SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D

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
97%
VS
GPU
99%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K

70,879 Benchmark Score
Top 3% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D

178,050 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
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 7 265K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D

This desktop build pairs Intel's 20-core Arrow Lake flagship with NVIDIA's 24 GB Ada Lovelace flagship, landing at the 96th combined percentile across all CPU+GPU pairings. The CPU holds a 94th percentile position among all processors, while the GPU sits at the 98th percentile among all graphics cards. No measured frame-rate data exists for this exact combination in the database, so all gaming performance discussion below is estimated from the individual benchmark scores of each component rather than direct empirical testing.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, which is exclusive to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation built on the Arrow Lake architecture. This is a desktop-class socket with no cross-generation compatibility with older Intel platforms, meaning any upgrade path requires a motherboard designed specifically for this socket generation. The CPU supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth ceiling of 102.4 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support, which broadens its appeal for workstation and reliability-focused builds.

The platform provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU itself, offering substantial headroom for high-throughput storage devices and expansion cards. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU provides a fallback display output and basic graphics capability, though in this pairing it serves primarily as a diagnostic backup since the discrete RTX 4090 D handles all rendering workloads. The CPU is multiplier-unlocked, enabling overclocking headroom for users who want to push beyond the 3.90 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost clocks.

For the GPU side, the RTX 4090 D carries a 425 W TDP with a suggested PSU rating of 800 W. This figure represents the total system power supply recommendation, meaning the platform requires a robust power delivery solution to accommodate both the CPU's 125 W TDP and the GPU's draw under sustained loads. The card uses a single 16-pin power connector and occupies a triple-slot width, demanding both physical space in the chassis and careful power cabling.

A sensible next upgrade within this platform would be adding more DDR5 capacity, as the dual-channel memory bus can be fully populated with high-capacity modules to support memory-intensive workloads like large dataset processing or virtual machine hosting. The PCIe Gen 5 lanes also allow for future Gen 5 NVMe storage upgrades without changing the motherboard. For those seeking more CPU performance later, the unlocked multiplier and active production status of the 265K suggest the socket may receive additional Arrow Lake variants, though the database does not confirm specific future releases.

Balance and Bottleneck

This pairing demonstrates an unusual balance where the GPU is the stronger component by percentile ranking (98th vs. 94th), but the CPU is far from a bottleneck in most scenarios. The RTX 4090 D's average benchmark score of 178,050 against the Core Ultra 7 265K's average of 70,879 indicates the GPU dominates raw compute throughput, yet the CPU's multi-threaded scores are sufficiently high to feed the GPU in gaming and rendering workloads.

The bottleneck analysis shifts depending on the workload type. In gaming at high resolutions, the GPU's 98th percentile position means it will be the primary performance driver, with the CPU needing to maintain high frame pacing. The 265K's single-thread performance — evidenced by a Geekbench single-core score of 2,713 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,020 — provides strong per-core throughput that minimizes CPU-side frame time spikes. In multi-threaded rendering, the CPU's 20-core/20-thread configuration with a 35,850 Cinebench R23 multi-core score ensures the GPU is not starved of geometry or scene data.

The data indicates a slight CPU bottleneck in lighter-threaded tasks where the GPU's massive shading array (14,592 shading units) and 73.54 TFLOPS FP32 throughput cannot be fully utilized. However, the CPU's 94th percentile ranking puts it ahead of rivals like the Intel Core i7-14700KF (1% higher score than the 265K) and AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (1.3% higher score), so the gap to a true bottleneck scenario is narrow. The combined 96th percentile for this pairing suggests the two components are well-matched for a high-end desktop build, with neither component drastically limiting the other in typical workloads.

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a 20-core, 20-thread desktop processor built on Arrow Lake architecture, fabricated on TSMC's 3 nm process. The die contains 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² area, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor carries a 125 W TDP and was released on 2024-10-23 with a launch MSRP of $394.

Benchmark results show strong multi-threaded performance across rendering and compute workloads. In Cinebench R23, the 265K scores 35,850 multi-core and 2,020 single-core, while Cinebench R20 yields 20,918 multi-core and 2,953 single-core. The Geekbench scores of 23,085 multi-core and 2,713 single-core reinforce a balanced profile suitable for both heavily threaded and latency-sensitive applications. PassMark results further characterize the CPU's strengths: integer math at 143,242, floating-point math at 189,629, and extended instructions at 54,333. The data compression score of 665,554 and encryption score of 48,246 indicate strong throughput for archival and security workloads, while the physics score of 3,731 and prime number finding score of 491 suggest moderate performance in those specific compute patterns.

The nearest rivals contextualize this performance. The Intel Xeon 6511P scores 71,051 (0.2% higher than the 265K), while the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 scores 71,370 (0.7% higher). The Intel Core i7-14700KF scores 70,163 (1% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 69,996 (1.3% lower). This places the 265K in a tight cluster with server-class Xeon parts, indicating its multi-threaded capabilities exceed typical desktop processors while maintaining strong single-thread performance.

