SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-13600K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

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
91%
VS
GPU
91%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-13600K

37,685 Benchmark Score
Top 9% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

21,035 Benchmark Score
Top 9% 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

The Intel Core i5-13600K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 forms a desktop build that ranks in the 76th percentile overall, indicating a solidly above-average configuration for mainstream workloads. The CPU is the dominant component in this pairing, holding the 86th percentile among all processors, while the GPU sits at the 66th percentile among all graphics cards. This creates a system where the processor provides substantial headroom for compute-heavy tasks, while the graphics card delivers capable 1080p performance. The data shows a clear imbalance in raw compute potential, with the CPU's performance ceiling significantly higher than the GPU's rendering throughput, which has specific implications for gaming and productivity workloads.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-13600K is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It features a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, and it includes ECC memory support. The cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 24 MB L3 cache. The processor integrates UHD Graphics 770, though this pairing relies on the discrete GPU.

Benchmark results indicate exceptional multi-threaded capability. In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 24,221 in multi-core and 2,000.5 in single-core. The single-core score places it among the top performers for tasks that rely on single-thread responsiveness, such as legacy software and certain game engines. The multi-core score is particularly strong, reflecting the 14-core configuration's ability to handle heavily threaded workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. In Geekbench, the processor achieves 15,575 multi-core and 2,297 single-core, reinforcing the picture of a balanced high-performance desktop CPU.

The 3DMark thread scaling results provide insight into how the processor handles varying thread counts. With 2 threads, the score is 2,168; with 4 threads, it rises to 4,283; 8 threads yields 7,074; 16 threads produces 9,368; and max threads reaches 10,157. This scaling pattern shows near-linear gains up to 8 threads, with diminishing returns beyond that point, which is typical for a hybrid architecture mixing performance and efficiency cores. The PassMark multi-thread score of 37,680 and single-thread score of 4,124 confirm the CPU's standing in the 86th percentile, just 0.4% behind the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 in average benchmark scores. The data shows the i5-13600K is effectively a peer of these newer processors, despite launching earlier.

For real workloads, the 24,221 Cinebench R23 multi-core score translates to strong performance in video editing timelines, batch photo processing, and code builds. The 2,000.5 single-core score ensures snappy application launches and responsive UI interactions. The PassMark data compression score of 476,394 and integer math score of 122,481 indicate robust file archiving and general computational throughput. This CPU is a capable choice for a desktop workstation that requires both high single-thread and multi-thread performance, with no significant weak point in its benchmark profile.

Balance and Bottleneck

The benchmark data reveals a significant imbalance between the CPU and GPU in this pairing. The CPU's average benchmark score of 37,685 places it in the 86th percentile, while the GPU's average score of 21,035 places it in the 66th percentile. This gap indicates that the processor is considerably more powerful relative to its peers than the graphics card is relative to its own peers. In gaming scenarios, the RTX 5050 will likely be the limiting factor in most situations, particularly at higher resolutions or with demanding graphical settings.

The CPU's multi-threaded scores suggest it can feed frames to the GPU without becoming a bottleneck in most titles. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 9,368 and max-threads score of 10,157 demonstrate that the processor has substantial reserve capacity for background tasks while gaming. However, the GPU's performance metrics—such as its PassMark G3D score of 17,326—indicate it will cap frame rates in graphically intensive scenes. The GPU's percentile rank of 66 versus the CPU's 86 means the system is more balanced for productivity tasks, where the CPU does the heavy lifting, than for gaming, where the GPU is the constraint.

In CPU-intensive workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering, the GPU becomes less relevant, and the system performs closer to the CPU's high percentile ranking. Conversely, in GPU-bound tasks like ray tracing or high-resolution gaming, the system's performance will align more closely with the GPU's 66th percentile. The combined percentile of 76 reflects this middle ground. The data suggests that for a user upgrading from a weaker CPU, the i5-13600K provides ample headroom; for a user upgrading from a stronger GPU, the RTX 5050 would be the limiting factor. The bottleneck shifts depending on workload type, but for pure gaming, the GPU is the primary constraint.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, built on TSMC's 5 nm process with 16,900 million transistors on a 149 mm² die. The GPU features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock runs at 2,500 MHz, which translates to 20 Gbps effective. The core clocks are set at 2,317 MHz base and 2,572 MHz boost. The GPU contains 2,560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, 32 raster operation units, 20 ray tracing cores, and 80 tensor cores. The pixel rate is 82.30 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 205.8 GTexel/s. FP32 performance is rated at 13.17 TFLOPS, with FP16 at the same 13.17 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio).

