Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

Even if you upgrade your GPU, you´ll still have slowdowns since your CPU´s too slow...

(02-08-2014, 11:51 AM)DJBarry004 Wrote: [ -> ]Even if you upgrade your GPU, you´ll still have slowdowns since your CPU´s too slow...

Alright, so it's probably not worth it?

Also would downloading the newest "Drivers" for my old graphics help it run faster or that doesn't apply to Dolphin?

SpiderM Wrote:Thanks, so would upgrading a graphics card help much if my CPU is on the lower end "2.66GHz"?

As DJBarry correctly noted, if you're getting slowed down by the CPU, a faster CPU will give you better speeds. If you were being slowed down by the GPU (getting slowdowns when you raise your Internal Resolution or anti-aliasing too high), a better GPU will give you better speeds. Whatever component is limiting your performance, you'll need a better version of that component.

SpiderM Wrote:Are there easy ways to upgrade graphics cards like "USB inserted" ones?

There are external GPUs available, but for the time being you'll probably be better off with internal ones. I don't think the technology has really taken off yet (if it will).

SpiderM Wrote:Are there specific graphics cards that work best for Dolphin?

Fast ones. :p More seriously, it depends on what resolution and with how much AA you want to play with, but again, keep in mind it won't help you with CPU-based slowdowns like you're getting, but it's never too soon to start thinking about your next computer.

SpiderM Wrote:Would the best deal ones be off Amazon?

Budget? Desired Internal Resolution and level of AA?

If you're curious about upgrading your CPU, or getting an entirely new PC build, we can help with those too. Again, I'm going to stress the fact that getting a better GPU will not help you with your current slowdowns, but a better CPU will.

SpiderM Wrote:Also would downloading the newest "Drivers" for my old graphics help it run faster or that doesn't apply to Dolphin?

Not likely, at least I wouldn't expect it to make it run faster.

(02-08-2014, 12:59 PM)Shonumi Wrote: [ -> ]

SpiderM Wrote:Would the best deal ones be off Amazon?

Budget? Desired Internal Resolution and level of AA?

If you're curious about upgrading your CPU, or getting an entirely new PC build, we can help with those too. Again, I'm going to stress the fact that getting a better GPU will not help you with your current slowdowns, but a better CPU will.

Budget would have been only enough for a ~$40 graphics card, but it does seem my CPU is limiting me more than my Graphics. Dell XPS 420 is unoverclockable and there's no way I'll be able to afford a new processor/PC. My only hope for the mid-future is you guys making it run easier. I've enabled recommend settings to get best speeds, I come close to good FPS but it'll have to wait: actually maybe they might possibly make a stripped version with easier to load stages.

SpiderM Wrote:My only hope for the mid-future is you guys making it run easier.

It's more than possible that by such a time (or even before that) you'll have already saved up enough money to buy yourself a new computer. Keeping Haswell in mind, most run-of-the-mill desktops you can buy in the store (granted that they don't have Ultra Low Voltage Haswell CPUs) will run Dolphin very well for most average to some demanding games. Even Intel's IGPs are getting strong enough to stand in for most GPUs in the $40. The trend for Intel is that IPC (in Dolphin at least) keeps increasing with every generation (though one wonders how long this can practically go on, that's beside the point here). So even if you wait longer, you'll still be able to pay roughly the same price for a desktop and get better and better performance.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you only have to wait for one to happen (better "average" hardware whenever you upgrade your PC or whenever Dolphin gets some speedboosts).

Hey uh, some changes are coming down the line that will increase Dolphin's GPU usage. A $40 GPU is definitely not going to be enough.

Just wanted to say I was looking for the same thing as the TS--newer build with d3d9--and thanks to a suggestion in this thread I tried "Dolphin dx9 final 4.0-160.win32" and the results are excellent on my system. Not sure about the "win32" part as I'm running Windows 7 64 bit and I selected a 64 bit download link, but that is the name of the file I got and again--it runs very well. I can finally play Baldur's Gate with the latest sound improvements and I'm very happy!