CPU or GPU?

[Eichhorn666]

Just wanted to ask, if DCS' performance depends more on the CPU or the Graphics Card?

[Coolhnd1]

Generally speaking the CPU is more important for performance than GPU. This is typically true of any hardcore sim. From what I've read the sim mostly just uses one CPU so if you have a dual or quad core you may not be able take advantage of all those cores however some people are saying if you use vista and set the afinity for the program to more than one core it seems to use those cores and increase FPS.

[Slippery Pete]

The CPU is always more important. 2 weeks ago I was running a 1.5 ghz AMD Sempron w/ a Geforce 6800. BS ran badly, even with everything on low. Now Im running a AMD Athlon64 X2 dual core 5000+ @ 2.6ghz, still with the Geforce 6800.

 

BS runs fantastic now on medium settings even in huge battles. It's smooth as silk and I love it.

[CAT_101st]

You can get that x2 up to about 3Gh with a Zailman CPU cooler and you will be real happy.

 

check out this link will tell you every thing you need to know.

 

http://forums.techpowerup.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13

[Slippery Pete]

Thanks for the link, I've thought about overclocking but its unkown territory and this 2.6 is fast enough for me as it is. But I'll look into it.

[kaos.dll]

The engine is a CPU eating monster...

 

If you're looking for a good and cheap CPU for DCS have an eye on the Core2Duo E7200.

 

The best of this CPU is that it uses a high multiplicator of 9.5 like the E8500.

The regular FSB is 222 MHz = 2109 MHz

It works stable with 333 MHz like the E8500 = 3163 MHz

Now you can power up the FSB to 350, 360, 380 MHz - some guys uses this CPU with 4 GHz stable...

 

I use it with FSB 333 like the E8500 and this for only 110 Euro.

The E8500 costs over 200. (only main difference is that the E7200 uses 3 MB cache - the E8500 6 Megs)

 

 

 

Go and get a fast CPU and DCS will run fine (as fine as possible ;))

[qrazi]

The best of this CPU is that it uses a high multiplicator of 9.5 like the E8500.

The regular FSB is 222 MHz = 2109 MHz

It works stable with 333 MHz like the E8500 = 3163 MHz

Correction: default FSB of the E7200 is 1066MHz (quadpumped, base clock is 266MHz FSB), for a total clockspeed of 2.53 GHz. 9.5 multiplier times 266 MHz base clock is 2.53GHz.

 

I have to agree with the general message of the post though... :)

[RapidFir3]

I'm thinking of buying a new GPU. Prorbably a GF9600GT or 9800GT. Now i have GF7600GT. I wonder do i get much more fps with that upgrade in this sim ? I know it makes one hell of a difference in usual FPS game, but about this i don't have a clue.

Edited December 1, 2008 by RapidFir3

[Eichhorn666]

I see. I have my Core 2 Duo running on 3,2 GHz. And I will keep my 8800 GTS 512 MB for a while ....

[DaWu]

I went from GF7950GT to GF260GTX and gained 2FPS lol :)

 

its definetaly cpu

[Prophet]

I went from a 8800GT/512MB to a 4870 1GB and got an average of over 30fps.

[brewber19]

If you already have a dual core, like an Intel E6600 or similar...I wouldnt bother upgrading for DCS until a future version natively/properly supports more than one core.

 

I have an o/clocked E6600 from 2.4Ghz stock to 3.0Ghz (on air) and get mostly 30fps - not much point buying an upgrade for DCS if you have a similar setup (I use an 880GTX gfx card by they way, 2Gb ram on Win XP Pro.

 

Just my 2 cents ;)

[V1Rotate]

Was that overclock really noticeable in terms of BS? I'm referring to Brewber's E6600 from stock 2.4ghz to 3ghz. I've been contemplating doing the same myself.

[brewber19]

Hi V1,

 

I overclocked my CPU right from new (about 18 months ago now) so I couldn't tell you how much of an improvement it would make but if we figure that's a 25% overclock....I would expect 10-15% improvement over stock?

