SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core i9-14900KS + NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000

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

94 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 6% 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
91%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core i9-14900KS

81,127 Benchmark Score
Top 3% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000

21,629 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

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core i9-14900KS sits at the absolute top of Intel's 14th-generation desktop lineup, and the benchmark data confirms its position as a compute monster. With 24 cores and 32 threads, this Raptor Lake-R part combines 8 performance cores with 16 efficiency cores, a configuration that allows it to dominate both single-threaded and heavily parallel workloads. The base clock of 3.20 GHz is deliberately conservative, but the boost clock of 6.20 GHz is the headline figure — it represents the highest stock boost clock in the entire Core i9 lineup, and it directly translates into extraordinary single-thread performance.

The cache hierarchy is generous: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB L3 pool. This large L3 cache is critical for gaming and database workloads, where repeated access to working sets benefits from low-latency, high-capacity on-die storage. The 10 nm process node and 257 mm² die size are consistent with a high-end desktop part that prioritizes raw performance over power efficiency. The TDP of 150 W is the rated thermal envelope, though enthusiasts will note that the 6.20 GHz boost clock likely pushes actual power draw higher under sustained all-core loads — the data does not specify a turbo power limit, so this remains an inference from the clock behavior.

Benchmark results place this CPU at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 81,127. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 50,995 is exceptional — this is a chip that can chew through 3D rendering tasks that would stagger lesser processors. Meanwhile, the single-core R23 score of 7,199 demonstrates that the high boost clock is not just a marketing figure; it delivers tangible performance in lightly threaded applications. Geekbench scores of 23,931 multicore and 2,692 single-core corroborate this dual strength.

Looking at the nearest rivals, the i9-14900KS is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon w5-3535X (deltaPct 0) and the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX (deltaPct 0), while holding a 0.5% lead over both the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 and the Intel Xeon 638. This clustering suggests that at the very top of the CPU hierarchy, performance has plateaued — the i9-14900KS is not dramatically faster than its closest competitors, but it is among the fastest available. The PassMark integer math score of 212,644 and floating-point math score of 153,975 indicate that both integer-heavy and FP-heavy workloads benefit equally from the hybrid architecture. The data compression score of 803,368 is particularly striking, suggesting excellent performance in archiving, database compression, and similar memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks.

# Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The single-core Cinebench R23 score of 7,199 places this processor in the top tier for gaming workloads, which are typically limited by single-thread performance. Combined with the 6.20 GHz boost clock, the i9-14900KS can feed even the most demanding GPUs at 1080p and 1440p with minimal CPU bottleneck. The 36 MB L3 cache helps maintain high frame rates in open-world titles that stream large amounts of world data.

Streaming: Multitasking between a game and encoding software benefits from the 24 cores and 32 threads. The Cinebench R20 multicore score of 21,417 shows substantial headroom for x264 or x265 encoding while gaming simultaneously. The PassMark multithread score of 60,012 supports this — there is enough parallel throughput to handle both game logic and video encoding without significant frame drops.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 50,995 makes short work of 4K video exports and timeline rendering. The PassMark data encryption score of 47,717 indicates that effects processing and format conversion, which often use encryption-like algorithms, will run quickly. For editors working with multi-camera projects or heavy color grading, the multicore performance directly reduces export times.

3D rendering: With a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 5,140 and R23 score of 50,995, this CPU is a rendering powerhouse. Blender, V-Ray, and other CPU-based renderers will scale nearly linearly across the 32 threads, making the i9-14900KS a strong choice for professional studios that rely on CPU rendering. The nearest rival at 0% delta, the Xeon w5-3535X, is a workstation part — the i9-14900KS matches it while being a mainstream desktop component.

Software development: The PassMark extended instructions score of 45,524 indicates strong SIMD performance, which benefits compile times and code analysis tools. The random string sorting score of 89,789 suggests that text processing and parsing operations are fast. For developers working with large codebases, the combination of high single-thread and multicore performance means both interactive editing and batch compilation are responsive.

