help with amd cpu buying.

[ulao]

I know this question can get annoying. Sorry in advance.

1) I there any advantage in more then 2 cores with dolphin atm? Can dolphin off load the sound in its own core?

2) How does one find out what the best chip for an AM3 socket is. I tried so many ways to search for it but I just dont know what to look at. I see the x2,x4,x6 means cores. I get that I want a fast chip but I already have a 3.2 ( clocked at 3.7 ) already. [AMD Phenom™ II Processor Black 3.2 x2]. I use ddr3 ram in my am3 board, I just want the fasts chip I can stick in there that woudl help for dolphin. Is it better to just change out for intel?

[Shonumi]

1) Only if you count using OpenMP texture decoding and LLE on Thread as a bonus. I believe LLE on Thread is able to use a third core and OpenMP will try to use other available cores as well.

2) Don't have much experience with AMD chips. If you're going to go with AMD, yeah, make sure it's a Black Edition so you can OC it. If you want to wait, Ivy Bridge chips will be coming out soon, so it might be a good chance to switch to Intel.

[admin89]

LLE backend will make use of the third core however you need a Sandy B @ 4.4Ghz . OpenMP work on some game and not work on some game
Nehalem is 10-20% faster than Phenom II/Core 2 Dou
Sandy Bridge is 20% faster than Nehalem
-> You would need a Phenom II @ 5.2Ghz atleast

[ulao]

Just to confirm. Sandy Bridge and ivy Bridge are intel technologies. This would not do me any good using my AM3 board, right?

You would need a Phenom II @ 5.2Ghz atleast

Granted that is fast but what core would be good to shoot for? Can I use the LLE backend with a AMD chip? If not then, no need for more the 3 cores right?

[ExtremeDude2]

Just to confirm. Sandy Bridge and ivy Bridge are intel technologies. This would not do me any good using my AM3 board, right?

Correct, you would need a new mobo.

Can I use the LLE backend with a AMD chip? If not then, no need for more the 3 cores right?

Yes, 3 cores just gives a speed boost (may cause instability tho)

[ulao]

ok, Also I dont think Phenom II goes that fast? Again its harder then anything to find out whats available IMO, but I dont see anything above 3.7.

[NaturalViolence]

OpenMP work on some game and not work on some game

I've never heard of openMP not working with a game. Could you give some examples of some games that have problems with the openMP texture decoder?

A phenom II @ 3.8GHz is about as fast as you're going to get from AMD (which I take it you already have since you didn't list your specs), if you want to improve your performance past that you're going to need to switch to an intel chip, which will require buying a new motherboard.

[ExtremeDude2]

OpenMP work on some game and not work on some game

I've never heard of openMP not working with a game. Could you give some examples of some games that have problems with the openMP texture decoder?

I believe he means it gives no speed up

[ulao]

So what does this guy do that is so special?

The game runs at full speed regardless of me using LLE or HLE. In fact, I've been able to play every single game I've tested at full speed. The audio issues still remain, however, though they are a bit decreased with LLE.
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4850
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (120Hz)
Memory: 6144MB RAM

Is it that a i7 is so much better then an amd? I'm running at 1 gig faster? Or does a 64 bit os really make the difference, assuming thats what he is running it on. I think 8 CPU's means 8 cores, but again, does Dolphin even use that?

[admin89]

4 cores 8 threads (Intel Hyper Threading)

The game runs at full speed regardless of me using LLE or HLE

It's true he can run most games fullspeed with HLE . But LLE ? No way in hell unless he heavily overclock that chip
i5 2500k will rape it