Bottleneck calculator
With a Ryzen 5 3600 and an RTX 4070, the processor is the bottleneck: it limits FPS in 98 of 102 games at 1080p, so the card runs at about 47% of its potential (65% at 1440p). Pick your own processor and graphics card below to see your PC.
Your PCExample PC
Your Ryzen 5 3600 is holding the RTX 4070 back
Result
Your Ryzen 5 3600 is holding the RTX 4070 back
With a Ryzen 5 3600 and an RTX 4070, the processor is the bottleneck: it limits FPS in 98 of 102 games at 1080p, so the card runs at about 47% of its potential (65% at 1440p).
- 1080p47% of the card used · processor limits 98 of 102 games
- 1440p65% of the card used · processor limits 79 of 102 games
- 4K91% of the card used · processor limits 21 of 102 games
Upgrade first
The processor. A Core i5-13400F or faster would let the RTX 4070 run at full speed.
Estimates from our FPS model across 102 games at High settings, not measurements. How we estimate
How the bottleneck calculator works
For each of the 102 games we cover, our model estimates two numbers at High settings: how many frames your graphics card could draw, and how many your processor could prepare. The lower one is your FPS. If the processor is lower, the card waits for it, and the percentage shows how much of the card's potential you actually use, averaged over all games.
The verdict uses the same balance rule as our PC vs PC tool: if the graphics card's index is more than 15% above the processor's on our scale, the processor holds it back; if the card is under 40% of the processor, the card is the weak part. Higher resolutions load the card more, so a processor bottleneck at 1080p often fades at 1440p and 4K.
Every number here is an estimate, not a measurement. See how we estimate FPS.
Bottleneck FAQs
What is a CPU or GPU bottleneck?
The part that limits your FPS. If the processor can't prepare frames as fast as the graphics card can draw them, the processor is the bottleneck and the card sits partly idle. If the card is slower, it sets the limit instead.
How is the bottleneck calculated?
For every game we estimate the FPS your graphics card could draw and the FPS your processor could feed at High settings. The lower one sets your FPS; the share of the card's potential you actually reach, averaged over all games, is the percentage shown.
Is a small bottleneck bad?
No. Every PC has one part that limits FPS. Using 85-100% of your graphics card is a sensible match; well under that means your card is waiting for the processor in many games.
Does resolution change the bottleneck?
Yes. Higher resolutions make the graphics card work harder while the processor's job barely changes, so a processor bottleneck at 1080p often disappears at 1440p or 4K.
Should I upgrade the CPU or the GPU first?
Upgrade the processor first when it clearly holds the card back (the card's index is more than about 15% above the processor's on our scale). Otherwise upgrade the graphics card: it decides most of your FPS.
How accurate is the bottleneck calculator?
It's an estimate from our FPS model, not a measurement. Real bottlenecks also depend on the game, settings, background apps and RAM speed. Use it to decide which part to look at first.