Pc Building Simulator

Pc Building Simulator is a simulation title that tasks the CPU with managing a complex world of PC component installation, benchmarking, and shop maintenance. For the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and AMD Radeon RX 9060 combination, the measured performance data reveals a system that is heavily CPU-bound at lower resolutions, with the GPU becoming a more significant factor only as resolution scales upward. The CPU's 14 cores and 14 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, provide a substantial foundation for the game's logic and physics simulations. The data shows that this processor, which sits at the 90th percentile when compared to all CPUs in the database, delivers enough raw throughput to drive very high frame rates, even when paired with a mid-range GPU like the RX 9060. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to understand the division of labor between the two components and what it means for a player building a system for this specific game.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and can boost up to 5.10 GHz, which are the specifications relevant to Pc Building Simulator’s simulation-heavy workload. The game’s core loop involves managing inventory, installing components, and running benchmark tests, which rely heavily on single-threaded performance for UI interactions and physics calculations. The processor's strong single-core capabilities, reflected in a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648, are crucial for maintaining high frame rates, particularly at 1080p where the CPU is the primary bottleneck. Its 24 MB of shared L3 cache also helps in keeping game state data readily accessible.

In the context of this game, the CPU's role is to calculate the state of the simulation, including the performance of virtual PCs being built. The benchmark results indicate that the Ultra 5 245 is not the limiting factor in this combo at lower resolutions. For instance, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves 247 FPS, a figure that is far beyond the refresh rate of most monitors. This suggests the CPU has significant headroom. When looking at its nearest rivals in the database, the Ultra 5 245 is statistically tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, with a deltaPct of -0.5%, meaning the Intel chip is just half a percent slower in average benchmark score. Similarly, it is 0.8% faster than the Intel Core i5-14600K. This placement in the top tier of CPUs means that in a game like Pc Building Simulator, which is not known for extreme multi-core demands, the CPU will rarely be the component that prevents the system from achieving high frame rates.

The CPU's PassMark multithread score of 38706 and single-thread score of 4394 further illustrate its balanced performance profile. The simulation logic in Pc Building Simulator can be parallelized to some extent, but the data shows that the single-threaded performance is what drives the highest FPS numbers. The 247 FPS result at 1080p Low is a clear indicator that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with an enormous number of frames. As resolution increases, the CPU's workload remains relatively constant while the GPU's workload increases, which shifts the bottleneck. The measured data confirms this, as the FPS drop from 1080p to 1440p and then to 4K is consistent with a system where the GPU becomes the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 and the AMD Radeon RX 9060 is ranked 1710 out of 3002 tested combos in the database for Pc Building Simulator. This places it in the middle of the pack, which is a reasonable position given the GPU's mid-range classification. The CPU, however, is a high-end part with a percentile rank of 90 among all CPUs. The disparity between the CPU's high standing and the combo's mid-pack rank highlights the GPU as the performance limiter in this pairing. The GPU, with a percentile rank of 59 among all GPUs, is a more modest performer. This ranking suggests that while the CPU can handle the game's simulation demands, the GPU's rendering capabilities are what hold the system back from achieving top-tier combo rankings.

When compared to other combos, this system sits slightly below the 57th percentile of all tested configurations. This is not a poor result, but it does indicate that many other pairings offer higher frame rates in this specific game. The data implies that if a user were to upgrade the GPU to a more powerful model, the combo rank would improve significantly, as the CPU has ample headroom. The CPU's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7900 and Intel Core i5-14600K, when paired with more powerful GPUs, would likely rank higher. However, with the RX 9060, the system provides a balanced experience for 1080p and 1440p gaming, which is supported by the measured FPS data. The rank of 1710 is a reflection of the GPU's performance ceiling, not the CPU's, and this is an important distinction when interpreting the overall system capability.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for this combo shows a clear pattern of performance scaling as resolution increases. At 1920x1080, the system is heavily CPU-bound, producing very high frame rates across all settings. For example, at Low settings, the average FPS is 247, which is an extremely high number. As the resolution is increased to 2560x1440, the average FPS at Low settings drops to 156, a 37% reduction. This drop indicates that the GPU is starting to take on more of the workload, but the CPU is still capable of driving a high frame rate. The scaling continues to 3840x2160, where the average FPS at Low settings falls to 82. This represents a 47% drop from 1440p and a 67% drop from 1080p.

This pattern of diminishing returns with increasing resolution is typical for a system where the GPU is the primary bottleneck at higher resolutions. The CPU's performance is relatively constant regardless of resolution, but the GPU's rendering load increases exponentially. The data suggests that the limiting component is the CPU at 1080p, as the FPS is so high that the GPU is not being fully utilized. At 1440p, the balance shifts, and at 4K, the GPU is clearly the limiting factor. For a game like Pc Building Simulator, which is not graphically intensive, this means that the system can handle 1440p with high settings comfortably, as the 78 FPS average at High settings demonstrates. The 4K resolution is playable but requires lower settings to maintain a smooth frame rate, as the 41 FPS at High settings indicates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across three resolutions and four quality presets. At 1920x1080, the system excels. The Low preset yields an average of 247 FPS, the Medium preset yields 175 FPS with a minimum of 149 FPS and a maximum of 201 FPS, the High preset yields 124 FPS, and the Ultra preset yields 118 FPS. These numbers show that even at the Ultra preset, the system maintains a very high frame rate, making 1080p an ideal resolution for this combo if maximum smoothness is desired. The difference between Medium and High is 51 FPS, while the difference between High and Ultra is only 6 FPS, suggesting that the Ultra preset is not significantly more demanding than High at this resolution.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance is still strong but begins to show the GPU's workload. The Low preset averages 156 FPS, the Medium preset averages 111 FPS with a minimum of 94 FPS and a maximum of 127 FPS, the High preset averages 78 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 74 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p at High settings is 46 FPS, from 124 to 78, which is a 37% reduction. This is a significant decrease, but the frame rate is still playable for a simulation game. The Medium preset at 1440p offers a good balance with 111 FPS, which is above the 100 FPS threshold for very smooth gameplay.