For real workloads, the 20-thread configuration handles parallel compilation, video encoding, and 3D scene assembly efficiently. The lack of hyper-threading (20 threads for 20 cores) means each thread has dedicated execution resources, which can improve cache efficiency and reduce scheduling overhead in well-optimized software. The 30 MB shared L3 cache provides a substantial working set for frequently accessed data, benefiting database operations and large simulation workloads.

Who Should Build It

This pairing targets users who demand top-tier performance in both CPU-bound and GPU-bound tasks. Gamers at 4K resolution will benefit from the RTX 4090 D's 98th percentile ranking, with the CPU's single-thread strength ensuring high frame rates without processor-induced stutter. The combined 96th percentile makes this an elite desktop configuration suitable for enthusiasts who require maximum performance across all application types.

Content creators working with 8K video, complex After Effects compositions, or large Blender scenes will leverage both the CPU's 35,850 Cinebench R23 multi-core score and the GPU's 278,621 Geekbench OpenCL score. The 24 GB GDDR6X memory on the GPU provides ample capacity for texture-heavy renders, while the CPU's 30 MB L3 cache accelerates scene graph operations and physics calculations.

Software developers building large C++ projects or running containerized workloads will appreciate the 20 threads and 48,246 PassMark encryption score for secure compilation pipelines. The ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running build servers, and the PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow for high-speed storage arrays that reduce compile times.

Students in engineering or data science programs benefit from the platform's versatility — the integrated GPU provides a fallback for basic display tasks, while the discrete GPU handles CUDA-accelerated machine learning assignments. Small business workstations requiring consistent multi-threaded throughput for financial modeling, CAD rendering, or video production will find the 94th CPU percentile and 98th GPU percentile sufficient for years of demanding workloads.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: At 1440p and 4K, the RTX 4090 D's 73.54 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 1.01 TB/s memory bandwidth deliver exceptionally high frame rates, with the CPU's 2,020 Cinebench R23 single-core score ensuring minimal frame-time variance. Estimated frame rates in the 100+ FPS range are achievable in most titles at maximum settings, though no measured data exists for this exact pairing.

Streaming: The CPU's 20 threads handle encoding workloads alongside the GPU's NVENC-class tensor cores (456 tensor cores available), allowing simultaneous gaming, encoding, and broadcasting without significant frame drops. The PassMark multi-thread score of 58,594 indicates ample headroom for stream overlays and chat processing.

Video editing: The 35,850 Cinebench R23 multi-core score accelerates timeline scrubbing and export rendering, while the GPU's 24 GB VRAM holds large color-grading LUTs and 8K footage previews. The 1.01 TB/s bandwidth enables fast texture streaming in effects-heavy projects.

3D rendering: The GPU's 114 RT cores and 73.54 TFLOPS FP32 performance accelerate ray-traced renders, with the CPU's 30 MB L3 cache improving scene graph traversal. The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 8,587 demonstrates strong GPU compute capability for real-time viewports.

Software development: The 20-thread configuration and 665,554 PassMark data compression score speed up build systems and package management. The 48,246 encryption score accelerates secure communication protocols and code signing operations.

Student and office work: The platform far exceeds the requirements for document processing, spreadsheet analysis, and web browsing, with the integrated Arc GPU providing display output and the discrete GPU allowing occasional CUDA-based coursework. The ECC memory support adds data integrity for long-duration computational assignments.

Gaming Performance

The database contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so all gaming figures below are estimates derived from the benchmark scores of each component. The RTX 4090 D's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 8,587 places it at the 98th percentile among all GPUs, indicating top-tier rasterization performance. The Geekbench Vulkan score of 246,941 further confirms strong API-level throughput.

At 1080p resolution, the CPU's 2,713 Geekbench single-core score and 5.50 GHz boost clock should sustain high frame rates in CPU-bound titles, though the GPU's performance will be partially limited by the CPU in lighter scenes. At 1440p, the balance shifts toward the GPU, with the 1.01 TB/s memory bandwidth and 14,592 shading units delivering smooth high-refresh gameplay. At 4K, the GPU becomes the definitive bottleneck, with the CPU providing ample headroom for physics and AI-driven game logic.

