How FrameBalance estimates bottlenecks

A bottleneck happens when one component finishes its work and waits on another. In gaming, that is usually the CPU preparing frames or the GPU rendering them. Average FPS can look fine while 1% lows feel uneven.

FrameBalance assigns each CPU and GPU a relative gaming performance index, then adjusts those scores for your target resolution:

• 1080p — CPU weight up, GPU weight down (CPU limits show up more often).
• 1440p — balanced weights for mainstream gaming.
• 4K — GPU weight up, CPU weight down.

We compare the adjusted scores. If they are close, the pair is marked balanced. If one side lags, we report which side is weaker and how large the gap looks as a percentage.

This is an educational estimate, not a lab measurement. Real results vary by game engine, API, settings, RAM speed, drivers, thermals, and background load. Use the calculator to spot obvious mismatches before you buy — then confirm with benchmarks for the titles you play.