SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus + NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation

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

98 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 2% 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
96%
VS
GPU
99%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

66,855 Benchmark Score
Top 4% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation

184,664 Benchmark Score
Top 1% 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

# Balance and Bottleneck

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation form a pairing where the CPU and GPU occupy very different performance tiers, and benchmark data indicates that workload type determines which component becomes the limiting factor. The CPU sits at the 93rd percentile among all processors with an average benchmark score of 66,855, while the GPU reaches the 98th percentile with an average score of 184,664. This 16-percentile gap suggests the GPU is the stronger component relative to its peers, but the CPU is hardly a weak link.

In multi-threaded workloads, the CPU's 18 cores and 18 threads deliver a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,867, placing it within 0.1% of the AMD EPYC 4465P (66,925 average score) and 0.2% of the Intel Xeon 6515P (67,006 average score). These near-identical scores indicate that the Ultra 5 250K Plus is not the bottleneck in CPU-heavy rendering or encoding tasks—it trades blows with server-class processors. The single-core performance, highlighted by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,261, further ensures that lightly threaded workloads do not stall the pipeline.

The GPU, however, dominates computational throughput in ways the CPU cannot match. With 12,800 shading units and 65.28 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, the RTX 5000 Ada Generation handles parallel floating-point operations at a scale that dwarfs CPU integer and floating-point scores. For instance, the CPU's PassMark floating-point math score is 162,692, a strong result for a processor, but the GPU's raw FP32 throughput is orders of magnitude higher for tasks that leverage its architecture. In gaming, where the GPU typically renders frames while the CPU prepares draw calls, the 250K Plus's 93rd percentile ranking ensures it can feed the GPU adequately at most resolutions, but the GPU's 98th percentile status means it will still be the primary determinant of frame rates in graphically intense scenes.

Bottlenecks emerge in specific scenarios. The CPU's memory bandwidth is 115.2 GB/s via dual-channel DDR5, while the GPU enjoys 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth from its 256-bit GDDR6 interface. In workloads that stream large datasets—such as 3D scene compositing or video editing with multiple high-resolution layers—the GPU's superior memory bandwidth prevents stalls, but the CPU's narrower memory pipe could limit scenarios where data must be shuffled through system memory before reaching the GPU. Additionally, the CPU's 30 MB of shared L3 cache is substantial, yet the GPU's 32 GB VRAM is the clear workhorse for large model inference or 8K texture workloads.

The FPS scaling evidence (which is estimated, as no measured frames exist for this combination) points to a balanced pairing at 1440p and 4K, where the GPU's 98th percentile score becomes the constraining factor. At 1080p, the CPU's single-thread strength (Cinebench R15 single-core score of 328) and boost clock of 5.30 GHz allow it to keep pace, but the margin narrows. Overall, the data suggests the GPU is the performance ceiling for most tasks, while the CPU provides sufficient headroom to avoid becoming a primary bottleneck except in highly threaded CPU-bound simulations.

# Benchmark Performance

The CPU's benchmark suite reveals a processor that excels in multi-threaded throughput while maintaining respectable single-thread performance. In Cinebench R15, the multi-core score of 4,640 and single-core score of 328 translate to a ratio of roughly 14:1, indicating strong parallel scaling across its 18 cores. The R20 results (18,442 multi-core, 2,603 single-core) and R23 results (30,867 multi-core, 2,261 single-core) follow a similar pattern, with multi-core scores that rival workstation processors. The PassMark suite reinforces this: a multi-thread score of 51,596 and a single-thread score of 4,757 place the CPU in the 93rd percentile overall, with an average benchmark score of 66,855.

Compared to its nearest rivals, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is remarkably competitive. It trails the AMD EPYC 4465P by just 0.1% in average score (66,925 vs. 66,855) and the Intel Xeon 6515P by 0.2% (67,006 vs. 66,855). Against the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, it is 0.9% behind (67,469 vs. 66,855), but it leads the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus by 1.1% (66,159 vs. 66,855). These sub-2% deltas mean the 250K Plus is effectively performance-equivalent to a broad range of high-end server and mobile flagship CPUs, despite being a desktop part.

