New to DCS and PC Gaming/Build Help

[JINX_1391]

I'm new to DCS and PC gaming for that matter. When I started with DCS 1.2 a couple months ago my off the shelf laptop could handle the game without any issues. After the release of 1.5 I noticed I had to tweak the settings lower to play, and now with 2.0 I'm at the lowest possible settings. From what I understand this is because the new game engine draws more from the GPU vs the CPU (please correct me if I am wrong).

 

Current set up:

 

Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600) (9600.winblue_ltsb.150715-0840)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

System Model: Inspiron 5748

BIOS: A04

Processor: Intel® Core i7-4510U CPU @ 2.00GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.0GHz

GPU: Intel® HD Graphics 4400

Memory: 8192MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 8096MB RAM

Page File: 6145MB used, 4634MB available

Windows Dir: C:\Windows

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

User DPI Setting: Using System DPI

System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)

DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled

DxDiag Version: 6.03.9600.17415 64bit Unicode

DxDiag Previously: Crashed in system information (stage 4). Re-running DxDiag with "dontskip" command line parameter or choosing not to bypass information gathering when prompted might result in DxDiag successfully obtaining this information

 

I'm tempted to build a stand-alone gaming rig, but want to know if I'm going about this the right way.

 

1) Would getting an external GPU rig for my current laptop set up solve me issues just fine?

2) Am I missing something with my current set up?

3) This is what I was planning for an almost dedicated DCS gaming computer:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KhmfQ7

 

Not sure if that is overkill, but what I was thinking after my research.

 

Thanks all!

Edited December 7, 2015 by JINX_1391
Update and combine post

[Demon_]

i5 6600K with a LGA1151 mobo. A 27" monitor.

And no need the "Wired Network Adapter". The mobo already own one.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Demon_

[Exorcet]

1) Would getting an external GPU rig for my current laptop set up solve me issues just fine?

Your RAM would still be below recommended. With RAM and GPU, you should end up with something decent.

 

2) Am I missing something with my current set up?

Possibly RAM for DCS 2

3) This is what I was planning for an almost dedicated DCS gaming computer:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KhmfQ7

 

Not sure if that is overkill, but what I was thinking after my research.

 

Thanks all!

This is similar to what I'm running right now and I can pretty much put all DCS settings to maximum, see sig. The only place I go below 60 FPS is in the heart of Vegas.

[JINX_1391]

So I think the quick fix would be upgrading my laptops RAM. Seems easy enough and cheap (in comparison).

 

I did upgrade my part picker list to the i5 6600K after reading about the capabilities and the trade-offs with moving to the i7.

 

The price tag for the build is about what I expected considering I wanted to build an almost stand alone DCS rig. And the wife was respective to the idea, although we did not discuss price. She does a lot of video editing/rendering and is nervous that DCS will melt our laptop.

 

I also have a huge computer case (full) from my previous desktop. It was the off-the-shelf what ever XPS Dell model desktop that we owned prior to moving to laptops. This thing is tons of room and planned on up-cycling that for the build.

 

I am assuming that computer cases and components are pretty much built for compatibility. And I wont run into any Dell proprietary fit-form-and-function challenges that would prevent me from using the case..? I know I will have to take a look at the cooling and air circulation situation.