Processor Bottlenecking GPU?

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

I'm building a new PC and was having a tough time choosing the processor. I don't do many CPU intensive tasks other than gaming, and was looking to devote most of my ~$1,000 budget to a nice GPU. I'm worried that if I cheap out on a processor now it will end up bottlenecking my GPU, but at the same time I want to get a good GPU so I can play games like Fallout 4 on high/ultra settings when it comes out. Any help with a good build that you think I should look into let me know!
(P.S, I already have RAM, a hard drive, Windows 8.1 and a Power Supply.)

laviniuc · Sep 18, 2015

psu model? - and how old is it?

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

laviniuc :

It's a 1050 watt Rosewill 80+ Gold. I've had it for a week but tested it in my old system to make sure it was working.

laviniuc · Sep 18, 2015

ok, and ram ddr3 or 4?

Onus · Sep 18, 2015

Yes, please provide the brand and model (not just wattage) of your PSU. Some newer games are beginning to use more threads; with the parts you already have (assuming the PSU is decent), you can probably fit an i5 into your budget along with a GTX970.

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

laviniuc :

I could get some DDR4 RAM if that was the best solution but I currently have 16 GB of DDR3 RAM (1866 MHZ)

photonboy · Sep 18, 2015

Recommended CPU:

i5-4590
i5-4690
i5-4690K

It depends slightly on how the budget works out, but in general the i5-4590 is my top choice. It's 3.7GHz (Turbo) and in general is rarely a bottleneck to the GPU. Do stay away from AMD all together.

The i5-4690K can be overclocked as high as 4.5GHz fairly easily but that means a slightly more expensive CPU cooler, motherboard and of course the CPU which eats away at your GPU budget.

*Here's how to compare Intel CPU's. Go to THIS site and use the TURBO value for comparison:
http://ark.intel.com/products/80815/Intel-Core-i5-4590-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_70-GHz

(The i5-4460 for example is slightly cheaper but I think is 3.4GHz Turbo)

I'll post a build below just fun minus the components you listed.

laviniuc · Sep 18, 2015

ZOiD-C :

nee, just wanted to see if you need a socket 1150 or 1151 build. pick any i5 socket 1150 and a b85/h97 board. and what's left into the graphics

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

Onus :

It's an 80+ Gold Rated Rosewill Photon 1050 watt Power Supply

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

Also, if anybody could tell me what the main differences are between b85, h97, and z97 motherboards. I'm planning to add a 2nd GPU later on so I want a MoBo that will support nvidia SLI

Onus · Sep 18, 2015

Based on http://www.anandtech.com/show/9084/rosewill-photon-1050w-review/5 it appears to be a decent unit, even if not great. You would be unable to put together a $1000 build that would even begin to stress it though, so you won't need to worry about power.
I'd probably go i5+H97+GTX970 and end up with a solid system.

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

Onus :

Okay thanks! Would it bottleneck if I eventually tried to run 970's in SLI? Also what is the difference between H97 and Z97 Motherboards?

Onus · Sep 18, 2015

You need Z97 if you want to run SLI. Support for SLI is one of the features present in [most] Z97 boards that is lacking in H97. Your PSU should have no trouble with a pair of GTX970 cards.

laviniuc · Sep 18, 2015

sli support and overclocking support. you need a z97 if you want sli

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

laviniuc :

Oh, okay... I'm not too worried about the lack of overclocking support but I would like to have SLI support so I can increase my graphics performance later on in a year or 2.

photonboy · Sep 18, 2015

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XTC4Lk

*If you needed a monitor or other part, then obviously that will have to change. Also, I assumed USA pricing.

1) GTX980 because:
a) GTX970 slow memory issue is problematic at times so I can't recommend it to most people
b) hesitant to recommend AMD cards due to lack of PhysX, DX11 drivers, and other reasons including future of AMD support due to financial issues.
c) GSYNC is better IMO so in the future a GSYNC monitor instead of FREESYNC is the better way to go. IMO.

I do still recommend AMD cards though if I know more info about the usage. I recently recommend an R9-380 4GB EVGA card.

3) Case is more of a personal thing though I'd get one with at least one fan and front USB3 support. I believe the NZXT 220 has two, PWM fans that the motherboard can control (CPU and Case fan through Asus fans software from motherboard support site).

4) SSD - I recommend this for Windows/apps. 250GB is overkill for that however the 120GB is only $25 cheaper.

5) CPU cooler - I often recommend the Noctua NH-U12S, though mainly to reduce NOISE over the EVO. The EVO is much quieter than the stock cooler. So at $40 more I think that's about 4% more for the Noctua to reduce noise.

