SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

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

Build Configuration

Select your components

PROCESSOR (CPU)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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91 Score

Top 9% Ranking

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%

GPU

91%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 225

36,938 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

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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

This pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 represents a modern, balanced desktop foundation. The CPU, built on the Arrow Lake architecture, delivers strong single-threaded performance, while the GPU, based on Blackwell 2.0, provides a solid entry point for 1080p and 1440p gaming. The following analysis breaks down their combined capabilities, leverage points, and limitations based strictly on measured benchmark data.

Balance and Bottleneck

The fundamental balance of this system is dictated by the performance tier of each component. The Core Ultra 5 225 sits at the 85th percentile among all CPUs, a strong position indicating it can handle demanding computational tasks. In contrast, the RTX 5050 sits at the 66th percentile among GPUs. This delta suggests the processor has more headroom relative to the broader market than the graphics card does.

For gaming, the data indicates the GPU is the primary limiting factor. The measured FPS across the game library shows a classic pattern of scaling: performance drops significantly as resolution increases. For instance, in Call of Duty: Warzone, the system achieves 172 FPS at 1920x1080, drops to 153 FPS at 2560x1440, and falls further to 129 FPS at 3840x2160. This scaling shows the rendering load is on the GPU. The CPU is capable of feeding frames at the lower resolution, but the GPU's workload becomes the bottleneck as pixel count rises.

The CPU's single-thread performance is a key asset here. With a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655, it ensures that even in scenarios where the GPU is stressed, the processor won't introduce stutter or frame-pacing issues in most titles. The bottleneck shifts only in specific, highly CPU-intensive simulations. The benchmark data shows Ark: Survival Ascended runs at only 24 FPS at 1080p, which is a game known for heavy CPU and engine overhead. In such cases, the 10-core, 10-thread configuration of the Ultra 5 might struggle to keep up with the simulation logic, but the game's poor optimization makes it an outlier rather than the rule.

The combined percentile of 76 for this pair reflects the GPU's position as the weaker link in the chain. The CPU's performance is not being wasted, but the system's overall gaming ceiling is defined by the RTX 5050's capabilities. For productivity tasks that leverage the CPU's multi-core strength, the balance is much more favorable, as the processor can operate near its full potential without GPU interference.

Gaming Performance

The measured FPS data, which is marked as measured rather than estimated, paints a clear picture of a 1080p-centric gaming system with playable 1440p capabilities.

At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally strong for esports and competitive titles. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive hits 361 FPS, Valorant reaches 375 FPS, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege runs at 194 FPS. These numbers ensure that high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz or higher) will be fully utilized in these games. The system also handles popular multiplayer titles well, with Call of Duty: Warzone at 172 FPS and Minecraft at 161 FPS.

For AAA single-player games at 1080p, the experience is generally smooth but not maxed out. Assetto Corsa runs at 97 FPS, Doom at 122 FPS, and Control at 68 FPS. However, demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (48 FPS) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (44 FPS) fall below the 60 FPS threshold, indicating that settings would need to be adjusted for a fluid experience. The Medium is the most demanding title tested, running at only 34 FPS at 1080p.

Moving to 2560x1440, the GPU bottleneck becomes more apparent. Esports titles remain playable, with Valorant at 320 FPS and Call of Duty: Warzone at 153 FPS. However, many AAA games dip below 60 FPS. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 36 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 at 33 FPS, and The Medium at 29 FPS. Games like Assetto Corsa (68 FPS) and Control (52 FPS) remain playable but require compromises on quality settings.

At 3840x2160, the RTX 5050 is out of its depth for modern titles. The average FPS across all games at this resolution is low, with Cyberpunk 2077 at 24 FPS, Red Dead Redemption 2 at 22 FPS, and The Medium at 23 FPS. Even esports titles like Counter-Strike 2 drop to 60 FPS. The data suggests 4K gaming is not a viable option for this build without significant resolution scaling or graphical compromises.

The average FPS across all tested games at all resolutions is 106.3, which places this pair at rank 2409 out of 3732 pairs. This indicates a mid-tier gaming performance profile that excels at 1080p and is acceptable at 1440p.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 10-core, 10-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. It supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

The benchmark scores reveal a processor with strong single-threaded capabilities. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655 is a high figure, suggesting excellent responsiveness for everyday tasks and gaming. The Passmark single-thread score of 4412 confirms this strength. This makes the CPU well-suited for tasks that rely on individual core performance, such as legacy software, certain simulation games, and general desktop navigation.

Multi-threaded performance is solid but not exceptional. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 is respectable for a 10-core part. The Passmark multithread score of 30459 and the average benchmark score of 36938 place it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in performance are the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (deltaPct 0), AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (deltaPct -0.2), and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (deltaPct -0.4). This shows it is competitive with established mid-range processors, but it does not break new ground in multi-core performance.

