Core Ultra 5 245K + RTX 3060: bottleneck check
GPU-limited at 1440p. GPU-bound (normal).
The RTX 3060 is the part working hardest at 1440p, which is what you want. The Core Ultra 5 245K keeps about 28% in reserve.
By resolution
| Resolution | Limiting part | Severity | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | GPU | 21% | GPU-bound (normal) |
| 1440p | GPU | 28% | GPU-bound (normal) |
| 4K | GPU | 45% | CPU overkill |
The RTX 3060 is the limit at every resolution and by a wide margin at 4K (45%). The Core Ultra 5 245K is overkill for this card: a faster GPU would give you far more frames than any CPU change.
Specifications
| Cores / threads | 14 / 14 |
|---|---|
| Max boost | 5.2 GHz |
| Socket | LGA1851 |
| Max turbo power | 159 W |
| Released | 2024 |
| Gaming index | 76 / 100 |
| Multi-core index | 78 / 100 |
| VRAM | 12 GB |
|---|---|
| Board power | 170 W |
| Released | 2021 |
| 1080p index | 29.7 / 100 |
| 1440p index | 24 / 100 |
| 4K index | 19.4 / 100 |
Power supply
CPU 159 W + GPU 170 W + about 100 W for motherboard, memory, storage and fans gives an estimated peak load of 429 W. We recommend a 650 W unit (80 Plus Gold or better) so transient spikes from the graphics card stay inside the PSU's comfort zone. Try other pairs in the PSU calculator.
Upgrade paths
CPUs that remove the bottleneck (LGA1851)
- Core Ultra 7 265K + RTX 3060 (gaming index 80)
- Core Ultra 9 285K + RTX 3060 (gaming index 84)
GPUs that use the Core Ultra 5 245K more fully
- Core Ultra 5 245K + RX 9070 XT (1440p index 60)
- Core Ultra 5 245K + RTX 5070 Ti (1440p index 62)
- Core Ultra 5 245K + RTX 4080 (1440p index 62)
Best CPU for the RTX 3060 Best GPU for the Core Ultra 5 245K RTX 3060 PSU requirements
Compare nearby pairs
Same CPU, other GPUs
Indexes are relative estimates aggregated from published reviews; real results vary by game, settings, memory speed and drivers. Methodology.