Estimated performance in esports titles (Counter-Strike, Valorant) should exceed 300 FPS at 1080p, while AAA games (Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy) are expected to run above 60 FPS at 4K with ultra settings and ray tracing enabled. The 24 GB GDDR6X memory ensures high-resolution texture packs load without VRAM constraints, and the 456 tensor cores accelerate DLSS-based upscaling to further boost frame rates. These estimates carry uncertainty given the absence of measured data; actual performance may vary by game title and driver optimization.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU achieves an average benchmark score of 70,879 across all tested workloads, placing it at the 94th percentile of all CPUs tested in the database. Its nearest rivals are tightly clustered: the Intel Xeon 6511P (71,051, 0.2% higher), Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 (71,370, 0.7% higher), Intel Core i7-14700KF (70,163, 1% lower), and AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (69,996, 1.3% lower). This clustering indicates the 265K delivers performance comparable to dual-socket Xeon configurations from previous generations, while maintaining a single-socket desktop form factor.

The GPU achieves an average benchmark score of 178,050 across 3DMark and Geekbench compute tests, placing it at the 98th percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are all NVIDIA workstation and data-center parts: the RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell (182,109, 2.2% higher), A100 SXM4 80 GB (183,725, 3.1% higher), RTX 5000 Ada Generation (184,664, 3.6% higher), and A100 SXM4 40 GB (187,147, 4.9% higher). The 4090 D trails these specialized compute cards by 2-5%, but surpasses them in gaming-oriented features like RT cores and DLSS support.

Combined, the pairing achieves a 96th percentile ranking among all CPU+GPU combinations, indicating that this build sits within the top 4% of tested configurations. The CPU's PassMark single-thread score of 4,928 and multi-thread score of 58,594 complement the GPU's 278,621 OpenCL score, creating a system that excels in both latency-sensitive and throughput-heavy workloads.

Build Overview

This is a desktop-class build combining Intel's Core Ultra 7 265K processor with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 4090 D graphics card. The CPU is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on Arrow Lake architecture with a 3 nm process, while the GPU belongs to the GeForce 40-series on Ada Lovelace architecture with a 5 nm process. Both components were released in late 2023 and 2024, with the CPU currently in active production and the GPU marked as end-of-life.

The combined 96th percentile ranking places this build in the top tier of desktop configurations, suitable for high-end gaming, professional content creation, and compute-intensive workloads. The CPU's 94th percentile and GPU's 98th percentile indicate a slight imbalance favoring graphics performance, but the gap is small enough that neither component consistently bottlenecks the other. This pairing represents a peak-desktop configuration from the respective generations, with the CPU offering 20 cores and the GPU offering 24 GB of memory.

FAQ

Q: What is the combined performance ranking of this CPU+GPU pairing?

A: The combined percentile is 96th, meaning this build outperforms 96% of all CPU+GPU pairings in the benchmark database.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core Ultra 7 265K scores 70,879 average, which is 0.2% lower than the Intel Xeon 6511P, 0.7% lower than the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270, 1% higher than the Intel Core i7-14700KF, and 1.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F.

Q: What memory type and bandwidth does this platform support?

A: The CPU supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s and includes ECC memory support.

Q: Is this a desktop or laptop build?

A: The build class is desktop, with the CPU using Intel Socket 1851 and the GPU being a triple-slot card requiring 800 W suggested PSU.

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

A: The RTX 4090 D has 24 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 384-bit bus with 1.01 TB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are the gaming performance figures measured or estimated?

A: The database contains no measured FPS data for this exact combination, so all gaming performance figures are estimates derived from the benchmark scores.

Q: What is the CPU's core and thread configuration?

A: The CPU has 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 5.50 GHz, built on a 3 nm TSMC process.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 D is built on the AD102 chip using Ada Lovelace architecture, fabricated on TSMC's 5 nm process with 76,300 million transistors across a 609 mm² die. The card features 14,592 shading units, 456 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output units, delivering a pixel rate of 443.5 GPixel/s and a texture rate of 1,149.1 GTexel/s. The FP32 compute throughput is 73.54 TFLOPS, with FP16 running at the same rate (1:1 ratio).

Memory configuration includes 24 GB of GDDR6X on a 384-bit bus, with effective memory clocks of 21 Gbps yielding a bandwidth of 1.01 TB/s. The card's base clock is 2280 MHz with a boost clock of 2520 MHz. It features 114 RT cores for ray tracing and 456 tensor cores for AI acceleration, supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 APIs.

Benchmark results show a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 8,587, a Geekbench OpenCL score of 278,621, and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 246,941. The average benchmark score of 178,050 places the GPU at the 98th percentile, with nearest rivals being NVIDIA workstation and data-center parts that score 2-5% higher. The card's 425 W TDP requires an 800 W PSU, and it draws power through a single 16-pin connector.

For rendering workloads, the combination of 114 RT cores and 456 tensor cores enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DLSS upscaling, while the 24 GB VRAM accommodates large scenes, high-resolution textures, and multi-model AI inference. The 1.01 TB/s bandwidth ensures rapid data transfer between GPU memory and compute units, reducing stalls in texture-heavy rendering pipelines. The card is marked end-of-life with a launch MSRP of 1,599 USD, indicating it represents the peak of the Ada Lovelace generation before the successor GeForce 50 series.