A MaximusFPS guide
How can I tell whether my CPU or GPU is limiting FPS?
Compare the same scene at different rendering loads and watch utilisation, clocks and frametimes. A meaningful FPS gain when lowering resolution often points toward a GPU limit; little change may suggest CPU, engine or other limits. These are clues, not a universal bottleneck score, and the limiting component can change between games and scenes.
What to check first
- Disable unintended caps for the diagnostic test and restore your preferred cap afterwards.
- Record resolution, render scale, graphics preset and the exact test scene.
- Check sustained clocks and temperatures rather than utilisation alone.
Likely causes and how to distinguish them
Higher resolution and GPU-heavy effects increase rendering work. CPU-heavy simulation, draw calls and busy multiplayer scenes can instead limit how quickly frames are prepared.
Overall CPU percentage can hide one saturated thread. A GPU below full load may be waiting for the CPU, but it can also be waiting on a cap or loading work. Memory capacity and thermal limits complicate the picture.
Diagnostic steps, in order
- Capture a baseline with unchanged gameplay. Repeat at a lower resolution or render scale without changing everything else.
- Compare GPU load and FPS. A large response to lighter rendering is evidence for GPU pressure; minimal response needs CPU, cap and engine checks.
- Test a CPU-sensitive setting separately, such as scene detail where the game exposes it. Repeat because busy online matches are not identical workloads.
- Check heat and power behaviour before buying a component. A throttling system can look like weak hardware even when its normal clocks would be sufficient.
Limitations and when help may be appropriate
No online calculator can accurately describe every game, map and resolution from two model names. A diagnosis should identify your actual workload and target FPS. Professional help may interpret conflicting results; an upgrade recommendation still needs budget, power supply, motherboard and cooling compatibility checks.
Follow-up questions
Can the bottleneck change?
Yes. A demanding graphics preset may be GPU-limited while a low-detail competitive scene on the same PC is CPU-limited.
Does low total CPU usage rule out a CPU limit?
No. Games distribute work unevenly. A busy critical thread can hold up frames while other cores have spare capacity.
Official sources and further reading
These documents support the technical explanations; game and driver options can change. Source language may differ from this guide.