i3 6100 to i5 6500 OR better GPU - for CSGO low resolution

[idontknowwhatcpu]

Hey guys, let me explain my scenario. 2 weeks ago I build a new computer, with the i3 6100 as the cpu. I play csgo on low 1024x768 stretched settings, with all details on low (competetive player). Currently I tested all that with the integrated HD 530 GPU from the i3.

Before you bash the integrated gpu since its not optimal of course. Im wondering what I should do... Is the i3 6100 defentley enough with a better gpu for 200fps stable? OR is it not? Because when Im monitoring my usage of the cpu and gpu, I see bascially both at 70% to 80% with the GPU slightly more going towards 90%. And of course in the end I need a better gpu, but what makes more sense?

I found out that the lower you go on the settings the more it becomes a cpu bound game. So would I actually get slightly more fps with just having the i5 6500 while still playing with the integrated gpu? Or is it that the i3 is way enough for that and I only need a better gpu? The thing is, with the integrated gpu its really almost playable, it feels like I need just 30-40 fps more to be actually able to play without having the need yet, for a better gpu. Will I get these few more fps with just the better cpu or is it really only the gpu?

Thanks for help.

 

[Wulffz]

The cpu is enough for CSGO, it's just the integrated graphics that isn't strong enough. You could go for a better CPU but that won't give you a good enough performance boost. Going with a graphics card will do the trick. For CSGO on 1080p you can get away with a GTX 750 and still handle harder games.

Your current restriction is not having a GPU.

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

The cpu is enough for CSGO, it's just the integrated graphics that isn't strong enough. You could go for a better CPU but that won't give you a good enough performance boost. Going with a graphics card will do the trick. For CSGO on 1080p you can get away with a GTX 750 and still handle harder games.

Your current restriction is not having a GPU.

Thanks for the answer. But as I said, the 1080p is really unimportant. Beucase then you have more load on the gpu and less on the cpu. I only play on the 1024x768 low settings and there the cpu is important. But the question is, how important is it? Or what is the better thing to do...all these benchmarks are always considering normal game titles with mid or high settings, instead of showing how the i3 performs on pure fps orientated style of play/settings. thats why i am not sure.

 

[Wulffz]

Even at the low resolutions and quality settings the integrated GPU won't be enough. Even in an i5 CPU. I build a pc with an i5 for a friend and we made the test. GPU is necessary for gaming. I don't see why you would want to play at a low resolution anyway. It's not expensive to buy a basic GPU for low end games like CSGO.

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

Even at the low resolutions and quality settings the integrated GPU won't be enough. Even in an i5 CPU. I build a pc with an i5 for a friend and we made the test. GPU is necessary for gaming. I don't see why you would want to play at a low resolution anyway. It's not expensive to buy a basic GPU for low end games like CSGO.

Because I need 200 fps in csgo. Everything above 100 is fine of course and you hardly notice a difference then. But below 100 fps I 100% notice a difference. And so my main focus is on the fps on low resolution. That's why I need help in that particular case. If you look on my situation with average pc gamer eyes, yes sure, its just the gpu without a doubt. But maybe not in my case. I do need a better gpu all in all, without a doubt. But I could now either go for the i5 and buy a gpu later, or I could go for a gpu directly. I want to make sure, I can play csgo on an average of 200 fps for the next 2 years.

And due to that, I need someone who knows how this is gonna be possible. With the i3 or only with the i5. If the i3 gives me 200fps on average with a better gpu, without having little lags and spikes from the i3, okay. If not then I skip the gpu for a few more weeks and go for the i5. But I do not need a better cpu by itself, cause I do nothing besides csgo and desktop use. Thats why I dont want to waiste money for the wrong decision.

 

[Dooop805]

CS is a CPU bound game for sure but you could probably accomplish 30-50fps gain just by getting an i5, but pretty much everyother game your going to want to play will benefit from a new GPU far more... A 1050/ti with your i3 is probably a better option plus its cheaper than a new CPU. What kind of frames do you get right now?

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

CS is a CPU bound game for sure but you could probably accomplish 30-50fps gain just by getting an i5, but pretty much everyother game your going to want to play will benefit from a new GPU far more... A 1050/ti with your i3 is probably a better option plus its cheaper than a new CPU. What kind of frames do you get right now?

Yea, right now I am getting around 100-150 fps but sadly with sometimes drops to below 100 and when I stand in front of smokes it even goes down to 70-80. Thats why I asked if I will get 20-30 more fps with just the i5. Because I think then on the long run, when I buy a better gpu later down the road..well then I get more like 300 fps on avarage. But if the i3 would give me the 200 avarage too, then id go directly for the gpu. But yea....

 

[Dooop805]

If you want I can turn off half my i7 and run CS with a GPU n see if it will get around 200fps.

