KSP System Processor

[Cryova]

For my birthday I plan to build a new PC designed to run KSP on the highest settings I can with no lag. I hear that KSP is Single-Threaded, so I was considering getting a dual core processor. However, I also hear that it will be moving to Unity 5 somewhat soon, which will allow it to be Multi-Threaded? So I am curious, would KSP still run fine off a dual core CPU after the transition?

[FancyMouse]

I heard the multithreading isn't magic (last time I heard was like vessel-level multithreading). So I bet, even I agree it will improve comparing to what we have now, high freq 2/4 core will still be better off than low freq 4core+ with "multithreading"

[Brofessional]

KSP is multithreaded, it's just that the physics calculations uses a single thread.

You don't want a dual core processor in a gaming machine, period.

[cantab]

We don't know how Unity 5 will change things. The most common speculation is "one thread per ship", meaning more cores only really helps in multi-ship situations. But that's just educated guesswork.

What is definite though is that while more cores helps some programs, better single-threaded performance helps all programs. So with KSP as a primary interest I would still recommend a modern Intel processor, they have better single-threaded performance than AMD ones. On a low budget the Pentium G3258 is a lot of performance for the money if you're willing to overclock, if you have a bit more money consider a fast-clocked Core i3.

[Red Iron Crown]

You don't want a dual core processor in a gaming machine, period.

The dual core G3258 cantab mentions is a fantastic gaming processor for the money, especially when overclocked.

[Cryova]

The dual core G3258 cantab mentions is a fantastic gaming processor for the money, especially when overclocked.

When combined with something like the R9 280 or R9 280X, how well could it run KSP?

[Vanamonde]

Moved to Space Lounge, since this is not about the game itself.

[Guest]

Multithreading is magic, under set of conditions. * (see fine print) (extra charges apply)

I mean, if you have 1024 core CPU or 1024 processor mainframe. And software is specifically designed and coded to run on it efficiently.

And it's very difficult to do.

Thread

Consider:

Two or more threads should not modify same variable at the same time. So they need to lock it before modification and keep it locked while they do something dependant on it's current value. And don't forget to unlock.

Threads should not lock variables for too long and be designed to not be dependent on shared conditions for too long.

Threads should not lock variables in that way that leaves two or more threads waiting for each other indefinitely. Aka lockup.

And this is just the beginning.

So: multithreading and multi-core CPUs are magic - under condition: programmers know how to use them. It's rare.

[Elthy]

When combined with something like the R9 280 or R9 280X, how well could it run KSP?

Quite good if you overclock it. If you play other games like KSP i would consider getting an i5, they are well paired with r9 280(X) and you wont have to upgrade for a realy long time, since CPU development slowed down.

[Dooz]

When combined with something like the R9 280 or R9 280X, how well could it run KSP?

Extremely good. also good for running games other than KSP. The R9 280X 3 Gigs of Vram Is pretty good for running high resolution cloud packs.