Available processor for 4K resolution.
Available processor for 4K resolution.
Hey everyone, I recently got a 28-inch 4K monitor and it’s been a game-changer. I’m running an 8GB RX580 with an i5-4690K, but when I try 4K gaming, the performance drops significantly. FIFA works fine, but games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider or Kingdom Come struggle, dropping to around 20 frames per second. I thought my GPU could handle 4K, but it seems it’s not up to the task. When Task Manager is open during gameplay, the GPU usage is near full capacity while the CPU stays light. Does this suggest my graphics card isn’t powerful enough, or would a faster CPU help? Are there better ways to keep an eye on the system performance?
It seems clear that most RX 480 scores focus on 1080p, with some in 1440p, but never reaching 4K for real gaming use.
It works well in low settings. The 5700XT offers entry-level 4K performance without being ultra high, while the Sapphire uses TriXX to simulate 4K (3946x1944), improving speed and adding texture sharpening that looks great. The 2070S is sufficient, the 2080S is ideal, and the 2080Ti delivers strong performance but at a higher price.
It's completely inaccurate. In 2019 models a 1060 with 6GB RAM falls short of achieving the best performance at FullHD, let alone 4K. The 1060 6G / 580 8G works for around FullHD Ultra or QHD High for a while, but it won't last much longer. For smooth 4K playback you'd need something like the 2070S/5700XT.
VRAM influences how detailed textures and other assets appear. Frame rate changes mainly when VRAM reaches its limit. The GPU speed actually controls frame rate most of the time, while factors like the number of processing units, clock speed, and architecture efficiency define "GPU speed". In today’s games, your FPS is rarely capped by CPU performance even with a powerful GPU when playing in 4K, since 4K demands enormous graphics processing power.
The RX 580 works well for some 4K titles but falls short in others. I tested it at 4K with games like platformers, CS:GO, and certain races (Dirt 3, Dirt Rally, Grid 2). Those run smoothly, while Skyrim SE doesn’t perform as expected. For better results, a GPU upgrade is necessary. A 2070 Super would be the bare minimum for 4K gaming. I’ve been planning an upgrade and created a spreadsheet to compare different cards’ 4K performance. The results show the RX 580 lags behind, especially in titles like Witcher 3 and Codemaster racing games. A 2080 or 2080S might still be needed depending on the game. The benchmarks are there for easy comparison. Source: https://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/ge...ers_review
You're doing great work with your research! Your insights are really valuable. @minibois Your effort is paying off. My first card was a GTX 1050, so when I got the RX580 I thought I had found something amazing. Of course it wasn't that easy—looking at those cards will be interesting. My 580 runs smoothly at 1080p with max settings, but I didn’t fully grasp how big the jump to 4K would be. If I upgrade my card, would it make sense to upgrade other components too? For example, I’m still using a DDR3 motherboard. How much would that affect performance?
As long as your goals stay consistent with the same frame rate, increasing resolution is manageable. Performance might still lag in CPU or memory-heavy titles such as Assassin's Creed Origins.