New to Gaming & Final Build

Welcome!

I am going to be blunt upfront and say your demands/expectations are probably going to be difficult to fully satisfy at that budget -- sadly.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is one of the most resource demanding apps/games on the market. CAD apps are too, but if your setup runs MSFS well it should do (light) CAD workflows fine.

To give you some insight:

Microsoft Flight Simulator - RTX 3080 - Getting The Best Graphics And Performance | ObsidianAnt (YouTube)

Flight Simulator 2020 RTX 3080 Benchmarks at 1080p - 1440p - 4K | Dream PC (YouTube)

Microsoft Flight Simulator GOTY from KJFK to KEWR on A320 - 12900K - RTX 3080 - Airbus A320 Neo | Flight70 (YouTube)

With that, here's my initial suggestion:

Config #: 4292890

Boom68,

I responded to your question regarding the Velox X case in the thread that you asked about it. "New to pc gaming"

Originally posted by Boom68 Thank you for your time and prompt reply. I will review the information you gave me. Will the RTX1660 play FS at all? Current PC is 10 yrs. old and failing and trying to kill two birds with one stone. Probably won't be able to play FS until late summer and with all the hype about new GPUs I was thinking there may be a significant price drop in the current generation of GPUs. Your thoughts are appreciated!

The quick answer for the 1660 is yes. This article is old, but no less accurate for it's recommendations from MS:

https://www.shacknews.com/article/119822/microsoft-flight-simulator-2020-minimum-pc-specs-and-requirements

The 1660 exceeds the recommended Nvidia GPU for recommended (medium) settings by up to 37%.

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-970-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1660/2577vs4038

My position is that the new line of GPUs is worth waiting for if it just means you'll struggle a bit in the short term for a stellar result by Fall. I believe we may well return to decent pricing. Not only will they be significantly faster, but the new technical enhancements such as Ray Tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) will take another leap forward. This year, MSFS will adopt DLSS for visual enhancement at all levels.

I recommend you not waste a small fortune on an ridiculously overpriced GPU that will be obsolete in a few months. I would recommend you think about saving $749 on a 3060 Ti until the new cards are available. It is a superior value that will play all games very well at 1080p, and even perform well at 1440p. A build like that would might look like this one:

https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=4293168

It has the stronger 12700K CPU, and reserves quite a nice piece of the budget for a future GPU upgrade.

By the way, the 3060 Ti compares like this to the article's "ideal" Nvidia GPU:

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-Nvidia-RTX-2080/4090vs4026

With 2nd gen Ray Tracing and DLSS the 2080 doesn't have.

Does this seem like a radical sacrifice? In the alternative, you could also limp into Fall with a 1660, but the 3060 Ti will give you excellent results across the gaming spectrum.

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-RTX-3060-Ti-vs-Nvidia-GTX-1660/4090vs4038

IMHO it's well worth the extra $175. You may even find it serves you well without an upgrade for a long while.   

PS: the Intel 2700K will outperform the 5900x. The RAM upgrade won't do a lot, but...RGB for the grandson? I wouldn't overclock the 3060 Ti if you get it. The "OS Boost" is an anachronism to save a little RAM, and pretty much just a waste. Totally unnecessary with 32GB of RAM.   

Edited by Cretae - 07 Feb 2022 at 4:34am

Truth is never bad. I wasn't clear, two monitors (AOC G Line 2nd Gen 27" curved 144HZ) for Gaming, and work. While working 1 monitor for accounting software, one for spreadsheets, 3rd (Older Samsung) for watching Youtube, movies, etc.
I only researched AMD, I know very little about Intel CPUs or MOBs. With the exception of adding a new generation GPU (W/O voiding Warranty?) and increasing the budget to 3,300 B4 sales tax, what changes would you all recommend based on Cretae Config. #4293168 meaning no upgrades in the future. RGB which I prefer, to impress GS. Thank you all for you time in helping with this build!

MrCheetah, Cretae, Onkel_Ken, and Ryne G.

Thank you for your time, efforts and knowledge that you so graciously gave to me regarding my First and Final Gaming pc build!

I reviewed all the links you provided (long day but worth it) and viewed Gamers Nexus review on the Intel CPU I7-1200K and Z670-P MOB.

Following Cretae Configuration I changed from AMD to Intel giving me a more valued and equaled to or better performing PC. With the money saved I splurged a little with the Coolmaster Halo Fans, and 32GB XFury ram.

Please see Config. #4293916, any thoughts or changes that sb made please let me know!

Special thanks to Ryne G. who patiently answered all my question (note: Chat went offline as I saved the final build and it changed to a Bolt using AMD components, so I had to reconfigure it)

Question deleted

Edited by Boom68 - 15 Feb 2022 at 4:01pm

Thank you! Made the changes that you recommended and now headed to checkout!

DONE! ORDER SB NOW A WORK-IN-PROCESS.

STAGE 1 - 2/8/22

STAGE 2 - 2/11/22

STAGE 3 - 2/15/22

Edited by Boom68 - 21 Feb 2022 at 8:23pm

I like threads that are positive and assist in creating a great new system build!

@Bob100: Thanks for your input. It really helps to have some real-world experience to add to the discussion.   

