SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + Intel Arc B580

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

92 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 8% 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%
VS
GPU
92%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900KS

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

Intel Arc B580

23,021 Benchmark Score
Top 8% 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

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

# Intel Core i9-12900KS + Intel Arc B580: A High-Core Desktop Hybrid

This pairing combines Intel's 16-core Alder Lake flagship with Intel's mid-range Battlemage GPU, creating a desktop system that is heavily weighted toward CPU-bound productivity while still offering a competent 1080p and 1440p gaming experience. The Core i9-12900KS sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the Arc B580 places at the 68th percentile among GPUs, resulting in a combined percentile of 79. This is a system where the processor clearly outclasses the graphics card in relative performance, making it a fit for users who prioritize multi-threaded workloads, content creation, and software development over raw frame rate dominance. The data indicates a strong foundation for future GPU upgrades, as the CPU has substantial headroom to support faster graphics hardware.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i9-12900KS compare to its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-14600?

A: The i9-12900KS has an average benchmark score of 45094, while the i5-14600 scores 44889. This places the i9-12900KS just 0.5% ahead, indicating nearly identical overall performance despite the i9's higher core count and boost clock. The real difference lies in multi-threading, where the i9's 24 threads provide a significant advantage in heavily parallel workloads.

Q: What is the Arc B580's GPU compute performance relative to its gaming performance?

A: The Arc B580's PassMark G3D score is 15748, placing it at the 68th percentile. Its PassMark GPU compute score is 7729, which is notably lower. This gap suggests the card is better optimized for traditional graphics rendering than for raw compute tasks like GPGPU acceleration, despite its 13.67 TFLOPS FP32 rating. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 92821 confirms this, showing strong performance in OpenCL workloads.

Q: Is the Core i9-12900KS a good choice for single-threaded applications?

A: Yes, the data shows excellent single-thread performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 5203, and its 3DMark single-thread score is 1121. The top boost clock of 5.50 GHz contributes to this strength, making it highly responsive for everyday tasks, legacy software, and games that rely on a few fast cores. The PassMark single-thread score of 4330 reinforces this capability.

Q: How much VRAM does the Arc B580 have, and what does that mean for gaming?

A: The Arc B580 comes with 12 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s. This capacity is well-suited for modern games at 1080p and 1440p with high-resolution textures, and it offers a buffer for future titles that require more memory. The memory clock runs at 2375 MHz, or 19 Gbps effective.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Core i9-12900KS, and does it support ECC memory?

A: The i9-12900KS supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, which is a valuable feature for workstation builds where data integrity is criticalatient. This is a distinctive feature for a desktop consumer CPU, aligning it with entry-level server or workstation processors.

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

A: The combined percentile for the Intel Core i9-12900KS and Intel Arc B580 is 79. This means it outperforms 79% of all CPU and GPU combinations tracked in the database. This is a high overall ranking, driven primarily by the CPU's 89th percentile standing, while the GPU's 68th percentile pulls the combined score down.

Q: Is the Arc B580's performance closer to a previous-generation enthusiast GPU or a modern one?

A: The Arc B580's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, which it beats by 0.6%, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, which beats it by 0.7%. This places its average score of 23021 in a performance bracket that spans from the RTX 2080 to the RTX 3080, indicating it sits in a competitive mid-to-high range of past flagship cards.

Usage Scenarios

For high-refresh gaming at 1080p, the data indicates a capable but not top-tier experience. The Arc B580's 68th percentile ranking and PassMark G3D score of 15748 suggest it can handle esports titles and older games at high frame rates, but it will likely require settings adjustments to hit 144Hz or higher in the most demanding AAA releases. The CPU's strong single-thread score of 1121 in 3DMark ensures that the processor will not be a limiting factor in achieving high FPS.

Streaming is a scenario where the Core i9-12900KS shines. With 16 cores, 24 threads, and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 36859, the CPU has ample headroom to encode video using x264 software encoding while simultaneously running a game. The PassMark data encryption score of 31403 also indicates strong performance for encrypting stream data, though the GPU's lack of dedicated hardware encoding data in the pack leaves streaming quality dependent on the CPU's robust multi-threading.

Video editing with software like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve will be a strong suit for this system. The CPU's 24 threads and high multi-core scores, including a Geekbench multi-core score of 18538, will accelerate timeline rendering and export processes. The GPU's 12 GB VRAM and 456.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for handling 1080p and 1440p video scrubbing and effects, though the 68th GPU percentile suggests it is not a dedicated workstation card.

