Upgrading processor, what would Dolphin be happy with?

[Rydian]

The graphics card is an HD 5770.

I'm quite aware that even for a Core 2 my processor's like the second-weakest of that branch and is the bottleneck now, so I'm looking to upgrade it. It's not mainly for Dolphin, but my concern is whether a higher-end C2D would work better, or a C2Q with a lower clock rate would still be good enough to play many games at full speed (I can't even get full speed in Melee right now).

I plan on upgrading the CPU anyways so I can take this current one and stick it in an older machine, my concern is if Dolphin will mandate me getting a high-clock C2D, or if a moderately-clocked C2Q would work best.

I'm aware of the concept of overclocking and I may look into it just a bit if any, but I don't plan on having it as a requirement.

[Apache Thunder]

Video cards will have the biggest impact on your performance. Though a faster CPU will definitely help in your case. I have a i7 Quad-core that runs at 3.2 GHz and it's a really expensive CPU. I would imagine you will be fine with just a dual core CPU. Get something with 3Ghz or more and you should be fine. For me I didn't get a big speed boost until I upgraded my video card. I actually had to alter settings to SLOW DOWN a few games like Zelda Twilight princess. It was going too fast in some parts! A much preferred problem then a too slow game.

[setya5785]

high end C2D (E8x00) above 3GHz (stock or OC) should be good. if you don't want to OC get E8600.
or get C2Q and push it above 3 GHz, since dolphin only use 2 core, so being on quad won't help much.
(you'll need even higher if you want to use LLE on DSP)

most high end C2D and C2Q dan be pushed almost 4GHz for daily

HD5770 should be enough, even for HD res on dolphin

[Rydian]

Well I went ahead and upgraded to a Q8400, and I have to say Dolphin's running fine. I have to tweak things for Wii games like SMG to get a smooth 60FPS, but GC games seem to run just fine (which was my major goal).

Not sure if I'm going to overclock from the stock 2.66ghz since I'm just using a cheap HSF and temps are maxing at ~52C right now.

[setya5785]

52 when using dolphin or full load on 4 core (say, using stress tool like intel burn test, prime95 ?)

if you don't really need the extra power, better to use it at stock.
if you do want to OC, keep those temp at least 20+ below tjmax (under stress tool). iirc tjmax for that cpu is 98C. so keep it below 70C
get aftermarket cooler to get more headroom

[Rydian]

Haha you're right using Prime95 to stress all four cores results in higher temps, nevermind on overclocking, I'mma' play it safe here.

[dannzen]

Video cards will have the biggest impact on your performance. Though a faster CPU will definitely help in your case.

biggest bullshit ever
the 5770 is far enough for his monitor and most of games with high settings

[Zee530]

Video cards will have the biggest impact on your performance. Though a faster CPU will definitely help in your case.

Dolphin's all about the processor in terms of speed, everything follows after that