Best desk top for DCS

[florate]

Do you own a desk top that can run DCS with all non-conflicting settings set to MAX?  Please share fundamental info.

I am considering replacing old paint with the latest and greatest - well $$$$ maybe.

[razo+r]

What are you looking for? Only HD, 4K, VR? 

[Hiob]

In the following order:

- buy the beefiest GPU you can afford (top tier RTX 4090)

- buy the beefiest CPU you can still afford (top/recommended tier Ryzen 7800X3D)

- buy at least 32GB of solid RAM (top tier 64GB, but don't overspend for the biggest MHz')

- buy a solid Motherboard but don't overspend on it.

- buy a good PSU (min. 850W, better 1000W). I would recommend BeQuiet Straight Power.

Don't forget that peripherals, a good case and a PSU also add up.......

[Dragon1-1]

If you're running something like 7800X3D, a good CPU cooler will also be a non-insignificant cost. Water or air will work, but it'll cost a pretty penny either way. A good cooler is vital to getting a high end CPU to run well (or at all, X3Ds in particular run hot).

[florate]

Thank you for your input D1. I have grown used to a water cooled CPU and will favor a gaming PC with that option.

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

Pretty much what Hiob said above: especially in VR buy the best components you can afford (especially if you plan to use VR) - a typical DCS PC is (quite a bit) more expensive than a regular gaming PC.

One thing to add though: you don't necessarily need a 4090 (especially in pancake mode), but at the very least get something with 16GB of VRAM (or more). DCS is quite VRAM hungry and in 2024 you'd best avoid sub-16GB cards.


(PS If you can wait a week it might be worth checking some reviews for the new 4080Super before you buy a graphics card)

[Hiob]

49 minutes ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

One thing to add though: you don't necessarily need a 4090 (especially in pancake mode), but at the very least get something with 16GB of VRAM (or more). DCS is quite VRAM hungry and in 2024 you'd best avoid sub-16GB cards.

 True!

I was referring to the "latest and greatest" and the "no matter the cost" vibe I got from OP. Regarding raw power you can hardly argue against a 4090. Power per $, there are better options of course!

 

Oh and one note to the cooling of the 7000 series AMD cpus. They have exceptional thick (and bad) heat spreaders, resulting in a poor heat conductivity. For that reason, you won't get any benefit from water-cooling them. (IUnless you behead them and go direct die cooling). So any decent 250W class Air-Cooler will do.

Edited January 24, 2024 by Hiob

[Aviators]

 

[SharpeXB]

 

[razo+r]

7 hours ago, lukafred said:

I'm looking for a PC build that is either AMD or Intel. I also am looking for this build to be future proof of no upgrades for years to come and able to handle DCS world and X plane 11 or other current or future simulator games. I have never played neither of the games and i am looking for my build to be VR and TrackIR capable so any VR setup be greatly appreciated. The resolution i am aiming for is either 1080p or 4K setup and i do want the best setup that win run DCS world flawlessly. Any help will be greatly appreciated and i really have no max budget as i would be buying each part separately.. If I had to choose a budget for what i'm looking for in my build would be $2K for either AMD or Intel 1080p or 4k setup.

If you want a future proof VR build for years to come you'll likely have to buy the best of the best parts, which will be way above a 2000$ budget... 

[Hiob]

10 hours ago, lukafred said:

I'm looking for a PC build that is either AMD or Intel. I also am looking for this build to be future proof of no upgrades for years to come and able to handle DCS world and X plane 11 or other current or future simulator games. I have never played neither of the games and i am looking for my build to be VR and TrackIR capable so any VR setup be greatly appreciated. The resolution i am aiming for is either 1080p or 4K setup and i do want the best setup that win run DCS world flawlessly. Any help will be greatly appreciated and i really have no max budget as i would be buying each part separately.. If I had to choose a budget for what i'm looking for in my build would be $2K for either AMD or Intel 1080p or 4k setup.

You need to make up your mind about 1080p or 4K. That's a pretty wide spread, both in regards to quality and cost. 

When you are happy with 1080p (though it's not 2015 anymore), every better mit-tier hardware will do. But I would strongly recommend to go with at least 1440p.

