DCS Computer Build

[FlankerMan]

I'm looking to buy (not build) a computer for DCS @~$800-900 (I've already got the monitor). No VR, FHD (1920x1080). It doesn't need to be top-of-the-line, but I'd like it to be able to keep up with DCS for quite a while. I'm looking at Ryzen 5 3500/i7-8700 or better, GTX 1660 or better, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and 1TB HDD. Any suggestions?

[FlankerMan]

For VRAM, is speed or quantity more important?

[DocSigma]

I'd aim for a larger SSD, as you want to put DCS on that drive and only on the SSD and DCS gets pretty large. I'd aim for more than 16gb of ram.. 32 if you can. I'd say at least 6Gb Vram. You may also want to look at the new AMD cards which are a lot cheaper than Geforce at the price point your looking at as far as vid cards are concerned. I think an xt5700 runs on par with 2070 and a hell of a lot cheaper. It saves you some money that you can reinvest into a larger ssd and more RAM.

[DocSigma]

For VRAM, is speed or quantity more important?

 

Ti cards use 11gb of VRAM and outperform their non ti version in both 2d and VR, so the short answer to your question is yes, VRAM makes a difference. Will it make much of a difference at the resolution you'll be running DCS at is the question. Whatever you do, you want whatever CPU you are using to be fast enough to feed your vid card, as the goal is to not have your cpu bottleneck your vid card, so it can run close to or at 100% Eeither of those two CPU's are more than capable enough to feed a 1660 I think.

[FlankerMan]

Would this be good enough for DCS?https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-master-gaming-desktop-amd-ryzen-7-2700x-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-512gb-ssd-white/6385375.p?skuId=6385375

[DeltaMike]

^SSD isn't big enough. Slow memory. From the same company, this is a little closer. Still has a pretty small SSD, they probably have Windows on there, suspect you have room for one DCS install, say open beta plus a couple of modules. If you have both open beta, and stable, and a jillion planes and maps, you'll run out of room. But that'll get you started, and the upgrade is cheap.

 

Right out the gate, I'd invest more in the CPU, mobo and RAM than GPU. DCS has to compute a LOT of stuff, GPU power doesn't get you as far down the road in DCS as it might in other games. Depends on what else you're playing, but if you get into multiplayer you're gonna want to upgrade the CPU and RAM pretty quickly, probably best to start from a position of strength imo. That said, I dunno about that 590, may be ok in pancake mode. I could live with a gen2 ryzen to start, they make one with a 1660 super at the same price, mobo isn't as nice tho, doubt you'd be able to squeeze the max out of a gen3 ryzen when you upgrade... sheesh it never ends does it

 

Maybe you can get some dude to make you a system, decent B450 mobos are really cheap now, start with a 2600x and 16GB of 3200mhz ram, 1gb SSD, and then see how much $ you have left over for GPU. Leaves you an upgrade path (main advantage of AMD imo). We kinda have special needs around here, it's kind of hard to find that combo of cheap mobo and expensive RAM in an off the shelf solution, ya know?

Edited January 2, 2020 by DeltaMike

[BitMaster]

You will basically need to follow the advice above and go the BTO way if you cannot build it yourself. The requirements are to build a budget DCS rig requires to save on the mobo, case, fans, etc. but get a decent fast cpu, 16gb better 32(!), a single 512 SSD for OS+DCS and ALL the rest into a GPU of at least medium/good performance. The GPU is with no doubt the most expensive part, in this rig as in most "no limit" systems. A 5700 was nice in your case, a B450 with good VRM, a 2600X, 512SSD and see if you can get 32 over 16 GB RAM if possible. Case and loud fans are 3rd tier question, just have a few fans and a case to hold it together.

[FlankerMan]

This one here is a tempting offer, but I've heard they aren't reliable, and use poor quality components. Is this true? If not, I'll definitely get it.https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ibuypower-gaming-desktop-intel-core-i7-8700-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1070-1tb-hdd-240gb-ssd-black/6389791.p?skuId=6389791

[BitMaster]

I'd go to a shop 30min-1h away and have it built to specs. I am sure those guys are more flexible.

 

For example, I'd kicj the 1TB HDD but get a 512-1TB SSD to start with.

 

maybe kick some other stuff too and get a 8700k instead of a 8700.

 

 

Would that work where you live ?

[Sn8ke_iis]

This one here is a tempting offer, but I've heard they aren't reliable, and use poor quality components. Is this true? If not, I'll definitely get it.https://www.bestbuy.com/site/ibuypower-gaming-desktop-intel-core-i7-8700-16gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1070-1tb-hdd-240gb-ssd-black/6389791.p?skuId=6389791

 

Hey Flanker,

 

If you are in the States, you don't have to buy from Bestbuy to get those builds. You can buy direct from their websites and you will have more choices for components and most likely get a better price.

 

https://www.ibuypower.com/

 

https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

 

I concur with Bit, get the best CPU you can afford right now and 16 GB of RAM. Especially if you are running at 1080p resolution. That's the foundation. Upgrading your RAM and GPU later when you have more fun money and get a higher resolution monitor is easy. Not as easy to upgrade motherboard and CPU later without essentially rebuilding the system yourself.

 

RAM and GPU are easy to sell online to recoup some of your investment. And once you get more comfortable swapping out components, building your own system from scratch in the future will be easy peasy.

[Demon_]

And a good PSU :bye_2: