Posted: 2/17/2020 2:27 AM
Post subject: Bizhawk's usage of multicore processors
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nymx
He/Him
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Joined: 11/14/2014
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I've tried searching for information on bizhawk's use of multicore processors, but I can't find anything. I've ordered a new PC to speed up the process of my TASing with a AMD Ryzen 9 with 16 cores. Just curious as to how much bizhawk actually threads processes out. Can the emulator make use of all the cores?
I recently discovered that if you haven't reached a level of frustration with TASing any game, then you haven't done your due diligence. ---- SOYZA: Are you playing a game? NYMX: I'm not playing a game, I'm TASing. SOYZA: Oh...so its not a game...Its for real? ---- Anybody got a Quantum computer I can borrow for 20 minutes? Nevermind...eien's 64 core machine will do. :) ---- BOTing will be the end of all games. --NYMX
Posted: 2/17/2020 2:42 AM
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Nach
Emulator Coder
Joined: 3/9/2004
Posts: 4588
Location: In his lab studying psychology to find new ways to torture TASers and forumers
One of the main advantages of having a multi-core processor with an obscene amount of cores is that background tasks will not interfere with what you are doing. Meaning, if Windows Update is going crazy, your virus scanner is scanning mercilessly, and your browsing Chrome1 with many tabs looking up your game details, your BizHawk process will not be hindered at all. Don't expect emulators to use many threads. Note 1 - As Chrome's developers get massive amount of cores, expect it to become even more bloated junk that requires multiple cores and gigabytes of RAM to render a single simple web page.
Warning: Opinions expressed by Nach or others in this post do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or position of Nach himself on the matter(s) being discussed therein.
Posted: 2/17/2020 3:27 AM
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nymx
He/Him
Editor, Judge, Expert player (2234)
Joined: 11/14/2014
Posts: 932
Location: South Pole, True Land Down Under
TASer of 2023 Atari TASer of 2023 Exotic platforms TASer of 2023
Thanks. I figured a large amount of cores would eliminate interference from OS processes. In terms of affinity settings, I figured the emulator probably used at least 2 threads (bsnes.exe and tasstudio)...which I could pindown specific cores for use by bizhawk.
I recently discovered that if you haven't reached a level of frustration with TASing any game, then you haven't done your due diligence. ---- SOYZA: Are you playing a game? NYMX: I'm not playing a game, I'm TASing. SOYZA: Oh...so its not a game...Its for real? ---- Anybody got a Quantum computer I can borrow for 20 minutes? Nevermind...eien's 64 core machine will do. :) ---- BOTing will be the end of all games. --NYMX