This question has (understandably) popped up a lot. Part of the blame is the slightly crappy README I still need to update, I will get to it, I promise.
Experimentation is key!
There is no one-off answer. It will depend on your CPU and the game you're playing.
If a game's FPS goes down after applying a recommended setting below; try a different setting, or don't use CPU Set Setter for that particular game.
CPU Set Setter does not make any system-wide changes. Any Core Mask you apply is only applied to a particular game/program.
Please have a look below to see how CPU Set Setter may benefit your type of processor:
I have an AMD Ryzen CPU
How do I know if my AMD CPU has multiple CCDs?
Look up on Google: "AMD ccd count".
As a rule of thumb, if your CPU name has the numbers 900 or 950 in it somewhere, it probably has two CCDs.
My AMD CPU has a single CCD
Maybe. Some games may see a benefit when soft-disabling SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) for that game. You can do this by disabling every CPU thread that has "T1" in the name in the Masks tab. This only applies if you actually see "T0" and "T1" cores in your Masks tab.
I've also seen reports of CPU Set Setter helping with older games that don't handle multithreading well. You can use CPU Set Setter to restrict the number of cores a specific program can use.
My AMD CPU has two/more CCDs
YES! These CPUs will probably see the largest benefit from using CPU Set Setter. By assigning games to one CCD, (and optionally) other background programs to the other CCD, you may get an increase in performance. Be sure to disable Windows Game Mode to prevent core parking!!
I have an Intel CPU
How do I know if my Intel CPU has a Hybrid architecture?
An Intel CPU with a Hybrid Architecture has two kinds of cores: P-cores and E-cores. Most modern Intel CPUs have a Hybrid Architecture.
In case you're not sure, look up your CPU's name on Google i.e. "Intel i7 13700K" and go to the specifications page on Intel.com.
If under CPU Specifications it lists "# of Performance-cores" and "# of Efficient-cores", then your CPU has a Hybrid Architecture.
If there is only mention of "Total Cores", then your CPU DOES NOT have a Hybrid Architecture.
My Intel CPU has a Hybrid Architecture
YES! Intel CPUs with P- and E-cores MAY see a benefit when using CPU Set Setter when allowing a game to only run on the P-cores, or only on the T0 P-cores.
My Intel CPU DOES NOT have a Hybrid Architecture
Maybe. Some games may see a benefit when soft-disabling HyperThreading. You can do this by disabling every CPU thread that has "T1" in the name in the Masks tab. This only applies if you see "T0" and "T1"cores in your Masks tab.
I've also seen reports of CPU Set Setter helping with older games that don't handle multithreading well. You can use CPU Set Setter to restrict the number of cores a specific program can use.
This question has (understandably) popped up a lot. Part of the blame is the slightly crappy README I still need to update, I will get to it, I promise.
Experimentation is key!
There is no one-off answer. It will depend on your CPU and the game you're playing.
If a game's FPS goes down after applying a recommended setting below; try a different setting, or don't use CPU Set Setter for that particular game.
CPU Set Setter does not make any system-wide changes. Any Core Mask you apply is only applied to a particular game/program.
Please have a look below to see how CPU Set Setter may benefit your type of processor:
I have an AMD Ryzen CPU
How do I know if my AMD CPU has multiple CCDs?
Look up on Google: "AMD ccd count".
As a rule of thumb, if your CPU name has the numbers 900 or 950 in it somewhere, it probably has two CCDs.
My AMD CPU has a single CCD
Maybe. Some games may see a benefit when soft-disabling SMT (Simultaneous Multithreading) for that game. You can do this by disabling every CPU thread that has "T1" in the name in the Masks tab. This only applies if you actually see "T0" and "T1" cores in your Masks tab.
I've also seen reports of CPU Set Setter helping with older games that don't handle multithreading well. You can use CPU Set Setter to restrict the number of cores a specific program can use.
My AMD CPU has two/more CCDs
YES! These CPUs will probably see the largest benefit from using CPU Set Setter. By assigning games to one CCD, (and optionally) other background programs to the other CCD, you may get an increase in performance. Be sure to disable Windows Game Mode to prevent core parking!!
I have an Intel CPU
How do I know if my Intel CPU has a Hybrid architecture?
An Intel CPU with a Hybrid Architecture has two kinds of cores: P-cores and E-cores. Most modern Intel CPUs have a Hybrid Architecture.
In case you're not sure, look up your CPU's name on Google i.e. "Intel i7 13700K" and go to the specifications page on Intel.com.
If under CPU Specifications it lists "# of Performance-cores" and "# of Efficient-cores", then your CPU has a Hybrid Architecture.
If there is only mention of "Total Cores", then your CPU DOES NOT have a Hybrid Architecture.
My Intel CPU has a Hybrid Architecture
YES! Intel CPUs with P- and E-cores MAY see a benefit when using CPU Set Setter when allowing a game to only run on the P-cores, or only on the T0 P-cores.
My Intel CPU DOES NOT have a Hybrid Architecture
Maybe. Some games may see a benefit when soft-disabling HyperThreading. You can do this by disabling every CPU thread that has "T1" in the name in the Masks tab. This only applies if you see "T0" and "T1"cores in your Masks tab.
I've also seen reports of CPU Set Setter helping with older games that don't handle multithreading well. You can use CPU Set Setter to restrict the number of cores a specific program can use.