Is Your PC Bottlenecked?
Start with a quick CPU and GPU pairing check below, then plan the rest of your build - power supply, memory, case, and monitor - with a dedicated tool for each.
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.
NewPower Cost Calculator→
What does your PC add to the electric bill? Real monthly and yearly running costs from your exact CPU, GPU, hours, and local rate.
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
Component scores out of 100 on our gaming-performance scale - closer scores mean a more balanced pairing.
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X + NVIDIA RTX 5070
CPU: 88/100 · GPU: 82/100
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + NVIDIA RTX 5070
CPU: 88/100 · GPU: 82/100
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + AMD RX 9070 XT
CPU: 99/100 · GPU: 84/100
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K + AMD RX 9070 XT
CPU: 88/100 · GPU: 84/100
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + NVIDIA RTX 5080
CPU: 99/100 · GPU: 93/100
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K + NVIDIA RTX 5080
CPU: 92/100 · GPU: 93/100
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X + NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti Super
CPU: 88/100 · GPU: 84/100
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X + AMD RX 7900 XTX
CPU: 85/100 · GPU: 88/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
What tools does BottleneckPC offer?
Seven free tools: the bottleneck checker for CPU and GPU pairing, a budget PC builder, a PSU calculator for power supply sizing, monitor match for display pairing, a RAM advisor for memory kits, a case finder for chassis fit, and best-GPU guides for individual CPUs. All of them share the same daily-updated component and price data.
Which tool should I start with?
If you already own parts or have a pairing in mind, start with the bottleneck checker to confirm the CPU and GPU suit each other. If you are starting from nothing, use the budget PC builder - pick a budget and use case, and it generates a full parts list you can then refine with the PSU calculator, RAM advisor, and case finder.
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 live retail product feeds. 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.
Where does BottleneckPC get its hardware data?
Performance scores come from aggregated gaming benchmark data across a wide range of CPUs and GPUs, normalized so parts from different generations and vendors can be compared directly. Pricing and availability come from live retail product feeds synced daily, so recommendations reflect what you can actually buy today rather than launch-day MSRPs.