New computer for next gen emulation

[Super Nest]

Hi! I'm building a new computer and I want it to be especially powerful for emulators of advanced systems like Wii, Ps2, Xbox, etc.
What do you think of this?

Intel Core i5 2400 3.1 GHZ SK1155 6MB
Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V LE SK1155 DDR3 PCX
Memory Kit 8 GB ( 2X4 GB) DDR3 1600 KINGSTON HYPERX CL9 Blue
Harddrive 1TB Hitachi SATA3 7200 32MB Deskstar
Geforce 9800 GTX (my old card, but I think it's still pretty good)
Windows 7

Is it enough to run flawessly (60fps) Dolphin, Pcsx2, etc without overclocking?

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Intel Core i7 D E6700 2.600K CPU 3,4GHz | Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 SK1155 DDR3 PCX | 12 GB RAM DDR3 | GeForce 9800 GTX + | 700 GB Hard Drive Space | Windows 7

[Princess Garnet]

If you're getting a Z68 chipset board, get a Core i5 2500K (the K model is important since it's the one that overclocks), since overclocking will help. There's few reasons in getting a P67 or Z68 chipset without overclocking. If that's too expensive to step up the CPU, you may as well get a H67 board, but it might not run everything flawlessly without overclocking. It depends on the game and all.

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"The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."

[Super Nest]

Mmmm, but I don't trust overclocking much. Is it mandatory to get 60 fps?
I wouldn't play at hyper resolutions, maybe 1280X1024 at much and probably some antialiasing. I don't know if that's enough for games like Mario Galaxy, Shadow of the Colossus, etc.

I watched some videos on youtube of people playing Dolphin at 60 frps appareantly without overclocking.

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Intel Core i7 D E6700 2.600K CPU 3,4GHz | Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 SK1155 DDR3 PCX | 12 GB RAM DDR3 | GeForce 9800 GTX + | 700 GB Hard Drive Space | Windows 7

[masta.g.86]

Aside from some compatibility issues, you shouldn't run into too many speed problems with PCSX2, even with a i5 2400. Dolphin isn't nearly as optimized yet and will likely cause speed problems with some games. Shadow of the Colossus ran at 60fps on my Phenom II @ 3.6GHz. I had to use a few minor speedhacks to keep the framerate consistent at 60fps though. I didn't test Super Mario Galaxy much on it though. Speeds were around 45-50fps iirc. This was a few years ago though. Dolphin is a bit better optimized since then.

As for OCing, it's incredibly safe and easy to do with Sandy Bridge K series CPUs. Just increase the turbo limit in BIOS (maybe bump up the voltage too). If temps get too high, the CPU has a built-in throttling function to lower the CPU's speed to achieve a safer temperature.

The newer Asus Z68 motherboards offer a "Quick OC" option in BIOS. Just select your desired CPU speed and it handles the rest. It's basically a heavily tested preset that sets the maximum turbo clock higher and raises the CPU voltage if necessary.

About Youtube: Don't ever trust Youtube.

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[SCHUMI_4EVER]

Even if you don't feel comfortable overclocking it doesn't make sense to limit yourself to a non-overclockable CPU if the motherboard will be capable. Keep your options open.

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Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) | ASUS P5Q | 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 | ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M | Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1

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No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0

Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!!

!!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

[Princess Garnet]

Originally Posted by Super Nest

Mmmm, but I don't trust overclocking much. Is it mandatory to get 60 fps?

I don't know. I never dealt with Dolphin, and it's been a while for PCSX2.

Originally Posted by Super Nest

I wouldn't play at hyper resolutions, maybe 1280X1024 at much and probably some antialiasing. I don't know if that's enough for games like Mario Galaxy, Shadow of the Colossus, etc.

The game is going to need as much at about any resolution because it's primarily CPU limited. Though with a GeForce 9800 GTX, there may be some games/settings that'd bring it down, it's primarily the CPU.

__________________
"The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."

[Super Nest]

Thanks for the answers! I'll probably buy the Core i5 2500K in case I decide to overclock it
Btw, is it better to have a motherboard with bluetooth included? I don't think the ASUS P8Z68 support it.

__________________
Intel Core i7 D E6700 2.600K CPU 3,4GHz | Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 SK1155 DDR3 PCX | 12 GB RAM DDR3 | GeForce 9800 GTX + | 700 GB Hard Drive Space | Windows 7

[SCHUMI_4EVER]

No...that would be an unnecessary premium to pay.

__________________

Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) | ASUS P5Q | 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 | ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M | Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1

The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!!

No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0

Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!!

