Is there a build that uses more than 2 CPU cores?

[Lylat1an]

I noticed that my CPU activity is relatively low on all but one core when running Dolphin, but my graphics card is almost maxed trying to output 1080p internal resolution.

My CPU has 10 cores, is there a build that can offload some (or most) of the GPU's work to those idle CPU cores?

[mbc07]

Nope.

Also, in no way Dolphin can max out a GTX 1080 Ti, unless you're using crazy high amounts of SSAA, which means you're running on a waaaaaay higher internal resolution and not 1080p.

[Lylat1an]

(07-30-2020, 05:20 AM)mbc07 Wrote: Nope.

Also, in no way Dolphin can max out a GTX 1080 Ti, unless you're using crazy high amounts of SSAA, which means you're running on a waaaaaay higher internal resolution and not 1080p.

That article mentions 3 cores, doesn't the current release only support two if you select the "Enable Dual Core" option?

[JosJuice]

The two main tasks that can be split across cores are CPU emulation and GPU emulation. There are also other tasks that can be split across cores, like DSP LLE and disk I/O, but these usually don't take up much CPU time anyway.

[Lylat1an]

(07-30-2020, 06:17 AM)JosJuice Wrote: The two main tasks that can be split across cores are CPU emulation and GPU emulation. There are also other tasks that can be split across cores, like DSP LLE and disk I/O, but these usually don't take up much CPU time anyway.

Can those other tasks be run on separate cores anyway?  Or at least not on the two cores handling CPU and GPU emulation?

[JosJuice]

(07-30-2020, 08:02 AM)Lylat1an Wrote: Can those other tasks be run on separate cores anyway?  Or at least not on the two cores handling CPU and GPU emulation?

Yes. They will automatically be run on separate cores if it is possible. But what I'm saying is that you might not get any noticeable performance benefit from running those tasks on separate cores compared to running them on the least busy core out of the core running the CPU thread and the core running the GPU thread, since they use relatively little CPU time.

[AnyOldName3]

The key thing here is that the Wii had two main processors, its CPU and GPU. You can't split up work that was written to only use one core on the PC, so there's no reason why you'd be able to do the same when emulating the Wii. It's kind of equivalent to asking Microsoft if there's a version of Windows that makes all programs use more cores.

[DJBarry004]

(07-30-2020, 05:20 AM)mbc07 Wrote: Nope.

Also, in no way Dolphin can max out a GTX 1080 Ti, unless you're using crazy high amounts of SSAA, which means you're running on a waaaaaay higher internal resolution and not 1080p.

Or exclusive Ubershaders. That can also put that GPU to its knees.

[mbc07]

I highly doubt. Is exclusive ubershaders demanding? Of course. To the point of maxing a GTX 1080 Ti while outputting just 1080p? Nah

[MayImilae]

(07-30-2020, 08:02 AM)Lylat1an Wrote: Can those other tasks be run on separate cores anyway?  Or at least not on the two cores handling CPU and GPU emulation?

I was involved in writing that FAQ! While there is the possibility that Dolphin's other small threads might cause a minor performance impact, the real reason why the FAQ recommends 3+ cores rather than 2 isn't because of Dolphin itself, but system tasks and other applications. Keeping other software from borrowing the 2 cores Dolphin is relying on is a measurable performance improvement, while putting Dolphins other minor threads onto a 3rd core is marginal at best.

Well, there is a small exception to the above, but one that isn't relevant anymore. If using DSP LLE and giving it its own thread, THAT will take hella lot of power and need its own dedicated core. However, there is no reason to use DSP LLE at all these days outside of debugging, so this is no longer a performance coonsideration.