SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

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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95 Score

Top 5% Ranking

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

93%

GPU

97%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 235

46,062 Benchmark Score

Top 7% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

60,347 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

This is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, a desktop combination that places at the 89th percentile overall. The CPU is a 14-core Arrow Lake chip on Socket 1851, while the GPU is the top-end Ada Lovelace card with 24 GB of memory. The data shows a system with a massive performance disparity between components, resulting in a tool that excels at specific high-end tasks but leaves significant capability on the table in others.

Usage Scenarios

For high-refresh gaming, this pairing is exceptional at standard resolutions. In Counter-Strike 2, the system delivers 359 FPS at 1080p and 238 FPS at 1440p, while Valorant hits 566 FPS at 1080p and 537 FPS at 1440p. At 4K, these titles remain above 130 FPS, confirming that the combination is more than capable of driving the highest refresh rate monitors available. The data indicates that for competitive shooters, the RTX 4090 is not the limiting factor at 1080p, with the CPU-bound performance still delivering triple-digit frame rates.

Streaming and content creation workloads are a mixed bag. The CPU's Passmark multithread score of 37816 places it near the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, showing it can handle encoding and simultaneous gameplay without issue. The GPU's 512 tensor cores provide NVENC-class acceleration for encoding, and the 24 GB VRAM ensures headroom for multiple concurrent streams or recording at high bitrates. However, the CPU's 14 threads are not a high-core-count part, so heavy multitasking with many background encoding tasks will be limited by the processor.

Video editing performance benefits strongly from the GPU's compute power. The Geekbench OpenCL score of 255416 and Vulkan score of 271631 indicate that effects rendering, timeline scrubbing with GPU acceleration, and export encoding will be exceptionally fast. The 82.58 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is more than sufficient for real-time color grading and 8K timeline playback, though the CPU's single-thread score of 2085 in Cinebench R23 may become a bottleneck for CPU-based effects or codecs that do not leverage the GPU.

3D rendering workloads present a clear division. The RTX 4090's 128 RT cores and 512 tensor cores make it a professional-grade rendering device, ideal for GPU-accelerated renderers like Blender Cycles or Octane. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14769 is respectable, but it sits at the 89th percentile against all CPUs, meaning it is not a top-tier workstation processor. For CPU-based renders or physics simulations, this system will not compete with threadripper-class platforms, but for GPU rendering, it is among the fastest available.

Software development is a strong use case for this build, as the CPU's Passmark data compression score of 390711 and integer math score of 87948 indicate fast compilation times and efficient handling of large codebases. The 24 MB of shared L3 cache helps with frequent small data accesses common in build tools. The RTX 4090's massive compute resources are largely irrelevant for most development tasks, but the overall system responsiveness and quick iteration cycles make it a pleasant developer machine.

For students and office work, this system is overkill but still functional. The CPU's Passmark single-thread score of 4516 ensures snappy application launches and browser responsiveness. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU provides a fallback for basic display output, though the discrete GPU will handle all heavy lifting. The 65 W TDP of the CPU means the system does not run hot in light workloads, but the 450 W GPU dominates power draw even when idle.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 46062, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 with an average score of 46030 and a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Core i9-13900HX at 46098 with a delta of -0.1%. This places the Ultra 5 235 in a tight cluster with mobile flagship and server parts, indicating that its desktop positioning is competitive but not dominant. The Cinebench R23 results show a multicore score of 14769 and a single-core score of 2085, with the single-core performance being a highlight.

The GPU's average benchmark score is 60347, placing it in the 88th percentile of all GPUs. The nearest rivals are the Intel Arc Pro A60 with an average of 60326 and a delta of 0%, and the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48 at 60140 with a delta of 0.3%. This is surprising data, as the RTX 4090's raw specifications far exceed these workstation cards, but the benchmark average suggests a different story. The Passmark G3D score of 38194 is strong, but the 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 9223 shows a capable DX12 performer.

