PC Bottleneck Check
A free bottleneck calculator: pick your CPU, graphics card, RAM and the game you play. Using published benchmark data, we show your gaming grade, which part hits its limit first and whether you meet the game's minimum and recommended specs.
Don't know your CPU or graphics card model? Check My PC Specs
Choose a CPU and a graphics card
The result is CPU first, roughly balanced, or graphics card first. We don't show a bottleneck percentage or a predicted FPS.
How the verdict works
Game FPS is set by the lower of two limits: the frames the CPU can prepare and the frames the graphics card can draw. The CPU limit barely changes with resolution, while the graphics card limit changes a lot with resolution and settings.
We compare a CPU gaming ranking (tested with a top graphics card) with a graphics card ranking (tested per resolution with a top CPU). If the two limits are more than 25% apart, the lower one hits its limit first; otherwise the pair is roughly balanced.
How accurate is a bottleneck calculator? Why we skip the percentage
We do not show a bottleneck percentage or a predicted FPS. Such numbers are model outputs, not measurements, which is why the same pairing gets very different results from one calculator to the next.
Instead, each verdict comes with a confidence level (high, medium or low). If it holds within the possible error of the part values it is medium or better; if it could flip within that error, it is low.
How to check for a bottleneck on your own PC
- With the game running, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look at GPU usage on the Performance tab. If GPU usage stays low without a frame cap, the CPU is likely the limit.
- Raise the resolution or graphics settings one step. If the frame rate barely changes, the CPU is the limit; if it drops noticeably, the graphics card is.
- Turn off V-Sync and any frame cap before you test. With them on, usage looks low even when both parts have headroom.
Parts with estimated positions
Popular parts missing from the rankings are placed by their ratio to reference parts. They are marked as estimated and show lower confidence.
What this tool does not tell you
- An exact FPS or bottleneck percentage
- Results for one specific game (it looks at the average across many games)
- Laptop CPUs and GPUs, or integrated graphics
- Results with ray tracing or frame generation (such as DLSS Frame Generation) turned on
Free tools that go with this
- PSU CalculatorWork out the power supply size (W) your CPU and graphics card need.
- GPU Tier List for GamingRank desktop graphics cards by gaming tier and compare any two.
- CPU Tier List for GamingRank desktop CPUs by gaming tier and compare any two.
- Check My PC SpecsSee the specs your browser can read, and load the specs the app found when you sign in.
- FPS Drop and Stutter Cause CheckerPick your symptoms to see what is causing frame drops or stutter and how to fix it.
Common questions
What is a bottleneck?
It is when either the CPU or the graphics card reaches its limit first, so the other cannot use all of its performance. Without a frame cap, every PC has one part that hits its limit first, so having a bottleneck is not a problem in itself.
Can the CPU be the limit if CPU usage is below 100%?
Yes. Games often max out only a few cores, so overall usage looks low; GPU usage is the more reliable check.
If the verdict says graphics card, do I need a new one?
No. If your FPS is already where you want it, keep it; otherwise try graphics settings, resolution or upscaling first.
Does this check my parts for hardware faults?
No. It looks at performance and balance between parts, not faults; for a faulty part, use Windows Memory Diagnostic or your PC or motherboard maker’s diagnostic tool.
How do I fix a CPU bottleneck?
Raising resolution or graphics settings makes the CPU limit show less, and capping the frame rate at your refresh rate steadies frame pacing. Consider a new CPU only when you want more frames than it can deliver.
Does the amount of RAM affect bottlenecks?
With less than 16GB of RAM some games can stutter, so this tool warns you below 16GB and suggests adding RAM first. The evidence for a difference between 16GB and 32GB is weak, so it is not part of the verdict.
Can I check a laptop?
Only desktop parts are covered for now. Laptop CPUs and graphics chips with the same name can perform very differently depending on the power limit the laptop maker sets, so judging by the name alone could be wrong.
Last reviewed 2026-11-06