CPU–GPU Bottleneck Calculator
Check CPU + GPU balance for gaming, streaming, and editing — and get upgrade suggestions instantly
How it Works
Get a quick, practical performance balance check in under 30 seconds
Select your CPU + GPU
Pick your exact parts (or type them manually)
Choose your workload
Gaming, streaming, or editing — plus resolution
Get results + upgrade advice
See bottleneck percentage and what to upgrade first
AI Assist
Get intelligent performance insights & upgrade advice
Choose your CPU
Choose your GPU
Estimated FPS will appear after calculation
Results will be shown here:
FPS will be Displayed here
Details will show here:
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RTT
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Preset will be Displayed here
Confidence Level
Honest Analysis Badge
Confidence reflects component recognition accuracy and modeling reliability.
Suggestions will be shown here:
Recommended Upgrades
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Bottleneck
Severity
Confidence
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What is a CPU–GPU bottleneck?
A CPU–GPU bottleneck happens when one component in your PC limits the performance of the other, preventing your system from reaching its full potential.
In most cases, it means the CPU can’t process game logic, frames, or tasks fast enough for the GPU to render smoothly — or the GPU can’t keep up with the CPU’s output.
This can lead to lower FPS, unstable frame times, stutters, and reduced overall performance, especially in demanding games or workloads.
Bottlenecks can change depending on your resolution, graphics settings, and the type of workload (gaming, streaming, or editing).
A balanced CPU and GPU combination ensures better performance, smoother gameplay, and smarter upgrades without wasting money.
Frequently Asked Questions
(SiliconStacks Bottleneck Calculator)
What does this bottleneck calculator actually measure? This calculator estimates how balanced your CPU and GPU are for a selected workload and resolution. It focuses on practical performance limitations—meaning it helps identify which part is more likely to hold back FPS, smoothness, or productivity performance in real use
What is considered a “good” bottleneck percentage in this tool? A small bottleneck is normal in most builds. In general, a result that falls in a balanced range indicates your CPU and GPU pairing is efficient for the selected workload. The goal is stable performance and smart upgrades, not chasing a perfect “0% bottleneck.”
Why does changing resolution change my result? Because resolution shifts the load. 1080p often increases CPU pressure due to higher frame output, while 1440p and 4K increase GPU load significantly. That’s why a setup can look CPU-limited at 1080p but appear more GPU-limited at 1440p/4K
Why does workload (Gaming / Streaming / Editing) affect the result? Different tasks stress components differently. Gaming can depend heavily on CPU performance in some titles, while editing and streaming can add extra CPU workload. That’s why SiliconStacks uses workload-aware balancing instead of showing one fixed bottleneck value
How does SiliconStacks decide whether I should upgrade CPU or GPU? Upgrade suggestions are based on which component is limiting performance more for the selected scenario. If the result shows the CPU is restricting GPU potential, the tool recommends CPU upgrades. If the GPU is the limiting factor, it prioritizes GPU upgrades—so you spend money where it actually improves results
Why am I getting only 1 upgrade suggestion sometimes? SiliconStacks uses a conservative upgrade logic. If your build is only slightly imbalanced, the tool may recommend just one key upgrade instead of unnecessary multiple upgrades. This is done to avoid over-spending when your setup is already close to balanced
Can my RAM affect the bottleneck result? Yes. RAM speed, dual-channel memory, and capacity can impact performance—especially for 1080p gaming and CPU-heavy workloads. Even with the same CPU and GPU, weak RAM configurations can cause lower FPS and worse frame consistency
Why is my in-game CPU usage low even when the tool says “CPU bottleneck”? CPU bottlenecks don’t always show as 100% usage. Many games rely on a few CPU cores heavily, so total CPU usage might look low while one or two cores are maxed out—causing stutters, low FPS, or inconsistent frame times
How accurate is this bottleneck calculator? This tool gives a real-world estimate based on CPU–GPU balance, typical performance behavior, and upgrade patterns. Actual results can vary based on the game/app, cooling, drivers, background tasks, and power limits. Use it as a strong guide—not a guaranteed benchmark
What should I do if the tool says my build is “balanced”? That’s a good sign. A balanced build means you’re not wasting performance potential and upgrades should be based on your goal (more FPS, higher resolution, better streaming quality, or faster editing). If you want more performance, increasing resolution or upgrading the GPU typically provides the biggest gain