a39232 :
hi, does anyone know if having a highend gpu with a fx 8350 would you use less cpu than lower end gpu for example on bf3 im getting great fps anywaye from 60-30 fps with my fx 8350 and my 7770 gpu but it can go from 45% cpu to 55% of the entire cpu that doesnt seem right. would it use less cpu if I put in like a 7870 or something like that?
I think your cpu usage will go up with a stronger graphics card.
The reasoning is that because the graphics card is less of a bottleneck, the cpu is free to gernerate more frames per second.
The FX series are not known to be good gamers because of their relatively poor efficiency in instructions per clock.
8 cores do not help much because few games use more than 2-3 cores.
With BF3, it matters if you are single player, or multiplayer.
In single player, BF3 is more graphics dependent, and your cpu should be fine.
In multiplayer, the cpu becomes very important. Because of the difficulty of benchmarking multiplayer, there is not a lot of solid evidence on how 8 cores vs. faster cores behave.
To help clarify your options, run these two tests:
a) 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 cpu limited.
b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.
If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.
It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.