SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

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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95 Score

Top 5% Ranking

95 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 5% 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

97%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900KS

45,094 Benchmark Score

Top 7% Market Ranking

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GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

54,247 Benchmark Score

Top 3% 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.

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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 i9-12900KS and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 form a high-end desktop pairing that sits near the top of the performance hierarchy. The data indicates a system built for demanding workloads, with the CPU holding a percentile rank of 89 among all processors and the GPU at 86 among all graphics cards, resulting in a combined percentile of 88. This analysis relies exclusively on benchmark scores, as no measured FPS data exists for this specific combination; all gaming performance figures presented here are estimates derived from those scores.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance between the Core i9-12900KS and the RTX 4080 is characterized by a slight CPU-led advantage in compute potential, but the practical bottleneck shifts depending on the workload. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 45094 places it just 0.1% behind the AMD EPYC 4344P and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600, indicating a mature, high-performance design. The GPU’s average score of 54247 is nearly identical to the RTX 4080 SUPER, with a delta of only 0.1%, showing that the 4080 is already at the top of its performance tier.

For multi-threaded tasks, the CPU is unlikely to be the limiting factor. Its 3dmark_max_threads score of 11897 and Cinebench R23 multicore result of 36859 demonstrate substantial parallel throughput. However, the 3dmark score scaling tells a more nuanced story: from 2 threads (2212) to 4 threads (4320), the performance gain is 95%, but from 8 threads (7872) to 16 threads (10316), the gain drops to 31%. This indicates diminishing returns as more cores are utilized, a classic sign of memory bandwidth or cache contention in a dual-channel configuration.

The GPU presents a different bottleneck profile. With a 256-bit memory bus and 716.8 GB/s of bandwidth, the RTX 4080 is well-equipped for high-resolution textures, but its Passmark G3D score of 34457 and 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6567 suggest that raw compute is not the constraint. The Passmark DirectX 12 score of 132 is notably lower than the DirectX 11 score of 314, hinting that driver overhead or specific API optimizations could limit performance in certain titles.

In gaming, the CPU’s single-thread score of 1121 in 3dmark and 5203 in Cinebench R23 will likely keep frame rates high, but the GPU’s 16 GB VRAM and 48.74 TFLOPS FP32 performance mean that at 4K, the RTX 4080 becomes the primary bottleneck. Conversely, at lower resolutions, the CPU’s 5.50 GHz boost clock can drive high FPS, but the memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s might cap performance in CPU-intensive scenes. The data suggests that for 1440p and below, the CPU is adequate, while the GPU dominates at 4K.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i9-12900KS delivers a robust benchmark profile. Its 3dmark scores range from 2212 in the 2-thread test to 11897 in the max-thread test, with a single-thread score of 1121. In Cinebench, the R23 multicore score is 36859, while the single-core score is 5203, representing a 7.1x scaling factor from one core to all cores. Geekbench results show a multicore score of 18538 and a single-core score of 2408, a 7.7x scaling, which aligns with the 16-core/24-thread configuration.

The Passmark suite reveals specific strengths: integer math scores 147575, floating-point math scores 111429, and extended instructions score 35089. Data compression scores 563709, while encryption scores 31403. These numbers place the CPU at the 89th percentile, with rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D (1.2% lower average score) and Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (1.4% lower) trailing slightly.

The RTX 4080’s benchmark scores are equally impressive. In 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 6567, and in Geekbench, it achieves 214739 in OpenCL and 263779 in Vulkan. The Passmark G3D score of 34457 is complemented by a GPU compute score of 20671. The GPU’s percentile rank of 86 places it just behind the AMD Radeon Pro W5700X (1.1% higher) and ahead of the RTX 4080 SUPER (0.1% higher). The combined picture is a system where both components are within 1-2% of their nearest rivals, indicating a well-matched pair with no single component dramatically outclassing the other.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 10 nm process. It features a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with a 150 W TDP. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 215 mm², and the processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

The benchmark scores indicate a processor that excels in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. The 3dmark single-thread score of 1121 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 are high, suggesting strong per-core performance, which is critical for older games and lightly-threaded applications. The Passmark single-thread score of 4330 reinforces this. For multi-threaded workloads, the Cinebench R20 multicore score of 15480 and R15 multicore score of 3715 show that the processor scales well, though the Passmark data compression score of 563709 suggests that memory-intensive tasks benefit from the large L3 cache.