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

Thats how it looks on a 5v5 comp on my low settings adn resolution. And thats where Im getting my 100-150 fps on avarage with these few drops below 100. Actually it looks like both is shit, the gpu and cpu 😀 Thats why Im so mad with not knowing what to do now....

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

If you want I can turn off half my i7 and run CS with a GPU n see if it will get around 200fps.

you mean dropping it to i3 6100 settings? Or you wanna test how it runs with the integrated gpu? However, that would be great to see! Thanks in advance mate!

 

[Wulffz]

Well I can tell you that my gtx 960 runs CSGO at 250FPS at max settings 1080p with an i5.
My other PC that has an i3 can't run CSGO at 40 FPS with it's integrated GPU. But when putting my 960 in it goes to 200fps average sometimes going below that. CSGO isn't that CPU intensive that it needs a hecta core CPU.. So to answer your concern. On a lower resolution this will gain you more FPS, but not that big of a difference.

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

Well I can tell you that my gtx 960 runs CSGO at 250FPS at max settings 1080p with an i5.
My other PC that has an i3 can't run CSGO at 40 FPS with it's integrated GPU. But when putting my 960 in it goes to 200fps average sometimes going below that. CSGO isn't that CPU intensive that it needs a hecta core CPU.. So to answer your concern. On a lower resolution this will gain you more FPS, but not that big of a difference.

yea and it would be intersting to see what happens if you put the settings as low as i play, with the i3 and the 960. Because then the gpu usage will go down a lot, passing more fps to the cpu and then the cpu would come a way more into play. What propably would happen tho, is that it doenst matter. You get 200 fps on high settings, if you go on low settings it will be the same fps, because then the i3 starts bottlenecking due to having 250+ fps.

 

[Wulffz]

The thing is that your monitor will rather bottleneck. If a game runs 60fps+ on a 60hz monitor you can't profit from those 250+ fps. It's smooth enough, better than sitting between 50-60 fps. But once you go above you really want higher refresh rates on your monitor if you are going very competitive in CSGO.

 

[madmatt30]

The i3 6100 is stronger for csgo than the i5 6500.
The igp on both chips is exactly the same.
A GPU will be more beneficial than touching the CPU.

 

[Dooop805]

you mean dropping it to i3 6100 settings? Or you wanna test how it runs with the integrated gpu? However, that would be great to see! Thanks in advance mate![/quotemsg]

I cant really turn off my GPU but with it and 2 cores off 170 around cat/mid 200+ t spawn 175 ct spawn 180-200 A 180-280 B Dust2
just shaders on low 1080

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

The i3 6100 is stronger for csgo than the i5 6500.
The igp on both chips is exactly the same.
A GPU will be more beneficial than touching the CPU.

Any kind of proof for that besides the term that "csgo is a more single core based game that uses mostly 2 cores"...dont get me wrong, I dont wanna sound offensive. I just say it this way, because in fact csgo can use more cores and I am REALLY not sure if this is true. But if its true what you are saying, I would be very happy and my question would have been answered. But Id need some kind of proof for that, if you have one. Cheers and thanks for reply anway!

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

The thing is that your monitor will rather bottleneck. If a game runs 60fps+ on a 60hz monitor you can't profit from those 250+ fps. It's smooth enough, better than sitting between 50-60 fps. But once you go above you really want higher refresh rates on your monitor if you are going very competitive in CSGO.

Thats true to a certain degree. Because saying that on a 60herz monitor I wouldnt notice a difference between 60 and 150 fps, is just not true. If that is true, im totally retarded. Because I feel it when I play..everytime it feels strange and look on the fps, im below 100 like on 80 fps. But in general: yes, a better monitor with more hz would be benefical.

 

[idontknowwhatcpu]

CS is a CPU bound game for sure but you could probably accomplish 30-50fps gain just by getting an i5, but pretty much everyother game your going to want to play will benefit from a new GPU far more... A 1050/ti with your i3 is probably a better option plus its cheaper than a new CPU. What kind of frames do you get right now?

Yea, right now I am getting around 100-150 fps but sadly with sometimes drops to below 100 and when I stand in front of smokes it even goes down to 70-80. Thats why I asked if I will get 20-30 more fps with just the i5. Because I think then on the long run, when I buy a better gpu later down the road..well then I get more like 300 fps on avarage. But if the i3 would give me the 200 avarage too, then id go directly for the gpu. But yea....

If you want I can turn off half my i7 and run CS with a GPU n see if it will get around 200fps.

you mean dropping it to i3 6100 settings? Or you wanna test how it runs with the integrated gpu? However, that would be great to see! Thanks in advance mate!

170 around cat/mid 200+ t spawn 175 ct spawn 180-200 A 180-280 B Dust2
just shaders on low

thanks for testing mate, I appreciate it! But still I dont know if it would be still enough for the next time,with just the i5... I mean you played dust2...that isnt as hard as inferno or cobblestone. but well who knows