3D rendering in applications like Blender or Cinema 4D will be heavily CPU-bound, which is favorable for this pairing. The i9-12900KS's Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 15480 and PassMark floating point math score of 111429 demonstrate a high capacity for compute-intensive rendering tasks. The Arc B580's 13.67 TFLOPS FP32 performance can assist with viewport rendering, but its lower compute percentile relative to the CPU means the processor will do the heavy lifting.

Software development benefits greatly from the CPU's configuration. The 16 cores and 24 threads allow for fast compilation of large codebases, with PassMark integer math score of 147575 showing strong processing of integer operations common in compilation. The PassMark data compression score of 563709 indicates rapid handling of archive and build toolsage. The i9-12900KS's 89th percentile ranking ensures that code builds will be quick, while the GPU is sufficient for UI rendering and light graphical debugging.

For student and office work, this system is massively overqualified. The combination of a 5.50 GHz boost clock for snappy single-threaded application performance and 24 threads for multitasking across dozens of browser tabs, office suites, and communication tools is more than sufficient. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 could even handle basic display tasks if the Arc B580 is not needed, though the discrete GPU's 12 GB VRAM provides ample support for any graphical acceleration in presentations or data visualization.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i9-12900KS posts an average benchmark score of 45094, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. This is a commanding position, with its nearest rival being the AMD EPYC 4344P, which scores 45122 and leads by a negligible 0.1%. The i9-12900KS leads the Intel Core i5-14600, which scores 44889, by 0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D, which scores 44573, by 1.2%. In multi-core tests, the i9's dominance is clear: its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 36859, and its 3DMark max threads score is 11897. Single-core performance is also strong, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 and a 3DMark single-thread score of 1121.

The Intel Arc B580 achieves an average benchmark score of 23021, placing it in the 68th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP, which scores 23061 and leads by 0.2%. The Arc B580 beats the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, scoring 22895, by 0.6%, but falls behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, scoring 23172, by 0.7%. The GPU's best benchmark result is its Geekbench Vulkan score of 109672, indicating strong modern API support. Its PassMark G3D score of 15748 is the primary gaming metric, while its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3068 shows moderate DirectX 12 performance.

The combined picture reveals a system where the CPU is the clear performance leader. The 89th percentile CPU versus the 68th percentile GPU creates a mismatch, with the processor offering significantly more relative computational power than the graphics card. The combined percentile of 79 reflects this, being closer to the CPU's percentile than the GPU's, but still dragged down by the graphics card's more modest showing. For compute-heavy tasks, this system will perform near the top of the database, while for gaming, it will perform in the upper-mid tier.

Who Should Build It

This build is ideal for content creators who spend most of their time in CPU-heavy applications. Video editors and 3D artists will benefit from the i9-12900KS's 24 threads and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 36859, which will slash render times. The GPU's 12 GB VRAM is a bonus for larger textures and previews, but the CPU is the main productivity engine. Gamers at 1080p and 1440p will find a solid foundation, with the Arc B580's 68th percentile providing playable frame rates in most titles, though they may not achieve maximum settings on the most demanding 2024 releases.

Software developers are a target audience, as the CPU's high integer math score of 147575 and data compression score of 563709 indicate rapid build and test cycles. The 16 cores handle parallel compilation effortlessly, and the 89th CPU percentile means this system competes with much more expensive workstation processors. Students and small business workstations will be overpowered by this combination, but the headroom ensures longevity, meaning the system will remain responsive for years without needing an upgrade, particularly if the workload involves data analysis or virtual machines.

The Arc B580's 68th percentile makes it a capable choice for gamers who play esports titles or are willing to tweak settings for AAA games. However, the system's true target is the professional or prosumer who occasionally games. The CPU's 89th percentile is the primary draw, and the GPU is a competent companion that covers the graphics needs without becoming the bottleneck in productivity tasks. This is not a build for those seeking maximum frame rates; it is for those seeking maximum computational throughput with a decent gaming secondary function.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, manufactured on a 10 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with a TDP of 150 W. 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 configuration allows for a 3DMark max threads score of 11897)Skip and a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 36859.

