What should I upgrade in order to play most games?

rick_meadows · 10-07-2011, 11:26 AM #1

Hello everyone

I'm looking into upgrading my system, but since I'm clueless about hardware, I'd like to know your opinion. Of course, it would be great if this upgrade also allowed me to play most Dolphin games (and I mean mostly Wii games).

Here are my specs:

CPU AMD Athlon II X3 445
Graphics Card 1024MB GeForce GTS 250
RAM 4 Gb
Windows 7 64-bit SP1
Running Dolphin 3.0-151-dirty

Right know, I can play New Super Mario Bros Wii fairly well, and I beat Zelda Twilight Princess for GC even with the annoying Hyrule Field slowdown since the rest of the game played nicely. I tried playing Wind Waker but the black screens pissed me off (I know there are fixes, but I found them impractical - do I have to keep turning them on and off all the time?).

However, I tried playing Super Mario Galaxy, and it plays on 60% speed. Since I was already thinking of upgrading my system specs, why not make sure this one and others play well too? I'm also looking into playing Smash Bros Brawl, Twilight Princess Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2.

I hope you can help

Cheers

anon4453 · 10-07-2011, 11:38 AM #2

get i5 2500k.

**NaturalViolence** · 10-07-2011, 02:42 PM #3

Agreed. Nothing short of a overclocked i5 2500k has any hope of running SMG2 at fullspeed.

rick_meadows · 10-10-2011, 06:41 AM #4

(10-07-2011, 02:42 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Agreed. Nothing short of a overclocked i5 2500k has any hope of running SMG2 at fullspeed.

You mean i5 upwards or only an i5? I'm thinking of getting an i7, that's why I'm asking.

**ExtremeDude2** · 10-10-2011, 07:00 AM #5

(10-10-2011, 06:41 AM)rick_meadows Wrote:
(10-07-2011, 02:42 PM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Agreed. Nothing short of a overclocked i5 2500k has any hope of running SMG2 at fullspeed.

You mean i5 upwards or only an i5? I'm thinking of getting an i7, that's why I'm asking.

If you want an i7 get the 2600k (or 2700k if you want) other wise get a 2500k.

**NaturalViolence** · 10-10-2011, 08:52 AM #6

Quote:You mean i5 upwards or only an i5? I'm thinking of getting an i7, that's why I'm asking.

i5 and upwards. i7 will offer no significant performance benefits for dolphin so I advise you save some money by going with a cheaper i5.

rick_meadows · 10-11-2011, 04:40 AM #7

(10-10-2011, 08:52 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote:
Quote:You mean i5 upwards or only an i5? I'm thinking of getting an i7, that's why I'm asking.

i5 and upwards. i7 will offer no significant performance benefits for dolphin so I advise you save some money by going with a cheaper i5.

I see, thanks! No need to upgrade the graphics card?

**NaturalViolence** · 10-11-2011, 04:45 AM #8

Not unless you're a hardcore PC gamer and you feel like it. But for dolphin no, it's fine, just stay away from the SSAA and pixel lighting options.

rick_meadows · 10-13-2011, 02:06 AM #9

(10-11-2011, 04:45 AM)NaturalViolence Wrote: Not unless you're a hardcore PC gamer and you feel like it. But for dolphin no, it's fine, just stay away from the SSAA and pixel lighting options.

What options are those? Are they built-in or configurable? If you can recommend me a graphics card that works fine with the i5, it would be great! Always, of course, keeping Dolphin in mind.

I'm secretly wishing to play Skyward Sword when it comes out. I know it's probably not going to be compatible, at least not right off the bat, but one can dream, right?

**ExtremeDude2** · 10-13-2011, 02:13 AM **#10**

(10-13-2011, 02:06 AM)rick_meadows Wrote: I'm secretly wishing to play Skyward Sword when it comes out. I know it's probably not going to be compatible, at least not right off the bat, but one can dream, right?

Says who