General Tasks bottleneck calculator
Intel Core i5-3210M and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A
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General Tasks
11520 × 2160
1 monitor
1. Select purpose
Currently selected:
General Tasks
2. Select processor
Currently selected:
Intel Core i5-3210M
3. Select graphic card
Currently selected:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A
4. Select resolution
Currently selected:
11520 × 2160 resolution
(1 monitor)
Calculation result
Bottleneck percentage
In a system configuration featuring the Intel Core i5-3210M and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A could potentially act as a bottleneck to the Intel Core i5-3210M performance in the General Tasks with 11520 × 2160 and 1 monitor. While the Intel Core i5-3210M is well-equipped to manage strenuous computational tasks, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A limited graphical prowess may compromise the overall system efficiency. This disparity could lead to decreased performance and less effective utilization of system resources. To rectify this imbalance, an upgrade to a more capable graphics card that complements the Intel Core i5-3210M processing abilities is advisable.
With a screen resolution of 11520 × 2160 and 1 monitor, this configuration demonstrates a 27% graphics card bottleneck when performing General Tasks.
Processor and graphic card utilizations
In a computing setup featuring the Intel Core i5-3210M and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A, under the context of General Tasks with a screen resolution of 11520 × 2160 and 1 monitor, the processor is expected to have an utilization rate of 54.9%, while the graphics card is projected to be utilized at 83.1%.
It's crucial to understand that these figures signify theoretical maximums based on typical CPU-to-GPU workload distribution ratios for certain tasks or gaming experiences. Achieving these high levels of utilization in real-world settings can be a challenging endeavor.
Playability
- Playable
- Frames per second
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A game is considered "playable" if it can consistently run at 60 FPS on high settings. This ensures a smooth and visually appealing gaming experience free from lags or stutters.
Heatmap of bottleneck
During gameplay scenarios, your Intel Core i5-3210M might not operate at its full potential due to the constraints imposed by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A. In such cases, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A may struggle to swiftly process and relay data, resulting in underutilization of the Intel Core i5-3210M. Therefore, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A will be operating at its maximum capacity, leaving the Intel Core i5-3210M capabilities untapped.
In the hierarchy of bottlenecks, a graphics card bottleneck is often considered less severe than a processor bottleneck. When a graphics card bottleneck occurs, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A operates at its uppermost limits, thereby allowing you to extract the best performance possible from the card. This ensures that you benefit from the full scope of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A features.
One distinct advantage of not maxing out the Intel Core i5-3210M is the enhanced ability to efficiently manage other background tasks. As the Intel Core i5-3210M is not operating at full capacity while gaming, it can allocate computational resources to other ongoing activities like background processes or multitasking, without any performance trade-offs. This contributes to a smoother and more flexible overall system operation.
To gain a deeper understanding of these potential bottlenecks, consider referring to our heatmap. On the heatmap, the X-axis depicts the CPU Score, and the Y-axis signifies the GPU Score. This visualization can help identify the relationship between various CPUs and GPUs, giving you valuable insights into how to better balance your system.
By matching your Intel Core i5-3210M CPU Score with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960A GPU Score on the heatmap, you can more accurately assess how these components interact and pinpoint where bottlenecks may occur. Utilizing this heatmap analysis can guide you in making informed hardware decisions that lead to a more balanced and effective computing setup tailored to your specific needs.
Bottleneck solutions
Replace processor
If your graphic card is causing the bottleneck but you're considering replacing your processor, reconsider this approach. Unless your processor is already on the verge of becoming outdated, upgrading it might not offer a significant performance boost, particularly in graphics-heavy tasks.
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Impact of Changing Screen Resolution
Increasing the resolution in this scenario will only make the bottleneck worse, as the GPU will be under even more stress, leading to lower frame rates and reduced graphical quality. It won't significantly ease the load on the already underutilized processor.
Read moreReplace graphic cards
When the graphic card becomes a system bottleneck, upgrading it can provide a significant boost in performance. Opt for a card that better matches the capabilities of your processor to get a more balanced system. This will also enable you to run games and applications at higher settings, offering a vastly improved user experience.
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Impact of Changing Screen Resolution
If your graphics card is bottlenecking the system, lowering the screen resolution will allow the card to handle data more efficiently, resulting in higher frames per second. However, it's worth noting that lower resolutions will require less data processing from the CPU, which could create a new bottleneck there.
Read moreBottleneck calculator types
Select purpose bottleneck calculator
Before selecting a bottleneck calculator, consider your primary computing tasks. For general activities like web browsing and office work, the calculator evaluates the balance between your CPU and GPU. If you focus on CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, the tool will highlight processor performance. For GPU-centric tasks such as gaming or graphical rendering, it will assess the efficiency of your graphics card. Choose the appropriate calculator to accurately identify potential system bottlenecks for your specific use-case.
Select game bottleneck calculator
By selecting a game from the list, the calculator will analyze potential bottlenecks specifically tailored to that game's system requirements and graphical demands. This allows you to optimize your setup for a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. Choose the game that aligns with your interests to get the relevant bottleneck analysis.