CPU and Simulation/strategy games
CPU and Simulation/strategy games
Hello everyone. I'm seeking details about CPU performance for games that rely heavily on single-core processing. I'm interested in understanding which current CPU generation offers the best performance for my budget. Specifically, I want recommendations for games like Civ 6, Oxygen (excluding it), and Stellaris. I've reviewed some older information, but most of what I found is outdated. I'm hoping someone here has more recent insights. Thanks, and please note I might have posted in the wrong forum.
I've explored various titles within the Civ series and found it useful for discussing my ideas. The series focuses more on performance than visuals, emphasizing how smoothly the system can run a game or simulation. A stronger processor, increased cache size, additional cores, and sufficient RAM are essential. A capable motherboard that supports both the processor and memory is also important, along with fast storage options like HDDs, SSDs, or M.2 drives. Each version of the Civ series follows a "turn-based" structure rather than continuous action, which is intentional. During each turn, the AI makes decisions in sequence, and the game updates its state based on actions taken—such as gains, losses, resource usage, or tech advancements. After each round, the system calculates results and adjusts accordingly. This process involves a lot of data processing, which is why the machine needs to handle it efficiently. In essence, the series tests a system's ability to manage complex calculations after every turn. For typical games, the focus shifts more toward real-time decision-making and movement rather than turn-based logic. Standard titles usually require a different kind of optimization. I'm not entirely certain, but I understand the core idea behind these systems. Let me know if you need more clarity.
From what I recall about those turn time games, Intel's single-threaded speed tends to outperform 3D v-cache, although that could be less effective. Intel organizes their CPUs—especially in LGA 1700 (12th and 13th gen)—with each E-core cluster or P-core section dedicating 3MB of L3 cache, which is the shared space among cores. The 13900k could be a top choice, but it doesn't automatically beat the 13600k. I’d suggest focusing on Cinebench R23 single-core results, though keep in mind that cache size isn’t the only factor. The 7700x might not match the 7800x3D or 5800x3D in performance. Some data supports my view that Intel generally shines here: if you mainly run those games, a 13600k or higher is likely the better option, especially if you can afford it.