PC Build for DCS

[Faust1388]

Hi guys!

 

I haven't upgraded my computer in a while, and basically am looking to build one from scratch, aside from buying the case, monitor, and power supply (all of which are fine).

 

What do you recommend for under $1000 total, that I should get in order to run DCS on high settings and enjoy the beauty of the game?

[Supersheep]

The rig can use plenty of memory (8GB minimum, but it's rather cheap so don't save there) and a beefy CPU.

If you're looking at an Intel build, which I assume, then a Xeon 1230 v3 worth looking at. It gives you the performance of an i7 without the integrated graphics (yes, server GPU, runs fine at home).

I'm not up to date on GPUs, I'll leave that open.

 

Edit: More detailed posts are best written by someone in your (general) area, because prices and availability can vary greatly.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Supersheep

[lazduc]

I would suggest focus on some other game or environment that is not in a continual state of flux to base you decision on hardware. Sometime in the future a new engine (EDGE) will change all specifications on what a computer needs to run DCS software on high settings. Basing your decision on what maybe or what is the current state of this software..1.2.8 will not reflect what the hardware suggestions will be in the many future builds and upgrades, repairs, changes, additions, bug fixes and etc coming....someday. And by that time newer hardware will be available that will make obsolete what is considered current state of the art hardware. And reading many of the posts here....the bottlenecks on frame rate is due to the current state of the software....which is very old. Having a supercomputer to run the current software will not help in that area. Wait for the next release of a new engine to base your decision if you are just going to base it on DCS software.

[Ktulu2]

GPU wise, a GTX 560 TI easily run it maxed on 1 monitor. I run it maxed on an i7 2600 not k and with a AMD HD 7770. In other words, a gpu that costs more than 100$ (in canada) will work. For CPU, anything that has is unlocked will be good. I woulkd suggest an i5 4570K, as DCS only uses 2 cores and works better with intel than AMD. An SSD is a good thing, to escape a 2/3 min. loading screen (it gets it down to 20/30 secs). Overclock your cpu, so buy something to cool it decent. But, as lazduc said, Edge will change this.

[Griffin]

Hi and welcome!

 

I don't yet have first hand experience in current generation DCS PC's but I'm in the process of building one. With that 1000$ you will get an awesome machine.

 

One thing I suggest is to wait a couple of weeks for the new Z97 chipset motherboards to be released (unless you live in US where they are going to be out on sunday at latest). They will enable you to upgrade to Broadwell CPU's after they are released in the end of this year or next year. They also don't cost any more than the current Z87 motherboards. That's what I'm doing, I'll buy a Z97 motherboard with a current Haswell CPU and will have the provision to upgrade to a more modern Broadwell CPU in a couple of years if I wish so.

 

Some general rules of thumb I've learned (though correct me if I'm wrong):

 

- Get a graphics card with the most of video memory as DCS is very hungry for it.

 

- SLI/Crossfire is currently useless in DCS. EDGE might change that.

 

- SSD is a must for any computer these days. Samsungs are quite good and for a very nice price.

 

- AFAIK 8GB of RAM is enough currently but EDGE might change that too so 16GB could be smart. What do others think?

Edited May 7, 2014 by Griffin

[rajdary]

Im waiting for the Z97 too.