SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235A + Intel Arc A580

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
97%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 235A

48,201 Benchmark Score
Top 6% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A580

57,756 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
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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 Ultra 5 235A + Intel Arc A580: A Desktop Pairing Worth Scrutiny

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A and Intel Arc A580 form a desktop build that lands in the 89th combined percentile among all systems, placing it firmly in the upper echelon of performance. This pairing of a 14-core Arrow Lake processor with a 24-core Xe-HPG graphics card is not a flagship setup, but the data suggests it is a remarkably balanced one. The CPU sits at the 90th percentile overall, while the GPU holds the 87th percentile, indicating that neither component dramatically overshadows the other in benchmark scores. However, the absence of measured FPS data for this exact combination means all gaming performance figures discussed here are estimates derived from the individual component benchmark scores, not direct measurements.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is a 14-core, 14-thread desktop processor built on the Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. This is a significant architectural shift for Intel, moving away from the traditional monolithic die to a chiplet-based design, with the CPU containing 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The base clock runs at 3.40 GHz, boosting up to 5.00 GHz, and the processor carries a 65 W TDP, making it a power-efficient part relative to its core count. The lack of hyper-threading, as evidenced by 14 threads for 14 cores, is a notable design choice that appears in benchmark results.

Looking at the benchmark data, the single-core performance is strong. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4607, coupled with a Passmark single-thread score of 4557, indicates excellent responsiveness in lightly-threaded workloads. This is further supported by a Cinebench R15 single-core score of 464 and R20 single-core of 1934. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and general system navigation, these numbers translate to snappy, immediate performance. The Passmark integer math score of 88,626 and floating-point math score of 118,778 reinforce that the CPU's individual cores are handling complex calculations efficiently.

Multi-core performance is where the 14 cores shine. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,633 is a substantial result, placing the CPU in the 90th percentile of all processors. This is corroborated by a Passmark multi-thread score of 38,392 and a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 13,705. In real-world terms, this level of performance is well-suited for video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The data compression score of 393,800 and encryption score of 30,136 in Passmark further indicate that the CPU can handle data-intensive tasks without breaking a sweat. Compared to its nearest rivals, the Core Ultra 5 235A is essentially neck-and-neck with the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380, trailing by a mere 0.1%, and is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX. It also edges out the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 by 0.6%, showing that this desktop chip competes well against both mobile and older desktop parts.

The 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 cache provide ample fast storage for frequently accessed data, which helps in both gaming and productivity. The memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s from dual-channel DDR5 support ensures the CPU is well-fed, particularly in memory-sensitive workloads. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units is present for basic display output, but it is not designed for gaming; the discrete Arc A580 handles that duty. Overall, the data paints a picture of a CPU that is a top-tier performer for its class, excelling in both single-threaded responsiveness and multi-threaded throughput.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core Ultra 5 235A compare to its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380?

A: The benchmark scores are nearly identical. The Core Ultra 5 235A has an average benchmark score of 48,201, which is just 0.1% lower than the Ryzen AI Max PRO 380's 48,171 score. In practical terms, these two processors offer essentially the same level of overall performance.

Q: What is the significance of the Core Ultra 5 235A having 14 threads for 14 cores?

A: This indicates the processor does not support hyper-threading. Each core handles a single thread, which simplifies the scheduling but relies on the physical core count for multi-threading. The strong multi-core scores, like the Cinebench R23 result of 32,633, show that the 14 physical cores are highly efficient on their own.

Q: Is the integrated GPU on the Core Ultra 5 235A suitable for gaming?

A: No. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units is meant for basic display and media tasks. The discrete Intel Arc A580 GPU, with its 3,072 shading units and dedicated 8 GB of VRAM, is the component intended for gaming and graphics-intensive workloads.

Q: What memory configuration does this CPU support?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235A supports dual-channel DDR5 memory, providing a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This is a standard high-bandwidth setup for modern desktop processors, ensuring data flows quickly to the CPU cores.

Q: How does the GPU's performance percentile compare to the CPU's?

