03-07-2010, 12:11 AM
(03-06-2010, 11:33 PM)Ocean Wrote: [ -> ]Your speed boost in other applications is likely due to a fresh install of an OS. It is a known fact that Windows OS due to it's structure will slow down over time http://it.toolbox.com/locutus/why-windows-slows-down-over-time-30833, and a fresh install will make everything faster for a few weeks to a few months.Thanks a lot for the analogy. The only stupid thing that I thought was that the 64 bits version would improve game play. As for the rest, I'm well aware of the importance of having a good harmony between the components of the PC. Just like you said, having only one good component won't help, because you need to have GPU/CPU and RAM working together. Adding to that, you also need a good Hard Drive, with a good speed and cache, a good chipset to be able to take out max performance from the components, and a good energy supply. Software is also important, just like the other guys above showed me, as the game play got much better using the DirectX plugin.
With the current hardware you use, there is no real gaming or performance gain in switching over to an x64 system. Utilizing under 4GB of RAM, it will not even make a difference in memory management (as 32-bit OS handles up to 3.5gb just as good as a 64-bit system). Also the processor speed and architecture is a major bottleneck for smoothly emulating many games on either version.
Plus, DX9 plugin results in far less artifacts and errors than OpenGL (however, is more demanding of the graphics card).
noslian99 Wrote:As for Dolphin, I wonder if it would work good on the GMA HD, or if it would use the i5's 2 cores, 4 threads. :/
Both, but the Intel GMA integrated card will be killed by dolphin. I seriously would not recommend using integrated cards for any sort of gaming or emulation, you will be disappointed. To get maximum experience, get both an i5 processor *and* a semi-good graphics card like GTX8000+. Also, while it is true notebooks will have greater mobility, performance is sacrificed. A laptop that can fully emulate all games on dolphin is very expensive. Consider a good tabletop machine that will not cost a fortune.
Remember that x64 will not magically make things faster. Consider this analogy. A car's engine pulls the vehicle forwards. The tires can & do improve performance, but the tires alone are nothing. For dolphin, the engine is your CPU, RAM and GPU. A 64-bit platform and dolphin are the tires. Neither can work without the other, but only using good tires while being stuck on a mediocre engine will not result in any performance upgrades.
As for the Core i5 PC I mentioned, it comes with an ATI HD 4650, but from what I've searched, it isn't that great. I did forget to mention that my monitor is 17", that must be why some people thought that my PC was doing miracle. I play the game at 1280x720 resolution, 720p, and not 1080p.
About your config, how well is your game play?