Is my CPU bottlenecking my GPU?

[Sand Paper]

When I play game such as Just Cause 2 Multiplayer, I get CPU load around 68% whilst I get a GPU load of around 30%, does this show that my CPU bottlenecks my GPU or not?

GPU: Sapphire r9 280x 3gb.
CPU: AMD a10-5800k quad core 3.8Ghz (overclocked to 4.0)

Thank you

 

[Calnin]

If you're playing on a 60Hz monitor and you're getting over 60fps, then it wouldn't matter whether you do or not. As for the bottlenecking itself, it's possible. I would say not too likely though.

 

[Sand Paper]

When you say over 60fps, do you mean constant or could drop below 60 when its hectic?

 

[Calnin]

I normally expect frames drops. And those frames drops can be either bottleneck from hardware or the software depending on what you're playing. If you get some drops when things get chaotic, it's still fine. I still get frames drops in some games where my system should perfectly be able to render everything on the screen in games that aren't very intensive.

 

[geofelt]

How did you measure cpu% ?
It can be very misleading because windows spreads cpu activity out over the cores available.
You could very well be running a game that uses only one core or two.

I suggest you run a couple of tests:

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 could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. 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.

Or... 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.

Considering that the price of your graphics card is about 2x the cost of the cpu, I would guess that you are roughly balanced between the two.

 

[Sand Paper]

My mistake, I actually overclocked the CPU to 4.2Ghz.