Gathering A New PC for DCS

[Devrim]

Hi. Today, I visited a computer store (one of good stores) and made an improvise; talked to seller for a new computer.

 

As a result;

 

Processor: i7 6700K, 1151, 4GHz, 8Mb, 14nm.

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170X, DDR4, 3866MHz(OC).

RAM: Corsair (1x16GB), Vengeance Black, DDR4 2400MHz. CL14

 

I have other components (like GTX970 etc.).

 

Of course this config is OK for DCS World, but I wonder do you have any review/critique?

 

I feel I should make some research on motherboard - maybe.

And a question: Is 2x8GB RAM set faster than 1x16GB?

 

Thanks a lot!

[zxarkov]

Looks like a good setup, I recommend getting a 2x8gb of the ram so it can run in dual channel mode,which yes is faster than running in single channel(1x16gb)

[cichlidfan]

I didn't lookup that mobo, so I won't comment on the memory config, though, if it was me, I would bump to 32GB since memory is relatively cheap.

 

Otherwise it looks like something that will keep you happy for a long time.

 

EDIT: When I was running my 2600k build, my memory choice was decided by the slots that the CPU cooler didn't cover. :D

[BitMaster]

I didn't lookup that mobo, so I won't comment on the memory config, though, if it was me, I would bump to 32GB since memory is relatively cheap.

 

Otherwise it looks like something that will keep you happy for a long time.

 

EDIT: When I was running my 2600k build, my memory choice was decided by the slots that the CPU cooler didn't cover. :D

 

+1 for the 32GB ( 2 x 16GB --OR-- 4 x 8GB modules )

 

1 module only makes sense if you intend to buy the 2nd one shortly after ( next month's pay check ). Make sure yo buy exactly same make and model again if you intend to oc and want least trouble.

 

1 module = 64bit data transfer width

 

2 modules = 128bit width <--- that you actually want ;)

 

* you always want an EVEN number of modules to achieve the 128 bit data transfer width. 1 or 3 modules will have 64 bit for the 1-module config and 128bit for the 3-module for the first 2 modules and 64 bit for the third module ( 3rd one lacks a partner to double up to 128 ).

Whatever you plan, have an even number as your end config but you can start 1 x 16GB and add the 2nd one a few weeks/months later, no problem ;)

 

Looks awesome btw :) Happy flying

Edited October 16, 2016 by BitMaster

[cichlidfan]

+1 for the 32GB ( 2 x 16GB --OR-- 4 x 8GB modules )

 

...

 

It's always good to get advice from someone who knows this stuff. As far as I can remember, I have never seen a recommended memory config that did not come in pairs but I spent 10 years working for an OEM so I was somewhat indoctrinated into their design philosophy.

[BitMaster]

I used to build & sell PC's some 10 years ago, meanwhile I only do that for family and close friends or someone pulls the bucks and pays for that extra headache to build a unique machine

that you wont know if it will run flawless until you have done it.

 

The last SLI I did was a for a close friend woth an I7 extreme and 2x 470GTX. He still runs that setup but went to 1 card only some 2 years ago, due to nothing but hassle.

 

The systems and specs change so fast and you gotta keep track of all that comes and stays, from mobiles to Desktop and Server platforms. I read & read everyday and still its hard to keep track in my profession. You never know problem comes next and most of them you see only once a lifetime.

 

 

For example, I gave up on socket numbers...LoL 1151, 1150, 2011v3...ahhhh I always double check these days when I order LoL...getting old.. :)

[bengo]

Quick new system question : any pro's on splitting DCS and OS over two different SSD's or does that not matter ?

[cichlidfan]

I doubt the difference could be easily measured, but considering that the OS is almost always doing something in the background, I have always been in the habit of keeping my OS on it's own drive. Currently my OS is on the PCIE SSD and DCS is one it's own 256GB SSD.

 

For example, I gave up on socket numbers...LoL 1151, 1150, 2011v3...ahhhh I always double check these days when I order LoL...getting old.. :)

 

Oh hell yes. I only have two, running, desktop machines but they have different processors and I couldn't tell you which is using which socket to save my life. I keep my manuals, digitally, in a folder named for the machine just so I don't get things mixed up.

 

Yeah, that age thing. :lol:

Edited October 16, 2016 by cichlidfan

[Devrim]

Guys. Thanks, thanks and thanks so much for your attention, and great info.

And thanks, now I'm not sure about 16 or 32GB to go. :(

 

Anyway. I'll handle it in this week.

I'll be back. :)

[cichlidfan]

Guys. Thanks, thanks and thanks so much for your attention, and great info.

