Question Is my new build well balanced or will it bottleneck ?

[HamishZwar]

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to upgrade soon and I’m not sure if this setup will be balanced enough:

• CPU: Intel i5-12400F
• GPU: RTX 3060 Ti
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
• Monitor: 1080p 144Hz

I’ve read about CPU/GPU bottlenecks but I’m a bit confused about how to check if this build will run smoothly. Some people say calculators are useful, others say benchmarks are better.
How do you usually check for bottlenecks? Do you just look at benchmarks or use some kind of tool?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Aeacus]

In every system, performance is limited what the hardware is capable of.

For example, in CPU bound game (e.g Cities: Skylines), the FPS is limited on what CPU is able to compute. The better the CPU - the more FPS you get. But since CPU bound games are usually slow-paced strategy games, high FPS isn't needed for them. GPU plays a little role in such games.

But for GPU bound games (e.g Cyberpunk 2077), the FPS is limited on what GPU is able to produce. The better the GPU - the more FPS you get. And since most faced-paced games are GPU bound, high FPS matters quite a bit. Due to that, many people upgrade their GPU far often than that of a CPU.

It is nigh-impossible to create a system that utilizes both the CPU and GPU at same level when gaming. Because there aren't any modern games that only utilize CPU or GPU. Both are utilized, but depending on a game, either CPU or GPU is favored more.
Well, if you focus on one single game, you can create that balanced system but once you change to another game, all that balance is out of the window.

No matter how you look at it, FPS will always be limited by what CPU or GPU can provide, thus, there is no such thing as "bottleneck".

 

[HamishZwar]

In every system, performance is limited what the hardware is capable of.

For example, in CPU bound game (e.g Cities: Skylines), the FPS is limited on what CPU is able to compute. The better the CPU - the more FPS you get. But since CPU bound games are usually slow-paced strategy games, high FPS isn't needed for them. GPU plays a little role in such games.

But for GPU bound games (e.g Cyberpunk 2077), the FPS is limited on what GPU is able to produce. The better the GPU - the more FPS you get. And since most faced-paced games are GPU bound, high FPS matters quite a bit. Due to that, many people upgrade their GPU far often than that of a CPU.

It is nigh-impossible to create a system that utilizes both the CPU and GPU at same level when gaming. Because there aren't any modern games that only utilize CPU or GPU. Both are utilized, but depending on a game, either CPU or GPU is favored more.
Well, if you focus on one single game, you can create that balanced system but once you change to another game, all that balance is out of the window.

No matter how you look at it, FPS will always be limited by what CPU or GPU can provide, thus, there is no such thing as "bottleneck".

Good explanation @Aeacus 👌
I’ve also noticed that the balance between CPU and GPU really depends on the game you’re playing. That’s why so many people get confused about what a bottleneck actually means.

I agree that it’s almost impossible to build a system that’s perfectly balanced for every situation. But at the same time, it’s still useful to have an idea of which component is limiting performance the most, otherwise it’s hard to decide what to upgrade next.

Personally, I think checking for bottlenecks can be a good guideline, but the final word always comes from real benchmarks and actual in-game performance.

 

[Gururu]

Yes, definitely look at the games you wish to play and do some research on how some of those components you have selected will perform. For example this.

 

[logainofhades]

What are you upgrading from?

 

[geofelt]

There is no such thing as "bottlenecking"
If, by that, you mean that upgrading a cpu or graphics card can
somehow lower your performance or FPS.
A better term might be limiting factor.
That is where adding more cpu or gpu becomes increasingly
less effective.
Bottleneck calculators like user benchmark are useless and mostly marketing.
YOUR experience is what counts.

I would think the parts you listed would be considered as balanced.
I would not buy a F suffix processor; the integrated processor can be important if you have gpu issues. The extra $30 or so is good insurance.

If you are upgrading, make it a biggish jump, or you may be disappointed if you don't see magical results.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

The biggest bottleneck on any computer system is the user in front of the keyboard! 🤣

 

[USAFRet]

Personally, I think checking for bottlenecks can be a good guideline

"bottleneck calculators" are pure garbage.
Inaccurate at best, totally misleading at worst.
No connection with any reality.

 

[Aeacus]

I agree that it’s almost impossible to build a system that’s perfectly balanced for every situation. But at the same time, it’s still useful to have an idea of which component is limiting performance the most, otherwise it’s hard to decide what to upgrade next.

Personally, I think checking for bottlenecks can be a good guideline, but the final word always comes from real benchmarks and actual in-game performance.

Only way to know (also the best way), is when you do real world gaming test.

Since it is difficult, if not impossible, to reduce CPU load in games, CPU can't be tested. But since almost all games have graphical settings that you can adjust, you can easily reduce or increase load on GPU. And to know which of the two: CPU or GPU, upgrade benefits, you need to make a simple test;

Play 2-3 of your games on high/ultra settings and note down average FPS.
Then, play same games again but put graphical settings to low/min. Look if FPS did increase or not.

