Is my CPU bottlenecking my GPU?

[Shadowblade2652]

Hi all,
I recently upgraded my computer to the following specs:
CPU: AMD A8-5600k clocked at 3.8GHz (OC)
RAM: 4GB G.Skill 1600MHz
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660TI SE (EVGA) 2GB GDDR5
OS: Windows 8.1

I have a problem running certain games. I can max out games like Borderlands 2 and still get respectable framerates, as well as Battlefield 3. I cannot, however run BF4 smoothly on low-medium settings because the game is very very stuttery. I will have 40FPS one moment and next I'll have around 5 - 10. It's very annoying and I have no clue how to fix it. Is the CPU the reason for the bottleneck, or does it have to do with RAM (I will get 2GB more soon so I'll have 6GB total)?

(Also as a side note, I run the games at 1600x900. I don't run them at 1080p.)

 

[Shadowblade2652]

Your CPU is most definitely bottle necking your rig man. But you can always lower resolution and see fit hat takes the stress off of the CPU.

Lowering resolution puts MORE strain on the CPU. Upping the resolution puts MORE strain on the GPU.

If the reverse were true we'd see people investing in higher end processors and not graphics cards for 1600p and 4K.

Make sense?

Makes perfect sense. I don't think that my CPU is bottlenecking that much, compared to something like RAM. My HDDs are 7200 RPM, if that's important? (But, perhaps, the game is loaded onto my 5400RPM drive. Maybe that has something to do with it?)

 

[RussK1]

I would say it's the 4GB of system RAM and the exchange of data between it and the swap while you're in game causing FPS dips and stutters.

 

[Shadowblade2652]

I'm also wondering, what are some good OC settings for my CPU? I have the OC Genie settings enabled, but I'm aware that you can go much higher than that in the custom settings.

 

[Shadowblade2652]

Just saw the benchmarks for the new Pentium G3258, and I'm actually considering it. I think moving to the LGA 1150 platform will be a better move than my current socket since it has more upgradeability. I do have an H100 cooler I can use, or I can use a simple Hyper 212 Evo. The benchmarks are very impressive and the overclockability on this thing is insane, so I'm really considering buying it. What's the general consensus on this thing?