SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-13900K + AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT

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

96 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 4% 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
96%
VS
GPU
97%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-13900K

61,766 Benchmark Score
Top 4% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT

58,392 Benchmark Score
Top 3% 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 i9-13900K and AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT form a formidable desktop pairing, combining a 24-core Raptor Lake flagship with a high-bandwidth RDNA 2 graphics card. This analysis relies solely on synthetic benchmark data, as no measured frame rate rows exist for this specific combination in the FACT PACK. Consequently, all gaming performance discussions are estimates derived from the CPU and GPU scores, not direct empirical measurements.

Gaming Performance

Since the FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this CPU-GPU combination, all frame rate figures presented here are estimates based on the component benchmark scores. The data shows the GPU achieves a Passmark G3D score of 28070 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4235, indicating robust DirectX 12 performance. The CPU’s 3DMark single-thread score of 1187 and 3DMark 8-thread score of 8520 suggest it can feed the GPU effectively in most gaming scenarios.

For 1080p gaming, the combination of the CPU’s Passmark single-thread score of 4608 and the GPU’s high pixel rate of 295.7 GPixel/s should deliver very high frame rates in esports and less demanding titles. The CPU’s 3DMark 2-thread score of 2355 indicates strong dual-core performance, which is often sufficient for older or lightly-threaded games. At this resolution, the CPU is likely the primary driver of frame rates, and its strong single-core scores suggest it will not bottleneck the GPU in most cases.

Moving to 1440p, the GPU’s 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and 576.0 GB/s bandwidth become more critical. The RX 6950 XT’s FP32 compute of 23.65 TFLOPS suggests it can handle the increased pixel workload at this resolution. The data indicates the GPU’s Passmark G3D score places it in the 88th percentile, implying it is well above average for rendering complex scenes. The CPU’s 3DMark 16-thread score of 11201 ensures that even games utilizing multiple cores for physics and AI will have ample processing headroom.

At 4K, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck, as is typical. The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 4235, while strong, will be taxed heavily by 4K ultra settings. The CPU’s performance is less relevant here; its 3DMark max-thread score of 15509 provides a massive cushion, ensuring it will not limit the GPU’s output. The GPU’s texture rate of 739.2 GTexel/s is a key metric for high-resolution texture rendering, and the 128 ROPs will handle the pixel fill rate demands of 4K.

It is important to reiterate that these are estimated figures. The absence of measured FPS data means the precise impact of driver optimizations or specific game engines cannot be quantified here. The benchmark scores, however, paint a clear picture of a system capable of high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming, with solid 4K performance that will require settings adjustments for the most demanding titles.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU’s average benchmark score is 61766, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. This score is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, with the Intel Core i9-13900T scoring 61723 (0.1% slower) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scoring 61834 (0.1% faster). The Intel Core i9-13900KF is also within 0.1%, scoring 61841, while the Intel Xeon 636 trails by 0.7% with a score of 61360. This indicates the 13900K is positioned at the very top of the performance tier, with negligible differences from its closest competitors.

The GPU’s average benchmark score is 58392, placing it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA P102-100, scores 58528, which is 0.2% higher. The Intel Arc A570M scores 58239, a 0.3% deficit, while the AMD Radeon PRO V710 scores 58657, 0.5% higher. The AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM scores 58085, trailing by 0.5%. These tight margins show the RX 6950 XT sits in a highly competitive band, with no single rival holding a decisive advantage.

The combined percentile for this CPU and GPU pairing is 90, reflecting a system that is exceptionally well-balanced. The CPU’s score in Cinebench R23 multi-core of 38271.5 is a standout, indicating massive parallel processing power. The GPU’s Geekbench Vulkan score of 165212 and OpenCL score of 205998 demonstrate strong cross-platform compute capabilities. The data reveals a system where the CPU’s 92nd percentile ranking is slightly higher than the GPU’s 88th percentile, but the combined 90th percentile suggests they complement each other well for a broad range of workloads.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-13900K is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, using a 10 nm process from Intel. It features 24 cores and 32 threads, a configuration that leverages a hybrid design for both high single-thread and high multi-thread performance. The base clock is 3.00 GHz, with a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, and the multiplier is unlocked, allowing for overclocking. The CPU supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it includes ECC memory support.

