Threads?

[Buggi 684]

Can someone with a multi-core system tell me if SC4 utilizes more than one core nativily?

I built my computer back is 'ought 3 and alas it's one processor lowers my geek cred considerably.

[masochist 111]

Not nativily. You might be able to set to use those extra cores, seeing as how you're...you ...but I don't think it was set up to do it naturally. 2003 was still the era of single-core, wasn't it?  Games nowadays are barely starting to take full advantage of dual-cores, and quad-cores are still considered overkill.

Then again...perhaps you have something on your computer besides SC4?  Maybe the Adobe Suite or AutoDesk Suite?  If that's the case, then no, single-core just won't cut it...

By the way...if anyone DOES take full advantage of their dual-cores with SimCity 4, please let me know so I can stop posting erroneous info (and then try it out for myself).

[Buggi 684]

Where the HELL is my monkey icon?!? DIRK! *claps hands* attend to it, stat!

[masochist 111]

I got your monkey icon right here:

By the way...welcome back, sir! 

[Unassigned 23]

On my system Windows Task Manager says SC4 uses both cores. Processor is Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 @ 2GHz, Windows is XP Pro, overall CPU usage by SC4 is 50-70%, SC4 RAM usage 350MB.

[cogeo 960]

SC4 itself isn't multi-threaded, so you won't take "full advantage" of dual cores (or multiple processors). That is SC4 won't use two or more cores or processors for, say, simulation. Having a featured video card can accelerate graphics display, and therefore the game in total.

However, a system with dual cores/processors will be somewhat faster, as the other processor can be used for "background" tasks (system services). This is done automatically by Windows. Don't expect miracles though, the full power of multiple cores/processors is revealed only in applications that are designed to take advantage of this, or applications that run in parallel - in both cases the applications must be CPU-intensive, otherwise (IO-intensive) applications compete for the single "valuable" resource (disk access).

[SC4BOY 20]

SC4 is single threaded and has its "task scheduler" built into the .exe.. therefore it will take very little advantage of multiple core cpu's

[Elukka 0]

Everyone i've heard (including some game devs) has always said that multithreading is something that needs to be built into the game from the ground up and can't be just patched in. But i know little about the matter myself.

[Buggi 684]

Anyone care to... uh *cough*... fund an upgrade for me? I find myself spready thinner than a garage oil stain.

*sigh*

I read a rumor that Maxis is working on another SimCity... quad core FTW

[Spinmaster 75]

Cogeo and SC4BOY nailed it for you. Except a minor correction to "it will take very little advantage of multiple core cpu's" ... it will take no advantage at all of them, not by itself. But Windows can shunt other threads to the other core(s), which will free up cycles for SC4, so indirectly you will get some boost.

I read a rumor that Maxis is working on another SimCityquote>

Umm... wha?!?