ArmaMatch — Compatibility & Bottleneck Analysis

Pick seven compatible categories, measure the bottleneck

Choose a CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, cooler, power supply and storage. ArmaMatch instantly checks socket and platform compatibility, memory rules, cooler capacity, storage interfaces and the power budget — and estimates the bottleneck for your resolution.

Parts

1249

Brands

What does ArmaMatch do, and who is it for?

ArmaMatch answers two core questions: “Do the parts I have picked fit together?” and “Is this build balanced, or is one side bottlenecking the other?” For the first, it checks socket/platform compatibility, memory type and speed, DIMM slot count, cooler TDP capacity, storage interfaces and the power budget. For the second, it weights the CPU, GPU and memory performance tiers against your resolution profile to calculate a bottleneck ratio.

The tool suits new builders putting together their first system, anyone planning an upgrade, people building on a tight budget, and anyone who wants to compare several configurations quickly. No account is required; you are never asked for personal data, and every result has a shareable link.

Estimated bottleneck · The wider the tier gap, the bigger the bottleneck.

How to use it, step by step

Lists and panels update instantly as you choose — you can work in any order you like.

1 Start with the graphics card

The GPU sets the performance ceiling and the resolution you are aiming for. Mid-range cards suit 1080p, upper-mid suits 1440p and high-end cards suit 4K. Use the memory-type buttons (GDDR6, GDDR7…) to narrow the list quickly.

2 Pick the CPU

Choose a processor in the same class as the GPU so it can feed it. Staying in the same tier is the key to a balanced build; an over-weak CPU causes a clear loss at 1080p.

3 Pick the motherboard

The board’s socket and platform must match the CPU. The board also sets the memory type (DDR4 / DDR5), DIMM count and M.2 slots, so choosing it early filters the remaining lists correctly.

4 Complete the memory

The DDR type must match the board. Think about capacity together with module count: two modules (dual channel) are noticeably faster than one. For gaming, 16GB is the minimum and 32GB is comfortable.

5 Finish cooling, power and storage

The cooler must support the socket and cover the CPU’s TDP. Base the PSU on the recommended wattage and check ATX 3.x (12VHPWR) support for cards such as RTX 40/50.

6 Read the results

The right-hand panel shows compatibility status, power budget, the bottleneck gauge and the game FPS list. Click a problem status row and the page scrolls to the relevant card with a suggestion.

How the bottleneck ratio and power budget are calculated

Every part has a performance tier from 1 to 6. The bottleneck ratio is calculated deterministically in four steps: (1) the capacity gap between the strong and weak part is taken; (2) the limiting side is weighted — a CPU bottleneck wastes resources and is weighted heavily, while a GPU bottleneck is normal and weighted lightly; (3) the resolution profile is applied — CPU-bound loss is highest at 1080p and GPU-bound loss grows at 4K; (4) if the memory tier lags behind, +6 points are added per tier.

Scale: 0–7 balanced · 8–19 mild · 20–34 moderate · 35–54 high · 55+ critical. The result is always the same; the same build returns the same ratio and the weakest link is highlighted.

The power budget is the sum of CPU TDP + GPU TDP + motherboard (30W) + RAM (module × 3W) + cooler + storage, plus a system allowance; the recommended PSU adds roughly 30% headroom (rounded to 50W steps). The card maker’s recommended PSU is also checked.

Example scenarios

1080p budget build

A mid-tier CPU with an entry-to-mid graphics card gives a smooth system at 1080p high settings. In this segment the CPU should stay in the same class as the GPU to avoid loss at 1080p. A 550–650W power supply is sufficient.

1440p balanced gaming build

An upper-mid graphics card paired with a balanced CPU is the most efficient range at 1440p. Here the resolution factor reduces CPU-bound loss, so the system usually comes out GPU-bound and balanced. A ~750W PSU and a tower cooler are typical choices.

4K high-end build

At 4K the load shifts to the graphics card; GPU-bound loss rises, but that is normal. In this segment the power budget and thermals become more critical: an ATX 3.x PSU and a 280–360mm liquid cooler are recommended.

Common mistakes

Investing on one side only: Spending the whole budget on a GPU and pairing it with a weak CPU is a recipe for a serious bottleneck at 1080p.
Single-module memory: Buying the same capacity as two modules (dual channel) instead of one gives a clear performance gain.
DDR mismatch: You cannot install DDR5 memory in a DDR4 board (or vice versa); the tool hides those rows automatically.
Buying by wattage alone: efficiency, ATX 3.x support and connector count matter as much as the number on the box.
Ignoring cooler TDP: A stock cooler is not enough for a high-end CPU; temperatures and noise rise under load.
An undersized power supply: A cheap, unbranded PSU can cause instability and hardware damage under load; use the recommended wattage as a baseline.
Looking only at average FPS: 1% lows and frame times affect how smooth a game feels more than average FPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ArmaMatch completely free?

Yes. All compatibility checks, bottleneck analysis and FPS estimates are free; no account or payment is needed. The site is sustained by advertising and ads never affect the results.

What is a bottleneck?

A bottleneck is when the slowest component in a system limits the performance of the others. If the GPU is strong but the CPU is weak, the CPU cannot feed the GPU and part of the potential FPS is wasted. ArmaMatch expresses this balance as a ratio.

Are the results exact?

Compatibility rules are exact and definitive. Bottleneck percentages and FPS values are estimates based on measurements; drivers, game patches and silicon variance can change the outcome. They are reliable as a comparison, not as an exact measurement.

Which resolution should I pick?

Pick based on your monitor. At 1080p the CPU matters most, 1440p is a balanced middle ground, and at 4K the load falls on the GPU. The analysis updates for the resolution profile you select.

Do I need to register or enter data?

No. Your selections travel only in the page URL. Your language and sorting preferences are saved in a browser cookie; no account is required.

How broad and current is the catalog?

It holds more than 1,200 entries across seven categories and over 80 brands, covering Intel, AMD and everything from entry segments to HEDT and workstation parts. New parts are added regularly.

How does the upgrade suggestion work?

The system highlights the weakest link and suggests a higher-tier part that matches your chosen filters. If the CPU is limiting, for example, a stronger model on the same socket is suggested.

Does it work with JavaScript disabled?

Yes. All calculations run on the server; JavaScript only speeds up dropdowns and live updates. With JS off, every selection is applied by reloading the page.

Pick seven compatible categories, measure the bottleneck

✓ Analysis scope

Which checks are performed?

1 Socket & platform

2 Memory rules

3 Cooler & TDP

4 Game performance

5 Storage interface

6 Power budget

7 Bottleneck analysis

8 Consistency

Pick your parts

1 Processor (CPU)

2 Motherboard

3 Memory (RAM)

4 Graphics Card (GPU)

5 CPU Cooler

6 Power Supply (PSU)

7 Storage

How is the bottleneck ratio calculated?

Scale