Do I have a bottleneck, or am I well rounded?

dovydasal

Honorable
Jun 24, 2012
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Here are my system specs. I want to know if there is something I should upgrade or if it's good. I just recently got a new GPU.

This is for a gaming system

GPU: AMD Radeon HD R9 280
CPU: AMD FX 8120 8-core (3.1GHz)
RAM: 8 GB
PSU: 700W Ocz modxstream
Harddrive: 1 TB(not sure much else)
 
Solution
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...


Without changing out the motherboard your best option is either the fx-8320 or 8350... If you are willing to spend ~$400 i'd say get a new motherboard and the i5-4690k. The 8120 is decent but you will get a good 10%+ better performance out of a 8320 in most games that are CPU limited while the i5 you could see 20-30%+... Keep in mind in a lot of games your current CPU won't be an issue... but in games like SC2 - Most MMOs and some multiplayer first person shooters you will have issues.
 

dovydasal

Honorable
Jun 24, 2012
97
0
10,630
Without changing out the motherboard your best option is either the fx-8320 or 8350... If you are willing to spend ~$400 i'd say get a new motherboard and the i5-4690k. [/quotemsg]

Can't be bothered to upgrade a motherboard. I was lookin at a 8350. Not sure yet.
 
Without changing out the motherboard your best option is either the fx-8320 or 8350... If you are willing to spend ~$400 i'd say get a new motherboard and the i5-4690k.

the 8350 is just an overclocked 8320... so if you plan to overclock go with the 8320.
 


ANY modern case has a cutout. I have installed 40+ coolers and never removed the motherboard.
 
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.
 
Solution