The benchmark data shows exceptional scaling from 2 threads to max threads. The 3DMark 2-thread score is 2355, which jumps to 8520 at 8 threads and reaches 15509 at max threads. This scaling pattern indicates the core architecture is highly efficient, with minimal performance degradation as more cores are utilized. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38271.5 reflects its 24-core capability, while the single-core score of 2238.5 confirms that Raptor Lake’s performance cores are among the fastest available.

For real workloads, the Passmark data provides deeper insight. The data compression score of 793645 and encryption score of 46609 are exceptionally high, indicating strong performance in data-intensive tasks. The floating-point math score of 151562 and integer math score of 207792 show a balanced ALU/FPU design. The extended instructions score of 46477 suggests the CPU can accelerate modern workloads that utilize AVX-512 and similar instruction sets, though this is a Passmark metric that may not directly translate to all applications.

The 36 MB of shared L3 cache is a significant asset for gaming and productivity, reducing latency when accessing frequently used data. The 2 MB per-core L2 cache is also generous. The CPU’s 3DMark single-thread score of 1187 and Passmark single-thread score of 4608 both confirm its dominance in lightly-threaded tasks, which is critical for legacy software and many game engines that still rely on a few fast cores.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: The CPU’s 3DMark 8-thread score of 8520 ensures that modern games utilizing eight cores will have ample headroom. The GPU’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 4235 indicates it can produce high frame rates, but for 240Hz+ displays at 1080p, the CPU’s single-thread performance (Passmark 4608) will be the deciding factor. The data suggests this pairing can maintain very high frame rates in esports titles, though the exact ceiling is an estimate without measured FPS.

Streaming: The CPU’s Passmark multithread score of 58589 is a strong indicator of its ability to encode video while gaming. The 24 cores and 32 threads provide dedicated resources for x264 encoding without stealing cores from the game. The GPU’s 16 GB VRAM also allows for headroom when using hardware encoding, though the CPU’s massive multi-core score makes software encoding a viable option for maximum quality.

Video Editing: The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 20740 and Geekbench multi-core score of 22820 demonstrate immense processing power for timeline scrubbing and effect rendering. The GPU’s OpenCL score of 205998 accelerates GPU-accelerated effects in editors like DaVinci Resolve. The 16 GB VRAM is sufficient for 4K timelines, and the CPU’s high single-core score of 2628 in Geekbench ensures smooth interface responsiveness.

3D Rendering: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38271.5 is a standout metric for CPU-based rendering in Blender or V-Ray. The GPU’s FP32 compute of 23.65 TFLOPS and texture rate of 739.2 GTexel/s make it a capable GPU renderer as well. The 80 RT cores on the GPU provide hardware-accelerated ray tracing, though the data suggests the CPU’s raw multi-threaded throughput is the system’s primary rendering strength.

Software Development: The Passmark data compression score of 793645 and encryption score of 46609 are directly relevant to compilation and code signing. The 32 threads allow for parallel builds, significantly reducing compile times. The ECC memory support is a notable feature for developers who require data integrity, and the dual-channel DDR5 support provides the memory bandwidth needed for large codebases.

Student and Office Work: The CPU’s Passmark single-thread score of 4608 ensures that everyday applications like spreadsheets and word processors feel instantaneous. The GPU’s Passmark G2D score of 1063 indicates solid 2D performance for office productivity. The 16 GB VRAM is overkill for this use case, but the system’s overall power means it will never struggle with multitasking or complex documents.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data reveals a system where the CPU is the stronger component, sitting in the 92nd percentile versus the GPU’s 88th. This means in CPU-bound workloads, the 13900K will be the limiting factor only in the most extreme cases. The CPU’s 3DMark max-thread score of 15509 versus the GPU’s Passmark G3D score of 28070 shows a slight mismatch, with the CPU having a higher relative standing.

