Optimised PC for KSP

[cantab]

Well, I currently use my work laptop for KSP, with i5-2450M @ 2.5GHz, NVIDIA 525M and 6GB RAM. So it runs the game fairly well, but I guess that processor and GPU are a bit light, and the RAM definitely is. I find myself using 5.5GB of it with all the mods that I already have, and there are a whole lot more which I would like to use.

Not actually too bad a CPU there, people are running KSP on worse. I'd expect maybe 30-50% better performance in KSP with a good desktop chip, and be worried that AMD might actually be a step backwards. The graphics on the other hand are pretty weak, and 6 not 8 GB of RAM is annoying.

Just done some reading on overclocking. I guess that basically what this means for me, in practical terms, is getting a cooler which enables my processor to run faster than it otherwise would? Would I OC anything else? Does stuff need more power as well as more cooling?

In practical terms you go into the UEFI, up the speed a bit, test it, up the speed a bit more, test it, and so on. When the test fails back the speed down a notch and there's your overclock. (Or bump the voltage up a notch and try and keep going). Other parts can be overclocked but the main focus is normally on the processor. And an overclocked CPU will draw more power, especially if the voltage is increased, which is what causes the need for better cooling.

So, I would need to do something while there is live current?

Hell no! Unplug your PC before you start mucking with its insides, otherwise you'll break it. (This, by the way, was my error on my last build). The voltages referred to are static electricity, which computer chips are very sensitive to.

So, what does this actually mean?

Does it mean I get a different type of processor? Which part is it that determines type of 64bit?

Sorry for the simplistic questions. I'm on a steep learning curve.

Virtually all modern processors and modern operating systems will run both 32-bit and 64-bit programs, but many older ones only run 32-bit programs. 64-bit programs can use more memory, useful for RAM-hungry KSP.

Linux, in all its myriad distributions (varieties) is an alternative to Windows. You can have both installed on your computer and decide which one to use each time you turn the computer on. Some programs, including Steam and KSP, run on both, and there may be differences between the Windows and Linux versions - case in point, KSP. Lots do only run on Windows, a few only on Linux.

[Red Iron Crown]

When an application (ahem, KSP) doesn't do its own memory management

No program running on a modern OS does its own memory management, it never even sees RAM directly as that is handled by the OS. Every program is assigned a full memory address space, whether 32-bit or 64-bit.

[Red Iron Crown]

In practical terms you go into the UEFI, up the speed a bit, test it, up the speed a bit more, test it, and so on. When the test fails back the speed down a notch and there's your overclock. (Or bump the voltage up a notch and try and keep going). Other parts can be overclocked but the main focus is normally on the processor. And an overclocked CPU will draw more power, especially if the voltage is increased, which is what causes the need for better cooling.

It's even easier than that these days, almost all overclocking motherboards have an "auto-overclock" option that will give a modest overclock with zero fuss, sometimes from within Windows. Won't go as far as manually tweaked settings but if you're new to overclocking it's a simple option to gain a bit of performance.

[steve_v]

560Ti for $200, what year are you in?

I just gave one of those away for charity/buds - it still cranks though - more than sufficient ffor KSP.

Experience: My Antec 750W PSU will do ~820W for about 10 minutes before throwing in the towel running 1xGTX680+2xGTX560 in SLI. Go Antec

Edited October 8, 2014 by steve_v

[steve_v]

almost all overclocking motherboards have an "auto-overclock"

Auto overclock is EVIL and takes all the fun out of the process.

[-ELF-]

Might not be in US$.

Seems to be in Euros...

At least in Russian shops it costs now around 215 Euros...

[apemanzilla]

My recommendation would be to get a good amount of memory (12 GB or so) in case the 64 bit version does become less buggy. (and you can eliminate most bugs by running the game in OpenGL mode anyways)

Even if you don't need the extra memory, it's always good to have some extra.

Of course, because memory is so easy to add/remove, you can start with 8 and add more as necessary, when it may be cheaper and better.

[steve_v]

That KSP runs better with the OpenGL renderer is astounding... not at all.

Why, oh why are so many games written for DX?

Lemme see...

Quake - performs better with OpenGL

CryEngine - performs better with OpenGL

Source Engine (Any) - performs better with OpenGL

KSP - performs btter with OpenGL (Yes, thats us - surprise surpirise)

Go on, I dare you to find one that doesn't fit the mold.

Yeah, I get it, DX Is easier to code for,. But fu*k me, in this age, when poor performance = flames? WHY?

Perfectly good open source cross platform GPU acceleration library and people still use M$ scond rate *****... Gah.

[cantab]

But fu*k me, in this age, when poor performance = flames? WHY?

I've not often seen AAA titles criticised for being demanding on hardware. If anything being unable to achieve 60 fps on top settings on top hardware is taken as a badge of honour, showing that the game is a "next-generation" title so of course it won't run to the fullest on today's lame PCs.

[briansun1]

That KSP runs better with the OpenGL renderer is astounding... not at all.

Why, oh why are so many games written for DX?

Lemme see...

Quake - performs better with OpenGL

CryEngine - performs better with OpenGL

Source Engine (Any) - performs better with OpenGL

KSP - performs btter with OpenGL (Yes, thats us - surprise surpirise)

Go on, I dare you to find one that doesn't fit the mold.

Yeah, I get it, DX Is easier to code for,. But fu*k me, in this age, when poor performance = flames? WHY?

Perfectly good open source cross platform GPU acceleration library and people still use M$ scond rate *****... Gah.

What is OpenGL?

[Red Iron Crown]

What is OpenGL?

It's a graphics API, similar to DirectX but cross-platform.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL

[steve_v]

I've not often seen AAA titles criticised for being demanding on hardware.

I agree, if it actually looked any better. Modern games: 'we have awesome post render effects' (Read: screenshots look mean) but the lack of real antialiasing makes your eyes bleed if you actually move around...

It's like, why do I need a 512MHz faster CPU to get a "ribbon" instead of a menu bar? (ahem, orrifice)

"Better" = Objective looks better (to actual players) not cause we (dev) said it looks better.

"You need $$$ to play our game as it was meant to be" is not a badge of honor, more a poorly optimised game unless it actually looks better, in which case - prove it.

I'm going to stop derailing the thread and go to sleep now

Edited October 8, 2014 by steve_v