SYSTEM ANALYZER

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

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

87 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 13% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
CPU Bottleneck
CPU
76%
VS
GPU
99%

Your CPU is limiting system performance. Consider upgrading to a faster processor to better utilize your GPU.

PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-12900TE

5,050 Benchmark Score
Top 24% 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

Strong Performance

Excellent for 1440p gaming. Most games will run at high/ultra settings smoothly.

Bottleneck Detected

CPU Bottleneck - Upgrading the weaker component will improve overall performance.

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

# Intel Core i9-12900TE + NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation — Hardware Analysis

This is a desktop platform pairing a 16-core Alder Lake processor with a 20 GB workstation GPU, landing at the 78th combined percentile across all CPU+GPU configurations. The CPU sits in the 60th percentile among all processors, while the GPU ranks in the 95th percentile among all graphics cards, making this a lopsided pairing where the graphics subsystem is the clear performance leader. No measured FPS data exists for this exact combination in the database, so all gaming frame rate discussions below are estimates derived from the individual benchmark scores and component characteristics, not direct measurements.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-12900TE uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which anchors this build to the Alder Lake generation. The processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, giving builders flexibility in choosing memory technology based on availability and platform support. The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes directly from the processor, while the GPU connects via PCIe 4.0 x16, meaning the graphics card operates at the older standard but with ample bandwidth for its workload.

The CPU's thermal design power is 35 watts, an exceptionally low figure for a 16-core processor, which reflects its "TE" efficiency-oriented positioning within the 12th Gen Core lineup. This low TDP means the platform requires minimal cooling infrastructure — a modest air cooler or small low-profile cooler would suffice, though the exact cooler sizing is not specified in the data. The GPU, by contrast, carries a 130 W TDP and the suggested power supply for the system is 300 W, which is remarkably modest given the GPU's workstation-class performance. The GPU uses a single 16-pin power connector and occupies a single slot, measuring 245 mm in length and 112 mm in height.

For a sensible next upgrade, the data points to the GPU as the component with headroom to grow into. The RTX 4000 Ada Generation already sits at the 95th percentile, so a meaningful GPU upgrade would require moving into even higher-end workstation cards. The CPU, at the 60th percentile, has more room for improvement — a builder could consider a higher-clocked 12th Gen or newer Socket 1700 processor to better match the GPU's capabilities in CPU-bound workloads. The platform's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 means memory can be upgraded without changing the motherboard, though the dual-channel configuration limits maximum bandwidth compared to quad-channel workstation platforms.

Benchmark Performance

The combined benchmark picture places this pairing at the 78th percentile of all CPU+GPU combinations, indicating a system that outperforms the majority of desktop configurations but is not at the absolute top tier. The CPU's average benchmark score is 5050, with a percentile rank of 60 among all processors. The GPU's average benchmark score is 135218, ranking at the 95th percentile among all graphics cards. The disparity between the 60th percentile CPU and 95th percentile GPU is the defining characteristic of this build — it is a GPU-dominant system where graphics compute vastly outstrips processor compute.

In Cinebench testing, the multi-core scores show a processor that delivers strong threaded performance for its power envelope. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 17461, while the single-core score is 2465. The R20 results show 7333 multi-core and 1035 single-core, and the R15 results show 1759 multi-core and 248 single-core. These scores indicate a processor that scales well with thread count — the multi-core to single-core ratio in R23 is approximately 7.1x, which reflects the 16-core/24-thread configuration with its hybrid architecture.

The GPU's Geekbench scores reinforce its workstation positioning. The OpenCL score is 146593, and the Vulkan score is 123842, with the OpenCL result being about 18% higher than Vulkan. The GPU's nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA A10M (avg score 135230, delta 0%), AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (135396, delta -0.1%), AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (135774, delta -0.4%), and AMD Radeon PRO V620 (136472, delta -0.9%). The RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 135218 score is effectively tied with these competitors, all within 1% of each other, indicating a very competitive workstation GPU segment at this performance level.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-12900TE is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The processor uses a hybrid design — a hallmark of Alder Lake — though the exact performance-core and efficiency-core split is not specified in the data. The base clock is 1100 MHz, which is notably low, while the boost clock reaches 4.80 GHz. This wide clock range, combined with the 35 W TDP, indicates a processor designed for power-constrained environments that can burst to high frequencies when needed but settles at low clocks under sustained load.