 

Its pretty easy to test the effectiveness of your overclock if you record (and benchmark with FRAPS) a track before overclock and same again after. It'll definitely improve performance and as long as you keep the CPU temps below 45 degrees...40 is better...then no worries. An aftermarket CPU cooler is a worthwhile investment ;)

 

Doubt that helps you much but....the E6600 is very overclockable, mine is super stable at that overclock - excellent value for money the E6600 ;)

 

 

Was that overclock really noticeable in terms of BS? I'm referring to Brewber's E6600 from stock 2.4ghz to 3ghz. I've been contemplating doing the same myself.

[MonnieRock]

I went from a 8800GT/512MB to a 4870 1GB and got an average of over 30fps.

 

 

==Prophet==, Could you please go to my thread Here and run the two benchmarks. I would be insterested in your results.

 

Brewber,Cat 101st, Eichhorn666, please try it too.

 

Thank you,

Monnie

Edited December 4, 2008 by MonnieRock

[TX-EcoDragon]

I went from GF7950GT to GF260GTX and gained 2FPS lol :)

 

its definetaly cpu

 

Yep: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=599456&postcount=24

[Kondor99]

Hi V1,

 

It'll definitely improve performance and as long as you keep the CPU temps below 45 degrees...40 is better...then no worries. An aftermarket CPU cooler is a worthwhile investment ;)

 

Hi - I realize you're well-meaning, but this is just plain wrong. Max temp on the Core2 is over 90C. The temp is meaningless unless it allows a higher overclock. That is the only reason (except, perhaps, longevity - as if that's important!) for keeping temps in the 40's. If your CPU never goes above 45C, it means you're not pushing it hard enough (by overclocking).

 

To sum up - processor temp has zero direct effect on performance. Clockspeed determines that. A lower temp may allow a higher clockspeed. But it's the overclock - not the lower temp - that provides the performance. The primary reason for higher CPU temps when overclocking isn't the clockspeed anyway - it's due to the increased voltage necessary to achieve stability.

 

I run an e8600 oc'ed to 4.75Ghz (using water and thermoelectric cooling) @ 1.45V and it runs around 58C when maxed out with no ill effects.

 

And back on-topic: Yes, BS is very CPU-bound. I'm running 3 GTX280's in Tri-SLI and it runs no quicker than it does with my old 9800GX2.

Edited December 24, 2008 by Kondor99
format

[RapidFir3]

And back on-topic: Yes, BS is very CPU-bound. I'm running 3 GTX280's in Tri-SLI and it runs no quicker than it does with my old 9800GX2.

 

I believe, but most of us don't put shitload of cash on GPU:s like yours. I need to ask where do you need such power ?

 

Normally people have this kind of situation. Like a old 7900GT and you upgrade to GTX280 i'm positive you will gain great improvement on fps.

[815TooCooL]

I run an e8600 oc'ed to 4.75Ghz (using water and thermoelectric cooling) @ 1.45V and it runs around 58C when maxed out with no ill effects.

 

And back on-topic: Yes, BS is very CPU-bound. I'm running 3 GTX280's in Tri-SLI and it runs no quicker than it does with my old 9800GX2.

Hey, what number of framerate do you get with that Ghz?? :thumbup:

I'm in e8500 with normal clock and I really dislike overclocking headache but BS made me to think about it seriously.

[rapid]

Hi, I do not have the game yet but i have overclocked my E8500 to 3.60MHz but I really think that it is running at 3.80MHz I say this because i get one report from the bios and another from other sortware that i have running.

Not sure if there is real gain in going to 4.00MHz.

[Kuky]

Hi, I do not have the game yet but i have overclocked my E8500 to 3.60MHz but I really think that it is running at 3.80MHz I say this because i get one report from the bios and another from other sortware that i have running.

Not sure if there is real gain in going to 4.00MHz.

 

What ever FSB setting you run in motherboard BIOS multiplied with CPU multiplier is what frequency you're running it. If your multiplier is default then all software should report same frequency (+- few MHz).

