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Bilfidil
Bilfidil
Join Date 04/2006
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CPU Question

April 12, 2008 5:56:21 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I currently have an older PC with an Intel 2.6ghz processor (single core), 1 gig RAM, and an Nvidia 7600GT 256mb graphics card. I am purchasing a new PC that with have an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz processor, 4 gigs RAM, and an Nvidia 8500GT 256mb graphics card.

I understand that Sins runs on only one core. My question is, with all other things being equal (even though they will not be equal as stated above), would a quad core 2.4ghz processor work better than than a 2.6ghz single core processor? I have read on the forums that those with multi-core systems have Sins run on one core and everything else on another core. This is why I am asking whether anyone knows if a 2.4 that is only handling the game could run better than a 2.6 that is running the game and everything else.

Thanks for any answers.
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Bilfidil
kryo
Join Date 05/2003
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Reply #1 April 12, 2008 7:24:15 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Given your other specs, I'd guess that your current CPU is either a Pentium 4/D or a Celeron, rather than anything from the Core series. In that case, you can't compare purely on Ghz. The Core chips have a much better architecture and are more powerful even at lower speeds, even with the same number of cores. More cores will just let you do more stuff at once, as few programs or games will really use more than one core at any time on their own.

Personally, I'd say just get a Core 2 Duo, rather than wasting money on a Quad. It's still not really worth it unless you're doing things that do use multiple cores, like heavy video editing.
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Bilfidil
Coelocanth
Join Date 03/2008
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Reply #2 April 12, 2008 7:46:24 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I'd double think that graphics card as well. If you're into gaming, you should look at something better. The 8500 is not a good gaming card.
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Bilfidil
ed anger
Join Date 05/2006
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Reply #3 April 12, 2008 7:51:14 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
the graphics card is more important then the processor for most games, definitely get a better card if you can. what both of ^^^^ said.
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Bilfidil
BlueBirdTS
Join Date 04/2008
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Reply #4 April 12, 2008 7:57:04 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Try and get an E8400 and a 9600GT or better for a gaming computer. Also, 2GB of RAM is probably sufficient unless you're going with a 64-bit OS.
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kjpwv
Join Date 02/2008
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Reply #5 April 12, 2008 9:29:22 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
as it seems now, no processor exists that can handle a large advent vs advent battle.

but i digress, the 8500 is a few generations behind, i'd look at the newer 9600. for that matter the low end 8800s are coming down in price. The Vid card is so hella important these days, just make sure you do all your homework before purchasing.

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DreamMystic
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Reply #6 April 12, 2008 9:44:41 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
He needs a new video card, his processor is decent and I'm sure it can OC to 3.0ghz if he is into OCing. However, most games today are gpu limited rather than cpu limited. So he would see a higher performance increase with going with a new video card.
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Bilfidil
Bilfidil
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Reply #7 April 12, 2008 11:22:41 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Thanks for the input. I'm buying the computer from a guy at my school, so I am getting it rather cheap. The 8500 is not really what I am looking for either, but it is what comes with it. I will end up upgrading it soon.

The explanation of core chips was very helpful.
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Bilfidil
RonLugge
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Reply #8 April 12, 2008 11:33:37 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
He needs a new video card, his processor is decent and I'm sure it can OC to 3.0ghz if he is into OCing


How on earth can you tell that his processor is "decent" without even knowing its architecture?

As has been pointed out, architecture is important. A 5.0GHz P4 wouldn't be as good as a 3GHz Core 2 Duo, even ignoring the extra core of the duo!
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Bilfidil
Sola_III
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Reply #9 April 13, 2008 12:07:55 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I'm running a Core 2 Duo 1.86 ghz stock clock with a 7600 GT EVGA 256 mb card on XP Home (have Vista too, but haven't installed there). Runs great/looks great. What an awesome game.
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Bilfidil
hydrocarbn
Join Date 09/2007
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Reply #10 April 13, 2008 12:14:45 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Thanks for the input. I'm buying the computer from a guy at my school, so I am getting it rather cheap. The 8500 is not really what I am looking for either, but it is what comes with it. I will end up upgrading it soon.The explanation of core chips was very helpful.


How cheap, exactly? A lot of times people compare it to, say, Dell, not realizing you can get equivalent or better hardware online.
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Bilfidil
Bilfidil
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Reply #11 April 13, 2008 12:37:31 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
How cheap, exactly? A lot of times people compare it to, say, Dell, not realizing you can get equivalent or better hardware online.


I am getting an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4ghz CPU, 4gb ddr2 dualchannel, 500gb hard drive, XFI Xtreme HD Audio 24bit sound card, Nvidia 8500GT 256MB GDDR3 Dedicated graphics card, HD 19in widescreen LCD, DVD/CD RW plus dual layer capabilities, TV Tuner, Wireless 54G USB Ant, and Windows Vista Home Premium for $1000.

I do plan on upgrading the graphics card on it though. I was looking at the 9600gt, but am currently browsing the 8800. As for the 8800 series, which would be better: 8800gt with 112 stream processors or 8800gts with 128 stream processors? I have read mixed results online.
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Bilfidil
hydrocarbn
Join Date 09/2007
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Reply #12 April 13, 2008 12:58:16 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Not a bad deal at all. It's not the setup I'd pick, but for that price who cares

The 8800GT and 9600GT have nearly identical performance, with the 8800GTS very slightly above it. If the difference isn't much, get the 8800GTS (make sure to get the new 512MB 65nm one, not the old one[s]), if it is just grab a 8800GT or 9600GT.
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DreamMystic
Join Date 03/2008
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Reply #13 April 13, 2008 1:12:54 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
He needs a new video card, his processor is decent and I'm sure it can OC to 3.0ghz if he is into OCingHow on earth can you tell that his processor is "decent" without even knowing its architecture?As has been pointed out, architecture is important. A 5.0GHz P4 wouldn't be as good as a 3GHz Core 2 Duo, even ignoring the extra core of the duo!



I mis-read, I thought he said he had a 2.4ghz core 2 duo.
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Bilfidil
Bilfidil
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Reply #14 April 13, 2008 1:14:28 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
The two cards I am looking at are identical in price. One is an 8800GT 512mb and the other is an 8800GTS 512mb. Both have a 256-bit memory interface, but the GTS has more stream processors and faster clock speed. You had mentioned to get the 65nm one, but I cannot see that information anywhere. I read an article that said that a GTS with 512mb and a 256-bit memory interface would be 65nm. Does anyone know if that is true?
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hydrocarbn
Join Date 09/2007
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Reply #15 April 13, 2008 1:31:07 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
The 320/786MB versions are the old 90nm ones. You don't want those, and if it comes down to one of these or the GT, pick the GT.

The 256/512 ones are the newer 65nm models. If it comes down to one of these or the GT, pick this one.
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Bilfidil
Bilfidil
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Reply #16 April 13, 2008 1:37:01 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Carbon... Thanks for all of your help. I will be getting the GTS. The only problem that I can find is that newegg is out of stock for five days, but I suppose greater performance is worth waiting for.
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hydrocarbn
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Reply #17 April 13, 2008 1:51:23 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Carbon... Thanks for all of your help. I will be getting the GTS. The only problem that I can find is that newegg is out of stock for five days, but I suppose greater performance is worth waiting for.


No problem. And yes, it is very much worth the wait. You'll see a huge difference
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