SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235H + Intel Arc A550M

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

Build Configuration

Select your components

PROCESSOR (CPU)

▼

GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

▼

94 Score

Top 6% Ranking

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

91%

GPU

96%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

37,522 Benchmark Score

Top 9% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A550M

49,737 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

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

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H paired with Intel Arc A550M is a mobile combination that lands in the 86th percentile overall, indicating a strong laptop configuration for demanding tasks. The CPU, a 14-core Arrow Lake-H part, delivers desktop-class multi-threaded performance in a 28 W TDP envelope, while the Arc A550M GPU provides a robust 8 GB frame buffer that competes with high-end desktop graphics cards from the previous generation. Benchmark data shows this pairing is well-suited for high-refresh 1080p gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering, though the CPU's single-thread lead is modest and the GPU's ray tracing performance is limited by its architecture.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is built on the Arrow Lake architecture using a 3 nm process from TSMC, representing Intel's second generation of Core Ultra series processors. It features 14 cores and 14 threads, which means there is no hyper-threading; each core is a physical core. The base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, providing a wide frequency range for both power efficiency and burst performance. The processor's TDP is rated at 28 W, making it a low-power mobile part that can still sustain high boost clocks. Cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache, which is standard for a modern mobile chip.

Benchmark results show a significant strength in multi-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25598 places this chip in the 85th percentile among all CPUs, which is exceptional for a mobile processor. This score is only 0.3% above the Intel Core i9-13900HK (avg score 37425) and 0.6% above the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F (avg score 37313), while being 0.4% behind the Intel Core i5-13600K (avg score 37685) and 0.6% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 (avg score 37762). The data indicates the 235H offers near-desktop-level performance in multi-core tasks like video encoding and compilation. In single-core tests, Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3613 is solid, and the PassMark single-thread score of 4359 confirms competent responsiveness for everyday applications.

Other PassMark subsystems show a balanced profile: integer math score of 74247, floating point math of 93509, and a multithread score of 30091. The data compression score of 301979 is high, suggesting strong performance for file archiving and data-heavy workloads. However, the find prime numbers score of 239 is notably low, which may indicate a specific weakness in certain integer-heavy algorithms, but this is unlikely to affect typical user workloads. The average benchmark score of 37522 aligns with the nearest rivals, confirming that this CPU is positioned at the top of the mobile performance tier.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A550M is a mobile GPU based on the Xe-HPG architecture, built on a 6 nm process with 21,700 million transistors on a 406 mm² die. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. The GPU clock speeds are 900 MHz base and 2050 MHz boost, with memory running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective). It features 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output units, along with 16 ray tracing cores. The pixel rate is 131.2 GPixel/s and texture rate is 262.4 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance at 8.397 TFLOPS and FP16 at 16.79 TFLOPS (2:1). The TDP is rated at 60 W, making it a power-efficient part for a laptop.

Benchmark results place the Arc A550M in the 86th percentile among all GPUs, with an average score of 49737 from Geekbench OpenCL (49894) and Vulkan (49580) tests. This score is 0.4% behind the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (avg 49957) and 0.5% behind the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 (avg 50001), while being 2.4% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT (avg 50951) and 2.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (avg 48477). The data suggests the A550M performs comparably to high-end desktop GPUs from the previous generation, which is impressive for a mobile chip. The 8 GB VRAM at 224 GB/s is sufficient for 1080p gaming and moderate 1440p workloads, though the 128-bit bus limits memory bandwidth compared to wider interfaces.

The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, meaning it is fully compatible with modern game APIs and feature sets like ray tracing and mesh shaders. However, the 16 ray tracing cores are fewer than what dedicated RT cards offer, so ray tracing performance will be limited, and the absence of tensor cores means there is no dedicated AI acceleration hardware for features like DLSS; the system will rely on standard rendering techniques.

Benchmark Performance

The combined picture shows a CPU that is 0.3% faster than the Intel Core i9-13900HK in average benchmark score, and a GPU that is 2.6% faster than the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 25598 is a standout result, putting it ahead of many desktop processors in multi-threaded tasks. The single-core score of 3613 in R23 is respectable but not class-leading, as the boost clock of 5.00 GHz helps but the lack of hyper-threading limits some throughput. The PassMark multithread score of 30091 and single-thread score of 4359 confirm that the CPU is well-balanced for both productivity and interactive workloads.

