Do you think it's only the budget that limits the writers from writing someone capable and intelligent? I don't think you need a lot of money to depict someone as smart based on the CSI part alone. Grant's Barry, hardly, if ever, uses his brain to solve any conflicts. That was why many of us were ecstatic when we watched "smart" Barry break himself and the others out of prison using his brilliant mind. I was shocked because I'm so used to watching him rely on his team to win all his battles. Of course the team didn't know and Barry was forced to rely on himself.
I loved Ezra's Flash, sure the CGI budget helped make him look cool, but I liked his innocence, he also seemed to be a loner and his lair was make-shift which showcased how smart he was already. I really want to see Grant's Barry at least at an independent level. I was to see Caitlin, Cisco and Barry all fight together like the Justice League. That doesn't undermine Barry's power, he needs a team only where he can't fully give out. Yeah I do think the CGI does cut back what he can do in terms of actual powers, but they can still write him with tact, make him think critically before he acts.