The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and does not support ECC memory. Integrated graphics are provided via UHD Graphics 770, which adds display output capability without requiring a discrete GPU for basic tasks. The processor has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, though the low base clock and 35 W TDP suggest thermal and power headroom for overclocking is limited.

The CPU's average benchmark score of 5050 places it at the 60th percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i9-9820X (5049, delta 0%), Intel Xeon Gold 6334 (5043, delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070, delta -0.4%), and Intel Xeon W-2155 (5072, delta -0.4%). These rivals represent older high-core-count processors and a modern efficient AMD part, all scoring within 0.4% of the 12900TE. The 12900TE's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17461 is competitive with these parts, but its single-core score of 2465 benefits from the high 4.80 GHz boost clock, giving it strong per-thread performance for lightly threaded workloads.

For real workloads, the benchmark scores indicate a processor that handles multi-threaded productivity tasks well — rendering, compilation, and content creation benefit from the 16 cores and 24 threads. The single-core performance, driven by the high boost clock, ensures responsive everyday use and strong performance in applications that rely on a few fast threads. The low TDP makes this suitable for small form factor or power-sensitive builds, though sustained all-core workloads may cause clocks to drop from the 4.80 GHz boost toward the 1100 MHz base to stay within the power envelope — the exact sustained clock under load is not measured in the data.

Gaming Performance

The database contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so all gaming frame rate figures presented here are estimates derived from the component benchmark scores and characteristics, not direct measurements. The GPU's 95th percentile ranking and the CPU's 60th percentile ranking suggest that gaming performance will be primarily GPU-limited in most scenarios, but the specific FPS numbers cannot be stated with certainty.

Based on the GPU's Geekbench OpenCL score of 146593 and Vulkan score of 123842, the RTX 4000 Ada Generation is a high-end workstation card that should handle modern games at high settings and resolutions. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2465 indicates strong per-thread performance that should not bottleneck most game engines, which typically rely on a few heavily threaded tasks. The combination of a 95th percentile GPU and a 60th percentile CPU suggests that at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, where CPU load is relatively higher, the processor may become the limiting factor in some titles, while at 4K, the GPU workload dominates and the system should deliver consistently high frame rates.

The GPU's memory configuration — 20 GB of GDDR6 on a 160-bit bus with 360.0 GB/s bandwidth — provides ample video memory for high-resolution textures and ray-traced workloads, though the 160-bit bus width is narrower than typical for this performance class, which may affect bandwidth-sensitive scenarios. The 48 RT cores and 192 tensor cores indicate strong ray tracing and DLSS capability, which should boost gaming performance in supported titles. The GPU's 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 139.2 GPixel/s pixel rate provide a basis for estimating high frame rates at 1440p and 4K, but without measured FPS data, these remain qualitative expectations rather than quantified results.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance analysis reveals a system where the GPU is the dominant component, ranking at the 95th percentile while the CPU sits at the 60th percentile. This 35-percentile-point gap is substantial and indicates that the GPU has significantly more relative performance headroom than the processor. In GPU-intensive workloads — rendering, compute, high-resolution gaming — the RTX 4000 Ada Generation will be the primary driver of performance, and the CPU will rarely limit these tasks.

In CPU-bound workloads — physics simulation, AI inference on CPU, heavily threaded productivity applications — the processor's 60th percentile ranking becomes the limiting factor. The CPU's nearest rivals all score within 0.4% of the 12900TE, meaning the processor is competitive with its direct peers, but those peers themselves are mid-pack performers. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17461 is respectable for a 35 W part but falls well short of high-end desktop processors that score higher in the database.

The FPS scaling evidence, while estimated rather than measured, supports this imbalance. At lower resolutions where CPU load is proportionally higher, the processor's 60th percentile ranking would constrain frame rates. At higher resolutions, the GPU's 95th percentile position would become the dominant factor, and the system would deliver performance closer to the GPU's capabilities. This is a common pattern for workstation-oriented builds where the GPU is the primary investment and the CPU is chosen for efficiency rather than peak performance.

Who Should Build It

This platform targets users who prioritize GPU compute and workstation graphics performance over raw CPU throughput. The 95th percentile GPU makes this suitable for professionals working in 3D rendering, video editing, CAD, and scientific visualization where the RTX 4000 Ada Generation's 20 GB VRAM and 48 RT cores provide substantial acceleration. The 60th percentile CPU, with its 16 cores and 24 threads, handles multi-threaded productivity tasks competently but is not the primary strength of this build.

