am I cpu limited if the gpu usage look like this?

natostanco · Mar 11, 2014

If my gpu usage during a game looks like this:

Does it mean I am cpu limited? because it goes up and down, I guess it has to wait for cpu rendering or what?

deadmaufive · Mar 11, 2014

Not necessarily. GPU isn't going to be a stable line throughout game play. If the game is lagging while it looks like that, it's possible that the CPU is limiting the GPU, but that's about normal. Look to the sky vs looking at a city is going to utilize the GPU more or less than the other. It's going to fluctuate frequently, that's just how it is.

Spectre694 · Mar 11, 2014

No that is pretty normal cpu limited would be if your CPU reaches 100% and your GPU never goes above 50% and your framerates don't change regardless of resolution and graphics settings.

geofelt · Mar 11, 2014

Hard to say.

You can gain some insight by running some tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 70% and see how you do.

You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

natostanco · Mar 12, 2014

What if, D3D usage (riva tuner statistic server with hwinfo) shows 90% when I have 120+fps, while when dropping to 40fps the d3d usage drops to around 60-70% ? I would presume this factor would be proof of cpu limitation

smeezekitty · Mar 12, 2014

natostanco :

Sounds like a CPU limitation if framerate and GPU usage drop at the same time

What kind of specs are we talkin here?

natostanco · Mar 13, 2014

amd 9370 @ ~5ghz , r9 290 1100mhz / 1500mhz

I am testing UE3 games (Chivalry/Tribes/Smite) and bitsquid games (War of the roses / War of the vikings). UE3 games never go above 30% CPU usages, bitsquid is around 40-50%, it boasts excellent multicore performance on their homepage.

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am I cpu limited if the gpu usage look like this?

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