The combined picture from the benchmark data is one of imbalance. The GPU's percentile rank of 88 is slightly lower than the CPU's 89, but the GPU's raw compute resources dwarf the CPU's workload capacity in GPU-bottlenecked scenarios. The system's pair rank by FPS is 96 out of 3732 pairs, with an average FPS of 219.6 across games. This indicates that for gaming, the combination performs near the top of all tested pairs, despite the CPU being a mid-range desktop part.

FAQ

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 a bottleneck for the RTX 4090?

A: In gaming at 1080p, the CPU can limit frame rates in CPU-bound titles. For example, Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p hits 359 FPS, but at 1440p it drops to 238 FPS, showing a scaling pattern that suggests the GPU is taking over the workload. In most modern games, the CPU's 14 threads are sufficient to keep the GPU fed.

Q: What memory type does this platform support?

A: The CPU supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The system does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the power supply requirement for this build?

A: The suggested power supply for the RTX 4090 is 850 W. The CPU has a TDP of 65 W, so the total system draw is dominated by the GPU's 450 W TDP.

Q: What PCIe generation does the CPU support?

A: The CPU provides 20 lanes of PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. The GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, which is backward compatible with the Gen 5 slots.

Q: Does the RTX 4090 support hardware ray tracing?

A: Yes, the GPU features 128 RT cores and 512 tensor cores, built on the Ada Lovelace architecture. This provides dedicated hardware for real-time ray tracing and AI-accelerated features like DLSS.

Q: What is the launch price of this CPU?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a launch MSRP of $257. The GPU had a launch MSRP of 1,599 USD, but the production status of the GPU is end-of-life, so market pricing may differ.

Q: How does the CPU compare to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375?

A: The two processors have nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the Ultra 5 235 at 46062 and the HX 375 at 46030, a delta of 0.1%. They are effectively tied in overall performance, though the HX 375 is a mobile part.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 uses the Intel Socket 1851, which is the LGA 1851 platform for Arrow Lake-S processors. This socket supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and the CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The platform does not support ECC memory, and the CPU's multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.

The socket is designed for the Core Ultra Series 2, meaning a future upgrade would require a new motherboard if a different socket is introduced. The 65 W TDP of the CPU is modest, so a capable air cooler is sufficient for this processor. The GPU, however, is a triple-slot card measuring 304 mm in length, requiring a case with adequate clearance and airflow.

For a sensible next upgrade, the most impactful change would be to replace the CPU with a higher-core-count Arrow Lake part on the same socket, if one is available. The RTX 4090 is already near the top of its generation, but the 12-inch GPU length and 450 W TDP mean that any future GPU upgrade will need to fit in the same physical and power envelope. The 850 W suggested PSU provides headroom for a more power-hungry CPU, but a GPU upgrade may require a higher-capacity unit.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is built on the AD102 chip using a 5 nm process with 76,300 million transistors on a 609 mm² die. It has 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. The memory clock is 1313 MHz with an effective data rate of 21 Gbps. The GPU has 16384 shading units, 512 TMUs, and 176 ROPs, with base and boost clocks of 2235 MHz and 2520 MHz, respectively.

The GPU's benchmark scores show a strong but not top-tier performer. The Passmark G3D score of 38194 and Geekbench OpenCL score of 255416 are high, but the 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 9223 indicates that in synthetic DX12 tests, it does not dominate as expected. The nearest rival is the Intel Arc Pro A60 with a delta of 0%, suggesting that in the aggregate benchmark metric, the RTX 4090 is matched by a much less powerful card.

For rendering, the 128 RT cores and 512 tensor cores accelerate ray-traced workloads and AI-based denoising. The FP32 throughput of 82.58 TFLOPS is identical to the FP16 throughput, indicating a 1:1 ratio that simplifies compute workloads. The pixel rate of 443.5 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1,290.2 GTexel/s ensure high fill rates for 4K and multi-display setups. The GPU is end-of-life, and its successor is the GeForce 50 series, but its 24 GB VRAM remains relevant for high-resolution textures and large datasets.

