Your FPS is being restricted by factors such as graphics settings, hardware limitations, or game-specific optimizations.
Your FPS is being restricted by factors such as graphics settings, hardware limitations, or game-specific optimizations.
I've been increasingly interested in the specifications and components of my computer lately. It's puzzling how my frame rates vary so much—some streamers hit around 500 FPS in Valorant, while I'm stuck between 140-200 depending on where I play. I've read a lot about bottlenecks but struggle to identify which part of my setup is holding me back. My current rig includes an RTX 2070, an Intel i7-4790K CPU, four DDR3 RAM sticks, a Z97 PC Mate (MS-7850), and two SSDs. I'm still learning about each component's role and how upgrades might help. I wanted to ask: what exactly is limiting my performance? Should I focus on upgrading the GPU, CPU, or something else? Also, I'm curious whether a new motherboard is necessary if newer tech is available, and if so, should I consider an AMD CPU alongside? Thanks for your help!
I think the issue is likely with the CPU. Older CPUs generally offer less performance per core compared to modern ones. For instance, this only shows a small difference—about 2 years—but I was running a Ryzen 3 1200 (upgraded to 4.0GHz) with an RX 580. I usually get around 30-50 FPS, averaging about 40 on any setting. After upgrading to a Ryzen 5 3600 on the same board and GPU, I achieved roughly 60-80 FPS. Not sure why, but that’s what happened.
Your processor remains solid for gaming, though the content creators probably use an i7 9700K or i9 9900K. They’re significantly quicker, and the newest Intel models perform exceptionally well at high frame rates with minimal settings compared to alternatives.
Only four gigabytes of RAM (likely from a single drive) is usually enough for most games. Eight gigabytes or even sixteen is much better. While you might not notice a big jump in frames per second across all titles, it will definitely improve overall responsiveness.
It's impressive, similar to what some assistants mentioned earlier. The CPU doesn't affect FPS when you have a strong GPU. RAM plays a role but 8GB is sufficient. You're using a 2070 with a 4070K, making the bottleneck your motherboard and bus speed. For better performance, consider an updated model, and if possible, opt for an AMD 2700X or 3700X (the 2700X is more affordable). Also, those 500-1400 FPS numbers don't matter much if your monitor reaches its maximum of 144 Hz—you can't exceed that refresh rate. You have a top-tier GPU, and performance mainly depends on the CPU and RAM.