SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i5-14600K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

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

92 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 8% 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
94%
VS
GPU
89%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i5-14600K

48,618 Benchmark Score
Top 6% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM

15,199 Benchmark Score
Top 11% 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

Balance and Bottleneck

The pairing of the Intel Core i5-14600K with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM presents a striking imbalance in raw compute potential, and the benchmark data quantifies this asymmetry clearly. The CPU sits at the 90th percentile among all processors, while the GPU occupies only the 57th percentile among all graphics cards. This 33-percentile gap is the defining characteristic of this build, and it shapes every workload outcome.

In CPU-bound scenarios, the i5-14600K shows no signs of strain. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,491 and single-core score of 2,064 place it near the top of desktop chips, and its PassMark multithread score of 38,682 reinforces that position. The data indicates this processor can feed even demanding graphics workloads without becoming the limiting factor. Meanwhile, the RTX 3050 OEM's PassMark G3D score of 11,857 and Geekbench OpenCL score of 60,740 reveal a GPU that is competent but decidedly mid-range.

The bottleneck analysis is straightforward: the GPU will limit frame rates in nearly every gaming scenario, while the CPU will sit partially idle. This is not necessarily a flaw — many builds deliberately pair a strong CPU with a modest GPU to leave headroom for future upgrades. However, the data suggests that in its current configuration, the system's performance ceiling in graphics-intensive tasks is set entirely by the RTX 3050 OEM. The GPU's FP32 throughput of 8.087 TFLOPS and texture rate of 126.4 GTexel/s are the practical limits for rendering work, not the CPU's 14 cores and 20 threads.

For productivity workloads, the balance shifts dramatically. The CPU's PassMark integer math score of 125,737 and floating-point math score of 92,794 indicate that compute-heavy tasks like compilation, data processing, and scientific simulation will run at near-CPU-limited speeds. The GPU's compute score of 5,779 in PassMark is modest by comparison, so any workload that can offload to the CPU will benefit more from this pairing than one that relies on GPU acceleration.

Interestingly, the CPU's nearest rivals — the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H at -0.2% and AMD EPYC 4345P at +0.3% — are server-class parts, which underscores how capable this desktop chip is. The GPU, by contrast, sits within 0.6% of the RTX 2060 and within 0.5% of the GTX 580, both older architectures. This positions the RTX 3050 OEM as a modern entry-level part that happens to match older mid-range cards in aggregate score.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score of 48,618 places it in rarefied air. Its Cinebench R20 multi-core result of 13,709 and Geekbench multi-core score of 16,673 indicate strong scaling across its 14 cores (6 performance cores plus 8 efficiency cores, per the architecture). The single-core performance, measured at 2,064 in Cinebench R23 and 4,270 in PassMark single-thread tests, is particularly strong for a desktop processor, which benefits responsiveness in lightly-threaded applications.

The GPU's average benchmark score of 15,199 is less impressive but still respectable for its class. Its PassMark G3D score of 11,857 and Geekbench Vulkan score of 57,103 show that it handles modern graphics APIs competently. The DirectX 12 score of 58 and DirectX 11 score of 86 in PassMark suggest that the card performs better under older APIs, which is typical for entry-level Ampere parts. The DirectX 9 score of 137 is notably higher, indicating strong legacy compatibility.

The combined percentile of 74 for this build reflects the CPU's dominance in the overall score. The data shows that in mixed workloads — such as gaming with a live stream running, or video editing with background rendering — the system will perform well above its GPU tier because the CPU can handle additional tasks without impacting frame rates. However, in pure GPU-bound scenarios, the system behaves like a 57th-percentile graphics platform.

The GPU's nearest rival comparison is telling: the RX 7600 is only 0.2% ahead, and the Radeon 680M integrated graphics is 0.5% behind. This means the RTX 3050 OEM is functionally equivalent to a high-end integrated GPU in aggregate benchmarks, though its dedicated memory and higher sustained clocks give it an edge in real-world gaming. The RTX 2060, a card from the previous generation, is 0.6% ahead — the performance gap is negligible in synthetic tests.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Socket 1700 platform provides a clear upgrade path, though it is nearing the end of its architectural life. The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, which gives builders flexibility in choosing memory kits based on availability and preference. The memory bandwidth is not specified in the data, but the dual-channel bus is standard for this class of desktop processor.

The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 CPU lanes is a forward-looking feature, though the RTX 3050 OEM uses PCIe 4.0 x8. This means the GPU is not bandwidth-limited by the slot, but it also does not take advantage of the newer standard. Future GPU upgrades that support PCIe Gen 5 would benefit from the full 16 lanes, though most current cards still use PCIe 4.0.

