SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D V2

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

94 / 100
ULTIMATE READY

Apex Performer

Top 6% 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
90%
PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

83,807 Benchmark Score
Top 3% Market Ranking
View Full Specs →
GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D V2

16,504 Benchmark Score
Top 10% 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

# Intel Core Ultra 9 285K + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D V2 — Desktop Build Analysis

This pairing combines Intel's flagship 24-core Arrow Lake desktop processor with NVIDIA's top-tier Blackwell 2.0 graphics card, creating a desktop workstation-class system aimed at maximum compute throughput. The data shows a CPU that sits in the 96th percentile among all processors, paired with a GPU that ranks in the 59th percentile based on the single 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark available. The combined system percentile is 78, indicating a high-end desktop configuration, though the GPU's benchmark position relative to its peers presents an interesting analytical puzzle worth investigating.

GPU Analysis — VRAM, bandwidth, clocks, RT/tensor hardware, what the benchmark scores mean for rendering

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 D V2 is built on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture using TSMC's 5 nm process, with a massive die containing 92,200 million transistors across a 750 mm² footprint. The memory subsystem is substantial: 24 GB of GDDR7 on a 384-bit bus delivers 1.34 TB/s of bandwidth, with memory clocked at 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective). The GPU's base clock is 2017 MHz, boosting to 2407 MHz. This configuration provides enormous headroom for high-resolution textures and large datasets in rendering workloads.

The compute resources are equally imposing. The GPU packs 21,760 shading units, 680 texture mapping units, and 176 raster output pipelines. Ray tracing hardware includes 170 RT cores, while 680 tensor cores handle AI-accelerated workloads. The pixel rate is 423.6 GPixel/s, texture rate reaches 1,636.8 GTexel/s, and FP32 throughput is 104.8 TFLOPS, with FP16 matching at 104.8 TFLOPS (1:1 ratio). This FP16 parity is notable for machine learning inference and mixed-precision rendering pipelines.

The 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark score is 16,504. Interpreting this score requires scrutiny of the nearest rivals, which include the NVIDIA T400 at 16,508 (0% delta), the AMD Radeon PRO W7500 at 16,415 (0.5% behind), the NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell at 16,408 (0.6% behind), and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT at 16,361 (0.9% behind). The RTX 5090 D V2 essentially ties these cards in this specific test, yet the GPU's percentile ranking against all GPUs is 59. This suggests that while the RTX 5090 D V2 is positioned as a flagship product with 24 GB VRAM and Blackwell 2.0 features, the single available benchmark places it in mid-pack territory relative to the broader GPU landscape. The data does not explain this discrepancy, but the implication is that either the benchmark is not representative of the GPU's full capabilities or the D V2 variant is deliberately limited in some way that this test captures.

For rendering workloads, the 24 GB GDDR7 VRAM and 1.34 TB/s bandwidth are the standout specifications, enabling large scene graphs and high-resolution texture sets. The RT core count of 170 suggests strong ray-traced rendering performance, while the tensor cores provide acceleration for denoising and AI-based upscaling. The FP32 throughput of 104.8 TFLOPS indicates substantial raw compute for GPU-accelerated renderers that rely on floating-point math.

Benchmark Performance — exact CPU and GPU scores, percentile positions, and what the combined picture is

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K delivers benchmark results that place it firmly in the high-end desktop CPU tier. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 42,522 and single-core is 2,377. Cinebench R20 shows 24,003 multi-core and 3,388 single-core, while R15 records 6,494 multi-core and 359 single-core. Geekbench results are 26,702 multi-core and 2,870 single-core. The PassMark suite shows a multi-thread score of 67,260 and single-thread of 5,087, with specialized workloads including data compression at 790,052, data encryption at 57,745, extended instructions at 62,277, floating-point math at 224,324, integer math at 172,379, physics at 3,938, and random string sorting at 94,927.

