SYSTEM ANALYZER

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus + NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000

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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94 Score

Top 6% Ranking

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

98%

GPU

90%

PROCESSOR

Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus

84,003 Benchmark Score

Top 2% Market Ranking

View Full Specs →

GRAPHICS CARD

NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000

17,789 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

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

CPU Analysis

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is a 24-core, 24-thread desktop processor built on Arrow Lake Refresh architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The die contains 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² area, which is a notably dense implementation. Clock speeds span from a 3.70 GHz base to a 5.80 GHz boost, with the multiplier unlocked for overclocking. The cache hierarchy is substantial: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Benchmark results place this chip in the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 84,003. The multi-core Cinebench scores are particularly telling: 5,214 in R15, 21,727 in R20, and 51,731 in R23. The R23 multi-core figure represents a massive workload throughput that translates directly into heavy parallel tasks like video rendering and 3D visualization. Single-core performance is equally strong, with an R23 single-core score of 7,303 and an R15 single-core score of 736, indicating excellent responsiveness in latency-sensitive applications.

The nearest rival comparison shows a razor-thin margin over the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, with a delta of just 0.2% (84,003 vs 83,807). This suggests the 290K Plus is essentially a refined version of its predecessor rather than a generational leap. Against the AMD EPYC 4584PX and EPYC 9135, the lead is 1.1% and 1.2% respectively, while the AMD EPYC 7F72 actually edges ahead by 1.3%. These margins are minor, implying that the 290K Plus competes at the very top tier of desktop processors but does not dominate its closest alternatives by any meaningful degree.

PassMark results further illuminate the chip's character. The multithread score of 60,860 and integer math score of 166,194 indicate strong computational throughput for general-purpose workloads. Floating-point math reaches 214,760, which is particularly relevant for scientific computing and engineering simulations. Data compression scores 698,346, and encryption hits 52,563, both suggesting capable performance for file archiving and security-related tasks. The single-thread PassMark score of 4,823 reinforces the strong per-core performance seen in Cinebench.

The memory subsystem supports DDR5 in dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported — a feature that aligns with professional workstation use. PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU provides high-bandwidth connectivity for modern GPUs and NVMe storage. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units offers a fallback display output, though it is not intended for gaming.

Usage Scenarios

High-refresh gaming: The CPU's 96th percentile ranking and strong single-core scores (7,303 in R23 single-core) ensure it will not bottleneck modern graphics cards in most scenarios. The 5.80 GHz boost clock provides the headroom needed for high-refresh gaming, though the GPU pairing in this build will ultimately dictate achievable frame rates.

Streaming: The 24 cores and 24 threads provide ample parallel resources for encoding video while gaming. The multithread PassMark score of 60,860 indicates that concurrent encoding and game rendering workloads will not starve each other for CPU resources, though the GPU's encoder capabilities are not specified in the data.

Video editing: The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51,731 is a strong indicator of timeline rendering performance. Exporting 4K footage and applying effects will leverage the full 24 cores, and the 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports large frame buffers. The single-core performance also ensures smooth scrubbing and interface responsiveness.

3D rendering: With an R20 multi-core score of 21,727 and a floating-point math score of 214,760, this CPU excels at ray tracing and polygon-heavy scenes. The 36 MB of L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed geometry data close to the cores, reducing memory latency penalties.

Software development: The balanced mix of multi-core and single-core performance suits compiling, testing, and running virtual machines. Data compression at 698,346 and encryption at 52,563 indicate fast build artifact handling and secure communication. The ECC memory support adds reliability for long compilation sessions.

Student and office work: This processor is massively overprovisioned for document editing, web browsing, and spreadsheet work, but the single-thread PassMark score of 4,823 ensures every interaction feels instantaneous. The integrated graphics provide basic display output, though the dedicated GPU in this build handles graphics duties.

Upgrade Path and Platform

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus uses the Intel Socket 1851 platform, which is the current mainstream desktop socket for Core Ultra Series 2 processors. Memory support is DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, so upgrades to higher-capacity or faster DDR5 kits are possible within the same platform. The 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU provide bandwidth for a high-end GPU and one or two Gen 5 NVMe drives; Gen 4 and Gen 3 devices also work through the chipset.

