Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

(08-15-2010, 09:35 AM)gutekunst Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-15-2010, 06:43 AM)zurginator Wrote: [ -> ]In Dolphin, which only uses 2 threads, a Phenom II x6 is the exact same speed as a Phenom II x2.

u're rite.. i searched it online. all phenoms have identical spec (exept the cache memory), and they all use this chip: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_K10

phenom II x3 for example have 3 of those chip (1 disabled), phenom II x4 have 4, phenom II x6 have 6.. but its the same processor.

so if more cores are not used, like withdolphin, there is no perfomance diff. per core at all betwenn a phenom 2 and phenom 6. at the same clock (3.2ghz phenom2 = 3.2ghz phenom 6 when just use two cores)

but clocks is not so simple with, core 2 duo and i7 core.. bcoz they are massively different. not same chip, architecture, memory controller etc.. all is changed.

See? I do know what I'm talking about.

but the I7 is faster not just CPU wise but as a platform, the architecture of the CPU, the chipset (X58 or H11 for I3/I5) its all faster, Most importantly

Dolphin needs a fast computer, not just a fast CPU
The Chipset/Memory speeds are critical, the architecture is critical, the way the CPU handles instructions are critical thats why the Pentium D was such a piece of crap.
Fast chip but crap architecture = Shakespear written on toilet paper with a poo based ink, it reads good, but boy it doesnt smell or work too good

mmmmm triple channel goodness

The intel doesnt have 1100 annoying little pins that you will most likely bend at least 1 of before reaching the 16 inches of distance between you and the socket

I HATE PINS, even when I leave the thing in the plastic protector the CPU came with, a pin ends up bent, then you end up unbending that pin and rebending 3 others.....before you know it you have personally rearranged the entire array of pins.....thankfully they will all straighten out when you push it in the socket. LOL


LGA was the best thing to ever happen to intel.....AMD hasnt joined the future yet.

Not to mention Intel performs better thermally. Its usually cooler (dont know about the I7) and uses less power + they have higher temp limits.

Mine is rated at a max of 75C, current temperature 35C, temp during gaming (Crysis) 47C


....I remember when AMD CPU's were used on intel motherboards LOL
I remember last year I had one come through and I had forgot they did that in 90s before they made their own chipsets/socket

AMD cpu on a intel board!! IM LOADING INTEL CHIPSET DRIVERS ON AN AMD MACHINE!!!!!

Intel has always been faster clock to clock, and dolphin benefits a bit from additional instructions. That's all there is to it. Nowadays quads are still barely useful in gaming(only BFBC2, GTA4[aka worst console port ever] and metro 2033 comes to my mind) and hexcores is a bit overkill, for gamers that is. They'll suit best in server boxes for instance.

(08-16-2010, 08:57 AM)fagoatse Wrote: [ -> ]Intel has always been faster clock to clock, and dolphin benefits a bit from additional instructions. That's all there is to it. Nowadays quads are still barely useful in gaming(only BFBC2, GTA4[aka worst console port ever] and metro 2033 comes to my mind) and hexcores is a bit overkill, for gamers that is. They'll suit best in server boxes for instance.

Hexcores *points to sig* are very useful in certain situations.

However, you are incorrect on 1 fact. Intel has NOT always been faster clock-for-clock. AMD used to have the crown, just like ATI used to have the crown. The day they take it back, I'll be rolling an 'A' rig.

Hexcores and Quads are only good in the following circumstances:

1)Compiling (X64 capable/quad/six compat software REQUIRED)
2)Photoshop
3)Video Rendering (Quad/Six Compat Software REQUIRED)
4)In 2031, Most videogames
5)Getting High Score in "My CPU is bigger than yours IXV"


Not that im mocking anyone for buying an I7 as if it were me and the government granted me the money to buy one, I would highly recommend buying it, its so choice.....

But until at least 2012, stick with a dually, seriously, youll need a new PC in 2012 anyways, so dont think you can buy an I7 and wait it out. As most high performance rigs need regular maintenance like a car, and while they can last many years, most new games end up out growing even the best machine in enough time.


--my two bits (p.s zurg buddie? will you buy me a Core2 Quad? PLEASE, its not nearly as expensive as an I7 and youll get years of loyal service from me......Im not entirely useful, but I can be funny...)

