SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

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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93 Score

Top 7% Ranking

93 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 7% 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

93%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900KS

45,094 Benchmark Score

Top 7% Market Ranking

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GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

26,331 Benchmark Score

Top 7% 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

This pairing unites Intel’s top-tier 12th Gen desktop flagship, the Core i9-12900KS, with NVIDIA’s entry-level Blackwell GPU, the GeForce RTX 5060. The result is a desktop build where the CPU’s 89th percentile ranking among all processors vastly outclasses the GPU’s 72nd percentile standing, creating a pronounced performance imbalance that favors heavily threaded productivity workloads over high-resolution gaming. The data shows a combined percentile of 81 for the system, but with no measured FPS rows available for this exact combination, all gaming frame rates discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores rather than direct measurements.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900KS is a 16-core, 24-thread processor built on the Alder Lake architecture using Intel’s 10 nm process node. It operates with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, with a TDP of 150 W. The chip features a hybrid design typical of Alder Lake-S, combining performance and efficiency cores, though the FACT PACK does not specify the exact core distribution. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus, providing 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. The CPU integrates UHD Graphics 770, offers 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, and fits the Intel Socket 1700.

Benchmark results reveal a processor with exceptional multi-threaded capability. In Cinebench R23, the i9-12900KS scores 36859 points multi-core and 5203 points single-core. The single-core score is particularly strong, placing it among the fastest desktop chips for lightly threaded tasks. Multi-threaded performance is equally impressive: the 3DMark 16-thread test yields 10316 points, while the max-thread test reaches 11897 points, and the 2-thread and 4-thread tests score 2212 and 4320 respectively. These numbers indicate strong scaling from 2 to 16 threads, with diminishing returns beyond that point as the max-thread score only modestly exceeds the 16-thread result.

The Geekbench scores reinforce this picture: 18538 multi-core and 2408 single-core. PassMark tests show high throughput in specialized workloads, including 563709 in data compression, 31403 in data encryption, 35089 in extended instructions, 111429 in floating point math, 147575 in integer math, and 60539 in random string sorting. The multithread PassMark score of 43698 and single-thread score of 4330 position the CPU well above average. With an average benchmark score of 45094 and a percentile rank of 89 among all CPUs, the i9-12900KS sits just 0.1% behind the AMD EPYC 4344P (45122) and 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600 (44889). It also leads the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D (44573) by 1.2% and the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (44466) by 1.4%. This suggests the i9-12900KS is competitive with modern mid-range server and desktop chips, despite being from an older generation.

For real workloads, the 36859-point Cinebench R23 multi-core score indicates excellent performance in video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation tasks. The 5.50 GHz boost clock and 5203-point single-core score ensure snappy responsiveness in everyday applications and strong performance in games that rely on single-threaded performance. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache and 1.25 MB L2 per core provide ample cache for data-intensive workloads. The CPU’s 89th percentile ranking means it outperforms roughly 89% of all processors in the database, making it a high-tier part for productivity despite being released in 2022.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU’s average benchmark score of 45094 places it in the 89th percentile, while the GPU’s average benchmark score of 26331 places it in the 72nd percentile. The combined percentile for this pairing is 81, reflecting the CPU’s dominance in the overall system score. The CPU’s nearest rival is the AMD EPYC 4344P with an average score of 45122, a negligible 0.1% difference, meaning the i9-12900KS effectively trades blows with a server-class chip. In contrast, the GPU’s nearest rival is the AMD Radeon 860M with an average score of 26401, just 0.3% higher, and the NVIDIA GeForce MX550 at 26421, also 0.3% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary scores 26553, 0.8% higher, while the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT scores 26011, 1.2% lower.

This GPU performance tier is surprising for a 50-series card, as it places the RTX 5060 in the same league as integrated graphics solutions like the Radeon 860M and low-end mobile GPUs like the MX550. The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 3628, and its Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan scores are 112787 and 113321 respectively. PassMark results show 20891 in G3D and 10899 in GPU compute. These scores suggest the RTX 5060 is a capable entry-level GPU for 1080p gaming, but it does not compete with higher-tier desktop cards. The combined picture shows a system where the CPU can handle massive multi-threaded workloads, but the GPU will bottleneck any graphics-intensive task, including gaming at higher resolutions or with demanding settings.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this exact CPU+GPU combination, as the `measuredFpsUltraByGame` field is empty and `dataIsMeasured` is false. Therefore, all frame rate figures discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores and should not be treated as empirical results. The CPU’s strong single-threaded performance (5203 in Cinebench R23 single-core, 1121 in 3DMark single-thread) suggests it will not limit frame rates in most games, as modern titles rarely utilize more than a few cores effectively. However, the GPU’s 72nd percentile ranking and modest average score of 26331 indicate it will be the primary constraint.

