SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235T + Intel Arc A380

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

89 / 100
HIGH-END

Power Build

Top 11% of systems. Excellent for 1440p Ultra or 4K High gaming.

1440p Ultra4K High

System Balance Analysis

CPU vs GPU performance ratio
Well Balanced
CPU
92%
VS
GPU
86%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 235T

38,561 Benchmark Score
Top 8% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

Intel Arc A380

8,558 Benchmark Score
Top 14% 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

Strong Performance

Excellent for 1440p gaming. Most games will run at high/ultra settings smoothly.

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

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T and Intel Arc A380 pairing is a desktop combination that targets efficiency and entry-level performance. The CPU is a modern 14-core Arrow Lake processor on a 3 nm process, while the GPU is an older, end-of-life Alchemist architecture part. The benchmark data shows a significant performance disparity between the two components, with the processor placing in the 86th percentile among all CPUs and the graphics card landing in the 44th percentile among all GPUs. This combination results in a system that excels at productivity and multi-threaded workloads but is constrained in graphically intensive tasks like modern gaming. The following analysis breaks down the components, their real-world implications, and the balance of this specific build.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is a 14-core, 14-thread desktop processor built on the Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured by TSMC on a 3 nm process. It operates with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, drawing a 65 W TDP. The processor supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, offering a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. It features a hybrid cache structure with 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 24 MB L3 cache. The CPU is designed for the Intel Socket 1851 and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. It also includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 EU, which can serve as a fallback display output.

The benchmark results for this CPU are strong, placing it in the 86th percentile of all CPUs. In Cinebench R23, it scores 26232 points in multi-core and 3703 points in single-core tests. This multi-core score indicates substantial capability for parallel workloads, as it is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-14500, which has an average score of 38531 compared to the Ultra 5 235T's average of 38561, a negligible delta of 0.1%. The single-core score of 3703 in R23 is healthy and suggests solid responsiveness in everyday tasks and lightly-threaded applications.

The Passmark suite further illustrates its strengths. The processor achieves a multi-thread score of 30918 and a single-thread score of 4339. In specific compute tasks, it scores 106546 in floating-point math and 84244 in integer math. Data compression and encryption scores are 295100 and 23457, respectively. These numbers indicate the CPU is well-suited for content creation, software compilation, and scientific computing where multi-core scaling is prevalent. The 17,800 million transistors and 243 mm² die size are notable, but the real-world takeaway is that this chip offers performance comparable to the Core i5-14500, placing it in a competitive tier for mid-range desktop processing. The only minor caveat is the lack of multi-threading (14 threads for 14 cores), but the high core count compensates in most heavily threaded scenarios.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A380 is a graphics card based on the Xe-HPG architecture, using the DG2-128 chip on a 6 nm TSMC process. It features 1024 shading units, 64 texture mapping units, and 32 raster output units. The card is equipped with 8 ray tracing cores and operates at a base clock of 2000 MHz with a boost clock of 2050 MHz. It has 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 186.0 GB/s. The memory runs at an effective speed of 15.5 Gbps. The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

The A380's benchmark performance is modest, placing it in the 44th percentile of all GPUs. Its average benchmark score is 8558, which is within 1.4% of the AMD Radeon 880M and NVIDIA GeForce MX330, according to the nearest rival data. In 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, it scores 808 points. The Passmark G3D score is 6252, while the GPU compute score is 2762. DirectX 11 and 12 scores are 38 and 35, respectively, indicating that the card can handle DirectX 12 titles but is not optimized for high-end performance. The pixel rate is 65.60 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 131.2 GTexel/s, with FP32 performance at 4.198 TFLOPS.

This GPU is clearly an entry-level part. The low percentile ranking and the close rival scores—such as the AMD FirePro W5170M at -0.4% and the Radeon HD 8870M at 1.1%—confirm that the A380 is not a gaming powerhouse. Its 6 GB VRAM is sufficient for older or less demanding titles at lower resolutions, but the 96-bit bus limits bandwidth for high-resolution textures. The 8 RT cores are present for ray tracing, but the overall compute power is too low for meaningful ray-traced gaming at playable frame rates. The card does offer modern API support, which is a plus for compatibility with newer game engines, but its raw throughput is a bottleneck.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: This build is not suitable for high-refresh gaming at 1080p or above. The Arc A380's 44th percentile performance and low 3DMark scores (808 in Steel Nomad) will struggle to push frame rates above 60 FPS in most modern titles, even at lower settings. The CPU is capable, but the GPU limits the experience.

Streaming: The CPU can handle the encoding workload. With a multi-thread score of 26232 in Cinebench R23 and a Passmark multi-thread score of 30918, the Ultra 5 235T has ample headroom for software encoding while gaming. However, the A380's weak rendering performance means the game itself will run poorly, making streaming a less attractive option for demanding titles.

Video Editing: The CPU is the star here. A Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26232 and a Passmark data compression score of 295100 indicate fast export times and smooth timeline scrubbing for codecs that rely on the CPU. The GPU's 6 GB VRAM and 186.0 GB/s bandwidth can assist with effects, but the A380 is not powerful enough for GPU-accelerated rendering to be a major advantage.

3D Rendering: Similar to video editing, the CPU dominates. The floating-point math score of 106546 in Passmark suggests strong performance in CPU-based rendering engines. The GPU's 4.198 TFLOPS FP32 performance is low; it will render scenes, but slowly. For a hobbyist rendering occasionally, it is acceptable, but professionals should look elsewhere.