Student and office work: This is massive overkill for document editing or spreadsheet work, but the PassMark single-thread score of 4,815 ensures that even the most complex Excel models or PDF manipulations are instantaneous. However, the 150 W TDP and high boost clock make this a power-hungry choice for casual use. The data suggests that for pure office productivity, a mid-range CPU would deliver near-identical real-world performance at a fraction of the power draw.

# FAQ

Q: How does the Core i9-14900KS compare to its nearest rivals in multi-threaded performance?

A: The i9-14900KS has an average benchmark score of 81,127, placing it at 0% deltaPct from the Intel Xeon w5-3535X and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, and 0.5% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 and Intel Xeon 638. This means it is effectively tied with the fastest competing processors.

Q: What is the maximum boost clock and what does it mean for single-threaded workloads?

A: The boost clock is 6.20 GHz, which contributes to a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7,199 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2,692. This is among the highest single-thread performance available, directly benefiting gaming and lightly threaded applications.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the i9-14900KS supports ECC memory. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules over a dual-channel memory bus, giving builders flexibility in platform choice.

Q: What PCIe generation does the CPU support?

A: The CPU supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes available from the CPU itself. This allows for the fastest current-generation GPUs and NVMe SSDs to run at full bandwidth.

Q: Is the CPU multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, meaning the processor can be overclocked beyond the stock 6.20 GHz boost clock, assuming adequate cooling and power delivery.

Q: What is the production status and release date?

A: The production status is Active, and the release date was March 13, 2024. The launch MSRP is $689.

Q: How does the CPU perform in data compression and encryption tasks?

A: The PassMark data compression score is 803,368, and the data encryption score is 47,717. These are exceptional figures that indicate strong performance in database operations, file archiving, and secure communications workloads.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core i9-14900KS uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform, which supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel memory bus. This is a significant advantage for builders who want to reuse existing DDR4 memory from an older platform, though DDR5 offers higher bandwidth for memory-intensive workloads. The socket also provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes directly from the CPU, enabling the fastest current-generation GPUs and storage devices. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides basic display output and hardware video decoding, which is useful for troubleshooting or temporary use without a discrete GPU.

The CPU has a TDP of 150 W, but the boost behavior of 6.20 GHz suggests that sustained all-core workloads will draw significantly more power. The GPU in this build has a TDP of 230 W and a suggested PSU rating of 550 W, which means a quality power supply of at least 550 W is required for the full system. Given the CPU's high core count and the GPU's workstation-class demands, builders should consider a PSU with strong 12V rail delivery and good transient response. The GPU requires a 1x 6-pin plus 1x 8-pin power connector, so the PSU must have these connectors available.

A sensible next upgrade from this platform would be to maximize memory bandwidth by using high-speed DDR5 modules, since the memory bus is dual-channel and the CPU's cache hierarchy benefits from faster memory. The PCIe Gen 5 support means that a future GPU upgrade to a Gen 5 card would not be bottlenecked by the interface. However, the platform is based on Intel Socket 1700, which is a mature platform — future CPU upgrades would require a new motherboard with a different socket. The production status of the GPU is End-of-life, so a GPU upgrade would be the more pressing consideration for users seeking newer features like improved ray tracing or higher VRAM capacities.

# Balance and Bottleneck

The benchmark data reveals a profound imbalance between the CPU and GPU in this pairing. The i9-14900KS sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Quadro RTX 5000 sits at only the 67th percentile among all GPUs. This 29-percentile gap means the CPU is dramatically more capable than the GPU in relative terms. In gaming workloads, this will manifest as a CPU bottleneck at low resolutions (1080p) where the GPU is not fully utilized, but a GPU bottleneck at higher resolutions (1440p and 4K) where the GPU becomes the limiting factor.

The GPU's PassMark G3D score of 15,616 places it roughly at parity with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB (which has a deltaPct of -1, meaning the RTX 5000 is 1% ahead). This is a striking data point: the Quadro RTX 5000 is a workstation GPU that competes with a mainstream gaming card from several generations ago. The CPU's nearest rivals are all high-end server or desktop parts, while the GPU's nearest rivals include the RTX A4000 Mobile and AMD Radeon HD 8970M — a mobile GPU and a legacy desktop GPU. This suggests the GPU is the clear bottleneck in this system for any graphics-intensive workload.

