Bottlenecking can be a scary word for novice PC builders, conjuring visions of crippled performance and abnormal PC behavior in their minds. However, avoiding bottlenecks when building a gaming PC isn’t complicated. The key is to build a balanced PC by not cheaping out where it matters the most.
Additionally, you should view bottlenecking from a holistic lens instead of focusing only on your CPU and GPU. Any component of your PC (even software) can become a bottleneck, so it helps to take a step back and ensure you avoid components that you’ll regret buying soon after.
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6 Keep an eye out for software updates
The latest OS version and drivers can be a godsend
You might think bottlenecks exist only on the hardware side, but software plays a crucial role too. From your Windows 11 build and driver versions to background processes and malware, any number of things can invisibly hold back the performance of your PC. A recent example of this was the huge boost in gaming performance that the Windows 11 24H2 update brought to both Intel and AMD systems.
From your Windows 11 build and driver versions to background processes and malware, any number of things can invisibly hold back the performance of your PC.
You might also know about day-one drivers released by Nvidia and AMD whenever a popular new game drops. These specially-optimized drivers more often than not give you the best chance to maximize your FPS in those particular titles. However, blindly opting for every single OS or driver update isn’t what I’m recommending, considering the system-breaking bugs that could accompany these updates.
The right balance can be struck by waiting for some time after a new Windows update or driver version is out. Look for the reception by fellow users on Reddit or coverage by reputed creators and publications. If all seems well, go ahead and update your system to enjoy the performance boost.
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5 Don’t block yourself from future upgrades
Try to buy forward-looking hardware
Bottlenecks need not exist only on your existing rig; they can also rear their head in the near future. When picking components for a new gaming rig, try not to limit your upgrade path in terms of the processor platform, GPU support, or physical compatibility for other components. For instance, building an AM4-based gaming PC right now isn’t the best move, considering the newer AM5 socket is available, with AMD promising to support it until at least 2027.
You could also limit a future processor upgrade by buying a motherboard with an entry-level chipset that won’t have the power delivery chops for a more powerful processor. It could even fail to run a faster memory kit, lack support for a newer-generation SSD, or come without CPU overclocking support.
Even a PC case that isn’t large enough to accommodate a bigger graphics card or radiator can become a huge bottleneck.
Another way to complicate upgrades on your gaming PC is by buying an ill-equipped power supply or CPU cooler. Even a PC case that isn’t large enough to accommodate a bigger graphics card or radiator can become a huge bottleneck. Such decisions can prevent you from freely switching to a new CPU or graphics card down the line, unless you swap the problematic components too. The solution is to pick mid-range components instead of the cheapest options.
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4 Don’t cheap out on RAM
Slower memory can hurt performance
Even if you’re building a DDR5-based gaming PC, it’s still possible to end up with slower RAM than you need. Considering DDR5 memory speeds start from around 4,800MT/s compared to the 3,600MT/s kits most DDR4 PCs had, some newer builders might just get a cheap DDR5 kit and call it a day. This can be a huge detriment to your PC’s gaming performance.
In fact, you can end up sacrificing as much as 20-30% FPS by getting a kit rated for 4,800MT/s CL40 instead of 6,000MT/s CL30. The latter is generally considered to be the sweet spot for modern gaming CPUs. Perhaps the biggest reason not to buy the cheapest RAM you can find is that you won’t be saving more than around $20-$30 on a 32GB kit. If that’s all that’s keeping you from the maximum gaming performance your PC is capable of, get the faster kit with your eyes closed.
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3 Pick a fast and spacious SSD
Storage can be a bottleneck in more ways than one
The memory might be linked closely to your gaming FPS, but storage can also make or break your experience. Firstly, a slower SSD will not only hurt in-game loading times, but also result in a sluggish PC overall. Your SSD is responsible for providing the GPU with the necessary textures as you explore in-game environments. A faster NVMe SSD will make this process much smoother and prevent storage-related stutters and glitches.
A more obvious way in which your SSD can become a bottleneck is by being too small. An SSD with only 240GB or 500GB capacity might quickly fill up and prevent you from keeping multiple games installed on your drive at once. This can be a cause for frustration and regret if you’re in the habit of playing multiple AAA games in parallel.
An SSD with only 240GB or 500GB capacity might quickly fill up and prevent you from keeping multiple games installed on your drive at once.
Sometimes builders end up with cheap, sub-par SSDs like the WD Green models, which can often slow your system down to a crawl. A simple rule of thumb is to buy a 1TB or 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for your PC. Check out our best gaming SSDs if you need help.
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2 Don’t hinder your GPU
A capable CPU is more important than ever
By now, probably every PC builder knows that the graphics card isn’t the sole determinant of gaming performance on a PC. The CPU is fast becoming more and more important, and not just for simulation games where the processor does the bulk of the heavy lifting. Even in story-based, single-player AAA titles, more and more games are taking advantage of more than the oft-mentioned 6 CPU cores.
An even better pick would be one of the Ryzen X3D processors that currently reign supreme at the top of all gaming benchmarks.
This makes it essential to not blow your entire budget on your graphics card while picking a budget CPU as a compromise. An easy way out of this quandary is to buy a latest-gen or previous-gen 6-core processor, but you should try to get an 8-core chip if your budget permits. An even better pick would be one of the Ryzen X3D processors that currently reign supreme at the top of all gaming benchmarks. If gaming is your only priority, these chips provide more than enough value for your money.
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1 Get a gaming monitor your PC deserves
It can be one of the biggest bottlenecks
Your monitor is often the biggest bottleneck on your gaming PC, holding you back from experiencing the glorious gaming experience your PC is generating. Suppose you have an RTX 4070 Super and Ryzen 5 7600 on your DDR5 gaming PC, but only a 60Hz or even a cheap 144Hz monitor. You’re not going to make the most of your PC experience.
A high-quality IPS or OLED panel can deliver stunning colors, highly responsive images, a great HDR experience, and buttery smooth gameplay.
A lot of things go into upgrading your monitor, but the foremost are size, resolution, refresh rate, and the panel type. A high-quality IPS or OLED panel can deliver stunning colors, highly responsive images, a great HDR experience, and buttery smooth gameplay. Plus, you don’t need to spend a bomb to get yourself a great gaming monitor. You can get excellent IPS monitors from reliable brands for around $300 or even less.
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Don’t be worried about bottlenecking
PC bottlenecks do exist, and in extreme cases, they can lead to loads of gaming performance being left on the table. However, you needn’t trouble yourself too much about it, as long as you’re making informed choices when picking PC components. Don’t skimp on the core components like CPU, GPU, and RAM. Plus, try to get a mid-range motherboard, spacious and modern SSD, capable PSU, and future-ready case. Lastly, your monitor should be good enough to display your games the way they’re meant to be experienced. Once you’ve ticked these boxes, you can rest assured that you’ve minimized the bottlenecks on your new gaming PC.
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source: https://www.xda-developers.com/ways-to-avoid-gaming-pc-bottlenecks/
