Upgrade to maximize single core, single thread performance

Jhereg10 · Dec 19, 2014

I use my sig rig for a lot of things, but the only really demanding thing I use it for is Kerbal Space Program.

KSP is based on the Unity engine, and currently does not support hyperthreading so single-core, single-thread performance is critical. It's highly CPU intensive, but not taxing on graphics cards, so my older GTX 560ti can max out the graphics settings.

Generally, lag only occurs when you start having high part-count stations and bases, due to the large number of physics calculations required per second. I'm starting to see that effect with some of my larger, more elaborate, creations.

Currently I have an H87 motherboard and an i3 4330 3.5GHz CPU. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether a CPU upgrade using the same mobo would give me any performance boost on single-core performance? Any recommendations, given the limitations of the game I've listed (single-core, single-thread performance limiting factor).

Tivan · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhereg10

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether a CPU upgrade using the same mobo would give me any performance boost on single-core performance? Any recommendations, given the limitations of the game I've listed (single-core, single-thread performance limiting factor).

The game being single thread limited as you say, you'll for the most part, be getting as much more fps, as you get a higher clock rate, if you stay with haswell.

You could get a new board and overclock a 4690k.
You could get a 4790k and run it at stock turbo. (would be 25% more fps)
Maybe with a bios update your board would allow overclocking a g3258 but not sure. But it's a dual core with less cache so that would slightly lower performance per clock depending on whether or not the game uses that.

Your call where to go or if it's worth it to begin with.

Horsemama1956 · Dec 20, 2014

Update your bios and get a G3258. Overclock it as high as the board will let you. Check the Vcore limit in the bios/manual. If it lets you go over 1.2, you should get 4.5Ghz unless it's a really crappy chip.

Marc79 · Dec 20, 2014

I wouldn't downgrade from i3 2c/4t to pentium 2 core, just because you can clock the pentium higher. Its either better board and 4670/4690k or leave it as is imo.

soulwrath · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc79

I wouldn't downgrade from i3 2c/4t to pentium 2 core, just because you can clock the pentium higher. Its either better board and 4670/4690k or leave it as is imo.

I second this, no point downgrading to a pentium chip

brucethemoose · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc79

I wouldn't downgrade from i3 2c/4t to pentium 2 core, just because you can clock the pentium higher. Its either better board and 4670/4690k or leave it as is imo.

It's not really a downgrade. With a 20%+ OC, a g3258 will outperform an i3 in pretty much anything

brucethemoose · Dec 20, 2014

Also, you should NOT use Intel integrated graphics in KSP. Trust me, the game will run better (and look better) with a cheap discrete GPU, and it'll free up CPU resources.

Tivan · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucethemoose

Also, you should NOT use Intel integrated graphics in KSP. Trust me, the game will run better (and look better) with a cheap discrete GPU, and it'll free up CPU resources.

he's using a GTX 560ti for gpu.

edit: also the g3258 will without a doubt out do an i3 if you overclock it to 4.5ghz, and be very close in single threaded performance to a 4790k.

Horsemama1956 · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulwrath

I second this, no point downgrading to a pentium chip

Read the OP. He mainly plays Kerbal Space Program and he wants single thread performance. If he doesn't plan on playing much else(he plans on keeping the 560Ti which is plenty for that game) the cheapest option is the g3258 and overclocking it.

He doesn't need a $250 processor when he can get the same results from a $70 one.

Jhereg10 · Dec 20, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tivan

The game being single thread limited as you say, you'll for the most part, be getting as much more fps, as you get a higher clock rate, if you stay with haswell.

You could get a new board and overclock a 4690k.
You could get a 4790k and run it at stock turbo. (would be 25% more fps)
Maybe with a bios update your board would allow overclocking a g3258 but not sure. But it's a dual core with less cache so that would slightly lower performance per clock depending on whether or not the game uses that.

Your call where to go or if it's worth it to begin with.

Thanks. I have the GA-H87-D3H mobo. I wasn't aware there was an updated BIOS that could enable overclocking on that board, but I'll start digging. That would make a big difference, as the equivalent Z87 board is $130.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horsemama1956

Update your bios and get a G3258. Overclock it as high as the board will let you. Check the Vcore limit in the bios/manual. If it lets you go over 1.2, you should get 4.5Ghz unless it's a really crappy chip.

Gonna repeat what I said to the other commenter. Thank you. I wasn't aware there was a BIOS update that would allow overclocking. Having a hard time finding confirmation that Gigabyte issued that, though.
Quote:

Originally Posted by brucethemoose

Also, you should NOT use Intel integrated graphics in KSP. Trust me, the game will run better (and look better) with a cheap discrete GPU, and it'll free up CPU resources.

I hear ya. I'm using a Galaxy GTX 650TI GPU. It gives me more than enough performance for that game.

Thanks all. Much obliged.

Upgrade to maximize single core, single thread performance

Jhereg10

Tivan

Horsemama1956

Marc79

soulwrath

brucethemoose

brucethemoose

Tivan

Horsemama1956

Jhereg10

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