A: The GPU sits at the 87th percentile of all GPUs, while the CPU is at the 90th percentile of all CPUs. This is a close match, suggesting the two components are well-balanced and neither will hold the other back significantly in a typical workload.

Q: What is the production status of these components?

A: Both the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A and the Intel Arc A580 are listed as "Active" in production. The CPU was released on July 28, 2025, while the GPU has been available since October 9, 2023.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: No, the FACT PACK data indicates that ECC memory is not supported for this processor. This is typical for consumer desktop parts, which prioritize performance and cost over the data integrity features that ECC provides.

Balance and Bottleneck

The concept of a bottleneck is central to understanding system performance. The data here suggests a well-balanced pairing, but with a slight lean toward the CPU being the stronger component. The CPU's 90th percentile ranking against all CPUs is higher than the GPU's 87th percentile against all GPUs. This indicates that in a purely computational sense, the processor has a slight edge over the graphics card. In CPU-bound workloads, such as physics calculations or data compression, the Core Ultra 5 235A is less likely to be the limiting factor. The Passmark physics score of 2,437 and the Cinebench multi-core scores are high, meaning the CPU can feed the GPU with data and instructions quickly.

Conversely, in GPU-bound scenarios, particularly at higher resolutions with ultra graphics settings, the Arc A580 will likely be the limiting component. The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,229, while respectable for its class, is not in the same league as top-tier cards. The estimated FPS figures, derived from these scores, will show that the GPU is the primary determinant of frame rates in graphically intensive games. The balance is also evident in the combined percentile of 89, which is near the individual percentiles of both components. If one component were vastly superior, the combined percentile would be dragged down significantly by the weaker part.

The FPS scaling story, while not measured, can be inferred. At 1080p, the CPU's strong single-core and multi-core performance will allow the GPU to operate closer to its maximum potential, meaning the GPU will be the bottleneck in most games. At 1440p, the GPU load increases, making the bottleneck even more pronounced. The absence of measured FPS data means we cannot quantify the exact scaling, but the benchmark scores indicate that this system is not CPU-limited in a way that would waste the GPU's capabilities. The gap in percentiles (90 vs. 87) is small enough that neither component will severely hamper the other, resulting in a harmonious pairing where the GPU is the primary driver of gaming performance and the CPU handles all background and simulation tasks with ease.

Who Should Build It

This desktop configuration is targeted at users who need strong all-around performance without the cost of a flagship setup. The Core Ultra 5 235A's 90th percentile CPU performance makes it a prime candidate for content creators and software developers. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,633 indicates it can handle video editing timelines, 3D rendering in Blender or similar software, and code compilation with efficiency. The Passmark data encryption score of 30,136 and extended instructions score of 31,625 further demonstrate its capability in security and scientific computing tasks.

For gamers, this build is squarely aimed at 1080p and 1440p play. The Arc A580, with its 87th percentile GPU ranking, is well-suited for high-refresh-rate gaming at 1080p on high settings, and it can manage 1440p at solid frame rates, though likely not at the absolute highest refresh rates on ultra settings. The CPU's strong single-core score of 4,607 in Cinebench R23 ensures that game logic and physics are handled smoothly, providing a stable foundation for the GPU. This makes the system ideal for the enthusiast gamer who plays a mix of competitive shooters and AAA titles.

Students and small business workstations will also find value here. The CPU's efficiency, with a 65 W TDP, means lower power draw and less heat, making it suitable for a compact workstation. The fast single-core performance ensures snappy application launches and smooth multitasking in office suites. The system is not a budget build, given the launch MSRP of $269 for the CPU alone, but it offers a compelling balance of computational power and graphics capability that addresses the needs of users who demand performance across a variety of tasks without venturing into extreme high-end territory.

Gaming Performance

The FACT PACK contains no measured FPS data for this exact CPU-GPU combination, so all gaming performance figures presented here are estimates based on the individual benchmark scores of the components. The Arc A580's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,229 and its 87th percentile ranking against all GPUs provide a baseline for its gaming abilities. In 1080p ultra settings, the GPU is expected to deliver playable frame rates in most modern titles, likely averaging well above 60 FPS in less demanding games. The strong CPU ensures that frame times are consistent, minimizing stutter.

