SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 235T + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D

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
92%
VS
GPU
98%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 235T

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

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D

77,712 Benchmark Score
Top 2% 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

# Balance and Bottleneck

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D presents an interesting asymmetry in compute capability. The CPU sits at the 86th percentile against all processors, while the GPU commands the 92nd percentile against all graphics cards. That six-point gap signals that the graphics card is the stronger component in absolute terms, but the practical bottleneck depends entirely on workload type.

In gaming scenarios, the RTX 5090 D's raw output — a Passmark G3D score of 44,065 and a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 14,326 — vastly exceeds what the 235T's single-thread performance can feed in lightly-threaded titles. The CPU's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3,703 and Passmark single-thread score of 4,339 are respectable for a 65-watt desktop part, but they will constrain frame rates in CPU-bound scenes at lower resolutions. The data indicates that at 1080p or 1440p with high refresh rates, the 235T becomes the limiting factor in many esports and simulation titles where draw calls and physics calculations dominate.

Conversely, in multi-threaded workloads, the balance shifts. The 235T's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26,232 and Passmark multithread score of 30,918 demonstrate strong parallel throughput for a 14-core part, but the RTX 5090 D's compute capabilities — 104.8 TFLOPS FP32 and a Geekbench OpenCL score of 310,674 — will still outpace the CPU in GPU-accelerated rendering and machine learning tasks. The bottleneck in 3D rendering or video encoding is almost always the GPU, and this pairing leans that direction.

For mixed workloads like game development or streaming, the balance is more even. The CPU's Passmark data compression score of 295,100 and encryption score of 23,457 handle asset packaging and network overhead, while the GPU manages rendering and encoding. The 235T's 14 threads, however, are a limitation for heavily threaded background tasks during gaming, as the lack of Hyper-Threading means each core handles exactly one thread. The 65-watt TDP also suggests thermal headroom constraints in sustained all-core loads, which could cause the boost clock to settle below its 5.00 GHz maximum.

The combined percentile of 89 for this build places it in the upper tier of desktop configurations. No measured FPS rows exist for this exact combination, so all frame rate discussion is estimated from the benchmark scores. The estimated FPS scaling suggests that at 4K resolution, the GPU bottleneck dominates and the CPU's lower single-thread performance matters less, while at 1080p, the CPU becomes the primary constraint in high-refresh scenarios.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 38,561, placing it at the 86th percentile. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-14500, scores 38,531 — a delta of just 0.1 percent, meaning the 235T is statistically tied with that previous-generation part. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 trails by 0.4 percent at 38,392, while the Intel Core 9 270H is 0.6 percent behind at 38,335. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H rounds out the nearest rivals at 38,312, a 0.7 percent deficit. These margins are razor-thin; the 235T effectively performs at parity with a range of mid-to-high-end desktop and mobile parts.

The GPU's average benchmark score is 77,712, ranking at the 92nd percentile. Its nearest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6650M XT, scores 76,904 — a 1.1 percent deficit. The AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT leads by 1.6 percent at 78,940, while the NVIDIA Tesla P100 PCIe 12 GB and 16 GB variants sit 2.1 and 2.4 percent ahead, respectively. The RTX 5090 D's position among these rivals is notable: it trades blows with mobile Radeon parts and datacenter Tesla accelerators, which speaks to its balanced compute and graphics performance.

Looking at individual CPU benchmarks, the Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 2,644 and single-core score of 373 show a strong generational uplift. The R20 results — 11,017 multi-core and 1,555 single-core — reinforce the pattern. The R23 multi-core score of 26,232 is particularly strong for a 65-watt part, indicating efficient power scaling. Passmark results show 84,244 in integer math, 106,546 in floating-point math, and 23,212 in extended instructions, suggesting a well-rounded ALU and FPU design.

The GPU's Passmark G3D score of 44,065 is the headline number, but the compute scores tell a fuller story. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 376,915 exceeds the OpenCL score of 310,674, suggesting strong driver optimization for graphics APIs. The Passmark GPU compute score of 28,396 is lower relative to the G3D score, which is typical for gaming-focused cards. The DirectX 12 score of 219 and DirectX 11 score of 371 indicate that the card performs better under older APIs, while the DirectX 9 score of 434 and DirectX 10 score of 231 show diminishing returns with legacy APIs.

The combined picture is a desktop build where the GPU outclasses the CPU by a measurable margin in raw compute, but the CPU holds its own in single-threaded and moderate multi-threaded tasks. The 86th versus 92nd percentile split means the GPU is the primary driver of overall performance, particularly in graphics-bound workloads.

GPU Analysis

The RTX 5090 D is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC with 92,200 million transistors on a 750 mm² die. The memory subsystem is the standout feature: 32 GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus delivers 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. This is a massive amount of VRAM and bandwidth, sufficient for 8K texture packs, large machine learning models, and multi-stream video editing without spilling into system memory.