The architecture’s hybrid design—combining performance and efficiency cores—is not explicitly detailed in the data, but the thread count of 24 from 16 cores implies a mix that allows for efficient background processing. The processor’s 89th percentile rank means it outperforms 89% of all CPUs, and its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4344P, is virtually identical in average score (45122 vs 45094). For real workloads, this CPU is suited for tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation, where the 16 cores and 30 MB L3 cache provide ample headroom.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this CPU-GPU combination, so all gaming figures are estimates based on the benchmark scores. The CPU’s 3dmark 8-thread score of 7872 and single-thread score of 1121 indicate strong responsiveness for game logic and physics, while the GPU’s 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 6567 and Passmark G3D score of 34457 suggest high rasterization throughput.

At 1080p, the CPU’s 5.50 GHz boost clock and single-thread performance will likely push frame rates high, but the GPU’s pixel rate of 280.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 761.5 GTexel/s are more than sufficient. The RTX 4080’s FP32 performance of 48.74 TFLOPS suggests that most modern titles will run at very high frame rates, though the CPU’s memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s could be a limiting factor in CPU-bound scenes. At 1440p, the balance shifts slightly toward the GPU, and the 16 GB VRAM allows for high-resolution textures without exceeding memory capacity.

At 4K, the GPU becomes the primary driver. The 716.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and 16 GB GDDR6X VRAM are designed for 4K gaming, and the 3dmark Steel Nomad score of 6567 indicates strong DX12 performance. However, the Passmark DirectX 12 score of 132 is lower than the DirectX 11 score of 314, which could mean that some DX12 titles may not fully utilize the hardware. Overall, the estimates suggest that this system is capable of high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and solid 60+ FPS at 4K in most titles, but the lack of measured data means these figures are speculative.

FAQ

Q: What is the combined percentile rank of this CPU-GPU pairing?

A: The combined percentile is 88, placing it above 88% of all desktop configurations in the database.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 4344P?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has an average benchmark score of 45094, which is 0.1% lower than the EPYC 4344P’s score of 45122, making them statistically equivalent in performance.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory bandwidth and capacity?

A: The RTX 4080 features 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12900KS supports ECC memory, which is unusual for a consumer desktop processor.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the GPU?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 has a launch MSRP of 1,199 USD.

Q: How does the GPU perform in compute workloads compared to gaming?

A: The GPU scores 20671 in Passmark GPU compute, which is lower than its G3D score of 34457, indicating that gaming performance is stronger than raw compute performance.

Q: What is the CPU’s boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, which is among the highest for desktop processors in the database.

Usage Scenarios

For high-refresh gaming, the CPU’s single-thread score of 1121 in 3dmark and boost clock of 5.50 GHz will drive high frame rates at 1080p, while the GPU’s 3dmark Steel Nomad score of 6567 supports smooth performance at 1440p and above. The system is well-suited for competitive shooters where CPU speed matters.

For streaming, the CPU’s 16 cores and 24 threads, evidenced by a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859, can handle encoding alongside gaming, though the GPU’s NVENC hardware (implied by the 304 tensor cores) would offload this task. The Passmark data encryption score of 31403 suggests decent security processing for stream overlays.

Video editing benefits from the CPU’s multi-threaded performance, with a Passmark multithread score of 43698, and the GPU’s 48.74 TFLOPS FP32 accelerates effects and rendering. The 16 GB VRAM is ample for 4K timelines, and the 716.8 GB/s bandwidth handles large files.

3D rendering is a strong suit for this pairing. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 and the GPU’s Geekbench OpenCL score of 214739 provide a powerful combination for both CPU and GPU rendering, with the 30 MB L3 cache aiding in scene complexity.

Software development sees benefits from the CPU’s 16 cores and 24 threads, with a Passmark integer math score of 147575, accelerating compilation times. The 30 MB L3 cache reduces latency for frequently accessed code, and the 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth supports large build processes.

