RTX 5090 + i7-1255U Bottleneck Calculator
Will the i7-1255U bottleneck the RTX 5090? See the score below, powered by real FPS from 100+ games.
Resolution
GPU63%
37%CPU
Mild CPU Bottleneck
CPU is 26% Weaker
Your Intel Core i7-1255U is limiting your GPU. You're getting fewer frames than your graphics card can push, a faster CPU would close that gap.
Upgrade Recommendation
Your CPU is 26% weaker. Upgrade to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K for +43% CPU performance.
Current26% bottleneck
After upgradeBalanced
What is a PC Bottleneck?
A bottleneck is when one component limits the rest of your system. If your GPU can render 200 FPS but your CPU can only prepare 120 frames of game data, you are capped at 120, you are paying for performance you are not getting.
This bottleneck calculator is a quick bottleneck test for your build, a bottleneck checker that uses real FPS data from 100+ games instead of synthetic benchmarks. For exact numbers during the games you play, benchmark your PC with HowManyFPS.
USAGE
98%CPU
45%GPU
CPU Bottleneck Calculator
A CPU bottleneck means your processor cannot keep up with your graphics card. This is most common at 1080p and in CPU-heavy games like shooters, strategy, and open-world titles with complex AI. Signs include low GPU usage (under 80%) while your CPU runs near 100%. Use the resolution toggle above to check if switching to 1440p or 4K rebalances your build.
GPU Bottleneck Calculator
A GPU bottleneck means your graphics card is the weaker link. This is expected at 4K and in visually demanding games with ray tracing or high-resolution textures. Your CPU will show low usage while your GPU runs at 95%+. Upgrading your GPU or lowering resolution and visual settings will close the gap.
This Calculator Estimates. HowManyFPS Measures.
Bottleneck Detection
Find out if your GPU or CPU is the limit, during the games you actually play.
Thermal Monitoring
See if your hardware is thermal throttling and silently dropping frames.
Bottleneck Calculator FAQ
What is a PC bottleneck?
When one component limits the rest of your system. If your GPU can render 200 FPS but your CPU can only prepare 120 frames of game data, you are capped at 120. That gap is your bottleneck.
How do I check if my PC is bottlenecked?
Enter your GPU and CPU above for a quick estimate. For real-world results, download HowManyFPS, it tracks GPU and CPU usage during actual gameplay and shows exactly which component is holding you back.
Is a 10% bottleneck bad?
No. 10–15% is normal. Above 30%, you are losing meaningful FPS and should consider upgrading the weaker component. Use HowManyFPS to see the exact impact in your games.
Can RAM cause a bottleneck?
Yes. Slow speeds, single-channel configs, or insufficient capacity can bottleneck both CPU and GPU, especially in CPU-bound games. HowManyFPS tracks RAM usage so you can confirm.
How does resolution affect bottlenecks?
At 1080p the GPU finishes frames fast and waits on the CPU, high refresh rate gaming (144–360 Hz) is almost always CPU-limited. At 1440p, CPU and GPU share the workload more evenly, making it the sweet spot. At 4K the GPU does the heavy lifting and even mid-range CPUs rarely bottleneck. The same PC can be CPU-bottlenecked at 1080p and GPU-bottlenecked at 4K.
How accurate is this bottleneck calculator?
Scores are based on real FPS data from 100+ games, not synthetic benchmarks. For the most accurate result, download HowManyFPS and measure your bottleneck during the games you actually play.
How do I fix a CPU bottleneck?
Upgrade to a faster CPU with strong single-thread performance. Short term: lower draw distance, NPC count, and physics settings. Run HowManyFPS first to confirm before spending money.
How do I fix a GPU bottleneck?
Upgrade your graphics card. Short term: lower resolution, reduce shadows and ray tracing, or enable DLSS/FSR. Run HowManyFPS to see how much headroom your CPU has.