Who Should Build It

Gamers targeting 1440p or 4K with maximum settings will find this system delivers high frame rates in most titles. At 1440p, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 79 FPS, and Red Dead Redemption 2 at 72 FPS, while competitive titles like Valorant exceed 500 FPS. At 4K, the system still produces playable frame rates in demanding games, such as 52 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 132 FPS in Call of Duty: Warzone.

Content creators working with 4K video or 3D rendering will benefit from the GPU's 24 GB VRAM and high compute throughput. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 271631 indicates strong performance in GPU-accelerated effects and compositing. However, editors relying heavily on CPU-based encoding or effects should be aware of the CPU's 14 threads and 14769 Cinebench R23 multicore score, which is good but not exceptional.

Developers and students who need a fast, responsive system for compiling and running code will find the CPU's Passmark integer math score of 87948 and data compression score of 390711 sufficient for most tasks. The 24 MB L3 cache helps with repeated code execution. Small business workstations that require GPU acceleration for CAD or scientific visualization can leverage the RTX 4090's compute power, but the system's overall cost and power draw make it a premium choice rather than a value option.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. The CPU has a die size of 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors, and its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3.

In Cinebench R23, the CPU scores 14769 multicore and 2085 single-core. The single-core score is competitive, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The Passmark multithread score of 37816 is nearly identical to the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, showing that in multithreaded tasks, the desktop Ultra 5 matches mobile flagships and previous-generation HX parts.

The CPU's integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG with 24 execution units, which provides basic display output but is not intended for gaming. The memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5 is adequate for the 14 cores but may limit performance in memory-intensive workloads. The 3 nm process node contributes to the low 65 W TDP, allowing for quiet cooling solutions in desktop builds.

Build Overview

This build combines a mid-range desktop CPU with a flagship GPU, targeting the high-end desktop class. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a desktop processor with 14 cores and a 65 W TDP, while the RTX 4090 is a triple-slot, 450 W GPU with 24 GB of memory. The combined percentile is 89, indicating that this system outperforms the majority of tested configurations.

The CPU's average benchmark score of 46062 places it at the 89th percentile, while the GPU's average of 60347 places it at the 88th percentile. The system's pair rank by FPS is 96 out of 3732 pairs, with an average FPS of 219.6 across games. This rank is high, suggesting that for gaming, the combination is well-matched despite the CPU's lower tier.

The build class is desktop, and the production status of the CPU is active, while the GPU is end-of-life. The launch MSRP of the CPU is $257, and the GPU launched at 1,599 USD. The overall tier is high, given the GPU's massive compute resources and the CPU's competitive single-thread performance.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data shows that the RTX 4090 is the dominant component in terms of raw performance, but the CPU is the limiting factor in specific scenarios. In gaming at 1080p, the CPU's single-thread performance often caps frame rates. For example, Counter-Strike 2 hits 359 FPS at 1080p but only 238 FPS at 1440p, indicating that the GPU becomes the bottleneck at higher resolutions. At 4K, the frame rate drops to 133 FPS, showing the GPU is still heavily loaded.

In CPU-bound workloads like data compression, the CPU's score of 390711 is the limit, and the GPU cannot assist. The Passmark physics score of 2570 is relatively low, suggesting that physics simulations will be CPU-bound. Conversely, in GPU-compute tasks like OpenCL rendering, the CPU sits idle while the GPU's 82.58 TFLOPS of FP32 performance dominates.

The percentile gap between the CPU (89th) and GPU (88th) is minimal, but the performance gap in raw specifications is large. The CPU's 14 threads are sufficient for most games, but in heavily threaded titles or with background tasks, the system may experience stutter. The 65 W CPU TDP versus 450 W GPU TDP highlights the imbalance, with the GPU drawing nearly seven times the power. This means the PSU (suggested 850 W) has ample headroom for the CPU but is sized for the GPU's peaks. The bottleneck shifts depending on the workload, but for gaming at 1440p and above, the GPU is the primary driver, and the CPU provides adequate support.

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core Ultra 5 235

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Valorant

Minecraft

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

Usage Scenarios

Benchmark Performance

FAQ

Upgrade Path and Platform

GPU Analysis

Who Should Build It

CPU Analysis

Build Overview

Balance and Bottleneck

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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