The video compares the performance of Intel i5 11400, i5 10400, and AMD Ryzen 3600 CPUs in Star Citizen, focusing on the impact of RAM speed and power limits of 11th gen Intel chips. It demonstrates that while 11th gen Intel CPUs offer slightly better performance, upgrading RAM speed can provide a comparable or greater performance boost, especially for users on a budget looking to enhance gameplay in Star Citizen.
In the video, the performance of the Intel i5 11400, i5 10400, and AMD Ryzen 3600 CPUs in Star Citizen is compared. The focus is on the impact of RAM speed on the performance of these CPUs, as well as the power limits of the 11th gen Intel chips. The testing is done with an RTX 480 GPU at 1080P resolution to isolate the CPU performance. It is noted that the integrated graphics solution UHD 730 added by GPU CIG as a recommended minimum spec GPU was unusable. The video aims to determine if the i5 11400 is a decent CPU compared to the i5 10400 and Ryzen 3600, which have been recommended as minimum spec CPUs.
The testing includes comparisons of performance in various locations within Star Citizen, such as Levski, Area 18, Quantum travel, and space. The impact of RAM speed on performance is clearly demonstrated, with faster RAM resulting in significant performance improvements for all CPUs tested. The order of performance among the CPUs remains consistent across different locations, with the i5 11400 generally leading the pack. The importance of ensuring that XMP profiles are properly enabled to maximize RAM performance is highlighted.
An interesting aspect of the testing is the comparison between upgrading from the i5 10400 to the i5 11400 versus upgrading RAM speed. It is observed that upgrading to the i5 11400 only provides a modest increase in performance, while upgrading to faster RAM can yield a comparable or even greater performance boost. The video also delves into the power limits of the 11th gen Intel CPUs, noting that they are power-hungry and run hot. By adjusting power limits in the BIOS, a slight performance increase of 2 FPS is achieved, albeit with increased power consumption.
Overall, the video concludes that while the 11th gen Intel CPUs offer slightly better performance than their 10th gen counterparts, the impact of faster RAM on performance is more significant. It is suggested that users on a budget looking to upgrade from a 10th gen CPU may benefit more from improving RAM speed rather than upgrading to an 11th gen CPU. The importance of researching motherboard compatibility for applying XMP profiles is emphasized, as faster RAM speeds can significantly enhance CPU performance in Star Citizen. The video highlights that CPUs like the i5 11400 and i7 8700, along with fast RAM, can deliver around 30 FPS in locations like Levski, meeting the minimum spec requirements for Star Citizen gameplay.