SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-12900T + Intel Arc A580

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

94 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 6% 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
91%
VS
GPU
97%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900T

37,112 Benchmark Score
Top 9% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A580

57,756 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
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

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900T is a 16-core, 24-thread processor built on the Alder Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die size. It combines performance and efficiency cores, running at a 1.40 GHz base clock with a 4.90 GHz boost clock. This is a 35 W TDP part, which is exceptionally low for a 16-core desktop CPU, indicating a strong focus on power efficiency rather than raw sustained throughput. The processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, giving builders flexibility in platform cost and memory performance.

Benchmark results show a strong multi-threaded performer. In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 24,528 points in multi-core and 3,462 points in single-core. The multi-core score is particularly telling: it indicates that despite the low TDP, the chip can sustain heavy all-core workloads like video encoding and 3D rendering. The R20 multi-core score of 10,301 and R15 multi-core score of 2,472 follow the same pattern, reinforcing consistency across benchmark generations. Single-core performance, as measured by Geekbench at 2,259 points, is solid for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications.

PassMark results add nuance. The multithread score of 29,601 is robust, but the integer math score of 108,211 and floating point math score of 75,741 show where the architecture excels: integer-heavy tasks like database operations and code compilation benefit most. Data compression scores 345,021 and encryption scores 20,750, indicating that archival and security workloads are handled competently. The extended instructions score of 20,054 suggests AVX-512 and similar instruction sets are available and functional, which matters for scientific computing and media processing. The physics score of 1,811 is modest, hinting that the low TDP limits sustained all-core frequency under extreme load.

The CPU sits at the 85th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 37,112. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 160 (average score 37,117, delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37,093, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-13700 (37,135, delta -0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H (37,161, delta -0.1%). The deltas are negligible, meaning the i9-12900T trades blows with these parts within a fraction of a percent. This is a remarkable position for a low-power chip — it matches or slightly beats mainstream desktop and mobile processors with much higher TDPs, but it is not a class leader. For real workloads, this means the CPU is capable of handling professional-grade multi-threaded tasks at near-desktop performance levels while drawing far less power, but it will not outrun a high-end unlocked desktop part in sustained heavy loads.

# Balance and Bottleneck

The combined build percentile is 86, placing this pairing in the upper tier of desktop configurations. However, the data shows a significant imbalance in raw compute capability versus graphics. The CPU's average benchmark score is 37,112, while the GPU's average is 57,756 — a gap of roughly 55% in favor of the GPU. This suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, the processor will be the limiting factor, but in GPU-bound scenarios at high resolutions, the graphics card will dominate.

In gaming workloads, the bottleneck shifts based on resolution and settings. At lower resolutions, the CPU's single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core 3,462, Geekbench single-core 2,259) becomes more relevant, as it must feed the GPU with draw calls. The CPU is positioned at the 85th percentile, which is strong, but the GPU at the 87th percentile is slightly higher. This means the CPU is marginally more likely to become the constraint in high-refresh-rate scenarios. Conversely, at higher resolutions, the GPU's 512.0 GB/s bandwidth and 12.29 TFLOPS FP32 throughput will become the primary bottleneck, especially in graphically intense titles.

The data indicates that this is a balanced pairing for 1440p gaming, where neither component is overwhelmingly stronger than the other. For 1080p high-refresh gaming, the CPU's single-core performance will limit maximum FPS, while for 4K gaming, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM and compute throughput will be the ceiling. In productivity workloads, the balance is more nuanced: the CPU handles multi-threaded tasks like rendering and compilation, while the GPU accelerates parallel compute via OpenCL and Vulkan. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 91,657 and Vulkan score of 79,381 show the GPU is capable of offloading compute, but the CPU's 24 threads will still carry most general-purpose workloads.

The 35 W TDP of the CPU versus the 175 W TDP of the GPU is a stark contrast. The system's power envelope is dominated by the GPU, meaning the CPU is unlikely to throttle in mixed workloads, but the GPU's power draw must be managed by the suggested 450 W PSU. In practice, the CPU will rarely be the thermal bottleneck, but the GPU may hit power limits during sustained gaming or rendering, which could cap FPS in demanding titles.

# GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A580 is built on the Xe-HPG architecture, using the DG2-512 chip manufactured on TSMC's 6 nm process. The die contains 21,700 million transistors across a 406 mm² area, giving a transistor density of 53.4M per mm². The GPU operates at a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 2000 MHz, with memory running at 2000 MHz (16 Gbps effective). It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 512.0 GB/s of bandwidth — a substantial figure that supports high-resolution textures and compute workloads.

The compute configuration includes 3,072 shading units, 192 texture mapping units, and 96 render output units. The pixel rate of 192.0 GPixel/s and texture rate of 384.0 GTexel/s indicate strong fill-rate capabilities for rasterization. For ray tracing, the GPU has 24 dedicated RT cores, which is competitive in its class. The FP32 throughput of 12.29 TFLOPS and FP16 throughput of 24.58 TFLOPS (2:1 ratio) provide a solid foundation for both gaming and compute tasks. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, ensuring modern API compatibility.

