Is my PC adequate to run Black Shark?

LastRifleRound · March 2, 2009

I wanted to wait for a demo on this to see if i could run it, but I don't think i can wait anymore! I have 2 PC's, a desktop and a laptop. I'll put the relevant specs below. Can I run the sim smoothly with effects turned down with either one of these? :joystick:

Laptop:

OS Windows XP SP2

Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4Ghz

2 GB RAM

NVIDIA GeForce 8400m

Desktop:

OS Windows XP SP2

Intel P4 2.0Ghz

1 GB RAM

ATI Radeon X1300

EtherealN · March 2, 2009

I don't like the look of that Laptop. You don't happen to have a model name for that Core 2 Duo? Don't think I've seen a 1.4GHz version of those before. Since it's running XP it will also not be able to use the second core for DCS.

The desktop will probably struggle as well since that is a low clock on a pretty old chip.

DCS is generally very CPU-intensive, so if you look for an upgrade that's your top priority. I use an intel Core 2 Duo E8500 which is fairly good value for money, and with an overclocking-oriented motherboard I recently sprung it up to 4GHz without resorting to overvolt or water cooling. Haven't played DCS on it after that though since I've had some other things to do (like looking at how far I can press my poor little RAMsticks. :P ) but even at stock speed (3.16GHz) it will run DCS quite nicely when running on Vista and using the so-called 'affinity trick' to spread the workload.

So sadly I think the final analysis of those machines is that you really need to get a newer CPU. I do have a laptop with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo and a GeForce 8600m, which does play the game acceptably, so you don't need a gigantic upgrade.

Kuky · March 2, 2009

on lower to medium graphics settings it should run on your desktop...

JDski · March 2, 2009

The problem for me comes with lots of targets on the map at the same time and getting to close to explosions etc.

Just flying around and shooting limited targets you might be ok.

The biggest thing is going to be the way the mission is designed.

I get around 15-25 fps most times but some really busy missions it can get down to 5-7 sometimes.

That's on a P4 3.2 with 2 gigs of ram and a ATI 1650.

CAT_101st · March 2, 2009

The laptop no. The desk top. might run it but you won't be happy with it. You need to at leas add 1gb of ram and up grade the video card. To be honest you realy shuld think of gitting a new system. even a new $500 system will run better than what you have now.

asparagin · March 2, 2009

Since it's running XP it will also not be able to use the second core for DCS.

there is no os that can run DCS using 2 or more cores. this has been discussed in lots of posts. vista will just put windows porcesses on other cores and you get an improvement because of that.

back to the original question, 2 Ghz CPU is weak. You will fly fluid only without any other units on the map maybe.

if you think of buying a new CPU buy something like 2x or 4X cores each with above 3 GHz (because you will basicly use only one core)

EtherealN · March 2, 2009

I know that, asparagin, and my wording was a bit erroneous. I meant it in the sense of getting an advantage from the second core compared to having just one core.

It might be possible to make the game playable (as in, really enjoyable compared to functional) on that 2GHz computer with a bit of overclocking. I don't have a strong memory of the P4's since I was using AMD when they were happening, but if they have an unlocked CPU multiplier it might be possible to scare it up to around 3GHz with a good cooler.

Though, a relatively cheap processor today can be made to run even higher and isn't all that much either. My computer as listed in my signature will give 70 to 100 FPS with the affinity trick on a near-empty map. (Haven't tried crowded maps yet though.) And that should be achievable with a much lesser pricetag than some of the components in there since DCS doesn't really care that much about the graphics card for it's heavier work.

192nd_Erdem · March 2, 2009

My laptop is pretty much similiar to yours and runs BS at a blazing pace(30-50fps without too much action) :)

C2D T7100(1.8Ghz)

2Gb RAM

8400M GS

Windows 7

Although most my details are off, I'm using a 1280x800 resolution and a TrackIR along with it. I'm not even using the affinity trick yet :) Your CPU should be of some problem though, BS is CPU intensive and if you really have 1.4GHz you're gonna have problems. I suggest moving to Vista or better yet Windows 7(free beta).

On desktop IMO you'll be tearing your hair off :D P4 2.0GHz is ancient by today's standarts, along with X1300. I don't even mention 1Gb RAM :)

192nd_Erdem · March 2, 2009

there is no os that can run DCS using 2 or more cores. this has been discussed in lots of posts. vista will just put windows porcesses on other cores and you get an improvement because of that.

back to the original question, 2 Ghz CPU is weak. You will fly fluid only without any other units on the map maybe.
if you think of buying a new CPU buy something like 2x or 4X cores each with above 3 GHz (because you will basicly use only one core)

The thing is Windows already assigns system programs and programs like Firefox, Media Players to all cores without you interfering. Doing the affinity trick for DCS doesn't change that.

