Upgrade my PC for DCS 2.5

[Simicro]

Hi all,

 

For this Christmas, I cannot buy a new PC. So I would like to upgrade it.

 

I would be grateful if you could advise me.

 

Budget: 1 000 euros

 

Goal: to prepare to fly (mostly helicopters) in the smoothest conditions as possible in the future DCS 2.5. I bought Nevada to support ED but I will mainly use the new Caucasus.

 

Monitor: iiyama GB2773HS 1920 x 1080 at 144 Hz

 

OS: Windows 7

 

My PC:

 

• Processor: Intel Core i5 4670K
  
• Processor Cores: 4
  
• Processor Speed: 3.4 Ghz OC 4.3 Ghz
  
• RAM: 8 Gb DDR3
  
• Video Board Manufacturer: NVIDIA
  
• Video Board Model: GeForce GTX 770
  
• Video Memory: 2 Gb
  
• Mother Board: MSI Z87-G43 Gaming
  
• Cooler: Master Hyper 212 EVO
  
• Hard Drives: SATA 3 (2 Tb) + SSD (256 Gb)
  
• Power: Antec HCG 620 Watts 80+ Bronze
  

[Simicro]

These are my current DCS graphics settings and I'm happy with them.

[Pilotasso]

Buy a new 16 GB RAM kit (do not mix with your older kit) and a new GFX.

 

I recommend a Vega 56 but check its power requirements first. otherwise get a 1070.

[BitMaster]

Buy a new 16 GB RAM kit (do not mix with your older kit) and a new GFX.

 

I recommend a Vega 56 but check its power requirements first. otherwise get a 1070.

 

+1

[Ratfink]

Agree with the 16GB RAM.

 

I just bought Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming as it's not much more than 1070 because of this mining thing.

 

Both should fit your budget.

 

1080Ti is too much, and not needed IMHO.

[Donut]

Agree with the 16GB RAM.

 

I just bought Gigabyte GTX 1080 G1 Gaming as it's not much more than 1070 because of this mining thing.

 

Both should fit your budget.

 

1080Ti is too much, and not needed IMHO.

 

I keep seeing the "1080 Ti is not needed or overkill" comments. I just don't understand this. The OP has a 144Hz monitor. You can see my specs in my sig and I have a 1080 Ti with a 1080p 60Hz monitor. In 2.0 with near max settings(civ traffic and cockpit shadows low), I do not see sustained FPS above 140 and over the populated areas near Las Vegas, I see a FPS drop to the upper 80's. So, even with a 1080 Ti, I could not consistently achieve FPS to match a 144Hz or even 120Hz monitor. To achieve FPS to get the most from his monitor, the OP would have to turn down settings.

Edited September 6, 2017 by =BJM=

[Demon_]

The Antec High Current Gamer series are Tier 2:

-Tier 2 Brands - Top Quality components With Top Notch Stability - For Those With Price/Availability Issues With Tier 1.

620w is good for the Vega 56: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

 

2 GB of video card memory is not enough.

You need 16GB of RAM.

Edited September 6, 2017 by Demon_

[Simicro]

Hi all,

 

Thanks very much.

 

I added reputation to each of you.

 

So the conclusion is clear:

 

1) RAM: Upgrade to 16 Gb (no mix with my older kit)

 

2) GFX: Upgrade. Having a preference for Nvidia, I'll have to choose between:

1070

1080

1080 Ti

 

I would have 2 last questions:

 

a) Do my PC have enough power to run all the above mentioned GFX?

 

b) I understand that DCS is more "sensitive" to RAM and GFX, and less to CPU?

[Demon_]

a) Do my PC have enough power to run all the above mentioned GFX?

 

 

With your 620w? Yes.

[tintifaxl]

If you want to upgrade solely for 2.5 then wait until it's out. I predict the hardware will be more powerful and cheaper by then.

[Simicro]

@demon: thanks, you did answer to my question.

 

@intifaxl: yes, almost only for 2.5. Thanks for that smart comment. Without doubt the same hardware will be cheaper or more powerful for the same price. I will think about that.

[PeaceSells]

But I would upgrade to 16 GB of RAM right now if I was you. It will instantly benefit you even in DCS 1.5 and it's cheap. I did that (I have specs kinda similar to yours).

[Simicro]

Good idea, PeaceSells, thanks.

 

What kind of improvement did you observe in DCS after upgrading to 16 Gb?

[Django]

Given we're almost into 3Q of 2017, might it be better to wait for Coffee Lake CPUs and see what performance they might offer? E.g. they might have better thermal perfomance.

[PeaceSells]

What kind of improvement did you observe in DCS after upgrading to 16 Gb?

 

Less stutters because HDD won't keep being read all the time. But if you have SSD instead, I don't know if it will make that much difference. I have HDD, so it was really worth it.

 

You will still get some stutters from the video card though, as you have only 2 GB of video RAM, like me.

[Simicro]

Thanks PeaceSells and Django.

[Whirlaway]

Buy a new 16 GB RAM kit (do not mix with your older kit) and a new GFX.

 

I recommend a Vega 56 but check its power requirements first. otherwise get a 1070.

 

Sorry to derail, but what happens if you mix ram?

 

...asking for a friend. :smilewink:

[BitMaster]

It may or may not work flawless and hassle free.

 

The faster the ram, the bigger in capacity and the more modules you try to match the more tricky it may get.

[shonist]

Hi all,

 

Thanks very much.

 

I added reputation to each of you.

 

So the conclusion is clear:

 

1) RAM: Upgrade to 16 Gb (no mix with my older kit)

 

2) GFX: Upgrade. Having a preference for Nvidia, I'll have to choose between:

1070

1080

1080 Ti

 

I would have 2 last questions:

 

a) Do my PC have enough power to run all the above mentioned GFX?

 

b) I understand that DCS is more "sensitive" to RAM and GFX, and less to CPU?

 

this upgrade has my vote too.

[cromhunt]

16 GB is the best

So with the graphics card,take care about the size:)

Nvidia 1080 are very long and when upgrade a PC it's current to forget this simple fact:)

Check out your desktop rig and look at the place remaining before installing your new card.

see you next:)

[Simicro]

cromhunt and shonist,

 

Thank you for your interest and help in my upgrade as we are getting close to DCS 2.5

 

I have now narrowed my choice: it will be a 1070 or a 1080, the 1080 price being very close to the 1070.

 

I also plan sometimes in the future to get a TN 2560x1440 (2K) 144Hz 1ms monitor.

 

One fellow already answered me but I'm still worrying about my Power: Antec HCG 620 Watts 80+ Bronze. Will it be enough to power the graphic card and all the rest of my PC? I would appreciate more confirmations.

 

Thanks for the hint about the size of the card. My case is a big one, a Fractal Define R2. So I think it should do.

[Pilotasso]

My 760W powers a 1080Ti, but it's seasonic. There are simulators at the power supply manufacturers sites, you only need to google them

Edited September 12, 2017 by Pilotasso

[Silver_Dragon]

1080ti, the best option.

[cromhunt]

Hello:)

I don't thinking that the DCS 2.5 will be something more hard to use than the 2.1.1 or 1.5.7.

In fact the 2.5 will be the merge of 2.1.1 and 1.5.7;so i guess it will be done with an equivalent code.

Check out your MP please

see you next:)

[Mking]

Im wait for 8700k benchmarkt. And buy when its realy faster as my system. 32gb 3200 mhz or 4000 mhz hm ? I hope for min fps is higher i wish 15-20 fps more

Edited September 13, 2017 by Mking