The CPU's average benchmark score is 83,807, with a percentile rank of 96 among all CPUs. The nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with an average score of 84,003 (0.2% ahead of the 285K), the AMD EPYC 4584PX at 83,090 (0.9% behind), the AMD EPYC 9135 at 82,980 (1% behind), and the AMD EPYC 7F72 at 85,072 (1.5% ahead). The 285K sits within a tight cluster of high-performance server and desktop processors, with deltas under 1.5% across all four rivals. This indicates that the 285K is competitive with enterprise-class EPYC processors in aggregate benchmark performance, though those EPYC parts likely target different workloads with different feature sets.

The GPU's single benchmark score is 16,504 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12, placing it at the 59th percentile among all GPUs. The average benchmark score equals this single result at 16,504. As noted, the nearest rivals cluster tightly around this score, with deltas ranging from 0% to 0.9%. The combined picture from both components is a system at the 78th percentile overall, reflecting a strong CPU paired with a GPU that, despite its flagship positioning and 24 GB VRAM, benchmarks at a more modest level in this test.

The contrast is stark: the CPU ranks in the 96th percentile while the GPU sits at 59th. This asymmetry suggests that the RTX 5090 D V2's performance in the Steel Nomad test does not match its specification sheet, or that the benchmark methodology favors different hardware characteristics than what this GPU excels at. The data does not include additional GPU benchmarks to clarify whether this is an outlier or a consistent pattern.

Balance and Bottleneck — which component limits which workload, using percentiles and FPS scaling as evidence

The balance question hinges on the 37-percentage-point gap between CPU and GPU percentiles. With the CPU at 96th percentile and the GPU at 59th, the data indicates that the GPU is the constraining component in most graphics-bound scenarios. In gaming workloads, the GPU would typically be the primary determinant of frame rates, especially at higher resolutions where rasterization and shading dominate. The CPU's 96th percentile ranking means it is unlikely to bottleneck the GPU in most titles, though the lack of measured FPS data prevents precise quantification.

The CPU's PassMark physics score of 3,938 and multi-thread score of 67,260 suggest strong game physics and simulation performance, which could matter in CPU-intensive titles. However, the GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 16,504, tied with the NVIDIA T400 and RX 5700 XT, indicates that in this synthetic DX12 test, the GPU performs at a level comparable to those mid-range cards. If this score translates to gaming, the RTX 5090 D V2 would be the limiting factor even at 1080p, where CPU bottlenecks are more common. The CPU's single-thread score of 5,087 in PassMark and 2,377 in Cinebench R23 single-core are strong, suggesting it can feed a faster GPU if one were paired with it.

For non-graphics workloads, the CPU is clearly the dominant component. The 96th percentile ranking and average score of 83,807 put it ahead of 96% of all CPUs, meaning it is unlikely to be the bottleneck in CPU-bound tasks like compilation, data processing, or physics simulation. The GPU's role in such workloads depends on whether they leverage CUDA or other GPU acceleration; the tensor cores and FP16 throughput could accelerate AI workloads, but the 59th percentile GPU ranking suggests modest relative performance there too.

The FPS scaling evidence is absent since no measured FPS data exists for this combination. However, based on the benchmark scores, the data implies that in gaming, the GPU would cap frame rates well below what the CPU could support. The CPU's percentile advantage is so large that any performance ceiling in games would almost certainly come from the GPU.

Who Should Build It — target users and industries tied strictly to the measured performance

The target user profile splits sharply between CPU-centric and GPU-centric workloads. For professionals needing massive multi-threaded CPU throughput, the 24-core, 96th-percentile processor serves demanding compute tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core of 42,522 and Geekbench multi-core of 26,702 indicate strong performance for video encoding, 3D scene compilation, and software builds. The PassMark integer math score of 172,379 and floating-point math of 224,324 reinforce this capability for scientific and engineering computations.