In gaming at 1080p, the CPU’s single-thread performance will likely be the primary bottleneck. The GPU’s high pixel rate of 295.7 GPixel/s can outpace the CPU’s ability to issue draw calls in some scenarios. However, the CPU’s Passmark single-thread score of 4608 is so high that this bottleneck will only manifest at very low resolutions or with a CPU bottlenecked game engine.

At 1440p and 4K, the bottleneck shifts decisively to the GPU. The GPU’s 576.0 GB/s bandwidth and 16 GB VRAM are the key resources for these resolutions. The CPU’s 3DMark 16-thread score of 11201 ensures it can keep up with the GPU’s frame production at these higher resolutions. The data indicates that the GPU’s 88th percentile ranking will become the limiting factor for frame rates at 4K, as the demand for pixel fill and texture filtering outpaces the CPU’s role.

For compute workloads, the balance is more nuanced. The CPU’s Passmark floating-point math score of 151562 is high, but the GPU’s FP32 of 23.65 TFLOPS is significantly higher. This means for tasks like machine learning inference or physics simulations, the GPU will be the primary accelerator. Conversely, for tasks that are latency-sensitive or require heavy branching logic, the CPU’s 32 threads will be the dominant force.

GPU Analysis

The AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT is based on the RDNA 2.0 architecture, utilizing the Navi 21 chip fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It features 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 5120 shading units, 320 TMUs, and 128 ROPs, which are substantial numbers for its class. The base clock is 1860 MHz, with a boost clock of 2310 MHz, and a game clock of 2100 MHz.

The memory clock is 2250 MHz, translating to 18 Gbps effective. The GPU includes 80 RT cores for hardware ray tracing, though the data does not provide specific RT benchmark scores. The FP32 performance of 23.65 TFLOPS and FP16 performance of 47.31 TFLOPS (2:1) indicate strong compute capabilities for both gaming and content creation. The pixel rate of 295.7 GPixel/s and texture rate of 739.2 GTexel/s are high, suggesting excellent fill-rate performance for high-resolution textures.

The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 4235 is the most relevant gaming benchmark. This score indicates solid DirectX 12 performance, though it is not at the very top of the GPU hierarchy. The Passmark DirectX 12 score of 114 and DirectX 11 score of 300 are lower than the G3D score, which may reflect specific test conditions or driver interactions. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 165212 shows strong API-agnostic performance, which is beneficial for cross-platform engines.

The GPU’s 16 GB VRAM is a significant advantage over 8 GB cards, particularly for 4K textures and large compute datasets. The 576.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures the VRAM is utilized efficiently. The TDP of 335 W is high, requiring a suggested PSU of 700 W, and the triple-slot cooler and 2x 8-pin power connectors are necessary for this power draw. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

FAQ

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

A: The combined percentile is 90, indicating this system performs better than 90% of all tested CPU and GPU combinations in the database.

Q: How does the Intel Core i9-13900K compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-13900T?

A: The 13900K has an average benchmark score of 61766, which is 0.1% higher than the 13900T’s score of 61723, making the difference effectively negligible.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory bandwidth and how does it impact performance?

A: The GPU has 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which is a key factor for high-resolution textures and compute workloads, ensuring the 16 GB VRAM is not starved for data.

Q: What is the CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score and what does it signify?

A: The CPU scores 38271.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which signifies exceptional parallel processing power for tasks like 3D rendering and video encoding.

Q: Does the GPU have hardware ray tracing capabilities?

A: Yes, the GPU includes 80 RT cores, which are dedicated to hardware-accelerated ray tracing, though no specific ray tracing benchmark scores are available in the data.

Q: What is the recommended power supply wattage for this GPU?