The clock speeds are 2017 MHz base and 2407 MHz boost, with memory running at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The shading units number 21,760, paired with 680 TMUs and 176 ROPs. The pixel rate of 423.6 GPixel/s and texture rate of 1,636.8 GTexel/s indicate the card can fill frames at extreme rates, which the 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 14,326 confirms. The FP32 throughput of 104.8 TFLOPS, with FP16 at the same 1:1 ratio, makes this a serious compute card for AI inference and scientific workloads.

The ray tracing and tensor hardware is substantial: 170 RT cores and 680 tensor cores. These numbers support the card's position at the 92nd percentile. The Passmark DirectX 12 score of 219 seems low relative to the G3D score, but this is a synthetic workload that may not fully utilize the Blackwell architecture's strengths. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 376,915 is more representative of real-world graphics performance, as Vulkan 1.4 support is fully implemented.

For rendering workloads, the 32 GB VRAM is a decisive advantage. Large scenes with complex geometry and high-resolution textures will fit entirely in VRAM, avoiding the performance cliff of memory swapping. The 1.79 TB/s bandwidth ensures that texture streaming and compute shader operations are not memory-bound. The dual-slot cooler and 1x 16-pin power connector are standard for this performance class, but the 575 W TDP and 950 W suggested PSU indicate significant power delivery requirements.

The display outputs — 1x HDMI 2.1b and 3x DisplayPort 2.1b — support high refresh rates at 4K and 8K over modern interfaces. The PCIe 5.0 x16 bus interface ensures the card can communicate with the CPU at full bandwidth, which is particularly important for the 235T's 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Who Should Build It

This pairing targets desktop users who prioritize GPU-bound workloads over CPU-heavy multi-threading. Gamers at 4K resolution will benefit most, as the RTX 5090 D's 92nd percentile performance ensures high frame rates even in demanding titles, while the 235T's single-thread score of 4,339 in Passmark is sufficient to avoid severe CPU bottlenecks at that resolution. Content creators working with 8K video, complex 3D scenes, or large AI models will leverage the 32 GB VRAM and 1.79 TB/s bandwidth for in-memory processing.

Software developers building GPU-accelerated applications will appreciate the Vulkan 1.4 and DirectX 12 Ultimate support, along with the 680 tensor cores for machine learning workloads. The CPU's 14 cores and 14 threads handle compilation and testing adequately, though the lack of Hyper-Threading means parallel build times will be longer than a comparable 20-thread part. Students in computer graphics or data science programs will find the system capable for coursework, but the 575 W GPU TDP and 950 W PSU requirement make this a serious power investment.

Small business workstations handling CAD, video production, or scientific visualization will benefit from the GPU's compute throughput. The CPU's 65 W TDP keeps overall system power manageable, and the DDR5 dual-channel memory with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth supports moderate multi-tasking. The 235T's 86th percentile ranking ensures it won't be the weak link in professional applications that are primarily GPU-accelerated.

Usage Scenarios

For high-refresh gaming at 1440p or 4K, the RTX 5090 D's 44,065 G3D score and 14,326 Steel Nomad score indicate the GPU can drive very high frame rates. The CPU's single-core performance will limit maximum FPS in CPU-bound scenes, but at 4K the GPU becomes the limiting factor, which is the ideal scenario for this pairing.

Streaming workloads benefit from the GPU's encoding capabilities and the CPU's Passmark encryption score of 23,457 for stream key handling. The 14 cores handle OBS and game simultaneously, though the lack of Hyper-Threading means background tasks compete directly with game threads. The 104.8 TFLOPS FP16 performance supports AI-based encoding enhancements.

Video editing in Premiere or DaVinci Resolve will leverage the GPU's 32 GB VRAM for timeline previews and effects. The 1.79 TB/s bandwidth accelerates scrubbing through high-bitrate footage, and the CUDA and tensor cores speed up exports. The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26,232 handles timeline parsing and audio processing.

3D rendering in Blender or Maya will be GPU-dominated. The 104.8 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 170 RT cores provide substantial ray tracing acceleration. The CPU's role is scene management and physics simulation, where its Passmark physics score of 2,157 is adequate.

Software development benefits from the CPU's strong single-thread performance — a 3,703 R23 single-core score — for IDE responsiveness and compilation. The Passmark integer math score of 84,244 indicates solid general-purpose compute, though the 14 threads limit parallel build performance.

Student and office workloads are easily handled. The CPU's 86th percentile ranking ensures snappy responsiveness for productivity applications, while the integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU provides display output without requiring the discrete GPU. The 65 W CPU TDP keeps idle power low.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Socket 1851 platform supports DDR5 dual-channel memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, which fully utilizes the RTX 5090 D's PCIe 5.0 x16 interface. The 235T is a locked multiplier part, so overclocking is not available, but the 65 W TDP leaves thermal headroom for the GPU to boost.

The suggested PSU of 950 W accounts for the GPU's 575 W TDP and the CPU's 65 W TDP, leaving headroom for drives, fans, and peripherals. A sensible next upgrade would be a higher-core-count Arrow Lake CPU on the same socket, which would improve multi-threaded performance without requiring a platform change. The Core Ultra 9 285H's nearest-rival score of 38,312 suggests that higher-tier desktop parts would provide a meaningful uplift.

