1. Introduction and Scope
Welcome to PC Bottleneck Calculator, operated by Bran Deen (accessible at www.bottleneckgpucpucalculator.com). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you visit our website and use our free PC bottleneck calculator, CPU GPU compatibility checker, and related performance analysis tools.
By accessing or using our website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our services immediately.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily
When using our bottleneck calculator tool, you may provide:
- Hardware component selections: CPU model, GPU model, RAM capacity, storage type, and screen resolution you input into the calculator
- Contact information: Name and email address if you contact us via our contact form
- Feedback and comments: Any information submitted through feedback forms or blog comments
Important: Our calculator operates entirely client-side (in your browser). Your hardware selections are processed locally and are not stored on our servers. No account creation or login is required.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies. Non-essential tracking (Google Analytics and Google AdSense) is blocked for visitors in the EEA, UK, and similar regions until you provide consent via our cookie banner. See our Cookie Policy for details.
When active, we may collect:
- Device information: Browser type, operating system, screen resolution, device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
- Usage data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, scroll depth, referring URLs
- Network information: IP address (anonymized), approximate geographic location (country/region level only)
- Performance data: Page load times, interaction metrics, and Core Web Vitals data
2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, measure traffic, and (with your consent) display advertisements. We implement Google Consent Mode v2 so Google tags respect your choices before any analytics or advertising cookies are set. For detailed information, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for the following purposes:
- Service improvement: Analyzing how users interact with our PC performance calculator, bottleneck analysis tools, and content to improve functionality and user experience
- Website analytics: Understanding traffic patterns, popular content, and user engagement metrics through Google Analytics 4
- Technical optimization: Monitoring website performance, diagnosing technical issues, and optimizing page speed and Core Web Vitals
- Content personalization: Serving content in your preferred language through our multilingual system (English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Turkish, Polish, Italian)
- Communication: Responding to your inquiries, feedback, or support requests
- Security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, spam, and unauthorized access
- Legal compliance: Meeting applicable legal and regulatory obligations
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, and Switzerland, we process personal data based on:
- Legitimate interest: Improving our bottleneck calculator tools, analyzing website performance, and ensuring security
- Consent: When you voluntarily provide personal data or accept non-essential cookies
- Legal obligation: When processing is required by applicable law
5. Third-Party Services
We integrate the following third-party services that may collect data independently:
5.1 Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand website traffic and user behavior. GA4 is loaded only when you consent to analytics cookies (or automatically for visitors outside regions where consent is required). GA4 uses cookies and collects anonymized data including:
- Pages visited and time spent
- Traffic sources and geographic region
- Device and browser information
- User interaction events (clicks, scrolls, form interactions)
IP addresses are anonymized before being processed by Google Analytics. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Google's privacy policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
5.2 Google AdSense
We may display advertisements through Google AdSense or other third-party advertising networks, operated by Google LLC and its partners. AdSense is loaded only when you consent to advertising cookies (or automatically for visitors outside regions where consent is required).
Google and its advertising partners use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads, measure ad performance, prevent fraud, and (where permitted) deliver personalized ads based on your interests and browsing activity on this and other websites. This may involve processing of device identifiers, IP address, and interaction data.
You can manage ad personalization at Google Ads Settings. Learn how Google uses data from partner sites: Google Privacy & Terms — Partner sites. Google's privacy policy: policies.google.com/privacy.
For a full list of advertising cookies, see our Cookie Policy (Section 2.3).
Google, as a third-party vendor, uses the DART cookie to serve ads to visitors of this site based on their visit to this site and other sites on the internet. The DART cookie is used by Google in the ads served on publisher websites displaying AdSense advertising. When users visit a Google partner website and either view or click on an ad, a cookie may be dropped on that end user's browser. You may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google advertising opt-out page at: https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads
5.3 Content Delivery
We may use content delivery networks (CDNs) to serve static assets (CSS, JavaScript, fonts) for improved performance. These services may collect standard server log data.
How This Site Is Funded
This website earns revenue by displaying advertisements including ads served by Google AdSense and potentially other third-party advertising networks. When you view or interact with these ads the site receives a small payment from the advertiser. This revenue helps cover the costs of running and maintaining the site. The presence of advertising does not influence the content, tools, or recommendations on this site. We do not accept payment to feature specific hardware products or brands in our calculator or blog content.
6. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share information only in these circumstances:
- Service providers: With trusted third-party services that help operate our website (hosting, analytics, advertising), subject to confidentiality obligations
- Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or government request
- Protection of rights: To protect our rights, safety, property, or the rights and safety of others
- Business transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice provided to users
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy:
- Analytics data: Retained for 14 months (Google Analytics default), then automatically deleted
- Contact form submissions: Retained for up to 12 months after the last interaction
- Server logs: Retained for up to 90 days for security and diagnostic purposes
- Calculator usage: Not stored — all processing happens in your browser
8. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Right to access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Right to correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to deletion: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
- Right to restriction: Request that we restrict processing of your data
- Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interest
- Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent — use the Cookie Policy page to change your cookie preferences
- Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority (DPA) if you believe your personal data has been processed unlawfully. In the EU you can find your national DPA at https://edpb.europa.eu/about-edpb/board/members_en — in the UK the relevant authority is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email address provided in Section 12. You can also change or revoke cookie consent at any time on our Cookie Policy page.
8.1 California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete, and the right to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.
9. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:
- HTTPS encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using TLS/SSL
- Secure hosting: Our website is hosted on secure servers with regular security updates
- Access controls: Restricted access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
- Regular audits: Periodic review of data collection, storage, and processing practices
While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Children's Privacy
Our website and PC bottleneck calculator are not directed at children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will promptly delete such information.
11. International Data Transfers
Our website is hosted and operated from servers that may be located outside your country of residence. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries that may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for any such transfers.
12. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
- Data controller: Bran Deen, operating as PC Bottleneck Calculator
- Website: www.bottleneckgpucpucalculator.com/contact
- Email: [email protected]
For privacy questions, use the contact form at /contact. We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.
14. Related Policies
This Privacy Policy should be read in conjunction with our other policies:
- Terms of Service — Rules governing use of our website and tools
- Cookie Policy — Details on how we use cookies and tracking technologies
- Disclaimer — Limitations of liability and accuracy of our bottleneck analysis