Predicting the gaming future involves estimating the processing power required for upcoming advancements.
Predicting the gaming future involves estimating the processing power required for upcoming advancements.
In 2017 I purchased an FX 6350 (six core CPU) and soon understood how crucial it is to have two additional threads or cores for managing window processes. Even with heavy overclocking, high performance in BF1 remained inconsistent. With modern i5, i7, and Ryzen 5 models offering more than eight threads, it’s clear they are designed for today’s demands. How likely are developers to update games for more than eight threads? The Ryzen 3 3300X is more affordable than the Ryzen 5 3600, and its higher core clocks make it a stronger choice for gaming right now. I’ve watched many YouTube benchmarks, but so far no game has shown significant gains from the extra threads in the Ryzen 5. Still, I’m hesitant to upgrade solely because the latest Battlefield needs more than eight threads.
It’s worth checking out this video. Most people think the 3300X is fine now, but spending an extra $50 could mean a 3600 performs better over time. It also shows solid returns in titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, though that requires a 2080ti.
Core clocks and frequency aren't the sole factors in a CPU's design. FX had issues that couldn't be resolved. The similarity between the 3300x and 3600 in games stems from their core limitations—typically around 4 or 8 cores/threads. What comes next remains uncertain, but the 3600 is likely to remain relevant longer.
Games operate similarly, with a central thread or process running in Windows. The impact of multi-core processing varies depending on the game type. For fast-paced shooters, the world thread is crucial and likely to remain so. In complex simulations like Civ 6, additional threads might be assigned to each AI civilization, highlighting the importance of multi-core support. Ultimately, it depends on the specific game you're playing. If your current game benefits from extra cores, it's probable it will continue to do so in the future.
since the next gen consoles will be 8 core i think theres a good chance that future games will be made to be able to use 8 cores
I believe we're being overly analytical. From my perspective, focusing on core counts makes sense: 4 cores are only practical if you're on a tight budget or have modest expectations. You'll likely hit roadblocks when attempting more intense games—6 cores offer better overall performance but may not excel in newer titles. I think this should serve as the starting point for setting up a typical gaming setup today. Eight cores should handle most gaming needs for the foreseeable future, while more than eight might only be useful in very specialized scenarios. This is based on current chip designs; older processors add another layer of complexity.
Games are built around what each console can support, not strict graphical standards. Differences in quality between consoles and PCs usually stem from texture resolution or resolution settings rather than fundamental gameplay changes. Upgrading to higher-end GPUs like the PS4 Pro helps, but it doesn’t drastically affect performance. CPU constraints also play a role, as porting forces similar design approaches. Future titles likely need at least eight cores to match console speeds, though more would be needed for even better frames. We don’t require six or eight cores today; they’re mainly used to boost frame rates beyond what consoles can naturally deliver. The Xbox example is just a poor name.
Where exactly did you install SMT on an FX processor? Make sure you don’t share false information. It’s a setup with 2 cores, 1 FPU, and shared L3 cache before the module. The 8-core CPU is built from 4 modules as described. The shared FPU on 2 cores was the main issue. This wasn’t related to SMT, which AMD didn’t use until Ryzen. (Simultaneous Multi-Threading)
I understand the SMT naming system wasn't applied until Ryzen, but I've referred to it for simplicity since it describes a 4-core, 8-thread CPU like the FX 8350. SMT is essentially about sharing one FPU between two threads, whether it's SMT or Hyperthreading—it's all about having two threads work together on that unit.