5 year-old PC: Which parts should I upgrade for Oculus Rift?

[Jamesp1]

Current PC:

GPU: HIS 6950 Fan 2GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Dual Mini DisplayPort HDMI PCI-E Graphics Card

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155 6MB Cache (overclocked to 4.6Ghz with a better cooler)

Memory: Kingston 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX XMP

Motherboard: Asus P8P67 PRO REV 3.1 Socket 1155 8 Channel Audio ATX

HDD: slow-ass 2TB HDD

Case: CM Storm Enforcer Case with Coolermaster 650W GX PSU

Monitor: AOC e2795Vh TFT LCD 27" HDMI Monitor with Speakers

 

My thoughts:

This PC is 5 years old so I was expecting to buy an entirely new PC, but it seems the 2500k CPU is still not bettered significantly!

If that chip should be replaced at all then that should probably wait for next year when the next gen chips come out.

In turn that means the motherboard and memory don't have to be replaced.

 

So, the GPU seems to be the only item that replacing will give significant framerate boost in DCS. That definitely should be replaced with a GTX 1080.

Other components of concern are:

1. Memory: 16gb would be better for Prepar3d (and maybe for DCS), and you can buy 2400Mhz memory now. Will leave alone for now though.

2. HDD: it might be worth considering a 1TB SSD since I'll probably stick a fresh Windows install on it anyway.

3. Maybe worth getting a 4k monitor for other games since I'd have the GPU to drive it.

 

In summary: I think I should get a GTX 1080, 512GB - 1TB SSD and a 4k monitor.

 

Do you agree or disagree? I find it odd to only do a partial upgrade after 5 years ;-)

[=DECOY=]

Hello,

 

i agree with your choice of Graphics card however i would have 16mb ram rather then 8mb

[Aginor]

16GB RAM, a GTX1070 or GTX1080 (depending on how much money you want to spend), and an SSD with at least 512GB would be my choices.

I would say 16GB RAM of any speed are more important than a 4K monitor, but that's personal choice.

[Jamesp1]

It seems I do still have two memory slots free, which is a nice surprise!

 

So yes I'll put in another 8GB since it's only £40.

[Konovalov]

Definitely go with the suggestions of 16GB ram over current 8GB, and an SSD for OS and games. You can always store photos and other digital media on a old mechanical drive. If you are going down the Oculus route or 4K monitor then I would target a GTX1080 over a 1070.

 

That Sandybridge 4.6Ghz overclocked needs some better hardware paired with it.

[stiinc]

That processor still has a lot of life in it, swap out your graphics card and add more memory. I also agree with Konovalov get a ssd for DCS and OS, it makes the load times super quick. Check out even some of the smaller 240g or 120g ones if your on a budget. What about a 2560X1440 monitor?

Edited September 23, 2016 by stiinc

[BitMaster]

SandyBridge !!! ;)

 

1070/80 GPU, 16GB, SSD and you are all set I'd say.

 

I would maybe buy 2 SSD's....I never liked the idea of OS and application on same drive, regardless of HDD or SSD, but that can be done any time later on as well

 

 

4k, I dunno, still stepchildish, I'd settle for high fps 1440p screen rather than max 60Hz on a 4k. I meanwhile game also on my TV on 60Hz and its *%$& compared to my Asus Gsync screen, day & night difference.

Edited September 23, 2016 by BitMaster