Software Development: The 14 cores and 14 threads provide fast compilation times. The Passmark integer math score of 84244 and the extended instructions score of 23212 indicate robust performance for code compilation and running virtual machines. The single-thread score of 4339 also ensures a responsive IDE.

Student and Office Work: This is a comfortable pairing. The single-core performance (3703 in Cinebench R23) handles web browsing and office suites effortlessly. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics provides a backup if the discrete GPU fails. The 65 W TDP also suggests it can run in a modestly cooled system.

Balance and Bottleneck

The performance data reveals a clear imbalance. The CPU is in the 86th percentile, while the GPU is in the 44th percentile. This means the graphics card is the primary bottleneck in any workload that utilizes the GPU, such as gaming or GPU-accelerated rendering. The CPU’s average benchmark score of 38561 is nearly five times higher than the GPU's 8558, highlighting the disparity.

In gaming, the bottleneck is the GPU. The CPU has enough headroom to feed frames quickly, but the A380 cannot translate that into high FPS. The CPU's high single-thread score (4339 in Passmark) ensures it won't hold back the GPU in less demanding scenarios, but the GPU will always be the limiting factor. In productivity tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, the CPU is the workhorse, and the GPU plays a secondary role, meaning the system is well-balanced for those workloads. The combined percentile of 65 reflects this average performance level, pulled down by the GPU.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact combination in the FACT PACK. Therefore, all frame rate figures are estimates based on the benchmark scores. The Arc A380's 44th percentile ranking and Passmark G3D score of 6252 suggest it is suitable for 1080p gaming at low to medium settings in older or less demanding titles. In games like esports titles, it may achieve 60 FPS, but in modern AAA games, it will likely fall below 30 FPS at high settings. The 6 GB VRAM is also a limitation for textures at 1080p in newer games. The CPU's performance is irrelevant here because the GPU will be the limiting factor; the system will feel CPU-fast but GPU-slow, making gaming a frustrating experience for anything beyond casual play.

Who Should Build It

This build targets users who prioritize CPU performance over graphics. It is a fit for software developers who need fast compile times and run many virtual machines, given the 14 cores and strong single-thread score. Students and office workers will find it more than sufficient for daily tasks, and the 65 W TDP allows for a quiet and efficient system. Content creators working with CPU-based rendering or video encoding will benefit from the high multi-thread scores, but they must accept the GPU's limitations for previews and effects. Gamers at 1080p who play older titles or indie games may find it acceptable, but those seeking high-refresh or ultra settings will be disappointed. Small business workstations handling spreadsheets, databases, and light design work will perform well, as the CPU's data compression and encryption scores (295100 and 23457) are robust for such tasks.

Benchmark Performance

The combined benchmark picture shows a system with a powerful CPU and a weak GPU. The CPU's average benchmark score is 38561, placing it in the 86th percentile, with its closest rival being the Intel Core i5-14500 at a 0.1% delta. The GPU's average score is 8558, placing it in the 44th percentile, with the AMD FirePro W5170M as its closest rival at -0.4%. The combined percentile for the build is 65, indicating an overall mid-range tier. In Cinebench R15, the CPU scores 2644 multi-core and 373 single-core, while in R20 it scores 11017 and 1555, respectively. The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 808 and Passmark G3D score of 6252 illustrate its entry-level status. The data clearly shows the CPU is a top-tier performer, while the GPU is a bottom-half participant, creating a lopsided pairing that is best utilized for non-gaming tasks.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build (buildClass: desktop) pairing a modern, high-efficiency CPU with an older, entry-level GPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is a 14-core processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, released in January 2025, with a launch MSRP of $247. The Intel Arc A380 is an end-of-life product from the Alchemist generation, released in June 2022, with a launch MSRP of 149 USD. The combination sits in the 65th percentile overall, meaning it outperforms a majority of systems but is far from a high-end configuration. The CPU is the clear strong point, offering near-identical performance to the Core i5-14500, while the GPU is comparable to mobile parts like the NVIDIA GeForce MX330. This is a workstation-oriented pairing where the CPU does the heavy lifting and the GPU is an afterthought for basic display output and light acceleration.

FAQ

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14500?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T has an average benchmark score of 38561, which is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-14500's score of 38531. The performance delta is negligible, making them effectively equal in overall processing power.

Q: What is the GPU performance relative to the AMD Radeon 880M?

A: The Intel Arc A380 has an average benchmark score of 8558, which is 1.4% higher than the AMD Radeon 880M's score of 8436. The Arc A380 is slightly faster, but both are entry-level graphics solutions.

Q: Should I rely on this build for 4K gaming?

A: No. The Arc A380 holds only 6 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 96-bit bus, and its Passmark G3D score is 6252. This is insufficient for 4K gaming, where the GPU would be the bottleneck. Even 1080p gaming at high settings is questionable.

Q: Is the CPU's 14-thread count a limitation?

A: The 14-core, 14-thread configuration lacks Hyper-Threading, but the high core count and a multi-thread score of 30918 in Passmark mean it still outperforms many CPUs with more threads. It is a minor limitation for highly parallel tasks but not a major issue.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the CPU?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This is a standard figure for desktop CPUs and is adequate for feeding the 14 cores.

Q: Can the GPU handle ray tracing?

A: The Arc A380 has 8 ray tracing cores and supports DirectX 12 Ultimate. However, with an FP32 performance of only 4.198 TFLOPS, ray tracing performance will be very low, making it impractical for modern games.

Q: What is the overall tier of this build?

A: The combined percentile for the build is 65, placing it in the mid-range tier. The CPU is in the 86th percentile, while the GPU is in the 44th percentile, resulting in a system that is far better at CPU-bound tasks than GPU-bound ones.