SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X + Intel Arc A380

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

91 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 9% 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
97%
VS
GPU
86%
PROCESSOR

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

74,640 Benchmark Score
Top 3% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A380

8,558 Benchmark Score
Top 14% 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
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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 AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is a 16-core, 32-thread desktop processor built on the Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) using TSMC's 4 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, with a 170 W TDP. The CPU features a total of 64 MB of L3 cache, alongside 1 MB of L2 and 80 KB of L1 per core. It supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and includes ECC memory support. The processor is unlocked for overclocking and connects via PCIe Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes. Its benchmark scores place it in the 94th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 74640. The nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745 (deltaPct -0.2), AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 (deltaPct 0.2), AMD EPYC 4545P (deltaPct -1), and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (deltaPct -1.1). This places the 9950X in a tightly contested tier where the performance differences are within about one percent of its closest competitors, indicating a saturation of high-end multi-core performance.

CPU Analysis

The Ryzen 9 9950X's core configuration is its defining feature: 16 physical cores and 32 threads. This high thread count directly translates into exceptional multi-threaded performance, as demonstrated by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40924 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 25616. For heavily parallelized workloads such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific simulations, the data indicates this processor is a top-tier contender, sitting in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The 3DMark scores show a scaling pattern from 2543 at 2 threads to 16780 at max threads, confirming that performance scales effectively as more cores are utilized, which is critical for professional applications that can leverage all available threads.

The single-thread performance is equally robust, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2202 and a Geekbench single-core score of 3029. This ensures responsiveness in everyday tasks and strong performance in lightly-threaded applications. The Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4 nm process with 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design (2x 70.6 mm²), provides the efficiency and IPC gains that drive these numbers. The base clock of 4.30 GHz is conservative, but the 5.70 GHz boost clock allows the processor to reach high frequencies when thermal and power headroom permit. The 64 MB of L3 cache is substantial and aids in reducing memory latency for frequently accessed data, which is beneficial for gaming and content creation alike. The memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s via dual-channel DDR5 is a potential bottleneck for some memory-intensive workloads, but it is standard for a mainstream desktop platform and is sufficient to feed the 16 cores in most scenarios.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the 9950X is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475, with deltaPct values of -0.2 and 0.2 respectively. This means the 9950X is neither clearly ahead nor behind these alternatives, which are likely also high-core-count parts. The AMD EPYC 4545P and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 are slightly ahead on average score (deltaPct -1 and -1.1), indicating that while the 9950X is at the top of the consumer desktop stack, it is not the absolute fastest in every metric. The practical takeaway is that the 9950X offers a balanced high-end experience, with its multi-core leadership being its primary strength for production workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's benchmark performance is characterized by a suite of scores that highlight its multi-threaded dominance. The PassMark multi-thread score is 66030, with integer math at 242097 and floating-point math at 159063. Data compression and encryption scores are 896544 and 44366, respectively, indicating strong performance in archiving and security-related tasks. The extended instructions score of 71564 suggests good SIMD and AVX-512 throughput, which is relevant for scientific computing and certain rendering engines. The single-thread PassMark score is 4737. These results collectively position the CPU in the 94th percentile, confirming it is a premium part for compute-heavy workflows.

On the GPU side, the Intel Arc A380 presents a stark contrast. Its average benchmark score is 8558, placing it in the 44th percentile of all GPUs. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 808, and the Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan scores are 38224 and 36736, respectively. The PassMark G3D score is 6252, with DirectX 11 and 12 scores of 38 and 35, and a DirectX 9 score of 73. The GPU compute score is 2762. These numbers indicate that the A380 is an entry-level graphics solution, with its nearest rivals being the AMD FirePro W5170M (deltaPct -0.4), AMD Radeon HD 8870M (deltaPct 1.1), NVIDIA GeForce MX330 (deltaPct 1.2), and AMD Radeon 880M (deltaPct 1.4). The performance deltas are small, meaning the A380 is in a cluster of similar low-end parts, but it is clearly not competitive with modern mid-range or high-end GPUs.

The combined picture is one of extreme imbalance. The CPU is a 94th-percentile powerhouse, while the GPU is a 44th-percentile entry-level part. The combined percentile for the build is 69, which is pulled down by the GPU's weak showing. This pairing would excel in CPU-bound tasks but would be severely limited in any GPU-accelerated workload, such as modern gaming or 3D rendering with GPU compute. The data suggests that the CPU's potential is largely untapped when paired with this GPU, as the graphics card will become the limiting factor in most graphics-intensive applications.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance between the CPU and GPU is heavily skewed. Benchmark results indicate that the CPU is capable of far higher performance than the GPU can support. The CPU's 94th-percentile ranking versus the GPU's 44th-percentile ranking means the A380 will bottleneck the system in any workload that relies on the GPU. This is most evident in gaming, where frame rates are typically constrained by the graphics card, not the processor. The CPU will easily calculate game logic and physics, but the GPU will struggle to render frames at high resolutions or with demanding graphical settings.

