What can I do to improve VR performance with my hardware: cooling+OC? RAM? CPU? GPU?

[Bearfoot]

I have an i7-4790K 4.0 GHz, 16GB RAM and a Nvidia GTX 980 Ti. Cooling is air-cooled with a CM Hyper 212 EVO.

 

I've tried overclocking the CPU. It appears I did not get too lucky with my chip. Following are stable Core/Vcore combinations:

 

Core    Vcore
41       1.070
42       1.095
43       1.120
44       1.175
45       1.200

 

My understanding is that I should not really exceed 1.175 Vcore with an air-cooled system, so I don't think I can get above 4.5 Mhz because I would need to set the base voltage too high. Having said that, with a VCore of 4.5 Mhz, DCS rarely exceeds 65C. Prime95 SFFT sends it quickly to the high 90's though. When switching the voltage to adaptive instead of manual, temperatures remain generally cool, but Prime95 LFFT fails eventually.

 

I have not really messed about any of the other OC parameters such a DRAM etc. I have, however, modestly overclocked my GPU to the max it could stably go (+130 core, +400 mem).

 

So, should I (in order of most economical):

 

(a) stick with my current hardware, and just trying going to Core of 46, probably requiring Vcore of 1.225 or even 1.25? This configuration may get through the IntelBurn test with temps of 80C or below, but will almost certain boil water with Prime95

 

(b) invest in water-cooling, and then trying to push core/vcore higher? Can I hope to get, e.g 4.8 or 5 with that you think?

 

© Add some RAM?

 

(d) Upgrade the GPU?

 

(e) Upgrade CPU (which will require new MOBO and memory ....)

 

I am hoping to holding off investing in a major hardware upgrade until the next generation of VR comes out in a couple of years. So I would love to squeeze more performance out of the current set up if I (safely) can.

 

Any suggestions/wisdom?

[BitMaster]

I dont have VR but most who have afaik use GPUs which are newer than the 980Ti, mostly 1080GTX or 1080GTX-Ti I guess from following and reading.

 

I assume you already have a SSD for DCS, that is a game changer as well.

 

16GB is ok

 

Now your CPU, 4.5 should already be OK. Sure, you can go higher but then either get a better aircooler or invest in watercooling. Theories and likings differ a lot when it comes to cooling, my personal opinion is ( if you can afford it ) is to invest in a modular Watercooling

so that you can reuse it on any new machine in the future if you invest in proper stuff.

 

I have not yet oc'ed a 4790k, all my pals that have one dont oc it, so you are left with google or input from fellow members in here that have such a CPU and can guide you.

 

My tip wouldbe a 1080GTX-Ti before you invest in anything else, the watercooling will not solve your problem first place but may unlock some more fps once you have a 1080Ti.

 

 

If you can afford both, get a decent waterblock (Cuplex-Kryos by aquacomputer or Heatkiller-IV from Watercool are the best once available, beating the EK. Get a decent Pump, some radiators that fit your case, or External as I did, and if you think you will do this, get a watercoolblock for your GPU as well, that makes a lot of sense as the GPU usually consumes about 3x the watts compared to your CPU !!! My CPU usues like 50w in DCS and my GPU eats like 140W !

 

Those pumps and cpu-blocks usually can be used over several years and machines ( mine is on my 2nd rig and looks and works like new ) and the noise is better than any aircooler if you invest in enough radiator surface. 3x120mm is NOT enuff for GPU and CPU as a guideline. Each one oveclocked wants a full 3x120 or 3x140 radiator, unless you like high rpm fans and high temps after 20min when the system reached equilibrium.

Also, external rads dont need a special case, works with any case you have and less mess inside :)

 

 

Still, your problem is solved by a bigger GPU, not the cooling, that would be the icing on your cake :)

[dburne]

Your not going to get much more out of a 4790K, while maybe 4.5 certainly not much higher if any and the gains are not going to be all that great.

 

IMHO your biggest gain currently with what you have for VR would be going to a 1080, or better yet the new 1080 Ti that has just come out. Do that and keep your rig another year or so...

 

I run a 4820K at 4.5 GHz, and that is what I decided to do. I upgraded from a 970 to a 1080 few months ago, and the performance gains in DCSW 2.0 were substantial for me. Not so much in 1.50 but it is on the way out eventually anyway.

Edited March 30, 2017 by dburne

[Bearfoot]

Thanks, all. Makes things pretty clear.

 

Ok, a 1080 TI runs at $800. Looks like I might be lucky to get $300 for my 908 TI on Ebay, considering that I do not have the original packaging etc.? If so, then that's about $500 I have to get together ...

