Boost Your Star Citizen Performance: i3 8100 vs i5 8400 CPU Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Upgrading the CPU: Four Core vs Six Core
3. testing Methodology
4. Quantum Travel Benchmark
5. Laureville Benchmark
6. Calliope Benchmark
7. Scaling Between Parts
8. Arccorp Benchmark
9. Into Space Benchmark
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this video, we will be comparing the performance of four-core CPUs to six-core CPUs in Star Citizen. Over the past few weeks, I have been slowly upgrading my minimum-spec PC, which currently has an i3-8100, a four-core CPU. Today, we will be replacing it with a Second-HAND i5-8400, a six-core CPU, to see how well the Game scales and if we can improve performance. Additionally, I have also tested some four-core and six-core scaling with my Ryzen 9 5900X, by adjusting the cores in the BIOS to mimic similar configurations. All the results presented here will be at a resolution of 720p for consistency.

Upgrading the CPU: Four Core vs Six Core

When it comes to upgrading a CPU, one of the most important considerations is the number of cores. In the case of Star Citizen, a highly demanding game, having more cores can lead to better performance. Today, we will compare the performance of a four-core CPU, the i3-8100, and a six-core CPU, the i5-8400. By replacing the i3-8100 with the i5-8400, we will determine if the extra cores provide a noticeable improvement in performance.

Testing Methodology

To accurately assess the performance of the four-core and six-core CPUs, we conducted a series of benchmarks in different areas of the game. We used a resolution of 720p for consistency, and all tests were performed using both an RX 460 and an RTX 3080 for comparison. The results will give us a comprehensive understanding of how these CPUs Scale in Star Citizen and whether they can handle the demands of the game.

Quantum Travel Benchmark

One of the first benchmarks we conducted was in the graphically intensive area of quantum travel. Here, we observed that the performance of the RX 460 was bottlenecking both the i3 and the i5 CPUs. However, when we tested the Ryzen 9 5900X in a similar configuration, we saw significant scaling in performance, indicating its ability to utilize more than four cores effectively. While the 460 still posed a bottleneck, the scaling provided by the 5900X was quite impressive.

Laureville Benchmark

Laureville is another area we tested to better understand how the six-core i5 CPU scales compared to the four-core i3 CPU. Although the average frame rate of 16.6 frames per second may not be considered excellent, we can see a definite improvement in performance with the i5. This indicates that the i5 CPU is better suited for handling the demands of Laureville compared to the i3. Additionally, when using the 5900X, we observed a further increase in performance as we increased the number of cores and Threads.

Calliope Benchmark

Calliope is a location known for its GPU-intensive nature, but we also discovered that it may have significant CPU requirements, particularly related to weather effects. When comparing the i3 to the i5, there was a noticeable improvement in performance, further demonstrating the benefits of having more cores. The 5900X also exhibited impressive scaling, especially as the number of cores and threads increased.

Scaling Between Parts

In our testing, we encountered interesting results regarding the scaling between different CPU and GPU configurations. For example, we noticed that the i3 CPU was primarily bottlenecked by the CPU, while the i5 CPU was bottlenecked by the GPU to some extent. This limitation prevented us from fully exploring the capabilities of the i5 CPU. However, the general trend indicated that increasing the number of cores resulted in improved performance. The scaling of the Ryzen 9 5900X was particularly notable, showcasing its ability to handle more cores and threads effectively.

Arccorp Benchmark

Arccorp provided us with further insight into the scaling capabilities of the i3 and i5 CPUs. In this Scenario, both CPUs were significantly bottlenecked by the CPU. Despite this limitation, the i5 demonstrated a better sense of scaling compared to the i3. While the frame rates may still be low, the i5 proves to be a viable option for achieving playable performance.

Into Space Benchmark

In the final benchmark, conducted in the vastness of space, we once again encountered CPU bottlenecks across all configurations. However, a noteworthy observation was that the four-core i5 CPU performed slightly better than the six-core i5. This difference may be attributed to the higher clock speeds of the four-core configuration, which offset the advantages of having more cores. The Ryzen 9 5900X continued to showcase its scaling capabilities, but the frame rates were already high enough to provide a comparable experience for both CPU configurations.

Conclusion

After extensive testing, we can conclude that upgrading from a four-core CPU to a six-core CPU can significantly improve the performance of Star Citizen. The results clearly demonstrate the benefits of having more cores, with the six-core i5 CPU consistently outperforming the four-core i3 CPU in various benchmarks. However, it's important to note that the specific configurations, such as the GPU and resolution, also play a crucial role in overall performance. While the tested configurations may not represent the ideal minimum specifications, they provide valuable insights for players considering CPU upgrades. As we look to the future, it is encouraging to see improvements in CPU performance within Star Citizen and the possibility of achieving even better results with upcoming hardware releases.

Highlights

• Upgrading from a four-core CPU to a six-core CPU can significantly improve Star Citizen performance.
• The six-core i5 CPU consistently outperformed the four-core i3 CPU in various benchmarks.
• The Ryzen 9 5900X showcased impressive scaling abilities, particularly when increasing the number of cores and threads.
• GPU limitations often prevented us from fully utilizing the capabilities of the CPUs.
• The tested configurations provide valuable insights for players considering CPU upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is upgrading from a four-core CPU to a six-core CPU worth it for Star Citizen? A: Yes, our tests showed that upgrading to a six-core CPU can significantly improve performance in Star Citizen. The additional cores provide better scaling and overall smoother gameplay.

Q: What other factors should I consider when upgrading my CPU for Star Citizen? A: In addition to the CPU, factors such as GPU, RAM, and overall system configuration can have an impact on performance. It's essential to ensure that your entire system is balanced for optimal results.

Q: Are there any minimum specifications recommended for a smooth Star Citizen experience? A: While our tests focused on comparing four-core and six-core CPUs, it's important to note that Star Citizen's system requirements are subject to change. Stay updated with official recommendations from the game developers to ensure a smooth gameplay experience.