Will a better CPU give me better FPS?

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

I have an r9 280, 8gb of ram, fx 4100 and I'm using a HDD.

As most gamers did over the last week I bought Fallout 4. I have tweaked the settings a lot to get the best FPS my system will dish out. For the most part I'm playing at 40-60 fps but sometimes it can drop into the 20s and sometimes even lower. I have searched online and watched some benchmarks with the same GPU and people seem to be getting way better FPS than me.
Could the CPU be holding the GPU back?

Also I'm getting an FX 8350 and an SSD in the next few days and would like to know will I see much of an improvement in FPS? Thanks.

CTurbo · Nov 19, 2015

What motherboard do you have???

Demonic Heart · Nov 19, 2015

Sure you will get better fps because the reality will be that everything is faster.

also keep in mind that fallout 4 is a very buggy game.. no matter the hardware.. ive heard people with 980ti having drops in frames below 30fps which shouldnt be considering that fallout 4 is not that realistic in graphics as some modern games today is.. a patch should be out soon fixing frames in certain areas on the map...

geofelt · Nov 19, 2015

Games are either cpu limited or graphics limited.
You are likely cpu limited.
What are the cpu's that others getting better results are using?
Yes, a FX-8350 should help, but you need a better than average motherboard for a fx-8 cpu.
What is your motherboard?
Here is a link to the capabilities of different amd motherboards:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html

Games mostly depend on the performance of the master thread.
The fx-4100 has a total passmark rating of 4039 and a single core rating of 1221.
The FX-8350 has an impressive total rating of 8970 but a single thread rating of 1505.
Here are some tests you can do to see how important the cpu core speed and number of cores are to your 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 in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If you need to change motherboards to get a better cpu, you will do better with an intel cpu of some sort.

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

geofelt :

Games are either cpu limited or graphics limited.
You are likely cpu limited.
What are the cpu's that others getting better results are using?
Yes, a FX-8350 should help, but you need a better than average motherboard for a fx-8 cpu.
What is your motherboard?
Here is a link to the capabilities of different amd motherboards:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2383150/motherboard-tier-list.html

Games mostly depend on the performance of the master thread.
The fx-4100 has a total passmark rating of 4039 and a single core rating of 1221.
The FX-8350 has an impressive total rating of 8970 but a single thread rating of 1505.
Here are some tests you can do to see how important the cpu core speed and number of cores are to your 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 in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

If you need to change motherboards to get a better cpu, you will do better with an intel cpu of some sort.

I also forgot to mention that with the new parts the motherboard i'll be using is the Asrock 990fx extreme6. Thanks for the tips I'll be sure to go do some testing

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

CTurbo :

Sorry. I forgot to mention that with the new parts I'll be getting an ASROCK 990FX Extreme6

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

Demonic Heart :

Okay, thanks

Moldoror · Nov 19, 2015

Demonic Heart :

That's not true, i have 980Ti with sweetFX 1080p ultra and never get less than 60 cos i have vsync on. May be you have problems but not all

Th3-Hunter333 · Nov 19, 2015

Well what kind of budget do you have, for gaming purposes an i5-4460 or something would suit you better.

P.S. i use to own the fx 8350

CTurbo · Nov 19, 2015

Yes a FX8350 would be a huge upgrade for you.

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

CTurbo :

Great! So hopefully a decent amount more FPS?

Moldoror · Nov 19, 2015

CPU just give a 5% of FPS, 90% fall over GPU. If you have a bad CPU you gonna get a bottleneck, that's a good reason to get a mid or good CPU

Demonic Heart · Nov 19, 2015

Moldoror :

it is true.. ive seen it here posted.. there are a few glitchy areas on the map where frames drop drastically

geofelt · Nov 19, 2015

My perception is that most who upgrade to a fx 6 or 8 are a bit disappointed.
But we all have budgets and can't buy the best.
For gaming today, the i5-6600K with a nice overclock is as good as it gets.

Th3-Hunter333 · Nov 19, 2015

geofelt :

Yeah pretty much this^

When i got my fx 8350 i was hugely disappointing, then a little later i swapped to what is in my signature below.

Needless to say framerate in alot of games i play jump substantially

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

Th3-Hunter333 :

Yeah I would love an I7 but it's just out of my budget for now. Hopefully the 8350 gives me a decent boost for the mean time then I will eventually upgrade again

Th3-Hunter333 · Nov 19, 2015

MRPyro :

You dont need an i7 for gaming mate, i was just giving you my opinions and thoughts

Check out the i5-4460 for instance, which would win in the gaming world.

What games are you playing and what budget?

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

Well I've already purchased the 8350. I play lost of stuff. Fallout, skyrim and I use emulators like PCSX2 for PS2 games and stuff. So pretty much all sorts.

geofelt · Nov 19, 2015

It is best to ask for advice BEFORE you buy.

Th3-Hunter333 · Nov 19, 2015

geofelt :

Yeah most definitely true here^

For skyrim/fallout intel would have been a better route for better single core performance

MRPyro · Nov 19, 2015

geofelt :

Even if I don't get a huge boost in FPS I still need the CPU and SSD for other things. I was just wondering about the FPS boost and not that overly concerned about it.

Will a better CPU give me better FPS?

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