[Johnny Dioxin]

+1 - I switched from HD to 1440 a short while ago and didn't expect much, but the difference is very noticable. Especially stands out when I watch things like this (oh and DCS 2.9 runs smooth as silk in VR up to now - specs in sig):

 

Edited February 15, 2024 by Johnny Dioxin

[Johnny Dioxin]

Just about the X3D - I have the 7800X3D and bought this cheapish cooler at £30 ($38) and it keeps my CPU in the 50's °C the vast majority of the time - also using a highly cooled Corsair 4000D Airflow case (which can use water cooling, too):

 

https://www.thermalright.com/product/phantom-spirit-120-se/

 

**it's quiet, too!

Edited February 15, 2024 by Johnny Dioxin

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

On 2/15/2024 at 11:26 AM, Johnny Dioxin said:

I switched from HD to 1440 a short while ago and didn't expect much, but the difference is very noticeable.

The (perceived) difference between 1080p and 1440p is much much larger than the difference between 1440p and 2160p.

[Hiob]

5 hours ago, Raven (Elysian Angel) said:

The (perceived) difference between 1080p and 1440p is much much larger than the difference between 1440p and 2160p.

It‘s objectively smaller though. I‘d say that depends on the size of the monitor. But you are right, for regular monitor sizes, there are diminishing returns past 1440p.

[Johnny Dioxin]

I did increase monitor size when I switched - from 24" HD to 27" QHD. For once an increase in size didn't leave me feeling like I had to sit further back from the monitor.

[SharpeXB]

4 hours ago, Johnny Dioxin said:

I did increase monitor size when I switched - from 24" HD to 27" QHD. For once an increase in size didn't leave me feeling like I had to sit further back from the monitor.

Yeah that’s an important benefit of higher resolutions. They make bigger screens more appealing. 4K can mean having a 42”-50” screen. 

[Tiger-II]

I run DCS at 4K on an i7 9700K and GTX1080. Runs great! I get 55 FPS with the F-18.

Edited February 20, 2024 by Tiger-II

[Aspiteri9]

is this too good to be true?? 

AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D AM5 8 Cores 16 Threads Processor

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006631590134.html?src=google#nav-specification

[Beirut]

By all accounts it's a great CPU for gamers. If I was building a new rig, it's what I'd get.

[Aspiteri9]

Yes I agree, but the price seems too good to be true?

 

Edited July 22, 2024 by Aspiteri9

[Dragon1-1]

It is, look at shipping costs. When you add it up, it works out to over 1800 AUD (I have no idea how it converts, but Amazon has those cards for 1800 USD). It's a typical way Chinese sellers use to make it seem like a deal. They set a low price, so that when you sort by price, their offer comes up early, and then make up the rest by a ridiculous shipping cost (no, you won't get any red carpet shipping for all that money). It also looks like a founder's edition, these are not typically as spiffy as, say, an MSI offering. I'd say, it looks like a pretty average offer.

[Aspiteri9]

Thanks

 

[Aspiteri9]

Hi all.

I also am looking at upgrading.  My current computer no longer runs DCS.

i5-6400 @ 2.7Ghz. RAM 24GB.

I am looking at the following setup.  I have never built a PC, I figure never a better time than now.  No VR, just track IR.

All are in AUD;

- CPU; AMD Ryzen 7800X3D ($576)

-RAM; 64GB Corsair vengeance DDR5, 6000 ($329)

-GPU; RTX 4080 ($1700)

-SSD; 2TB samsung 990 pro ($257)

-PSU; Corsair RM1000x (1000W) ($239)

-Cooling; Arctic liquid freezer III 360 ($194)

-Motherboard; Asus ROG Strix X670E-F Gaming WiFi AM5 ATX(Cheaper option).  Preferably Asus ROG CROSSHAIR X670E HERO AM5  ($628/$899)

-Case; Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX. ($108)

-I have controllers, Track IR, headset etc.

 

I was initially thinking $2-2500, but with the above its already just over $4000.

1) For a starters, is my list above compatible?  Do any of the items limit the full capability of another?   The RTX 4080 is not quite the 4090, but will it do?

2) Will this all fit in a mid tower case?

3) Will I need extra fans/cooling?

 

Any words of wisdom is obviously greatly appreciated.

 

 

[Aapje]

1. I don't see any issues. The 4080 is plenty fast for non-VR use

2. The 360 only fits in the front, which limits the size of the GPU you can use. I would suggest using a smaller AIO (240) or going for air cooling (Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE). The latter is more durable and reliable, but you may not like the looks. You don't need a 360 AIO for the 7800X3D. For better clearance, get the non-RGB version of the RAM.

3. Just get a 3-pack of fans and see what extra you can fit in the case. Try to have one more intake fan than exhaust fans, to combat dust.