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When do you know your CPU is throttling your system?

mpj88

mpj88

mpj88

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I've been through a few graphics card upgrades over the years but still got the same CPU.

Latest is a 4070 and still using a 4790k.

How do you know when the CPU would be holding back the rest of your system? Still seeing increases when upgrading graphics cards in terms of FPS in games.

Only other reason to upgrade mobo/cpu would be for PCIE 4 but research online seems to suggest not much of a difference between PCIE 3 and 4
 
mpj88 said:
Still seeing increases when upgrading graphics cards in terms of FPS in games.
Click to expand...
What games and what resolution do you play at? It is always going to vary, but older games and higher resolutions will make your CPU last longer.

When you can't reliably hit 60 fps and changing the graphics settings doesn't change the FPS, then your CPU has hit the end of the road.
 
I think it safe to say you’re leaving at least half the performance of the 4070 on the table with a quad core DDR3 system. I’ve run GPU top heavy systems in the past, but Nvidia cards need a super highend system behind or the performance tanks.
 
Tetras said:
What games and what resolution do you play at? It is always going to vary, but older games and higher resolutions will make your CPU last longer.

When you can't reliably hit 60 fps and changing the graphics settings doesn't change the FPS, then your CPU has hit the end of the road.
Click to expand...
Just switched to a 2560x1440 @ 165Hz monitor. Was on 2560x1600 @60Hz before.

Only graphic heavy game I play is COD/Warzone. I like DOTA too but doubt that would challenge a GFX card.

I'm still seeing over 100fps in COD
 
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jigger said:
I think it safe to say you’re leaving at least half the performance of the 4070 on the table with a quad core DDR3 system. I’ve run GPU top heavy systems in the past, but Nvidia cards need a super highend system behind or the performance tanks.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's a hell of a lot. Sounds like I need to do some research on what the go to cpu/mobo/ram combo is at the moment.
 
I'm impressed your 4790k has lasted this long. I'm normally not one to press on upgrading and saying people over hype upgrading but I think your definitely in need with combo like that.
 
robinbanks said:
I'm impressed your 4790k has lasted this long. I'm normally not one to press on upgrading and saying people over hype upgrading but I think your definitely in need with combo like that.
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Ha, yeah I guess I'd never really seen the need to! Everything was/is still working fine. Still atleast I know that's the next thing to do if I'm looking for additional performance. Now I have to clue myself up on all the latest intel/AMD offerings.
 
mpj88 said:
What the best way to test this?

Sounding like an upgrade might be needed!
Click to expand...

Run Afterburner while running an intensive game and if your CPU is running at 100% and your GPU isn't, then you'll find out.

I was running a Q6600 @ 3600 and upgraded to a 1070.

Ran my favourite game at the time, Dying Light, and soon found out the Q6600 wasn't up to the job, totally CPU bound.
 
Kelt said:
Run Afterburner while running an intensive game and if your CPU is running at 100% and your GPU isn't, then you'll find out.

I was running a Q6600 @ 3600 and upgraded to a 1070.

Ran my favourite game at the time, Dying Light, and soon found out the Q6600 wasn't up to the job, totally CPU bound.
Click to expand...

Did the below in COD. At around 100FPS, so not capping out on refresh rate.

CPU not full 100% but GPU only reaching 50% ish.....!

GPU-CPU-usage.png
 
mpj88 said:
165Hz refresh rate, cap set at 160 and G-sync on.
Click to expand...
new CPU time buddy, could even been ram speed or storage speed limiting but something's holding it back

i won a 4070 and tested it for a bit with a 11700kf, its a very good GPU
but that said 100FPS in a AAA title @ 1440 is good for a 4th gen i7 i would not ben upset haha

EDIT:
Kingston HyperX 8GB 2400MHz // is this the ram your running?
 
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Wing-Man said:
new CPU time buddy, could even been ram speed or storage speed limiting but something's holding it back

i won a 4070 and tested it for a bit with a 11700kf, its a very good GPU
but that said 100FPS in a AAA title @ 1440 is good for a 4th gen i7

EDIT:
Kingston HyperX 8GB 2400MHz // is this the ram your running?
Click to expand...
Yeah certainly sounds like it.

I do have a lot of non essential graphics bits turned down to low or off to try and keep FPS up.

RAM needed updating in my sig - Now using G.Skill F3-2400C10D-16GTX
 
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