SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + Intel Arc A310

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

89 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 11% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
93%
VS
GPU
85%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900KS

45,094 Benchmark Score
Top 7% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A310

7,550 Benchmark Score
Top 15% 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
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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 i9-12900KS is a 16-core, 24-thread desktop processor built on the Alder Lake-S architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. It carries a 150 W TDP and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 cache. Integrated graphics are handled by UHD Graphics 770, and the processor supports ECC memory, making it suitable for workstation-class tasks.

Benchmark results place this CPU at the 89th percentile among all processors, with an average benchmark score of 45094. The nearest rival comparison shows a tightly packed field: the AMD EPYC 4344P scores 45122, a delta of -0.1% relative to the i9-12900KS; the Intel Core i5-14600 scores 44889, a delta of 0.5%; the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D scores 44573, a delta of 1.2%; and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H scores 44466, a delta of 1.4%. This means the i9-12900KS sits essentially at parity with the EPYC 4344P and is only slightly ahead of the i5-14600, the Ryzen 5 7500X3D, and the Core Ultra X9 388H in aggregate performance.

Thread scaling data from the 3DMark suite shows a clear progression: 10316 in the 16-thread test, 7872 in the 8-thread test, 4320 in the 4-thread test, and 2212 in the 2-thread test. The max-threads score of 11897 is only 15% higher than the 16-thread score, indicating that the additional threads beyond 16 provide diminishing returns. The single-thread score of 1121 is modest in absolute terms, but the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 is strong, reflecting good per-core performance for lightly threaded workloads.

In multi-threaded workloads, the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 is substantial, and the Geekbench multicore score of 18538 reinforces this picture. The PassMark multithread score of 43698, combined with integer math at 147575 and floating-point math at 111429, suggests that the CPU handles both integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy tasks competently. Data compression at 563709 and encryption at 31403 in PassMark tests indicate strong throughput for these specific operations.

For real workloads, the 89th percentile ranking means this CPU outperforms roughly 89% of all processors in the database. The parity with the EPYC 4344P is notable because that is a server-class chip, while the i9-12900KS is a mainstream desktop part. The slight edge over the i5-14600 and Ryzen 5 7500X3D in aggregate scores suggests that the i9-12900KS remains competitive despite being from an earlier generation.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i9-12900KS compare to its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4344P?

A: The i9-12900KS has an average benchmark score of 45094, while the EPYC 4344P scores 45122. This is a delta of -0.1%, meaning the two processors are effectively tied in aggregate performance.

Q: What is the single-thread performance of this CPU?

A: The 3DMark single-thread score is 1121, the Cinebench R23 single-core score is 5203, and the Geekbench single-core score is 2408. These numbers indicate solid per-core performance, though not class-leading.

Q: Does the i9-12900KS support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the FACT PACK lists ECC memory support as true. This is an unusual feature for a mainstream desktop CPU and adds to its appeal for workstation builds.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this processor?

A: The memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory types, giving builders flexibility in platform choice.

Q: How does the CPU perform in data-intensive workloads?

A: PassMark tests show data compression at 563709 and data encryption at 31403. These scores indicate strong throughput for compression tasks and moderate encryption performance.

Q: What is the release date and production status of this CPU?

A: The release date is April 4, 2022, and the production status is listed as "Active." The launch MSRP is $739.

Q: What is the CPU percentile ranking among all processors?

A: The i9-12900KS is at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms approximately 89% of all processors in the benchmark database.

Balance and Bottleneck

The pairing of the Intel Core i9-12900KS with the Intel Arc A310 creates a substantial imbalance in raw compute capability. The CPU sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU sits at only the 40th percentile among all GPUs. This 49-point gap in percentiles indicates that the GPU will be the limiting factor in nearly any graphics-bound workload. The CPU's average benchmark score of 45094 dwarfs the GPU's average benchmark score of 7550, reinforcing that the processor has far more compute headroom than the graphics card can utilize.

In gaming scenarios, this imbalance means the Arc A310 will bottleneck the system at any resolution where frame rate is constrained by GPU rendering. The CPU's strong single-thread score of 1121 in 3DMark and 5203 in Cinebench R23 single-core means it can feed frames quickly, but the GPU's modest PassMark G3D score of 5433 and DirectX 12 score of 29 will limit output. The GPU's FP32 throughput of 2.688 TFLOPS is low by modern standards, further confirming that graphics rendering is the constraint.

For compute workloads, the CPU's PassMark multithread score of 43698 and the GPU's PassMark GPU compute score of 2157 show that the CPU is overwhelmingly dominant for general-purpose computation. The GPU's compute capability is roughly 5% of the CPU's multithread performance in these tests, meaning any workload that can be offloaded to the CPU will run faster there. The GPU's Geekbench OpenCL score of 30607 and Vulkan score of 28964 are modest, suggesting that GPU-accelerated compute is possible but not a strength.

