Dual core compatibility
 

OK, I'm writing this post from ym fathers Linux comp as I'm waiting for my neighbour to put together my new comp.

It's gonna be the new Intel 2 DUO E6300 1,866 GHz processor (I know that it's not the best one out there, but remember I need a completetly new motherboard), Gigabyte GeForce 7600 GT (passive cooling) and 2 GB DDII 800 MHz RAM.

Now I want to know if Silent Hunter III in any way works better on the new dual-core machines (too bad it's not a 64bit game :down:). I heard that the new Intel processor works wonders, even with my new "not so best" processor.

I already play the game at full detail, but is there any difference. I'm sure some of you already have dual-core machines and will be able to tell me if there is any difference at all!

Well I'm not an expert, but the purpose of dual core is that certain programs would run on one core while others run on another at the same time, so the game is run on one while your antivirus is running on another. At least I think that's what is supposed to happen. So to me, if it does what's intended then the answer to your question should be yes, generally speaking. So as I see it, with one core, I am forced to close all other programs while I play to avoid conflicting issues, but by having a second core, you could in theory keep a program open like your AV.

I have no problems with one.

But does the game work any differently. I know that in others high-res games the new cores help, but I'm not sure what will the difference be in SH3.

I'm no expert either, but I belive that dual-core processors don't work that way!

Well maybe we can get an expert to help us out a bit.:help:

It does work like that.

My dual-core Pentium IV (3.06GHz) is running the game beautifully. It's not a huge improvement over my previous single-core Athlon, to be honest, but I think there is a certain performance ceiling for the game that I have already hit. Likewise, I have not observed that much difference between 1 and 2GB of RAM.

Does it work with Dual-core processors well? You bet.
Is it worth getting a Dual-core processor? Yes, I think so. But not for SHIII. You won't see much change from a decent non-dual-core machine.

What kind of difference were you expecting ?
FPS is all that can change when you get a new cpu.

If you already play at 100% details.

In fact don't really know. That's why I asked. You never know.

Well I get the machine today and then I'll be able to tell you guys if there was any difference at all!

Will the dual core help? yes it will. How it will help is split what programs are running on what cpu letting your game have more cpu resorces to work from. Dual core systems are more geared for multi tasking. Having several programs running at once. There is not a lot of software out right now that utilizes the benefits of dual cores but it is comming.
I have an AMD 4800+x2 processor. I play BF2 a lot as well. It helped this game due to taking other programs and running them on the other cpu. That is where your better game play will come in. WIll you get a rise in FPS. Maybe a few but not a whole lot. That comes from the actual speed of the cpu, graphics and bus.

The core 2 duos have a stronger MHz power perciycle than P4 or Athlon64.
I just bought a dualcore a few weeks ago and I realized that some situation got more FPS! For example the landing at D-day got about 7 to 10 FPS more.
All in all you shouldn´t notice much different but if you try to overclock that cpu you´ll
should see more differents @ 3GHz Core2Duo.

regards
Han

Well I'm writing this from my new machine (haven't installed SH3 yet).

But I got the picture! I was running the anti-virus programme and played a game at the same time. My old computer would go balistic if I tried to do that. I does help a lot.

I was going for the 4200+ X2, but they ran fresh out!

Then I'd need liquid nitrogen cooling for that. Going from 1,866 to 3 GHz is an almost 100% overclock. I really doubt anything would take it. It would probably fall aprt. Plus with this new Core 2 DUO proccesors. you really can't look at it's speed. It outranks Athlon, if you compare processors with similar speeds.

Then you'll be suprised by core 2 processors :lol:

e6300 (1,86 ghz) overclocks without any problems even to 2,8ghz on STOCK cooling (yeah on that pathetic cooler incuded in the BOX version)- when a mobo is not in a case- just on a table with appropriate air flow.
If you can provide good ventilation you may reach similar results in a comp case.

If using better heat sink (ex. scythe ninja) you can reach 3ghz easily.

Read xtremesystems, especially this thread :
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=106321

And remember that if they write there "prime stable" that means that their system works good with prime95 programme (google it to find out what it is)- other applications, even games, hardly ever use as much CPU resources as p95 does.

Ok, I confess, I'm playing SH3 on a PIII 1.2 GHz PC.........DUAL. Yep thats right, a DUAL PIII setup. Now I'm not talking about a 2 in 1 Dual CPU, but 2 Completely independant CPU's. No real different than a Dual core tho. If you dont believe me look up this Intel CPU.

PIII -SM Tualitin 1.2GHz L2/512 FSB133MHz

These are a MP Architech CPU.

Now Technicaly speaking I'm well below Minimum System Spec's as far as a CPU is concerned for SH3. And as for my RAM, well you must be thinking - SDRAM @ 133MHz, it must run like CRAP! Well heres another interesting tid bit, I dont run SDRAM, No Sir, I'm running DDR RAM, yep you heard me right, DDR. On a PIII - He's full of it you must be thinking. Nope, MSI made a wee lil M/Board for the PIII -SM Tualitin CPU's that could handlel DDR RAM and upto 4GB's of it at that! Now I use to have 4GB of 333MHz (clocked back to 266MHz) but after a small run in with a drink spill I'm down to 2GB's. Now remember tho, this is still a PIII M/Board, so my AGP slot is only a 4 x AGP.

