SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-13980HX + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile

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

95 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 5% 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
96%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-13980HX

50,398 Benchmark Score
Top 6% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile

43,268 Benchmark Score
Top 4% 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

# Intel Core i9-13980HX + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile

This laptop build pairs Intel's 24-core Raptor Lake-HX flagship mobile processor with NVIDIA's entry-level Blackwell 2.0 GPU, creating a system where raw CPU throughput vastly outstrips graphics capability. The combination lands at the 87th percentile overall, with the CPU at the 90th percentile among all processors and the GPU at the 83rd percentile among all graphics cards. No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination in the data pack, so all frame-rate discussion below is estimated from the benchmark scores rather than direct game testing.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The RTX 5050 Mobile's 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 8 GB GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus place it in the mid-range mobile GPU tier, meaning 1080p high-refresh gaming is feasible for esports titles but demanding AAA games will require settings compromises. The CPU's 3DMark single-thread score of 1145 and 2-thread score of 2207 indicate strong per-core performance that will not bottleneck frame generation in most titles.

Streaming: The combination of Intel's UHD Graphics 770 integrated GPU alongside the RTX 5050's 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores provides hardware acceleration for both encoding and AI-enhanced streaming features. The CPU's PassMark multi-thread score of 46409 ensures that simultaneous game encoding and gameplay remain fluid, while the 36 MB shared L3 cache helps maintain low latency during multi-tasking.

Video editing: The i9-13980HX's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30273 places it in the upper echelon of mobile processors for rendering timelines and exporting projects. The GPU's 120.0 GTexel/s texture rate and 48.00 GPixel/s pixel rate provide adequate acceleration for effects and color grading, though the 8 GB VRAM limits working with very large 4K or 8K projects.

3D rendering: CPU-based rendering workloads will excel given the 24 cores and 32 threads, with Cinebench R20 multi-core hitting 16187 and R15 multi-core reaching 4717. GPU-accelerated rendering will be more modest; the RTX 5050's 2560 shading units and 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 place it below desktop mid-range cards, making it suitable for preview renders and lighter production work rather than final-frame heavy scenes.

Software development: The processor's 3DMark 16-thread score of 9440 and PassMark integer math score of 166455 indicate strong parallel compilation performance. Data encryption throughput of 35332 and extended instructions score of 33868 suggest the CPU handles cryptographic workloads and SIMD-heavy code efficiently, while 32 threads allow rapid parallel builds.

Student and office work: Single-thread performance is more than adequate for productivity suites; PassMark single-thread score of 4252 and Cinebench R23 single-core of 2110 confirm snappy application responsiveness. The CPU's 55 W TDP in a laptop chassis means sustained office workloads will not stress thermal solutions heavily, though the discrete GPU's 50 W TDP adds to overall system power draw.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i9-13980HX compare to its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370?

A: The Intel chip's average benchmark score of 50398 is 0.1% lower than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370's 50448, making the two effectively identical in overall CPU performance. This puts the i9-13980HX in a statistical tie with its nearest competitor.

Q: What is the GPU's performance tier relative to other NVIDIA cards?

A: The RTX 5050 Mobile scores 43268 on average benchmarks, placing it at the 83rd percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the NVIDIA Quadro M6000 24 GB at 43262 (0% delta), and it sits within 0.9% of the RTX 4090 Mobile's 43667 score, which is surprising given the massive spec differences.

Q: Does this CPU support error-correcting memory?

A: Yes, the i9-13980HX supports ECC memory, and it also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory types through a dual-channel memory bus. This makes the platform suitable for workstation-class reliability requirements.

Q: What PCIe generation does the CPU provide?

A: The CPU offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), which provides high-bandwidth connectivity for the RTX 5050 Mobile's PCIe 5.0 x16 bus interface. This ensures the GPU has full bandwidth available for data transfer.

Q: How does the RTX 5050 Mobile compare to the RTX 4070 SUPER?

A: The RTX 5050 Mobile's average benchmark score of 43268 is 0.1% higher than the RTX 4070 SUPER's 43223. Despite being a mobile entry-level card, it performs on par with a desktop mid-range GPU in these specific benchmarks.

Q: What is the CPU's launch MSRP?

A: The launch MSRP is $668. This was the price at introduction on January 3, 2023.

Q: Is there a performance gap between the CPU and GPU that affects gaming?

A: Yes. The CPU sits at the 90th percentile among all CPUs while the GPU is at the 83rd percentile among all GPUs. The CPU's 3DMark max-thread score of 12601 versus the GPU's modest 2365 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 indicates the GPU will be the limiting factor in most gaming scenarios.

