I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 1600 with a GTX 1050 Ti, but I've just upgraded to an RX 5700 XT. I've also got a new 600W PSU to replace my old 450W one. For now, I can't upgrade my CPU. My question is, will my CPU bottleneck my performance, or will I likely not notice any issues?
5 Answers
It all depends on several factors: your game choice, the resolution you're playing at, the in-game settings, and your desired framerate. So, asking if there will be a bottleneck is kind of like asking if it will rain—there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
It's tough to give a straight yes or no here. The CPU typically sets the limit on maximum FPS you can achieve, while the GPU handles how high you can push the settings and resolution. It really varies from game to game—some are more CPU-heavy than others. So while you might hit a wall, it could be different depending on what you're playing. Just keep your FPS expectations in check; some people are satisfied with 60 FPS, while others aim for 150 or higher.
Bottlenecking is a bit of a myth to be honest. There will always be some limits to your hardware no matter what, but as long as you get quality parts, you can upgrade when necessary. You'll likely perform well enough with your current setup!
You should be fine! Since you're mostly going to be GPU bound, you probably won't even notice a bottleneck, especially with how strong the 5700 XT is.
Every game is different. I've seen CPUs that seemed fine run into bottlenecks with more demanding titles. I had a Ryzen 5 2600X, and it struggled in some games, but ran well with a GTX 1070, so you'll want to see what you're playing.
Yeah, the RX 5700 XT is a solid card. If you're playing games that can utilize its power, you should be in good shape.