SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900KS + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

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

96 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 4% 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
99%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900KS

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

NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

135,218 Benchmark Score
Top 1% 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 i9-12900KS and NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation form a desktop pairing that targets a specific intersection of high-frequency CPU responsiveness and professional-grade GPU compute. The data shows a system built on a 16-core Alder Lake processor and a workstation-class Ada Lovelace GPU, with the combined hardware landing in the 92nd percentile against all measured configurations. This analysis examines the benchmark scores to understand where this pairing excels, where its bottlenecks lie, and who would find this configuration most useful, with the caveat that no measured FPS data exists for this exact combination.

Balance and Bottleneck

The fundamental balance of this system is defined by the CPU’s single-thread dominance versus the GPU’s raw compute throughput. The Core i9-12900KS posts a 3DMark single-thread score of 1121, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while its max-thread score of 11897 shows a 10.6x scaling factor from single to full core utilization. This indicates a processor that is exceptionally responsive in lightly-threaded tasks but still capable of substantial parallel throughput. The GPU, with an average benchmark score of 135218 and a 95th percentile ranking, is the clear performance ceiling of this system.

Bottleneck analysis from the scores suggests the CPU will limit the GPU in specific scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions or in lightly-threaded workloads. The i9-12900KS’s 3DMark 4-thread score of 4320 is strong, but the GPU’s Geekbench OpenCL score of 146593 dwarfs any CPU-side computation. In gaming, the GPU is designed for rendering, not physics or game logic, so the CPU’s PassMark single-thread score of 4330 becomes the limiting factor for frame pacing. Conversely, in compute-heavy tasks like 3D rendering or data encryption, the CPU’s PassMark data encryption score of 31403 and integer math score of 147575 show it can feed the GPU efficiently, but the GPU’s FP32 throughput of 26.73 TFLOPS will dominate the workload.

The FPS scaling evidence is absent due to no measured frames, but the percentile delta tells the story: the GPU sits 6 percentile points higher than the CPU. This 6-point gap suggests that in an ideal world, the CPU would need to be roughly 6% faster to perfectly balance the system at 1080p gaming, but the CPU’s 89th percentile is only 1.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D in average score, meaning it is not a weak link. The real bottleneck emerges in multi-threaded professional workloads where the GPU’s 20 GB VRAM and 360.0 GB/s bandwidth are the primary assets, and the CPU’s 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth becomes a secondary constraint.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU’s average benchmark score is 45094, placing it within 0.1% of the AMD EPYC 4344P and 1.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D. This is a tightly contested field, but the i9-12900KS distinguishes itself in specific tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 36859, which is a strong result for a 150 W TDP processor, while its single-core score of 5203 is elite. The Geekbench multicore score of 18538 and single-core score of 2408 reinforce this dual-strength profile. The PassMark multithread score of 43698 and floating-point math score of 111429 show the CPU handles sustained parallel loads well, but the find prime numbers score of 158 is notably low, indicating a relative weakness in certain integer-heavy, low-cache workloads.

The GPU’s performance is defined by its Geekbench OpenCL score of 146593 and Vulkan score of 123842, averaging to 135218. This puts it statistically tied with the NVIDIA A10M (0% delta) and just 0.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon PRO W6800. The GPU’s 95th percentile ranking among all GPUs is 6 points higher than the CPU’s 89th percentile, confirming it is the stronger component. The combined percentile of 92 reflects a system where the GPU carries more weight in overall performance. The data shows a pairing where the CPU is a high-end enthusiast part, but the GPU is a near-top-tier workstation part, meaning the CPU will not hold back the GPU in most professional tasks, but the GPU will wait on the CPU in latency-sensitive scenarios.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU-GPU combination, so all gaming figures here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The data clearly indicates this system is designed for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1440p and 4K resolutions, where the GPU’s 95th percentile ranking and 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 performance will drive frame rates. The CPU’s 3DMark 8-thread score of 7872 and 16-thread score of 10316 suggest it can prepare frames fast enough for the GPU to render at high settings.

Estimated at 1080p ultra, the GPU’s raw power would push frame rates well beyond 144 Hz in most titles, but the CPU’s single-thread score of 1121 in 3DMark would become the limiting factor in esports titles, potentially capping frame rates around 200-300 FPS depending on the game engine. At 1440p ultra, the balance shifts to the GPU, and the system should deliver 100-144 FPS in AAA titles, with the 20 GB VRAM preventing any memory-related stutters. At 4K ultra, the GPU’s 360.0 GB/s bandwidth and 2175 MHz boost clock become the primary drivers, and the system would likely achieve 60-100 FPS in demanding titles, provided the CPU can maintain a 60 FPS minimum in CPU-bound scenes. These estimates are speculative without measured data, but the percentile gap between CPU and GPU suggests that 1440p is the sweet spot where neither component consistently bottlenecks the other.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: This system is capable of 144 Hz gaming at 1440p in most titles, based on the GPU’s 95th percentile ranking. The CPU’s single-thread score of 4330 in PassMark and 5203 in Cinebench R23 ensures frame pacing is stable, but the lack of measured FPS data means specific refresh rates are estimates. At 1080p, the CPU may bottleneck the GPU in less demanding titles, so 1440p is the recommended target.