The FPS scaling evidence is absent, as no measured FPS data exists for this combination. However, from the benchmark scores, it is clear that the CPU is not the limiting factor in gaming or GPU compute tasks. The A380's PassMark DirectX 12 score of 35 is extremely low, indicating it will struggle with modern DirectX 12 titles. Conversely, the CPU's PassMark physics score of 3279 is robust, suggesting it can handle complex simulations without breaking a sweat. Therefore, the bottleneck is almost entirely on the GPU side, and any upgrade path should prioritize a more powerful graphics card to unlock the CPU's full potential in graphics workloads.

For CPU-only tasks, such as code compilation, data processing, or multi-threaded rendering in software, the system would perform admirably due to the CPU's strength. The bottleneck only manifests when the GPU is required. The data shows a clear imbalance: the CPU is a professional-grade compute engine, while the GPU is a basic display adapter. This pairing is only sensible if the primary use case is CPU-intensive work with minimal graphics requirements, as the GPU is too weak to keep pace with the CPU in any modern graphical application.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact CPU+GPU combination. The FACT PACK confirms this, so all frame rate discussions are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The Intel Arc A380's performance in gaming is expected to be poor, given its 44th-percentile ranking and low DirectX benchmark scores. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 808 suggests it can render basic scenes, but modern AAA titles at high settings will likely be unplayable. The GPU's 6 GB of VRAM is also a limitation for modern games, which often require more memory at high resolutions and texture quality settings.

Based on the GPU's scores, frame rates for most games would be in the 30-60 FPS range only at 1080p with low to medium settings, and even then, only for less demanding titles like esports games. The PassMark DirectX 11 and 12 scores of 38 and 35 are indicative of very low polygon throughput, so games with complex geometry or heavy effects will see significant frame drops. The CPU is powerful enough to push hundreds of frames per second in CPU-bound scenarios, but the GPU will cap the output well below that. For high-refresh-rate gaming, this GPU is not suitable; the estimated FPS would be below 60 in most modern titles, and competitive esports titles would barely reach 60-100 FPS at low settings. These are estimates, and actual performance may vary, but the data strongly suggests that the A380 is a bottleneck for gaming.

Who Should Build It

This build is targeted at users whose primary workloads are CPU-intensive and who have minimal or no need for high-end graphics performance. The target audience includes content creators who render video or 3D scenes using CPU-based software, where the 16 cores and 32 threads of the Ryzen 9 9950X will significantly reduce render times. Software developers who compile large codebases will benefit from the high multi-threaded PassMark score of 66030 and the data compression score of 896544, which speeds up build processes and version control operations. Students and researchers in fields like data science or physics will find the CPU's floating-point performance (159063 in PassMark) useful for simulations.

Small business workstations that run virtual machines or handle large spreadsheets and databases will also see benefits, as the CPU's multi-threading excels at these tasks. However, the A380 GPU limits the system to basic 2D/3D visualization and office productivity. It is not suitable for gaming at 1080p high settings, nor for GPU-accelerated rendering in Blender or Octane, as the GPU's compute score of 2762 is too low. The build is essentially a professional compute node with a basic display output, and it should be considered only by users who understand and accept this limitation. Gamers at any resolution above 720p low settings will be unsatisfied, and the system is a poor choice for any modern gaming workload.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming is not viable with this pairing. The A380's 44th-percentile ranking and low DirectX 12 score of 35 mean that frame rates will be too low for a high-refresh monitor. The CPU can handle the work, but the GPU will cap performance far below 144 FPS in any modern title, making this a poor choice for competitive gamers.

Streaming is feasible for the CPU, as the 9950X has enough cores to encode video via x264 without significant performance loss. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 40924 ensures that the encoding process will not bottleneck the system. However, the GPU is inadequate for the gaming side of the stream, as it cannot render games at high quality. This scenario is technically possible but results in a poor streaming experience for viewers.

Video editing in software like Premiere Pro, which uses CPU encoding for export, will be fast. The multi-core scores are excellent, and the 16 cores will handle 4K timelines with ease. However, effects that rely on GPU acceleration will be slow, as the A380's OpenCL score of 38224 is modest. The CPU is the workhorse here, and the GPU is a minor aid.

3D rendering in CPU-based renderers like V-Ray or Arnold will be outstanding. The CPU's multi-threaded performance is top-tier, and render times will be short. The GPU is not relevant here, as these renderers use the CPU. This is the strongest use case for this build.