Marder · March 2, 2009

hello.

i really need an advice if it's time for me upgrading my computer. (sig)

does anybody had a similar computer and upgraded? i mean, i really would like to know how big the difference is e.g. to a intel core i7 or to the lower amd phenom ii.

i do not find a benchmark where older rigs are compared with the newest hardware-stuff, just to see how big the difference really is...

EtherealN · March 2, 2009

http://techreport.com/articles.x/15818

That is an article I found very enlightening that shows off where the i7 destroys absolutely all opposition in some places and in some instances (mostly games) it's top model will only barely compete with the E8500. (That at a price difference of some 200 euros for the E8500 and 1100 euros for the i7 975...)

Sadly I have very limited knowledge of AMD's contemporary CPU's (the last one I ran was an Athlon 64 single-core @ 1800MHz native) but I am extremely happy with my current Intel chip. I do not think that the i7 is any value for money when it comes to games at this time, but on the other hand socket 775 is likely to end up pretty much forgotten as Intel expands the i7 line, so an i7 920 being more expensive than the E8500 will fit into a motherboard where you are more likely to be able to make upgrades in the future through a simple CPU switch.

Acedy · March 2, 2009

I wanted to wait for a demo on this to see if i could run it, but I don't think i can wait anymore!

Just FYI, the demo has been cancelled.

LastRifleRound · March 3, 2009

The verdict seems to be processing capability will be the biggest shortfall....the model processor is T5270. Hope that helps! I thought my laptop would have been the best bet too

Marder · March 6, 2009

just upgraded my rig from x2 3800 (socket939 ddr 400) to a i7 920. the difference in blackshark is so amazing... it's like comparing night and day :)

still using my single 8800gtx.

it seems 500% faster :)

JasBird · March 7, 2009

I'm currently on a tight budget, but I need a graphic upgrade for playing BS. I have a Intel E6750 with a 8600 GT. I know BS is CPU hungry but I belive my graphic card is my weak point. I would be happy with a 1280x1024 res. That's what I use at the moment with mid settings and frames are around 30fps, but only just done some free flight to get into the game. Also I have a lot of tearing so I would like to use higher AA settings to improve the quality. I'm considering a 4670 1 GB card or maybe a 4830 512Mg card, as they are not to expensive. Anyone have an opinion if that would make a big difference to my current setuop? Any other suggestions? 8800 GT?

glottis · March 7, 2009

...I'm currently on a tight budget, but I need a graphic upgrade for playing BS. I have a Intel E6750 with a 8600 GT. I know BS is CPU hungry but I belive my graphic card is my weak point...

I wouldn't be so sure about your graphics card being the weak point - have you tried setting CPU affinity (if in Vista), and putting water on medium (often increases frame rate a lot - around 15fps for me)? If not do that before splashing out.

I have an old 8800 GTX - still a fairly respectable card, but nothing special by today's standards, and I'm definitely CPU-bound. I can set whatever resolution and AA I like and it runs at the same 25-40fps.

As for tearing - if you mean jaggies, then yes a better graphics card will let you increase the AA. If you actually mean tearing - where the screen looks split along a horizontal line that moves around, then this can often be fixed by turning on VSync (force it on in the graphics driver control panel).

Marder · March 7, 2009

forcing vsync on in driver settings does not work under vista x64 for me (latest nv-drivers)

//edit: here is a ranking for graphics cards (its in german but you can see the speed-diffferences)

http://www.3dchip.de/Grafikchipliste/Leistung_Graka.htm

Edited March 7, 2009 by Marder

JasBird · March 7, 2009

Yes I mean jaggies. It's pretty bad. I have water medium and forced v-sync on. I run 2xAA, 2xAS and supersamling(forced) I tried around with different settings and when I turn up AA it get's much better, but then low framerate. I use XP so no CPU affinity for me.

"glottis" I guess if you can run any resoulution with AA, that's different for me. Higher resoulution means framerate drop for me. Atleast as far as I can tell. Also turning up vis.range or textures to high, affects framerate alot. Even though my short trainning flights show around 30 fps I sometimes get a short hickup. I have 4 GB of RAM (512 MB the 8600 GT), so I suspect it's the graphics card? I made a change in card config from 3 to 5-6 about how many frames ahead the CPU can sende frames to Graphics Card or something, I think that helped a little so again I suspect graphics card.

So maybe I can expect same FPS but just higher graphic quality?

Cheers

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