Who plays world 2.5 on a 10 years old PC?

[wernst]

I wonder which generation of PCs is really needed for running DCS world 2.5 with decent fps.

Which PC component has to be up to date, the CPU or the GPU, or both?

 

I have a 10 years old intel i7 920 with 16 GB DDR3 RAM together with a 3 years old GTX 980.

Most of the time I’m playing DCS single missions or free flight missions with system settings to HIGH.

Under this conditions I can see in average 65 fps, but not less than 50 fps, with all modules and in all missions.

Under full load the CPU heats up to max. 85 deg C (no OC). I'm a little worried that the CPU gets too hot, continuously.

But the Win task manager surprisingly shows for CPU not more than 35% load. Could this be true and real?

 

As consequence I ask myself: In which respect could I benefit from upgrading my trusty old i7 920 to the latest generation of CPUs, e.g. intel i7 8700K?

(with new chipset MB and DDR4 RAM).

I assume that the latest CPU will run cooler under full load, probably well below 75 deg C.

But, besides VR, what else could be improved with a major CPU update?

[TAW_Impalor]

Hi, depends on your screen resolution and whether you use VR. For 1080p your setup is enough. CPU temp depends on cooling, and default coolers are always insufficient and loud. Maybe put an external fan next to your PC. My specs are in signature, I use AIO watercooling for both CPU and GPU, fly exclusively in VR mostly at 45 fps with almost all eye candy on (and VR shaders mod). My CPU is old, but I won't upgrade until I see performance gain of at least 50%. Another bottleneck in VR are USB ports - so choose your next mobo carefully!

[Sandman1330]

Regarding your CPU temps, as it is an older system, have you opened it up recently and cleaned out the dust?

 

You CPU heatsink could be full of dust, which chokes airflow and causes temps to rise. A can of compressed air to all your heat sinks can do wonders for your temps.

[BitMaster]

I would also consider to replace the thermal compound between heatsink and cpu after so many years, while you do that, clean it thoroughly :)

[Mars Exulte]

Sounds like your CPU has horrible airflow. You need to take a look at that before you fry it. As Bit said, new thermal compound, and consider a better heatsink/fan for it, too. 85C is about 30 degrees higher than you should be, especially for no overclock.

 

 

-edit

 

 

As for what is improved with a major update, the same things that are always improved with major PC updates. Higher framerates, higher transfer rates, etc, etc. If you're satisfied with your system, you don't need an upgrade. If you want more power, you need an upgrade. Either way, you def need to take a look at why your CPU is heating so badly.

[Devrim]

Who plays world 2.5 on a 10 years old PC?

Actually I have no that tough nerves as yours but, our PCs are similar tho.

 

I have i7 2600 and GTX970. CPU alarm (in BIOS) is set to 80°C but never heard it.

 

I think I'm on the edge of performance with this PC. A few months or one year later I will not able to see above 20 FPS. I can't buy new stuff today because of valueless of currency of my country. I'm suffering from FPS and low performance especially in crowded servers but... I can handle it somehow...

 

Now I'm going to other room to cry... :cry:

[splash]

Here a guy with a 9 years old machine in some aspects:

 

i7 920 overclocked at 4 GHz

18 Gb RAM DDR3 1600

KFA2 GTX 1070EX

Crucial MX300 SSD

...

[Holbeach]

85 deg, is close to fry up time.

My, 7 yo, use to run low 80s, when OC, with the occasional shut down if a speck of dust landed on it.

 

 

 

A new cooler (30 quid) immediately reduced temp by 15 deg.

 

 

Regular vacuum with fan removed, is essential, even with case filters.

 

 

Check fan is actually increasing correctly, with Asus history record.

 

 

Today @ 3.8, my temp is 55 deg, running Harrier and room temp 23 deg. GPU same temp.

 

 

Cooler is the key.

 

 

 

Regards..

[wernst]

Sounds like your CPU has horrible airflow. You need to take a look at that before you fry it. As Bit said, new thermal compound, and consider a better heatsink/fan for it, too. 85C is about 30 degrees higher than you should be, especially for no overclock.

 

Yes, you and Impalor, Sandman1330 and Bitmaster, you all are fully right.

 

I uninstalled the cooler and fan and could see easily what was wrong.

The lamella of the cooler unit were full of dust. And even worse, the thermal compound

wasn't covering the heat sink area fully anymore and looked badly deteriorated.

And, I have the impression that the fan was per design a bit weak (28 m3/hour air)

 

Conclusion: bad maintenance, shame on me.

It's a miracle how my trusty old i7 920 could survive so long in hellfire.

Thank you intel, this CPU has passed a cruel long term test successfully.

 

Action: A new cooler will be installed, NOCTUA NH-U9S with fresh thermal paste.

 

I was misguided by looking at the CPU load only, which was never exceeding 35%.

But even low load can be harmful when the heat isn't dissipated properly.

 

Now it's the question how long the CPU still lives after the "refreshment".

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Edit:

 

System: intel i7 920, GTX 980, 16 GB RAM, Samsung 500GB SSD 950 EVO

DCS 2.5: free flight missions only

settings: HIGH

mon. res.: 1080p

 

10 years old CPU cooler:

amb. Temp: 23 deg. C

CPU load: max. 38 %

CPU temp: max. 85 C

 

New CPU cooler Noctua NH-U9S with fresh thermal paste installed

amb. Temp: 23 deg. C

CPU load: max. 38 %

CPU temp: max. 61 C

Edited September 5, 2018 by wernst
update

[splash]

Mine reaches about 75-77ºC after some hours of playing DCS. I overclocked to 4.2 but no fps gains so I left it at 4 GHz.

 

Probably you need to reapply thermal paste or change the cooler.