 

The recommendation for the water cooler is good, as well, for stage 2.

[BitMaster]

If you intend to watercool the GPU later on, that 1080GTX-Ti, you either HAVE TO buy a Founders Edition version that will work on air until you make the move...or...get a WC cooled one right off the shelf but then you have to have watercoolsystem to run it on day 1.

 

FE version is what most buy and mod it to a WC-Block. MY recommendation is Heatkiller Block for the 1080Ti, It has prooven to work better than any other in tests, they just dont advertise as aggressivly as EK does. Aquacomputer or Watercool are 2 companies that have top of the line blocks and rads, the MoRa3 is state of the art external, can only be topped by another MoRa3 or the ultra-expensive aquacomputer external cool-tower ( nice if you can afford it, I cant ).

 

The FE edition might be a good solution, on air now and watercool anytime later on with a 3rd party coolblock ( voids warranty btw ! ).

[Demon_]

GPU for VR: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html

[Bearfoot]

If you intend to watercool the GPU later on, that 1080GTX-Ti, you either HAVE TO buy a Founders Edition version that will work on air until you make the move...or...get a WC cooled one right off the shelf but then you have to have watercoolsystem to run it on day 1.

 

FE version is what most buy and mod it to a WC-Block. MY recommendation is Heatkiller Block for the 1080Ti, It has prooven to work better than any other in tests, they just dont advertise as aggressivly as EK does. Aquacomputer or Watercool are 2 companies that have top of the line blocks and rads, the MoRa3 is state of the art external, can only be topped by another MoRa3 or the ultra-expensive aquacomputer external cool-tower ( nice if you can afford it, I cant ).

 

The FE edition might be a good solution, on air now and watercool anytime later on with a 3rd party coolblock ( voids warranty btw ! ).

 

Thanks, again. Wow, did not even know such a thing as a "Founder's Edition" vs. other types of edition existed, and would have happily and wrongly committed to the wrong card without your advice! Thank you x 100000!

[Bearfoot]

GPU for VR: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html

 

Interesting, thanks. Strangely, they peg the 1080 as "best for VR" over the "1080TI"?

[Gladman]

I'm running a 4790K at 4.6Ghz and a founders edition 1080. Both are in a water cooling loop. VR is smooth at 45FPS with PD at 1.6 and high res cockpit textures. I do have 32Gb of RAM which certainly helps as well.

[Bearfoot]

I'm running a 4790K at 4.6Ghz and a founders edition 1080. Both are in a water cooling loop. VR is smooth at 45FPS with PD at 1.6 and high res cockpit textures. I do have 32Gb of RAM which certainly helps as well.

 

Good to know of the potential.

 

Fact is, I get 45 FPS with PD 1.6/1.7/1.8 and high-res textures, terrain, and cockpit textures (no shadows, etc.) ... in some missions, but not in others. In the case of these others, where FPS drops to 22/23 --- nothing seems to help, including knocking back all settings. Hence my musing an upgrade. These "others" are typically missions with a lot of activity (e.g., mission 2 in Gazelle campaign Dixmunde in 1.5, or mission 2 in F5E BFM campaign), but also some others in which there might not be so much activity (e.g., Instant Action take-off F5E in 2.0). Of course in 2.0, Vegas is a frame rate wrecker, but even over relatively open desert.

[Demon_]

Interesting, thanks. Strangely, they peg the 1080 as "best for VR" over the "1080TI"?

 

 

Maybe you don't need the super power of a Gtx1080Ti to run the VR. Like Bit said, most of the peoples use the 1080GTX.

Edited April 1, 2017 by Demon_

[dburne]

Maybe you don't need the super power of a Gtx1080Ti to run the VR. Like Bit said, mostly of the peoples use the 1080GTX.

 

Probably because they have just not been out long enough. Founders Edition has just been out a couple of weeks. The branded cards with custom PCB's and coolers were just released for pre-order, folks do not even have those yet.

 

It will be interesting to see of those cards reports in VR. But I sure ain't getting rid of my EVGA GTX 1080 FTW anytime soon lol.

[Demon_]

The acticle's date is 13 March 2017. The Gtx 1080 is the best for VR, the Gtx1080Ti is the best for 4K. Then, the Gtx 1080Ti is probably too much ($$) for VR.

[BitMaster]

I think the Ti is the better card overall compared to the 1080GTX, just at a higher price.

 

It is fatser in 4k and in VR from what I read.

[kdc]

Go for the 1080 first, you will see massive difference