The power supply requirements are modest: the GPU's suggested PSU is 300 W and has a TDP of 130 W, while the CPU has a TDP of 125 W. This leaves approximately 45 W of headroom for other components at the 300 W figure, which is tight for a full system with drives, fans, and peripherals. A 500 W PSU would be more comfortable, but the data shows that a 300 W unit meets the minimum specification. The GPU uses a single 8-pin power connector, which is standard for this power class.

The upgrade path is clear: replacing the RTX 3050 OEM with a higher-tier GPU would unlock the CPU's full potential. The i5-14600K's 90th-percentile standing means it can drive cards several tiers above the current GPU without becoming a bottleneck. Conversely, upgrading the CPU while keeping this GPU would yield minimal gains in graphics-bound tasks, as the GPU would remain the limiting factor. The platform's support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 5 ensures that a future GPU upgrade would not be constrained by the motherboard or memory subsystem.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this exact CPU+GPU combination, and the `dataIsMeasured` field is false. All frame rate figures discussed below are estimates derived from the benchmark scores and should be treated as approximations rather than empirical results.

Based on the GPU's PassMark G3D score of 11,857 and its position relative to the RX 7600 (0.2% ahead) and RTX 2060 (0.6% behind), the RTX 3050 OEM is best suited for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings in modern titles. At 1440p, the card would struggle to maintain high frame rates in demanding games, as its 8 GB GDDR6 memory and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are on the lower end for that resolution. The 128-bit memory bus is a notable constraint for bandwidth-hungry titles.

At 1080p, the CPU's strong single-core performance (2,064 in Cinebench R23) ensures that frame pacing will be consistent, with no CPU-induced stutters. The GPU's boost clock of 1755 MHz and 2304 shading units provide adequate rasterization throughput for esports titles, which typically run at high frame rates even on modest hardware. For AAA games, the 32 ROPs and 72 TMUs are the limiting factors, capping fill-rate-dependent effects.

Ray tracing performance is weak, as the 18 RT cores are entry-level by current standards. The DirectX 12 Ultimate support (12_2) means the card can run ray-traced titles, but the data suggests that enabling RT will significantly reduce frame rates. DLSS would help mitigate this, but the FACT PACK does not specify DLSS capabilities, so any claim would be speculative. The Tensor cores (72) are present but their gaming benefit depends on software support.

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who prioritize CPU-heavy workloads over gaming performance. The i5-14600K's 90th-percentile CPU score makes it an excellent choice for software developers compiling large codebases, data analysts running multi-threaded queries, and content creators who work with video encoding or 3D rendering. The PassMark data compression score of 482,020 and encryption score of 27,533 indicate strong performance in archival and security-related tasks.

For gamers, this build is best suited to those who play at 1080p and are willing to adjust settings to medium or high. The GPU's 57th-percentile standing means it will handle esports titles and older games at high frame rates, but modern AAA releases will require compromises. Students building a first desktop would find this pairing capable for both coursework and light gaming, though the discrete GPU is not necessary for basic productivity.

Small business workstations that run office applications, accounting software, and light database work would benefit from the CPU's multi-threading capabilities. The ECC memory support (true) is a notable feature for data integrity in such environments, though the FACT PACK does not specify which memory types support ECC. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides a fallback display output if the discrete GPU is removed or fails.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: At 1080p with competitive settings, the combination can drive 144 Hz monitors in esports titles, thanks to the CPU's strong single-core performance (4,270 PassMark single-thread) and the GPU's adequate rasterization. However, the GPU's 57th-percentile standing means that 144 Hz in demanding AAA titles is not realistic; expect 60-90 FPS at best.

Streaming: The CPU's 14 cores and 20 threads handle x264 encoding at high quality without impacting game performance, as the PassMark multithread score of 38,682 indicates ample headroom. The GPU's NVENC capabilities are not specified in the data, so streaming should rely on CPU encoding for best results.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,491 supports smooth timeline scrubbing and fast export times in popular editors. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p editing with effects, but 4K work with heavy color grading would strain the 224.0 GB/s bandwidth.

3D rendering: CPU-based rendering in Blender or similar tools will be fast, given the Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 13,709. GPU-accelerated rendering will be slower, as the FP32 throughput of 8.087 TFLOPS is modest for this workload.

Software development: Compilation times will be short due to the CPU's PassMark integer math score of 125,737. The 20 threads handle parallel builds efficiently, and the single-core performance (2,064 Cinebench R23) ensures fast code navigation and IDE responsiveness.