The CPU's TDP is 125 W, which is modest for a 24-core part and suggests that a capable air cooler or a mid-range liquid cooler will suffice. The GPU in this build has a TDP of 160 W, and the suggested PSU rating is 450 W — a number that applies to the graphics card alone. Combined system power draw will depend on other components, but the 125 W CPU and 160 W GPU are not extreme by current standards.

A sensible next upgrade would be a faster GPU, since the CPU has substantial headroom before it becomes the limiting factor. The PCIe Gen 5 interface ensures the platform will not bottleneck future graphics cards, and the 24-core/24-thread configuration should remain relevant for several years. Adding more DDR5 memory is straightforward, and the ECC support makes this platform viable for workstation-class reliability requirements.

Who Should Build It

This build targets professionals and enthusiasts who need a top-tier CPU for compute-heavy workloads but do not require the absolute best GPU performance. The CPU's 96th percentile ranking makes it a strong choice for content creators working with video editing, 3D rendering, and animation, where the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 51,731 directly translates to faster render times. Software developers will benefit from fast compilation and virtualization workloads, supported by strong integer math (166,194) and multithread (60,860) PassMark scores.

Gamers at 1440p or 4K resolutions who prioritize CPU-heavy simulation and strategy games will find the 5.80 GHz boost clock and single-core performance (7,303 in R23 single-core) advantageous. The GPU, which sits in the 61st percentile, will cap frame rates in graphics-intensive titles, so this is not a build for competitive esports at maximum settings. Small business workstations that run databases, financial modeling, or engineering simulations will appreciate the ECC memory support and 24-core throughput.

Students in engineering, computer science, or data science programs will benefit from the CPU's multi-core muscle for MATLAB, simulation tools, and machine learning workloads, though the GPU's compute capabilities (17,789 average score) are adequate for entry-level tasks. The platform's longevity — active production status and DDR5 support — means a student build can evolve over several years without a motherboard change.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus compare to the 285K?

A: The 290K Plus averages a benchmark score of 84,003, which is 0.2% higher than the 285K's 83,807. This is a very small margin, indicating the 290K Plus is a marginal refinement rather than a major upgrade.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this CPU?

A: The CPU supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is also supported, which is useful for error-sensitive workloads.

Q: Does the CPU have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. This provides basic display output capabilities, though the dedicated GPU in this build handles graphics processing.

Q: What socket does this processor use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1851, the platform for Core Ultra Series 2 desktop processors. The CPU provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count?

A: The CPU is manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking. The base clock is 3.70 GHz and the boost clock is 5.80 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 125 W, which is reasonable for a 24-core desktop processor and allows for a range of cooling solutions.

Gaming Performance

There are no measured FPS rows for this exact CPU+GPU combination in the data — no game-specific frame rates exist for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus paired with the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000. All gaming performance figures must therefore be considered estimates derived from benchmark scores rather than direct measurements.

The CPU's 96th percentile ranking and 5.80 GHz boost clock suggest it will not be the limiting factor in most gaming scenarios. The GPU, however, sits in the 61st percentile with an average benchmark score of 17,789, which places it near the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (0.7% faster) and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (0.9% slower) in the nearest rival list. This context suggests the Quadro RTX 4000 delivers approximately mid-range gaming performance.

At 1080p with ultra settings, frame rates in modern titles will likely range from playable to smooth, depending on the game's optimization. The GPU's 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 416.0 GB/s bandwidth provide adequate resources for 1080p textures, but 4K gaming at ultra settings would strain the 7.119 TFLOPS FP32 throughput. For esports titles like CS:GO or Valorant, the strong single-core CPU performance could push frame rates well above 144 Hz, but for AAA games at high settings, expect closer to 60 FPS or below in demanding scenes. These are estimates — the absence of measured FPS data means actual results could vary.

Benchmark Performance

The CPU's average benchmark score is 84,003, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, scores 83,807 — a delta of just 0.2%, meaning the 290K Plus is effectively tied with its direct predecessor. The AMD EPYC 4584PX (83,090, 1.1% lower) and AMD EPYC 9135 (82,980, 1.2% lower) are also close, while the AMD EPYC 7F72 (85,072) leads by 1.3%.

The GPU's average benchmark score is 17,789, placing it in the 61st percentile of all GPUs. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Radeon HD 7790 (17,666, 0.7% slower), the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (17,639, 0.9% slower), the AMD Radeon 780M (17,588, 1.1% slower), and the AMD Radeon Pro 560 (17,551, 1.4% slower). This places the Quadro RTX 4000 in a cluster of mid-range GPUs, with the RTX 4060 being the most relevant comparison for gamers.

