PC BOTTLENECK CALCULATOR

What is a PC Bottleneck?

A bottleneck occurs when one component in your PC limits the performance of other components. For example, a weak CPU might not be able to keep up with a powerful GPU, causing the GPU to wait for instructions and reducing overall system performance.

Our calculator helps you identify these bottlenecks and provides recommendations to optimize your system for better performance.

Try Our Bottleneck Calculator

CPU Bottleneck

A CPU bottleneck happens when your processor cannot keep up with your graphics card. This is common in:

• CPU-intensive games like simulation games or RTS titles
• Systems with a high-end GPU but a budget or older CPU
• Lower resolutions like 1080p where the GPU has less work to do

GPU Bottleneck

A GPU bottleneck occurs when your graphics card limits your system's performance. This typically happens:

• In visually demanding games with high settings
• At higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K
• When your CPU is significantly more powerful than your GPU

RAM Bottleneck

RAM bottlenecks can cause stuttering and slowdowns, especially when:

• You don't have enough RAM for your applications
• Your RAM is too slow for your CPU and GPU
• You're running multiple applications simultaneously

1. Select your CPU from our comprehensive list of processors
2. Choose your GPU from our extensive collection of graphics cards
3. Specify your RAM configuration for more accurate results
4. Set your resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K, etc.)
5. Add advanced options like your specific use case (gaming, video editing, etc.) for tailored results
6. Click "Calculate Bottleneck" to get your results and recommendations

Our calculator provides several key metrics to help you understand your system's balance:

Bottleneck Percentage

This indicates how much one component is limiting another. Lower percentages are better:

• 0-10%: Balanced system, minimal bottlenecking
• 10-20%: Minor bottleneck, still good performance
• 20-30%: Moderate bottleneck, consider upgrading
• 30%+: Significant bottleneck, upgrade recommended

Component Utilization

Shows how much of each component's potential is being used. Ideally, you want balanced utilization across all components.

Recommendations

We provide personalized recommendations to improve your system's balance and performance based on your specific hardware configuration.

For CPU Bottlenecks:

• Upgrade to a CPU with better single-core performance
• Increase your resolution to shift more work to the GPU
• Close background applications to free up CPU resources
• Overclock your CPU if your cooling solution allows

For GPU Bottlenecks:

• Upgrade your graphics card
• Lower game settings, especially GPU-intensive ones like shadows and lighting
• Reduce resolution or use upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR
• Update your graphics drivers

For RAM Bottlenecks:

• Add more RAM if you have free slots
• Upgrade to faster RAM if your motherboard supports it
• Ensure you're running dual-channel memory configuration
• Close memory-intensive background applications