The GPU's Geekbench OpenCL score of 49894 and Vulkan score of 49580 are nearly identical, indicating stable performance across APIs. The 86th percentile GPU ranking means the A550M outperforms the vast majority of GPUs in the database, including many desktop models. Combined with the 85th percentile CPU, the overall system percentile is 86, showing that the pairing is well-matched in terms of performance tier. The data shows no significant bottleneck between the two components in synthetic benchmarks, as both are within a narrow performance band relative to their respective rivals.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The Arc A550M's 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 224 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for 1080p gaming at high frame rates in e-sports titles, and the GPU's 86th percentile ranking indicates it can handle demanding AAA games at medium to high settings. The CPU's strong single-thread score of 4359 in PassMark ensures minimal bottleneck in frame generation, though the lack of tensor cores means no AI-based upscaling, so native resolution rendering is required.

Streaming: The CPU's 14 physical cores and 25598 Cinebench R23 multicore score provide ample headroom for encoding video while gaming, as the x264 encoder can offload to the CPU without significant frame drops. The GPU's 60 W TDP keeps thermals manageable in a laptop, allowing sustained streaming sessions, and the Vulkan score of 49580 suggests efficient API utilization for capture workloads.

Video editing: The CPU's data compression score of 301979 and floating point math score of 93509 indicate strong performance in codec operations and effects processing. The GPU's 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 4K timeline scrubbing and rendering, and the 262.4 GTexel/s texture rate accelerates compositing tasks. The combination handles 1080p and 1440p editing with ease, with 4K editing feasible but requiring patience for heavy effects.

3D rendering: The CPU's Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10751 and R15 score of 2580 show excellent multi-threaded rendering capability for CPU-based renderers like Blender Cycles. The GPU's OpenCL score of 49894 indicates it can accelerate GPU rendering, though the 8 GB VRAM may limit scene complexity. The 16 RT cores provide basic ray tracing acceleration, but the lack of tensor cores means no denoising acceleration, so render times will be longer than on NVIDIA RTX cards.

Software development: The CPU's integer math score of 74247 and multithread score of 30091 are strong for code compilation and testing. The L3 cache of 18 MB helps with frequently accessed data, and the 5.00 GHz boost clock reduces iteration times. The 85th percentile CPU ranking means build times are competitive with desktop-class processors, making this a viable mobile workstation for developers.

Student and office work: The CPU's single-thread score of 4359 ensures snappy response in document editing and web browsing, while the 28 W TDP contributes to long battery life in a laptop. The integrated Arc Graphics 140T provides basic display output for office tasks without engaging the discrete GPU, saving power. The 85th percentile CPU and 86th percentile GPU are overkill for this workload, but the headroom ensures future-proofing.

Balance and Bottleneck

The benchmark data shows a well-balanced system with no dominant bottleneck. The CPU's average score of 37522 and the GPU's average score of 49737 are both in the mid-80s percentile, indicating they are in the same performance tier. In CPU-bound workloads like data compression (score 301979) and physics (score 1985), the processor leads, while in GPU-bound tasks like Vulkan rendering (score 49580), the graphics card takes over. The FPS scaling in games would be limited by the GPU at 1080p high settings, as the CPU's single-thread performance is sufficient to feed the GPU at most frame rates. However, at lower resolutions like 720p, the CPU could become the limiting factor due to its 14 threads without hyper-threading, though this is an unlikely scenario for a modern laptop.

The GPU's memory bandwidth of 224 GB/s is a potential bottleneck for memory-intensive workloads like 4K texture streaming, but the 8 GB VRAM size is adequate for 1080p. The CPU's dual-channel memory bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth is lower than the GPU's, but this is typical for mobile platforms and does not create a significant imbalance. The 60 W GPU TDP and 28 W CPU TDP combine for a total of 88 W, which is manageable for laptop cooling solutions, and the data suggests both components can sustain their boost clocks under load without one throttling the other.

