Computer parts don’t exist and operate in a vacuum because even the strongest, highest-performing GPU in the world can’t compensate fully for an underpowered CPU. Each component of your computer works together to create the type of experience you have on your PC.
If your CPU or GPU is weaker than other components, it might bottleneck other parts of your computer and keep them from performing to their full potential.
What Is Bottlenecking?
Each part of your computer has its own specifications and capabilities. When you pair two things that don’t have similar performance together, the results you get may be based on the lower of the two components. That is what a bottleneck is.
For example, if you have a 3080 GPU and pair it with a CPU from 2010, you aren’t experiencing the full power of the high-end graphics card. Your computer can only output the highest performance of the lowest-performing part. Therefore, the CPU is bottlenecking your 3080, and if you upgrade your CPU, you will get better performance.
Is My CPU Bottlenecking My GPU?
If your CPU is bottlenecking your GPU, then the CPU is of a lower-tier and prevents the graphics card from doing its full performance.
When your CPU is the issue, you’ll see a muchhigher CPU utilizationthan GPU. This means your computer cannot use more of the GPU because the CPU can’t perform at a higher level. You can’t force one part to compensate for another. The GPU and CPU don’t complete the exact same tasks.
Think of it as pouring water through a pipe with a large opening in the center and a smaller opening at the end. Water could freely pour through if the end had a large opening. Since it’s smaller, the water backs up and doesn’t move through the pipe as quickly as it would with two large openings.
That’s basically how it works when your CPU bottlenecks your GPU. The computer can’t do all the processes it needs to do as efficiently because a lower-performing piece of hardware creates a backup that would be alleviated with better hardware.
Is My GPU Bottlenecking My CPU?
If your GPU is bottlenecking your CPU, it works the same way as the reverse. If the GPU processes more slowly than the CPU, it can slow down the final product below what the CPU can output. This occurs when you pair a powerful CPU with a less powerful GPU.
You’d have to check their performance to find out whether your GPU is bottlenecking your CPU. If your graphics card is constantly pushing the limits of what it can do, then the chances are that it’s bottlenecking the GPU – unless the CPU is at the same level. In that case, your program might just be too intense for your build.
A GPU takes care of strictly graphics-based things and is taxed by things like increasing resolution, texture quality, or lighting. On the other hand, CPUs manage more physics-based tasks and struggle when you increase things like particle effects or reflections.
How to See Whether Your Computer Has a Bottleneck?
There are a few ways to view your computer’s performance and determine whether a bottleneck is happening in the system.
You can use a tool that compares computer builds to see what each part does in terms of performance. For example, I compared a2060 SUPERrunning with anIntel i7-8700Kto one running anIntel Core2 Duo E8300. The GPU Check Comparison Tool shows that you lose 55 FPS with the Duo, while the 8700K doesn’t impact the FPS. The first shows a 50 percent reduction in expected FPS, which means there is a bottleneck.
You can also look at the overall combination score to see how the two things you’re comparing stack up against each other. If you run the test repeatedly with different parts you’re considering upgrading, you can figure out which components are complementary before buying.
To quickly check how your CPU and GPU are performing compared to one another, open a Task Manager window and choose the Performance tab. You can watch how much of the GPU and CPU are being utilized.
If one is constantly maxing out while the other is showing a much lower utilization, then the one maxing out is probably creating a bottleneck.
What Should I Do if I Have a Bottleneck?
Even if you have a bottleneck in your performance, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to run out and replace the lower-tier part. Sometimes you will have a bottleneck on some games or programs and not others.
For example, certain games are CPU heavy while others are GPU heavy. Using a game that relies on CPU processing and has an overall bottleneck based on your GPU might not impact your experience as negatively as it would if the game was GPU-heavy.
Ultimately you should decide whether to upgrade your computer based on your budget and personal needs. You don’t have to go for the most high-end components. Sometimes a lower-cost alternative can help eliminate or reduce the bottleneck. Other times, the bottleneck just isn’t as crucial if you aren’t trying to push things to the extreme, like playing VR games or games in 1440p.
Can I Improve My Performance Without Replacing Parts if My CPU or GPU Creates a Bottleneck?
you may definitely improve your PC’s performance by changing specific settings and adjusting how you use your computer.
Using some of these techniques can help you improve your computer’s performance even when your GPU or CPU is creating a bottleneck.
Can Other Parts Create a Bottleneck?
Yes, other parts of your PC can create a bottleneck. For example, RAM in your computer can impact its performance significantly. The amount, quality, and speed of each of your parts will affect the overall function of your computer no matter which parts you’re considering.
