CPU as important for FPS as GPU?

[dhbartlett12]

When I watch “Testing Games” on youtube, it seems comparable CPU’s can have pretty large FPS differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr2B0RJd7Nc

What accounts for the FPS difference? I thought CPU’s don’t render graphics.

The Intel is $50 more than the AMD and gets you 10FPS. It seems the same performance could be got spending $50 on a GPU.

AND RAM speed too. I’m so lost.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1LHvLPERMM

[i_build_nanosuits]

4 minutes ago, dhbartlett12 said:

When I watch “Testing Games” on youtube, it seems comparable CPU’s can have pretty large FPS differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr2B0RJd7Nc

What accounts for the FPS difference? I thought CPU’s don’t render graphics.

The Intel is $50 more than the AMD and gets you 10FPS. It seems the same performance could be got spending $50 on a GPU.

AND RAM speed too. I’m so lost.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1LHvLPERMM

The CPU is tasked with calculating a lot of stuff going on in video games, the GPU is doing the image redering but it's all based on the result of the CPU calculation...so if you're CPU is not fast enough the GPU will have to wait, it's usage will drop and the FPS will be lower as a result.

 

CPU is just as important as a good GPU for a gaming PC...you need both to get a smooth enjoyable stutter free gaming experience.

[dhbartlett12]

Just now, i_build_nanosuits said:

The CPU is tasked with calculating a lot of stuff going on in video games, the GPU is doing the image redering but it's all based on the result of the CPU calculation...so if you're CPU is not fast enough the GPU will have to wait, it's usage will drop and the FPS will be lower as a result.

 

CPU is just as important as a good GPU for a gaming PC...you need both to get a smooth enjoyable stutter free gaming experience.

Ok thanks. Appreciate it. I guess its a common misconception. Since I have you here, you think you can answer my question on another thread -->

 

[SpaceGhostC2C]

I'm going to oversimplify things, but you can think graphics as the result of two steps:

1. Figuring out what to render
2. Actually rendering it

The CPU deals with (1) by interpreting what's going on in the game and telling the GPU what to render. The GPU then renders what it's told to.

If the GPU is very fast at rendering, it may be waiting for your CPU to process more data and send more orders. In that case, your FPS will depend on your CPU (on how fast it can send new orders to the GPU).

If your CPU is very fast at sending orders, your GPU may not render frames as fast as the CPU can send new ones. In that case, your FPS will depend on your GPU (on how fast it can render frames).

Therefore, it usually doesn't make sense to build a very unbalanced PC (Athlon x4 + 1080ti, i7-8700k + GT1030) as you won't benefit from the most expensive component. 

 

Notice that whether the GPU is "fast enough for the CPU" will depend on graphical settings (with very few exceptions that are CPU-driven), so even the Athlon+1080ti example could be "balanced" for 8k, all the AA, all the eye candy situations, although typically it won't.

[i_build_nanosuits]

4 minutes ago, dhbartlett12 said:

Ok thanks. Appreciate it. I guess its a common misconception. Since I have you here, you think you can answer my question on another thread -->

 

answered there...from the best of my knowledge i tried to resume it but you can research more on wikipedia for example and get a better understanding if you need/want to

[jj9987]

7 minutes ago, SpaceGhostC2C said:

I'm going to oversimplify things, but you can think graphics as the result of two steps:

1. Figuring out what to render
2. Actually rendering it

The CPU deals with (1) by interpreting what's going on in the game and telling the GPU what to render. The GPU then renders what it's told to.

If the GPU is very fast at rendering, it may be waiting for your CPU to process more data and send more orders. In that case, your FPS will depend on your CPU (on how fast it can send new orders to the GPU).

If your CPU is very fast at sending orders, your GPU may not render frames as fast as the CPU can send new ones. In that case, your FPS will depend on your GPU (on how fast it can render frames).

Therefore, it usually doesn't make sense to build a very unbalanced PC (Athlon x4 + 1080ti, i7-8700k + GT1030) as you won't benefit from the most expensive component. 

 

Notice that whether the GPU is "fast enough for the CPU" will depend on graphical settings (with very few exceptions that are CPU-driven), so even the Athlon+1080ti example could be "balanced" for 8k, all the AA, all the eye candy situations, although typically it won't.

This covers most stuff, but to add:

 

Some games give CPU more tasks, such as physics calculations. Therefore some games can be more CPU-bound while others put more emphasis on more GPU-power.

[dhbartlett12]

Thanks guys. It helps alot.

[xg32]

1 hour ago, dhbartlett12 said:

.

for 100fps+ in all games, i'd go with a 8700k+, below that a 2600x will do, or just wait for zen 2. The choice of gpu then depends on the target resolution and frame rate.