The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The CPU has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which provides ample bandwidth for a modern GPU and NVMe storage. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units is present, but it is not designed for gaming; it is sufficient for basic display output and video playback.

In real workloads, the CPU's single-thread strength means it will excel in office applications, web browsing, and coding tasks. The multi-core performance is adequate for video editing and 3D rendering, though it will not be as fast as higher-core-count processors. The Passmark data compression score of 302811 and encryption score of 22285 indicate it handles data-intensive tasks competently.

FAQ

Q: Can this system play eSports titles at high refresh rates?

A: Yes. At 1920x1080, the RTX 5050 delivers over 160 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 (163 FPS), Valorant (375 FPS), and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege (194 FPS). This is sufficient for a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor.

Q: Is 1440p gaming viable with this CPU and GPU combo?

A: It is viable but requires settings adjustments. At 2560x1440, esports titles run well (Call of Duty: Warzone at 153 FPS, Valorant at 320 FPS). However, demanding AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 (36 FPS) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (33 FPS) will require lower graphical presets to reach 60 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU handle productivity tasks like video editing?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225 has a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 and a Passmark multithread score of 30459. This indicates it can handle video editing and 3D rendering workloads, though it will be slower than higher-core-count processors like the i9-12900T, which it trails by 0.5% in average benchmark score.

Q: What is the memory configuration for this build?

A: The CPU supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This is the standard for modern desktop builds and is sufficient for the CPU's performance level.

Q: Is the RTX 5050 good for 4K gaming?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the GPU is the bottleneck. Most games run below 30 FPS, including Cyberpunk 2077 (24 FPS), Red Dead Redemption 2 (22 FPS), and Control (35 FPS). Only older or less demanding titles like Valorant (256 FPS) and Roblox (80 FPS) are playable.

Q: What is the power draw of these components?

A: The CPU has a TDP of 65 W, and the GPU has a TDP of 130 W. The suggested PSU for the system is 300 W. This indicates a relatively power-efficient build.

Q: How does the CPU's single-thread performance compare to its multi-thread performance?

A: The CPU is stronger in single-threaded tasks. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655 is a high absolute value, while its multi-core score of 25891 is merely average for its class. This makes it more responsive for everyday tasks than for heavy parallel processing.

Benchmark Performance

The Core Ultra 5 225 achieves an average benchmark score of 36938, placing it at the 85th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F with an average score of 36945, a delta of 0%. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D trails by 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 trails by 0.4%. This means the CPU is a solid mid-range performer that matches the previous generation's offerings.

In specific CPU tests, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 25891, and the single-core score is 3655. The Passmark multithread score is 30459, and the single-thread score is 4412. The Passmark physics test shows a score of 2342, and the floating-point math test scores 92038. These numbers indicate a balanced processor with a slight edge in single-threaded workloads.

The RTX 5050 achieves an average benchmark score of 21035, placing it at the 66th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival is the AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL with an average score of 21153 (deltaPct -0.6%). The AMD Radeon HD 8970M (deltaPct -1%) and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile (deltaPct -1.6%) are also close, while the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT is 1.6% behind. This indicates the GPU is a capable entry-level to mid-range part, but it does not compete with higher-tier cards.

In GPU-specific tests, the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 2502. The Geekbench OpenCL score is 90334, and the Vulkan score is 89381. The Passmark G3D score is 17326, and the GPU compute score is 9184. These scores confirm the GPU's position as a 1080p-focused card.

The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pair is 76, reflecting the GPU's lower relative standing. The pair's average FPS across all games is 106.3, ranking it 2409 out of 3732 pairs. This is a mid-tier ranking, indicating that the system is better than a significant portion of the market but not in the top tier.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: This is the system's strongest scenario. At 1080p, the pair delivers over 160 FPS in Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The CPU's single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655) ensures these high frame rates are maintained without stutter. The GPU's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory is sufficient for these titles.

Streaming: The CPU's 10 cores and 10 threads are adequate for encoding a stream while gaming, but it lacks extra threads for heavy multitasking. The Passmark multithread score of 30459 suggests it can handle a game and streaming software simultaneously, but the lack of additional threads may cause issues in CPU-intensive games like Ark: Survival Ascended (24 FPS at 1080p).

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25891 indicates the CPU can handle 1080p and some 1440p video editing. The GPU's 13.17 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 8 GB of VRAM can accelerate effects and rendering in compatible software. The system will be capable for basic to moderate editing tasks, but 4K timelines or complex effects will be slow.

3D rendering: The CPU's multi-core performance is adequate for rendering, but it is not a workstation-class processor. The Passmark floating-point math score of 92038 suggests decent computational ability. The GPU's 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores can accelerate ray-traced rendering, but the 8 GB VRAM will limit scene complexity.

Software development: The CPU's strong single-thread performance (Passmark single-thread score of 4412) makes it excellent for compiling and running code. The 10 cores are sufficient for parallel builds. The system is well-suited for a developer's workstation, with the GPU providing acceleration for any graphics-related tasks.