Who Should Build It

This configuration is ideal for gamers targeting 1080p high-refresh displays, as the GPU's 86th percentile ranking ensures smooth frame rates in competitive titles. Content creators who edit video or render 3D scenes will benefit from the CPU's 25598 Cinebench R23 multicore score and the GPU's 8 GB VRAM. Developers compiling large codebases will appreciate the CPU's 30091 PassMark multithread score, which rivals desktop i5 processors. Students and small business users looking for a versatile laptop that handles both productivity and occasional gaming will find this combination sufficient, with the 85th percentile CPU and 86th percentile GPU providing headroom for future software demands. The 28 W CPU TDP makes this suitable for thin-and-light laptops, while the 60 W GPU TDP requires adequate cooling, so users should prioritize models with robust thermal designs.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket, which is a soldered mobile platform, meaning the processor cannot be upgraded. The system supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and users should ensure they install dual-channel memory to achieve this full bandwidth. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes, while the GPU uses PCIe 4.0 x16, so the graphics card is not bandwidth-limited. The GPU is also soldered (IGP slot width), so there is no discrete upgrade path; users must rely on external GPU enclosures if they need more graphics power, but the CPU's PCIe 5.0 lanes could support that. The suggested PSU is not listed, but the combined 88 W TDP of CPU and GPU is low, so a standard laptop power adapter is sufficient. A sensible next upgrade would be increasing system memory to the maximum supported capacity, as the L3 cache of 18 MB is fixed, and memory bandwidth is the primary expandable resource.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's multi-threaded performance compared to its closest rival?

A: The Core Ultra 5 235H scores 25598 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i9-13900HK and 0.6% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 225F, but 0.4% lower than the Intel Core i5-13600K.

Q: How much VRAM does the Arc A550M have and what is its bandwidth?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Does the GPU support hardware ray tracing?

A: Yes, it has 16 ray tracing cores, but the absence of tensor cores means no dedicated AI denoising, so ray tracing performance is limited.

Q: What is the CPU's process node and TDP?

A: The CPU is built on a 3 nm process from TSMC with a TDP of 28 W.

Q: What memory types does the CPU support?

A: It supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.

Q: Is the GPU production status active?

A: No, the Arc A550M is marked as end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active production.

Q: What is the overall system percentile ranking?

A: The combined percentile is 86, placing it above the vast majority of laptop configurations in the database.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU-GPU combination, so all frame rate figures below are estimates derived from the benchmark scores. The GPU's 86th percentile ranking and 8.397 TFLOPS FP32 performance suggest it can handle 1080p ultra settings in most games, with expected frame rates of 60+ FPS in e-sports titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. For AAA games at 1080p ultra, the 8 GB VRAM and 224 GB/s bandwidth are adequate for textures, and the GPU's 262.4 GTexel/s texture rate ensures smooth rendering, with estimated 50-70 FPS in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (without ray tracing) and Assassin's Creed Mirage. At 1440p, the GPU will likely deliver 40-60 FPS in demanding games, but the 128-bit memory bus may cause frame drops when texture detail exceeds 8 GB. The CPU's single-thread score of 4359 ensures it can feed the GPU at these frame rates, so the GPU will be the primary limiter. For competitive gaming at 1080p low settings, frame rates could exceed 144 FPS in lighter titles, given the GPU's 86th percentile standing relative to desktop GPUs like the RX 6800 XT, which is 2.6% slower. These figures are estimates and actual performance will vary by game optimization and laptop cooling.

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235H + Intel Arc A550M

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core Ultra 5 235H

Intel Arc A550M

Market Position

Game Performance Benchmarks

Cyberpunk 2077

Red Dead Redemption 2

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Control

Call of Duty: Warzone

Fortnite

Performance Insights

Optimal Performance

4K Gaming Ready

Performance Tiers Explained

Ultimate

High-End

Mid-Range

Entry Level

Legacy

CPU Analysis

GPU Analysis

Benchmark Performance

Usage Scenarios

Balance and Bottleneck

Who Should Build It

Upgrade Path and Platform

FAQ

Gaming Performance

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

Related Processors

Related Graphics Cards

Compare Your CPU

Compare Your GPU

Related PC Builds

Same CPU with Different GPUs

Same GPU with Different CPUs

Other Popular Builds