 

333 FSB x 9.5 Multiplier = 3.16 MHz (stock for E8500)

400 FSB x 9.5 Multiplier = 3.80 GHz

etc

[rapid]

What ever FSB setting you run in motherboard BIOS multiplied with CPU multiplier is what frequency you're running it. If your multiplier is default then all software should report same frequency (+- few MHz).

 

333 FSB x 9.5 Multiplier = 3.16 MHz (stock for E8500)

400 FSB x 9.5 Multiplier = 3.80 GHz

etc

 

 

Then it will be 3.60MHz this is due to the multiplier is set to x9.

[PoleCat]

Asus P5Q-PRO

Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33Ghz (OC 4.02GHz)

4GB (2X2GB) Mushkin DDR2-1066 memory

EVGA Nvidia GTX-260 (core 216)

EVGA 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E

28" Viewsonic 2835wm

2 X 22"Samsung 226BW

CM Stacker ATX / BTX Full Tower Case

OCZ 1000EXS 1000watt PSU

Ultra Chilltek TEC Cooler

2x 320GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (Raid 0)(WinXP_Pro Sp3)

2x 320GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (Raid 0) (Vistax86 SP1)

2x 500GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (XP/Vista BackUp images)

Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatality

Creative Inspire 7.1 Speaker System

Lite-On SHM 165H6S DVD-RW

OS:Dual boot: WinXP_Pro Sp3 & Vista 32 Ultimate Sp1

DirectX 9.0c

Thrustmaster Cougar (Uber2 NXT Mod)

Simped vario Pro Rudders w/F-16 Toe brake addon.

Tactile Feedback System 2.0

17" Touchscreen & Touchbuddy Software

TrackIR4 Pro

Logitech G-15 Gamers Keyboard

Logitech G-9 Laser Mouse

Logitech G-25 FF Racing Wheel

 

Runs excellent!

 

Highly recommend an overclocked E8500 or E8600 for this sim.

 

Out

Edited December 24, 2008 by PoleCat

[xbeo]

What do you mean with "runs excellent". What FPS do you get?

 

In external view I get around 50-70 FPS. In cockpit view around 20-30.

After starting a game in parking position with 50% cockpit and 50% exteriors on screen I get around 20-25 FPS...

 

Setting affinity for the DCS executable to 2 cores only adds 2-3 FPS but removes TrackIR lag completely.

[Coolhnd1]

Asus P5Q-PRO

Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33Ghz (OC 4.02GHz)

4GB (2X2GB) Mushkin DDR2-1066 memory

EVGA Nvidia GTX-260 (core 216)

EVGA 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E

28" Viewsonic 2835wm

2 X 22"Samsung 226BW

CM Stacker ATX / BTX Full Tower Case

OCZ 1000EXS 1000watt PSU

Ultra Chilltek TEC Cooler

2x 320GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (Raid 0)(WinXP_Pro Sp3)

2x 320GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (Raid 0) (Vistax86 SP1)

2x 500GB Seagate SATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer (XP/Vista BackUp images)

Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatality

Creative Inspire 7.1 Speaker System

Lite-On SHM 165H6S DVD-RW

OS:Dual boot: WinXP_Pro Sp3 & Vista 32 Ultimate Sp1

DirectX 9.0c

Thrustmaster Cougar (Uber2 NXT Mod)

Simped vario Pro Rudders w/F-16 Toe brake addon.

Tactile Feedback System 2.0

17" Touchscreen & Touchbuddy Software

TrackIR4 Pro

Logitech G-15 Gamers Keyboard

Logitech G-9 Laser Mouse

Logitech G-25 FF Racing Wheel

 

Runs excellent!

 

Highly recommend an overclocked E8500 or E8600 for this sim.

 

Out

 

holycow dude, do the neighborhood lights dim you you turn that monster on? ;)

 

Just out of curiosity why did you go with 32 bit Vista when you have 4G of memory. Were you lacking a 64 bit driver for some of the hardware you are using?