New rig - RTX5090 or AMD 9070?

[Boberro]

Hello, 

I am going back to DCS after like 13 years of break  I want to build a new PC, this is my initial setup:

RTX 5090/AMD 9070XT

64 GB RAM

AMD 7950X3D CPU

SSD of course

2K or 4K 27 inch screen + additional one for MFD panels - touchscreen.

Money is not an issue I think, I want to have a setup for longer time - preferably for years as I don't like to buy it often.

Does 5090 offer significant improvement in terms of performance over AMD 9070XT? RTX has 32 GB VRAM, AMD only 16 GB, so I wonder if it would be enough for extreme settings, reshade, mods etc?

Is it better to buy 9070XT and in two years newer RTX 6xxx? 5090 is not a milestone in nVidia family, it is just a gap-filler to be honest - the strongest on the market but no breakthrough.

[LucShep]

I don't agree with everything that Techspot (Hardware Unboxed website) posts or opiniates, but I tend to agree with their recent analysis, regarding the GPU market as of right now:

https://www.techspot.com/bestof/gpu-25-26/

I'd say that, regardless of "money no object", it's also important to have "notion of priorities and needs" and "common sense".

And in that matter (of common sense) the Nvidia RTX 5090 32GB is everything but - it's a nonsense halo product for a select few (like buying a Ferrari if you're a car enthusiast), with a horrible price tag even if considering the high performance and big VRAM.
And, no less important, the possible reliability issues with the very controversial 12V-2x6 power cable/plug.

The AMD RX 9070XT 16GB is currently the "best purchase" overall, considering the current market.
It's a good choice if gaming on a 1440P or 4K resolution screen.
The downside with it - or any AMD GPU for that matter - is that if you're considering going VR later it won't be the best choice.

The Nvidia RTX 5070Ti 16GB and RTX 5080 16GB are better choices for DCS and especially for VR (but at higher prices), so could be better purchases in the long run.

Regarding the VRAM - a GPU with 16GB VRAM is enough for DCS in general but, depending on module+map combo (if in MP) and if in VR or 4K screen at high/max settings, that limit can indeed be hit.

Unfortunately, the Nvidia RTX 4090 24GB is no longer produced and sold. That one is, pretty much, the "perfect" DCS high-end GPU - ironically so, as it was once so criticized but later became "the last great Nvidia release".

I'd say to not wait for the Nvidia RTX 60 series, as they won't be out before 2017.

Likewise, and for those waiting for the rumoured Nvidia RTX 50 SUPER series (refresh of the current line up) with higher VRAM, also notice that these are now in the back burner - postponed, if not canceled - due to the ongoing memory price hike.

Treat yourself with a GPU right now, as prices are expected to increase and stock to decrease (again) in coming weeks for an unknown period.

BTW, if that system is aimed for gaming, and not productivity, for the CPU I'd seriously consider the AMD 9800X3D instead of the AMD 7950X3D.
 

Edited 8 hours ago by LucShep