Buying new parts, bottleneck issue.

[StaticDrift]

So right now in my current build, I have a GTX 660 as well as an AMD FX-6200. I want to upgrade to an i7-6700k, however apparently my GPU can bottleneck my CPU? I just want to know if even if the i7 DOES bottleneck, will it run faster than my current CPU? I WILL get another GPU like the 1070 or 80 eventually, but right now I don't have the money for a good card AND CPU at the moment. So just to recap, the big question is: Will a bottlenecked i7 6700k still run faster than a non bottlenecked AMD FX 6200?

 

[Ecky]

Most people misunderstand bottlenecking.

Sometimes, your GPU is what holds back your framerates. To improve your framerates when your GPU is holding them back, you can lower graphical settings.

Sometimes, your CPU is what holds back your framerates. There are generally no in-game settings to improve this.

If one weren't bottlenecking the other, your framerates would be infinite. One or the other is always the limitation. The question is, does your combination of CPU and GPU allow you to play the games you like, at graphical settings that are pleasing to you, at framerates that don't bother you?

The i7 is a much more powerful CPU, and when it's the limiting factor, it will be at a much higher framerate than with the FX.

 

[geofelt]

Very good points from Ecky.
How to tell?
Here is my stock answer:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

And for just gaming, an overclocked i5-6600K will perform about as well as a more expensive i7-6700K.

 

[StaticDrift]

Very good points from Ecky.
How to tell?
Here is my stock answer:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

And for just gaming, an overclocked i5-6600K will perform about as well as a more expensive i7-6700K.

OMG! I WAS ALWAYS WONDERING WHY LOWERING MY RESOLUTION FROM 1080 TO 720 DID NOTHING! Lol. So considering my issue here, my GTX 660 is more powerful than my FX, resulting in a current bottleneck issue RIGHT NOW?!

 

[Ecky]

If lowering your resolution does not increase FPS, in this particular instance your CPU is likely what is preventing your framerates from being higher.

You will, of course, find instances where the GPU is the limiting factor too. Every game is both CPU and GPU limited in some place or other.

 

[geofelt]

Very good points from Ecky.
How to tell?
Here is my stock answer:
------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. You will need to reboot for the change to take effect. Set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

And for just gaming, an overclocked i5-6600K will perform about as well as a more expensive i7-6700K.

OMG! I WAS ALWAYS WONDERING WHY LOWERING MY RESOLUTION FROM 1080 TO 720 DID NOTHING! Lol. So considering my issue here, my GTX 660 is more powerful than my FX, resulting in a current bottleneck issue RIGHT NOW?!

Exactly.