At 3840x2160, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck. The Low preset averages 82 FPS, the Medium preset averages 58 FPS with a minimum of 49 FPS and a maximum of 66 FPS, the High preset averages 41 FPS, and the Ultra preset averages 39 FPS. The High and Ultra presets at 4K both dip below 45 FPS, which may not be ideal for a game that requires precise mouse movement for component installation. The Low preset at 4K is the only one that provides a consistently smooth experience, while the Medium preset is borderline. The data shows that for 4K gaming, users would need to stick to Low or Medium settings to maintain a playable frame rate with this GPU.

GPU Role

The AMD Radeon RX 9060 is based on the RDNA 4.0 architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 288.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1700 MHz, a game clock of 2400 MHz, and a boost clock of 2990 MHz. These specifications are relevant to how it handles the rendering workload in Pc Building Simulator. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for this game, as it is not a graphically demanding title, but the 128-bit memory bus may limit performance at higher resolutions. The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 17631 places it in the 59th percentile of all GPUs, and its average benchmark score is 16014.

The GPU's nearest rivals include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, which has an average score of 16129 and a deltaPct of -0.7%, meaning the RX 9060 is slightly slower. It is also 1% faster than the AMD Radeon R9 370X and the AMD Radeon RX 7700. This indicates that the RX 9060 is a mid-range performer, which is consistent with its role in this combo. In Pc Building Simulator, the GPU's main job is to render the 3D shop environment and the components on screen. The measured FPS data shows that the GPU is capable of delivering high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p, but it struggles at 4K with higher settings. The FP32 performance of 21.43 TFLOPS is adequate for the game's shader complexity, but the 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit bus become limiting factors at higher resolutions where more memory bandwidth is needed.

The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1080p, the CPU is the bottleneck, and the GPU is not fully utilized. At 1440p, the GPU begins to work harder, and at 4K, it is the primary limiting component. The data shows that the RX 9060 is a good match for the Ultra 5 245 at 1080p and 1440p, but it is not powerful enough to drive 4K at high settings. The 82 FPS at 4K Low reflects the GPU's capability, but the 41 FPS at 4K High shows its limitations. For a game like Pc Building Simulator, which doesn't require the highest visual fidelity, this GPU provides a solid experience at mainstream resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the best experience for this combo is achieved at 2560x1440 with the Medium preset. This setting provides an average FPS of 111, with a minimum of 94 FPS and a maximum of 127 FPS. This frame rate is high enough for smooth, responsive gameplay, and the Medium preset offers a good balance between visual quality and performance. The 1440p Medium setting is the sweet spot because it provides a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold. The 1080p Medium preset also offers a high frame rate of 175 FPS, but it is less visually impressive than 1440p.

For users with a 1080p monitor, the High preset is recommended, as it provides an average of 124 FPS and is a noticeable upgrade over Medium in terms of visual fidelity. The Ultra preset at 1080p is also viable with 118 FPS, but the performance difference between High and Ultra is minimal, so High is the more efficient choice. At 1440p, the High preset is playable with 78 FPS, but the Medium preset is the better recommendation due to its higher frame rate and smoother minimum FPS. At 4K, the Low preset is the only recommendation, as it delivers 82 FPS, while the Medium preset drops to 58 FPS, which may be too low for some users. The 4K High and Ultra presets are not recommended, as they both fall below 45 FPS.

The data suggests that the system is best utilized at 1440p Medium, where it achieves a balance that maximizes both visual quality and smoothness. For users who prioritize frame rate over visual quality, 1080p Low or Medium will provide the highest FPS numbers. For users who want the best visual quality, 1440p High is acceptable, but the Medium preset is the most balanced. The key takeaway is that this combo is not suited for 4K gaming with high settings, and users should stick to 1440p or lower for the best experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo can achieve in Pc Building Simulator?

A: The highest average FPS is 247, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: At 3840x2160, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The FPS drops significantly from 1080p, and the GPU's performance is insufficient to maintain high frame rates at higher settings.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combo for a smooth gaming experience?

A: The best experience is at 2560x1440 with Medium settings, which provides an average FPS of 111 and a minimum FPS of 94, ensuring smooth gameplay.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has an average benchmark score that is 0.5% lower than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900, indicating that they have very similar overall performance.

Q: How does the AMD Radeon RX 9060 compare to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti?

A: The AMD Radeon RX 9060 has an average benchmark score of 16014, which is 0.7% lower than the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti's average score of 16129.

Q: Can this combo handle 4K gaming at Ultra settings?

A: No, at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings, the system achieves only 39 FPS, which is not smooth enough for a good gaming experience. The Low preset at 4K is the only viable option.