The GPU's benchmark scores are equally impressive. In Geekbench OpenCL, it scores 175,286, and in Geekbench Vulkan, it reaches 194,041, for an average benchmark score of 184,664. This places it in the 98th percentile of all GPUs. Against its nearest rivals, the RTX 5000 Ada Generation leads the NVIDIA A100 SXM4 80 GB by 0.5% (183,725 vs. 184,664) and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D by 3.7% (178,050 vs. 184,664). It trails the NVIDIA A100 SXM4 40 GB by 1.3% (187,147 vs. 184,664) and the NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell by 1.4% (182,109 vs. 184,664). These margins underscore that the RTX 5000 Ada Generation operates at the very top of the GPU hierarchy, rivaling data-center accelerators.

The combined percentile for this build is 96, reflecting that both components sit in the upper echelons of their respective categories. The CPU's 93rd percentile and GPU's 98th percentile create a system where the GPU pulls the overall tier upward, but the CPU's strong multi-core scores ensure no glaring imbalance. For users comparing this to a typical desktop, the data shows a machine that is roughly 96th percentile overall, meaning it outperforms 96% of all tracked CPU+GPU combinations in the database.

# GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation is built on the AD102 chip using TSMC's 5 nm process, packing 76,300 million transistors into a 609 mm² die. This transistor density of 125.3M per mm² is among the highest for workstation GPUs, enabling the 12,800 shading units, 400 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output units. The GPU's base clock is 1,155 MHz with a boost clock of 2,550 MHz, and it features 100 ray tracing cores and 400 tensor cores, making it a formidable choice for both real-time ray tracing and AI-accelerated workloads.

Memory capacity is a standout feature: 32 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus, delivering 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth. This is substantial for workstation tasks such as training large neural networks, rendering complex 3D scenes, or processing high-resolution video. The memory clock runs at 2,250 MHz (18 Gbps effective), and the bandwidth is more than sufficient to feed the GPU's 65.28 TFLOPS of FP32 compute. The GPU also achieves a pixel rate of 448.8 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 1,020.0 GTexel/s, which translate to excellent fill rates for high-resolution rendering.

The Geekbench scores provide context for real-world performance. The OpenCL score of 175,286 and Vulkan score of 194,041 indicate strong compute and graphics performance, respectively. The Vulkan score being higher than OpenCL suggests the architecture benefits from modern API overhead reduction, which is relevant for gaming and real-time applications. The GPU's 98th percentile ranking means it outperforms 98% of all GPUs in the database, and its nearest rivals include data-center parts like the A100 SXM4, confirming its workstation-grade capabilities.

For rendering, the RTX 5000 Ada Generation's 400 tensor cores accelerate denoising and AI upscaling, while the 100 RT cores handle ray-traced scenes with hardware acceleration. The 32 GB VRAM is critical for scenes that exceed the 16 GB or 24 GB capacities of consumer cards, allowing entire 8K texture sets or complex CAD assemblies to reside in GPU memory without spilling to system RAM. The 576.0 GB/s bandwidth ensures that texture streaming and geometry processing do not become bottlenecks in high-detail workloads. The dual-slot design and 250 W TDP require adequate cooling, and the single 16-pin power connector means a capable power supply (suggested 600 W) is necessary, but the performance justifies the power envelope.

# Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: The GPU's 98th percentile and the CPU's 93rd percentile combine for estimated high frame rates at 1440p and 4K, though no measured FPS data exists for this exact pairing. The CPU's single-thread score of 4,757 in PassMark and boost clock of 5.30 GHz ensure that frame pacing remains consistent, while the GPU's 65.28 TFLOPS handle demanding graphics settings. At 1080p, the CPU becomes more relevant, but its performance is sufficient for 144Hz-class monitors.

Streaming: The CPU's 18 cores and 18 threads provide ample headroom for encoding while gaming, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,867 indicating strong parallel performance for software encoding. The GPU's NVENC (implied by Ada Lovelace architecture) could offload this task, but the CPU alone can handle 1080p60 streaming without significant frame drops. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports simultaneous gaming and encoding workloads.

Video Editing: The combination of the CPU's multi-threaded strength (PassMark multi-thread score of 51,596) and the GPU's 32 GB VRAM makes this system ideal for 4K and 8K video editing. Timeline scrubbing and effect rendering benefit from the GPU's 576.0 GB/s bandwidth, while export times are reduced by the CPU's 18 cores. The GPU's Vulkan score of 194,041 suggests strong performance in GPU-accelerated effects.