For CPU-bound workloads like 3D rendering, data compression, or software compilation, the i9-14900KS will operate at near-full capacity, and the GPU will be mostly idle. For GPU-bound workloads like gaming, video encoding (using NVENC), or CUDA compute, the GPU will be the limiting factor. The PassMark GPU compute score of 6,525 indicates that the Quadro RTX 5000 has some compute capability, but it is nowhere near the CPU's throughput for general-purpose calculations. The practical implication is that this system is best suited for CPU-heavy professional tasks where the GPU is used for display output or light acceleration, rather than as a primary compute engine.

# GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 is a workstation GPU based on the Turing architecture, built on a 12 nm process at TSMC. The TU104 chip contains 13,600 million transistors on a 545 mm² die, which is a large chip by modern standards. The GPU has 3,072 shading units, 192 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units. It also includes 48 ray tracing cores and 384 tensor cores, which provide hardware acceleration for ray-traced rendering and AI-based workloads such as DLSS or neural network inference.

Memory capacity is 16 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The memory clock is 1750 MHz with a 14 Gbps effective data rate. This is a substantial memory configuration that supports large datasets, high-resolution textures, and multi-GPU rendering scenarios. The base clock is 1620 MHz with a boost clock of 1815 MHz, which is relatively high for a workstation card. The pixel rate is 116.2 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 348.5 GTexel/s. The FP32 throughput is 11.15 TFLOPS, while FP16 throughput is 22.30 TFLOPS (2:1).

The benchmark scores show a GPU that is competent but not top-tier. The Geekbench OpenCL score is 78,999, and the Vulkan score is 92,309. The PassMark G3D score is 15,616, which places the GPU at the 67th percentile. The DirectX 12 score is 59, which is notably low, while the DirectX 11 score is 140. This suggests that the GPU performs better in legacy APIs than in modern ones, likely due to driver maturity or architectural priorities. The GPU compute score of 6,525 is modest, indicating that raw compute throughput is not the main strength of this card.

The GPU's nearest rivals include the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB at -1% deltaPct, the RTX A4000 Mobile at 1.2%, the AMD Radeon HD 8970M at 1.8%, and the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL at 2.3%. This paints a picture of a GPU that performs similarly to a mid-range gaming card from 2016, despite being a workstation product with 16 GB VRAM. The display outputs include 4x DisplayPort 1.4a and 1x USB Type-C, which is typical for professional use with multiple high-resolution monitors. The card is dual-slot, 267 mm long, and has a TDP of 230 W.

# Benchmark Performance

The CPU delivers exceptional scores across all major benchmarks. In Cinebench R23, it achieves 50,995 multicore and 7,199 single-core. In Geekbench, it scores 23,931 multicore and 2,692 single-core. The PassMark multithread score is 60,012, and the single-thread score is 4,815. The CPU's average benchmark score is 81,127, placing it at the 96th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon w5-3535X, has the same average score (deltaPct 0), meaning the i9-14900KS is statistically indistinguishable from this workstation-class Xeon.

The GPU scores are more modest. In Geekbench, it achieves 78,999 OpenCL and 92,309 Vulkan. The PassMark G3D score is 15,616, with a GPU compute score of 6,525. The average benchmark score is 21,629, placing it at the 67th percentile. The nearest rival, the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB, has an average score of 21,856, which is 1% higher — meaning the Quadro RTX 5000 is actually slightly slower than the GTX 1060 in aggregate benchmark performance. This is a remarkable finding for a workstation card with 16 GB VRAM.

The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pairing is 82nd, which reflects the high CPU performance pulling up the lower GPU performance. The data shows no measured FPS rows for this exact combination, so all gaming performance figures are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The CPU's 96th percentile and the GPU's 67th percentile indicate that the system is heavily CPU-biased. In a combined workload like gaming, the CPU will rarely be the limiting factor, but the GPU will cap frame rates at levels consistent with a GTX 1060-class card.

# Build Overview

This is a desktop build class system that pairs the fastest consumer CPU on the market with a workstation GPU that is now considered end-of-life. The Intel Core i9-14900KS is a 24-core, 32-thread processor with a 6.20 GHz boost clock, placing it in the top 4% of all CPUs. The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 is a Turing-based workstation card with 16 GB GDDR6 memory, but its performance sits in the 67th percentile, roughly equivalent to a GTX 1060 6 GB.

