Best current CPU for DCS ( and a bit of MSFS)

[markturner1960]

As title, thinking of maybe upgrading and wondering what the current thinking is on the best combo of components ( CPU, memory, MB)

Cheers...

[SharpeXB]

 

[Mr_sukebe]

For the CPU, 9800x3d.

Post that, some low latency RAM.  If you're going with the latest 870 chipset, then it'll probably automatically come with PCIE5 GPU and NVME slots.  I'm guessing that you'll replace this within 2-3 years, so need to overdo the RAM, 64GB.

[Pilotasso]

I dont use VR but from my experience upgarding CPU and GPU's over the last few years: you dont need the latest CPU to run this game maxed out. All you need is:

A CPU with 6+ cores and 4Ghz+

RAM 64Gb

16GB+ of VRAM

Have DCS installed on an SSD with the OS

 

The bottleneck seems to be the GPU and the ammount of VRAM it has.

I have a 5950X with a 4090, 64GB of RAM and I am hitting the limit on my 4K 240Hz monitor. 190 FPS on ground and 240+(because I caped it) in the air.

I estimate that, if you have like an AMD 5600 CPU or and intel 12700K, with an AMD 7900+ (those had 20-24GB VRAM) or any NVIDIA GPU with 16Gb+ that is less than 4 years, then your golden.

 

Edited February 17 by Pilotasso

[diego999]

Best? 9800X3D

Next best? 7800X3D

Good enough? 9700X

[The_Nephilim]

11 hours ago, markturner1960 said:

As title, thinking of maybe upgrading and wondering what the current thinking is on the best combo of components ( CPU, memory, MB)

Cheers...

well it depends on the resolution you run. in most all 1080P test the 9800x3d is ahead of all the others. in 1440P it narrows a bit but @4K it is reall close almost a margin of error.

 

but I guess you can jump on the AMD Band wagon but not sure I beleieve the hype especially since I went with Intel and seen some 4K Benchs..

[Nightdare]

20 hours ago, Pilotasso said:

I dont use VR but from my experience upgarding CPU and GPU's over the last few years: you dont need the latest CPU to run this game maxed out. All you need is:

A CPU with 6+ cores and 4Ghz+

RAM 64Gb

16GB+ of VRAM

Have DCS installed on an SSD with the OS

 

On pancake? yes

Beer goggles asks a lot more from the hardware

[virgo47]

I've got a good old Ryzen 7 3700X and it is never utilized above 50% with DCS. Unlike my rusty RTX 3060. So it's also about pairing. I'd say that CPU is less critical than a GPU, although on some multiplayer servers perhaps it may change. And of course, DCS on SSD.

Edited February 18 by virgo47

[BitMaster]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb virgo47:

I've got a good old Ryzen 7 3700X and it is never utilized above 50% with DCS. Unlike my rusty RTX 3060. So it's also about pairing. I'd say that CPU is less critical than a GPU, although on some multiplayer servers perhaps it may change. And of course, DCS on SSD.

The 50% usage you refer to are for ALL-CORES of your CPU, that is irrelevant !

If you had 64 cores and 128 threads your full blown DCS experience would maybe saturate the "CPU" to ~1%..maybe less.

 

What you need to look for is INDIVIDUAL CORE LOAD, that is the meter you need to apply.

[virgo47]

1 hour ago, BitMaster said:

The 50% usage you refer to are for ALL-CORES of your CPU, that is irrelevant !

If you had 64 cores and 128 threads your full blown DCS experience would maybe saturate the "CPU" to ~1%..maybe less.

What you need to look for is INDIVIDUAL CORE LOAD, that is the meter you need to apply.

I just wanted to put it into perspective... but now when I read the signature of the OP, then, granted, with 3090 the discussion is a bit different than in my case. Obviously, newer Zen is better, 3D cache is better, faster single core (turbo) is better. I yield.

[markturner1960]

Thanks, I fly mainly in VR, my current PC runs my Quest pro extremely well, with little or no noticeable performance issues. I would be updgrading the card as well, likely a 5090 - basically, it would be a new PC and I will shuffle down the old PC's to my Helo sim set up and my daily use PC on which I might play some FPS games. 

I heard the latest intel chips run very hot and have been happy with my current AMD CPU set up....but not wedded to either. 

Its now been 2 generations of Nvidia card tech and 3 years since I got my current PC. Just trying to weigh up the possible benefits of getting a new PC. One would be that my existing main PC could be used to power my Helo sim rig to fly the Apache in VR, which I cant really do satisfactorily on the PC I am currently using for that.

I can then use the old Helo PC as my daily and be able to play FPS games etc , which I cant on the small form factor NUC PC I use for that currently

Edited February 19 by markturner1960

[Aapje]

The availability and pricing of the 5090 is horrible, so I'd just wait some months, especially given the rumor that AI sales are disappointing, so we may be at the low point now, with the rumor being that Nvidia is producing a lot of 50-series chips now, that will come on the market in a bit.

You could first upgrade to a 9800X3D + AM6, which is now actually properly available.

[SharpeXB]

13 minutes ago, Aapje said:

The availability and pricing of the 5090 is horrible

“Horrible” is not a strong enough word

[Aapje]

It's like the holocaust...

OK, perhaps I went overboard in the other direction this time.

[BitMaster]

Money aside, sure, a shiny AMD Zen5 9950X3D, 64GB of excellent RAM and 2 NVMe Gen5 drives, coupled with a 5090 and a beefy PSU will yield some more fps and smoothness.

But it's all new tech and there are always teething issues of one or the other kind, but hey,  you have multiple PC's and thus must have some insight on how this all rolls and dont seem to worry about the expense either...Go for it.

I'd watercool it all and thus would go for a 5090 FE, highest chances of getting a good waterblock, but time will tell what's being made available in that regard. 

 

[Lange_666]

For those with a bit of money in their pocket:

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[Koziolek]

On 2/19/2025 at 9:11 PM, Aapje said:

The availability and pricing of the 5090 is horrible,

Oh, I do not see any problem with availability. Amazon.de. A bit off MSRP but just a bit 

And 5080 even better - still 6 left. 

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Edited February 21 by Koziolek

[BitMaster]

Best of all, typical Nvidia again, the ROP-Gate.

They knew about the issue but sold them to you with a smile.

 

You gotta be a BIG A//hole to act like Nvidia does. Ask a premium while selling lesser products.