At 1440p, the GPU will be the limiting factor. The 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 512.0 GB/s bandwidth provide sufficient memory capacity and throughput for high-resolution textures, but the raw compute power of 12.29 TFLOPS FP32 will struggle to maintain ultra settings at high refresh rates. Expect frame rates to drop to the 40-60 FPS range in demanding AAA titles at 1440p ultra. The 24 RT cores are present for ray tracing, but given the GPU's overall performance tier, enabling ray tracing will significantly impact frame rates, making it best reserved for lighter titles or lower resolutions.

The Geekbench Vulkan score of 79,381 and OpenCL score of 91,657 corroborate the GPU's strengths in compute and graphics APIs. Overall, the estimated gaming performance points to this being a solid 1080p gaming machine capable of high settings, with 1440p being viable at medium to high settings for a good experience. It is not a 4K gaming solution, as the GPU lacks the horsepower to push those resolutions at acceptable frame rates in modern games.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A580 is built on the Xe-HPG architecture, codenamed "Alchemist", and fabricated on a 6 nm process by TSMC. It houses 21,700 million transistors on a 406 mm² die, giving it a transistor density of 53.4 million per mm². The GPU has 3,072 shading units, 192 texture mapping units, and 96 raster operation pipelines. It features 24 dedicated ray tracing cores, though it does not have a separate tensor core count listed, relying on the shader units for AI workloads. The memory subsystem is robust, with 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, delivering a bandwidth of 512.0 GB/s. The memory clock runs at 2000 MHz, with an effective data rate of 16 Gbps.

The clock speeds are set at a base of 1700 MHz and a boost of 2000 MHz. This results in a pixel rate of 192.0 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 384.0 GTexel/s. The FP32 compute performance is 12.29 TFLOPS, with FP16 rated at 24.58 TFLOPS using a 2:1 ratio. These specifications place the A580 in the mid-range tier of GPUs. The benchmark scores confirm this: a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 2,229 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 91,657. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 79,381 is lower than the OpenCL score, which is a common pattern for Intel GPUs and indicates some driver-level optimization differences between APIs.

The GPU's 87th percentile ranking places it near competitors like the AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM, which it trails by 0.6%, and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE, which it outperforms by 0.7%. It also compares well against the Intel Arc A570M, being 0.8% faster, and the AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT, which is 1.1% faster. This shows that the A580 sits in a competitive position, offering performance that is slightly below the older high-end RX 6950 XT but above several mid-range parts. The 175 W TDP and the suggested 450 W PSU indicate it requires a decent power supply, and its dual-slot design with dual 8-pin connectors is standard for this class.

Benchmark Performance

The individual benchmark scores for the CPU and GPU paint a clear picture of a system that performs well above average. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A achieves an average benchmark score of 48,201, placing it in the 90th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380, scores 48,171, a negligible 0.1% difference. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 235A is at the top of its performance class, trading blows with the best of its peers. The CPU's Cinebench R23 scores of 4,607 single-core and 32,633 multi-core are standout numbers, showcasing its strength in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

The Intel Arc A580, with an average benchmark score of 57,756, ranks in the 87th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 5600 OEM, scores 58,085, which is 0.6% higher. The A580 is also 0.7% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE (57,367) and 0.8% faster than the Intel Arc A570M (58,239). This positions the A580 as a solid mid-to-high-range GPU that competes effectively with several AMD offerings. The combined picture is a system that holds the 89th percentile overall, reflecting a high level of performance that is consistent across both processing and graphics tasks.