Benchmark results place the A580 at the 87th percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 57,756. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 2,229, which is a moderate result for a mid-range card. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 91,657 and Vulkan score of 79,381 are more impressive, showing strong compute performance in heterogeneous workloads. These scores suggest the GPU is well-suited for media encoding, physics simulations, and other parallel tasks, not just gaming.

The nearest rivals show how tightly clustered this GPU is. The AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM scores 58,085 (delta -0.6%), meaning the A580 is slightly behind. The AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE scores 57,367 (delta 0.7%), so the A580 is slightly ahead. The Intel Arc A570M scores 58,239 (delta -0.8%), and the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT scores 58,392 (delta -1.1%). All of these deltas are within 1.1%, indicating the A580 performs in a very narrow band around its peers. This is notable because the RX 6950 XT is a high-end card from a previous generation, while the RX 5600 OEM is a mid-range part — the A580 effectively bridges these performance tiers.

For rendering and compute, the 8 GB VRAM is adequate for 1080p and 1440p textures, though 4K textures may exceed it in some titles. The 512.0 GB/s bandwidth is a strong asset for bandwidth-sensitive workloads like video editing and GPU-accelerated rendering. The dual-slot cooler with 2x 8-pin power connectors indicates the card draws significant power, and the 450 W suggested PSU is the minimum recommended for a stable system.

# Who Should Build It

This combination targets builders who need strong multi-threaded CPU performance with low power consumption, paired with a mid-range GPU that can handle modern games and compute tasks. The i9-12900T's 85th percentile CPU score makes it suitable for content creators who run video editing suites, 3D rendering software, and code compilation — tasks that benefit from 16 cores and 24 threads. The 30 MB shared L3 cache helps with data-heavy workloads, and the PassMark data compression score of 345,021 indicates efficient handling of archival and backup tasks.

Gamers at 1440p will find this pairing well-matched, as the CPU's single-core performance (3,462 in R23) can feed the GPU's 12.29 TFLOPS without major bottlenecks. For 4K gaming, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM will be the limiting factor, so this is not a 4K high-settings build. Students and small business workstations benefit from the CPU's low 35 W TDP, which allows for compact cooling solutions and lower electricity costs, while still delivering 85th percentile performance for office productivity, spreadsheet analysis, and light development work.

Software developers will appreciate the CPU's integer math score of 108,211 and extended instructions score of 20,054, which accelerate compilation and scientific computing. The GPU's Vulkan score of 79,381 is useful for developers targeting cross-platform graphics APIs. This is not a build for competitive esports at 360 Hz refresh rates, as the CPU's single-core performance, while good, is not top-tier. It is, however, a versatile system for mixed workloads — gaming, streaming, and content creation — without requiring a high-end power supply or exotic cooling.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900T uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, allowing for high-bandwidth storage and future GPU upgrades. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 serves as a fallback for troubleshooting or basic display output without the discrete GPU. The 35 W TDP of the CPU means the socket and motherboard power delivery are not stressed, leaving headroom for other components.

The GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, which is fully compatible with the CPU's Gen 5 lanes, though it will run at Gen 4 speeds. The suggested PSU of 450 W for the GPU, combined with the CPU's low TDP, means the total system power draw is modest. A sensible next upgrade would be a higher-tier GPU, as the CPU has enough headroom in multi-threaded performance (24,528 in R23) to support a more powerful graphics card without becoming a bottleneck in most scenarios. The 30 MB L3 cache and 24 threads provide a solid foundation for future GPU upgrades.

Memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 gives builders options: DDR4 is cheaper and more mature, while DDR5 offers higher bandwidth. The dual-channel memory bus is standard for this class. The CPU's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, though the low base clock of 1.40 GHz suggests the chip is designed for power efficiency rather than extreme overclocking. For storage, the PCIe Gen 5 lanes support the fastest NVMe SSDs, and the platform can accommodate multiple drives for a workstation setup.

# Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: At 1080p and 1440p, the CPU's single-core score of 3,462 in Cinebench R23 supports high frame rates, but the GPU's 12.29 TFLOPS will cap FPS in demanding titles. Expect smooth gameplay at 144 Hz for most games, but not 240 Hz in esports titles.

Streaming: The CPU's 24 threads handle encoding workloads effectively, with a PassMark multi-thread score of 29,601. The GPU's 24 RT cores and 12.29 TFLOPS can assist with encoding and rendering overlays. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for game capture and stream output.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,528 accelerates timeline rendering and export. The GPU's 512.0 GB/s bandwidth helps with real-time previews and effect processing. The 16 cores and 24 threads handle multi-layer timelines without stuttering.

3D rendering: CPU-based renderers will benefit from the 24,528 R23 score, while GPU-based renderers can leverage the A580's 12.29 TFLOPS and 91,657 OpenCL score. The 8 GB VRAM limits texture sizes for complex scenes.

