should I get a sse4.1 capable cpu for gsdx?

SSE4.1 seems to make a big difference in software mode. Otherwise there is only a small difference in performance.

BTW - It's pretty pointless to go the Core2 route as its platform is at its end of days. It's better to go Core i5 (Intel) or AM3 (AMD). Furthermore, how can you justify a computer upgrade just for the sake of emulation when a real PS2 costs much less? Don't get me wrong, I don't care if you do the upgrade anyway, it's just not something I can justify spending a good amount of money on.

its not just for running the emulator,of course..anyway,thanks for the info

Well, I'd say it's pretty obvious. Game in PCSX2, in HD and with 2k internal will look waaay better than on PS2 and the best TV in the world. I did same in good old times with PSX and built overkill PC to get the best graphics of ePSXe..

Would you guys say i5-750 would be better choice for PCSX2 than X4 945? In usual tests Intel wins but PCSX2 is no usual application and is very cycle-demanding. Did anyone tried to test it?

Get an i7 920

Thanks, but not. That's 100EUR difference which I am not willing to pay for questionable difference. I am gonna choose from before mentioned CPUs and was just thinking which of them could be better choice for PCSX2.
By the way, I am not hijacking Voodoo47's topic, we actually discuss the thing together.

From what I've seen, Core i5 CPUs are only marginally faster than Core 2 Duos at the same clockspeed. Taking that into account, an i5 has an extra margin of speed over a similarly clocked Phenom II.

The real benefit of using an i5 comes in software mode, where SSE 4.1 and the additional cores (both real and virtual) allow PCSX2 to run faster than a Core 2 and much faster than a Phenom II.

Thank you, masta.g. As sw mode means extreme slowness anyway, I'm planning to use DX11 hw for rendering, as I am for every single bit of speed to make games most playable. Which probably means i5 is not worthy of higher investment in such case and Phenom II after oc will be better choice.

Dx11 uses the same code as dx10 for now (we eve disabled the dx11 option ).
As usual you'll want an Intel cpu for pcsx2. AMD's work, but consider this:
A core2 8400 cpu at 4.1Ghz (which is a common and easy to achieve oc) will play most games fine.
A Phenom2 at 3.8Ghz (which is also common, but already harder to achieve) will be around 30% slower than the core2 setup.

If core2 seems to old, then go with any of the new Intel systems that >also reach 4.1Ghz!<
Clockspeed is important for pcsx2. It needs fast SSE and high MHz.
Not many cores, not triple channel ram.

Thanks rama, I appreciate you found time to answer my question. I'll do as you say.

Phil said:

Get an i7 920

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Will have to be overclocked anyway... So yea, too much money has to be given out.

I'd preffer an Intel from the "E"-Series one + OC to 3.8GHz, and then you'd make such emulation videos, which would make youtubers jealous :lol:

Skater007> Just ignore that post. Nothing against but list Phil's posts and you'll see why. Rama is actually the real authority here. But truth is, currently there is no hw capable of giving you perfect experience of PS2 games (the way it's meant to be played, lol), even in those most visible games. CPU manufacturers need a lot of time to move it a bit and PCSX2 team needs a bit more of our support to progress. Hopefully in a half of year, year we'll get there. Oh, how I wish there would me more projects as GOW: Collection..

RenMcCourtey said:

Skater007> Just ignore that post. Nothing against but list Phil's posts and you'll see why. Rama is actually the real authority here. But truth is, currently there is no hw capable of giving you perfect experience of PS2 games (the way it's meant to be played, lol), even in those most visible games. CPU manufacturers need a lot of time to move it a bit and PCSX2 team needs a bit more of our support to progress. Hopefully in a half of year, year we'll get there. Oh, how I wish there would me more projects as GOW: Collection..

Click to expand...

No offence, but it doesn't really matter to me, who's authority here or not.
The most successful PCSX2 users here on web... Are the OC'ed "E" ones