Upgrading CPU...could use some recommendations.

[TSB]

Hey guys! Some of you may know me as Kwik from the betas, but also by TSB on Vent. I apologize, I was originally going to put this thread in the system specs/requirements thread but I couldn't seem to find it.

My pc is more than adequate for running the game on max settings, but I do experience some lag and obvious extended load times on models. I want to be able to run on Max settings with no lag, so here is my reason for this post.

As of now:
RAM:6GB
CPU: Intel i7 920 @2.67ghz
GPU: GTX 480

As I stated on vent during the last CB, since TERA runs on the Unreal engine it is much more dependent on the CPU than the GPU. I know my GPU is in no need of updating, but I feel I could use a new CPU.

Does anyone have some reasonably priced CPU's they would recommend that are faster than my present one?

[Miraun]

First... What OS are you running off of?
Second... What Network provider do you use? Are you certain that lag is associated to computer shortcomings and not latency?
Third... There's a tech folder that may be a better place to ask... but I've never been over there.

[Senji]

First: Overclock your CPU/buy a cpu cooler. Stock speeds are holding back A LOT of your performance. Guides online you can follow to do the monkey work without actually understanding any of it.
Second: SSD. Put OS and Tera on it.

There are no reasonably priced CPU upgrades without replacing your motherboard and going to a newer socket type. I'd do SSD and CPU cooler first as you'd carry them over to a new rig anyways.

[Greatguardian]

In addition to the above, what resolution are you trying to run the game at? I have an i7-930 and run the game on max settings without any issues at 1360x768.

Since you're running an LGA-1366 processor already, you'd really only be upgrading to something else in the i7-900 line. To be perfectly honest, if you're comfortable with your ability to try something like overclocking, that would likely be a much better bang for your buck since more powerful models are probably going to start at $400-500.

Since you're talking about model load times, though, the slowdown might be coming from your hard drive. MMOs are particularly Read-intensive since they pull up a lot of models to render directly from the drive, so if you're running off a 5400RPM hard drive or something similar that would explain it. If you have an SSD in your machine, I would try installing TERA to that and see if it's any better.

Edit: Beaten by 3 minutes

[Gulkeeva]

Video card > CPu "game performance" wise, by a large margin, compared to a CPU (unless your cpu is pretty antique)

as mentioned though, you could easily overclock your cpu.. on air to like 3.2-3.4ghz (have the exact same cpu and doing 3.4Ghz) or get water and you could probably go to 4-4.2ghz range.

also, for load times, you could get more ram... too, it helps!

Ram > SSD > HDD/SATA in terms of speed
(especially triple channel memory)

/quote
RAM is still much faster than SSD. 1066MHz DDR3 has latency of 0.9375ns while Intel G2 X25-M SSDs (couldn't find info about the Toshibas) have latency of 65-85 microseconds (65-85 000ns). SSDs can deliver up to 285MB/s while 1066MHz DDR3 in dual-channel mode can deliver up to 17.1GB/s (17 100MB/s).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-c...y_architecture
/quote
According to Intel, a Core i7 with DDR3 operating at 1066 MHz will offer peak data transfer rates of 25.6 GB/s when operating in triple-channel interleaved mode.

Between windows, all the random stuff I run (namely firefox) and 1 game I use at or over 6GB of ram already. Tera stuff after some play loaded things within 1-2 seconds at most. (even the tera mass lag event, I saw decent amount of models load before names even)

[Foxer]

2500k with a Hyper 212 evo.

[Greatguardian]

2500k is an LGA 1155 which means a new motherboard unless you're just naming your own specs.

[Siya]

I am a little bit in the same boat here, I posted my question in the random tech thread but thought I'd also post here. I was thinking to OC and my mobo comes with an "ez oc" utility (Asrock x58 Extreme). Was just curious if that is worth messing around with or not (i7 930 cpu).

[Greatguardian]

Depends on how much you value the performance increase. Overclocking increases your clock cycle speed, but it generally decreases the lifetime of your processor and it voids most/all warranties. I wouldn't start yourself off on overclocking with a part that you can't afford to replace if you screw up, to be perfectly honest. Shit happens, and you don't want said shit to leave you without a functional computer for x amount of weeks because you accidentally fried something.

Also, you should really never overclock with most stock cooling units because they're crap. If you're going to go over stock settings, buy a third party heat sink or you'll melt your shit.

[Siya]

Anything else we can consider to boost performance then? One thing I also noticed is the 930 is supposed to have turbo boost, yet mine doesn't work or is disabled somehow. Normally there is a bios option but I have looked and googled around with no luck.

[Greatguardian]

Turbo Boost is just a 1 increment increase in your processor's multiplier, and should be enabled by default. I have the same CPU, but the BIOS you have is determined by your motherboard rather than the processor so I wouldn't really know how to help with that.

