Is My CPU Bottlenecking My GPU?

For Australian PC gamers and power users alike, getting the most out of your gaming rig is essential. Whether you’re building your own PC or customising a new system’s specs, ensuring your CPU and GPU work together efficiently is crucial for optimal performance, especially given our market’s unique hardware options and pricing considerations.

In this guide, we’ll explore CPU bottlenecking - a common issue that can impact gaming performance - and show you how to identify and resolve it with solutions tailored for Australian users.

What is CPU bottleneck?

A bottleneck occurs when your PC runs a demanding application and its performance begins to stall. This is particularly noticeable in PC gaming, where the CPU handles critical tasks like performing input/output operations, basic arithmetic functions, and running game logic.

These CPU-intensive tasks are especially important in fast-paced games that require rapid information processing, such as competitive first-person shooters popular in the Australian esports scene, or resource-heavy strategy games.

CPU and GPU struggles

When CPU slowdown occurs, it impacts the GPU, which cannot process information fast enough. Consequently, the GPU struggles to render game frames, resulting in frame rate lag and subpar performance.

While some level of CPU bottlenecking exists in every system (perfect synchronisation between CPU and GPU is impossible), it’s crucial to identify if your CPU is the primary component causing performance issues.

Monitoring your CPU and GPU

You can monitor both CPU and GPU performance to test for potential bottlenecks. If CPU load significantly exceeds the video card’s load, your CPU is likely causing the issue. Several tools can help you monitor these components effectively.

MSI Afterburner

MSI’s freely available Afterburner software provides direct CPU and GPU monitoring. After enabling monitoring, test it by playing a game affected by bottlenecking issues, then compare CPU and GPU usage.

For example, if a game uses 80% of CPU capacity but only 30% of GPU capacity, the CPU is likely causing the bottleneck.

GPU Check Comparison Tool

The GPU Check comparison tool serves as a CPU GPU bottleneck calculator. Input your CPU and GPU models along with desired graphics settings, then enter the components you’re considering upgrading to.

The tool generates comparative benchmarks, with the key metric being “CPU Impact on FPS,” which should ideally be 10% or lower.

Fixing your CPU bottleneck

For Australian users, several solutions can help minimise CPU bottlenecking impact. These range from simple software adjustments to hardware upgrades available in the local market.

Increase game resolution

Balancing load between CPU and GPU often starts with increasing your game’s resolution via in-game settings. This increases pixel rendering load on the GPU, reducing CPU burden.

When adjusting resolution, ensure it doesn’t exceed your display’s capabilities. Check your screen’s resolution in Windows Display Settings to avoid counter-productive settings that could reduce frame rates.

Close background applications

Background programs significantly impact CPU performance. An idle CPU typically runs at 2-4% usage, increasing to 10-30% for standard games and up to 70% for graphics-intensive titles.

Popular applications among Australian users like Chrome and Spotify can consume substantial resources. Use Task Manager to close unnecessary background programs, allowing your CPU to focus on gaming performance.

Overclock your CPU

Overclocking can boost performance and reduce bottlenecking, though not all CPUs support this feature. Look for an “unlocked multiplier” specification - all AMD Ryzen™ processors and Intel® processors marked with “K” (like the Core™ i7-13700K) support overclocking.

Well-balanced gaming systems

For Australian gamers seeking to avoid CPU bottlenecking, several pre-built systems offer optimised CPU and GPU configurations. The OMEN by HP 45L Gaming Desktop PC GT22-2006a pairs an Intel® Core™ i9-14900K processor with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090 graphics, supported by 64GB memory and ample storage. For a more modest but still well-balanced option, the Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop PC TG02-2025a combines an Intel® Core™ i7-14700F processor with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 graphics and 32GB memory.

Final tips for Australian users

Before upgrading any components, consider several factors unique to our market. Check local warranty implications of overclocking and pay special attention to component temperatures, particularly during our scorching summers. Compare current market prices for CPU and GPU combinations, and factor in the requirements of upcoming game releases popular in Australia.

The HP Gaming Desktop category and Gaming Laptop section offer numerous pre-built systems with balanced configurations. For a complete setup, the Gaming Accessories collection provides peripherals optimised for gaming performance.

Whether you’re upgrading components or purchasing a new system, understanding CPU bottlenecking helps ensure you get the best possible gaming experience from your hardware investment.