Originally posted by Boom68 Thank you for suggesting Digital Combat Simulator, I will definitely check it out! So much I don't know. What type of flight controls or joystick (correct terminology?) would you recommend? Lumos was my first choice!

I use the Thrustmaster Warthog stick & throttle and CH brand rudder pedals. Much more expensive products are available, it can become an expensive, but very realistic, hobby. As you can see in the picture, I also have 2 Thrustmaster multifunction displays (MFDs) to mimic the real cockpit screen displays in modern-day U.S. fighters such as the F-16, A-10, F-18, etc. The MFDs control all the programming for the avionics and weapons systems. DCS includes coding links to make all this hardware seamlessly connect to the program code for each aircraft. As a former USAF fighter pilot, I can attest that this gets real close to the real thing. I use a 34" curved monitor to enhance peripheral vision, but that is still not like what you can see from a real cockpit.

Although I am former USAF, there is a real thrill in doing a DCS carrier launch in a Navy F-18. Like I said previously, DCS is high fidelity with a steep learning curve, but it gets you right up to the edge. DCS has a large array of aircraft and maps, including WW2 fighters. Try your hand at aerial refueling as well!

Have fun if you go that route! Google DCS and watch some of their advertising trailers, you will be impressed. BTW, here is a link to a YouTube carrier launch that I did several months ago. The DCS cloud graphics have been a 1000% improved since I did that video. You can see how well my 2.5-year old Lumos handles the graphics.

https://youtu.be/UHNA7JJx_j8

A link to a picture of my flight sim setup is:

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Edited by Bob100 - 13 Feb 2022 at 9:07pm

Bob100,

I will have to look at that flight simulation software. I got my Private Pilot's license on my 17th birthday using my 40th hour for the check ride. As a kid I was lucky enough to pick up brand new planes at the Cessna plant in Wichita and deliver them to Walston Aviation in Bethalto IL and deliver planes across the US. Fun life for a 17 year old.

I did it for free and my high school principal let me take time off when I delivered planes around the country for Walston. I picked up several hundred hours this way and was checked out in 150,172,177,182,210 etc. By the way, the new planes from the factory didn't
have radios in them.

We would all ride out to Wichita in a 210 or whatever then grab a plane to fly back in formation since we didn't have radios in ours. I had an engine go bad with low oil pressure & high oil temp and had to make an emergency landing at a grass strip along the way once.

I remember writing "Engine trouble going down" on a piece of paper and sticking in the window so the other guys knew what I was doing leaving the formation.

Once I took the airport owner Walston's kid parachute jumping in a 150. We left the door on but took the right seat out. That was a real experience.

I joined the Army at 18 to be an Air Traffic Controller in 1970 but after I got through Basic Training they decided my eyes were not good enough and assigned me to a combat arm Hawk Missile Crewman.

I am 69 and haven't flown in many years but you lived the kind of flying life I had dreamed about. My buddy that flew with me as a kid became a United Airlines pilot but is now retired. I retired as a Systems Administrator from Boeing.

That is a serious setup for flying simulation that you have. By the way, thank you for your service! My son is also a 6 yr Army vet serving in Korea and a member of our VFW. My daughter is a 6 year Air Force vet having served in Diego Garcia during Desert Storm and is also a member of the VFW. My wife was the President of our auxiliary for several years and spends several days a week there helping the vets.

   

Originally posted by Bob100 I use the Thrustmaster Warthog stick & throttle and CH brand rudder pedals. Much more expensive products are available, it can become an expensive, but very realistic, hobby.

   

First and foremost, Thank You for your service to our Great Country! Men like you are a rare breed, and I am honored to receive your advice.

I reviewed DCS's website and (just now your video that was great) this Simulator is exactly what I have been looking for. I was worried that I had spent an additional $1,800 on the gaming components that I was not going to use. The picture is perfect as well, I will use it as a blueprint.

Again, your time and knowledge are greatly appreciated!

Hi Bob100…..Real nice HOTAS setup.    I have a very similar setup with Warthog, gaming chair and the MFD accessories.    Was “flying “ the F-18 for awhile then switched back to Huey.    Waiting for ah-64 to release and the Huey is getting me use to helicopters with its collective and pedal coordination.    I use Monstertech HOTAS frame for the sticks.

Will post my setup later on.   I don’t use it as much as I get older. Most days I just want to blow stuff up in COD, or hunt creatures in various other games.    

Have fun.

Tidgxor….what’s up.   Been to Iceland lately.    

Originally posted by Boom68 Originally posted by Bob100 I use the Thrustmaster Warthog stick & throttle and CH brand rudder pedals. Much more expensive products are available, it can become an expensive, but very realistic, hobby.     I reviewed DCS's website and (just now your video that was great) this Simulator is exactly what I have been looking for. I was worried that I had spent an additional $1,800 on the gaming components that I was not going to use. The picture is perfect as well, I will use it as a blueprint. Again, your time and knowledge are greatly appreciated!

Thanks. Your new DS system should should give superb results in DCS.

The modern-day fighters are pretty complex compared to what I was flying 50-years ago. I think the F-16 manual is about 300 pages long. Just take your time and learn a little bit at a time. I get a big kick out of just starting up one of these planes. Very satisfying to be flipping switches on your HOTAS for the engine start sequence and hearing those turbines start to wind up.