The benchmark scores reveal a processor that excels in multi-threaded workloads. The PassMark multithread score of 43698 and Geekbench multi-core score of 18538 are among the highest in the database, placing it in the 89th percentile. The data encryption score of 31403 and extended instructions score of 35089 indicate strong performance in security and vectorized tasks. The floating point math score of 111429 is particularly high, making it suited for scientific simulations and financial modeling.

Single-thread performance is equally impressive, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 and a PassMark single-thread score of 4330. The 3DMark single-thread score of 1121 confirms this, and the 5.50 GHz boost clock is the key driver. This ensures that the CPU does not hold back any application, including older software that relies on a few fast cores. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 2212 shows strong dual-core performance, which is relevant for many older games.

The Alder Lake architecture uses a hybrid design, though the FACT PACK does not specify P-core and E-core counts. The 24 threads from 16 cores indicate that 8 cores have Hyper-Threading, likely the performance cores. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 10316 versus the max threads score of 11897 shows that scaling beyond 16 threads provides a 15.3% improvement, indicating that the additional 8 threads contribute meaningfully to multi-threaded performance. This is a well-balanced CPU for both gaming and productivity.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc B580 is built on the Xe2-HPG architecture, codenamed Battlemage, using a 5 nm process at TSMC. It contains 19,600 million transistors on a 272 mm² die, with a transistor density of 72.1M per mm². The GPU has 2560 shading units, 160 texture mapping units, and 80 raster operation units. It operates at a base and boost clock of 2670 MHz, with a memory clock of 2375 MHz or 19 Gbps effective. The 12 GB GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit bus provides a bandwidth of 456.0 GB/s.

The benchmark results show mixed performance. The PassMark G3D score of 15748 places it in the 68th percentile, which is respectable but not enthusiast-tier. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 109672 is strong, indicating excellent support for modern graphics APIs. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 3068 shows moderate performance in the latest DirectX 12 workloads. The Pixel rate of 213.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 427.2 GTexel/s are decent for its class.

The GPU has 20 dedicated ray tracing cores, and its FP32 performance is rated at 13.67 TFLOPS. The FP16 performance is 27.34 TFLOPS, with a 2:1 ratio, which is useful for AI and compute workloads that can use half precision. The PassMark GPU compute score of 7729 is notably lower than its G3D score, suggesting that the card is optimized for graphics over general compute. The OpenCL score of 92821 in Geekbench is more favorable, showing good OpenCL compute performance.

The 12 GB VRAM is a key advantage, as it exceeds the 8 GB found on many competing cards and is sufficient for high-resolution textures at 1080p and 1440p. The 456.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures that the memory can feed the GPU cores effectively. The dual-slot design and 1x 8-pin power connector suggest a power draw of 190 W. The display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1a and 3x DisplayPort 2.1, supporting modern high-refresh and high-resolution monitors.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data clearly shows that the CPU is the dominant component in this pairing. The i9-12900KS at the 89th percentile is significantly stronger relative to the Arc B580 at the 68th percentile. In CPU-bound workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation, the system will perform near the top of the database, with the GPU playing a minor role. The CPU's 24 threads and high multi-core scores ensure that these tasks are not bottlenecked by the processor.

In gaming, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The Arc B580's 68th percentile and PassMark G3D score of 15748 will limit frame rates, particularly at 1440p and above. The CPU's single-thread performance is so strong that it is unlikely to hold back the GPU in most scenarios, but the GPU will be the limiting factor in achieving high FPS in demanding titles. The FPS scaling will be dictated by the GPU's performance, and the CPU's headroom means that upgrading the GPU later would yield significant frame rate improvements without needing to change the processor.

The combined percentile of 79 reflects this imbalance. The system is more than the sum of its parts for productivity, where the CPU's 89th percentile dominates, but less than that for gaming, where the GPU's 68th percentile drags the average down. The PassMark data compression score of 563709 for the CPU shows that data-heavy tasks will fly, while the GPU's PassMark DirectX 11 score of 128 indicates that older graphics workloads may not scale as expected. The bottleneck is clearly the GPU in any graphics-intensive scenario.

