If you are a PC enthusiast or a gamer, you must ensure that your PC is running optimally to provide you with the best possible experience. For this, you need to check if your PC is bottlenecking. Bottlenecking happens when another component limits the performance of your PC’s components.
In such cases, you must identify the components bottlenecking your PC. However, identifying which component is bottlenecking your PC is often difficult. This is where bottleneck calculators come in. In this article, we’ll discuss bottleneck calculators, what makes a good bottleneck calculator, and the best bottleneck calculators for your PC in 2023.
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What are Bottleneck Calculators?
Bottleneck calculators help you determine which component in your PC is causing the bottleneck. These calculators consider the specifications of your PC components, such as your CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage, to identify which component is limiting the performance of your system.
Apart from pinpointing bottlenecks, some Bottleneck Calculators have additional features that enable users to track their computer’s performance over time, making it easier to detect any trends that affect system speed and efficiency.
Furthermore, Bottleneck Calculators offer a wealth of information about a computer’s various components, including storage, RAM, and cooling system. This allows you to recognize potential issues before they become major problems and take corrective action before a catastrophic failure occurs.
What Makes a Good Bottleneck Calculator?
A good bottleneck calculator should be accurate, easy to use, and provide actionable insights to improve your system’s performance. The tool should consider various components (such as the CPU, GPU, RAM and more) and provide detailed analysis to help you make informed decisions.
Best Bottleneck Calculators for your PC in 2023
Now that you know what bottleneck calculators are and why they are necessary, here are some of the best Bottleneck Calculators available for PC users in 2023.
- Windows Task Manager
- MSI Afterburner
- PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator
- CPU Agent Bottleneck Calculator
- TW Bottleneck Calculator.
1. Windows Task Manager
If you’re wondering which component of your PC is causing a bottleneck, you might be surprised to learn that the built-in Windows Task Manager can help you identify it. By using the Windows Task Manager, you can quickly and easily determine which component is causing the bottleneck and take appropriate action.
Here’s how to check bottlenecks using the built-in Task Manager on your PC:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Windows Task Manager.
- Go to the “Processes” tab at the top of the window.
- Observe the utilization percentage for your CPU, Memory, Disk, and Internet.
- Launch your favorite game and keep it running in the background.
- Press Alt + Tab to switch to the Task Manager window.
- Check the utilization percentage of each component for the game.
- If either the CPU, Memory or Disk is at 100% utilization, it indicates a bottleneck in your PC.
While many third-party bottleneck calculators are available, the Windows Task Manager is a built-in tool readily available to all Windows users. It’s a quick and easy way to identify bottlenecks without having to install any additional software.
2. MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is a popular and reliable live monitoring tool that allows you to track your computer’s performance. It can help you show the utilization percentage of your PC’s RAM, CPU, GPU, and more. It is a tool that is both user-friendly and powerful. With MSI Afterburner, you can identify potential bottlenecks and maximize your PC’s performance.
To identify a bottleneck on your PC, you can use MSI Afterburner with the following steps:
- Download and install MSI Afterburner on your computer.
- Open the settings and activate on-screen statistics.
- Ensure you have enabled CPU, GPU, and RAM usage percentages.
- Launch your favorite game and keep it running in the background.
- Keep an eye on the usage percentage of the CPU, GPU, and RAM while playing.
- If any component reaches 100% usage, it indicates a bottleneck.
- For example, if your GPU usage is at 100% while the CPU stays at 30-35% usage, it suggests that the GPU is bottlenecking the CPU.
3. PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator
PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator is a fantastic online tool specifically designed for gamers to identify bottlenecks in their computer’s GPU and CPU. The calculator is user-friendly and web-based, requiring just a few simple steps to access it:
- Open the PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator.
- Select your PC’s CPU and GPU. You can even search for them.
- Select your preferred screen resolution and the Purpose.
- Once you have selected everything, click on the “Proceed to calculation” button.
4. CPU Agent Bottleneck Calculator
CPU Agent Bottleneck Calculator is also a web-based bottleneck calculator that is easy to use and provides accurate information.
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CPU Agent provides more detailed information about the bottleneck than the PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator. It includes options such as CPU, GPU, RAM size, RAM speed, resolution, and quality for more accurate bottleneck calculations.
With this bottleneck calculator, you can calculate the bottleneck between multiple hardware components, unlike the PC Builds Bottleneck Calculator which only calculates the bottleneck between the CPU and the GPU. Here’s how to use the CPU Agent Bottleneck Calculator:
- Open the CPU Agent Bottleneck Calculator.
- Select your PC’s CPU, GPU, RAM size, RAM speed, display resolution, and quality settings.
- Once you have selected everything, click on the “Calculate FPS and Bottleneck” button.
5. TW Bottleneck Calculator
TW Bottleneck Calculator is another web-based tool that considers the specifications of your CPU and GPU to determine if your system is experiencing bottlenecking. It gives you a score indicating if your CPU or GPU is causing the bottleneck. You should try this one if you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use bottleneck calculator. Here’s how to use it.
- Open the TW Bottleneck Calculator.
- Select your PC’s CPU and GPU. You can even search for them.
- Select your preferred screen resolution.
- Once you have selected everything, click on the “Calculate” button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Task Manager enough for calculating bottlenecks on my PC?
Yes, Task Manager will do the job if you want to check the bottlenecks on your PC. However, for more accurate information, you may want to try other bottleneck calculators as well.
Can bottleneck calculators solve bottlenecking issues?
No, bottleneck calculators can only identify which component is causing the bottleneck. You will need to upgrade the component to solve the bottleneck issue.
What components of my PC can be bottlenecked?
The CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage are often the components that are bottlenecked on PCs. This can be caused due to poor-quality hardware or even software conflicts.
Are bottleneck calculators accurate?
Bottleneck calculators can be accurate, but it’s important to remember that they are estimates based on the specifications of your components. You may try several bottleneck calculators before coming to a conclusion.
Final Words
Identifying a bottleneck is crucial for improving your PC’s performance. When one component is fully utilized, it can hold back other components from delivering peak performance. Bottleneck calculators are useful tools that can help you identify which component is causing the bottleneck in your system.
By eliminating the bottlenecking component, you can ensure that your system is running optimally and providing you with the best experience possible. Remember, while bottleneck calculators can identify the issue, you will need to upgrade the component to solve the bottleneck issue. If you have any further questions, leave them in the comments section below. We will try to help you out.