I just couldnt decide which is better for me.
Then I had to make a decision based on the games that I would be playing.
You could be facing the same dilemma as me.
And trust me, a simple google search will just add to your confusion.
In this article, I will share my findings about choosing the right hardware for gaming.
That will certainly help you to reach a decision.
So, lets get started.
CPU and GPU Explored
The processor is at the heart of your system.
It is responsible for running all applications on your setup.
TheCPU typically contains multiple coresthat decode the instructions sent by your applications.
When gaming, the CPU will execute what the game needs to do.
These days aquad-core processoris the minimum for running demanding games.
Because it is more efficient at processing these graphical elements.
Graphics cards contain a large number of cores or stream processors as they are called.
They are designed to process information in parallel.
Now that is a very high-level concept of the workings of a CPU and GPU.
Lets now shift our focus to how they affect gaming.
How CPU and GPU Affect Gaming?
Once you meet these criteria, then we can proceed with how games perform on specific hardware.
You know, 4 core CPU is the norm right now.
The processor is mostly involved when theA.I and the physics aspectof the games.
Every title has different running mechanisms.
Or the gun recoil, bullet trajectory, enemy movements, etc.
are just some of the things that the processor handles.
The processor makes sure each of these components works as desired by a game developer.
As a result, the games will look great too.
Minecraft would be a great example of this.
It relies on good single-threaded performance.
Just so you know,IPCandhigher clock speed signify the CPUs performancein gaming.
The chart below signifies this.
We see the frame rates increase with more powerful cards.
This is a classic example of a GPU-bound game.
One thing is established for sure.
The titles that you are going to play will warrant the CPU and GPU selection.
Lets take a look at games that favor CPU the most.
Are you getting worried that your GPU is 100% utilized during gaming?
That is totally normal and nothing to be afraid of.
Dont believe me yet?
Then check our separate article onhow much GPU usage is normal for gaming.
Which Games Are CPU Dependent?
This is not an exhaustive list of every game released so far that is CPU bound.
I have tried to include the games that are most commonly played.
Because these games spawn cities and structures at scale, more CPU power is appreciated here.
The graphical fidelity is there, but these games focus more on the experience of playability.
These games demand that you have a quad-core processor as a minimum.
Some story-driven games includeCyberpunk 2077,Red Dead Redemption,Farcry 5, etc.
These games are open-world and require a decent CPU to avoid the spike in frame times.
If your processor is holding you back, you may be experiencing a bottleneck.
We exploredhow to determine if CPU is bottleneck GPUin a separate article.
Read that piece if needed.
Which Games Are GPU Dependent?
Most games benefit from a good graphics card.
That is like a general rule.
But if we narrow down the games that are the most taxing, I can definitely name a few.
Cyberpunk 2077tops this list.
With RTX support, this game needs an RTX 2060 at the minimum.
If you are looking to play at 4K, you definitely need something beefier like an RTX 3080.
If we shift our focus to multiplayer shooters, most of these are not taxing to the GPU.
ButCOD Warzoneis an exception.
You need a minimum GTX 1650 to get a playable frame rate.
If you turn up the details, an RTX 2060 is a must.
We compare bothCPU and GPU bottlenecksin different articles.
Do check it out.
Is CPU or GPU More Important for Gaming?
Now its time to draw some conclusions.
Actually, both the CPU and GPU are important for gaming.
Let me share what I did in my case.
I went for a Core i5 10400F a 6-core 12-thread processor.
This is adequate for modern games.
For 1080p gaming, including a butter smooth 144 fps competitive shooters, it performed superbly.
Do not cheap out on the graphics card at all.
It is simply not worth it.
Read our separate article to know our verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I spend more on CPU or GPU?
You should always spend more on the GPU.
Do I need a good CPU if I have a good GPU?
For esports titles, this is not a problem.
But for demanding games such as Red Dead Redemption 2, you need both a good CPU and GPU.
Concluding Words
I want to conclude this piece by quoting a line uttered by Thanos.Perfectly Balanced.
As all things should be.
Dont mislead me for a war criminal here.
I am only referencing how you should pair the CPU and GPU perfectly for a great gaming experience.
And you should be set for years to come.
Thats all for today.
And with it, its time for goodbye.