For workloads that use both components, such as gaming while streaming, the balance is workable. The CPU has enough multi-thread headroom to encode video while the GPU renders frames, but the GPU will still limit the final frame rate. The system's overall performance is a reflection of its weakest link, which is the GPU, but the CPU's strength provides a platform for future balance through a graphics card upgrade.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build combining the Intel Core i9-12900KS and the Intel Arc B580. The CPU is a 16-core, 24-thread processor from the Alder Lake generation, released in April 2022, with a launch MSRP of $739. The GPU is a Battlemage architecture card, released in December 2024, with a launch MSRP of 249 USD. The pairing represents a high-end CPU from the 12th Gen Core series with a mid-range GPU from Intel's Arc 5 series.

The overall tier of this build, as indicated by the combined percentile of 79, is high. It outperforms 79% of all CPU and GPU combinations in the databaseage. This places it in the upper echelon of desktop systems, primarily due to the CPU's 89th percentile ranking. The GPU's 68th percentile is lower, but still above the median, ensuring that the system is well-rounded for both productivity and gaming.

The class is explicitly defined as desktop, meaning it is intended for a stationary, full-size chassis with standard power and cooling. The CPU has a TDP of 150 W, and the GPU has a TDP of 190 W, with a suggested PSU of 450 W. This is a power-hungry combination, requiring a capable power supply and adequate cooling for the CPU's high boost clocks.

The build's identity is that of a workstation-class CPU paired with a mainstream GPU. It is a system designed for users who need maximum CPU compute power but do not require top-tier graphics performance. The i9-12900KS is a flagship processor, while the Arc B580 is a mid-range offering, making this a CPU-first build where the GPU is sufficient for moderate gaming and graphics acceleration but is not the primary investment.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Core i9-12900KS is based on the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, allowing for high-bandwidth connectivity to a graphics card or NVMe storage. The memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s, which is a baseline for the platform. ECC memory support is available, a feature that is valuable for workstation reliability.

A sensible next upgrade would be to replace the Arc B580 with a higher-performing GPU. The CPU's 89th percentile and 24 threads provide ample headroom to support a much faster graphics card without bottlenecking. The PCIe Gen 5 interface ensures that any modern GPU can be fully utilized. The 450 W suggested PSU may need to be upgraded for a more powerful GPU, as the current 190 W GPU leaves limited headroom.

The platform's memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers flexibility, but users should note that the i9-12900KS's memory controller may perform differently with each type. The 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is the theoretical maximum, and users with DDR5 can achieve this, while DDR4 will have lower bandwidth. This is a consideration for those looking to maximize performance in memory-sensitive workloads.

Future upgrades could also include adding more storage via the PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which support the fastest NVMe SSDs. However, the CPU itself is already a high-end part, so a CPU upgrade would not be necessary for several generations. The platform's longevity is tied to the LGA 1700 socket, which supports 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Core processors, but the i9-12900KS already offers near-top performance. The most impactful upgrade path is clearly the GPU.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this specific CPU+GPU combination, and the dataIsMeasured field is false. Therefore, all frame rate figures discussed here are estimates based on the benchmark scores of the individual components. The Arc B580's 68th percentile and PassMark G3D score of 15748 are the primary indicators of gaming performance, while the CPU's single-thread score of 1121 in 3DMark ensures it will not be a limiting factor.

At 1080p resolution with ultra settings, the Arc B580 is estimated to provide playable frame rates in most modern titles. The 12 GB VRAM is sufficient for high-resolution textures, and the 456.0 GB/s bandwidth should prevent memory bottlenecks. However, the 68th GPU percentile suggests that the most demanding AAA games may struggle to maintain 60 FPS at ultra settings, and users may need to lower settings to high or medium to achieve smooth gameplay.

At 1440p resolution, the GPU's limitations become more apparent. The 68th percentile ranking and the fact that it only matches the RTX 2080, which is a previous-generation card, indicate that 1440p ultra settings will be challenging. Users should expect to rely on upscaling technologies or reduced settings to achieve playable frame rates. The CPU's strength cannot compensate for the GPU's raw rasterization performance in this scenario.

For esports titles like Counter-Strike or Valorant, the Arc B580 is estimated to deliver very high frame rates at 1080p, potentially exceeding 144 FPS due to the CPU's strong single-thread performance. The 3DMark 2-thread score of 2212 for the CPU supports this, as these games are often CPU-bound. For 4K gaming, the Arc B580 is not recommended, as the 68th percentile and the RTX 2080-level performance will likely result in sub-30 FPS in most AAA titles at ultra settings, and even medium settings may be too demanding. The estimates indicate that this system is best suited for 1080p and light 1440p gaming.