!!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

[Kaizen]

Originally Posted by Super Nest

Thanks for the answers! I'll probably buy the Core i5 2500K in case I decide to overclock it
Btw, is it better to have a motherboard with bluetooth included? I don't think the ASUS P8Z68 support it.

You can get bluetooth adapters for £1 in poundland. Not worth the extra expense imo

[Super Nest]

Ok then. Thanks!
Btw, one last question: would the i7 2700K 3.5 GHZ make a really BIG difference in power or is it not worth the extra money?

__________________
Intel Core i7 D E6700 2.600K CPU 3,4GHz | Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 SK1155 DDR3 PCX | 12 GB RAM DDR3 | GeForce 9800 GTX + | 700 GB Hard Drive Space | Windows 7

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Last edited by Super Nest; April 17th, 2012 at 21:33..

[Lasnap]

For emulation hyperthreading sucks so its better to turn that off and if i remember right thats all the i7 2700k has over the i5 2500k.

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[Kaizen]

Originally Posted by Lasnap

For emulation hyperthreading sucks so its better to turn that off and if i remember right thats all the i7 2700k has over the i5 2500k.

nope.jpg

[Princess Garnet]

For the stuff in question, no.

The Core i7 is a Core i5 with Hyper-threading. Some have a higher frequency, but with overclocking that one is rather moot, and they have extra cache, but I see that more as a complement to the extra threads. The real difference is Hyper-threading. If what you do benefits enough from the extra threads to make the premium worth it (and few stuff does on average), then go for it, but otherwise, a Core i5 will be the same thing but cheaper, which is why it's a favorite.

If you have to get a Core i7, get the Core i7 2600K; the Core i7 2700K is even more of a waste. There is no difference but a 100MHz default speed bump, but that makes no difference in overclocking.

Originally Posted by Super Nest

Thanks for the answers! I'll probably buy the Core i5 2500K in case I decide to overclock it
Btw, is it better to have a motherboard with bluetooth included? I don't think the ASUS P8Z68 support it.

My ASUS P8Z68-V Pro has it. If you need it, and the premium isn't much, do whatever. I wouldn't want a separate adapter card just for that.

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"The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."

[rui-no-onna]

Originally Posted by Princess Garnet

If you have to get a Core i7, get the Core i7 2600K; the Core i7 2700K is even more of a waste. There is no difference but a 100MHz default speed bump, but that makes no difference in overclocking.

Interesting. Looks like Intel's planning on bumping up the price for mainstream high-end K processors back to i7-875K level (~$350). That's not good news. I hope IVB i7 K would still be at $310~325 but I'm not optimistic.

[Princess Garnet]

The Core i7 3750K (or is it 3770K) is supposed to be the same price the Core i7 2600K (or was it the 2700K?) was last I knew, but it's been so long since I cared to pay attention (as might be evident from my confusion on the numbers).

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"The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."

[Super Nest]

Thanks again! I'm getting a clear idea of what to buy now.

__________________
Intel Core i7 D E6700 2.600K CPU 3,4GHz | Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 SK1155 DDR3 PCX | 12 GB RAM DDR3 | GeForce 9800 GTX + | 700 GB Hard Drive Space | Windows 7

[n_w95482]

Also, just to add about a separate Bluetooth dongle, they're typically very small. The one I have is barely larger than the USB connector by itself, and I got it a couple of years ago. I have mine plugged into the back of my monitor, so I never see it.

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Later.

[luispratas]

Originally Posted by Super Nest

Hi! I'm building a new computer and I want it to be especially powerful for emulators of advanced systems like Wii, Ps2, Xbox, etc.
What do you think of this?

Intel Core i5 2400 3.1 GHZ SK1155 6MB
Motherboard Intel Core i3/ i5/ i7 ASUS P8Z68-V LE SK1155 DDR3 PCX
Memory Kit 8 GB ( 2X4 GB) DDR3 1600 KINGSTON HYPERX CL9 Blue
Harddrive 1TB Hitachi SATA3 7200 32MB Deskstar
Geforce 9800 GTX (my old card, but I think it's still pretty good)
Windows 7

Is it enough to run flawessly (60fps) Dolphin, Pcsx2, etc without overclocking?

A Core i7 3770K is enough for Dolphin, Pcsx2 emulation at full speed and you don't need overclocking. The stock standard clock of this processor(3.5GHz) it's enough for full speed emulation, more the 98 GIGAFLOPS of computation power, for now these emulatores only use 2 cores but already there are SVNs that make use of 4 cores but nothing official, for this, half (2 cores) also it's enough. For Xbox emulation i already don't know. If be used the 4 cores, maybe.

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Last edited by luispratas; May 2nd, 2012 at 15:24..