I mean, I'll be honest, the 930 is a nice cpu to overclock, I just want to be clear about the dangers involved - especially if it's your first OC. LGA1366 is a consumer performance socket, so anything you'd get to replace a burnt 930 would still be at least $200-300+. The stock cooler for the i7-930 is absolute shit, too. It just blows air onto the processor. I have no idea why intel decided to package such a shitty cooler with such a nice processor. You'd really have to get a real heat sink if you wanted to mess with it.

You shouldn't really need to boost an i7-930 too much, though. Are you running into any noticeable performance problems as is? If so, what kind? What resolution/settings are you trying to run the game at and what kind of graphics card do you have? Most general slowdown in a game like TERA comes from your graphics card trying to render everything in a high resolution. I run the game in a 1360x768 window personally so that I can keep max settings and not take a performance hit on my system while still using an olde ATI HD5750 OC.

[Asilius]

If your 920 is DO stepping i would take it too 4ghz if its CO then may have to settle with 3.5ish maybe go with a h-80 or h-100 if you have room. And id suggest disableing HT and any power saving features. the power saving features alone will throttle your cpu.

[Katlan]

Moving this to tech forum. No reason for it to be here. While u may be upgrading for TERA, you will get better support in the appropriate forum section

[Siya]

HD 5870. And the game runs great for the most part (same as the OP) Great in most cases but sometimes fps dip a bit. 1900x1080 with some options maxed and others medium

[TSB]

Thanks for the replies guys!

First off, the processor was supposedly OCed from the factory (machine is from Cyberpower). I ordered an OC when I customized the PC, but Idk if the speed that "My computer" specs is telling me is right.

My processor is already liquid cooled, but unfortunately I do not possess the knowledge or skills to over clock it further. I do know of some PC gaming shops around here though that might be able to do it.

Also, I figured an SSD would be recommended and I am definitely going to look into getting one, its been on my to do list for awhile now.

[Katlan]

Thanks for the replies guys!
Also, I figured an SSD would be recommended and I am definitely going to look into getting one, its been on my to do list for awhile now.

SSD is great to house your OS, but i don't see any reason to have it as a data drive and any improvement it will give to a MMO is negligible since a SSD doesn't make data transfer faster from the game server

[Boyiee]

You shouldn't upgrade from your i7-9xx series yet, especially if you are capable of overclocking. Wait a little bit longer

920-950's OC to 4.0 like champs typically.

[Divimise]

In light of the cpu being a big part in frame rendering with this game, im looking to try and get my hands on a 3ghz processor (tho i magically need to find 200 bucks first) for my laptop. The only thing is tho, I tested my desktop with its quad core Q6700 @ 3ghz (unstable over 3 unfortunately) and only notice maybe a 5 frame increase using fraps to look. So wondering what cpu speeds everyone else has...

My g-cards are geforce 9600 gs for the pc and 9800 gts for the laptop, both 1gig memory. Cant say the g-cards are at fault since they are barly even being put under a load by this game. Yet getting 30 frames just will not seem to happen. Around 15 frames in laptop and 20 on pc is my average, outside of the loading instances dropping my frames to 2-3 if i dont reset while inside, still never could fix it, even with memory cleaning program.. Hell most cases both laptop and pc dont like to go over 21, it will only go past it if im the only one on screen and no is moving, or no other players are on the screen.

Those posting with speed around or slower then 3ghz say the game runs fine (and if i did not have a frame counter on, I would say it looks just fine with just a couple stutters after a long playtime) but in reality im playing at 20 frames not 30 or 60. Can someone post specs, setting, and what they did to hit 30 frames or more.?

Ill post my specs: Mabe someone can make scenes of this 20 frame thing

Desktop
Intel Core 2 quad Q6700 OC to 3ghz (300x10) FSB 1200
Older DDR2 mem (laptop is ddr3) 4gig 2:3 ratio 450mhz
Nvid 9600 GT 650mhz 1625 shader, 900 memory.
Playing at 1280x720 (its a 1080I tv and i have it hooked via hdmi out) 1280x720 is a perfect crisp image, tho i can play with max rez if needed.

Laptop
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8400 ( Looking to get a T9900 3.06ghz)
DDR3 8gig 1:2 ratio 532Mhz
Nvid 9800M GTS OC 700mhz 1650 shader 950 memory
Screen is 1440x900

Im trying to compare if dropping the 200 bucks for a 3ghz would be an actual upgrade or not, from my tests, 5 frames is not worth the cost. Lookin to see what everyone else is doing to get better performance.

[Tits]

If you're in the US and near a Microcenter they are advertising an i7 2600k for $199.99 in-store. Not a mail-in rebate.

[Jojimbo]

Do you mean upgrading desktop or laptop? Because upgrading laptops is mostly impossible, CPU is even rarer than GPU upgrades as well.

For your desktop all you need is a new GPU and maybe PSU depending on what you have atm (unless you mean that your CPU is at 100% usage and your card isn't, which I guess could happen at low res but the 9600 is a pretty weak card).