SYSTEM ANALYZER

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

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

88 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 12% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
91%
VS
GPU
85%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900T

37,112 Benchmark Score
Top 9% 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
View All Games →

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

# Balance and Bottleneck

The Intel Core i9-12900T and Intel Arc A310 pairing presents an extreme asymmetry in computational capability. The CPU sits at the 85th percentile among all processors, while the GPU rests at only the 40th percentile among all graphics cards. This 45-point gap in percentile positioning indicates that the processor will dominate the system's performance profile in virtually every workload that touches both components.

The CPU's PassMark multithread score of 29,601 and single-thread score of 3,810 dwarf the GPU's PassMark G3D score of 5,433 and compute score of 2,157. In gaming scenarios, the frame rate will be constrained by the GPU's rendering throughput rather than the CPU's ability to feed frames. The Arc A310's 4 GB GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit bus with 124.0 GB/s bandwidth represents a fundamental throughput limit that no amount of CPU horsepower can overcome.

The bottleneck analysis reveals a clear division of labor: the GPU limits frame generation in graphics-intensive tasks, while the CPU's 16 cores and 24 threads provide headroom for background workloads, physics calculations, and game logic. In CPU-bound scenarios such as strategy games or simulation titles at lower resolutions, the i9-12900T's single-core performance — evidenced by its 3,462 Cinebench R23 single-core score — ensures that the processor will not become the limiting factor before the GPU does.

The PassMark data compression score of 345,021 and encryption score of 20,750 indicate that the CPU handles data-intensive operations with ease, meaning that any perceived system sluggishness in multitasking scenarios would stem from the GPU's modest compute capabilities rather than processor limitations. The combined percentile of 63 for this pairing reflects the GPU dragging down what would otherwise be a top-tier CPU performance profile.

# Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i9-12900T delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 24,528 and a single-core score of 3,462. In Geekbench, the processor achieves 11,615 multicore and 2,259 single-core. The PassMark multithread score stands at 29,601, with a single-thread score of 3,810. The average benchmark score for the CPU is 37,112, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

The nearest rivals show a tightly clustered field. The AMD Ryzen 7 160 scores 37,117, a 0% delta from the i9-12900T. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 comes in at 37,093, trailing by 0.1%. The Intel Core i7-13700 scores 37,135, leading by 0.1%. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H scores 37,161, also leading by 0.1%. This grouping indicates that the i9-12900T performs essentially identically to these four alternatives in aggregate benchmark terms, despite being a low-power T-series part.

The Intel Arc A310 GPU achieves a Geekbench OpenCL score of 30,607 and a Vulkan score of 28,964. In PassMark, the G3D score is 5,433 with a G2D score of 625. DirectX 10, 11, 12, and 9 scores are 31, 33, 29, and 69 respectively. The GPU compute score is 2,157. The average benchmark score for the GPU is 7,550, placing it at the 40th percentile.

The GPU's nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon R7 250 with an average score of 7,557, trailing by 0.1%. The AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 scores 7,580, trailing by 0.4%. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 scores 7,472, leading by 1%. The AMD Radeon HD 8850M scores 7,447, leading by 1.4%. The Arc A310 sits in the middle of this group, performing within 1.4% of all four rivals.

The combined picture is a system where the CPU delivers top-tier processing power comparable to recent mid-range and high-end processors, while the GPU performs at a level consistent with entry-level discrete graphics cards from several generations ago.

# Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The Arc A310's 40th percentile GPU ranking places it firmly in entry-level territory. With 4 GB VRAM and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth, frame rates at high detail settings will be modest. The CPU's strong single-thread performance ensures that at lower resolutions and detail settings, the system can push higher frame rates, but the GPU's 2.688 TFLOPS FP32 throughput will cap overall gaming performance well below what high-refresh monitors demand.

Streaming: The i9-12900T's 16 cores and 24 threads provide ample headroom for encoding workloads alongside gaming. The PassMark multithread score of 29,601 indicates that the CPU can handle simultaneous game rendering and stream encoding without introducing a processing bottleneck. However, the GPU's modest capabilities may limit the quality settings achievable in games being streamed.

Video editing: The CPU's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 24,528 suggests strong performance in video encoding and rendering tasks. The PassMark floating-point math score of 75,741 further supports this. The GPU's 4 GB VRAM and 2,157 PassMark compute score will accelerate some effects but will not provide the rendering horsepower of a higher-tier GPU.

3D rendering: The CPU's 24,528 Cinebench R23 multicore result makes it capable of handling CPU-based rendering workloads effectively. The GPU's 5,376 TFLOPS FP16 throughput offers some acceleration for compatible renderers, but the 4 GB memory capacity will limit scene complexity in GPU-accelerated rendering.

