Use single or 2 cores

[Rinuko]

Does dx11 (dx9 is limited to single core as i understand it) use multible cores? I'm trying to decide whenever i should be cheap and pick up a AMD CPU or go with a Intel that has hyperthreading (like a i3 or i5 skylake)

[Deithwen]

Hello, FF14 is a MMO and as every MMO, it is CPU intensive.
I would recommend you buying an I5 at least.
I7 is overkill since the game doesn't use hyperthreading. (and yes hyperthreading is for I7 only, although this is expected to change with the next generation)

[Rinuko]

i5 has HT though and i3 has multi threads. But yeah Im having a lookout for K. Lake and Zen how prices will go around and what they will offer.

[MikeWW]

You got a few important things wrong.

It depends on the game how many cores are used. Only some games make use of all cores, and I think FF14 doesn't (most likely it uses 1-2 cores and computer tries to balance load). Since most games use 2 or fewer cores, you should aim for good single-core performance, and at least 2 cores. You definitely do not need 8 core CPU for gaming, people don't program games to make use of 6-8, and most games don't even make use of 4, and there's little reason for them to try to make use of more cores since 99% of the time people are GPU-bound instead of CPU-bound, and you usually get much more FPS boost from putting money into GPU instead of CPU.

Multiple cores does not equal hyperthreading. All modern computer CPU's have multiple cores, only some of the higher end Intel ones have hyperthreading (desktop hyperthreading CPU models end with K at the end, for laptops it's a lot more random). And even less games make use of hyperthreading, and I really doubt FF14 does (again more likely it is just load balancing). It is mostly just some games since 2015+ that make use of hyperthreading. An i5 that is clocked higher to match an i7 will be pretty much the same FPS unless you are video streaming/skyping at the same time, in which case i7 may give you more FPS. And when you do things like video editing, i7 will again provide a meaningful boost.

You can get better price/performance with AMD, but keep in mind, most AMD's have worse single-core performance than mid-high end Intel CPU's (single-core important for gaming), AMD's have worse power efficiency (more electricity cost), and you don't need a 6 or 8 core CPU (lots of AMD's have a lot of cores). Intel's most popular cpu's are particularly well-suited for gaming because they have relatively quite better single-core performance, only 2-4 cores, and relatively better overclock-ability. Try to research what kind of FPS people get with the CPU you are considering, FF14 like other MMO's tend to use CPU a good amount more than other types of games.

You may notice an average of like 3-5 FPS difference between a I5 CPU that is 5 years old vs a new generation I7, but if you get a new generation entry level AMD whose main selling point is lots of cores you may get unacceptable hit to FPS, so do your research. Here's images showing CPU usage with a 6700k in town (not too many people right now) and then baseline without ff14 turned on http://imgur.com/a/5UqSk . I7 6700k is worse value than I5 6600 (not overclock-able) or I5 6700K, probably 1-2 FPS difference at most between them in most games unless making use of hyperthreading, and costs ~$100 more.

[yotsuffy]

It is possible that FFXIV uses 2 or 3 cores/threads, making a 4/4 CPU useful: Windows needs to run, antivirus, maybe vocal, etc. too, ie. the CPU won't work for XIV only. So a CPU with good single-core performance might help and enough cores/threads too. Maybe 4/4 CPU if you don't multi-task a lot while playing.

But I still don't know:

For what I understand yet, hyper-threading is Intel enabling multi-threading at a core level. So it requires an OS (usually windows) able to work with multi-threading and a program (FFXIV here) able too.
The CPU recommended by SE is a 2.66GHz i5, so I think it's the i5 750. The i5 750 being a 4-core/4-thread CPU, I would believe FFXIV is optimized to - at least - use 4 cores or threads benefit from a PC using 4 cores or threads.
About muti-threading, I also understand that logical cores - added threads, by software or hardware - will only theoretically offer 100% more power; maybe more often 30-40% more. (Correct me if I am wrong!) So more threads can help, but not that much; hence the feeling games aren't optimized for extra logical cores.

So I think 4-core CPUs are maybe the best to start with, as an FFXIV build.
The i5 6500 or 6600k are 4/4 CPUs. With those:
- can anyone get to 100fps mostly everywhere (and maybe then 60fps at least);
- can anyone manage to get at least 60fps in Idylshire (limiting players shown)?

If you can't, it's good to know too!

Please! Look at those topics!
[petition] PS4 framerate
1080p60 cheap pc build

[Deithwen]

As I said, I5 CPUs do not have hyperthreading.

Anyway, hyperthreading is only used by very few games and might not be worth your money to get an I7 just for it (depending on what you're planning to do with it of course).

MikeWW and yotusffy explained very well everything you need to know about cores and threads, I would sugggest you to get an I5 6600k if you can afford it and really want to change now. Otherwise waiting for the next generation seems to be the best idea (Amd Zen and Intel Kaby lake)

Edit : typo

[Rinuko]

You can get better price/performance with AMD, but keep in mind, most AMD's have worse single-core performance than mid-high end Intel CPU's (single-core important for gaming), AMD's have worse power efficiency (more electricity cost), and you don't need a 6 or 8 core CPU (lots of AMD's have a lot of cores). Intel's most popular cpu's are particularly well-suited for gaming because they have relatively quite better single-core performance, only 2-4 cores, and relatively better overclock-ability. Try to research what kind of FPS people get with the CPU you are considering, FF14 like other MMO's tend to use CPU a good amount more than other types of games.

That just it, its hard to find a good source on what people are getting with AMD cpu cause alot seem not using it. Unless I'm looking at the wrong things.

[MikeWW]

I can't be sure, but I believe current AMD's have worse single-core performance than mid-range Intel's that are a few years old. Upcoming AMD CPU's are supposed to be a huge upgrade from their current offerings, so maybe it's worth waiting if you aren't interested in an i5.

Most gamers do go for Intel because for the last several years they have had quite better single-core performance. But since Intel doesn't have much competition in this category they charge a lot and there hasn't been much improvements over time.

[Vaer]

Personally I would not cheap out on it unless you are upgrading fairly regularly. (Think every year or two.) I would pay the extra/save up a bit more to get a slightly better one if you are going to be keeping it for a long time. The current AMD offerings are mostly subpar for gaming so it's not really recommended that much.

The min. spec is going up (they haven't released the entire thing yet) in Stormblood. Maybe wait a couple days for the Fanfest where they might release it. The old recommended spec is probably leaning around a quad core (Intel® Core™ i5 2.66GHz) with the old minimum spec at a really old dual core (Intel® Core™2 Duo@3GHz).

Wait a couple months for AMD Ryzen as there may be price shakeups depending on how good it is and the price/perf before buying if you can wait. Something along the lines of a 6500-6600/k is enough if you're only using it for XIV if you need something immediately. If it's too expensive, maybe a i3.6100.

[seraf]

When it comes to this game (and most games in particular) a CPU with powerful single threaded core performance will yield the best results. In terms of AMD vs Intel (currently available tech not some far off future tech) Intel is the best performer in this category. They simply outperform any of the AMD processors in single core performance raw horsepower and the hyper-threading is icing on the cake if you go that route but it's not entirely necessary just for this game.

An intel i5 outperforms any AMD FX chip made to date. Go with one of those. If you're on a budget go with a slightly older generation i5 to save cash because even older gen i5's will outperform an AMD FX chip.