If FPS did increase in a meaningful way (more than 5 FPS), then better GPU gives more FPS.
But if FPS didn't increase or remains within negligible difference (+/- 5FPS), then you're held back by CPU and better GPU does 0.

Above applies when you already have a PC and you're contemplating which of the two to upgrade: CPU or GPU.

I’m planning to upgrade soon and I’m not sure if this setup will be balanced enough:

Now, if you build new PC off the bat, then i suggest going with (far) beefier CPU, rather than beefier GPU.

This is due to the facts that most games are GPU bound and it is far easier to replace GPU than CPU.

Replacing CPU takes quite a bit of work:
1. Remove CPU cooler.
2. Clean thermal paste from the cooler cold plate (e.g with isopropyl alcohol).
3. Remove old CPU.
4. Put in new CPU, while making sure you don't bend/break any CPU socket pins. (If you do, MoBo is bricked).
5. Put thermal paste on CPU.
6. Put CPU cooler back.

While replacing GPU is far easier with minimal (or no) risk:
1. Remove PCI-E power connector.
2. Unscrew PCI screw(s) holding GPU in place.
3. Release PCI-E slot latch (many modern MoBos have this release mechanism far easier).
4. Pull out old GPU.
5. Slot in new GPU.
6. Screw PCI screw(s) in place.
7. Connect PCI-E power connector.

Going with Core i5/Ryzen 5 CPU can last you ~10 years when you play on 1080p and make a GPU upgrade in 5 years time or so. Also, GPUs for 1080p gaming are far cheaper than those for 1440p or 4K gaming.

But if you have ample funds, you can go with Core i7/Ryzen 7 (or even Core i9/Ryzen 9). And match the GPU for CPU, e.g for 1440p or 4K gaming. And again, in 3-5 year time (depending on your FPS target), upgrade the GPU.

CPU is rarely upgraded within the same MoBo. Since it takes quite a bit of work to replace it and carries high risk (bending CPU socket pins). And by the time the CPU upgrade would be needed (e.g you're running Core i3/Ryzen 3), the platform itself is so old, that new CPU-MoBo combo offers far better value, than upgrading to better CPU within same MoBo.


When i initially bought my Skylake build (full specs with pics in my sig), back in 2016, Intel 6th gen was the latest and greatest. I went with i5-6600K. Whereby my CPU upgrade paths were: i7-6700K or i7-7700K. Once Kaby Lake (7th gen) released, i7-7700K costed a lot (and it still does), while giving me mere ~20% uplift in performance.
Since my i5-6600K was enough for my 1080p gaming in the past 9 years, i didn't upgrade the CPU. But my build did see one GPU upgrade in 2020.

Now, with Win10 support ending and my build not being compatible with Win11, new CPU-MoBo combo is needed. And that is what i'm currently doing as well. I've already picked out components to upgrade and also ordered some of them. MoBo, RAM and new CPU cooler will arrive this month. Next month comes CPU, Win11 retail license and new M.2 SSD (for OS). While the rest of the components i'm reusing.

Due to funds available, i've decided to go with Ryzen 7 9800X3D, aka king of games. Best CPU currently for gaming. Performance uplift will be massive,
comparison: https://technical.city/en/cpu/Core-i5-6600K-vs-Ryzen-7-9800X3D

Now, i won't be playing on 1440p or 4K, instead, i'm sticking to 1080p. But going with beefier CPU off the bat, means i can keep the CPU around for far longer, while upgrading GPUs based on my needs. I also mostly play simulation games, that are more CPU bound anyways.

• CPU: Intel i5-12400F
• GPU: RTX 3060 Ti
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
• Monitor: 1080p 144Hz

Now, if the build you listed is the components you plan to go for, i suggest getting better CPU (for reasons i listed above).

E.g R5 9600X. Solid, mid-tier gaming CPU from AMD.
Comparison: https://technical.city/en/cpu/Core-i5-12400F-vs-Ryzen-5-9600X

Unless you're currently running Intel Core i3 and already have LGA1700 socket MoBo, i would not go with Intel CPU as an upgrade. Ryzen 9000-series currently offer the best value.

But if you do have LGA1700 socket MoBo, avoid F-suffix CPUs.
Sure, iGPU isn't mostly used when you have dedicated GPU. But if something should happen with your GPU, iGPU is godsend. You can then connect monitor to MoBo and use the PC again. Web browsing and light gaming.

Also, for LGA1700 socket MoBo, you can use any Intel 12th, 13th and 14th gen CPU. Like i5-14600K, which offers double the performance over i5-12400F,
comparison: https://technical.city/en/cpu/Core-i5-12400F-vs-Core-i5-14600K

While costing less than double (meaning, better value),
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/pQNxFT,jXFmP6/

Also, i5-14600K would better stand against time, than much weaker i5-12400F.