Software development: The CPU's 24 threads and strong single-core performance — 3,462 in Cinebench R23 single-core — make compilation tasks efficient. The PassMark integer math score of 108,211 indicates robust arithmetic throughput for code processing. The GPU's capabilities are largely irrelevant for development workloads.

Student and office work: The CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 3,810 ensures responsive application performance for everyday tasks. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a backup display solution, while the Arc A310 handles GPU-accelerated applications. The 35 W TDP of the CPU and 30 W TDP of the GPU mean the system runs cool and quiet for classroom or office environments.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900T uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the Arc A310 GPU connects via PCIe 4.0 x8. This means the system can accommodate modern high-bandwidth storage devices and future GPU upgrades without changing the platform.

The CPU's 35 W TDP is remarkably low for a 16-core processor, and the GPU's 30 W TDP with a suggested PSU of 200 W means the existing power supply has substantial headroom. The system's total power draw is modest, allowing for a wide range of PSU options. The GPU requires no power connectors, simplifying installation.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i9-12900T, allowing for overclocking despite the low base clock of 1,400 MHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 30 MB shared L3 cache and per-core L2 cache of 1.25 MB provide ample data storage for workloads. The platform supports ECC memory? No — ECC memory is not supported, which limits certain workstation applications.

A sensible next upgrade would be a more powerful GPU. The PCIe 4.0 x8 interface on the Arc A310 means the slot bandwidth is sufficient for higher-tier graphics cards. The CPU's 85th percentile performance would not bottleneck a significantly faster GPU, allowing the system to scale into higher gaming and rendering performance tiers. The 200 W suggested PSU would need to be revisited for a more power-hungry GPU, but the platform itself is ready.

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900T is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. The die size measures 215 mm². The CPU features a base clock of 1,400 MHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, with a 35 W TDP that belies its core count. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3 cache.

The Alder Lake-S codename indicates a hybrid architecture, though the factor pack does not specify the P-core/E-core split. The processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel interface. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides basic display output capabilities. The CPU was released on January 3, 2022, with a launch MSRP of $489.

Benchmark results show a processor that performs at the 85th percentile overall. The Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2,472 and single-core score of 348 establish a baseline. The R20 scores of 10,301 multicore and 1,454 single-core show scaling. The R23 scores of 24,528 multicore and 3,462 single-core represent the most modern test. Geekbench scores of 11,615 multicore and 2,259 single-core corroborate the Cinebench results.

The PassMark suite reveals specialized strengths. Data compression scores 345,021, indicating excellent throughput for archiving and compression workloads. Data encryption scores 20,750, showing capable cryptographic performance. Extended instructions score 20,054. Find prime numbers scores 116. Floating-point math scores 75,741. Integer math scores 108,211. Random string sorting scores 39,771. Physics scores 1,811.

The nearest rival comparison shows the i9-12900T is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 160, AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H, all within 0.1% of each other in average benchmark score. This places the i9-12900T in a competitive position despite its low TDP, indicating the power efficiency of the Alder Lake architecture.

The 24 threads make this processor well-suited for heavily threaded workloads. The single-thread performance of 3,810 in PassMark demonstrates that the low base clock does not hamper burst performance. The unlocked multiplier provides overclocking headroom, though the 35 W TDP suggests the thermal solution is designed for efficiency rather than maximum performance.

# FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's core and thread count?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900T has 16 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the GPU's memory capacity and type?

A: The Intel Arc A310 has 4 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 64-bit bus.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The i9-12900T's average benchmark score of 37,112 is within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 160, AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H.

Q: Does the GPU require external power connectors?

A: No, the Intel Arc A310 has no power connectors and requires a suggested PSU of 200 W.

Q: What memory types does the CPU support?

A: The i9-12900T supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel interface.

Q: What is the GPU's DirectX support level?

A: The Arc A310 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the CPU's socket type?

A: The i9-12900T uses the Intel Socket 1700 interface.

# GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A310 is based on the Xe-HPG architecture and the DG2-128 chip, built on TSMC's 6 nm process node. The die contains 7,200 million transistors across 157 mm², yielding a transistor density of 45.9 million per mm². This is an Alchemist generation part, specifically from the Arc 3 series.

The GPU operates at a base clock of 1,750 MHz and a boost clock of 1,750 MHz, with memory clocked at 1,937 MHz or 15.5 Gbps effective. The 4 GB GDDR6 memory sits on a 64-bit bus, providing 124.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The shading units number 768, with 32 texture mapping units and 16 render output units. There are 6 ray tracing cores, though tensor core count is not specified.