The combined percentile of 89 is a strong indicator of balance. If the GPU were significantly weaker, the combined score would be lower. The data shows that both components are within three percentage points of each other, which is a near-ideal scenario for a build aimed at maximizing performance without creating a severe bottleneck. The system is not the absolute fastest available, but it is clearly in the upper 10% of all systems, making it a high-performance desktop suitable for a wide range of demanding applications.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build, as indicated by the buildClass field. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is a desktop processor, and the Intel Arc A580 is a desktop graphics card, making this a full tower or mid-tower system. The pairing represents a high-mid-range configuration, combining a top-tier CPU in the 90th percentile with a solidly above-average GPU in the 87th percentile. The overall system percentile of 89 confirms that this is not a budget build, but rather a performance-oriented machine that sits just below the absolute flagship tier.

The Core Ultra 5 235A, with its 14 cores and 65 W TDP, is a workhorse processor designed for heavy multitasking and productivity. The Arc A580, with its 8 GB of VRAM and 512.0 GB/s bandwidth, is a capable gaming and rendering solution. Together, they create a system that excels in CPU-heavy workloads like video editing and software development, while also providing a strong gaming experience at 1080p and 1440p. This is a build for users who want a computer that can do everything well, from professional content creation to high-refresh gaming, without the premium price of top-tier components. It is a versatile desktop that covers a broad spectrum of use cases with confidence.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, which is the socket for the Arrow Lake architecture. This socket supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which is the latest standard for high-speed connectivity. This means the platform is ready for the fastest NVMe SSDs and future expansion cards. The GPU uses a PCIe 4.0 x16 interface, which is fully compatible with the CPU's PCIe Gen 5 slots, though it will run at Gen 4 speeds, which is more than sufficient for the A580's bandwidth needs.

The CPU has a TDP of 65 W, and the GPU has a TDP of 175 W, with a suggested PSU rating of 450 W. This gives a reasonable power headroom for the current components. A sensible next upgrade would be to replace the Arc A580 with a more powerful GPU. Since the CPU is in the 90th percentile and provides PCIe Gen 5 support, it is well-positioned to handle a higher-tier graphics card without bottlenecking. The 65 W CPU TDP also leaves thermal and power headroom for a more power-hungry GPU, provided the PSU is upgraded accordingly. The socket 1851 platform is current, so a CPU upgrade path within the same generation is possible, though the 14-core Ultra 5 is already a strong performer. For most users, the most impactful upgrade would be to increase GPU performance, followed by adding more RAM if needed, though the dual-channel DDR5 support is already modern.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: This system is well-suited for 1080p high-refresh gaming. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4,607 ensures high frame rates in CPU-bound titles, while the Arc A580's 87th percentile GPU performance can push frame rates well above 100 FPS in esports titles at 1080p. At 1440p, the GPU will limit frame rates, but it can still handle high settings with adaptive sync.

Streaming: The Core Ultra 5 235A's 14 cores and high multi-threaded score of 32,633 in Cinebench R23 provide ample headroom for encoding video while gaming. The CPU can handle the encoding workload without significantly impacting game performance, making it a capable streaming CPU. The GPU's dedicated encoder is also present, but the CPU alone is strong enough for this task.

Video Editing: The CPU's multi-core performance is a boon for video editing. The Passmark multi-thread score of 38,392 and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,633 indicate fast timeline scrubbing, rendering, and export times in software like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM and 512.0 GB/s bandwidth will help with effects and color grading, though it is not a top-tier rendering GPU.

3D Rendering: The CPU is the primary workhorse here. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 32,633 is excellent for CPU-based rendering in Blender or similar software. The Arc A580's 12.29 TFLOPS FP32 performance will also accelerate GPU-based rendering, though its 8 GB VRAM may limit the size of scenes that can be rendered.

Software Development: The CPU's strong single-core and multi-core performance makes it ideal for compilation. The Passmark integer math score of 88,626 and data compression score of 393,800 show fast code compilation and data processing. The high thread count ensures quick build times for large projects.

Student and Office Work: The Core Ultra 5 235A's single-core score of 4,607 in Cinebench R23 ensures that everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and spreadsheets are extremely responsive. The 65 W TDP also means the system runs cool and quiet, making it suitable for a dorm room or office environment. The integrated GPU can handle display output, though the discrete A580 is available for any graphics-accelerated tasks.