacity. In CPU-bound scenarios, such as high-refresh-rate 1080p eSports titles, the CPU might become the limiting factor if the game is poorly optimized, but the GPU will still cap the maximum achievable FPS in most cases. The data indicates a system that is imbalanced for gaming, where upgrading the GPU would yield massive gains, but upgrading the CPU would yield almost none.

CPU Analysis — cores, clocks, architecture, what the benchmark scores mean for real workloads

The Intel Core i9-12900K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die size. It features a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 cache. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, and includes ECC memory support. The processor uses the Intel Socket 1700 and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It also includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770.

The CPU's benchmark scores show a formidable multi-threaded performer. In 3DMark, it scores 9912 with 16 threads, 7596 with 8 threads, 4145 with 4 threads, and 2120 with 2 threads, scaling well with thread count. The maximum threads score is 11620. In Cinebench, it achieves 4057 in R15 multi-core, 14679 in R20 multi-core, and 26125 in R23 multi-core. Single-core performance is also strong, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 2004.5 and Geekbench single-core at 2193. PassMark scores are particularly revealing for real-world productivity: 537341 in data compression, 29579 in data encryption, 33682 in extended instructions, 139090 in integer math, 105471 in floating-point math, and 57094 in random string sorting.

The 88th percentile rank against all CPUs indicates that this is a high-end processor, and its average benchmark score of 42335 places it in the same league as the Intel Core i9-12950HX, which scores 42487, a delta of -0.4%. It is also 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and 0.9% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS. For real workloads, the 24 threads and high boost clock make it a top-tier choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The data shows it is not just a gaming CPU; it is a workstation-class part. The 215 mm² die size and 10 nm process node indicate a dense, power-hungry chip, but the performance metrics justify the power envelope.

Upgrade Path and Platform — socket, memory support, PCIe, PSU headroom from suggestedPsu/tdp, what a sensible next upgrade looks like

The platform is built around the Intel Socket 1700, which supports the Alder Lake architecture. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility, though the dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth are the same regardless of memory type. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, which is a forward-looking feature, but the GPU in this build uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface, meaning it will run at a reduced lane width, though this is unlikely to be a significant bottleneck for a GPU of this class.

The CPU has a TDP of 125 W, while the GPU has a TDP of 130 W. The suggested PSU for the GPU is 300 W, which provides a baseline for the system's power requirements. Given the CPU's TDP, a system with this pairing would require a PSU that can handle the combined load, and the 300 W suggestion for the GPU alone indicates that a larger PSU is necessary when factoring in the CPU, motherboard, and other components. The CPU has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, but this would increase power draw beyond the 125 W TDP.

The most sensible next upgrade, based on the data, is the GPU. The CPU is in the 88th percentile and is not the limiting factor in any graphical workload. Replacing the RTX 3050 OEM with a higher-tier GPU would directly address the bottleneck and improve frame rates in games and rendering times in GPU-accelerated applications. The CPU could also be overclocked to extract more performance, but the gains would be marginal compared to a GPU upgrade. The platform supports PCIe Gen 5, so a future GPU upgrade would be compatible, though the current GPU's PCIe 4.0 x8 interface is a limitation that would be resolved with a newer card. Memory upgrades are possible, but the 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is a fixed figure for the dual-channel memory controller, so moving from DDR4 to DDR5 would not increase bandwidth, only potentially reduce latency.

Benchmark Performance — exact CPU and GPU scores, percentile positions, and what the combined picture is

The CPU's performance is anchored by its 88th percentile rank and an average benchmark score of 42335. Its strongest results are in multi-threaded workloads: Cinebench R23 multi-core at 26125, Cinebench R20 multi-core at 14679, and Geekbench multi-core at 16378. Single-threaded performance is also excellent, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 2004.5 and PassMark single-thread at 4136. These scores place it just 0.4% behind the Intel Core i9-12950HX, which scores 42487, and 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400.

The GPU's performance is defined by its 57th percentile rank and an average benchmark score of 15199. Its PassMark G3D score is 11857, and its best compute score is 60740 in Geekbench OpenCL. It is statistically tied with the AMD Radeon RX 7600, which scores 15171, a 0.2% delta. It is also 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon 680M and 0.6% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060. The combined percentile for the build is 73, reflecting the overall system tier.

The combined picture is a system with exceptional CPU power and modest GPU power. In gaming, the GPU will be the limiting factor; the CPU's high scores will not translate to high FPS in GPU-bound titles. In productivity, the CPU will dominate, and the GPU will provide basic acceleration. The data shows a system that is top-heavy, where the CPU is a long-term investment and the GPU is a temporary placeholder. The lack of measured FPS data means we cannot quantify the exact frame rates, but the score disparity clearly indicates that the GPU will be the bottleneck in most scenarios.

FAQ

Q: What is the most significant bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. The RTX 3050 OEM has a 57th percentile rank and an average score of 15199, while the CPU has an 88th percentile rank and an average score of 42335. In gaming and GPU-accelerated workloads, the GPU will limit performance.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-12950HX?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900K has an average benchmark score of 42335, which is 0.4% lower than the Core i9-12950HX's score of 42487. This places the two processors in the same performance tier.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and how does it affect performance?