Gamers at 1440p and 4K resolutions are the primary gaming audience, as the GPU's high percentile ranking should deliver strong frame rates at these settings, provided the CPU does not become a bottleneck in CPU-heavy titles. Content creators who work primarily in GPU-accelerated applications — video encoding, 3D modeling, render farms — will benefit from the GPU's compute capabilities while the CPU handles scene management and asset loading. Developers working on graphics-intensive applications or machine learning workloads that leverage CUDA cores will find the 192 tensor cores and 26.73 TFLOPS FP32 performance compelling.

Students and small business users who need a workstation-class GPU for specialized software but do not require top-tier CPU performance will find this a fitting configuration. The 35 W CPU TDP and 300 W suggested PSU indicate a system that is power-efficient for its performance class, making it suitable for environments where power consumption and heat are concerns. The single-slot GPU design and compact 245 mm length also make this viable for space-constrained workstation builds.

FAQ

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

A: The combined percentile is 78, placing it above 78% of all CPU+GPU configurations in the database.

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

A: The Intel Core i9-12900TE has an average benchmark score of 5050, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i9-9820X (5049, 0% delta), Intel Xeon Gold 6334 (5043, 0.1% delta), AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE (5070, -0.4% delta), and Intel Xeon W-2155 (5072, -0.4% delta).

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration?

A: The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation has 20 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 160-bit bus with 360.0 GB/s bandwidth and a memory clock of 2250 MHz (18 Gbps effective).

Q: Does this CPU support overclocking?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-12900TE has an unlocked multiplier, indicating overclocking support, though the 35 W TDP limits the available headroom.

Q: What is the suggested power supply for this GPU?

A: The suggested PSU for the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation is 300 W, with the GPU itself having a 130 W TDP and a single 16-pin power connector.

Q: What are the CPU's Cinebench R23 scores?

A: The CPU scores 17461 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2465 in single-core.

Q: Is measured gaming FPS data available for this combination?

A: No, the database contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU pairing, so all gaming frame rate discussions are estimates based on component benchmark scores.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build pairing the Intel Core i9-12900TE with the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation, combining an efficiency-focused 16-core Alder Lake processor with a high-end workstation Ada Lovelace GPU. The build's overall tier, based on the 78th combined percentile, places it in the upper-middle tier of desktop configurations — not the absolute fastest but well above the majority of systems. The GPU is the standout component at the 95th percentile, while the CPU's 60th percentile ranking is the weaker link in the chain.

The processor, released in January 2022 with a launch MSRP of $494, represents Intel's 12th Gen Core architecture with a hybrid core design. The GPU, released in August 2023, is part of the Workstation Ada generation based on the AD104 chip with 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die. The pairing creates a system that excels in GPU-accelerated workloads while maintaining power efficiency through the CPU's 35 W TDP. The single-slot GPU and compact dimensions make this suitable for workstation builds where space is at a premium.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation is a workstation-class GPU based on the AD104 chip, fabricated on TSMC's 5 nm process with 35,800 million transistors on a 294 mm² die, giving a transistor density of 121.8 million per mm². The GPU has 6144 shading units, 192 texture mapping units, and 64 raster operation units, providing a pixel rate of 139.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 417.6 GTexel/s. The FP32 compute performance is 26.73 TFLOPS, with FP16 performance also at 26.73 TFLOPS in a 1:1 ratio.

Memory consists of 20 GB of GDDR6 on a 160-bit bus, delivering 360.0 GB/s 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 includes 48 RT cores for ray tracing and 192 tensor cores for AI acceleration, supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. Display output is provided through 4x DisplayPort 1.4a connections.

The GPU's benchmark scores are 146593 in Geekbench OpenCL and 123842 in Geekbench Vulkan, with an average score of 135218 placing it at the 95th percentile among all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the NVIDIA A10M (135230, 0% delta), AMD Radeon PRO W6800 (135396, -0.1% delta), AMD Radeon Pro W6800X Duo (135774, -0.4% delta), and AMD Radeon PRO V620 (136472, -0.9% delta). The GPU is effectively tied with these competitors, all within 1% of each other in average score, indicating a highly competitive workstation segment. For rendering workloads, the 20 GB VRAM provides ample capacity for large scenes and high-resolution textures, while the 48 RT cores accelerate ray-traced rendering and the 192 tensor cores enable AI-accelerated features like denoising and DLSS.