Played with Vistas Performance Monitor

[Rexxenexx 0]

ArmAGraph_proc_ram_disk.gif

I set ArmA's Affinity to CPU3 (fourth CPU) and monitored only that ones %Processor Time (in red). I also monitored Available MB (in blue) and Avg. Disk Bytes/Transfer (in green). When a mission is loaded and I'm in game look how the processor gets pinned at 100%. An even better test would be the msconfig-disable-startups then set all processes to not use cpu3 and set arma only on cpu3. I didn't have any other app running during the test above but you never know.

To be clear I have very little problems w/ ArmA considering how long I play. Rarely does ArmA crash or slow down so I'm not too worried about the processor spikes. I just find it interesting how pinned it gets. I never really noticed it.

I know my next purchase is going to be another Quad. I was leaning towards the Q9650. I work in MAX and Painter all the time so it would be a + +.

What do you all think?

[-=seany=- 5]

This is normal, you would have a problem if the game wasn't using 100% cpu time, it would run at a lower fps.  You always want a game to be using 100% of cpu time. The same for something like 3d rendering. if you check cpu usage while rendering some thing in Max it will look the same.

[Rexxenexx 0]

Yea I noticed in MAX since you can have the Taskmanager with all the cores showing. It's pretty cool watching them all light up. ArmAII should be the same.

Actually if you think about it that's only when rendering. This is equivalent to pinning the Processor when you're modeling.

[-=seany=- 5]

Yes but in Arma it too is only "pinned" when its rendering. From your graph you can see that when the game engine is not running the cpu time is fairly low.

I reckon going from a q6600 to a q6950 would be the next logical step. Pity they are still so damn expensive though, the Extreme editions.  

you could also over clock that q6600 by another 600mhz.

[Rexxenexx 0]

I think a Moderator should move this to General Discussion. I realized this is not a troubleshooting thread...

This is the MOBO I have.

The Q9650 is only $325 at Newegg, $327 at ZipZoomPoop. Yea the Extremes are a total waste of money lol. A grand!! Are they serious!?

Here's a good question, has anyone played ArmA back-to-back upgrading from a Q6600 to a Q9650? So many bought a Q6600, I'm sure someone has.

EDIT:

Here's Red Alert 3 same method