Software development: The integer math score of 108,211 and extended instructions score of 20,054 speed up compilation and testing. The 24 threads allow for parallel builds, and the 30 MB L3 cache helps with large codebases.

Student and office work: The 35 W TDP means quiet operation and low power draw, while the 85th percentile CPU score handles spreadsheets, documents, and multitasking. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback if the discrete GPU is not needed.

# Gaming Performance

Note: The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this exact CPU and GPU combination. All FPS figures below are estimates derived from the benchmark scores and should be treated as approximations, not measured results.

The CPU's single-core performance (Geekbench 2,259, Cinebench R23 single-core 3,462) is the primary driver for gaming FPS at lower resolutions. The GPU's compute throughput (12.29 TFLOPS) and memory bandwidth (512.0 GB/s) determine performance at higher resolutions and detail settings. Given the GPU's 87th percentile position and the CPU's 85th percentile position, this pairing is expected to deliver playable frame rates at 1080p and 1440p.

At 1080p ultra settings, the GPU's 192.0 GPixel/s pixel rate and 384.0 GTexel/s texture rate should sustain 60-100 FPS in most titles, with lighter esports games exceeding this range. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p textures. At 1440p, the GPU's 512.0 GB/s bandwidth becomes more critical, and frame rates may drop to 50-80 FPS in demanding titles. At 4K, the 8 GB VRAM and 12.29 TFLOPS are likely insufficient for ultra settings, with frame rates falling below 40 FPS in modern games.

Ray tracing performance, supported by 24 RT cores, will be modest — playable at 1080p with upscaling, but not at native 1440p. The GPU's DirectX 12 Ultimate support ensures compatibility with the latest features. Overall, this is a 1080p/1440p gaming system, not a high-end 4K rig.

# FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's multi-threaded performance relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The i9-12900T scores 37,112 on average, which is within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 7 160 (37,117), AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37,093), Intel Core i7-13700 (37,135), and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H (37,161). Performance is statistically identical to these parts.

Q: How much VRAM does the GPU have, and is it enough?

A: The Intel Arc A580 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus with 512.0 GB/s bandwidth. This is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but may be limiting for 4K textures or heavy compute workloads.

Q: What power supply is recommended for this build?

A: The GPU specifies a suggested PSU of 450 W. The CPU has a 35 W TDP, so the total system draw is dominated by the GPU, which has a 175 W TDP and requires 2x 8-pin power connectors.

Q: Does the CPU support overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked. However, the 1.40 GHz base clock and 35 W TDP indicate the chip is designed for power efficiency, so overclocking headroom is likely limited.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration. This allows builders to choose between cost-effective DDR4 or higher-bandwidth DDR5.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its nearest rivals in compute performance?

A: The A580 has an average benchmark score of 57,756, placing it within 1.1% of the AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM (58,085), AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (57,367), Intel Arc A570M (58,239), and AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT (58,392).

Q: What is the socket and upgrade path?

A: The CPU uses Intel Socket 1700, with PCIe Gen 5 (20 lanes). The GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16. A sensible next upgrade is a more powerful GPU, as the CPU's multi-threaded performance (24,528 in Cinebench R23) can support higher-end cards.

# Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 37,112, placing it at the 85th percentile among all CPUs. Its best results are in Cinebench R23 multi-core (24,528) and PassMark multithread (29,601), while single-core scores include Cinebench R23 at 3,462 and Geekbench at 2,259. The PassMark suite shows a balanced profile: integer math at 108,211, floating point at 75,741, and extended instructions at 20,054. The CPU's nearest rivals — the AMD Ryzen 7 160, AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450, Intel Core i7-13700, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H — all score within 0.1% of the i9-12900T, indicating that this low-power chip matches mainstream desktop and mobile processors.

The GPU's average benchmark score is 57,756, placing it at the 87th percentile among all GPUs. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 2,229. Geekbench OpenCL scores 91,657 and Vulkan scores 79,381, demonstrating strong compute acceleration. The GPU's nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM (58,085, delta -0.6%), AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (57,367, delta 0.7%), Intel Arc A570M (58,239, delta -0.8%), and AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT (58,392, delta -1.1%). The deltas are all under 1.1%, placing the A580 in a tight performance cluster.

The combined build percentile is 86, reflecting the strong individual positions of both components. The CPU at the 85th percentile and GPU at the 87th percentile are well-matched, with the GPU slightly ahead. The combined picture is a balanced desktop system that excels in multi-threaded productivity and 1080p/1440p gaming, with the GPU providing a slight edge in raw compute. The CPU's low 35 W TDP is a differentiator, allowing for quieter and more efficient operation than typical desktop parts, while still delivering near-mainstream performance. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 512.0 GB/s bandwidth ensure that memory-intensive tasks are handled competently, though 4K gaming will be limited. Overall, this is a cohesive build for users who prioritize efficiency without sacrificing capability.