Chossing a GPU - Memory size, memory speed or Shader units more important?

RetroArch Additions Shaders
#1

Hello,

I’m building a HTPC which gonna be use to watch movies on Plex, play Steam games using in-home streaming and play emulators using Retroarch. OS will be a Linux distro (Ubuntu 15.04).

I was wondering if I should prefer Memory bandwitch, size or shader units for libretro shaders usage? I’m leaning toward a Nvidia GT 720 2GB or GT 730 1GB ( both fanless). GT 730 have more shader units and more memory bandwidth (128 bits vs 64 for 720) but less GPU mem…

I mostly play NES and SNES games, some MAME, some N64. I want to use good looking CRT shader combined with interpolation shader like xBR.

Here is other spec of the computer (parts scavenged from old build) CPU : Athlon II X4 640 RAM : 8GB DDR3 1600 SDD 64GB ADATA SP900 Board MSI 760GM-P21

Thank you

W1ZZ4

#2

It depends on the shader, ROYALE for example needs a lot of RAM, and in some cases (MAME for example) the framebuffer is huge for some reason so it might yell at you telling it doesn’t have enough resources. Most other stuff should be fine though. I would get something like a GT 750 just to be sure and future proof, with PPSSPP and N64 rendering at higher internal resolution it might be good

#3

hard_gpu_sync, which produces extremely low input lag or delay between keystrokes and screen output, might demand more resources if enabled – but again, it isn’t essential: as far as i know, small lag hasn’t ever hurt anyone in the long run, and may even have contributed to heightening their skills. it doesn’t really make for such an added challenge, though.

#4

accurate plugins on the n64 require (tons) of processing power. in counterpart, the psx doesn’t. (inaccurate) plugins for the n64 might do the job.

for example: https://code.google.com/p/mupen64plus/wiki/GameCompatibility – although i am not sure this page is maintained anymore.

edit: and if you run into snes performance issues, try the bsnes-mercury-balanced core.

#5

I bought a Intel® NUC, model NUC5i3RYK a few months back and plays N64 and PSP stuff flawlessly. The spec of the Intel NUC are…

2.1Ghz Dual Core 5th gen cpu Intel HD Graphics 5500

so might work out cheaper than building your own HTPC??