GPU-centric users should approach this build with caution. The 59th percentile GPU ranking and the 3DMark Steel Nomad score tied with older and lower-tier cards suggest that gaming or GPU-rendering workloads may not meet expectations for a flagship-tier card. However, the 24 GB VRAM and 1.34 TB/s bandwidth are specifications that exceed most GPUs, so users whose workloads are VRAM-limited rather than compute-limited might still benefit. This includes large-scale machine learning model inference or rendering scenes that exceed the memory capacity of smaller cards.

Content creators who rely heavily on CPU rendering (e.g., CPU-based 3D renderers) would find the 285K's multi-core scores compelling, while GPU-accelerated renderers might see less benefit given the GPU's benchmark position. Software developers compiling large codebases would appreciate the multi-thread performance, and the ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running compute jobs. Students and small business users with CPU-heavy workloads would also find value, though the component costs are high given the flagship CPU positioning.

CPU Analysis — cores, clocks, architecture, what the benchmark scores mean for real workloads

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K features 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning no hyper-threading, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The architecture is Arrow Lake, specifically Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support is dual-channel DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported. The CPU provides Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes from the CPU, and integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The multiplier is unlocked, and the TDP is 125 W. The launch MSRP is $589.

The 24-thread design without simultaneous multi-threading is an architectural choice that prioritizes single-thread efficiency and power management over raw multi-thread scaling. The boost clock of 5.70 GHz is high, contributing to strong single-core scores: 2,377 in Cinebench R23 and 5,087 in PassMark single-thread. These scores indicate excellent responsiveness in lightly threaded workloads like web browsing, office applications, and legacy games.

Multi-threaded performance is equally strong, with the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 42,522 and PassMark multi-thread of 67,260. The passmark data compression score of 790,052 and encryption of 57,745 suggest robust performance for file archiving and secure data processing. The extended instructions score of 62,277 indicates solid AVX-512 or similar vectorized workload performance, which benefits scientific computing and media encoding. The find prime numbers score of 541 is the lowest PassMark sub-test, suggesting modest performance in that specific integer-heavy workload, but the overall picture is a top-tier desktop CPU.

Upgrade Path and Platform — socket, memory support, PCIe, PSU headroom, what a sensible next upgrade looks like

The platform is built around Intel Socket 1851, which supports the Core Ultra Series 2 processors. Memory support is dual-channel DDR5 with ECC capability, and the memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity includes Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU, which is sufficient for a single high-end GPU and one or more Gen 5 NVMe drives. The GPU uses a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface, which matches the CPU's Gen 5 support.

The power delivery requirements are substantial. The CPU has a TDP of 125 W, while the GPU has a TDP of 575 W. The suggested PSU for the GPU is 950 W, which provides headroom for the entire system including the CPU and peripherals. The GPU uses a single 16-pin power connector, and the card is dual-slot with dimensions of 304 mm length, 137 mm height, and 48 mm width, so case compatibility should be verified.

A sensible next upgrade would depend on which component is the bottleneck. Given the GPU's 59th percentile ranking, replacing the RTX 5090 D V2 with a higher-performing GPU would be the most impactful upgrade for graphics-bound workloads. The CPU's 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes are sufficient for a modern GPU, so no platform change would be needed. Alternatively, adding more DDR5 memory could benefit memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads, though the dual-channel configuration and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth are already substantial. The ECC support is a differentiator for users who require data integrity in compute workloads.

Usage Scenarios — grounded in the scores

High-refresh gaming: The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 16,504, tied with mid-range cards, suggests that at high refresh rates, the GPU would be the limiting factor. The CPU's 96th percentile and strong single-thread scores (5,087 PassMark) would not be the bottleneck, but the GPU's relative performance may cap frame rates below what the CPU could deliver.

Streaming: The CPU's 24 cores and high multi-thread scores (42,522 Cinebench R23) provide ample headroom for encoding while gaming, even with software x264 encoding. The GPU's NVENC capabilities are not benchmarked, but the 24 GB VRAM can handle multiple encoding sessions. The GPU's mid-pack benchmark ranking may affect gaming performance while streaming.