Memory upgrades to higher-capacity DDR5 kits are possible, as the dual-channel controller supports standard DIMMs. The 24 MB shared L3 cache on the 235T is sufficient for most workloads, but a larger-cache part would benefit data-intensive applications. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes also support fast NVMe storage, which pairs well with the GPU's 1.79 TB/s bandwidth for large data transfers.

The platform's production status is Active, meaning BIOS updates and driver support will continue. The socket 1851 is positioned for the current generation, so a future CPU upgrade within the same socket is the most cost-effective path. The GPU's dual-slot cooler and 304 mm length require a full-size ATX case with adequate clearance.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T is a 14-core, 14-thread desktop processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The base clock of 2.20 GHz boosts to 5.00 GHz, which is a substantial range for a 65 W part. The lack of Hyper-Threading means 14 threads is the maximum, which is a deliberate trade-off for power efficiency.

The cache hierarchy is 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. This structure supports the single-core performance of 3,703 in Cinebench R23, which is competitive with the nearest rivals. The Passmark single-thread score of 4,339 confirms strong single-core execution. The multithread score of 30,918 is respectable but not exceptional for a 14-core part, reflecting the efficiency-focused design.

The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU provides basic display output and hardware acceleration, which is useful for troubleshooting or light office work without the discrete GPU. The DDR5 memory support with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth is adequate for the CPU's needs, though the GPU's 1.79 TB/s bandwidth dwarfs it. The 86th percentile ranking places this CPU solidly in the mid-to-upper tier, with nearest rivals within a 0.7 percent margin.

The Passmark data compression score of 295,100 is notably strong, indicating efficient memory operations for archiving or file transfer workloads. The encryption score of 23,457 and extended instructions score of 23,212 show balanced cryptographic and SIMD performance. The floating-point math score of 106,546 exceeds the integer math score of 84,244, which is typical for modern architectures.

The 65 W TDP is the defining characteristic. This part delivers near-parity performance with the 125 W-class i5-14500 (0.1 percent delta) while consuming significantly less power in sustained loads. The 5.00 GHz boost clock ensures peak single-thread performance is available when needed, but sustained all-core loads will likely settle at lower clocks due to the power envelope.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build combining the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D. The CPU is a 14-core Arrow Lake part with a 65 W TDP, positioned at the 86th percentile. The GPU is a Blackwell 2.0 flagship with 32 GB GDDR7, positioned at the 92nd percentile. The combined percentile of 89 places this build in the upper tier of desktop configurations.

The pairing is GPU-dominated, with the RTX 5090 D's 77,712 average benchmark score more than double the CPU's 38,561. The 24-point percentile gap between the two components means the GPU will be the primary driver of performance in most workloads, particularly those that are graphics- or compute-intensive. The CPU's role is to feed the GPU with data and handle general-purpose tasks, which it does adequately given its 86th percentile ranking.

The launch MSRP for the CPU is $247, and the GPU's launch MSRP is 2,299 USD. The power requirements are substantial: the GPU's 575 W TDP and the suggested 950 W PSU indicate a system that draws significant power under load. The CPU's 65 W TDP is modest by comparison, which helps balance the overall thermal profile.

This build class is desktop, and the form factor supports dual-slot GPUs up to 304 mm in length. The PCIe 5.0 x16 interface ensures future-proofing for high-bandwidth peripherals. The combination of a mid-range CPU with a flagship GPU is unconventional but justified for users who prioritize GPU-bound workloads over CPU-heavy multitasking.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's single-core performance relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T scores 3,703 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 4,339 in Passmark single-thread. Its nearest rivals are all within a 0.7 percent average benchmark margin, with the i5-14500 at 0.1 percent, Xeon w3-2525 at 0.4 percent, Core 9 270H at 0.6 percent, and Ultra 9 285H at 0.7 percent.

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 5090 D have and what is its bandwidth?

A: The RTX 5090 D has 32 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 512-bit bus, delivering 1.79 TB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock is 1750 MHz, which is 28 Gbps effective.

Q: Does this CPU support overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the Intel Core Ultra 5 235T cannot be overclocked. The base clock is 2.20 GHz and the boost clock is 5.00 GHz, but these are fixed values.

Q: What is the combined performance percentile of this build?

A: The combined percentile is 89, placing it in the upper tier of desktop configurations. The CPU is at the 86th percentile and the GPU is at the 92nd percentile.

Q: What power supply is recommended for this build?

A: The suggested PSU is 950 W, which accounts for the GPU's 575 W TDP and the CPU's 65 W TDP, leaving headroom for other components.

Q: What memory type does this platform support?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235T supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Is there any measured FPS data for this specific CPU+GPU combination?

A: No, there are no measured FPS rows for this exact combination. All frame rate discussion is estimated from the benchmark scores, including the GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 14,326 and the CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 26,232.