For 1080p gaming at ultra settings, the RTX 5060’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 3628 implies it can handle esports titles and older games at high frame rates, but newer AAA titles may struggle to maintain 60 FPS at maximum quality. At 1440p, frame rates would drop further, likely falling below playable thresholds for demanding games. At 4K, the GPU would be severely challenged, with estimated frame rates well below 30 FPS for most modern titles. The CPU’s performance headroom means that lowering graphics settings or resolution would allow the GPU to deliver higher frame rates, but the GPU’s absolute performance ceiling is low relative to its peers. Given that the GPU sits within 1.2% of the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT, users can expect performance roughly comparable to that older mid-range card, though the RTX 5060’s newer architecture may offer better efficiency and feature support.

Who Should Build It

This desktop build targets users who prioritize CPU-heavy workloads over gaming. The i9-12900KS’s 89th percentile ranking and 36859-point Cinebench R23 multi-core score make it ideal for content creators, video editors, 3D renderers, and software developers who need high multi-threaded throughput. The 147575 PassMark integer math score and 111429 floating point math score indicate strong performance in scientific computing, data analysis, and compilation tasks. Developers will benefit from the 563709 data compression score and 60539 random string sorting score, which are relevant for database and file system operations. Students and small business workstations that run virtual machines, compile code, or process large datasets will find the CPU’s 16 cores and 24 threads more than sufficient.

However, gamers at 1080p with moderate settings may still find the RTX 5060 adequate, but those seeking high-refresh or high-resolution experiences will be disappointed. The GPU’s 72nd percentile ranking places it below most dedicated desktop gaming cards, so this build is not recommended for gaming-first users. Instead, the target audience is professionals who occasionally game at 1080p or 1440p with reduced settings, where the CPU’s strong single-threaded performance (5203 in Cinebench R23 single-core) ensures smooth frame pacing even if absolute FPS is modest.

Balance and Bottleneck

The bottleneck analysis is clear: the GPU limits all graphics-intensive workloads. The CPU’s 89th percentile versus the GPU’s 72nd percentile creates a 17-percentile gap, and the CPU’s average benchmark score of 45094 is nearly double the GPU’s 26331. In gaming, the CPU’s single-threaded strength (1121 in 3DMark single-thread) means it will rarely be the limiting factor, even at low resolutions where CPU overhead matters most. Instead, the GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 3628 and PassMark G3D score of 20891 dictate the maximum frame rates.

For productivity workloads, the balance shifts. The CPU’s multi-threaded scores (36859 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 11897 in 3DMark max-threads) are exceptional, and the GPU’s compute capabilities (10899 in PassMark GPU compute) can assist in rendering tasks like video encoding or GPU-accelerated effects, but the CPU will handle the bulk of the work. In GPU-accelerated tasks, the RTX 5060’s 19.18 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 120 tensor cores provide some acceleration, but its low memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s and 8 GB VRAM may limit complex workloads. The data shows that this system is CPU-bound for most tasks, with the GPU only becoming the bottleneck in pure gaming or GPU-compute scenarios.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The RTX 5060’s 72nd percentile ranking suggests it cannot sustain high frame rates at 1080p ultra in most modern titles, making this scenario unrealistic for 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitors. Estimated frame rates would likely fall below 60 FPS in demanding games, with the CPU providing no help due to its high single-threaded performance.

Streaming: The CPU’s 16 cores and 24 threads, along with a 36859-point Cinebench R23 multi-core score, can handle game capture and encoding simultaneously without significant performance loss. The GPU’s tensor cores and modern architecture support hardware encoding, but the CPU alone has sufficient headroom for software encoding at reasonable bitrates.

