SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 7 165U + 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)

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GRAPHICS CARD (GPU)

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90 Score

Top 10% Ranking

90 / 100

ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 10% 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

84%

GPU

96%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 7 165U

20,249 Benchmark Score

Top 16% 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

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U and Intel Arc A550M form a laptop-class pairing that sits at the 80th percentile overall. The CPU, a 12-core Meteor Lake part, and the GPU, an Alchemist-generation Arc A550M, are both mobile components. The data shows a system with strong multi-threaded capacity and a GPU whose compute scores place it near some of the most powerful desktop cards of the previous generation.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance percentile of this CPU and GPU combination?

A: The combined percentile for this pairing is 80, meaning it outperforms 80% of all other CPU and GPU combinations in the database.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U compare to the Intel Core i7-9700K?

A: The Core Ultra 7 165U has an average benchmark score of 20249, which is nearly identical to the Core i7-9700K’s score of 20271, a performance delta of -0.1%.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Core Ultra 7 165U?

A: The CPU supports dual-channel memory with a total bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What is the GPU's VRAM capacity and type?

A: The Intel Arc A550M comes with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the CPU and GPU?

A: The Core Ultra 7 165U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Arc A550M has a TDP of 60 W.

Q: Does the system support the DirectX 12 Ultimate API?

A: Yes, the Intel Arc A550M supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), along with OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.4.

Q: What is the performance percentile of the GPU alone?

A: The Intel Arc A550M sits at the 86th percentile among all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 49737.

Balance and Bottleneck

The balance between this CPU and GPU is defined by their respective performance percentiles and the nature of their workloads. The CPU, with a 74th percentile ranking, is a competent mobile processor, but the GPU, at the 86th percentile, is relatively more powerful. This suggests that in graphics-intensive tasks, the GPU will likely be the determining factor for performance, though the CPU is not a weak link.

The CPU’s multi-threaded score of 10226 in Cinebench R23 is substantial, indicating it can feed the GPU in most gaming scenarios. However, the GPU’s raw compute power, evidenced by its 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, is high enough that it may outpace the CPU in certain highly parallel workloads. The data indicates that for frame rate scaling, the GPU is the primary driver, while the CPU handles the underlying game logic and physics.

In terms of memory, the CPU’s 89.6 GB/s bandwidth is a shared resource. While this is adequate for the CPU’s needs, the GPU has its own dedicated 224.0 GB/s of bandwidth, which prevents memory contention in graphics-heavy tasks. The bottleneck profile shifts based on the application: CPU-bound tasks like data compression or encryption will rely on the processor, while 3D rendering and gaming will lean more on the GPU.

The PassMark scores show a CPU that is strong in floating-point math (40775) and integer math (57785), but the GPU’s compute scores in Geekbench OpenCL (49894) and Vulkan (49580) are nearly three times the CPU’s average benchmark score. This disparity confirms that the GPU is the dominant component for compute-heavy parallel workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U delivers a balanced set of scores. In Cinebench R23, it achieves 10226 points in multi-core and 1662 points in single-core. These scores place the CPU at the 74th percentile overall, with an average benchmark score of 20249. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-9700K, scores 20271, a negligible difference of -0.1%, indicating the Ultra 7 165U performs on par with a previous-generation desktop flagship.

The GPU, the Intel Arc A550M, shows its strength in compute benchmarks. It scores 49894 in Geekbench OpenCL and 49580 in Geekbench Vulkan, giving it an average score of 49737 and placing it at the 86th percentile. This puts it in the company of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which scores 49957 (a -0.4% delta), and the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64, which scores 50001 (a -0.5% delta). The A550M is 2.6% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (score 48477) but 2.4% behind the AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT (score 50951).

The combined picture is a system where the GPU is the standout performer. The CPU’s 12 cores and 14 threads provide solid multi-threaded throughput, but the GPU’s compute scores are closer to high-end desktop parts. The combined percentile of 80 reflects a system that is well above average, with the GPU pulling the overall performance upward.

Who Should Build It

This pairing is suited for users who need strong GPU compute performance in a laptop form factor. The 86th percentile GPU makes it a candidate for 3D rendering, video editing, and GPU-accelerated compute tasks where the 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 power is valuable. Content creators working with applications that leverage OpenCL or Vulkan will see near-desktop-class performance.

Gamers targeting high resolutions will benefit from the GPU’s capabilities, though the CPU’s 74th percentile ranking ensures it won't hold back frame rates in most titles. Students and small business workstations that require occasional GPU acceleration for tasks like CAD or photo editing will find this system responsive, while the 15 W CPU TDP suggests it can be integrated into a thin, power-efficient chassis.

The CPU’s PassMark data compression score of 188105 and encryption score of 11896 indicate strong performance for file archiving and security tasks. This system is not for users seeking maximum CPU multi-threading on a budget; instead, it targets those who need a balanced mobile platform with a strong graphics component.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The CPU is built on the Intel BGA 2049 socket, which is a soldered mobile platform, meaning the processor itself is not upgradeable. The platform supports DDR5 memory, with the exact type depending on the motherboard, and uses a dual-channel memory bus. The CPU provides 12 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, which is sufficient for a discrete GPU and a fast NVMe SSD.

The GPU connects via PCIe 4.0 x16, and with a TDP of 60 W, the power delivery requirements are modest. The system’s overall power draw is manageable, making it suitable for a laptop power supply. A sensible next upgrade would be increasing memory capacity or speed, as the CPU’s memory bandwidth is capped at 89.6 GB/s, and faster DDR5 modules could improve performance in memory-sensitive applications.