And thanks, now I'm not sure about 16 or 32GB to go. :(

 

Always a pleasure Devrim. You do a lot for people around here.

 

As for the memory, my two cents says to do what you can afford. If the money is there, then go for 32. It will provide some future proofing and adding more later can often be difficult with regard to matching the first 16.

[Icefalcon]

Big +1 for the 32GB of RAM. I used to run DCS 1.5 on 16GB which was fine, DCS was running around 6-8GB, but the Nevada map is going to push that to the edge for 16GB. You also want some breathing room for your OS and other background software so they don't get pushed out.

 

If you play other games (space sims & flight) I've been able to get the main process to run up to 14.5GB of RAM usage on a certain other very resource intensive flight sim that uses 64 bit memory (it start with a letter of the alphabet :). Went out and got another 16GB after seeing that. That was in many ways a limit of my graphics card a GTX 1060 6GB, if you consider in maybe 2 years we'll all have graphic cards with like 10GB of VRAM, it's very easy to see a lot of games easily breach the 16GB usage level. I think DCS 2.x will breach that easily.

[bengo]

Icefalcon, are you happy with that GTX1060 6GB card ?

[BitMaster]

+1 for 2 SSD's; 1 for the OS and 1 for the games and things like Photoshop or such as well.

 

YOu can start with 2 x 8GB and 1 SSD and always add another 16GB and a 2nd SSD later in time but as Cichlidfan said it might be difficult to impossible to find the exact 2 modules again if you wait too long..but unless you order some extra fancy ones you should be fine with adding a 2nd pair later on. I recommend Kingston from pers. exp. tho I have bought and run most brands around but keep coming back to Kingston. When it comes to SSD's I really prefer Samsung, looking at the Warranty time frame might help to find the better ones among them ( 850 Pro has 10 years warranty for example, most others have THREE ). If you can use M2 then go this way as far as possible, heck it outperforms Sata3 by far.

 

:)

[BitMaster]

Big +1 for the 32GB of RAM. I used to run DCS 1.5 on 16GB which was fine, DCS was running around 6-8GB, but the Nevada map is going to push that to the edge for 16GB. You also want some breathing room for your OS and other background software so they don't get pushed out.

 

If you play other games (space sims & flight) I've been able to get the main process to run up to 14.5GB of RAM usage on a certain other very resource intensive flight sim that uses 64 bit memory (it start with a letter of the alphabet :). Went out and got another 16GB after seeing that. That was in many ways a limit of my graphics card a GTX 1060 6GB, if you consider in maybe 2 years we'll all have graphic cards with like 10GB of VRAM, it's very easy to see a lot of games easily breach the 16GB usage level. I think DCS 2.x will breach that easily.

 

even in 1.5.current I have around 10-11GB RAM and about same +1-2GB as SwapFile usage !!!

 

Thats a whoppin' 22+GB of memory being managed while DCS and all apps needed for it are running ( TS, SRS, MSI Afterburner, GPU OC-Tool and some more, AV-OFF )

 

I am really looking into another pair of 2400MHz DDR3 of same model and make but also think about an all new mobo-ram-cpu kit...dunno

[Icefalcon]

Happy is a relative state of being depending on which game one runs, and the acceptable level of shadow effects on textures :)

 

For DCS 1.5, I was running a GTX 950 2GB with shadows turned off and TBH, I was actually completely happy with that. I think DCS 1.5 was using around 1GB of VRAM, and around 6-8GB of RAM. I upgraded because of another flight sim that could render cities, when you hit something like Chicago or NYC, it's a whole other ball game for rendering requirements. DCS cities are by comparison tiny, and designed to be extremely efficient for rendering. So for DCS, I'll be turning on a whole bunch of shadows and up the graphics to max or near the max and I'm very happy with the GTX 1060. Some people with crazy cards like 980Ti and so forth were just running shadows and other effects like crazy, there is big diminishing returns to rendering that type of visual effects. Something like the 1060 should do DCS 2.0 just fine.

 

I also do expect in about 2-3 years to upgrade to a GTX 1170. If you're holding your card for 2 generations and also play other games that are visually intensive, might want to try and go for the 1070, I believe it does have a significant difference in CUDA cores.

[bengo]

Thanks Icefalcon.

So for a new Win10 system, what antivirus do you guys advice ?

[BitMaster]

A free one. I use the one from wirhin 10 as i paid way too much over decades for things of questionable use when the sh.. hits the fan.

 

Last infections i saw were Zepto ransomware and neither Avira Pro (60€) nor the other big name prevented or halted it.

 

Avira caused 1 build not to install as well, so i tossed the Avira Pro and now run ms defender

 

 

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