PC Upgrade Time

[Fodder]

Apologies for yet another thread on upgrades....

 

I've been away from IL2 for a while but cabin fever has triggered an urge to return. I need to get from the setup below (most of which is approaching 10 years old) to something that will play IL2 with ease. I'm not interested in VR at this time but that might change.

 

Motherboard: Asus P8P67 LE

Memory: 8GB PC3-10666 DDR3

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K @3.30GHz (overclocked to 4.00GHz)

GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series (PowerColor HD 7850 PCS+ 2GB GDDR5)

SSD: Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB

PSU: OCZ 600W PSU

 

I had to replace the original HD, GPU and cooler so I 'm not averse to getting my hands dirty but I would prefer to source either a pre-assembled /tested upgrade bundle or a complete new PC (I'm not interested in sourcing components from multiple suppliers). My budget is around £1000.

 

Thoughts anybody. 

 

 

[Panzerlang]

How's the current build playing it? What resolution are you at? What game modes do you play (QM? Campaigns?).

That CPU is pretty solid at 4ghz. I would double the RAM and upgrade the GPU (a 2nd-hand GTX1080Ti would be sweet).

I have four sticks of this I was using with that CPU, pukka kit.
G-Skill 8GBXL Ripjaws X for Intel Sandybridge Platforms DDR3 PC12800 1600MHz 8GB Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Edited December 24, 2020 by JG51-Hetzer

[Fodder]

It plays quite smooth at 1080p during QMs. I've not done enough campaigns or online flying to form an opinion in those scenarios. My perception is that I'm missing out on detail which makes it hard to identify targets. I intend to fly online a lot more so this might become an issue.

 

I'll checkout s/h GPUs - any pointers appreciated on ensuring I find cards that are compatible with my M/B and PSU

[Panzerlang]

1 hour ago, [DBS]Fodder said:

It plays quite smooth at 1080p during QMs. I've not done enough campaigns or online flying to form an opinion in those scenarios. My perception is that I'm missing out on detail which makes it hard to identify targets. I intend to fly online a lot more so this might become an issue.

 

I'll checkout s/h GPUs - any pointers appreciated on ensuring I find cards that are compatible with my M/B and PSU

I'm not sure you'd have an issue with any PCIe GPU into that board. I'm pretty sure I had one a few years back.

The detail is down to resolution on a given monitor size (diagonal) as that dictates pixel density (more density = greater detail quality). A big monitor with high resolution is best.

QMs don't hit the CPU as hard as Campaigns, they have way more AI stuff going on but that CPU used to handle my stuff ok, even with a GTX780 on a 30" 2560 x 1600 Dell.

Your PSU *should* be ok but personally I'd go for a good quality 750w modular, overhead is always nice.

I think doubling your RAM will have appreciable benefit and defo ditto having 11GB on the GPU instead of 2GB.

So, what I'd do is bump up the PSU, double the RAM and get a GTX1080Ti (any brand will work).  Make sure the PSU has x2 8-pin-outs for the GPU.

Maybe a higher-rez bigger monitor too.

Edited December 24, 2020 by JG51-Hetzer

[Fodder]

Thanks Hetzer. I reckon a s/h GTX1080Ti, 8GB memory and a new PSU (my current only has 2x6 pins) will set me back a minimum of £500. At the moment I'm swaying between a lower spec card and splashing out for a new PC.

[Panzerlang]

13 minutes ago, [DBS]Fodder said:

Thanks Hetzer. I reckon a s/h GTX1080Ti, 8GB memory and a new PSU (my current only has 2x6 pins) will set me back a minimum of £500. At the moment I'm swaying between a lower spec card and splashing out for a new PC.

A top-end PC will cost you well over £2k. A mid-range one around a grand but for less you can upgrade your current rig well into high-rez goodness.