The pixel rate is 28.00 GPixel/s and the texture rate is 56.00 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is 2.688 TFLOPS, while FP16 performance is 5.376 TFLOPS at a 2:1 ratio. The GPU has a 30 W TDP and is a single-slot design with no power connectors. It uses a PCIe 4.0 x8 bus interface and offers 4x mini-DisplayPort 2.0 outputs.

Benchmark results show the GPU at the 40th percentile. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 30,607 and Vulkan score of 28,964 indicate compute capability. PassMark scores are modest: DirectX 10 at 31, DirectX 11 at 33, DirectX 12 at 29, DirectX 9 at 69, G2D at 625, G3D at 5,433, and GPU compute at 2,157.

The nearest rival comparison shows the Arc A310 performing within 1.4% of the AMD Radeon R7 250, AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, and AMD Radeon HD 8850M. This places the GPU in the entry-level discrete segment. The 4 GB VRAM capacity limits texture-heavy workloads, while the 64-bit memory bus constrains bandwidth-sensitive applications. The ray tracing cores provide hardware acceleration for supported titles, though the overall compute throughput is limited.

The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, indicating feature-level compatibility with modern game engines. The 1750 MHz clock speed is moderate, and the 30 W TDP allows for passive or low-profile cooling solutions. The end-of-life production status and predecessor/successor designations (Xe Graphics and Battlemage) indicate this is a transitional product in Intel's Arc lineup.

# Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core i9-12900T, a 16-core, 24-thread desktop processor based on Alder Lake architecture, with the Intel Arc A310, a 4 GB GDDR6 graphics card based on the Xe-HPG architecture. The build class is desktop, and the combined percentile is 63.

The CPU at the 85th percentile represents a high-end processing core, while the GPU at the 40th percentile represents an entry-level graphics solution. This creates a system that excels in CPU-intensive workloads but remains modest in GPU-accelerated tasks. The combined percentile of 63 reflects this imbalance, positioning the overall build in the mid-range of system performance.

The platform supports DDR4 or DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5 for storage and expansion, and a 35 W CPU TDP with a 30 W GPU TDP. The 200 W suggested PSU provides substantial headroom. The system is a desktop-class build suitable for a range of productivity and light gaming applications.

# Who Should Build It

The target user for this build is someone who prioritizes CPU performance above all else. The i9-12900T's 85th percentile ranking makes it suitable for developers compiling large codebases, researchers running data analysis, and professionals handling spreadsheet-heavy workloads. The PassMark multithread score of 29,601 supports these use cases.

Content creators working with CPU-rendered video or 3D scenes will benefit from the processor's 24 threads and Cinebench R23 multicore score of 24,528. The GPU's 4 GB VRAM and 2,157 compute score provide modest acceleration for effects and previews, but the CPU carries the rendering load.

Gamers at 1080p with moderate detail settings will find the Arc A310 adequate for esports and older titles, while the CPU ensures smooth frame pacing. The 40th percentile GPU ranking indicates that high-detail gaming at higher resolutions is not this build's strength.

Students and office workers will appreciate the low power draw — 35 W CPU and 30 W GPU — which enables quiet, efficient operation. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 offers a fallback display solution. Small business workstations handling databases, accounting software, and document processing will benefit from the CPU's data compression score of 345,021 and encryption score of 20,750.

# Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact CPU-GPU combination. The FACT PACK contains no measuredFps data, so all frame rate discussion is estimated from the benchmark scores and should be treated as approximate.

Based on the GPU's PassMark G3D score of 5,433 and its position at the 40th percentile, expected gaming performance aligns with entry-level discrete graphics cards. The Arc A310's 4 GB VRAM and 124.0 GB/s bandwidth suggest that 1080p gaming at low-to-medium detail settings is feasible for less demanding titles. The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support ensures compatibility with modern game engines, but the 2.688 TFLOPS FP32 throughput will limit overall frame rates.

The CPU's strong single-thread performance — 3,462 in Cinebench R23 and 3,810 in PassMark — means that CPU-bound scenarios such as simulation games, strategy titles, and open-world games with heavy physics will not be processor-limited. The 16 cores and 24 threads provide ample headroom for game logic and background processes.

For esports titles and older games, the system should deliver playable frame rates at 1080p. For AAA games with high detail settings, the GPU will be the limiting factor, and players should expect to reduce resolution or detail settings to achieve acceptable performance. The 4 GB VRAM may require texture quality reductions in games with large texture packs. The GPU's ray tracing cores provide hardware RT support, but the modest compute throughput means ray-traced effects will carry a significant performance cost.