Video editing: The CPU's PassMark extended instructions score of 62,277 and multi-thread score of 67,260 support fast video encoding and effects processing. The GPU's FP16 throughput of 104.8 TFLOPS could accelerate certain effects, but the 59th percentile ranking suggests more modest GPU acceleration than the specs imply.

3D rendering: CPU-based rendering would excel with the 285K's Cinebench multi-core scores. GPU-based rendering would depend on the renderer's use of RT cores (170) and tensor cores (680); the benchmark score suggests performance might be lower than expected for a 24 GB card, but the VRAM capacity is a clear advantage for large scenes.

Software development: The CPU's integer math score of 172,379 and multi-thread score of 67,260 indicate fast compilation times. The 24 threads handle parallel builds well, and the 36 MB L3 cache reduces memory latency. ECC support adds stability for long-running test suites.

Student and office work: The CPU's single-thread performance (2,870 Geekbench single-core) ensures snappy office applications, and the 96th percentile CPU handles any academic compute workload. The GPU is overkill for this use case, but the system would handle everything from document editing to statistical analysis without issue.

Build Overview — what this CPU+GPU pairing is, its class, and overall tier

This is a desktop-class build combining Intel's flagship Core Ultra Series 2 processor with NVIDIA's GeForce 50-series flagship GPU. The CPU is a 24-core Arrow Lake-S part with a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the GPU is a Blackwell 2.0 part with 24 GB GDDR7 and a 59th percentile ranking. The combined percentile is 78, placing this system in the upper tier of desktop configurations. The CPU is the standout component, offering top-tier multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, while the GPU's benchmark position is surprisingly modest given its specifications. The system is best suited for CPU-intensive workloads where the 285K's 96th percentile performance shines, while the GPU provides substantial VRAM capacity and bandwidth for memory-hungry tasks. The build class is desktop, and the overall tier is high-end, though the GPU's mid-pack benchmark ranking introduces a caveat for graphics-dominated use cases.

FAQ

Q: What is the CPU's percentile ranking among all processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K ranks in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 83,807.

Q: How does the GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad score compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The RTX 5090 D V2 scores 16,504, which is essentially tied with the NVIDIA T400 at 16,508 (0% delta), the AMD Radeon PRO W7500 at 16,415 (0.5% behind), the NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell at 16,408 (0.6% behind), and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT at 16,361 (0.9% behind).

Q: What is the combined system percentile?

A: The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pairing is 78, indicating a high-end desktop configuration.

Q: Does the CPU support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K supports ECC memory, with dual-channel DDR5 memory support and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the GPU's memory configuration?

A: The GPU has 24 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 384-bit bus, providing 1.34 TB/s of bandwidth with a memory clock of 1750 MHz (28 Gbps effective).

Q: What PSU is suggested for this GPU?

A: The suggested PSU for the RTX 5090 D V2 is 950 W, with the GPU having a TDP of 575 W and using a single 16-pin power connector.

Q: Are there any measured FPS data for this build?

A: No, the data contains no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU combination, so all FPS discussions are estimates based on benchmark scores.

Gaming Performance

No measured FPS data exists for this exact CPU+GPU combination, as the FACT PACK contains no measuredFps entries. Therefore, all frame rate expectations below are estimates derived from the benchmark scores, not measured results. The GPU's 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 16,504, which ties with the NVIDIA T400 and sits 0.9% above the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, suggests that in gaming workloads, the RTX 5090 D V2 would perform at a level comparable to those mid-range cards in this specific test. At 1080p and 1440p, where CPU bottlenecks are more common, the 285K's 96th percentile CPU would ensure that the GPU is the primary determinant of frame rates. Given the GPU's benchmark position, players should expect frame rates consistent with the mid-range cards it ties with in Steel Nomad, rather than the flagship-tier performance that the 24 GB VRAM and 1.34 TB/s bandwidth might imply. At 4K, the GPU would be even more limiting, and the large VRAM pool would not compensate for the compute performance indicated by the 59th percentile ranking. These are estimates only, and actual gaming performance could vary significantly from these benchmark-based projections.