processor question

Snakeeyes · 02-07-10, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

Alright, average of 30 FPS during campaign intro, 25 at speech on carrier, "high" preset, 1280*960.

50-60% CPU usage on average, spikes to over 80% (up to 85%). Distributed over all 4 cores, but 1 or 2 seem to be taxed slightly more.

Q9550 (E0) @2.8GHz
4GB DDR2-800 5-5-5-15
P35 board
8800GTS 512

Can run again with CPU @ 3GHz, but it seems clear Arma 2 really needs those cores.

*Maybe a more powerfull graphics card could take away some load from the CPU, but I can't say how much good it would do you.

I have a 9800GTS card right now and like it. I'm looking at the
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor right now but I'm worried about 2 things:

1. power supply- The chip draws 120 watts and graphics card has a hell of a fan. My current power supply is 500 watts. What do you think?

2. temperature monitoring- i'd like to know she's getting too hot before it's too late you know?

Arclight · 02-07-10, 08:29 AM

I'm running that on a 520W PSU, CPU is supposed to draw 95W, but it's slightly underclocked (2.8 instead of 2.84GHz). Cranked up the FSB to 1600 instead of 1333, so that's technically overclocked. 1 DVD-RW, 4HDs, X-fi Platinum souncard, 5 fans (3 case + 2 CPU).

520 gives me all the power I need, though I have some concerns about upgrading the graphics card to, say, GTX275/285 or the new GTX460/480 that are on the way. Would feel more comfortable with a 600W supply in that case (750-800 or more if you're interested in SLI/CrossFire or dual-GPU card).

For temp monitor, SpeedFan is a nice tool. Small, light, easy to place on 2nd monitor while playing and keep track of the temps. Might need to click "configure" and deselect some sensors that you don't need, to declutter the display; my 3rd and 4th core weren't visible (window doesn't resize), so I deselected the HD temps.

Snakeeyes · 02-07-10, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

I'm running that on a 520W PSU, CPU is supposed to draw 95W, but it's slightly underclocked (2.8 instead of 2.84GHz). Cranked up the FSB to 1600 instead of 1333, so that's technically overclocked. 1 DVD-RW, 4HDs, X-fi Platinum souncard, 5 fans (3 case + 2 CPU).

520 gives me all the power I need, though I have some concerns about upgrading the graphics card to, say, GTX275/285 or the new GTX460/480 that are on the way. Would feel more comfortable with a 600W supply in that case (750-800 or more if you're interested in SLI/CrossFire or dual-GPU card).

For temp monitor, SpeedFan is a nice tool. Small, light, easy to place on 2nd monitor while playing and keep track of the temps. Might need to click "configure" and deselect some sensors that you don't need, to declutter the display; my 3rd and 4th core weren't visible (window doesn't resize), so I deselected the HD temps.

I'm not looking at upgrading the graphics card for the moment either. I'm satisfied with what I get out of it for the time being. This AMD chip I'm looking at gets nothing but positive reviews at the moment.

Arclight · 02-07-10, 08:56 AM

Aye, nice chip. Affordable, good performer, though quite power-hungry.

You won't find anything that delivers noticeably more performance in the Core lineup, have to look to i5 and beyond for better performance. Although obviously the price goes up then as well.

Snakeeyes · 02-07-10, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

Aye, nice chip. Affordable, good performer, though quite power-hungry.

You won't find anything that delivers noticeably more performance in the Core lineup, have to look to i5 and beyond for better performance. Although obviously the price goes up then as well.

You think 500 watts Power supply can handle it or should I upgrade to 600 watts?

Arclight · 02-07-10, 11:12 AM

I think it can handle it, but for the sake of future-proofing, you could go for the 600, maybe even 620/650, depends on the price. If you ever decide to upgrade the card or do some overclocking, you don't have to worry about the PSU suffering a meltdown.

Like I said, I run 520 and it's fine, your CPU would use about 30W more. I've pushed my CPU to 3.4GHz a few times and it still ran fine, voltages stable, though the PSU started putting out quite a bit more heat under load (hence my concern about upgrading).

Snakeeyes · 02-07-10, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

I think it can handle it, but for the sake of future-proofing, you could go for the 600, maybe even 620/650, depends on the price. If you ever decide to upgrade the card or do some overclocking, you don't have to worry about the PSU suffering a meltdown.

Like I said, I run 520 and it's fine, your CPU would use about 30W more. I've pushed my CPU to 3.4GHz a few times and it still ran fine, voltages stable, though the PSU started putting out quite a bit more heat under load (hence my concern about upgrading).

Thanks Arc. You've been a ton of help. I'll increase to 600 watts.

02-07-10, 08:29 AM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	I'm running that on a 520W PSU, CPU is supposed to draw 95W, but it's slightly underclocked (2.8 instead of 2.84GHz). Cranked up the FSB to 1600 instead of 1333, so that's technically overclocked. 1 DVD-RW, 4HDs, X-fi Platinum souncard, 5 fans (3 case + 2 CPU). 520 gives me all the power I need, though I have some concerns about upgrading the graphics card to, say, GTX275/285 or the new GTX460/480 that are on the way. Would feel more comfortable with a 600W supply in that case (750-800 or more if you're interested in SLI/CrossFire or dual-GPU card). For temp monitor, SpeedFan is a nice tool. Small, light, easy to place on 2nd monitor while playing and keep track of the temps. Might need to click "configure" and deselect some sensors that you don't need, to declutter the display; my 3rd and 4th core weren't visible (window doesn't resize), so I deselected the HD temps. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-07-10, 08:56 AM	#4
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Aye, nice chip. Affordable, good performer, though quite power-hungry. You won't find anything that delivers noticeably more performance in the Core lineup, have to look to i5 and beyond for better performance. Although obviously the price goes up then as well. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

02-07-10, 11:12 AM	#6
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	I think it can handle it, but for the sake of future-proofing, you could go for the 600, maybe even 620/650, depends on the price. If you ever decide to upgrade the card or do some overclocking, you don't have to worry about the PSU suffering a meltdown. Like I said, I run 520 and it's fine, your CPU would use about 30W more. I've pushed my CPU to 3.4GHz a few times and it still ran fine, voltages stable, though the PSU started putting out quite a bit more heat under load (hence my concern about upgrading). __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.