So what does all this lead to, well you asked "Would a Dual Core make any difference to SH3". I can answer whole heartedly........YES. And heres the proof, at 40-60FPS depending on conditions (remember this is out of a 4 x APG - PIII set up), my game looks like this.

http://www.git.com.au/~voyager_tek/DawnatSea01.jpg

http://www.git.com.au/~voyager_tek/DawnatSea02.jpg

Not to foul for a 4 year old PC, if I do say so myself!

Gibs- Literally your comp is "dual core"- but today's "dual core" processors mean something slightly different :oops:
Allright you have 2 cores- but the purpose of using 2 cores in 1 processor instead of one is not to "HAVE 2 COREs" but to boost performance :know:
How much L2 memory does those dual PIII have ? 256 or 512 for each processor.
New Core2 duo have 2mb or 4mb L2 cache to share for both cores.
Comparing 2 old processors made to work together with new dual core cpus is useless.
Completely different technology, different architecture etc.
Tuluain- 130 micrometers technology, Conroe- 65 micrometers


But apart from all that-
If you want to buy a (faster/dual core/other brand) CPU- Do not expect ANY other difference than (higher/lower) Frames Per Second and (better/worse) general performance (freezes, choppiness etc.) in ANY game !
CPU is just a kind of calculator which works on basic electrical signals- the only difference between CPUs is HOW FAST they can do calculations.

The game will only use one core of your processor, so you are going to want the absolute fastest core you can afford.

Many, many, many other games will only use one core. You need to prioritize your compents while keeping this in mind. First-Person-Shooters have extremely complex AI and physics engines (the Havoc engine, in particular), and will choke on a slow core.

It's the "drawback" of going dual core. You've got to plan for games that can only use one of them.

This is correct, and that is why I just bought an AMD Athon 3800+ ... for now.

I know, that's why I said NOT 2in1. Mine is Pyshicaly 2 CPU's, and yes it makes a difference.

Again, I know. Mine, given their age and speed, do cope quite well, in fact if it wasnt for the Dual setup my PC would really struggle. And as you can see by the screen shot, its not to foul at all.

They have 512 each.

Actually its not, since MP architecture used on 2 single CPU's is not really any different to a single dual core CPU, both require MP enabled boards and MP system files. The only real difference is pyshical, in that 1 system has 2 CPU's with single cores still needing MP architecture to run, as apposed to 1 CPU with 2 cores still needing MP architecture to run. The real difference between my now aging CPU's and todays new Dual Cores, is the Speed and the L2 mem. And there aint that much difference in the speed department but the L2 mem there is. And thats about it. In fact I have been so pleased with what my lil old PIII Dual setup can do (far beyond what it was ever concieved of being able to run) and at times still even today, besting more uptodate systems in what it can handle, that I decided to build a new MP PC. Keeping my new PC in the same design concept, I have used a Dual XEON MT64 Board and placed 2 3.2GHz Xeon MT64 CPU's L2 2mb L3 6mb onboard. The old PIII MB had ATA RAID that I ran Striped. My new MB has SCSI Raid plus SATA RAID as well as standard ATA/IDE. The old 4 x AGP slot will now given way to a PCIEx16 slot and when I can finaly get it the new Vid card will be a xFx GFX7950GX2. With the ability to run 16Gb of DDR2 @ 400Mhz dual channel I think my new PC will see me through another 4-5 years, just like my lil old PIII has. So yes MP PC's do make a difference, what you do with them tho is up to you. :)

PS: Ohh and before you ask, yes I do need that much grunt. When you do as much modding as I and as many models that I have done over the years, its nice to be able to do all this with out sitting there waiting for the PC to catch up.

:dead::dead::dead:

OK GUYS YOU GOT ME THERE!!!

I honestly don't know what to post as a reply.

Nice work everyone and I thank you very much for your efford.

I checked the page! WOW!!! :huh::huh::huh: Going to 3 GHz on the E6300, and the Extreme version was only bumped to 3,7 GHz! When I get some more cash (just spent everything on my new comp and school books (don't you just hate the prices they're giving us these days) I'll buy a good vent and bump it to 3 GHz.

I already have a closed and goodly vented (:oops:) box as I use Silent Pipe II for my Geforce card! So I'll be having an UBER computer in no time!

Slow down a bit and don't get too excited by what you have seen on xtremesystems ;)

Before you do ANY overclocking- read a lot about it, look for some basic overclocking guides, read topics on xtremesystems etc.

It's really NOT like "yeah, i'll buy a core 2, set FSB to 400 and in a minute i have 2 times better performance" :roll:

Overclocking takes a lot of time- it can take a whole day to get optimal values.
Remember that your aim is not to have as many Mhz as possible- but to get as much STABLE performance as possible- Which means testing each configuration with ex. prime95 for a longer time and checking temps and general stability.
There are many variables that must be changed/monitored: FSB, Vcore, temperature, memory timings...
You'll notice that when you read overclocking guides

Those 3Ghz results are achieved with mobos on a table, with many coolers cooling many parts of a mobo.

There are also parts other than CPU that need to be cooled- mosfets, north bridge, sometimes- ram.


I'll give you my own example- I overclocked 10% my e6300 (form 1866 to 2052, just by increasing FSB) and it reaches even 60 degrees in stress- which is too much for core 2 processors.
I have good case ventilation (rear/back fans, airduct fo cpu cooler)- but still, BOX cooler is too weak for it.
OK, I'll replace it with something better, add another 120mm fan- but still, I'm not expecting to reach extremely high overclocking values .

There is a big difference between extreme overclocking (done to break records) and regular overclocking (done to have a slightly faster system)