Why Games Don’t Use More Cores?
The use of CPU cores in modern gaming is a topic of much discussion and debate among gamers and developers. One question that is often asked is: Why don’t games use more cores? Is it simply a matter of not having enough processing power, or is there a more nuanced explanation? In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind why games often don’t utilize more than a few cores, even when they’re available.
Single Threaded Performance is the Bottleneck
One of the main reasons why games don’t use more cores is that single-threaded performance is often the bottleneck in game development. Many modern games are built using software that is not optimized to take advantage of multiple CPU cores. As a result, even with a CPU that has 16 cores or more, the game may only utilize a small fraction of that processing power.
Thread-Level Parallelism
While many modern games are single-threaded, some games do attempt to use multiple threads to improve performance. This is known as thread-level parallelism. By breaking down the game into smaller tasks that can be executed simultaneously, developers can take advantage of multiple cores and improve overall performance. However, even with this approach, many games are still limited by the resources available on a single CPU core.
CPU Limitations
Another reason why games don’t use more cores is because of limitations in the CPU itself. CPU design can be a significant limiting factor in how well a game can utilize multiple cores. For example, some CPU architectures may not be as efficient at executing multiple threads as others.
How Many Cores Do Modern Games Use?
But just how many cores do modern games typically use? According to a study by Digital Trends, many modern games typically use no more than 4 cores. Even the most demanding games may only utilize 6 cores. This is often due to the limitations mentioned above.
What’s the Deal with Hyper-Threading?
Hyper-Threading, also known as Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), is a technology that allows a single CPU core to execute multiple threads simultaneously. This can significantly improve the utilization of CPU cores and lead to better overall performance.
Table: CPU Utilization in Modern Games
Game | CPU Cores Used | Hyper-Threading Used |
---|---|---|
Fortnite | 2-4 | Yes |
League of Legends | 2-4 | Yes |
World of Warcraft | 2-4 | No |
The Witcher 3 | 2-6 | Yes |
DOOM (2016) | 4-8 | Yes |
Case Study: Why Games Don’t Use More Cores
Let’s take the example of the popular first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Even with a CPU that has 12 cores, this game is only utilizing 4-6 cores. So why is this?
- The game’s developer, Infinity Ward, has implemented a hybrid rendering system that combines ray tracing and traditional rendering. This system is heavily optimized for single-threaded performance and doesn’t benefit greatly from additional cores.
- The game’s AI and physics simulation are also optimized for single-threaded performance, using a combination of SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) and MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data) instructions.
What’s the Solution?
So what can be done to improve the utilization of multiple CPU cores in games?
- Game developers: Implement more thread-level parallelism in your games. This can include breaking down complex tasks into smaller tasks that can be executed simultaneously.
- CPU manufacturers: Continue to develop CPUs with more cores and better hyper-threading technology.
- Gaming hardware manufacturers: Provide better optimization tools and techniques for gaming hardware, allowing developers to take full advantage of multi-core CPUs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why games don’t use more cores. Single-threaded performance is often the bottleneck in game development, and many games are still limited by the resources available on a single CPU core. Hyper-threading technology can improve the utilization of CPU cores, but even with this technology, many games only utilize a few cores. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see better optimization techniques and more widespread adoption of multi-core CPUs.