6) Motherboard - a few choices there. I general my top choices are Asus or Gigabyte then look at both value and quality.

laviniuc · Sep 18, 2015

ZOiD-C :

instead of hunting down in 2 years for a 970 to pair your current one and then dealing with sli issues you're better off getting a brand new graphics card single in 2 year (sell your current 970 and get a 3080 or whatever they will call them by then)

photonboy · Sep 18, 2015

GPU comparison (average of about 20 games):
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/30.html

GTX980Ti info:
Yes, this is over budget but it's also only about $150 more than a GTX980 yet a much better value. I thought I should at least mention it since you are talking about SLI now so upgrading is on your mind.

The GTX970 should be a great value, I just have issue with the slow memory. The GTX980 is otherwise a poor value in comparison.

*The GTX980Ti is not only noticeably faster but also has 6GB of VRAM. For future proofing (and some current games) if you want max settings more than 4GB is already a requirement.

In theory we can ADD video memory with DX12 games though whether that becomes common is uncertain. Thus, for now I have to assume that 2x4GB = 4GB (SLI clones memory as each GPU works on its own identical pool).

Example: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-06gp44991kr

I'm not saying a GTX980 4GB won't get you an awesome experience now and for a long time because it will, especially if you know how to TWEAK your games (I'm still happy with my GTX680 2GB).

Other: SLI still has issues such as more stutter, poor or no scaling so in general the best, single GPU option is preferable. In fact, if you had a GTX980 now and wanted to "upgrade" in the future I'd likely suggest a GSYNC monitor like the Acer Predator (1440p, 4ms, IPS).

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

photonboy :

GPU comparison (average of about 20 games):
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/30.html

GTX980Ti info:
Yes, this is over budget but it's also only about $150 more than a GTX980 yet a much better value. I thought I should at least mention it since you are talking about SLI now so upgrading is on your mind.

The GTX970 should be a great value, I just have issue with the slow memory. The GTX980 is otherwise a poor value in comparison.

*The GTX980Ti is not only noticeably faster but also has 6GB of VRAM. For future proofing (and some current games) if you want max settings more than 4GB is already a requirement.

In theory we can ADD video memory with DX12 games though whether that becomes common is uncertain. Thus, for now I have to assume that 2x4GB = 4GB (SLI clones memory as each GPU works on its own identical pool).

Example: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-06gp44991kr

I'm not saying a GTX980 4GB won't get you an awesome experience now and for a long time because it will, especially if you know how to TWEAK your games (I'm still happy with my GTX680 2GB).

Other: SLI still has issues such as more stutter, poor or no scaling so in general the best, single GPU option is preferable. In fact, if you had a GTX980 now and wanted to "upgrade" in the future I'd likely suggest a GSYNC monitor like the Acer Predator (1440p, 4ms, IPS).

Thanks so much Photonboy, as for a monitor I'm using a 1080p monitor. I'm looking to build my PC now and then get a newer G Sync monitor around Christmas. *I'm workin for minimum wage out here

ZOiD-C · Sep 18, 2015

photonboy :

GPU comparison (average of about 20 games):
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/30.html

GTX980Ti info:
Yes, this is over budget but it's also only about $150 more than a GTX980 yet a much better value. I thought I should at least mention it since you are talking about SLI now so upgrading is on your mind.

The GTX970 should be a great value, I just have issue with the slow memory. The GTX980 is otherwise a poor value in comparison.

*The GTX980Ti is not only noticeably faster but also has 6GB of VRAM. For future proofing (and some current games) if you want max settings more than 4GB is already a requirement.

In theory we can ADD video memory with DX12 games though whether that becomes common is uncertain. Thus, for now I have to assume that 2x4GB = 4GB (SLI clones memory as each GPU works on its own identical pool).

Example: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-06gp44991kr

I'm not saying a GTX980 4GB won't get you an awesome experience now and for a long time because it will, especially if you know how to TWEAK your games (I'm still happy with my GTX680 2GB).

Other: SLI still has issues such as more stutter, poor or no scaling so in general the best, single GPU option is preferable. In fact, if you had a GTX980 now and wanted to "upgrade" in the future I'd likely suggest a GSYNC monitor like the Acer Predator (1440p, 4ms, IPS).

If you could make a PC Part Picker or something so I can see it all at once, that would be great. Otherwise thanks for the help

Processor Bottlenecking GPU?

Reputable

Judicious

Reputable

Judicious

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Judicious

Reputable

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Judicious

Reputable

Titan

Judicious

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Share this page