Student and office work: This build is overkill for document editing, spreadsheet analysis, and web browsing. The CPU's 90th-percentile score ensures zero lag in any office task, while the GPU remains largely idle. The ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running academic computations.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM is built on the GA106 chip using Samsung's 8 nm process, with 12,000 million transistors on a 276 mm² die. The transistor density of 43.5M per mm² is moderate by current standards, reflecting the mature Ampere architecture. The card features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth — a figure that is adequate for 1080p but will limit 1440p performance in texture-heavy titles.

The clock speeds are 1515 MHz base and 1755 MHz boost, with memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). This yields a pixel rate of 56.16 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 126.4 GTexel/s. The 2304 shading units and 32 ROPs are the core rendering resources, and the FP32 throughput of 8.087 TFLOPS matches the FP16 throughput (1:1), indicating no half-rate FP16 penalty.

The 18 RT cores and 72 tensor cores provide hardware support for ray tracing and AI-enhanced rendering, but their modest count means real-world RT performance will be limited. The DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2) support ensures compatibility with modern games, while OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4 cover legacy and cross-platform APIs. The PassMark DirectX scores — 61 for DX10, 86 for DX11, 58 for DX12, 137 for DX9 — show that the card performs best under older APIs, which is consistent with its entry-level positioning.

The GPU's average benchmark score of 15,199 places it just 0.2% behind the RX 7600 and 0.5% behind the Radeon 680M, suggesting that in synthetic tests, this card is competitive with both a newer discrete GPU and a high-end integrated solution. However, the RTX 3050 OEM has dedicated VRAM and consistent power delivery, which translates to more stable performance in sustained gaming sessions.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking among all processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K ranks at the 90th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48,618.

Q: How does the RTX 3050 OEM compare to the RX 7600?

A: The RTX 3050 OEM has an average benchmark score of 15,199, which is 0.2% lower than the RX 7600's score of 15,171.

Q: Does this build support DDR4 or DDR5 memory?

A: The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, giving builders flexibility in memory selection.

Q: What is the GPU's memory bandwidth?

A: The RTX 3050 OEM has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Is there measured FPS data for this specific CPU+GPU combination?

A: No, the FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this pairing, and all frame rate estimates are derived from benchmark scores.

Q: What is the CPU's boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600K has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz.

Q: What is the suggested PSU wattage for this GPU?

A: The RTX 3050 OEM has a suggested PSU of 300 W and a TDP of 130 W.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i5-14600K is a 14-core, 20-thread desktop processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². It features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, and the TDP is 125 W. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, and ECC memory is supported.

The benchmark data reveals a processor that excels in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 24,491 and single-core score of 2,064 demonstrate balanced performance. The PassMark multithread score of 38,682 and single-thread score of 4,270 reinforce this picture. The Geekbench scores of 16,673 (multi-core) and 2,491 (single-core) are consistent with the Cinebench results.

The nearest rivals are interesting: the Xeon Gold 5318H is 0.2% behind, and the EPYC 4345P is 0.3% ahead. These are server-class chips, which indicates the i5-14600K's performance rivals that of higher-tier enterprise parts in aggregate benchmarks. The Core Ultra 5 245HX is 0.7% ahead, and the Core Ultra 5 245 is 0.8% behind, showing that the i5-14600K sits comfortably within the current desktop mainstream.

The PassMark sub-tests provide granular insight: data compression at 482,020, encryption at 27,533, extended instructions at 28,546, find prime numbers at 162, floating-point math at 92,794, integer math at 125,737, physics at 2,473, and random string sorting at 51,949. These scores indicate strong performance across diverse workload types, from cryptography to scientific simulation. The 10 nm process and 125 W TDP make this a power-efficient choice for sustained multi-core loads.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build combining the Intel Core i5-14600K, a 90th-percentile CPU, with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 OEM, a 57th-percentile GPU. The combined percentile is 74, reflecting the CPU's dominance in the overall performance profile. The i5-14600K is part of the Core 14th Gen series, released in October 2023 with a launch MSRP of $319, while the RTX 3050 OEM is an end-of-life product from the GeForce 30-series, released in January 2022.

The pairing is best described as a CPU-first build: the processor is capable of driving much more powerful graphics cards, making this a logical foundation for future GPU upgrades. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for 1080p gaming at medium settings, but the CPU's 24,491 Cinebench R23 multi-core score ensures that productivity tasks run at near-flagship levels. The desktop form factor, combined with the CPU's Socket 1700 platform and PCIe Gen 5 support, leaves ample room for expansion.

The overall tier of this build is upper-midrange, driven almost entirely by the CPU. Users who require strong compute performance for development, rendering, or data analysis will find this system highly capable, while gamers should consider it a 1080p platform that can be upgraded later. The GPU's 57th-percentile standing means it is not a bottleneck for CPU-bound workloads, but it will limit graphics performance in ways that the CPU's headroom cannot compensate for.