CPU Load & Memory Preload Skins

[NHawk]

I just built a Core 2 Duo system and I have a couple of questions....

First, with AH running I alt-tab out and I show 50% CPU usage. I'm guessing it's only using 1 core to it's fullest. Is this correct?

Second, this one may have been asked before but now I have the option to pre-load textures and pre-load skins into memory. I've always preloaded textures, but should I pre-load skins?

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13Ghz - 4mb L2 Cache
2Gb Dual Channel Memory DDR2 PC800
ATI - Radeon X1650 512mb PCI-Express x16 video

I'm asking because this thing is stupid fast and I'm wondering just how far I can push it.

[Krusty]

To fully preload all skins would take .... what's it up to now, Skuzzy? 3GB total? That's not counting normal textures. I wouldn't preload skins.

From what I recall, the second you minimize AH it suspends certain functions including graphics drawing and what-not, I think that would show a lower CPU usage than while in-game. From memory I think it uses 100% (of one core) regardless of whether it needs to or not. I don't know if this is correct or not.

I just got an E6420 myself. Sweet, ain't it?


EDIT: dual core processors can use the second core for networking and some other minor stuff in AH, but it does have code that uses dual cores.

[NHawk]

I THOUGHT my 2.5Ghz P4 and 512mb AGP system was fast. This new system is sweet for sure.

The only thing I didn't do yet is get the SATA drives. I just threw my old ATA drive from my old system in to make sure it ran. I'll wait a few months for the drives because I don't want to have to call Microboss to re-authorize XP again.

I'm not completely convinced on Vista yet, so the 3Gb cap for XP will stop me from adding another set of 2Gb to the system for a while. So, I won't be preloading skins for a while either.

[Krusty]

Avoid Vista, unless it has something that XP does (which... Vista doesn't have...).

SATA is much faster than your old IDE drive. The interface itself is way faster. I used to have an IDE drive and when I went to SATA everything was leaps and bounds faster. I don't even have a high-performance HD system. Those 10,000RPM drives sure to look nice, but cost too much!

Anyways, if/when you can, get your primary drive up to a SATA drive. That would mean installing windows again, and you'd have to authorize again anyways (fresh install). If you have an internet connection you can just do it electronically, which is much faster than doing it on the phone.

[NHawk]

Originally posted by Krusty
...Anyways, if/when you can, get your primary drive up to a SATA drive. That would mean installing windows again, and you'd have to authorize again anyways (fresh install). If you have an internet connection you can just do it electronically, which is much faster than doing it on the phone.

I had to call since it was just authorized on my old computer two days prior to the new install. They don't like 2 authorizations in such a short period of time. I'll wait a while then I should be able to do it over the internet.

[Kermit de frog]

I preload skins and textures.  I use windows and Asus's memory applications and they both confirm 1.4GB of usage before the last skin batch.  I think preloading skins may give you a performance increase, but I only assume it's a small percentage increase.

I have 2 GB of memory DDR2 800 in Dual Channel Mode along with a FSB overclocked to 1600MHz (default is 1066MHz for a C2D).