A: The GPU has a memory bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s, derived from an 8 GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus. This bandwidth is modest and will limit performance in high-resolution or high-texture workloads.

Q: Does the CPU support overclocking?

A: Yes, the CPU has an unlocked multiplier, as indicated by the multiplierUnlocked field. The base clock is 3.20 GHz and the boost clock is 5.20 GHz, but overclocking beyond these values is possible, though it will increase power draw above the 125 W TDP.

Q: What is the combined performance percentile of this build?

A: The combined percentile for the desktop build is 73, which reflects the overall tier of the system when both CPU and GPU performance are considered.

Q: Is the GPU's performance close to any other graphics cards?

A: Yes, the RTX 3050 OEM's average score of 15199 is nearly identical to the AMD Radeon RX 7600, which scores 15171, a delta of 0.2%. It is also 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon 680M and 0.6% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060.

Q: What is the CPU's process node and die size?

A: The CPU is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node with a die size of 215 mm². The GPU, in contrast, uses Samsung's 8 nm process with a die size of 276 mm².

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who prioritize CPU-heavy productivity tasks over GPU-intensive gaming. The Intel Core i9-12900K, with its 24 threads and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26125, is ideal for content creators, video editors, and 3D animators who work with multi-threaded applications. Software developers will benefit from the CPU's high integer math score of 139090 and data compression score of 537341, making compilation and data processing faster. Students in engineering or computer science fields, where CPU-bound simulations are common, will find the processor capable, but they will need to manage expectations for gaming performance.

The RTX 3050 OEM, with a 57th percentile rank, is suitable for entry-level 1080p gaming at medium settings. The 8 GB VRAM is enough for modern titles, but the 224.0 GB/s bandwidth will limit texture quality at higher resolutions. Small business workstations that run office applications, spreadsheet analysis, and light video conferencing will be well-served by the CPU's single-thread performance, which scores 4136 in PassMark. However, the GPU is overkill for such tasks, and the system's power requirements may be higher than needed. This is not a system for high-refresh-rate gaming or 4K rendering; it is a productivity powerhouse with a gaming-capable, but not gaming-focused, graphics card.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build that pairs the Intel Core i9-12900K, a 16-core, 24-thread Alder Lake processor, with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, an entry-level Ampere GPU. The CPU is a top-tier part, ranking in the 88th percentile of all processors with an average score of 42335. The GPU is a mid-tier part, ranking in the 57th percentile of all GPUs with an average score of 15199. The combined percentile for the build is 73, placing the system in the upper-mid range of overall performance.

The CPU's strengths are in multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 scores of 26125 multi-core and 2004.5 single-core. The GPU's strengths are in general 3D graphics, with a PassMark G3D score of 11857, but it lags in compute tasks, scoring only 5779 in PassMark GPU Compute. The build is characterized by a significant performance gap between the CPU and GPU, making it a CPU-first system. The overall tier, as indicated by the 73rd combined percentile, suggests a system that can handle demanding productivity tasks but is limited to moderate gaming performance.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The GPU's 57th percentile rank and 8.087 TFLOPS FP32 performance limit it to 1080p gaming at medium-to-high settings. The CPU's high single-thread score of 4136 ensures it will not bottleneck, but the GPU will cap frame rates, making high-refresh 144Hz+ gaming unlikely in most titles without significant settings reductions.

Streaming: The CPU's 24 threads and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26125 provide ample headroom for software encoding, while the GPU's 72 tensor cores can offload encoding tasks via NVENC. The system can handle streaming and gaming simultaneously, but the GPU's overall performance will limit the in-game quality.

Video editing: The CPU is the star here, with a PassMark data compression score of 537341 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 16378, making timeline scrubbing and export rendering fast. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth provide basic acceleration for effects, but the 57th percentile rank means complex GPU-accelerated effects will be slow.

3D rendering: In CPU-based renderers, the i9-12900K's 26125 Cinebench R23 multi-core score will deliver strong performance. In GPU-based renderers, the RTX 3050 OEM's 5779 PassMark GPU Compute score is a limiting factor, making this a system for CPU rendering primarily, with GPU rendering as a secondary, slower option.

Software development: The CPU's 139090 PassMark integer math score and 57094 random string sorting score make compilation and data processing tasks efficient. The GPU is largely irrelevant for this workload, but the system's overall responsiveness will be excellent.

Student and office work: The CPU's single-thread score of 4136 ensures snappy performance in office applications and web browsing. The GPU provides more than enough power for 2D graphics and video playback, making this an over-specified but highly capable system for everyday tasks.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12900K

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

GPU Analysis — VRAM, bandwidth, clocks, RT/tensor hardware, what the benchmark scores mean for rendering

Balance and Bottleneck — which component limits which workload, using percentiles and FPS scaling as evidence

CPU Analysis — cores, clocks, architecture, what the benchmark scores mean for real workloads

Upgrade Path and Platform — socket, memory support, PCIe, PSU headroom from suggestedPsu/tdp, what a sensible next upgrade looks like

Benchmark Performance — exact CPU and GPU scores, percentile positions, and what the combined picture is

FAQ

Who Should Build It

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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