Benchmark results show the GPU's compute capabilities through several tests. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, the GPU scores 2,502, which reflects its ability to handle modern DirectX 12 titles. Geekbench OpenCL and Vulkan scores are 90,334 and 89,381, respectively, indicating strong general-purpose compute performance for tasks like OpenCL acceleration in creative applications. The PassMark G3D score of 17,326 places the GPU in the 66th percentile, with its nearest rival being the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which scores 20,713 and is 1.6% faster. The GPU sits 0.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL and 1% behind the AMD Radeon HD 8970M in average benchmark scores.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a notable consideration for modern games and creative workloads. At 1080p, this capacity is generally sufficient for most titles, but it may become a constraint in games with high-resolution textures or when running multiple applications simultaneously. The 320.0 GB/s bandwidth is adequate for the GPU's compute capacity, but it is not exceptional for the 50-series class. The 20 ray tracing cores and 80 tensor cores provide hardware acceleration for ray-traced effects and DLSS-style upscaling, which can improve performance in supported titles. The GPU's TDP of 130 W is modest, and the suggested PSU of 300 W indicates this card is power-efficient for its performance level. The PCIe 5.0 x8 interface provides ample bandwidth for the GPU's data transfer needs, though the 8 GB memory size may limit texture-heavy workloads.

FAQ

Q: What is the performance difference between the i5-13600K and its nearest CPU rival?

A: The i5-13600K has an average benchmark score of 37,685, which is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 (37,762) and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H (37,522). This places it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 compare to the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT?

A: The RTX 5050 has an average benchmark score of 21,035, which is 1.6% behind the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT's score of 20,713. The RTX 5050 ranks in the 66th percentile of all GPUs.

Q: What memory types does the i5-13600K support?

A: The i5-13600K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel memory bus, and it also supports ECC memory, which is useful for workstation stability.

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

A: The combined percentile for the Intel Core i5-13600K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is 76, indicating it performs better than 76% of all CPU-GPU combinations in the database.

Q: What is the TDP and power supply requirement for the RTX 5050?

A: The RTX 5050 has a TDP of 130 W, and the suggested power supply is 300 W. It uses a single 8-pin power connector and occupies a dual-slot form factor.

Q: What is the boost clock and process node of the i5-13600K?

A: The i5-13600K has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz and is built on Intel's 10 nm process node. Its base clock is 3.50 GHz.

Q: What is the VRAM capacity and bandwidth of the RTX 5050?

A: The RTX 5050 has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory with a 128-bit bus, providing 320.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory operates at 2,500 MHz (20 Gbps effective).

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for this pairing shows a CPU that significantly outperforms its GPU counterpart in relative terms. The i5-13600K's average benchmark score is 37,685, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the RTX 5050's average benchmark score is 21,035, placing it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. The combined percentile for the system is 76, which represents a solid mid-to-high tier desktop configuration.

Looking at specific CPU benchmarks, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,221 and single-core score of 2,000.5 are strong indicators of both productivity and responsiveness. The Geekbench multi-core score of 15,575 and single-core score of 2,297 further confirm this. The 3DMark max-threads score of 10,157 shows the processor's ability to handle heavily threaded workloads. The PassMark multi-thread score of 37,680 and single-thread score of 4,124 round out the CPU's profile, with the data compression score of 476,394 being particularly notable for file-handling tasks.

For the GPU, the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,502 is a key metric for modern gaming performance. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 90,334 and Vulkan score of 89,381 indicate strong compute performance for applications that leverage these APIs. The PassMark G3D score of 17,326 places the GPU in a competitive position, though the data shows it trails the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT by 1.6%. The GPU's PassMark GPU compute score of 9,184 is moderate, reflecting its 8 GB memory capacity and 128-bit bus. The combined picture is a system where the CPU provides a high-performance foundation, and the GPU delivers competent but not class-leading graphics throughput.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination, so the following FPS discussion is estimated from the benchmark scores. The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,502 and its PassMark G3D score of 17,326 suggest that the RTX 5050 is positioned for 1080p gaming at high settings. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 320.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for most titles at this resolution, though games with very large texture packs may approach the memory limit.

