Review my build and help improve.

[nick10]

G'day guys.

 

I had a mate build me a machine almost 5 years ago now and while it still smashes most games I throw at it, DCS is hit and miss. Particularly online.

 

I have an eye to a new build maybe in the next few years. I won't do anything until EDGE is released, but is there something I could do to this build rather cheaply to improve performance. More RAM perhaps?

 

I find DCS works better with Crossfire OFF.

 

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

I have

Win 7 64

Intel® Core i7 950@3.07Ghz

6GB RAM

2x AMD HD 6800

Samsung SSD

GIGABYTE GA-X58A motherboard

Edited January 8, 2015 by nick10

[nick10]

Anyone?

 

Would more ram be a relatively cheap temporary fix?

[Bucic]

Definitely sit on it.* I wouldn't even bother with more ram unless you have a hard evidence that it fills up as it is now. There is nothing you can achieve here with a small amount of money that will be worthwhile. The next cheapest option for you would IMO be: sell the 6800s and buy a single more powerful GPU.

 

What is your PSU?

Have you researched overclocking options (is it possible) for your CPU? What is your CPU cooler?

 

*That is, if you want to do an upgrade "for EDGE". Personally I don't think waiting for EDGE is reasonable. The GPU/CPU usage balance will most probably shift slightly toeards better GPU utilization and that's it. All other rules for building a machine for DCS will still apply. Meaning an overpowered (relative to a normal gaming rig) CPU with an emphasis on single-core performance, i.e. any money you have should go into clock speed rather than anything above 4 core count.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Bucic

[Mr_Burns]

Ive been looking at upgrading my GPU - based on this (perhaps flawed logic!).

 

My rig is:

 

P8z68 / 1155

i7-2600k

16GB DDR3

1 x HD6970

 

So I read that there isnt heaps of difference between the 1155 and 1150 because multiple cores dont make that much difference, I dont know anything about that so I thought I would just get an SSD and a new GPU.

 

This site recommended running your chosen game and monitoring the usage so I got GPU-Z from Techpowerup and CPU.gadget - both monitor usage.

 

I run DCS on High across 3 screens and get about 30FPS which to me playing Single player seems fine - I know there are people rocking 80FPS but I dont seem to have a problem enjoying it and dont feel like i am compromising (although thats probably because I havnt seen 80FPS!)

 

So monitoring the CPU it never hits more than 50% usage although Core 8 does hit 70% - i know nothing about this.

 

On the other hand, the GPU load is constantly > 90% and mostly 99% and the temp runs at about 91C.

 

So this leaves me to believe that the GPU is bottlenecked and improving the GPU will lead to better performance.

 

If its logical (and Im sure computer logics are not my kind) but when you get the GPU and the CPU both around say 80% you have about 20% redundancy in your system.

 

So if invest in a new GPU (which wouldnt be a waste) and you re-run the tests and your CPU is at 90% and your GPU at 50% then your CPU and MOBO would be the next updrade, or you could try and overclock to get them closer?

 

This may be complete bilge and I appreciate any smackdown and correction on my fagf packet computer analysis!

[Mr_Burns]

Also RAM is cheap but I understand there is only so much it helps in games past a certain amount, from what I understand more is better if you are running multiple applications so maybe if you run Helios and Track-IR you may see some benefit?

 

Just been back in to DCS and monitoring programmes - CPU.gadget monitors RAM usage - I do have a few apps open but its using more that 6GB - you could start there?

Edited January 18, 2015 by Mr_Burns

[nick10]

Best wait I think until we see what kind of beast edge is

[jcbak]

Seeing the recent (absolutely gorgeous) videos released by WAGS.....it looks like many of us are going to need a computer upgrade. I have a 4 year old HP Pavilion with an i7 2600 and a GTX 550 Ti. The motherboard isn't compatible with any of the 700 or higher series GPUs. EDGE is going to cost me some serious cash.

[Bucic]

Guys, 'the first half of 2015', which may well be July 2015, is the release date of a public Alpha version of DCSW 2.0...