Bottleneck Calculator
Find out if your CPU and GPU are balanced. Get performance insights and upgrade recommendations for gaming, streaming, and more.
How Does The Bottleneck Calculator Work?
Get accurate PC bottleneck analysis in three simple steps. Our calculator uses performance benchmarks to identify hardware imbalances.
Select Your CPU
Choose from 140+ processors including Intel Core and AMD Ryzen series
Choose Your GPU
Pick from 100+ graphics cards from NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon families
Get Instant Analysis
Receive detailed bottleneck percentage, performance insights, and upgrade recommendations
Why Use Our Bottleneck Calculator?
Make informed hardware decisions with comprehensive analysis tools designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts.
Accurate Bottleneck Detection
Precise percentage-based analysis showing exactly where your system’s performance is limited
6 Usage Scenarios
Optimized calculations for Gaming, Streaming, Video Editing, 3D Rendering, AI/ML, and General use
Resolution-Based Analysis
Get specific results for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming to match your monitor setup.
Target FPS Consideration
Factor in your desired frame rate for more accurate real-world performance predictions
Upgrade Recommendations
Get actionable suggestions on whether to upgrade your CPU, GPU, or both components.
RAM Impact Calculation
Understand how your system memory affects overall performance and bottleneck severity.
Why Use Our Bottleneck Calculator?
Make informed hardware decisions with comprehensive analysis tools designed for gamers and PC enthusiasts.
| CPU | GPU | Bottleneck | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-14600K | NVIDIA RTX 4070 | ✓ 3% | Excellent pairing for 1440p gaming |
| AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | NVIDIA RTX 4080 | ✓ 2% | Top-tier gaming performance |
| Intel Core i5-12400F | NVIDIA RTX 3060 | ✓ 5% | Great budget 1080p build |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti | ⚠ 12% | Consider CPU upgrade for full GPU potential |
| Intel Core i9-14900K | NVIDIA RTX 4060 | ⚠ 15% | GPU limiting high-end CPU |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | NVIDIA RTX 4080 | ✘ 28% | Significant CPU bottleneck - upgrade recommended |
Trusted by PC Enthusiasts Worldwide
Built for accuracy, designed for simplicity
140+ CPUs & 100+ GPUs
Comprehensive database covering Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA hardware
Regularly Updated
New processors and graphics cards added as they release
No Data Collection
Your hardware choices stay private - no tracking or accounts required
Instant Results
Get detailed analysis in seconds with no waiting or loading
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about PC bottlenecks, performance optimization, and hardware compatibility.
What is a PC bottleneck?
A bottleneck is when one component (usually the CPU or GPU) reaches its maximum capacity and prevents other parts from performing at their full potential.
How is the bottleneck percentage calculated?
Our calculator uses relative performance scores for CPUs and GPUs based on benchmark data. We compare the theoretical maximum output of each component and calculate the percentage difference. The calculation also factors in your chosen resolution (higher resolutions are more GPU-dependent), target FPS, RAM amount, and specific use case like gaming or video editing.
Is a 10% bottleneck bad?
A 10% bottleneck is generally acceptable and common in most PC builds. Perfect balance (0%) is nearly impossible to achieve. Bottlenecks under 10-15% are considered minimal and won’t significantly impact your experience. However, bottlenecks above 20-25% indicate a notable performance loss where upgrading the limiting component would provide meaningful improvements.
Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU first?
A 10% bottleneck is generally acceptable and common in most PC bIt depends on which component is causing the bottleneck. If you have a CPU bottleneck, your processor is the limiting factor—upgrading your GPU won’t help much until you upgrade the CPU. Conversely, if you have a GPU bottleneck, your graphics card is holding back performance. Our calculator tells you exactly which component to prioritize for the best performance gains.
Does RAM affect bottleneck calculations?
Yes, RAM can influence system performance and bottleneck severity. Insufficient RAM (below 16GB for modern gaming) can cause stuttering and limit both CPU and GPU performance. Our calculator considers RAM amount to provide more accurate results. For gaming in 2024, 16GB is the minimum recommended, with 32GB ideal for content creation and streaming.
What resolution should I game at with my hardware?
The optimal resolution depends on your GPU power relative to your CPU. At 1080p, games are more CPU-dependent, so a strong CPU is important. At 4K, games become heavily GPU-dependent, making your graphics card the priority. If you have a powerful GPU but modest CPU, gaming at higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K can actually reduce CPU bottleneck by shifting more work to the GPU.
How accurate is this bottleneck calculator?
Our calculator provides estimates based on synthetic benchmark scores and general performance characteristics. Real-world results vary depending on specific games (some are CPU-heavy, others GPU-heavy), game settings, background applications, and driver optimizations. Use our results as a helpful guide for upgrade decisions, but consider game-specific benchmarks for the most accurate predictions.