Hey everyone, I recently upgraded to a new GPU (the XFX 9060XT with 16GB), but I'm not sure if my CPU (Ryzen 5 3600X) is causing any bottlenecks in my system. My specs also include 32GB DDR4 RAM and a 1080p monitor. I'm not super satisfied with my gaming performance; a lot of the time, games drop below 60fps and it feels choppy, even when the CPU and GPU usage isn't maxed out on the Steam overlay. I'm wondering what the best way is to test if my CPU is the issue. If it turns out to be the CPU, can anyone suggest a good upgrade on the AM4 platform? I'd like to avoid switching to AM5 due to current RAM prices. Thanks for your help!
4 Answers
Make sure your RAM is running at the correct speed; you can use CPU-Z or Zen Timings for that.
You could use a tool like OCCT to see if your CPU and GPU are functioning correctly at their clock speeds. Also, try lowering the resolution in games to find out your CPU's limits. If you need to upgrade, consider the 5600XT for around $174, or the 5800XT for $219 if you're looking for 8 cores. Don’t forget to update your BIOS before swapping out CPUs!
Thanks! I’ll definitely check out OCCT for that.
To test if your CPU is bottlenecking, watch your GPU usage. If it drops under 95% for more than a moment, your CPU could be the limiting factor in your games. As for upgrades, consider the 5700X or 5800X; whichever is cheaper should work well on the AM4 platform.
I checked while playing yesterday, and my CPU and GPU were both around 70-80% usage. That makes sense since I’m using Vsync. However, I still see brief drops reflected as red spikes in the performance graph.
You should definitely be able to maintain 60fps. What games are you playing?
Mostly sims lately, like LeMans Ultimate, iRacing, and AC Rally. They usually run around 60fps with vsync, but I experience drops occasionally, and it doesn’t feel smooth. In LeMans Ultimate, I can hit over 100fps solo with vsync off, but it dips below 50 when racing against others. That's making me think the CPU might be the issue.
I did a fresh install, so I’m not sure it hasn’t reverted to default settings. I’ll check that out tomorrow, thanks!