Is my CPU bottle necking my GPU?

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terranrus

Honorable
Dec 4, 2013
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10,510
How can I determine if my i3-3240 is bottle necking my MSI Twin Frozr 660 GTX?

I have been getting good frame rates between 45 -60 fps in most games at 1920 x 1080 but I am curious to find out if my CPU is a bottleneck in some games.

All drivers are up to date but I am curious if Assassin's Creed Black Flag would benefit greatly from a quad core cpu as I see the frame rate drop from 55 to 30 fps even with adaptive v sync on.

If my cpu is bottlenecking my gpu, could someone please recommend a good cpu for me - I have no desire to overclock as I am on a budget.
 
Solution
geofelt
You probably have a well balanced pc, at least for most games.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two 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%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement might do.

You could also...
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,301
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You probably have a well balanced pc, at least for most games.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two 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%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement might 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.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
 
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Solution
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terranrus

Honorable
Dec 4, 2013
5
0
10,510
While some games are definitely poorly optimized (Black Flag I am looking at you) having done test a of geofelt I see I am indeed cpu bound and Black Flag could benefit from a quad core cpu. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am looking at the Intel Xeon E3-1230V2. I am no looking to overclock and for my mobo it seems like the best bang for buck.
 
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rolli59

rolli59

Titan
Oct 27, 2007
47,790
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130,890


Would be a great upgrade.
 
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