Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

Hello everyone,

I have been a big fan of using a variety of different emulators on my PC (NES, SNES, SEGA GENESIS) for quite some time now, and I have recently gotten the interest to try out a GameCube one. So I tried to run it on my current PC, and with my good old Intel Pentium 4 CPU, I believe it is needless to say how things turned out when I tried to run it. So, in turn, I decided it was time for an upgrade from my current PC to a new one.

Somewhat-long story short, my current PC can't run Dolphin, so I'm looking for one that will.

So I found this laptop (before anyone says to not buy a laptop and build your own computer for cheaper, I need the portability) that was in my price range, and now I'm considering buying it. Although, I am wondering if it would be able to run the Dolphin emulator.

Here is the link to the laptop that I'm planning to purchase:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834216461

The specs are listed in the link, but I'll list the relevant specs here anyway:

Operating SystemWindows 8
CPU TypeAMD A8-4555M 1.6GHz
Screen15.6"
Memory Size8GB DDR3
Hard Disk1TB
Optical DriveDVD Super Multi
Graphics CardAMD Radeon HD 7600G
CPU TypeAMD A-Series
CPU SpeedA8-4555M(1.60GHz)
CPU L2 Cache4MB
ChipsetAMD A70M FCH
Operating SystemWindows 8
GPU/VPUAMD Radeon HD 7600G
Video MemoryShared system memory
Graphic TypeIntegrated Card
HDD1TB
HDD RPM5400rpm
HDD InterfaceSATA
Memory8GB
Memory SpeedDDR3 1333
Memory Slot (Total)2
Max Memory Supported16GB
Optical Drive TypeDVD Super Multi

Here is a list of some of the games I plan to run on the emulator:

MARIO KART DOUBLE DASH
RESIDENT EVIL 4
IKARUGA
VIEWTIFUL JOE
LUIGI'S MANSION
KIRBY AIR RIDE
SOUL CALIBUR II
PAPER MARIO: THE THOUSAND-YEAR DOOR
SKIES OF ARCADIA: LEGENDS
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: WIND WAKER
PIKMIN 2
METAL GEAR SOLID: TWIN SNAKES

I couldn't find any videos of gameplay on that specific graphics card or any info to see if the components will run Dolphin. So if anyone could verify if this laptop is adequate for the games I plan to run I'd greatly appreciate it.

(07-15-2013, 12:15 AM)TheCapitalFalcon Wrote: [ -> ]if anyone could verify if this laptop is adequate for the games I plan to run

It isn't really adequate. Main reason: CPU is too weak for most games

Even though it's a quad core CPU?

What would be an example of a good CPU for running those games?

(07-15-2013, 01:12 AM)TheCapitalFalcon Wrote: [ -> ]Even though it's a quad core CPU?

What would be an example of a good CPU for running those games?

Dolphin only makes use of 2 cores you would be better off getting a laptop with a intel CPU

(07-15-2013, 01:17 AM)McNuggets89 Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-15-2013, 01:12 AM)TheCapitalFalcon Wrote: [ -> ]Even though it's a quad core CPU?

What would be an example of a good CPU for running those games?

Dolphin only makes use of 2 cores you would be better off getting a laptop with a intel CPU

What about this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834127998

Some of the specs such as the Memory and HDD Space are slightly downgraded, but it does have an Intel CPU.

Specs:
Operating SystemWindows 8 64-Bit
CPU TypeIntel Core i5-3337U 1.80GHz
Screen14"
Memory Size6GB DDR3
Hard Disk750GB
Optical DriveCD/DVD Player / Burner
Graphics CardIntel HD Graphics 4000
CPU TypeIntel Core i5
CPU Speed3337U(1.80GHz)
CPU Support3MB L3 Cache
Max Turbo Frequency 2.7 GHz
Operating SystemWindows 8 64-Bit
GPU/VPUIntel HD Graphics 4000
Video MemoryShared system memory
Graphic TypeIntegrated Card
HDD750GB
HDD RPM5400rpm
HDD InterfaceSATA
Memory6GB
Memory SpeedDDR3 1600
Memory Spec4GB x 1+2GB x 1
Max Memory Supported8GB
Optical Drive TypeDVD±R/RW
Optical Drive SpecCD/DVD Player / Burner

Will this one perform adequately?

Quote:Even though it's a quad core CPU?

It's not a true Quad Core CPU . Even if you max out 4 cores in multi-threaded performance , it's still no match for dual core i5 . Dolphin is a dual core application -> It performs even worse
All AMD mobile CPUs are low-mid range . If you want best performance with Dolphin , you will have to buy a mid-high end CPU (i5/i7 @ 3.0GHz Turbo Boost or higher )
Not mention A8-4555M is a mobile ultra-low-voltage CPU , not a normal one -> Poor performance
For more info (why it's not a true quad core) , Read here :
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-A-Serie...873.0.html
Mobile CPU Benchmark List
A8 4555M Rank : 272
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz Rank : 270
Intel Core i3-330M 2.1GHz Rank : 203
.....
Newest i3 Intel Core i3 4100M Rank : 100
See . A8 mobile is too weak for Dolphin (A8 desktop is the opposite though)
Dolphin Benchmark

Same thing. CPU is too weak

(07-15-2013, 01:42 AM)admin89 Wrote: [ -> ]

Quote:Even though it's a quad core CPU?

It's not a true Quad Core CPU . Even if you max out 4 cores in multi-threaded performance , it's still no match for dual core i5 . Dolphin is a dual core application -> It performs even worse
All AMD mobile CPUs are low-mid range . If you want best performance with Dolphin , you will have to buy a mid-high end CPU (i5/i7 @ 3.0GHz Turbo Boost or higher )
Not mention A8-4555M is a mobile ultra-low-voltage CPU , not a normal one -> Poor performance
For more info (why it's not a true quad core) , Read here :
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-A-Serie...873.0.html
Mobile CPU Benchmark List
A8 4555M Rank : 272
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz Rank : 270
Intel Core i3-330M 2.1GHz Rank : 203
.....
Newest i3 Intel Core i3 4100M Rank : 100
See . A8 mobile is too weak for Dolphin (A8 desktop is the opposite though)
Dolphin Benchmark

So wait, an Intel i5 CPU would be good then?

Dolphin emu likes :
_Fastest single threaded performance or StarCraft II performance (SCII is a dual core app , same as Dolphin )
_Highest CPU clock speed as possible (Recommend : 3.0GHz -> 4.5GHz) .
_A dedicated GPU from AMD / Nvidia is a must , integrated graphic is generally not recommended (unless the integrated graphic is as fast as a dedicated GPU )
The decent PC for Dolphin is sth like this :
i5 4670k @ 4.0GHz or i5 3570k @ 4.5GHz
Nvidia GTX 650 / AMD 7750 or better GPU

Laptop is not a good idea for you since your budget is too low . You should build a desktop if you want performance

Edit : If you're really want a laptop for that price range , you may pick this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834216541
i7 4700MQ has 3.3GHz Turbo Boost (2 cores active)
Unofficil Dolphin performance guide for laptop
But I warn you first , it's a multi-media laptop . Running Dolphin on it is the same as doing torture test . Gaming laptop cooling design can handle this , multi-media laptop will run hot (In worst scenario , I might overheat )
https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-10...e-get-cool

How 'bout these two? They're a bit more expensive (and they're a bit lacking in hard drive space), but they'll perform wonderfully in Dolphin. And they both have dedicated GPUs, which is quite helpful – you'd get slowdown even at minimum graphics settings with an Intel HD 4000. I recommend the second one, it's got a slightly better CPU/GPU and a 1080p screen.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834314017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834216541