Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

Hey guys, first time post here.

I am a long time console gamer, and due to finances (selling off my consoles and not planning on buying anything new in the future) I decided I'd be better off using a 360 controller on my PC to play my games...

Anyway, long term I want to create a more substantial PC, but as of right now my budget is real tight and I'd just like to see how I can rig something up that will run Dolphin OK. I can emulate PS2 games alright, but GC on Dolphin destroys my system.

I have:

CPU: Intel Celeron G540 Sandy Bridge Dual-Core 2.5GHz LGA 1155 65W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80623G540

I bought this because my Core 2 Quad PC just died on me in 2012 and I could not figure out what was wrong with it. So I bought this CPU and a new MOBO and since I console game it was not great but alright.

RAM: 4 GB

GPU: Obviously on board.

Anyway to the point:

I was hoping short term I could just install a graphics card to my computer and that would help, but I see that the CPU plays a big roll in the emulation. Do I need to upgrade this CPU too? Any recommendations for a cheap LGA 1155 CPU that would work so I can worry about building a newer PC later when I save more up?

THANKS!

EDIT: And I'm not an amateur lol. I see what the recommended specs are and just can't afford that right now, so I'm trying to see if I can Frankenstein what I have to make it work for <$200, if not I'll save up.

Can you do me a favour and give me your motherboard model (preferably, the chipset model.), as well as other details?

200$ should be enough for a decent motherboard + a G3258.

(07-25-2014, 10:07 AM)elemein Wrote: [ -> ]Can you do me a favour and give me your motherboard model (preferably, the chipset model.), as well as other details?

200$ should be enough for a decent motherboard + a G3258.

ASRock B75M-GL
Intel B75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157326

EDIT:

So a decent Pentium will be sufficient? I don't have to go up to an older i5 or newer i3? And don't forget I would need a video card too.

(07-25-2014, 10:12 AM)Gregtastic Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-25-2014, 10:07 AM)elemein Wrote: [ -> ]Can you do me a favour and give me your motherboard model (preferably, the chipset model.), as well as other details?

200$ should be enough for a decent motherboard + a G3258.

ASRock B75M-GL
Intel B75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157326

EDIT:

So a decent Pentium will be sufficient? I don't have to go up to an older i5 or newer i3? And don't forget I would need a video card too.

Yeah, a B series motherboard of that generation won't allow overclocking, best to ditch it altogether.

Try one of these two:

If you do not plan to OC:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8RsQcf
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8RsQcf/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.38 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $198.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-24 20:30 EDT-0400

If you do plan to OC:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdckgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdckgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $193.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-24 20:31 EDT-0400

The iGP of the G3258 will likely be fine for most games in Dolphin at the native internal resolution. The CPU at stock clocks will play most games, while overclocking it will allow it to play almost every compatible game out there.

The R7 250 is not that strong of a iGP, but should allow you to push at least 1.5 IR if you please.

The OC build has far more expandability as it will handle a i7-4790K and be overclock ready no problem with good cooling; but if you don't plan on upgrading your build pretty much ever again, the R7 250 build is a bit more balanced.

(07-25-2014, 10:33 AM)elemein Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-25-2014, 10:12 AM)Gregtastic Wrote: [ -> ]

(07-25-2014, 10:07 AM)elemein Wrote: [ -> ]Can you do me a favour and give me your motherboard model (preferably, the chipset model.), as well as other details?

200$ should be enough for a decent motherboard + a G3258.

ASRock B75M-GL
Intel B75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157326

EDIT:

So a decent Pentium will be sufficient? I don't have to go up to an older i5 or newer i3? And don't forget I would need a video card too.

Yeah, a B series motherboard of that generation won't allow overclocking, best to ditch it altogether.

Try one of these two:

If you do not plan to OC:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8RsQcf
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8RsQcf/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.38 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $198.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-24 20:30 EDT-0400

If you do plan to OC:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdckgs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qdckgs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($108.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $193.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-24 20:31 EDT-0400

The iGP of the G3258 will likely be fine for most games in Dolphin at the native internal resolution. The CPU at stock clocks will play most games, while overclocking it will allow it to play almost every compatible game out there.

The R7 250 is not that strong of a iGP, but should allow you to push at least 1.5 IR if you please.

The OC build has far more expandability as it will handle a i7-4790K and be overclock ready no problem with good cooling; but if you don't plan on upgrading your build pretty much ever again, the R7 250 build is a bit more balanced.

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. Might go with the first build because I have no idea when I'll have the money to build something better, but once I do I know I want to give this one to a relative and build something from scratch.

Make sure your RAM is DDR3 and not DDR2.

(07-25-2014, 10:56 AM)yl-smash Wrote: [ -> ]Make sure your RAM is DDR3 and not DDR2.

Thanks.

I was thinking about checking the RAM, but since I wouldn't buy it for 2 weeks decided not to break my heart yet. Luckily, I just checked and it is in fact DDR3 :-)