Upgrade Current PC Components or Start Again?

[ArchieB]

Hi,

I am in desperate need of some help and advice. I currently use P3DV4.5 on the same PC I have had for a few years now and run it with quite low settings. With UK2000 Heathrow and Active Sky in the QW787 I am only achieving around 15-25fps. Now, all I am looking for is an increase of around 10fps just so I am consistently hitting atleast 25fps - for me this would be fine. My question is is it worth me spending a couple hundred pounds to upgrade some components in my current PC, or would it be better to start fresh with a new motherboard....

PC Specs:
intel Core i5 3570K @ 3.4 GHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX650Ti 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card
8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 RAM (1x 8GB)
P8H610MX USB3 Motherboard 1155 LGA

I have a few problems. Firstly, I am unable to overclock the processor due to the motherboard - can someone confirm this, I am only going off what I recall being told in the past. Secondly, due to the old 1155 LGA socket the only processor I could get that is 'better' and fits this socket is the i5 3770k @3.5 GHz - can someone also confirm this, maybe there are other processors that fit this socket that I don't know about - again I wouldn't be able to overclock this I don't think due to the motherboard. I do have another RAM slot so upgrading my RAM is a definite viable option. How about the GPU? Would I be able to get a better GPU that is compatible with my rig?

So in summary I believe the only improvements I could make would be to 1) upgrade the processor to the i5 3770k @3.5 GHz 2) upgrade the RAM (maybe Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866MHz 16GB - 2x 8GB) and 3) possibly upgrade the GPU (I haven't looked in to what GPU could fit my machine). As I have already said I am really only looking to improve my FPS by an average of 10fps, do you think these changes would actually achieve that improvement? Or given the 1155 LGA socket and the motherboard, would it be better to get a new motherboard that gives me more flexibility and compatibility with new i7 processors?

Any help, advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Archie.

[JorgenSA]

There are so many components here that I personally would upgrade that - again personally - I would start budgetting for a whole new system.

Jorgen

[downscc]

ditto Jorgen.... my rule of thumb is I try to make component updates when I can but when I need a new mobo then it's a new build (usually can keep the same case, power supply, drives maybe...).

For the budget minded, the sweet spot today is the 9700K (same as 9900K without HT, which I don't use with P3D), with 16 - 32 GB RAM and a GPU with 11 GB VRAM. Be sure to take advantage of the M.2 slot that new mobos provide for your NVMe SSD system drive. You can spend more and get the 9900K but be sure to get a top of the line GPU.

[ArchieB]

Hi Jorgen and Dan,

Thanks for your responses. I thought that might be the case. I will look at building or buying a new PC! How would an i7 6700K perform with a GTX 1060 or 1070 or 1080?

Thanks,
Archie.

[downscc]

Hi Jorgen and Dan,

Thanks for your responses. I thought that might be the case. I will look at building or buying a new PC! How would an i7 6700K perform with a GTX 1060 or 1070 or 1080?

Thanks,
Archie.

I updated from a 6700K to an 8700K and saw some improvement; please consider the 9700K for less than a hundred bucks more than a 6700K and it is 24% better in a few benchmark tests: https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/I ... 4030vs3502

[AnkH]

I would never "upgrade" from an old computer to another old computer. Tell us your max. budget and we will be able to give you some ideas about what you could get with this budget. Personally, I would not go anywhere else than to an i5-9600K with a RTX-2060/GTX-1660TI or a comparable AMD build (Ryzen 3600X and 5700XT as example).

[ArchieB]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the reply. I am so pleased you said that as after researching for the last few days that is what I have come up with. I am looking to get an i5-9600K and a GTX 1660 Ti with 16GB DDR4 3000 or 3200 MHz RAM. I just need to select a Motherboard, Case and PSU now:)

Archie.

[72westy]

Personally...

I'd shelve the full upgrade. Wait for MS Flight 2020 (close to release)

At min upgrade the video card and max your RAM out. And be sure and install a 1TB SSD. I'm betting your current upgraded system will run the soon to release FS 2020 given it will be streaming a good portion of scenery content over the internet.

[JorgenSA]

Streaming the scenery content over the Internet?

Forget it..... no go from here, but that's a personal opinionated opinion.

Jorgen

[72westy]

Streaming the scenery content over the Internet?

Forget it..... no go from here, but that's a personal opinionated opinion.

Jorgen

Ones internet connection speed will play a big role. But based on what I've seen thus far most shouldn't have an issue.

https://www.flightsimulator.com/

[JorgenSA]

Well, let's see what that new sim actually IS when it comes out.

There has been so many rumors that some of them have to be untrue.

Jorgen

[Martyson]

@72westy,

"I'd shelve the full upgrade. Wait for MS Flight 2020 (close to release)"

When did you hear the release date would be?

Will Add-on aircraft be ready on release day?

How much will it cost?

[72westy]

1st quarter of 2020. No confirmed cost as of yet. They started work on it 5 years ago.

[Martyson]

1st quarter of 2020. No confirmed cost as of yet. They started work on it 5 years ago.

Ok,
So soon could be March 2020 or later.

Then, debugging starts?

Have recommend PC specs been released?
Internet speed required?

[JorgenSA]

That's what I mean - tons of unconfirmed rumors, typical of Microsoft Vaporware.

The bottom line is that we do not know anything, including if this product actually will materialize!

Whatever the product may be, or how good it may be IF it materializes, streaming content/scenery and monthly fees is something I will not deal with. So sorry, Microsoft is not going to have a pipeline into MY wallet, and determine what I should see on MY computer.

Jorgen