3D Rendering: The CPU's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,867 handles CPU-based renderers like Blender Cycles (CPU mode), while the GPU's 65.28 TFLOPS and 400 tensor cores accelerate GPU-based renderers with AI denoising. The 32 GB VRAM allows rendering scenes that would OOM on 16 GB cards, and the 100 RT cores improve ray-traced previews.

Software Development: The CPU's 18 cores and 30 MB L3 cache speed up compilation times, with a PassMark data compression score of 568,721 indicating strong throughput for build tools. The GPU is less relevant here, but its compute capability supports local machine learning model training. The ECC memory support (true) adds stability for long-running builds.

Student and Office Work: This is overkill for typical office tasks, but the CPU's single-thread performance (Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,261) ensures snappy responsiveness in spreadsheets and browsers. The GPU's power is wasted on document editing, but the system handles multitasking effortlessly with 18 threads.

# CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a desktop processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, based on the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture with a 3 nm process node from TSMC. It packs 18 cores and 18 threads (no hyperthreading), with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The 125 W TDP is modest for an 18-core part, and the socket is Intel Socket 1851. The processor integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, providing basic display output without a discrete GPU.

The cache hierarchy is substantial: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. This design supports high-bandwidth access to frequently used data, which is reflected in the PassMark integer math score of 125,091 and floating-point math score of 162,692. The CPU supports DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, and it has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes for high-speed peripherals. ECC memory support is enabled, making it suitable for workstation reliability.

Benchmark results show a CPU that punches above its desktop classification. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30,867 is within striking distance of server parts like the AMD EPYC 4465P (0.1% difference in average score) and Intel Xeon 6515P (0.2% difference). The PassMark multi-thread score of 51,596 and data encryption score of 42,144 indicate strong throughput for security and compression workloads. The single-thread score of 4,757 and extended instructions score of 44,565 round out a balanced profile. The CPU's 93rd percentile ranking places it among the top 7% of all processors, and its average benchmark score of 66,855 confirms that it is a high-end part despite its "Ultra 5" branding.

The lack of hyperthreading means the 18 threads are physical cores, which can be an advantage for latency-sensitive workloads but may limit performance in heavily oversubscribed environments. However, the 3 nm process and 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die contribute to efficient power delivery and thermal management. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, and the 5.30 GHz boost clock already provides strong single-thread performance for gaming and legacy applications.

# Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, which is current-generation for desktop Intel processors. This socket supports DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, and the CPU's 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow for high-bandwidth expansion cards. The platform is compatible with future Arrow Lake Refresh variants, though the specific upgrade path depends on Intel's roadmap. For memory, the 115.2 GB/s bandwidth is the theoretical maximum for dual-channel DDR5, so upgrading to higher-speed DDR5 kits could improve performance marginally, but the CPU's memory controller sets the limit.

The GPU connects via PCIe 4.0 x16, which is one generation older than the CPU's PCIe 5.0 support. This is not a bottleneck for the RTX 5000 Ada Generation, as PCIe 4.0 x16 offers sufficient bandwidth for 32 GB of VRAM and 576.0 GB/s memory bandwidth. The GPU's 250 W TDP and single 16-pin power connector require a power supply with adequate headroom; the suggested PSU is 600 W, which is reasonable for a system with a 125 W CPU. The total system power draw is estimated at 375 W under full load, leaving headroom for drives and peripherals.

A sensible next upgrade would be adding more DDR5 memory, as the CPU supports dual-channel but the 115.2 GB/s bandwidth is a potential limitation in memory-intensive workloads. Alternatively, upgrading the GPU to a newer workstation part (e.g., a Blackwell PRO W successor) could push the combined percentile higher, but the current GPU's 98th percentile already leaves little room for improvement. For storage, the CPU's 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes enable NVMe SSDs with sequential read speeds exceeding 10 GB/s, which would reduce load times in games and large datasets. The platform's ECC memory support is a unique feature for a desktop CPU, making it suitable for error-sensitive compute tasks.

