Affinity mask and Turbo Boost

[magnetite]

I'm thinking of upgrading my computer this year to a Core i7 870 w/Turbo Boost, and I'm wondering whether running FSX will affect the speed I can get with it? For example, the max speed for the Core i7 870 w/Turbo Boost is 3.6 GHz, but that's just for one core. FSX will use all available cores as of SP2, so I don't know a way of telling it I only want to use 1-2 cores because it would limit the speed I can get with Turbo Boost.

I know most people would overclock their system, but with Turbo Boost, this is basically a tool which overclocks it for you if you don't want to take any risks. Only goes up to the maximum thermal limit. Might not hit 3.6 GHz, depending on my hardware. Never tried it. Don't really feel comfortable doing it myself. I keep hearing that the Core i7's overclock very well. I currently have a Core 2 Quad Q9550, and I could only get it up to 3 GHz (temp was at 65 C with an third party cooler, so I put it back to normal). I have an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro and four 120mm case fans which is pretty good.

So is there any way to tell FSX to use 2 cores max without limiting my clock speed?

[Ragtopjohnny]

So where do we get tuboboost?

Thanks,

John Thuot II

[magnetite]

Turbo Boost is a new feature on all Core i7/i5's. Not available with my current system.

[mavrocket]

It would be better to allow FSX to use all available cores, regardless of the few hundred mhz Turboboost will get you. According to this direct from Intel, Turboboost will only raise that proc to 3.6 Ghz running on one proc. http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLBJG

I'm running my Q6600 at 3.4 Ghz on all 4 cores and with the ability to get the i7-870 to 4 Ghz on ALL 4 cores manually it would seem like a very bad idea to limit FSX to one or two cores.

AffinityMask is only used by some people to help the simulator run "smoother" by allowing the OS and other programs external to FSX (that may be used by FSX) to use a dedicated processor, eliminating any "stutter" caused by sudden use of a core that FSX is using. (I hope that wasn't confusing)

But if you really want to:
AffinityMask=12 will force FSX to use the last 2 cores of a proc

Be aware that FSX will only be using 2 cores of "8" (via i7's HT), leaving "6" unused.

Like I said before though, I wouldn't recommend trying this, it should only lead to reduced FPS.

[magnetite]

Maybe I should just use all cores with HT & TurboBoost enabled. The clock speed would be 3.2 GHz instead of 3.6 GHz. Not sure how the performance would be though compared to an overclocked chip running close to 4 GHz. I heard that 4 GHz is the sweet spot for this game to run smoothly with full detail.

[loki]

One point to keep in mind is that FSX will only use "real" cores, not the virtual ones Hyperthreading offers.

Try running without tweaking or setting anything to start. With SP1, the need for the affinitymask option should only be needed if there is a problem with stuttering due to other tasks running on the system.

[napamule2]

The 'turbo boost' is part of the mother board, not the processor itself. It's sort of a 'generic' overclocking using preset parameters ('safe' range). Gimicky prop to boost sales? Probably. Manual OC would be more 'rewarding'. To buy a rig just because it has 'Turbo Boost' doesn't make sense, especially if you're building your own rig and plan to overclock manually.

Turbo Boost is sort of like an extra, or 'passing gear', for a manual transmission (because an 'x speed' automatic transmission would already have that built in). That kind of 'thing'. So manual overclocking don't need TBoost, in other words. Just would be a 'gimmick' in that case and is it's merely 'psuedo' overcloking anyway. The version of your OS (and BIOS?) also plays a part (not sure)?
Chuck B
Napamule

[mavrocket]

The 'turbo boost' is part of the mother board, not the processor itself. It's sort of a 'generic' overclocking using preset parameters ('safe' range). Gimicky prop to boost sales? Probably. Manual OC would be more 'rewarding'. To buy a rig just because it has 'Turbo Boost' doesn't make sense, especially if you're building your own rig and plan to overclock manually.

Turbo Boost is sort of like an extra, or 'passing gear', for a manual transmission (because an 'x speed' automatic transmission would already have that built in). That kind of 'thing'. So manual overclocking don't need TBoost, in other words. Just would be a 'gimmick' in that case and is it's merely 'psuedo' overcloking anyway. The version of your OS (and BIOS?) also plays a part (not sure)?
Chuck B
Napamule

It's definitely a selling point that Intel attached to their procs after AMD started shipping it's new procs with Overdrive.

Like I said before, definitely don't limit FSX to less than the full amount of cores, unless like Loki pointed out and I said in my 1st post, you need to save one for the OS and other programs to eliminate stutters.

[loki]

Intel's Turbo Mode is built into the i5/i7 CPUs, not the motherboard. It does work well in some cases, but manual overclocking is still better in the end.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3634&p=5
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...king,2512.html

[greggerm]

Benefits of turbo mode...

• It's the default configuration.
• Safe, supported, approved.
• Works with power savings modes and fluctuates power draw.
  (Only at high loads will the computer overclock itself, saving power)

Drawbacks of turbo mode...

• Limited overclocking amount - it's very conservative.

Benefits of straight overclocking...

• You can achieve the best possible potential from the processor.
• Tried and true methods for implementation.

Drawbacks to straight overclocking...

• Non-standard config - not supported or approved. Warranty breaker.
• Locks all cores in at the same speed, so it presents no power savings.
  (Even when idle, the computer will be overclocked and drawing more power)

You will probably get faster speeds from a direct, straight, old fashioned overclock, but you do so at the (small) risk of zapping your gear, along with the extra power consumption (and heat generation).

Personally, I haven't overclocked my i7 860 yet. I just let her hum along with stock settings and she's keeping me quite happy so far!

-Greg