How much does cpu determin graphics fps?

[timmymeuk1]

I know this question has been asked before but how much would a say e5300 bottleneck a graphics card? would it? I really like using the e5200 and e5300 and want know what max graphics card they could handle??? if it does haha

 

[JonJ678]

What resolution?
What speed is the e5300 at?
What games?

 

[timmymeuk1]

lets say resolution 1024, speed just 2.6ghz. and any game really, Crysis? lol I use i5 and a hd4670 and my fallout 3 works pretty well but my graphics card does lag a tiny bit.

 

[OrphanBoy]

It really does depend on the game I'm afraid. Some games make use of more CPU than others - I'm gonna get flamed with the usual "badly coded port" response but games like GTA4 really do like their CPU! This game alone shows that CPU load can vary from game to game.

 

[gurusan]

1024? Is that 1024x768 or 1280x1024?

In any case at that miserable resolution your CPU will determine a large portion of the performance.

 

[DTWD]

Like a lot have said, depends on the game. Rule of thumb the older the engine, the more the CPU.

I play a game (Black Shark) that barely got the GPU warmed up, the CPU on the other hand. Then I play others that max out everything, others that don't use all cores etc etc.

It's optimisation really.

 

[LEUVEN]

I doubt even an E5300 would bottleneck a 4670.

For newer games get the most powerful GPU you can/can afford.
For older games you should already be able to play them with a good fps and detail quality at a res of 1024

You can test this yourself if you know how to underclock/overclock your CPU.
Drop the CPU multi to as low as it will go, run a few diferent benchmarks and play a few games to see visually with your eyes and also with fraps running to note fps, make notes of scores etc.
Repeat above with CPU at stock settings.
Repeat again with it overclocked.

If you get better scores by more than just a few points/fps with it overclocked than you are with it underclocked then you can say that its holding you back.