Streaming: The CPU’s 24 threads and PassMark multithread score of 43698 provide ample headroom for simultaneous game encoding and streaming. The GPU’s 192 tensor cores and 48 RT cores can also offload encoding tasks, but the data does not specify NVENC capabilities. The system should handle 1080p60 streaming without impacting gaming performance, given the CPU’s 89th percentile ranking.

Video editing: The GPU’s 20 GB VRAM and 360.0 GB/s bandwidth are well-suited for 4K video timelines, while the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 ensures fast export times. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 146593 suggests the GPU accelerates effects and color grading significantly. This is a professional-grade editing rig.

3D rendering: The GPU’s 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 and 6144 shading units make it a rendering beast, with the CPU’s PassMark integer math score of 147575 supporting scene preparation. The 20 GB VRAM handles large textures, but the CPU’s 30 MB L3 cache may limit scene complexity in CPU-based renderers. The data shows a system that excels in GPU-accelerated renders like Blender Cycles or Octane.

Software development: The CPU’s PassMark data compression score of 563709 and random string sorting score of 60539 indicate fast compilation and code analysis. The 24 threads handle parallel builds efficiently, and the GPU accelerates machine learning workloads via its 192 tensor cores. This is a capable developer workstation, though the 150 W TDP is high for a constant-load office machine.

Student and office work: This is overkill for typical student workloads. The CPU’s single-thread score of 4330 is more than sufficient for document processing and web browsing, but the 150 W TDP and the GPU’s 130 W TDP make this an inefficient choice for basic tasks. The UHD Graphics 770 integrated GPU could handle office workloads with the discrete GPU idle, but the system’s power draw is unnecessary for this scenario.

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 L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3 cache. Its memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The processor supports ECC memory and offers Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Benchmark scores reveal a CPU that is optimized for bursty, single-threaded performance. The 3DMark single-thread score of 1121 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 are top-tier, driven by the 5.50 GHz boost clock. The multithread scores, particularly Cinebench R23 multicore at 36859, show that the 16 cores scale well, but the PassMark find prime numbers score of 158 indicates a weakness in cache-sensitive integer loops. The Geekbench multicore score of 18538 is 7.7x the single-core score of 2408, showing near-linear scaling for 24 threads. The data suggests this CPU is a hybrid design that excels in gaming and single-threaded productivity but is outclassed by more core-dense server chips in heavily parallel workloads, as evidenced by its 0.1% deficit to the AMD EPYC 4344P.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The i9-12900KS uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s is a potential bottleneck for the GPU’s 360.0 GB/s bandwidth, but this is a CPU-side constraint that affects data feeding, not rendering throughput. The platform offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, which is sufficient for the RTX 4000 Ada’s PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, with headroom for future Gen 5 GPUs. The GPU has a suggested PSU of 300 W, and the CPU’s TDP is 150 W, meaning a 450 W PSU is the minimum reliable configuration, though the data does not specify a combined system requirement.

A sensible next upgrade would be a newer Socket 1700 CPU with higher core counts or a larger L3 cache, but the data shows the i9-12900KS is only 0.5% behind the Intel Core i5-14600, suggesting the platform is already near its performance ceiling. For the GPU, an upgrade to a Blackwell PRO W successor would be logical, but the current RTX 4000 Ada is already in the 95th percentile, so the performance gain would be marginal. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes are the most future-proof aspect of this platform, ensuring compatibility with next-generation storage and GPUs. The 16-pin power connector on the GPU requires a modern PSU, but the 300 W suggested PSU is modest for a workstation GPU.

Who Should Build It

This system targets professionals who need a desktop workstation with high single-thread CPU performance and near-top-tier GPU compute. Gamers at 1440p or 4K resolutions will benefit from the GPU’s 95th percentile ranking, but the CPU’s 89th percentile is overkill for gaming alone. Content creators working with 4K video or complex 3D scenes will find the 20 GB VRAM and 26.73 TFLOPS indispensable, while the CPU’s 24 threads ensure smooth preview and export. Software developers working on large codebases will appreciate the PassMark data compression score of 563709, which indicates fast build times, and the GPU’s tensor cores enable local machine learning experimentation.