Software development is a strong scenario. The CPU's high integer math score (242097) and multi-thread score (66030) accelerate compilation. The data compression score of 896544 speeds up repository operations. The GPU is irrelevant for most development tasks, making this a sensible pairing for developers.

Student and office work is more than adequately served by the CPU, but the GPU is overkill for basic productivity. The system will handle word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing effortlessly. The CPU's single-thread score of 4737 ensures snappy application responsiveness. This is a high-cost solution for basic tasks, but it will never feel slow.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A380 is based on the Xe-HPG architecture (Alchemist generation) and is manufactured on a 6 nm process by TSMC. It features 1024 shading units, 64 TMUs, and 32 ROPs, with 8 RT cores for ray tracing. The GPU has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 186.0 GB/s. The base clock is 2000 MHz with a boost clock of 2050 MHz, and memory runs at 1937 MHz (15.5 Gbps effective). These are entry-level specifications, reflected in its 44th-percentile ranking.

The benchmark scores confirm its low-end positioning. The FP32 performance is 4.198 TFLOPS, and the pixel rate is 65.60 GPixel/s with a texture rate of 131.2 GTexel/s. The PassMark G3D score of 6252 is typical for a budget card, and the DirectX 12 score of 35 indicates it will struggle with modern graphics APIs. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 36736 is also modest. The GPU has 8 RT cores, but their performance is likely too weak for playable ray tracing in modern games, given the overall low compute performance. The 6 GB VRAM is a limiting factor for texture-heavy workloads, and the 186.0 GB/s bandwidth is low by modern standards.

For rendering, this GPU is not suitable for real-time 3D applications or heavy GPU compute. The PassMark GPU compute score of 2762 is very low, making it unsuitable for tasks like AI inference or GPU-accelerated rendering. It can handle 2D desktop output and basic video playback, but it is not a graphics workhorse. The GPU is effectively a display adapter with some 3D capability, and its performance is clustered with older mobile and entry-level desktop parts.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU is based on the AMD Socket AM5 platform, which supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 (24 lanes from the CPU). This is a modern platform with a clear upgrade path, as future AMD processors are likely to support the same socket for several generations. The memory support is dual-channel, and the platform supports ECC memory, which is beneficial for workstation reliability. The 9950X has a TDP of 170 W, and the suggested PSU for the GPU is 250 W, but the overall system power draw will be dominated by the CPU.

A sensible next upgrade is to replace the Intel Arc A380 with a more powerful GPU. Given the CPU's 94th-percentile ranking, it can support any modern high-end graphics card without becoming a bottleneck. The PCIe Gen 5 support ensures that future GPUs will have full bandwidth. The 170 W CPU TDP means a robust power supply is needed, but the system is not excessively power-hungry. Users should prioritize a GPU upgrade to unlock the system's gaming and GPU compute potential. The platform also supports the latest DDR5 memory, so users can upgrade to higher-capacity or faster kits, though the 89.6 GB/s bandwidth is the baseline.

FAQ

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

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X has an average benchmark score of 74640, which is 0.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 and 0.2% lower than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745. It is 1% lower than the AMD EPYC 4545P and 1.1% lower than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285.

Q: What is the GPU's percentile ranking and what does it mean?

A: The Intel Arc A380 is in the 44th percentile of all GPUs, meaning it performs better than 44% of GPUs but is outclassed by the majority. Its average benchmark score is 8558, placing it near the AMD FirePro W5170M and AMD Radeon HD 8870M.

Q: Does this system support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X supports ECC memory, which is a feature beneficial for data integrity in professional workstations.

Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth of the CPU?

A: The CPU has a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, which is the standard for the AM5 platform with DDR5.

Q: Is the GPU suitable for modern gaming?

A: No, the GPU's DirectX 12 score is 35, and its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 808, indicating it is an entry-level part. It will likely struggle to maintain playable frame rates in modern games at 1080p.

Q: What is the CPU's single-thread performance score?

A: The CPU scores 2202 in Cinebench R23 single-core, 3029 in Geekbench single-core, and 4737 in PassMark single-thread. These are strong scores for everyday tasks.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth and size?

A: The GPU has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 186.0 GB/s. This is limited for modern games.

Build Overview

This is a desktop class build combining the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, a 16-core, 32-thread processor, with the Intel Arc A380, an entry-level graphics card. The CPU is a top-tier part, ranking in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 44th percentile. The combined percentile for the build is 69, reflecting the significant disparity between the two components. This pairing is a compute-centric workstation configuration, where the CPU's immense multi-threading power is the primary asset, and the GPU serves only as a basic display output. The system is not balanced for gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks, and its performance profile is defined by the CPU's excellence in multi-threaded workloads. The launch MSRP for the CPU is $649, and the GPU has a launch MSRP of 149 USD.