For esports titles and less demanding games, the RTX 5050 should deliver high frame rates, with the i5-13600K's strong single-core performance of 2,000.5 in Cinebench R23 ensuring the CPU does not bottleneck the GPU in these scenarios. For AAA games, the GPU's 66th percentile ranking suggests it will handle medium-to-high settings at 1080p with playable frame rates, though users should expect to adjust settings for the most demanding titles. The CPU's high percentile means it will not be the limiting factor in these games, so the GPU's performance will dictate the overall experience.

At 1440p, the RTX 5050's 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus may become constraints, and frame rates are likely to drop compared to 1080p. The GPU's 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is adequate for this resolution in many games, but users may need to lower settings to maintain smooth performance. The 20 ray tracing cores provide some ray-tracing capability, but the GPU's overall compute power will limit the use of heavy ray-traced effects. These figures are estimates based on the benchmark scores, and actual gaming performance will vary by title and driver optimization.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The i5-13600K uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes for the primary graphics card slot, and the RTX 5050 uses a PCIe 5.0 x8 interface. The platform supports dual-channel memory, and the 125 W TDP of the CPU combined with the 130 W TDP of the GPU means a 300 W power supply is suggested by the GPU specifications. This leaves some headroom for a modest upgrade, but a more powerful GPU would likely require a higher-wattage power supply.

The memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 gives builders flexibility, though DDR5 will typically offer higher bandwidth for the CPU's 24 MB L3 cache to work with. The CPU's ECC memory support is an advantage for workstation use. The socket 1700 platform has been superseded by newer sockets, meaning future CPU upgrades would require a motherboard change. However, the i5-13600K's performance in the 86th percentile suggests it has longevity for several more years.

For a sensible next upgrade, the data suggests focusing on the GPU. The RTX 5050's 66th percentile is the weaker link in this pairing, and upgrading to a higher-tier GPU would better utilize the CPU's headroom. The CPU's 14 cores and 20 threads, along with its high multi-thread scores, would support a more powerful GPU without becoming a bottleneck. The 300 W suggested PSU would need to be increased for a more power-hungry GPU, and the PCIe 5.0 x8 interface is sufficient for current and near-future graphics cards.

Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core i5-13600K with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 as a desktop configuration. The CPU is a high-end mainstream processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, ranking in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is a mid-range graphics card ranking in the 66th percentile. The combined percentile of 76 places this system above the majority of desktop builds in the database, making it a capable all-around machine.

The CPU's performance is the standout feature, with benchmark scores that rival much newer processors. The i5-13600K's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,221 and PassMark multi-thread score of 37,680 demonstrate its strength in productivity tasks. The GPU, while not as dominant, provides adequate graphics performance for 1080p gaming and general GPU-accelerated workloads. The system's overall tier is solidly mid-to-high, with the CPU providing a strong foundation that the GPU does not fully utilize in graphics-intensive scenarios.

The desktop class means this build is intended for a stationary setup, and the components' power requirements—125 W for the CPU and 130 W for the GPU—are moderate. The 5 nm GPU process and 10 nm CPU process contribute to efficiency, though the CPU's 125 W TDP is notable. This is a versatile build that can handle a range of tasks, from gaming to content creation, with the CPU being the more capable component.

Who Should Build It

This configuration is well-suited for users who prioritize CPU performance while still needing a competent GPU for gaming and general graphics tasks. Gamers playing at 1080p will find the RTX 5050 capable of handling most titles, with the i5-13600K ensuring smooth gameplay in CPU-bound scenarios. The high single-core score of 2,000.5 in Cinebench R23 makes this system responsive in everyday use and in games that rely on single-thread performance.

Content creators who work with video editing, 3D rendering, or software development will benefit most from this pairing. The CPU's 24,221 Cinebench R23 multi-core score and 15,575 Geekbench multi-core score provide strong performance for rendering and compilation tasks, while the GPU's compute scores—90,334 in Geekbench OpenCL—support GPU-accelerated effects and processing. Students and small business users who need a reliable workstation for multitasking, data analysis, and office applications will find the CPU's 14 cores and 20 threads more than sufficient.

The system's 76th combined percentile makes it a solid choice for users who want a balanced desktop that can handle both work and play. The 8 GB VRAM of the GPU is adequate for 1080p gaming and moderate creative work, but users who plan to work with very large textures or high-resolution video may find the GPU's memory capacity limiting. For those who prioritize CPU-heavy workloads over graphics, this build offers an excellent processor with a capable, though not top-tier, GPU.