I have a pretty powerful gaming setup, but I'm not seeing the performance I expected. Even on the lowest graphics settings, I'm only getting around 190 fps in Apex and around 80 fps in Call of Duty at 1080p. Given that I have an RTX 3090, those numbers seem really low to me. Here are my specs:
- Graphics Card: Gigabyte RTX 3090
- CPU: Intel i9 10900
- RAM: 32 GB (3200 MHz)
- Power Supply: 1000 W Platinum
- Storage: Samsung 970 SSD EVO Plus 500 GB NVMe
I suspect my CPU might be the bottleneck. If that's the case, what are some budget-friendly CPU alternatives to maximize the performance of my RTX 3090? Would upgrading to a CPU that fits the same socket save me money?
4 Answers
I totally agree! Running at 1080p can create a significant CPU bottleneck, which could explain your frame rate issues. When I switched from a 10700k to a 7600X3D while using my 9070XT, I saw a noticeable improvement at 1440p. If you're set on a CPU upgrade, just know that you'll likely need a new motherboard too.
Yeah, your i9 10900 is likely bottlenecking your RTX 3090, especially at 1080p. You might want to consider upgrading your monitor for 1440p or 4K, as running a 3090 on 1080p can really limit its potential. Plus, there aren’t many good upgrade options for that socket without needing a new motherboard. Going higher resolution could really help you utilize your GPU better.
You mentioned considering the Core Ultra 5 for your 3090, but I really advise against Intel for gaming at this point. AMD's X3D CPUs are currently better performers for gaming. You might want to look into shifting to one of those for optimal performance.
It really does seem that you're CPU-bound at 1080p. Just check your GPU usage in games; if it's below 100%, that's a sign of a bottleneck. Also, keep an eye on your CPU's temperature. If it's hitting around 80 degrees Celsius, that's pretty hot and might be throttling your performance.
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely consider AMD for my upgrade.