Dual Core vs Quad Core

[richardd43]

This question pertains to FSX only.

I currently have a 6000+ (3.0G) and am curious what would happen if I upgrade (downgrade) to a slower quad core. Will the Flight Sim benefit from the quad cores and run smoother at higher settings or will I lose what I have because of the lower clock speeds?

[CaptainT30]

I would definately go for the quad core.

http://www.teamfortress2fort.com/forums ... -4669.aspx

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000942.html

[GunnerMan]

Well what you need to research are how much data a cpu can process per clock. A high clock speed dosen't mean faster. A 4 Ghz CPU is fast but lets say it can handle 10 bits of data per clock cycle. Now lets look at the 2 ghz cpu it can handle 20 bits per clock cycle. So in theory they are the same speed and the 2 Ghz one is actually more efficiant. So check the newer quad core may LOOK slower but it may not be.

Now assuming a 2 Ghz Quad and a 3 ghz DC both have identical data flow per clock. Then you need to ask yourself what kind of programs you use. Are you running a program that supports multi threads or a program that dosen't have a clue what to do with them. How long before you start using programs that support multi thread? A prgram that can use all 4 CPUS will greatly benifit from a quad core. A program that dosent wont.

[th3flyboy]

if flying fsx sp1 or higher, quad core is defanatly better. besides, you can overclock a q6600 from 2.4 ghz a core to 3.6ghz a core

[richardd43]

if flying fsx sp1 or higher, quad core is defanatly better. besides, you can overclock a q6600 from 2.4 ghz a core to 3.6ghz a core

I was wondering more about the new AMD chips. I don't plan on upgrading anytime soon, was just curious about the speed vs the cores in FSX.

But if I do decide to buy a AMD quad I can use it in this board so that would save a few pennys.

[NickN]

Unknown right now. I have not seen or heard any reliable info on the new slugs from AMD and have not worked with any of them thus far.

I can tell you that although there will be backwards compatibility, without a newer chipset motherboard the new AMD processors will be crippled for their higher function features, especially those which deal with communication to the GPU, which will not exist at all.

I can tell you that FSX will load faster and have better terrain loading (especially in turns) with a quad, but, frame rate is not going to be changed, perhaps 1-3 frames better. Frames are more about GHz and core design.

FSX above core 0 is about game load, autogen and terrain mesh. The rest is on core 0 and 1.

As for speed VS cores

[richardd43]

[quote]As for speed VS cores

[NickN]

Work with

[BUFFERPOOLS]
Poolsize=8000000

5000000 to 10000000

I keep mine at 8000000

Also, try playing around with

[Display]
TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT=70

and

[TERRAIN]
SWAP_WAIT_TIMEOUT=37


the numbers I posted are the ones I use. If you wish to experiment, try using this scale:

If you set TBM ot X, set SWTO to Y
TBM

[NickN]

One other thing I noticed, Acell/SP2 introduces an additional memory use of about 150-200MB under the same conditions. If you start noticing consistent stutters, drop to the desktop and check your peak memory usage. If you run 2gigs in the system and you are hitting 1.88-1.92, you can bet that is why you may be stuttering. The system is starting to use the page file right about that range. Hit 1.96-1.98+GB and the system is paging to the hard drive all the time instead of using PM.

As a matter of fact, I have not checked that yet in DX10 but if DX10 is forcing higher memory resource use, then that may explain why some people are seeing a drop instead of an increase in performance.

[ozzy72]

Well my copy of PC World finally showed up (bloomin' Hungarian PO, still waiting for Aeroplane to appear) and it was saying that the quad core is not currently showing any real advantage over the dual core in performance. I'd hang onto your cash for 6-12 months till the differences 45nm technology can make become valid. I remember when I was buying my PC and the P.IV had just appeared but I brought a P.III with the same speed for half the price! I'm still using this antique and getting good FPS in FS

[GunnerMan]

AMD has come out (finally) with their Phenom cpu(the first true quad core) and introducing the spider platform. Is it going to be the Intel smasher? No but it does offer some pretty interesting design features and keeps the AMD guys with at least something to play with. I am interested to see just how well a system that is set up to take optimal advantage of this "spider" platform performs. I agree though I wouldnt rush out and buy any new gen because chances are it will bite you in the ass.