A: The suggested PSU for the GPU is 700 W, which accounts for the GPU’s 335 W TDP and the rest of the system’s power draw.

Q: What is the CPU’s socket and what memory types does it support?

A: The CPU uses the Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build combining Intel’s Core i9-13900K with AMD’s Radeon RX 6950 XT. The CPU is a 24-core, 32-thread Raptor Lake processor with a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, while the GPU is a 16 GB RDNA 2 card with a 256-bit memory bus. The system’s combined percentile of 90 places it in the upper echelon of all builds, though not at the absolute top, as the CPU (92nd percentile) is slightly stronger than the GPU (88th percentile).

The pairing represents a high-end desktop configuration from the 2022 era, with both components released in that year. The CPU’s launch MSRP is $589, and the GPU’s launch MSRP is 1,099 USD. The data shows this is a system designed for enthusiasts and professionals who need maximum multi-threaded CPU performance and high-end GPU rasterization power. It is not a budget-oriented build, and its performance tier confirms it is intended for demanding applications.

The build’s overall tier, based on the 90th combined percentile, is that of a top-tier workstation and high-refresh gaming machine. The CPU’s 92nd percentile ranking is elite, while the GPU’s 88th percentile is very strong but not flagship-tier. This creates a system that excels in CPU-heavy workloads like rendering and compilation, while still delivering excellent gaming performance, particularly at 1440p.

Who Should Build It

This system is ideally suited for gamers who prioritize high-refresh 1440p gaming. The GPU’s 16 GB VRAM and 576.0 GB/s bandwidth, combined with the CPU’s 3DMark 8-thread score of 8520, provide a strong foundation for modern titles at high settings. Gamers with 240Hz 1080p monitors will also benefit from the CPU’s exceptional single-thread performance (Passmark 4608), which minimizes CPU-side frame pacing issues.

Content creators, particularly video editors and 3D animators, will find this build highly capable. The CPU’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 38271.5 accelerates rendering times, while the GPU’s OpenCL score of 205998 provides GPU acceleration for effects. The 16 GB VRAM is sufficient for 4K video timelines and complex 3D scenes, making this a viable workstation for freelance creators.

Software developers who work with large codebases will appreciate the CPU’s 32 threads and 36 MB of L3 cache. The Passmark data compression score of 793645 suggests rapid build times, and the ECC memory support is a critical feature for developers who cannot tolerate data corruption. Students in engineering or computer science fields will also benefit, though the system’s power exceeds typical student needs.

Small business workstations that require heavy compute, such as financial modeling or data analysis, can leverage the CPU’s Passmark integer math score of 207792. The GPU’s compute capabilities are a bonus for tasks like CUDA-style workloads, though AMD’s ecosystem is less prevalent in some enterprise software. This is not a system for basic office work, as the hardware is vastly overqualified for such tasks.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface. This means the GPU is not utilizing the CPU’s full PCIe bandwidth, but the 4.0 x16 interface is sufficient for the RX 6950 XT’s performance.

The CPU’s TDP is 125 W, and the GPU’s TDP is 335 W, requiring a substantial cooling solution. The suggested PSU is 700 W, which provides some headroom for overclocking the CPU (multiplier unlocked) but is not excessive. The GPU is triple-slot, requiring a case with adequate clearance, and uses 2x 8-pin power connectors.

A sensible next upgrade path would be to replace the GPU with a newer model that supports PCIe Gen 5, though the data does not specify which GPUs offer this. The CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is possible to extend its lifespan. The platform supports DDR5, so upgrading from DDR4 to DDR5 memory is possible, though the CPU’s performance is already strong with either memory type.

For the GPU, the production status is end-of-life, meaning a future upgrade is inevitable. The successor is listed as Navi III, but no performance data is available for that architecture. The CPU’s production status is active, so it remains a viable current component. The platform’s PCIe Gen 5 support ensures that future GPUs will be able to take full advantage of the CPU’s bandwidth capabilities, making the CPU a solid foundation for a multi-year upgrade cycle.