How much is my 2500k going to bottleneck my new GPU?

HenryNFFC · Nov 12, 2015

I currently have an i5-2500k(No overclocking) and 8GB DDR3 RAM, I am looking to upgrade my GPU to either the R9 290 or a GTX 970, I plan to upgrade my CPU early next year, but for now, how much do you think my CPU will bottleneck either of those 2 GPU's?

Thanks for reading.

glamdringfh · Nov 12, 2015

Both will run fine with the i5-2500k. You might see just a little bottleneck on games that are extremely CPU intensive, but overall the i5-2500k is a good pair with either of those cards for enthusiast gaming.

NerdyComputerGuy · Nov 12, 2015

Agreeing with glamdringfh.

guanyu210379 · Nov 12, 2015

It depends on the games, for GPU intensive games, your i5 2500k is not a bottleneck, but for processor intensive games it could be already a bottleneck.
It general, i5 2500k is still ok.

HenryNFFC · Nov 12, 2015

Thanks for the answers, what sort of games are CPU intensive? Fallout 4?

envy14tpe · Nov 12, 2015

As a 2500k owner...yet to see a reason to upgrade. Add the overclock and no holding it back. Non overclocked I'd say it isn't as great, but still better than new i3s in gaming. I wouldn't worry at all about it bottlenecking. Go ahead and get a 970 or 290.

guanyu210379 · Nov 12, 2015

Yes, FO4 is quite cpu intensive.
FO4 will torture any i5 or any processor with only 4 threads if you want to max everything.
Try to look for JokerProductions youtube channel, if I remember it correctly, he has a comparison for FO 4 on i5 and i7.

glamdringfh · Nov 12, 2015

HenryNFFC :

Witcher 3 is often referenced as CPU hungry.

Crysis 3, and ARMA III were also known for that, though they are slightly older titles now.

Here's a video of Fallout 4 running on the 2500k and a GTX 970, looks pretty good, though as guanyu noted during the more intensive parts of Fallout 4 the CPU will be taxed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0g0qNrJUy0

vrumor · Nov 12, 2015

Have zero issues playing The Witcher 3 or Fallout 4 with my 3570k non-OCed CPU and stock 970 at 2560x1600.

HenryNFFC · Nov 12, 2015

envy14tpe :

I am still running a stock cooler, I've read about a bit and the general consensus seems to be that the 2500k is one of the best CPU's to overclock, what sort of cooler would I need to OC mate?

glamdringfh · Nov 12, 2015

The Cryorig H7 is currently the best budget aftermarket cooler available, and would be a very good choice to keep your CPU within healthy temperatures for OC'ing. Just make sure you case has enough clearance!

CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $34.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-11 08:45 EST-0500
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*Great review of the H7's cooling performance: http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/cooling/heatsinks/42980-cryorig-h7-universal-cpu-cooler-review

*Recieved 'Best Value Award' from Tweaktown: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6958/cryorig-h7-cpu-cooler-review/index7.html

*Here's a video showing just how easy it is to install: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNF-GHQthro

RobCrezz · Nov 12, 2015

Yeah you really should overclock, its one of the best overclocking cpus.

envy14tpe · Nov 12, 2015

I too agree with overclocking the 2500k if you have the proper mobo, psu, and cooler to do so. The above Cryorig H7 is excellent for the value and replaces the Cooler Master EVO as the best budget cooler. One last note, I bought the 2500k after the 3570k came out. I chose the 2500k due to its overclocking performance. And I've never regretted it one bit.

guanyu210379 · Nov 13, 2015

Keep your 2500k, OC it if you can..I do not think you are in deep need of upgrade for now..or even next year...

HenryNFFC · Nov 13, 2015

envy14tpe :

I have an Asus P8Z77-V LX mobo, ocz-zs650w and I will be buying the Cryorig H7. Will that be OK for over clocking?

envy14tpe · Nov 13, 2015

HenryNFFC :

Based on that you should easily hit a good overclock. I'd shoot for around 4.5GHz.

Victorion · Nov 13, 2015

guanyu210379 :

Very few games benefit from more than 4 cores. And it´s usually in extreme video quality (4k/Ultra). I havent seen reports done in 1080p that show significant gains for 6core vs 4core.

However, with DX12 you will get negative gains for 6core vs 4core. FO4 isn´t DX12 supported as far as I know.

Bottomline is that Intel hasn't made any major performance leaps in 3 years for gamers. Less power consumption and better integrated graphics with small improvements.
Save your money and invest it into a future upgrade that translate into and actual advantage for you. Spending money on a 6core CPU + new motherboard + DDR4 rams, isn´t worth it.

glamdringfh said:
The Cryorig H7 is currently the best budget aftermarket cooler available, and would be a very good choice to keep your CPU within healthy temperatures for OC'ing. Just make sure you case has enough clearance!

Correction: one of the best. It´s rivals are Noctua NH-D14 and Coolermaster Hyper Evo 212. And the Evo 212 is around 30% cheaper than H7. Its all up to preferences.

Victorion · Nov 13, 2015

HenryNFFC :

I have a i5 2500k core coupled with Evo 212. Right now I am sitting on 4.3 Ghz, but I ran stable overclock at 4.5 Ghz and I had it at 4.8 Ghz at one point.

I keep it at 4.3 Ghz though, since I rather be safe than sorry, and I can´t be bothered to run prime 95 for longer periods.

How much is my 2500k going to bottleneck my new GPU?

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