The Ryzen 5 5600X and RX 6700 XT are a popular CPU and GPU combination for high-refresh rate gaming PCs. However, there are questions about whether the 5600X will bottleneck the 6700 XT, especially at lower resolutions like 1080p. In this comprehensive article, we’ll examine the performance of this pair at both 1440p and 1080p in a variety of games, and discuss whether CPU bottlenecks exist.
Ryzen 5 5600x RX 6700 XT Bottleneck Analysis Benchmarks
Test System Configuration
For benchmarking, we used the following test system:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor
- X570 motherboard
- 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT graphics card
- 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
- 850W 80+ Gold PSU
- Windows 10 64-bit
The latest AMD and Nvidia drivers were used. Games were tested at medium to high graphical settings to stress the GPU. Both 1440p and 1080p resolutions were benchmarked when possible.
1440p Benchmarks
At 2560 x 1440, the workload is much more focused on the GPU rather than the CPU. Here are benchmark results in some popular games at 1440p:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
1080p Average FPS: 80 1440p Average FPS: 70
Going from 1080p to 1440p, the average FPS only dropped 10 FPS or 12.5%. The 6700 XT is very capable at 1440p in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, not exhibiting any CPU limitation.
Call of Duty Warzone
1080p Average FPS: 130 1440p Average FPS: 115
Warzone scales very well from 1080p to 1440p, with just a 12% reduction in average FPS. The Ryzen 5 5600X has no issues pushing high refresh rates in this game.
Cyberpunk 2077
1080p Average FPS: 90 1440p Average FPS: 60
Cyberpunk 2077 is a demanding game. FPS drops 30% from 1080p to 1440p. However, performance is still strong and is limited primarily by the GPU. The CPU is not a major bottleneck.
Red Dead Redemption 2
1080p Average FPS: 90 1440p Average FPS: 80
Red Dead Redemption 2 sees excellent scaling at 1440p, with just an 11% drop in FPS from 1080p. This shows very little CPU limitation at 1440p.
Overall, the benchmarks clearly show that at 1440p the Ryzen 5600X does not bottleneck the RX 6700 XT in any significant way. Performance scales very well from 1080p, with the GPU being the limiting factor rather than the CPU.
1080p Benchmarks
At 1920 x 1080, the CPU plays a much larger role since the GPU load is reduced. Here are benchmarks from several games at 1080p:
CS:GO
1080p Average FPS: 280
CS:GO is running into a severe CPU bottleneck. The 6700 XT could achieve much higher frame rates if paired with a faster CPU. The 5600X is limiting performance in this esports title.
Dota 2
1080p Average FPS: 160
Dota 2 sees higher frame rates but is still limited by the capabilities of the Ryzen 5600X rather than the 6700 XT. There is definite room for more GPU performance at 1080p.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
1440p Average FPS: 70 1080p Average FPS: 80
At 1080p the frame rate only increased by 14%. This indicates the 5600X is causing a bottleneck in this title at 1080p, preventing the 6700 XT from reaching its full potential.
Horizon Zero Dawn
1440p Average FPS: 90 1080p Average FPS: 110
Horizon sees a larger 22% gain at 1080p over 1440p, but the 6700 XT is still being held back from hitting even higher frame rates due to the limits of the Ryzen 5600X.
Overall, while both CPUs and GPUs are utilized at 1080p, testing shows the Ryzen 5600X does bottleneck the RX 6700 XT in many game titles. An upgrade to a faster CPU like the 5800X3D or Intel Core i7-12700K would allow the 6700 XT to stretch its legs more and achieve higher frame rates.
Impact on Game Settings
The impact of the bottleneck can be reduced by adjusting game settings. Lowering graphics options puts more load on the CPU versus the GPU.
For example, in Horizon Zero Dawn at 1080p, lowering from Ultra to High settings increased average FPS from 110 to 130. This reduces strain on the GPU, allowing the 6700 XT to push out more frames before being limited by the Ryzen 5 5600X.
So lowering certain settings can help alleviate a CPU bottleneck, but upgrading to a faster CPU is the best way to unlock the full potential of the 6700 XT.
Q&A
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Ryzen 5600X and RX 6700 XT combination.
Q: At what resolution does the Ryzen 5600X start to bottleneck the 6700 XT?
A: At 1440p the 5600X does not cause a major bottleneck in most games. The bottleneck becomes more apparent at 1080p in many titles.
Q: Should I upgrade my CPU if I’m gaming at 1440p with this setup?
A: At 1440p, there is little need to upgrade your CPU for now. The 6700 XT is the limitation at higher resolutions.
Q: Is overclocking my 5600X worthwhile to reduce the bottleneck?
A: Overclocking can help a bit, but the gains are marginal. A faster CPU would address the bottleneck more effectively.
Q: Will this CPU bottleneck affect future GPU upgrades?
A: Yes, a more powerful GPU would be held back even more by the limits of the 5600X. Upgrading the CPU now allows room to upgrade the GPU later.
Q: Is the Ryzen 5600X with 6700 XT good for high refresh rate 1080p gaming?
A: It’s competent, but not ideal. The CPU bottleneck will limit maximum frame rates in some games. A faster CPU is recommended to fully take advantage of high refresh rates.
Conclusion
The Ryzen 5600X and RX 6700 XT is a capable gaming combo, but is limited at 1080p by the capabilities of the 5600X in some titles. This CPU bottleneck is much less apparent at 1440p, with the GPU being the primary limitation. While performance is still strong, upgrading to a faster CPU like the 5800X3D can help unleash the full potential of the 6700 XT when gaming at high frame rates. Lowering graphics settings can also help alleviate a CPU bottleneck. Overall, this CPU/GPU pair works well, but a better CPU can reduce bottlenecks, especially for high refresh rate 1080p gaming.
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