Can 8 Cores HURT Gaming Performance?

[Slyskel]

If the game supports multi-threading up to 8 threads or more then you're ok.

 

Some games like skyrim will rely on 2 threads therefore you need a cpu with better single core performance.

 

And the only way to get better single core performance out of a CPU with more cores would be to overclock it, correct?

[Glenwing]

I thought an 8 core CPU doesn't overclock as well as other cores.

It still overclocks. And the difference in overclocking potential usually isn't drastic anyway. My 2600K (4-core) overclocked to about 4.8GHz and my 3930K (6-core) goes up to 4.6. Realistically it doesn't matter anyway since I run them at the highest multiple of 500MHz, which is 4.5GHz for both of them.

[Glenwing]

And the only way to get better single core performance out of a CPU with more cores would be to overclock it, correct?

That's the only way to get better single-core performance out of any processor.

[bomerr]

Are you talking about an Intel 1000$ 8 core CPU or AMD?

 

An 8 core AMD CPU will perform worse in (most) gaming than a 4 core Intel.

An 8 core Intel 5960X OC'd to like 4.2-4.4Ghz will performance almost identical to a 4790k in gaming.

 

In some instances the 4790k will be faster--especially if OC'd to like 4.6-4.8ghz--in other instances the 5960x will be better because of the extra cores or cache size. But we are talking about a difference of 1-3fps out of 100+ so it's really small difference. 

 

In other words the performance is for all intents and purposes the same. 

[Slyskel]

If the game supports multi-threading up to 8 threads or more then you're ok.

 

Some games like skyrim will rely on 2 threads therefore you need a cpu with better single core performance.

 

So let's say a game (in this case, Risen) recommends a single-core processor. What would happen if I ran the game with 4 cores? 8?

 

I should have probably clarified earlier that I'm looking at Intel CPUs.

[Kamina]

And the only way to get better single core performance out of a CPU with more cores would be to overclock it, correct?

Generally that applies to any CPU. 

 

You can pick a processor that has a better IPC out of the box and better performance per Ghz. Intel i5's and i7's are the only ones with the best IPC out as of now. FX processor have 4 modules with 2 cores in each to make up 8 cores but they share resources, therefore reducing their IPC. They work great when all are used but alone they are beaten by Intel.

[bomerr]

So let's say a game (in this case, Risen) recommends a single-core processor. What would happen if I ran the game with 4 cores? 8?

 

I should have probably clarified earlier that I'm looking at Intel CPUs.

I'll make it simple.

 

Go with a i5-4690k right now or a i7-5820k if you live next to microcenter.

If you want to wait a week get a i5-6600k. 

[Slyskel]

I'll make it simple.

 

Go with a i5-4690k right now or a i7-5820k if you live next to microcenter.

If you want to wait a week get a i5-6600k. 

 

Well originally I was planning to get a 6-core, but now I'm worried it might not perform too well, especially on older games.

 

And I looked up the i5-6600k, and from what I see it's all just rumors and I don't see any release window for next week, let alone at all.

[bomerr]

Well originally I was planning to get a 6-core, but now I'm worried it might not perform too well, especially on older games.

 

And I looked up the i5-6600k, and from what I see it's all just rumors and I don't see any release window for next week, let alone at all.

I have a 6 core 5820k. g8 CPU, I love it. However because of the price I would only recommend it to people who live next to a Microcenter.

 

6600k is supposed to come out on Aug 5 and regardless  of how well it actually performs, it'll replace the 4690k so that'll be the goto CPU for most gamers.

 

Older games don't take advantage of multicore cores and as they were developed for weaker hardware, modern stuff runs them just fine anyways.  

[Slyskel]

I have a 6 core 5820k. g8 CPU, I love it. However because of the price I would only recommend it to people who live next to a Microcenter.

 

6600k is supposed to come out on Aug 5 and regardless  of how well it actually performs, it'll replace the 4690k so that'll be the goto CPU for most gamers.

 

Older games don't take advantage of multicore cores and as they were developed for weaker hardware, modern stuff runs them just fine anyways.  

 

But I don't want to just play modern games. 

 

And what's so special about a Microcenter?

[bomerr]

But I don't want to just play modern games. 

 

And what's so special about a Microcenter?

Look get the i5-6600k in a week. end of discussion. 

 

and microcenter sells CPUs at a lower price than newegg or amazon and gives you another discount if you bundle the cpu with a mobo. 

[Aniallation]

More cores will never hurt performance. Considering a quad-core vs an octa-core based on the same architecture at the same clock speed, if a certain game only uses 4 cores, they will perform the same.

[Glenwing]

So let's say a game (in this case, Risen) recommends a single-core processor. What would happen if I ran the game with 4 cores? 8?

 

I should have probably clarified earlier that I'm looking at Intel CPUs.

If the architecture and frequencies stay the same (i.e. you change nothing else) then you will lose nothing by adding the additional cores.

[Nena Trinity]

If the game supports multi-threading up to 8 threads or more then you're ok.

 

Some games like skyrim will rely on 2 threads therefore you need a cpu with better single core performance.

Skyrim runs fine on ANYTHING! It is old...

 

Generally that applies to any CPU. 

 

You can pick a processor that has a better IPC out of the box and better performance per Ghz. Intel i5's and i7's are the only ones with the best IPC out as of now. FX processor have 4 modules with 2 cores in each to make up 8 cores but they share resources, therefore reducing their IPC. They work great when all are used but alone they are beaten by Intel.

Yup.

[Biggerboot]

As others have said your single threaded performance shouldn't be worse with an AMD 8-Core vs 6-Core, it's just that you'll likely never use all 8 Cores for gaming.  You're better off using the extra money on a better GPU.  At the price of an AMD 8-Core you can get an entry level i5 chip, which will serve you far better.