Would a A8-5600K bottleneck an R9 270X?

[Stennersaurus]

My brother recently got a new PC, but the CPU is only dual core, so the R9 270X isn't really performing with games such as Far Cry 4. Would an A8-5600K be a more suitible choice? Or would that be a bottleneck? Thanks

 

[TechyInAZ]

A8 will be okish, but don't get an APU if you already have a dGPU. Get an Athlon x4 860K. What motherboard do you have?

 

[Stennersaurus]

A8 will be okish, but don't get an APU if you already have a dGPU. Get an Athlon x4 860K. What motherboard do you have?

Hi, thanks for the reply.
The motherboard is the Gigabyte F2A88XM-DS2

 

[geofelt]

What is the current dual core cpu?
What is the current motherboard?

The A8-5600K is a quad core, but the individual cores are slow.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU 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 more cpu limited.

b) 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. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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.

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.

 

[TechyInAZ]

This will work with that motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113379

Quad core, no igpu so your saving around $50 compared to a A10-7700K.

 

[Stennersaurus]

What is the current dual core cpu?
What is the current motherboard?

The A8-5600K is a quad core, but the individual cores are slow.

To help clarify your CPU/GPU 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 more cpu limited.

b) 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. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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.

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.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation. I did try lowering the graphical settings, all the way to the bottom, and it could still only peek at 25FPS, which is why I suspected a bottleneck.

 

[Stennersaurus]

This will work with that motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113379

Quad core, no igpu so your saving around $50 compared to a A10-7700K.

Thank you very much. Whilst the other guy did give a very insightful explanation, I still essentially need a CPU replacement, so thanks.

 

[TechyInAZ]

This will work with that motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113379

Quad core, no igpu so your saving around $50 compared to a A10-7700K.

Thank you very much. Whilst the other guy did give a very insightful explanation, I still essentially need a CPU replacement, so thanks.

Sure, and if that CPU is still out of stock when you buy it then you can find it on amazon.com.

 

[RazerZ]

Completely agree to get the Athlon X4 860k. Most of your bottleneck will be gone and games will be very playable. Your motherboard might need a BIOS update to support the 860k.

 

[Stennersaurus]

This will work with that motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113379

Quad core, no igpu so your saving around $50 compared to a A10-7700K.

Thank you very much. Whilst the other guy did give a very insightful explanation, I still essentially need a CPU replacement, so thanks.

Sure, and if that CPU is still out of stock when you buy it then you can find it on amazon.com.

Yeah, I live in the UK so I copied the CPU name straight over to Amazon, as Newegg isn't an option.

 

[Stennersaurus]

Completely agree to get the Athlon X4 860k. Most of your bottleneck will be gone and games will be very playable. Your motherboard might need a BIOS update to support the 860k.

Ah yes, a BIOS update is always a good idea to prevent problems later