Benefits of new CPU but same graphics card

[Lascaille]

Hi,

 

I've been getting into DCS quite seriously and have just upgraded my graphics card to bring the speeds up.

 

I forget what I had before, but I now have a GTX670 and the performance is nice at 1920x1200. I think I have some of the settings (textures maybe) set to 'medium' to make it comfortable.

 

The base machine is kinda old and the CPU is dated, so I'm thinking of building a proper gaming rig around the GTX670.

 

Currently the CPU is a Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz which clocks in at 2827 on the PassMark CPU website.

 

I had a quick look at some reviews and think a i7-4770k would be nice for the new box. This scores 10124 PassMark.

 

I don't know the speed of the memory in the old box but there's 4GB installed, the new would be 8GB of DDR3 1600.

 

I'm asking for advice because I'm not sure how heavily DCS loads the CPU. I remember back in the day that Quake 3D used to use like 5% CPU and all the load was passed to the graphics card. I would imagine DCS is more CPU intensive so I am wondering if anyone here has done a similar upgrade (i.e. of just the CPU/MB/RAM) and if they noticed any significant benefits. I obviously don't want to spend the money for nothing as the machine is still very quick for all other purposes, and I do a lot of serious (!) work with it...

[Cnuke]

Current engine uses 1 core for audio and 1 core for everything else and it will run at 100%. So a better (intel) CPU with a high clock benefits extremely well.

Memory is also a big point now. The latest dcs world patch requires at least 8 Gb+ as there is a problem with paging or a leak. I'm sure this will get fixed.

 

A new engine is on it's way called EDGE. (I really have no clue what load it will ask from all the parts of the system).

Edited September 14, 2013 by Cnuke

[ENO]

Except for having "the latest and (very arguably) greatest" processor, the 4770k isn't bringing a lot new to the table over the older Sandy and Ivy. Of course, they're slightly faster but dollar for dollar I'd be headhunting an affordable (maybe even used) LGA 1155 socket Sandy / Ivy Bridge system... probably a Sandy (2600k is a sweet spot to me). Save tons of money that can later be spent on a solid cooling solution and maybe a second 670 to run in SLI.

 

Granted this won't mean that you have the "GREATEST CPU EVAR!" but what this program currently needs is speed and solid graphics cards. Sandy will more than deliver on speed and your 670 (nevermind twins!) is well suited for the task at hand.

[Hamblue]

It brings about 10% over the Sandy but many times more over your current CPU

I would recommend 16 gigs of low latency, quality ram. Standard stuff will slow the machine down.

[Nate--IRL--]

I have a 670 and an i5 4560K at 4.4Ghz - 60fps is almost a minimum now.

 

Nate

[Lascaille]

Thanks for the comments guys. There is absolutely zero used market here so it's either new from the shops here or shipped in, and I really don't want to import a CPU/MB to find it DOA. On the plus side side I can get the 4770k for USD $300 from the shop. Negative side they want $450 for the Z87-A mainboard. Win/Lose :)

[Hamblue]

Wow, that's way pricy for a Mobo.

Only a few are that high, like the MSI Xpower

Edited September 14, 2013 by Hamblue

[JayPee]

What are opinions on the FX8350?

 

170 bucks vs 300 bucks for an i7. On top of that, FX8350 mobos range from 90 to 150 where i7 mobos range from 200 to 300. Finally, FX8350 + decent mobo supports 2133 RAM. i7 support 1800 RAM IIRC.

 

I know Skatezilla runs one and his rig looks like he's still prepped for a Soviet tank invasion after all these years..

[Gloom Demon]

I have a 8320 and I have no problems playing DCS, FPS drops below 30 only sometimes during multiplayer. However, there's nothing to beating i5 in DCS right now. No need to go for i7 though and the performance gain from 2133 is negligible. If you have the money get the i5, if not - 8320/8350 is not such a bad choice, although it gets hammered by the i5.

[Fish]

Have you considered another 670gtx for SLI,

 

I get significant boost when i added the second one. I'll test when i get back, and give an indication of the difference, but i expect i'm getting maybe a 70% boost.

[Irregular programming]

I have a 670 and an i5 4560K at 4.4Ghz - 60fps is almost a minimum now.

 

Nate

 

At what settings? I am trying to figure out what is killing my FPS.

 

I have a 680, and a 3770K @ 4.3Ghz and I seldom get above 30.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Irregular programming

[Nate--IRL--]

At what settings? I am trying to figure out what is killing my FPS.

 

I have a 680, and a 3770K @ 4.3Ghz and I seldom get above 30.

 

See attached.

 

Nate

[Rushup]

What are opinions on the FX8350?

 

170 bucks vs 300 bucks for an i7. On top of that, FX8350 mobos range from 90 to 150 where i7 mobos range from 200 to 300. Finally, FX8350 + decent mobo supports 2133 RAM. i7 support 1800 RAM IIRC.

 

I know Skatezilla runs one and his rig looks like he's still prepped for a Soviet tank invasion after all these years..