For student and office work, this system is overkill, but the CPU’s single-thread score of 4330 in Passmark ensures snappy application responsiveness, while the GPU’s 16 GB VRAM is unnecessary for basic tasks. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback if the discrete GPU is disabled.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is based on the AD103 chip, built on TSMC’s 5 nm process with 45,900 million transistors on a 379 mm² die. It features 9728 shading units, 304 TMUs, and 112 ROPs, with 76 RT cores and 304 tensor cores. The GPU has a base clock of 2205 MHz and a boost clock of 2505 MHz, with memory clocked at 1400 MHz (22.4 Gbps effective). The 16 GB of GDDR6X memory is accessed via a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s.

The pixel rate is 280.6 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 761.5 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 48.74 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 48.74 TFLOPS (1:1), indicating that the GPU does not use a specialized FP16 path. The 304 tensor cores are dedicated to AI workloads, such as DLSS, while the 76 RT cores handle ray tracing.

In benchmarks, the GPU scores 6567 in 3dmark Steel Nomad DX12, which is a measure of DX12 gaming performance. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 263779 is higher than the OpenCL score of 214739, suggesting better performance in Vulkan-based applications. The Passmark G3D score of 34457 places it at the 86th percentile, with the RTX 4080 SUPER being the nearest rival at 0.1% higher. For rendering, the GPU’s compute score of 20671 indicates strong performance in GPU-accelerated tasks, though the FP32 and FP16 parity suggests that FP16 workloads do not gain a speed advantage.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build combining the Intel Core i9-12900KS and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080. The CPU is a 16-core, 24-thread processor with a 5.50 GHz boost clock, while the GPU is a triple-slot card with 16 GB of GDDR6X memory. The combined percentile of 88 indicates that this system outperforms 88% of all configurations in the database, placing it in the high-end tier.

The CPU’s 89th percentile and the GPU’s 86th percentile are closely matched, meaning neither component is a significant bottleneck for the other. The system is designed for users who need both strong multi-threaded compute and high-end graphics performance, as evidenced by the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 and the GPU’s 3dmark Steel Nomad score of 6567. The build class is desktop, indicating a stationary, high-power system.

Who Should Build It

Gamers targeting 1440p or 4K resolutions will benefit from the RTX 4080’s 16 GB VRAM and 716.8 GB/s bandwidth, which supports high-resolution textures and ray tracing. The CPU’s single-thread score of 1121 in 3dmark ensures high frame rates in CPU-bound titles, making this a solid choice for enthusiasts.

Content creators working with 4K video will find the CPU’s 16 cores and 24 threads, with a Passmark multithread score of 43698, ideal for rendering and encoding. The GPU’s 48.74 TFLOPS FP32 accelerates effects, and the 304 tensor cores support AI-based tools.

Software developers compiling large codebases will appreciate the CPU’s integer math score of 147575 and 30 MB L3 cache, which reduces compilation times. The ECC memory support is a bonus for workstation stability.

Students and office workers may find this system excessive, but the CPU’s single-thread score of 4330 in Passmark ensures fast application loading, and the integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a backup. Small business workstations requiring ECC memory and multi-threaded performance for data analysis would benefit from the CPU’s 89th percentile rank.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900KS uses the Intel Socket 1700, which supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, meaning the GPU is not limited by the bus interface. The system’s memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s, which is a potential upgrade point if higher-speed memory is available.

The GPU has a TDP of 320 W, and the suggested PSU is 700 W, which provides headroom for the CPU’s 150 W TDP. The CPU is multiplier-unlocked, allowing for overclocking, though the 5.50 GHz boost clock is already high. The GPU is end-of-life, with a successor in the GeForce 50 series, but the RTX 4080’s 16 GB VRAM and 716.8 GB/s bandwidth remain competitive.

A sensible next upgrade would be to increase memory bandwidth by using faster DDR5 modules, as the CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes on the CPU are unused by the GPU, so a future PCIe Gen 5 GPU would not be bottlenecked by the interface. The 700 W PSU suggestion provides sufficient headroom for the current components, but a higher-wattage unit would be needed if the CPU is overclocked significantly or if a more power-hungry GPU is added later.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12900KS

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

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

Balance and Bottleneck

Benchmark Performance

CPU Analysis

Gaming Performance

FAQ

Usage Scenarios

GPU Analysis

Build Overview

Who Should Build It

Upgrade Path and Platform

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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