Is Your PC Bottlenecked?
Find out if your CPU and GPU are holding each other back. Our free bottleneck calculator analyzes your hardware pairing and gives you actionable upgrade recommendations.
How PC Bottlenecking Works
What is a Bottleneck?
A bottleneck occurs when one component limits the performance of another. If your CPU can't keep up with your GPU (or vice versa), you're leaving performance on the table.
Resolution Matters
At 1080p, games are more CPU-dependent. At 4K, the GPU does most of the heavy lifting. The same CPU-GPU pair can behave differently depending on your monitor resolution.
Balanced = Best
The ideal setup has both CPU and GPU fully utilized. Our calculator helps you find that sweet spot so every dollar you spend contributes to better performance.
Bottleneck Checker →
Select your CPU, GPU, and resolution to instantly see if your components are well-matched or if one is holding the other back.
PopularBudget PC Builder →
Pick your budget and use case. We'll generate a complete, optimized PC build with all the parts you need and links to buy them.
PopularPSU Calculator →
Find the right power supply wattage for your build. Select your CPU, GPU, and peripherals to get minimum and recommended PSU size.
PopularMonitor Match →
Find the ideal monitor resolution, refresh rate, and panel type for your GPU based on your gaming style.
PopularRAM Advisor →
Find the best RAM for your motherboard. Get speed, capacity, and latency recommendations with curated kit picks at three budget tiers.
NewCase Finder →
Find the best PC case for your build. Filter by form factor, GPU compatibility, and priority - airflow, aesthetics, compact, or quiet.
Popular Bottleneck Checks
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X + NVIDIA RTX 5070
CPU: 88 · GPU: 82
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + NVIDIA RTX 5070
CPU: 88 · GPU: 82
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + AMD RX 9070 XT
CPU: 99 · GPU: 84
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + AMD RX 9070 XT
CPU: 88 · GPU: 84
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + NVIDIA RTX 5080
CPU: 99 · GPU: 93
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K + NVIDIA RTX 5080
CPU: 92 · GPU: 93
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti Super
CPU: 88 · GPU: 84
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X + AMD RX 7900 XTX
CPU: 85 · GPU: 88
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PC bottleneck?
A PC bottleneck happens when one component (CPU or GPU) is significantly slower than the other, causing the faster component to sit idle. This wastes performance and money. For example, pairing a budget CPU with a high-end GPU means the GPU never runs at full speed because it is waiting on the CPU to feed it data.
How do I know if my CPU or GPU is bottlenecking?
Use our free bottleneck calculator to compare your CPU and GPU performance scores at your gaming resolution. In-game, check Task Manager - if your CPU is at 90-100% while your GPU is at 50-60%, you have a CPU bottleneck. If the GPU is maxed and CPU usage is low, that is a GPU bottleneck (which is actually ideal for gaming since the GPU is doing most of the work).
Is BottleneckPC free to use?
Yes, all BottleneckPC tools are completely free. The bottleneck calculator, PC builder, PSU calculator, monitor match, RAM advisor, case finder, and all blog guides are available with no account required and no usage limits.
How often are prices updated?
Component prices are synced daily from the Newegg product feed. CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, and case prices reflect real retail availability. Build recommendations are re-optimized every time prices change to make sure you are getting the best value at every budget tier.
Does gaming resolution affect bottlenecking?
Yes, significantly. At 1080p, games are more CPU-dependent - the CPU handles about 60% of the workload. At 4K, the GPU does roughly 80% of the heavy lifting. The same CPU-GPU pair can be perfectly balanced at 1440p but show a CPU bottleneck at 1080p. Always check your bottleneck at the resolution you actually game at.