Video vs CPU limitations...

[omniphil]

Just trying to gauge at what point gaming becomes cpu limited and the same with video limited.

Lets assume were using the latests games. Doom3, Everquest2, Battlefield 2, etc...
And lets also leave AA and AF out of the picture.

As the video resolution increases does the video card take the brunt of the impact? For example if I start at say 1024x768, whats the limiting factor for maximum frames per second. CPU or video card?

What about at 1600x1200? Does the cpu hold the system back, or the video card?

 

[Lonyo]

It depends on the game, but generally you are more likely to be GPU limited as you increase the resolution, while lower resolutions/detail settings are more likely to be CPU limited, but it really does vary a lot between games. Some games (like HL2) are CPU limited almost all the time, while others (dunno which so I won't guess) are pretty much 100% GPU limited.

 

[omniphil]

Ok, I usually play games at 1600x1200 or higher if the game allows, so its fairly safe to say im GPU limited... So if I turn on AA i'll take a performance hit with my FPS. Dont want that 🙂

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: omniphil
Ok, I usually play games at 1600x1200 or higher if the game allows, so its fairly safe to say im GPU limited... So if I turn on AA i'll take a performance hit with my FPS. Dont want that 🙂

There you go.

You pretty much answered your own question.

1600x1200 or higher is when video card starts to become the limiting factor, except for games like UT2k4, HL2.