(08-16-2010, 09:50 AM)nerdistmonk Wrote: [ -> ]Hexcores and Quads are only good in the following circumstances:

1)Compiling (X64 capable/quad/six compat software REQUIRED)
2)Photoshop
3)Video Rendering (Quad/Six Compat Software REQUIRED)
4)In 2031, Most videogames
5)Getting High Score in "My CPU is bigger than yours IXV"

You forgot folding and model rendering, although both are starting to use GPUs quite well (not that I'm lacking there, either).

Of the above you mentioned, I do use a bit of Photoshop.

(08-16-2010, 09:50 AM)nerdistmonk Wrote: [ -> ](p.s zurg buddie? will you buy me a Core2 Quad? PLEASE, its not nearly as expensive as an I7 and youll get years of loyal service from me......Im not entirely useful, but I can be funny...)

Not a chance. I do have a spare Athlon x2 lying around if you want that though. >_>

(08-16-2010, 09:57 AM)zurginator Wrote: [ -> ]

(08-16-2010, 09:50 AM)nerdistmonk Wrote: [ -> ]Hexcores and Quads are only good in the following circumstances:

1)Compiling (X64 capable/quad/six compat software REQUIRED)
2)Photoshop
3)Video Rendering (Quad/Six Compat Software REQUIRED)
4)In 2031, Most videogames
5)Getting High Score in "My CPU is bigger than yours IXV"

You forgot folding and model rendering, although both are starting to use GPUs quite well (not that I'm lacking there, either).

Of the above you mentioned, I do use a bit of Photoshop.

(08-16-2010, 09:50 AM)nerdistmonk Wrote: [ -> ](p.s zurg buddie? will you buy me a Core2 Quad? PLEASE, its not nearly as expensive as an I7 and youll get years of loyal service from me......Im not entirely useful, but I can be funny...)

Not a chance. I do have a spare Athlon x2 lying around if you want that though. >_>

Thats cold.....
and not because you wont buy me a cpu...whats a few hundred bucks between forum members? amirite?

its the Trying to give an Intel man an amd chip, and a pathetic one at that.....AMD? NEVER!!! (well maybe in 2008 I was an amd man, but now its NEVER!!!) (and a dramatic never! at that, complete with me putting my foot on a stool and pointing to the ceiling dramatically)
lol hehe

Lol I bought that x2 back when I was an AMD fanboy and thought a Phenom x4 (not 2) was just as good as a Core i7. And would OC farther.

I've pretty much 100% decided on a Core i5 quad. I will be doing rendering and photoshop, so it's somewhat useful to me. Might even play some games that use the 4 cores as well...

I'll probably be getting it sometime in October/November too. I don't think i'll wait till next year for the new AMD's to show their faces, not something that's a big priority i guess. Sounds like the current Core i series are fairly future proof for the next 3 years or so... Maybe the P55 mobo's will even work with newer CPU's too in case i wish to upgrade. As a bang for the buck though, the i5 seems the way to go. It should mostly match i7 in gaming performance from what i've read and it overclocks like crazy. It even uses less wattage than an i7. Hyperthreading doesn't seem a big loss. And from what i've read, it looks like the hexacore AMD has no advantages at all over the quad Core i series. Even the extra cores don't seem to give it much of an advantage in applications that USE all the extra cores. It just seems like the best decision and will give me the best performance for my price range.

Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like i can't go wrong with either chip, but i think since people always cite Intel Core i series as the best choice for Dolphin or anything else, it's the way to go. I'm no fanboy though, once AMD comes out with a better chip (which they probably will someday), i'll be with whoever give the best value and speed!

I'll just post my parts i'm going to buy if it's ok, i figure i'll stick with them, but you can have a look and assess anyways-

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Mobo-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130239
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
XFX Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
LITE-ON DVD Burner (OEM)-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Also added some Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste and a DVI-to-VGA adapter (yeah i still have an old monitor). I don't know what good it will do me, but since my hands are a little shakey, i went ahead and added a very cheap anti static wrist band (i'm paranoid, and $4 probably isn't a problem). But the grand total is about $900USD. I will obviously be overclocking the CPU. I'm waiting to get this PC after i move from my current state (they charge tax where i live, but not where i'm going). Any comments are helpful and welcome, but i figure i chose relatively well. I'm no expert though... If you have any more suggestions, i won't be spending much more, probably another $20-$40, $50 at the absolute max. Thanks all.

I would not use the Hyper 212 for overclocking. Get a Cooler Master V6 or Noctua.