# Who Should Build It

This build targets users who need workstation-grade GPU performance without sacrificing CPU multi-threaded capability. Gamers at 1440p or 4K will benefit from the GPU's 98th percentile ranking, which estimates high frame rates in demanding titles, while the CPU's 93rd percentile ensures no bottleneck at these resolutions. Content creators working with 8K video or complex 3D scenes will leverage the 32 GB VRAM and 65.28 TFLOPS, while the CPU's 18 cores accelerate encoding and rendering. Developers training machine learning models or compiling large codebases will appreciate the CPU's PassMark multi-thread score of 51,596 and the GPU's 400 tensor cores for AI inference. Students in engineering or data science programs can run simulations and visualizations locally, though the system is overkill for general coursework. Small business workstations requiring ECC memory and reliability for financial modeling or CAD work will find the combination of CPU ECC support and GPU compute power compelling.

The 96th combined percentile means this system outperforms 96% of tracked builds, making it a top-tier choice for professionals who need both CPU and GPU horsepower. The GPU's data-center-class performance (rivaling the A100 SXM4) and the CPU's server-class multi-threading make this a workstation in desktop clothing.

# FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the CPU supports ECC memory, which is unusual for a desktop processor and enhances system stability for compute workloads.

Q: How much VRAM does the RTX 5000 Ada Generation have?

A: The GPU has 32 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing 576.0 GB/s of bandwidth.

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

A: The build sits at the 96th percentile, meaning it outperforms 96% of all CPU+GPU combinations in the database.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the limiting factor in gaming?

A: For most gaming at 1440p and 4K, the GPU's 98th percentile makes it the primary determinant of frame rates. At 1080p, the CPU's single-thread performance (PassMark score of 4,757) becomes more relevant, but neither component is a weak link.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the CPU?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is $199.

Q: Does the GPU support ray tracing?

A: Yes, the RTX 5000 Ada Generation has 100 dedicated ray tracing cores, providing hardware acceleration for ray-traced workloads.

Q: What power supply is recommended for this system?

A: The suggested PSU wattage is 600 W, which accounts for the GPU's 250 W TDP and the CPU's 125 W TDP.

# Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination in the FACT PACK. All frame rate discussions are therefore estimates derived from the benchmark scores of each component. The GPU's 98th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 184,664 suggest it can handle modern titles at ultra settings with high frame rates at 1440p and 4K. The CPU's 93rd percentile and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,261 ensure that even CPU-intensive games receive adequate processing power.

At 1080p, the CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 4,757 and boost clock of 5.30 GHz should maintain high frame rates in esports titles, while the GPU's 65.28 TFLOPS easily exceeds the requirements for competitive gaming. At 1440p, the GPU's 576.0 GB/s bandwidth and 12,800 shading units will drive most games to 100+ FPS at ultra settings, with ray tracing enabled thanks to the 100 RT cores. At 4K, the 32 GB VRAM prevents texture-related stuttering, and the GPU's 448.8 GPixel/s pixel rate supports high-resolution rendering.

For VR gaming, the GPU's Vulkan score of 194,041 indicates strong low-level API performance, which is critical for maintaining the high frame rates (90+ FPS) required for VR headsets. The CPU's 18 cores provide headroom for VR background processes. Overall, while exact FPS figures are unavailable, the benchmark data suggests this is a top-tier gaming system, particularly at higher resolutions where the GPU's dominance shines.

# Build Overview

This build pairs the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, a desktop CPU with 18 cores and 18 threads, with the NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation, a workstation GPU with 32 GB VRAM. The CPU is based on Arrow Lake Refresh (3 nm process) and sits at the 93rd percentile of all processors, while the GPU uses Ada Lovelace architecture (5 nm process) and sits at the 98th percentile of all GPUs. The combined percentile is 96, placing this system in the top 4% of all tracked builds.

The CPU's launch MSRP is $199, making it an accessible entry point for a high-core-count processor, while the GPU has no listed launch MSRP but is clearly positioned at the workstation tier. The build class is desktop, and the pairing is designed for users who need both strong CPU multi-threading and GPU compute power. The CPU's server-class multi-core scores (Cinebench R23: 30,867) and the GPU's data-center-class compute (65.28 TFLOPS) create a system that can handle everything from gaming to professional rendering. The lack of measured FPS data means gaming performance is estimated, but the benchmark scores suggest a system that will not disappoint in any workload category.