To upgrade or not to upgrade (CPU / GPU)

[kirbypuff]

@OP: Ge the latest dev. version of Dolphin from the Downloads page, extract it in a new folder and run it in portable mode (create an empty portable.txt file). Leave all graphics settings at default. Just disable VSync and set the speed to 'Unlimited'. Run the title that's lagging for you and check the FPS counter. Then open the graphics settings while it's running and untick the option 'Enable CPU->EFB Access'. Check the FPS counter again. Do you see a HUGE increase in FPS?

Then try Ishiiruka with all the tips from the previous posts (also running in portable mode).
See if it makes any difference.

[JosJuice]

(03-25-2016, 01:01 AM)kirbypuff Wrote: Run the title that's lagging for you and check the FPS counter. Then open the graphics settings while it's running and untick the option 'Enable CPU->EFB Access'. Check the FPS counter again. Do you see a HUGE increase in FPS?

This order can give you incorrect results depending on the game INI contents, because opening the settings window will get rid of many game INI overrides. If you want it to be consistent, the first FPS counter check needs to be after opening the graphics settings window and before ticking Skip EFB Access from CPU, not before opening the graphics settings window.

[Justin R32]

So I played a quick game of SMB Wii and it seemed no difference with the tweaks. 3x IR was even slow on the menu screen. Had to go back to 2x IR to even get the menu to normal speed and in gameplay there only a few glitches or slow downs. I haven't even tried Galaxy yet but suspect it will be the same as before.

I'll keep tweaking setting and see what helps. I'm leaning more towards the GTX 750 Ti upgrade now. I actually have the new system with the i5 4570 here now. I may throw Win10 x64 on it to test.

[kirbypuff]

(03-25-2016, 05:43 AM)Justin R32 Wrote: 3x IR was really slow. Had to go back to 2x IR to even get the menu to normal speed.

But have you tried the 'Auto (Window Size)' setting instead of 3xIR? It still renders at 1080p, but is less demanding than 3x.
And 'Borderless Fullscreen' works best on Windows 7 if you temporarily disable the 'Desktop Window Manager Session Manager' service (UxSms).
Just start the Windows Task Manager (as admin), go to the 'Services' tab, then find DWMSM, right-click on it and choose 'Stop'.

(03-25-2016, 05:43 AM)Justin R32 Wrote: I'm leaning more towards the GTX 750 Ti upgrade now. I may throw Win10 x64 on it to test.

If you get the NVIDIA 750Ti (or any equivalent AMD GPU), you also get Direct3D 12 and Vulkan API support as a bonus (free speedup). You may actually run Dolphin at up to 6xIR with that GPU if you use any of these backends.

[MayImilae]

Exclusive Fullscreen has considerable benefits over Borderless Fullscreen, even if you disable the desktop window manager service! That's why Exclusive Fullscreen is enabled by default.

For details -> https://dolphin-emu.org/blog/2014/07/31/dolphin-progress-report-july-2014/#40-2286-d3d-exclusive-fullscreen-by-armada651

[Justin R32]

Small update
I didn't mess with my i5 2500 W7 HD6570 box any more tonight, I will tomorrow.

However... I did load up a new box for comparison and got some interesting results.

i5 4570 W10 x64 onboard graphics and DX12 was supported. This outperformed my old 2500 box a great deal. I could run SMB in 720p and it looked amazing. I WAS on my computer monitor but it just ran sooo smooth.

I have a feeling i5 4570 + W10 + DX12 + GTX 750 Ti will be perfect.

So is the integrated graphics on a 4570 better than an HD6570? Or maybe DX12 was the difference....

[Helios]

D3D12 reduces a lot of work that the GPU emulation thread has to do.

[Justin R32]

My MSI GTX 750 Ti Low profile will be here Wednesday. I'll update with my results, but I'm betting they will be great. I've been playing Dolphin on the i5 4570 win DX12 and its super smooth even with the integrated graphics. Can't wait!!

[Justin R32]

750 Ti installed and I'm able to crank up the IR to 3x on all the games tested so far.
No overhearing or power issues to report.

I have made the conclusion my old Sony 720p 46" LCD just won't cut it any longer.

Thanks for all the help here.

[oioioi99]

(03-24-2016, 11:28 PM)kirbypuff Wrote: - Use the latest version of Ishiiruka (works better on older hardware) instead of dev/master and enable the 'Fast EFB Access' option
- Use the Direct3D 11 backend
- Enable or disable the 'Borderless Fullscreen' option. See which one provides better performance for you
- Disable VSync

I have a q9650 (@3ghz) and a gt630 (@880mhz), and many Wii games are simply not possible to play with this setup. I followed the advice above and I could suddenly play SMG2 with 60fps at 1.5x! I'm playing on a 768x1365 TV, and 1.5x looks decent (but not amazing).

I always assumed the CPU was holding me back, but now I'm starting to wonder if it's actually the GPU... Would I be able to go up to 2x (or even higher?) if I got the much faster gt740 (with ddr5 and dx12) with the same crappy CPU?