The CPU's 16 threads in the 3DMark 16-thread test score 10316, and the max-threads score of 11897 shows only marginal gains from additional threads. This indicates that the CPU has ample parallel headroom for multi-threaded applications, but the GPU cannot present enough render tasks to keep those threads busy in graphics workloads. In CPU-bound tasks like data compression (563709 in PassMark) or integer math (147575), the processor operates near its full potential, but in gaming or GPU-accelerated rendering, the Arc A310 caps overall system performance.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: This is not a viable scenario for this build. The Arc A310's PassMark G3D score of 5433 and DirectX 12 score of 29 place it far below the performance needed for high-refresh gaming. The CPU's strong single-thread scores would go largely unused as the GPU becomes the bottleneck at any resolution. Frame rates would be limited by the GPU's modest pixel rate of 28.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 56.00 GTexel/s.

Streaming: The CPU's 24 threads and strong multithread performance (Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859) can handle encoding workloads, but the GPU lacks the hardware to render games at playable frame rates while streaming. The GPU's 4 GB GDDR6 memory and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth are inadequate for modern game streaming at acceptable quality settings. The CPU could handle software encoding, but the overall gaming experience would be poor.

Video editing: The CPU's PassMark floating-point math score of 111429 and data compression score of 563709 suggest strong performance for video processing tasks that rely on CPU computation. The GPU's limited VRAM and bandwidth would hinder GPU-accelerated effects and rendering. The 4 GB memory is insufficient for large 4K timelines, and the 64-bit bus width at 124.0 GB/s bandwidth would create bottlenecks in memory-intensive operations.

3D rendering: CPU-based rendering would perform well, with the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 indicating solid performance for software renderers. GPU-based rendering would be severely limited by the Arc A310's 2.688 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 6 RT cores. The GPU's PassMark GPU compute score of 2157 is low, meaning any GPU-accelerated renderer would be slow.

Software development: The CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads are well-suited for compilation workloads. The Geekbench multicore score of 18538 and PassMark multithread score of 43698 indicate good parallel performance for build tools. The GPU is irrelevant for most development tasks, so the imbalance does not matter here. ECC memory support adds reliability for long compile sessions.

Student and office work: The CPU is overkill for typical office tasks, but the strong single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203) ensures snappy responsiveness. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 can handle basic display output, making the discrete GPU optional for this scenario. The 30 MB L3 cache and DDR5 support provide ample bandwidth for document editing and web browsing.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU delivers an average benchmark score of 45094 across all tests, placing it at the 89th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals—AMD EPYC 4344P at 45122 (-0.1% delta), Intel Core i5-14600 at 44889 (+0.5% delta), AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44573 (+1.2% delta), and Intel Core Ultra X9 388H at 44466 (+1.4% delta)—are all within 1.4% of the i9-12900KS, indicating a very tight competitive cluster.

The GPU delivers an average benchmark score of 7550, placing it at the 40th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R7 250 at 7557 (-0.1% delta), AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 at 7580 (-0.4% delta), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 at 7472 (+1% delta), and AMD Radeon HD 8850M at 7447 (+1.4% delta). The GPU is essentially at parity with a Radeon R7 250 and only 1% ahead of a GTX 1650, which is a low-end card from several generations ago.

The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pairing is 65, reflecting that the system as a whole sits in the upper-middle range of all builds in the database. The CPU's 89th percentile is dragged down by the GPU's 40th percentile, and the combined score of 65 is closer to the GPU's position than the CPU's. The PassMark G2D score of 625 and G3D score of 5433 for the GPU indicate basic 2D and 3D capability, but the DirectX scores (29-69 across versions) show weak API-level performance.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination in the FACT PACK, so all gaming frame rates discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The Arc A310's PassMark G3D score of 5433 and DirectX 12 score of 29 place it in a performance class comparable to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, which is a 1080p entry-level card. The 4 GB GDDR6 memory and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for light games at 1080p with low to medium settings, but modern AAA titles at high settings would be unplayable.

The CPU's single-thread score of 1121 in 3DMark and 5203 in Cinebench R23 single-core mean that frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios would be high, but the GPU's pixel rate of 28.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 56.00 GTexel/s would cap output in GPU-bound scenarios. For esports titles like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, the estimated frame rates could be in the playable range at 1080p low settings, but the GPU's modest specifications would limit consistency. For demanding titles, the GPU would struggle to maintain 30 FPS at 1080p low settings.

The 64-bit memory bus and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth are severe constraints for modern games that require large texture streaming. The 6 RT cores provide hardware ray tracing support, but the low overall compute throughput means ray-traced effects would be very slow. The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) is a positive, but the underlying hardware cannot leverage this API fully in practice.