Benchmark Performance

The i9-13980HX demonstrates exceptional multi-threaded capability with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30273, placing it well above typical mobile processors. Its 3DMark scaling from 2207 at 2 threads to 12601 at max threads shows strong thread scaling efficiency, with the 16-thread score of 9440 indicating that even partial core utilization yields high performance. The PassMark multi-thread score of 46409 and average benchmark score of 50398 place the CPU at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, confirming its position as a high-end mobile processor.

The RTX 5050 Mobile delivers a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2365 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 84171, resulting in an average benchmark score of 43268 and the 83rd percentile position. Its nearest rival, the Quadro M6000 24 GB, scores 43262 (0% delta), while the RTX 4090 Mobile scores 43667 (-0.9% delta), meaning the RTX 5050 Mobile performs within 1% of a flagship mobile GPU in these aggregate benchmarks. This is remarkable given the RTX 5050's 2560 shading units versus the RTX 4090 Mobile's much larger configuration.

The combined picture shows a system at the 87th overall percentile, driven primarily by the CPU's elite performance. The GPU, while not class-leading, still outperforms the vast majority of graphics cards in the benchmark database. The data suggests this pairing excels in CPU-bound workloads while GPU-bound tasks will see more modest results relative to the system's overall tier.

Balance and Bottleneck

The performance imbalance between the CPU and GPU is clear from their percentile positions: 90th for the processor versus 83rd for the graphics card. In CPU-intensive workloads like data compression (PassMark score of 588306), encryption (35332), and floating-point math (118645), the i9-13980HX operates at the top of its class. The GPU's 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 and 384.0 GB/s memory bandwidth are respectable but not exceptional, meaning gaming at higher resolutions will be GPU-limited.

FPS scaling estimates from the benchmark data suggest that at 1080p, the GPU will be the primary constraint in modern titles, while at lower resolutions or with reduced settings, the CPU's strong single-thread performance (1145 3DMark single-thread, 4252 PassMark single-thread) will come into play. The 24-core CPU can feed frames far faster than the 2560-shader GPU can render them, creating a classic CPU-over GPU-under configuration. For productivity workloads, the balance is reversed: the GPU's 80 tensor cores and 20 RT cores provide AI and ray tracing acceleration, but the CPU dominates rendering, compilation, and data processing tasks.

The 87th combined percentile reflects this skew. Systems with more balanced CPU/GPU pairs might score lower overall but deliver better gaming frame rates per dollar of system cost. Here, the bottleneck analysis points to the GPU as the limiting factor for gaming and GPU-accelerated workflows, while the CPU will never be the constraint in any realistic workload.

Who Should Build It

Gamers at 1080p: The RTX 5050 Mobile's performance class supports 1080p gaming at medium-to-high settings in most titles, with the CPU ensuring no frame drops from processor limitations. Esports players will appreciate the high single-thread throughput for maintaining maximum refresh rates.

Content creators: Video editors working with 1080p and light 4K projects will benefit from the CPU's 30273 Cinebench R23 multi-core score for fast exports and the GPU's video encoding capabilities. The 8 GB VRAM accommodates moderate-resolution textures and effects.

Software developers: The 32 threads and high integer math score (166455) make this ideal for compiling large codebases, running virtual machines, and handling containerized workloads. ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running build servers.

Students and small business workstations: The combination of high single-thread performance for everyday applications and multi-thread capability for occasional heavy tasks covers a broad range of academic and professional needs. The laptop form factor and 55 W CPU TDP suggest reasonable portability.

Not recommended for: 4K gaming enthusiasts or professionals doing heavy GPU rendering will find the 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit memory bus limiting. The GPU's 50 W TDP and IGP slot width indicate it is designed for thinner laptops rather than performance-maximizing chassis.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS rows exist for this exact CPU+GPU combination in the data pack. All gaming frame rate figures discussed here are estimates derived from the benchmark scores rather than direct measurements. The RTX 5050 Mobile's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2365 and its proximity to the RTX 4090 Mobile (-0.9% delta) in aggregate benchmarks suggest that at 1080p, this GPU can deliver playable frame rates in most titles at medium settings. The 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 384.0 GB/s memory bandwidth place it in the same performance envelope as mid-range desktop GPUs from previous generations.

At 1440p, the 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit bus will become limiting factors, with estimated frame rates dropping proportionally to the increased resolution demands. The CPU's strong single-thread performance ensures that even in CPU-intensive titles, the processor will not be the frame rate bottleneck. Ray tracing workloads will rely on the 20 RT cores, which are present but modest in count, suggesting that RT effects should be used sparingly at higher resolutions. Overall, expect this system to handle competitive gaming at high frame rates and AAA titles at console-equivalent settings, but not to push maximum details at high resolutions.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-13980HX is a 24-core, 32-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². It features a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, with a 55 W TDP that is modest for a 24-core part. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3, providing substantial on-die storage for frequently accessed data.

