Would a new PC 'spark joy'?

[toprob]

Cheers, Jay, some good info there.

I must admit I've never overclocked a CPU, and it isn't really a priority. However I have been thinking hard about NVMe, but I'm not really sure how to proceed. If I went for a much larger SSD, then I'd be able to put the sim on it as well, but since I will still rely mainly on a HD it may not give much benefit. Maybe one day I'll have a big NVMe, but for the moment my budget is the biggest issue. Speaking of which, I have decided to drop the CPU down to i7, simply because other requirements are adding up.

Most of my data drive is dedicated to scenery development, so it holds a lot of aerial imagery. I do see a time when this won't be such as issue, if I shift more to MFS the photoscenery won't be a major requirement. So it may be that one day I might convert to SSDs, but in the meantime I love my HDs.

I've also given a lot of thought to the upcoming GPUs, but really I don't have a mid-term budget for that, hence the choice of the RTX 1070S, which should last a while. I do plan to keep my old system for a while, as it helps to have a 'clean' system to test scenery installers, so the GTX 980 will still be in use.

[NZ255]

I haven’t gone with an nvme drive yet, mainly because I’m cheap The tech videos I watch have done some blind tests where people couldn’t tell the difference.
But I would think about trying to put the sim on an ssd if you can. Well, to be fair I haven’t had my sim installs on HDDs for a long time - maybe it’s not too bad?

[toprob]

I keep going back to my list to see if I can reduce the price. But you're probably right, Nick, I've been looking at a non-NVMe 1TB SSD, which would allow me to put MFS on it as well, although other sims can live on the HD. I am fairly confident that MFS will get a lot more use than any of the others. I'm still within my budget of $3300. Although I might not be able to go too long without grabbing a 1440 monitor....
Should be ready to pull the trigger next week, so I've got the weekend to mull things over.

[deeknow]

Get the NVMe, you might wanna check the m/b has PCIe support to work well with it to squeeze the most throughput out of it.

I have a 1TB unit on my new rig, the m/b has room for another one on the back which I may add later. For now have the OS and FSim running of the NVMe and have tools, other binaries on a regular 512GB SSD.

PS I bought a ..

Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB M.2
https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/me ... 7s1t0b-am/

And am running on a Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X5 ... -rev-10#kf

[cowpatz]

Get the NVMe, you might wanna check the m/b has PCIe support to work well with it to squeeze the most throughput out of it.

I have a 1TB unit on my new rig, the m/b has room for another one on the back which I may add later. For now have the OS and FSim running of the NVMe and have tools, other binaries on a regular 512GB SSD.

PS I bought a ..

Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB M.2
https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/me ... 7s1t0b-am/

And am running on a Gigabyte X570 I AORUS PRO
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X5 ... -rev-10#kf

That drive is an excellent price. What CPU/GPU combo have you opted for?

[deeknow]

That drive is an excellent price. What CPU/GPU combo have you opted for?

Ryzen5 3600 and an 8GB 2060-Super (EVGA)

[toprob]

My PC build has been held up, awaiting the case, but I've suddenly thought that I think it's being built in Auckland -- if they have to lock down tight, then I might not see my PC for a long while.... I did email them to see if I can replace the case, but that might end up academic, if they ain't at work this week. Dammit, I hate covid.
Take care this week, especially all you jafas. Wear a mask!

[Sonnyj]

Aww mate, I sympathize with you. I purchased MSFS on the preorder, and as a registered tester finally ( 2 weeks ago) got sent an apha to test. The problem is I downloaded the alpha and it blew out data cap in our rural wireless-Max allowed 160 GiG per month. So no internet at all until we negotiated some special deal. Ouch! many calls to spark and some folding stuff required.

The upshot is can't even try the alpha as our connection is intermittent, so it wont load. Now have the chance to download the real thing (MSFS) but can't otherwise we will blow the data cap again, even if I could manage the download it wont run either because of our intermittent supply. We have fibre coming to our place as the cables are being thrusted right now, but it won't be connected to our house for another 6 weeks. sigh! Give me time to up spec the PC I s'pose. Lost my FSX in the meantime as I have a software glitch. Some odd software glitch with USB problems

Will spend the next 6 weeks looking skywards and wishing I was there. .

[toprob]

Yes, I've heard from a few people lately who have rural internet, and will struggle with something like MFS. I wasn't aware that these folk had such serious restrictions, at such a huge cost.
Although I can't really complain about my new PC being delayed, I've been really pleased with the way the MFS alpha runs on my current system, so I will still be able to install it on release day! A more serious issue is the fact that I need to wait for the new system to install my new 3D design software, as I don't want to risk messing up the license by putting it on my old machine. So I can't see any of my test scenery models in MFS yet. So much to do, so little time!
But really, all I am really missing is patience.

[toprob]

Although this wasn't planned, or in the budget, I drunkenly bought a 4K monitor, which arrived this morning. It is definitely for the new, yet-to-arrive, system, but I'm trying it out on the old machine until the new one gets here. I was very worried about this, as I had planned to get a good quality 1440 monitor down the track, but really I needn't have worried. It behaves very well, my system adjusted to it so that nothing is too small to read, and the extra size is very easy on my aging eyes. I've tried Microsoft Flight Simulator, having to lower the settings to the middle, and I can certainly see that it will be great on the new system, albeit only giving 20FPS on the old clunker.
Prepar3d v4 is stunning in 4K. This too will be worth keeping on the new machine.
The monitor was my only 'splurge', in that everything else was planned for a long time, and was well overdue.
It's a Samsung U28E590D, which is 28". $499 from the Mighty Ape.

EDIT: I initially put 'P3D v5', but I really meant v4, as of course v5 struggles at 1080p, and won't even try at 4K.

[cowpatz]

Exciting times there Rob. Just like Christmas!
Any joy with the case?

[toprob]

Any joy with the case?

Yes, I changed the case, although I had to go with a case with a window -- I really don't know why folk would want to see inside their PCs, so I might attach a little curtain. Still not expecting to have the thing delivered until Friday at the earliest, probably later. Not quite as quick a process as I'd expected, but could have been worse.

[deeknow]

I might attach a little curtain.

LOL ... I take it then that you also didnt order an LED lighting kit

[NZ255]

might attach a little curtain

thanks for the laugh.

I guess the good thing about 4K is you can turn off anti aliasing. So performance might come out similar?

[toprob]

Funny thing, removing AA doesn't make any difference to performance. Pretty much the same reducing the resolution to 1440. Of course going back to 1080 makes a big difference.
This is all just an exercise, though, using the GTX980, but I would expect a big improvement with the new RTX2070S, combined with the much more modern CPU.
I did load up Prepar3d v5 at 1080p, and it certainly looks great on the bigger screen.

[toprob]

Apparently my new PC is at Christchurch Airport, so still on track for delivery tomorrow. Or early next week.... By the time it gets here it'll have had a good holiday, and should be ready to do some serious work.

[toprob]

Currently the tracker puts my PC in Highfield, which is where I live! However I haven't had a shower today, as I don't want to miss the courier.

[toprob]

Ok, it's here, working, and currently updating Windows so that I can install the simulator.
One thing I've noticed, I thought that my fibre connection was the weak link, but apparently it was my wifi. The new machine supports 5G, and it's 50% faster.
Amazing how simple it is to set up a modern PC, all passwords etc are just there in my browser. All in all a promising start.

Forgot to mention, I can now have a nice relaxed shower, now that the courier has been!!!!

[NZ255]

Exciting stuff!

[waka172rg]

Nice Rob, long time coming enjoy.