I am a milestone (?)

[Nibelung44]

I'm impressed by the low overall CPU usage of the game, compared to games using DirectX (the "regular" version). Is it because of SlimDX or of the prowess of the dev ( ) mostly, with optimized CPU and threading techniques usage?

[Revenantus]

I'm impressed by the low overall CPU usage of the game, compared to games using DirectX (the "regular" version). Is it because of SlimDX or of the prowess of the dev ( ) mostly, with optimized CPU and threading techniques usage?

I think most of the credit goes to the developer.

Chris has written an article on his blog discussing the optimization of the game, though the optimization process is always ongoing - http://christophermpark.blogspot.com/2009/06/optimizing-30000-ships-in-realtime-in-c.html

There are also a number of articles on the game's AI, among other things, if those interest you - http://arcengames.com/forums/index.php/board,5.0.html

[x4000]

Also, bear in mind that SlimDX is just a wrapper over "regular" DirectX.  So we're using the exact same DirectX as any other commercial game, but with an added SlimDX layer to convert it into C#.  In general, I think our throughput is perhaps 9% to 11% lower than it could be if it was native C++ code, in terms of graphics and such.  But as for the actual game code, that's all native C# and so there's no translations taking place back and forth.  So, we run as fast as the code is designed, it's all about algorithm design and good architecture past that point.

[StealthArcher]

A key word to end most bickering in this topic would be something everyone here probably already knows.  Architecture.  My T5600 (1.67) gave better benchmark tests than my old OC'd 2.4 Athlon.  Single core benchmarks, yes.

He was using an old P4, and a non HT one at that.  even some of the lowest C2Ds are going to completely wipe the floor with it thanks to architecture upgrades.