 

Not sure that's right about the memory supported by AMD. I think DDR3-1866 is the fastest that architecture supports. I've just build a new system with an FX8350 and Sabertooth FX990 R2.0 and went with DDR3-1600 memory. I wouldn't base my AMD vs. Intel decision on supported memory speed. I think single thread performance and efficiency are Intel's main winning points - but you pay for that. I couldn't make my mind up between an i5 3750 and the FX 8350. In the end my heart said 'AMD' even though my brain said 'Intel'. Let me know if you'd like to know how this performs with DCS.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Rushup

[JayPee]

Ofcourse, you're right, I'm not basing it solely on supported RAM speed (though I'm fairly sure it's 2133) but I'm very interested in what an i7 4770k or 4820k has to offer an FX8350 doesn't. Since it's 130 bucks extra.

 

So yes, I'd be glad to see your results!

[Rangi]

At what settings? I am trying to figure out what is killing my FPS.

 

I have a 680, and a 3770K @ 4.3Ghz and I seldom get above 30.

 

Something must be killing your fps as on my system (see below) which is (should be) way slower than yours I get 40-60fps, dipping to 20-30 near airports or big fire-fights. My settings are medium to high.

[Irregular programming]

See attached.

 

Nate

 

Thank you!

 

Something must be killing your fps as on my system (see below) which is (should be) way slower than yours I get 40-60fps, dipping to 20-30 near airports or big fire-fights. My settings are medium to high.

 

The only difference in my settings from Nates was that I had less clutter and trees, also TSSAA enabled. Disabling that gave me a couple of more FPS but I still hardly ever go over 30, I don't think I've ever seen 60 close to ground level and that is on an empty mission.

 

I would love to figure out what's going on.

 

Nate, could you give me your full dxdiag, and tell me what fps you get if you spawn in to an empty mission with for example an A10 at an airfield of your choice (preferably without a hangar so it will render as much as possible)? It would be much appreciated.

Edited September 18, 2013 by Irregular programming

[Nate--IRL--]

Thank you!

The only difference in my settings from Nates was that I had less clutter and trees, also TSSAA enabled. Disabling that gave me a couple of more FPS but I still hardly ever go over 30, I don't think I've ever seen 60 close to ground level and that is on an empty mission.

 

I would love to figure out what's going on.

 

Nate, could you give me your full dxdiag, and tell me what fps you get if you spawn in to an empty mission with for example an A10 at an airfield of your choice (preferably without a hangar so it will render as much as possible)? It would be much appreciated.

 

I'll provide a quick track and FPS graph when I get home from work.

 

Nate

[Irregular programming]

cool, that would be really nice.

[RIPTIDE]

Hi,

 

I've been getting into DCS quite seriously and have just upgraded my graphics card to bring the speeds up.

 

I forget what I had before, but I now have a GTX670 and the performance is nice at 1920x1200. I think I have some of the settings (textures maybe) set to 'medium' to make it comfortable.

 

The base machine is kinda old and the CPU is dated, so I'm thinking of building a proper gaming rig around the GTX670.

 

Currently the CPU is a Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz which clocks in at 2827 on the PassMark CPU website.

 

I had a quick look at some reviews and think a i7-4770k would be nice for the new box. This scores 10124 PassMark.

 

I don't know the speed of the memory in the old box but there's 4GB installed, the new would be 8GB of DDR3 1600.

 

I'm asking for advice because I'm not sure how heavily DCS loads the CPU. I remember back in the day that Quake 3D used to use like 5% CPU and all the load was passed to the graphics card. I would imagine DCS is more CPU intensive so I am wondering if anyone here has done a similar upgrade (i.e. of just the CPU/MB/RAM) and if they noticed any significant benefits. I obviously don't want to spend the money for nothing as the machine is still very quick for all other purposes, and I do a lot of serious (!) work with it...

One particular benefit is replaying tracks. On one very active mission we have on rotation it is a pain replaying tracks in accelerated mode even with FPS set at something low.

Edited September 18, 2013 by RIPTIDE

[Nate--IRL--]

I'll provide a quick track and FPS graph when I get home from work.

 

Nate

 

See attached.

 

 

Nate

FPS track.trk

DxDiag.txt

[xxJohnxx]

I am running a i7-3770K at 4.5 GHz and since the installation of a GTX780 I am also sticking arround 60 fps (give or take).

At least for me the GPU update did wonders. I noticed improvments over 40-50 frames at some points.

 

I guess Irregular Programming should achive the same results with his setup and his GTX680.

 

If you want me to, I will also run that FPS track, however, you would have to explain to me how to draw such a graph.

 

Best regards,

 

Joanthan

Edited September 18, 2013 by xxJohnxx

[Nate--IRL--]

I use FRAPS to record the FPS - this is saved to a CSV file, which is opened in Excel, from which it draws the chart.

 

Nate

[xxJohnxx]

Thanks Nate!

 

That's what I got, which seems overall prety similar to Nate's result:

 

 

 

EDIT: I am sorry for that bad looking graph. I don't have Office installed since the latest W7 reinstallation.

 

Best regards,

 

Jonathan

DxDiag.txt

[Irregular programming]

Thank you both, I wish I could figure this out, I am at half your performance and I just can't see why.

 

This is my fps: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0As6gueQEjR6kdHFXNkZUTlNRV1pta0E2WXJEdzNTYlE&usp=sharing

 

It's so strange, do you have any idea?

DxDiag.txt

Edited September 18, 2013 by Irregular programming

[Nate--IRL--]

What settings do you have in the Nvidia control panel?

 

Nate