Storage expansion is possible through the available PCIe Gen 4 lanes. Since the GPU is end-of-life, a future upgrade would involve replacing the entire laptop or motherboard, as the BGA socket limits CPU changes. The platform’s strength lies in its integration; it is a complete, balanced mobile solution rather than a modular one.

GPU Analysis

The Intel Arc A550M is based on the Xe-HPG architecture, specifically the DG2-512 chip, manufactured on TSMC’s 6 nm process. It contains 21,700 million transistors on a 406 mm² die, with a transistor density of 53.4 million per square millimeter. The GPU has 2048 shading units, 128 texture mapping units, and 64 raster output pipelines, along with 16 dedicated ray tracing cores.

Memory is 8 GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, running at 1750 MHz (14 Gbps effective), yielding a bandwidth of 224.0 GB/s. The base clock is 900 MHz, boosting to 2050 MHz. These specifications result in a pixel rate of 131.2 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 262.4 GTexel/s. The GPU delivers 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and 16.79 TFLOPS of FP16 performance (2:1 ratio).

In benchmark terms, the A550M’s Geekbench OpenCL score of 49894 places it at the 86th percentile, nearly matching the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. The Vulkan score of 49580 is similarly strong. For rendering, this means the GPU can handle complex scenes with high geometric detail, and the 16 RT cores provide hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The 8 GB VRAM is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p textures, though 4K high-texture packs may approach the limit.

Usage Scenarios

High-Refresh Gaming: The GPU’s 86th percentile performance suggests it can drive high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p in most titles. The CPU’s single-core score of 1662 in Cinebench R23 ensures it can handle game logic without being the bottleneck.

Streaming: The CPU’s multi-threaded score of 10226 in Cinebench R23 provides enough headroom for encoding while gaming. The Arc A550M’s 16.79 TFLOPS of FP16 performance can assist with compute-heavy encoding tasks.

Video Editing: The GPU’s OpenCL score of 49894 accelerates effects and rendering in timeline previews. The 8 GB VRAM is adequate for 4K timelines, and the CPU’s PassMark integer math score of 57785 helps with codec processing.

3D Rendering: With 8.397 TFLOPS of FP32 compute, the A550M rivals desktop GPUs like the RX Vega 64. The 16 RT cores enable hardware ray tracing, and the 224.0 GB/s bandwidth moves scene data efficiently.

Software Development: The CPU’s 12 cores and 14 threads handle compilation tasks well, as evidenced by its Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 5943. The 74th percentile ranking ensures smooth performance for code editing and local testing.

Student and Office Work: The 15 W TDP of the CPU makes this an efficient platform for long battery life. The PassMark single-thread score of 3357 ensures responsive application switching, while the GPU is overkill for basic tasks but ready for any graphics requirements.

Build Overview

This is a laptop-class system pairing the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U with the Intel Arc A550M. The CPU is a 12-core, 14-thread Meteor Lake part on a 7 nm process, while the GPU is a 6 nm Alchemist-generation part. The combined percentile of 80 places this system in the upper quintile of all configurations.

The CPU, at the 74th percentile, is a solid mid-range mobile processor. The GPU, at the 86th percentile, is the dominant component, offering near-desktop-class compute performance. This pairing is designed for users who need a strong graphics component in a mobile form factor, whether for gaming, content creation, or GPU-accelerated workloads.

The system’s overall tier is high, driven almost entirely by the GPU’s exceptional benchmark scores. The CPU is adequate, but the GPU is the clear highlight, making this build a graphics-first laptop.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U is a 12-core, 14-thread processor from the Core Ultra Series 1 family. It is based on the Meteor Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 7 nm process. The base clock is 1700 MHz, boosting up to 4.9 GHz. The TDP is 15 W, making it a low-power part suited for thin-and-light laptops.

The cache hierarchy includes 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is DDR5, dependent on the motherboard, with a dual-channel bus providing 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The CPU has 12 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and integrates Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 execution units.

Benchmark results show a strong single-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1662 and a Geekbench single-core score of 1450. Multi-threaded performance is also solid, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10226 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 7329. The PassMark scores reveal specific strengths: data compression at 188105, floating-point math at 40775, and integer math at 57785. The average benchmark score of 20249 places it at the 74th percentile, directly between the AMD Ryzen 3 30 (0.6% ahead) and the AMD EPYC 7713 (-0.6% behind).

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU and GPU combination. The following frame rate expectations are estimates based solely on the benchmark scores of the components.

The GPU’s 86th percentile ranking, with an average score of 49737, suggests it can deliver high frame rates at 1080p and 1440p in most modern titles. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, is a high-end desktop card, indicating the A550M has substantial rasterization power. The 8 GB VRAM and 224.0 GB/s bandwidth are sufficient for high-resolution textures.

The CPU’s 74th percentile ranking, with a single-core score of 1662 in Cinebench R23, ensures it will not bottleneck the GPU in most games. The 12 cores and 14 threads provide ample processing power for game logic and background tasks. For competitive titles, players can expect high frame rates at 1080p with ultra settings. For AAA games at 1440p, the GPU will likely be the limiting factor, but performance should remain playable with high settings. Ray tracing performance will be supported by the 16 RT cores, though frame rates will be lower than rasterized performance.

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 7 165U + Intel Arc A550M

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core Ultra 7 165U

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

FAQ

Balance and Bottleneck

Benchmark Performance

Who Should Build It

Upgrade Path and Platform

GPU Analysis

Usage Scenarios

Build Overview

CPU Analysis

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

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