Performance - Enable Game Mode
Performance - Enable Game Mode
So you've just rendered a kickass video on your 64 threads, and since that is done so fast, you now have got some time to kill. Why not play a game eh? So here are the two problems with a 32-core processor / 64 threads processor versus gaming:
- Not all games feel that many cores are cool! During our testing, we learned that some Ubisoft titles didn't even want to start on the 2990WX. Games are not prepared for this many cores. In fact if you want a gaming processor, go with something that has 6-cores and you're fine.
- Once games start a bit of threading, on a 32-core processor the low 3.0 GHz base clock will hinder game-performance, bigtime!
As such AMD created a pretty cool and easy to use workaround. Basically, they designed the 2990WX to be run in Creator and Game modes. In the Creator mode, you'll get the full 32 cores available. But if you like to game at decent framerates then in the new Ryzen master software there is a new function called game mode.
What does game mode do?
Game mode will setup your Threadripper in an 8-core configuration / dual-channel and apply the clock frequencies of an 8-core counterpart. It's also called “Quarter Mode” or “¼ mode”) with 2990WX for best performance and compatibility in gaming.
This can be enabled via Ryzen Master 1.4. Please give it a go as it is merely a press of a button and a reboot, and after that, you can game with very good results. And if you need the crunch some data again, just hit creator mode, reboot and you're up and running 64-threads again.
Game mode will guarantee proper game performance and compatibility as it enabled just one 8-core die
While it is a compromise to make, we feel it is a fair one as you get that ~2700X range of game performance (which is good). The 2990WX was never designed for gaming, of course. The many-core solution from Intel has the exact same issue with the low base frequency yielding low game results. An alternative, of course, would be to create a fixed overclock on all 32 cores at ~4.0 GHz, but guys honestly, that would melt down power consumption, as your proc likely only uses 6 to 8 cores, and the other 24 of them IDLE while using power consumption.
In the next few pages, we'll show you game results with both Creator and game mode where applicable. Again game mode is a press of a button and a reboot, personally, I am fine with that compromise. Some, however, could feel differently.
