System operates at 60% capacity with suboptimal frame rates.
System operates at 60% capacity with suboptimal frame rates.
System specifications include an Athlon X4 760K with 8GB DDR3 RAM, 2133MHz memory, 500W PSU, GTX 660 SC 2GB GDDR5, M.IIA A78M-E45 processor, 7200 RPM hard drive. While gaming at 1920x1080 with mid to high frame rates, CPU and GPU usage stays around 60%. Under MSI afterburner the stats show both components running near full capacity. This is typical for high-end systems under load. You can try adjusting power settings or monitoring profiles to see if performance improves.
It seems like a possible limitation exists, as even the 660 struggles with the CPU's performance. My Phenom II 960T was overclocked to match speeds (3.8GHz), but it still faced bottlenecks when paired with the R9 270, which ran at about 50-70% usage in many games—similar to the 660. However, my CPU consistently hit high usage levels, around 80-90%. Overclocking might help reduce that bottleneck.
It's time to swap things up. Your CPU is lagging compared to your GPU.
The CPU is limited by its bottleneck, which explains why it only runs at 60-70%. It wouldn’t necessarily run faster just to match the GPU’s performance. For a replacement, a CPU in the $150–$230 range would work well and could support overclocking. A 100$ motherboard with SATA slots should handle the upgrade and allow you to push the system further, including reaching another 660 MHz if needed.
Purchase an Intel Core i5-4690K processor and a Z97 motherboard.
I was checking that CPU. What are the advantages of choosing a Z97 over a Z87? This looks fine.
Many Z87 boards need you to update the BIOS for compatibility with the 4790 or 4690. Updating requires a compatible chip such as a 4670 or 4770 first, after which installing the 4790/4690 becomes unnecessary. Just use a Z97 and avoid the hassle
Currently, the majority of boards come equipped with the latest bios.