Video editing: The i9-12900KS’s 18538-point Geekbench multi-core score and 43698 PassMark multithread score excel in timeline rendering, effects processing, and export tasks. The GPU’s 8 GB VRAM and 448.0 GB/s bandwidth can handle 1080p editing, but 4K projects may require proxy workflows.

3D rendering: Cinebench R23 multi-core at 36859 points indicates the CPU can handle CPU-based rendering (e.g., Blender Cycles) efficiently. The GPU’s 19.18 TFLOPS FP32 and 120 tensor cores offer some GPU-accelerated rendering, but its 8 GB VRAM may limit scene complexity.

Software development: The 147575 PassMark integer math score and 563709 data compression score speed up compilation, code analysis, and database operations. The 24 threads allow parallel builds, and the 5.50 GHz boost clock reduces single-threaded compile times.

Student and office work: The CPU’s 2408-point Geekbench single-core score ensures snappy application launches and multitasking. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback if the discrete GPU is not needed, though the RTX 5060’s presence makes this scenario overkill for basic productivity.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture using TSMC’s 5 nm process node, with a die size of 181 mm² and 21,900 million transistors. It features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 448.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 3840 shading units, 120 texture mapping units, 48 raster output units, 30 ray tracing cores, and 120 tensor cores. Its base clock is 2280 MHz, with a boost clock of 2497 MHz, and memory runs at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The FP32 performance is 19.18 TFLOPS, with FP16 also at 19.18 TFLOPS (1:1), and pixel and texture rates of 119.9 GPixel/s and 299.6 GTexel/s respectively. The card draws 145 W, requires a 300 W PSU, and uses a single 8-pin power connector.

Benchmark scores show the RTX 5060’s performance tier: 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 scores 3628, Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan score 112787 and 113321, and PassMark G3D and GPU compute score 20891 and 10899. These numbers place it in the 72nd percentile, with the AMD Radeon 860M and NVIDIA GeForce MX550 both scoring within 0.3% higher. This indicates the RTX 5060 performs similarly to integrated and low-end mobile GPUs despite being a discrete desktop card. The 30 RT cores support ray tracing, but the modest FP32 throughput suggests limited ray-traced gaming performance. The 120 tensor cores enable DLSS and other AI features, which can improve frame rates in supported titles, but the 8 GB VRAM may be insufficient for high-resolution textures. For rendering workloads, the GPU’s 19.18 TFLOPS FP32 is adequate for entry-level GPU rendering, but its low bandwidth and VRAM capacity will bottleneck complex scenes.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-12900KS ranks in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 45094.

Q: How does the RTX 5060 compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon 860M?

A: The RTX 5060 averages 26331 in benchmarks, which is 0.3% lower than the AMD Radeon 860M’s 26401 average score.

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

A: The combined percentile for the Intel Core i9-12900KS and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is 81.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12900KS supports ECC memory and offers dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 support with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory size and type?

A: The RTX 5060 has 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s.

Q: Are there any measured FPS results for this build?

A: No, the FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this exact combination, so all frame rate estimates are based on benchmark scores.

Q: What is the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The i9-12900KS scores 36859 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 5203 in single-core.

Build Overview

This desktop build pairs the Intel Core i9-12900KS, a 16-core/24-thread Alder Lake processor from the 12th Gen Core series, with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, an entry-level Blackwell GPU from the GeForce 50-series. The CPU’s 89th percentile ranking and the GPU’s 72nd percentile ranking produce a combined percentile of 81, indicating an overall system tier that is above average but heavily skewed toward CPU performance. The i9-12900KS’s launch MSRP was $739, while the RTX 5060’s launch MSRP was 299 USD, but this analysis avoids pricing comparisons. The build class is desktop, meaning it is intended for a stationary tower configuration with the listed socket and power requirements. As a pairing, it serves users who need exceptional multi-threaded processing for productivity, but it is ill-suited for high-end gaming due to the GPU’s modest performance ceiling. The data shows a system where the CPU is the clear star, and the GPU is a secondary component that meets entry-level graphics needs.

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core i9-12900KS

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060

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

CPU Analysis

Benchmark Performance

Gaming Performance

Who Should Build It

Balance and Bottleneck

Usage Scenarios

GPU Analysis

FAQ

Build Overview

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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