The combined percentile of 82 reflects the dominance of the CPU in the overall score. This is a system that excels at CPU-bound tasks like 3D rendering, code compilation, and scientific computing, but it is not a balanced gaming machine. The GPU's 16 GB VRAM is useful for large datasets in professional applications, but the raw compute throughput is limited. The CPU's launch MSRP is $689, and the GPU's launch MSRP is 2,299 USD, though the GPU is end-of-life and no longer in production.

The system's tier is best described as a "professional workstation with a gaming CPU" — it targets users who need maximum CPU performance for multi-threaded workloads and require a workstation GPU with large VRAM for display or light compute duties. The GPU's TDP of 230 W and the CPU's TDP of 150 W mean the system requires a 550 W PSU (as suggested for the GPU). The CPU supports ECC memory, which is a professional feature that is rare in consumer desktop CPUs.

# Who Should Build It

Professional 3D artists working with CPU-based renderers like V-Ray or Arnold will benefit from the i9-14900KS's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 50,995, which directly reduces render times. The GPU's 16 GB VRAM allows for large texture sets and complex scenes to be loaded for viewport display, even though the GPU's compute power is modest.

Software developers compiling large codebases will appreciate the PassMark integer math score of 212,644 and the extended instructions score of 45,524. The CPU's 96th percentile ranking means build times will be minimal. The GPU is sufficient for driving multiple 4K displays using the 4x DisplayPort 1.4a outputs.

Data scientists working with large in-memory datasets will benefit from the CPU's data compression score of 803,368 and the 36 MB L3 cache. The ECC memory support ensures data integrity in long-running computations. The GPU's tensor cores can accelerate some AI inference tasks, though the 6,525 GPU compute score suggests limited throughput.

Students in engineering or scientific fields who run simulations or mathematical modeling will find the CPU's floating-point math score of 153,975 and prime number finding score of 244 to be strong. The GPU's OpenCL score of 78,999 is adequate for basic GPU-accelerated coursework.

Small business workstations that handle database operations, file compression, and encryption will benefit from the CPU's exceptional PassMark scores in these areas. The Quadro RTX 5000's 16 GB VRAM supports large spreadsheet visualizations and CAD applications, while the dual-slot card fits in standard workstation cases.

Not recommended for pure gamers or budget-conscious builders. The GPU's performance is equivalent to a GTX 1060 6 GB, which will limit gaming to 1080p at medium-to-high settings in modern titles. The CPU's power draw and the GPU's end-of-life status make this a poor value proposition for gaming-first use cases.

# Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this specific CPU+GPU combination, so all frame rate figures are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The CPU's single-core performance (Cinebench R23 score of 7,199) is more than sufficient for any modern game, meaning the GPU will be the sole determinant of gaming frame rates.

Based on the GPU's PassMark G3D score of 15,616, which is 1% lower than the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB, this system should deliver frame rates consistent with a GTX 1060. That means approximately 60-80 FPS in esports titles like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant at 1080p with low-to-medium settings, and 30-50 FPS in AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p with medium settings.

At 1440p, the GPU's 16 GB VRAM will not help because the raw compute throughput is the limiting factor. Expect 30-45 FPS in AAA games at 1440p with medium-to-high settings, and 20-30 FPS in the most demanding titles. At 4K, the GPU will struggle to maintain 30 FPS in most AAA games, even with settings reduced. The DirectX 12 score of 59 is particularly concerning, as it suggests poor performance in modern DX12 titles.

The CPU's high single-thread performance will ensure that frame times are consistent and stutter-free, but the GPU simply does not have the horsepower for high-refresh gaming. The 6.20 GHz boost clock and 36 MB L3 cache will minimize CPU-side frame pacing issues, but the GPU's 448.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and 11.15 TFLOPS FP32 throughput are the hard limits. For gaming, this system is best suited to older titles or games with low graphical demands. The GPU's Turing architecture does support ray tracing, but the 48 RT cores will deliver very low ray-traced performance, likely below playable frame rates in most RT-enabled games.