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who need a powerful CPU for compute-heavy workloads but have minimal graphics requirements. The i9-12900KS's 89th percentile ranking makes it suitable for software developers compiling large codebases, researchers running data compression or encryption tasks, and office workers who want maximum responsiveness. The ECC memory support appeals to professionals who require data integrity in their workflows.

Content creators focused on CPU-based rendering would benefit from the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859, which handles software renderers well. Video editors who rely on CPU encoding could use the strong multithread performance, though the GPU would not accelerate effects. Students in engineering or science fields who run CPU-bound simulations would see strong performance from the 16 cores and 24 threads.

Small business workstations that run database operations or financial modeling would benefit from the CPU's integer math score of 147575 and data compression score of 563709. The GPU is adequate for basic display output and office applications, and the 4 GB VRAM can handle multiple monitors through the 4x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs. However, gamers or GPU-accelerated content creators should look elsewhere, as the Arc A310's 40th percentile ranking places it far below what those workloads require.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build pairing the Intel Core i9-12900KS with the Intel Arc A310. The CPU is a 16-core, 24-thread processor from the Core 12th Gen series, built on the Alder Lake architecture at a 10 nm process node. The GPU is a 4 GB GDDR6 card based on the Xe-HPG architecture (Alchemist generation) at a 6 nm process node, with a TDP of only 30 W and no power connectors required.

The combined percentile of 65 places this system in the upper-middle tier of all builds in the database. The CPU's 89th percentile is the dominant contributor to this score, while the GPU's 40th percentile pulls it down. This is a fundamentally unbalanced pairing: the processor is a high-end part from 2022 (launch MSRP $739) while the GPU is an entry-level, end-of-life product released in October 2022. The system's overall tier is defined by the CPU's compute capability, with the GPU serving as a basic display adapter rather than a performance component.

The CPU's production status is "Active," meaning it is still in production, while the GPU is "End-of-life" with its successor (Battlemage) already announced. This suggests the GPU is at the end of its lifecycle, while the CPU remains a viable purchase for compute-focused builds.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform with PCIe Gen 5 support providing 16 lanes from the CPU. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The motherboard must be chosen to match the memory type, as DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable. The CPU has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking to extract additional performance from the 5.50 GHz boost clock.

The GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 bus interface, which is compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 slots (backward compatible to Gen 4). The GPU's TDP of 30 W and the suggested PSU of 200 W mean the power supply requirement is minimal, but a 200 W PSU would be severely undersized for the CPU's 150 W TDP plus any other components. A realistic PSU for this system would need to account for the CPU's power draw and potential overclocking headroom.

The most sensible next upgrade is the GPU. The CPU's 89th percentile ranking means it has years of useful life left, while the GPU's 40th percentile and 4 GB VRAM are the system's clear weakness. Upgrading to a more capable GPU would immediately improve gaming performance and GPU-accelerated compute without needing to change the CPU or platform. The PCIe 4.0 x8 slot can accommodate a wide range of modern graphics cards. The CPU's DDR5 support and ECC capability mean the memory subsystem is future-proof for professional workloads.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A310 is built on the Xe-HPG architecture (Alchemist generation) using TSMC's 6 nm process node, with 7,200 million transistors on a 157 mm² die. The GPU has 4 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit bus, yielding 124.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The base and boost clocks are both 1750 MHz, with memory running at 1937 MHz (15.5 Gbps effective). The shader configuration includes 768 shading units, 32 TMUs, and 16 ROPs, with 6 RT cores for hardware ray tracing.

The GPU's compute capabilities are limited: FP32 throughput is 2.688 TFLOPS, and FP16 is 5.376 TFLOPS (2:1 ratio). The pixel rate is 28.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 56.00 GTexel/s. The 30 W TDP requires no power connectors, making this a low-power card suitable for basic display output. The 4x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs support multiple monitors, and the API support includes DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Benchmark results confirm the GPU's entry-level positioning. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 30607 and Vulkan score of 28964 are modest. The PassMark G3D score of 5433 places it at the 40th percentile among all GPUs, and the nearest rival comparison shows parity with the AMD Radeon R7 250 (7557, -0.1% delta) and only a 1% advantage over the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (7472). The DirectX scores are low across the board: 31 for DirectX 10, 33 for DirectX 11, 29 for DirectX 12, and 69 for DirectX 9. The PassMark GPU compute score of 2157 is weak, indicating limited GPGPU performance.

For rendering workloads, the GPU's 2.688 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 6 RT cores provide basic acceleration, but the 4 GB VRAM and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth are severe constraints for modern content creation. The GPU can handle 2D desktop work, video playback, and light 3D tasks, but it is not designed for rendering complex scenes or running GPU-accelerated effects. The memory bus width of 64 bits is a fundamental limitation that cannot be overcome by clock speed alone. The GPU is best understood as a display adapter with some compute capability, not as a performance graphics solution.