I5-2500 bottlenecking gtx 970.

[Egonslosse]

Hi i've noticed that my i5-2500 is bottlenecking my gpu in games such as GTA V, any advice on maybe getting a new cpu?

My build:
Gtx 970 strix
16 gigs of ddr3 ram
i5 2500

 

[sizzling]

Without changing motherboard then no. What's the budget? Have you tried turning the graphics detail up? This puts more load on the gpu, slowing the fps and gives the CPU more time between each frame

 

[Luminary]

The i5-2500 is a solid CPU in that socket range. If you really want to keep your current motherboard and socket the unlocked 'k' version of the 2500 would be the best choice, it can handle spectacular overclocking.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $199.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-11-30 11:56 EST-0500

Beyond that you'll need to look at upgrading to a different motherboard/ socket as well like the Haswell (1150) or Skylake (1151). It would probably be a wiser investment of money to save up for a total socket upgrade.

 

[Darkseiders]

Are you certain your GPU is being bottlenecked?

 

[Egonslosse]

Are you certain your GPU is being bottlenecked?

As i'm playing gta V it spikes up on the overall gpu level in the msi afterburner to 99% so yes, i think so?

 

[Darkseiders]

No, if your gpu isn't working very hard, and your cpu is at 100%, then you are experiencing bottlenecking.

 

[bignastyid]

Are you certain your GPU is being bottlenecked?

As i'm playing gta V it spikes up on the overall gpu level in the msi afterburner to 99% so yes, i think so?

That's not a cpu bottlneck. If you had a CPU bottleneck then the cpu would be maxed and the gpu would have lower usage.

 

[Obnoxious]

Are you certain your GPU is being bottlenecked?

As i'm playing gta V it spikes up on the overall gpu level in the msi afterburner to 99% so yes, i think so?

If your GPU usage is at 99% then you do NOT have a bottleneck in your system. Your graphics card is able to utilise all of it's processing power. For example, if your CPU is at 100% usage and your GPU only at 50% then this would indicate a CPU bottleneck; as your CPU is at it's maximum performance level, holding your GPU back from performing any better than 50% (as an example). As this is not the case, you do not have a bottleneck.

Your system is performing perfectly fine, your GPU is being correctly utilised. If you want better performance in graphics, then you should look at upgrading your GPU, although this is not necessary if you're satisfied with the performance you're receiving. When gaming the usage level of your GPU increasing is normal, as your graphics card is working harder to provide you the graphical renderings; this is true for any graphics card you purchase, although higher-end graphics cards won't increase in GPU usage as much, dependant on graphical use of course (i.e. the resolution and the amount of monitors).

As mentioned by others, your existing i5-2500 is still a solid processor today and is perfectly adequate for gaming. If you do want to upgrade your CPU in the future, you can always upgrade to an i7 or even a 3rd generation (Ivy Bridge) i5/i7 depending on your motherboard's chipset; certain socket 1155 motherboards received a BIOS update to support Ivy Bridge/3rd generation, you will be able to find out the details of your specific motherboard if you visit the manufacturers website. You could consider that in the future, but personally I would not upgrade your CPU as it is NOT a bottleneck and still a solid processor for gaming.

All the best.