config evolution

[awildo]

Hello all,
i'm here because i like to play some games on dolphin and i have a few questions.
Atm, i'm running it with e6600 @3.6ghz and a 8800 gt on a 19° screen(1280x1024).
Some games run pretty well but l have some issues with twilight princess per example like in the hyrule fields i got only 20-22fps and mario galaxy is not playable.
So, what gives fps to dolphin? cpu or gpu?
Better to go for a newer cpu like i5/i7 and maybe 2500k or improve the graphic card? I can't do both.
Is 4 cores better? cache memory does impact a lot? If i go for a i5 and get it to 3.6ghz like i'm right now would I get more fps or just the same?
I coudn't find any benchmark so i would like to understand what improves dolphin emulation,
thanks in advance =)

[JackyCola]

CPU does all the emulation work. Dolphin makes use of 2 Cores. Also check this: http://forums.dolphin-emu.org/thread-6498.html

Short post because others know more than i do =)

[NaturalViolence]

Quote:So, what gives fps to dolphin? cpu or gpu?

Both are important. It depends on which revision you're using, which game you're running, and what setting you're using. CPU is usually more important but it depends just how bad someone's cpu and gpu are.

Quote:Better to go for a newer cpu like i5/i7 and maybe 2500k or improve the graphic card? I can't do both.

You already have a decent video card so definitely go for a better cpu.

Quote:Is 4 cores better?

Barely. Dolphin only uses 2 threads but you might get an extra 5% just from having background processes running on separate cores.

Quote:cache memory does impact a lot?

You mean cpu cache? It depends. As long as you have at least a couple MB not really.

Quote:If i go for a i5 and get it to 3.6ghz like i'm right now would I get more fps or just the same?

More.

Quote:Some games run pretty well but l have some issues with twilight princess per example like in the hyrule fields i got only 20-22fps and mario galaxy is not playable.

Hyrule field is a slow area no matter what you do. Just make sure the ZTP hack is on and you're using efb to texture. Mario galaxy should be playable on that rig with the right revision and settings.

What revision are you using?

What settings are you using?

What OS are you using?

[awildo]

I am using the one of the newest revision, r6728 for now.
i made some ss of my dolphin :
http://img825.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=61867805.jpg
I have windows seven 64bits.

Quote:
If i go for a i5 and get it to 3.6ghz like i'm right now would I get more fps or just the same?

More.

>How much more? That's really the question. Will it be significant?
Does it justify the price of buying a new motherboard(i'm on 775 now), new ram ddr3 and i5/2500k?
Or maybe just a newest cpu on socket 775 will be enought?

[NaturalViolence]

Try using this revision: http://cid-b8ece3275d590dda.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Dolphin/Dolphin%20x64%20SSE3%20SVN%20Revision%206331.7z

And turn off audio throttle in the dsp settings. Check use fps for limiting in the main config and set the framelimit to 60 when you're playing SMG and 30 when you're playing TP (unless you're using pal, then use 50 and 25 instead of 60 and 30.).

Quote:>How much more? That's really the question. Will it be significant?

That depends on the game and settings. In most cases yes.

Quote:Or maybe just a newest cpu on socket 775 will be enought?

No. You will barely get any speedup from doing that. Your current cpu is already very good for the 775 platform.

Quote:Does it justify the price of buying a new motherboard(i'm on 775 now), new ram ddr3 and i5/2500k?

I guess that depends on how much money you have lying around. If you have the money then sure, go for it. If you don't then I would wait for something cheaper like bulldozer.