Benchmark results show the CPU's multi-threaded dominance: Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30273, R20 multi-core of 16187, and R15 multi-core of 4717. Single-thread performance is equally strong with R23 single-core of 2110 and R20 single-core of 2285. The PassMark suite reveals specialized strengths: floating-point math at 118645, integer math at 166455, and data compression at 588306. The 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs confirms this is a top-tier mobile processor, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 (-0.1%), AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT (-0.6%), and Intel Core i7-13850HX (-0.7%).

The architecture supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory through a dual-channel interface, with ECC capability for error-checking in workstation scenarios. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides display output and basic acceleration, while the PCIe Gen 5 interface with 20 lanes ensures high bandwidth for the discrete GPU and NVMe storage. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking in systems with adequate cooling, though the 55 W base TDP suggests thermal headroom may be limited in thin laptops.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses the Intel BGA 1964 socket, which is a soldered mobile platform, meaning the processor itself cannot be upgraded without replacing the motherboard. The system supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, allowing flexibility in memory choice, though the dual-channel bus limits maximum bandwidth compared to quad-channel workstation platforms. PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes provides ample bandwidth for the current RTX 5050 Mobile (which uses PCIe 5.0 x16) and future high-speed storage devices.

The GPU's 50 W TDP and IGP slot width mean it is soldered or otherwise integrated into the laptop motherboard, making GPU upgrades impractical. The suggested PSU field is null, indicating the system relies on laptop power adapters rather than desktop PSUs. The 55 W CPU TDP combined with the 50 W GPU TDP suggests a total system power draw that is manageable for a large laptop power brick, but leaves no headroom for overclocking or adding high-power peripherals.

A sensible next upgrade would be increasing system memory to maximum supported capacity and adding high-speed NVMe storage via the PCIe Gen 5 lanes. For users needing more graphics performance, the platform itself cannot accommodate a GPU swap, so the next meaningful upgrade would be a new laptop with a higher-tier GPU. The 16,900 million transistors on the GB207 GPU chip and 149 mm² die size indicate this is a small, efficient GPU, suggesting that thermally, the system has headroom but is limited by the physical socket and board design.

Build Overview

This is a laptop-class build (buildClass: "laptop") that pairs Intel's flagship 13th Gen mobile processor with NVIDIA's entry-level 50-series mobile GPU. The system achieves the 87th combined percentile, driven by the CPU's 90th percentile ranking and the GPU's 83rd percentile. The pair rank by FPS is null, reinforcing that no direct gaming measurements exist for this combination.

The configuration represents an unusual pairing: a top-tier 24-core CPU alongside a modest GPU that performs within 1% of the RTX 4090 Mobile in aggregate benchmarks but with far fewer resources. The CPU's 50398 average benchmark score and the GPU's 43268 average benchmark score combine to create a system that excels in productivity and multi-threaded workloads while delivering adequate gaming performance at 1080p. The 55 W CPU TDP plus 50 W GPU TDP totals 105 W of chip power, which is reasonable for a performance laptop.

This is not a balanced gaming machine — it is a workstation-class processor with a gaming-capable GPU bolted on. Users prioritizing CPU rendering, compilation, or data processing will find exceptional value in the processor's capabilities, while those seeking maximum gaming frame rates should look toward systems with more powerful GPUs and less powerful CPUs.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Mobile is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process, with 16,900 million transistors on a 149 mm² die (transistor density of 113.4M per mm²). It features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, delivering 384.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The GPU has 2560 shading units, 80 texture mapping units, and 32 raster operation pipelines, with base and boost clocks of 1020 MHz and 1500 MHz respectively.

The RT and tensor core counts are 20 and 80 respectively, providing hardware support for ray tracing and AI acceleration. The GPU achieves 48.00 GPixel/s pixel rate and 120.0 GTexel/s texture rate, with FP32 and FP16 performance both at 7.680 TFLOPS. The 50 W TDP with no power connectors and IGP slot width indicates this is designed for integrated laptop deployment rather than upgradeable desktop use.

Benchmark results show a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2365 and Geekbench OpenCL score of 84171, with an average benchmark score of 43268 placing it at the 83rd percentile. The nearest rivals are notable: the Quadro M6000 24 GB (43262, 0% delta), Quadro M6000 (43301, -0.1%), RTX 4070 SUPER (43223, 0.1%), and RTX 4090 Mobile (43667, -0.9%). These results suggest the RTX 5050 Mobile punches well above its hardware specifications in synthetic benchmarks, though real-world gaming will likely reflect its modest core count and memory bandwidth more accurately. The DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 API support ensures compatibility with modern graphics features.