The combined percentile for this CPU+GPU pairing is 79, indicating a system that is strong overall but heavily weighted toward CPU performance. The combined picture is a workstation-class processor paired with a mid-range workstation GPU, creating an imbalanced system where the CPU vastly outperforms the GPU in relative terms.

Build Overview

This is a desktop build pairing the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus with the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000. The CPU is a top-tier 24-core processor in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is a mid-range workstation card in the 61st percentile. The combined percentile of 79 reflects this asymmetry: the CPU is near the top of the market, while the GPU is solidly mid-pack.

The Quadro RTX 4000, despite its "Quadro" professional branding, is based on the Turing architecture (TU104 chip) and shares DNA with the GeForce 40-series in terms of feature set. It was released on November 12, 2018, and is now end-of-life, with the launch MSRP of 899 USD. Its successor is Workstation Ampere, indicating it is a previous-generation professional card. The build class is desktop, and the overall tier is a high-end CPU with a mid-range GPU — a configuration that suits compute-focused workloads better than gaming.

Balance and Bottleneck

The data clearly shows a CPU-bound system with significant GPU headroom limitations. The CPU's 96th percentile versus the GPU's 61st percentile means the GPU is the bottleneck in graphics-intensive workloads, including gaming and GPU-accelerated rendering. The combined percentile of 79 is dragged down by the GPU's lower standing.

In CPU-heavy workloads like video encoding, software compilation, and 3D scene processing, the CPU will operate near its full potential, and the GPU will not interfere. In gaming, the GPU's 7.119 TFLOPS FP32 throughput and 8 GB VRAM will cap frame rates well below what the CPU could support. The nearest rival comparisons confirm this: the GPU is only 0.9% slower than an RTX 4060, which is a mainstream gaming card, not a high-end one.

The FPS scaling implications are that upgrading the GPU would yield substantial gaming performance gains without any CPU bottleneck, since the 290K Plus has ample headroom. Conversely, upgrading the CPU would provide minimal benefit in GPU-bound scenarios. For professional workloads that rely on CUDA or RTX features, the Quadro RTX 4000's 36 RT cores and 288 tensor cores provide some acceleration, but its 61st percentile standing limits its effectiveness relative to the CPU.

GPU Analysis

The NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 is built on the Turing architecture (TU104 chip) using a 12 nm process by TSMC, with 13,600 million transistors on a 545 mm² die. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, delivering 416.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The memory clock runs at 1625 MHz with 13 Gbps effective speed. The GPU's base clock is 1005 MHz, boosting to 1545 MHz.

Compute resources include 2,304 shading units, 144 texture mapping units, and 64 ROPs. The GPU features 36 RT cores for ray tracing and 288 tensor cores for AI acceleration, making it a capable professional card for its era. Pixel rate is 98.88 GPixel/s, texture rate is 222.5 GTexel/s, and FP32 performance is 7.119 TFLOPS, with FP16 reaching 14.24 TFLOPS at a 2:1 ratio.

Benchmark results show a 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1,873, Geekbench OpenCL of 74,540, and Geekbench Vulkan of 78,844. PassMark G3D scores 15,117, with GPU compute at 6,176. The DirectX 12 PassMark score is notably low at 52, while DirectX 11 is 128 and DirectX 9 is 205 — these low numbers suggest the card is not optimized for modern gaming APIs. The 61st percentile ranking and average score of 17,789 place it near the RTX 4060, which is a significantly newer and more efficient card.

The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. It has a TDP of 160 W, requires a single 8-pin power connector, and the suggested PSU is 450 W. Display outputs include 3x DisplayPort 1.4a and 1x USB Type-C. The card is single-slot, measuring 241 mm in length and 111 mm in height, making it suitable for compact workstation builds. For rendering workloads, the RT and tensor cores provide hardware acceleration for ray-traced scenes and AI denoising, but the 8 GB VRAM may limit texture sizes and scene complexity in professional 3D applications.

Rate My PC: Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus + NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000

Apex Performer

System Balance Analysis

Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus

NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000

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

CPU Analysis

Usage Scenarios

Upgrade Path and Platform

Who Should Build It

FAQ

Gaming Performance

Benchmark Performance

Build Overview

Balance and Bottleneck

GPU Analysis

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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