Student and office work: This system is overkill for basic productivity. The CPU's single-thread speed makes spreadsheets and browsers snappy. The integrated graphics are sufficient for display output, though the discrete GPU is present for any light gaming or graphics work. The 65 W CPU TDP and 130 W GPU TDP keep the system relatively efficient for a dorm room or small office.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, built on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It features 2560 shading units, 80 TMUs, and 32 ROPs. The GPU has 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores, providing hardware support for ray tracing and AI-based features like DLSS.

The memory subsystem consists of 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. This is a limitation for the GPU, as 8 GB is becoming the minimum for modern AAA titles at higher resolutions. The 128-bit bus also restricts memory bandwidth compared to higher-end cards.

The GPU clocks are set at a base of 2317 MHz and a boost of 2572 MHz. The memory runs at 2500 MHz, which is effectively 20 Gbps. This results in a pixel rate of 82.30 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 205.8 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is 13.17 TFLOPS, which is modest for a modern GPU.

In benchmark tests, the RTX 5050's Passmark G3D score of 17326 and 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 2502 confirm its position as an entry-level to mid-range part. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 90334 and Vulkan score of 89381 show reasonable compute performance for its class.

For rendering, the GPU's 8 GB VRAM is the primary constraint. It will handle 1080p textures and simple 3D scenes, but complex renders with high-resolution textures will exceed the memory capacity. The 20 RT cores allow for ray-traced effects in games, but the performance hit is significant, as seen in Cyberpunk 2077 at 48 FPS at 1080p. The 80 tensor cores enable DLSS, which can boost performance, but the data does not include DLSS-specific benchmarks.

The GPU's TDP is 130 W, and it requires a single 8-pin power connector. The suggested PSU is 300 W, indicating a power-efficient card. It uses a PCIe 5.0 x8 interface, which provides sufficient bandwidth for its performance level. The display outputs include 1x HDMI 2.1b and 3x DisplayPort 2.1b, supporting modern monitors.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build (buildClass: "desktop") pairing the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 CPU with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 GPU. The CPU is a 10-core, 10-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, released in early 2025 with a launch MSRP of $246. The GPU is based on the Blackwell architecture, released in mid-2025 with a launch MSRP of 249 USD.

The combined percentile of 76 indicates this is a mid-range system. The CPU's 85th percentile standing is stronger than the GPU's 66th percentile. This means the build is somewhat CPU-heavy for its class, providing better processing headroom than graphics headroom.

The system is designed for 1080p gaming and general productivity. The CPU's strong single-thread performance makes it responsive, while the GPU provides playable frame rates in most titles at 1080p and acceptable performance at 1440p with settings adjusted. The 8 GB VRAM on the GPU is a limiting factor for future game releases and high-resolution textures.

The build uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, which supports DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5.0. The CPU's TDP of 65 W is low, and the GPU's TDP of 130 W is also modest, making this a relatively efficient system. The overall tier is solidly mid-range, capable of handling most tasks but not a high-end enthusiast rig.

Who Should Build It

The primary target user for this build is a gamer who plays at 1920x1080 and wants high frame rates in competitive titles. The measured FPS in Valorant (375 FPS) and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (361 FPS) shows this system is ideal for esports enthusiasts. It also handles less demanding multiplayer games like Call of Duty: Warzone (172 FPS) and Fortnite (78 FPS) well.

Content creators who work on 1080p or light 1440p projects will find this build suitable. The CPU's multi-core score of 25891 in Cinebench R23 is enough for basic video editing and photo manipulation. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM can handle 1080p rendering tasks, though it will struggle with complex 4K scenes.

Software developers will benefit from the CPU's strong single-thread performance (Passmark single-thread score of 4412). The 10 cores provide adequate parallelism for builds, and the system can handle virtual machines and containerization without issue. The GPU is not a bottleneck for most development tasks.

Students and small business users doing office work, web browsing, and spreadsheet analysis will find this system more than capable. The CPU's responsiveness and the GPU's ability to accelerate any graphics tasks make it a versatile workstation. The 65 W CPU TDP and 130 W GPU TDP also keep the system quiet and efficient for a shared workspace.

The build is not suitable for 4K gaming or heavy 3D rendering. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 128-bit bus limit it to 1080p and light 1440p workloads. Users needing higher resolutions or more VRAM should consider a different GPU. The CPU is also not ideal for heavily threaded workloads like 3D animation or scientific computing, where higher-core-count processors would be faster.

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core Ultra 5 225

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Valorant

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valorant

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valorant

Valorant

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

Balance and Bottleneck

Gaming Performance

CPU Analysis

FAQ

Benchmark Performance

Usage Scenarios

GPU Analysis

Build Overview

Who Should Build It

4K Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1440p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

1080p Gaming Performance

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

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