Students in engineering or data science programs could use this system for CUDA-based assignments, but the 150 W CPU TDP and 130 W GPU TDP make it a poor choice for dorm-room efficiency. Small business workstations for CAD or architectural visualization would benefit from the GPU’s workstation drivers and ECC memory support on the CPU, but the cost is justified only if the workload consistently uses the GPU’s compute capabilities. The data shows this is not a general-purpose build; it is a specialized tool for users who demand the best of both CPU and GPU without compromising on either.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build pairing the Intel Core i9-12900KS with the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation. The CPU is a 16-core Alder Lake processor with a 5.50 GHz boost clock, and the GPU is a workstation-class Ada Lovelace chip with 20 GB of GDDR6 memory. The combined percentile of 92 places this system in the top 8% of all measured configurations, with the GPU’s 95th percentile being the standout component. The CPU’s 89th percentile is strong but not exceptional, making this a GPU-centric build where the processor provides a solid foundation rather than a bottleneck.

The system’s class is desktop, and its tier is high-end professional. The CPU’s 150 W TDP and the GPU’s 130 W TDP suggest a total system power draw that requires a quality 300 W PSU at minimum, but the data does not specify combined power. The release dates show the CPU launched in April 2022 and the GPU in August 2023, indicating a two-generation gap that is mitigated by the GPU’s modern architecture. This build is best described as a workstation that can game, rather than a gaming PC that can work, given the GPU’s professional lineage and the CPU’s enthusiast overclocking features.

FAQ

Q: What is the single most important benchmark score for this CPU?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5203 is the most telling, as it places the i9-12900KS in the top tier for lightly-threaded tasks, which is critical for gaming and legacy software. This score is 1.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D in average CPU score, showing competitive single-thread performance.

Q: Does the GPU have enough VRAM for 4K gaming?

A: Yes, the 20 GB GDDR6 memory is more than sufficient for 4K textures, and the 360.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures data delivery is not a bottleneck. The GPU’s 95th percentile ranking suggests it can handle 4K ultra settings, though no measured FPS data confirms this.

Q: Can this system handle 3D rendering workloads?

A: The GPU’s 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 and 6144 shading units make it a powerful renderer, and the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multicore score of 36859 supports scene preparation. The 48 RT cores accelerate ray tracing, but the CPU’s 30 MB L3 cache may limit complex scenes in CPU-based render engines.

Q: Is the CPU a bottleneck for the GPU in gaming?

A: In most scenarios, no. The CPU’s 89th percentile and 3DMark single-thread score of 1121 are strong, but the GPU’s 95th percentile is higher. At 1080p in esports titles, the CPU may limit frame rates, but at 1440p and above, the GPU becomes the primary driver.

Q: What is the upgrade path from this CPU?

A: The Socket 1700 platform supports newer CPUs, but the i9-12900KS is only 0.5% behind the Intel Core i5-14600, so the performance gain is minimal. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes are the most future-proof feature, allowing for next-generation GPUs and storage without a platform change.

Q: Does this system support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the CPU supports ECC memory, which is beneficial for workstation stability. The memory bus is dual-channel with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving builders flexibility.

Q: Can the integrated GPU be used for additional displays?

A: Yes, the CPU includes UHD Graphics 770, which can drive displays independently of the RTX 4000 Ada. The GPU has 4x DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, so a user could run up to 5 displays total, though the integrated GPU is less capable for 3D workloads.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation is a workstation GPU based on the AD104 chip, built on TSMC’s 5 nm process with 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. It features 6144 shading units, 192 TMUs, and 64 ROPs, with 48 RT cores and 192 tensor cores. The memory subsystem consists of 20 GB of GDDR6 on a 160-bit bus, delivering 360.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The base clock is 1500 MHz with a boost clock of 2175 MHz, and the memory runs at 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective). The GPU has a 130 W TDP and requires a single 16-pin power connector, with a suggested PSU of 300 W.

Benchmark results show a Geekbench OpenCL score of 146593 and a Vulkan score of 123842, averaging to 135218. This places it in the 95th percentile of all GPUs, statistically tied with the NVIDIA A10M (0% delta) and 0.1% ahead of the AMD Radeon PRO W6800. The FP32 performance of 26.73 TFLOPS is identical to its FP16 performance, indicating a 1:1 ratio that is typical for workstation GPUs, while the pixel rate of 139.2 GPixel/s and texture rate of 417.6 GTexel/s show strong rasterization capabilities. The 48 RT cores and 192 tensor cores provide hardware acceleration for ray tracing and AI workloads, respectively, and the GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The single-slot design and 245 mm length make it compatible with most desktop cases, and the 4x DisplayPort 1.4a outputs support multi-monitor professional setups. The 20 GB VRAM is the standout feature, allowing for large datasets and high-resolution textures that would exceed the capacity of consumer GPUs, and the 95th percentile ranking confirms this is a top-tier compute device for rendering, simulation, and AI inference.