Thinking about a Gaming PC, need advice.

[malibu43]

I have not been simming for several years.  Thinking about getting an actual gaming PC (as opposed to the 10+ year old laptop in my signature).  I'd like to be able to run SF2 maxed out, DCS on fairly high settings.  I don't really do multiplayer.

I'm really trying to do this on a budget.  I'm seeing a lot of deals for systems that use the RX 580 (8GB).  I know this is an older card, but it will still blow away what I'm using currently.  I'm also see some with a GTX 1660 Super (6GB).

Would either of these hold up for what I'm trying to do?

[Flanker562]

I use an ASUS Gaming Laptop (ROG Strix), so it's able to play DCS fairly well, and as well as other games so far. I think if you set it right DCS can give you decent visual quality without sacrificing framerate and so on. The settings I use work well though, so I don't try and push it due to well, it's a resource hungry game. As for SF2 little worry too, and games like MWO run fine as well. So I would recommend a fairly med-high laptop if that's your fancy. I'm just familiar with ASUS and like their stuff, so I'm also kinda biased too.

[malibu43]

I'm actually very interested in not getting another laptop.  I only went that route so many years ago due to space constraints.  I have plenty of room for a desktop PC now, and I feel like bang for my buck will be so much better.

[Flanker562]

I could make room for a PC honestly, but I like laptops better from my military service (always relatively mobile, etc, can take it on deployments). And while I'm not in the military anymore, I find laptops good for the limited travel I do take part in, and so I have a piece of home with me and such. And I just like them better than PCs. I mean the downside is limited upgrades and stuff like that, but overall I just prefer them over desktops, even with the advantages that desktops have over laptops.

[Erik]

Costco has some good options, this might be a good starting point. They also have more powerful desktops if you need better specs.

https://www.costco.com/.product.4201002297.html

I bought an Alienware M18 r2 last year, always liked desktops but this thing changed my mind. I run a curved 59 inch Samsung monitor as my second screen and I can play Assassin's Creed full graphics no lag and my gear runs on low fan speed. MSFS runs great too, where I spent my money was on 64GB RAM, 16GB GDDR6X, and a second 2TB SSD with heat sink.

 

[malibu43]

I was looking at something like one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/STGAubron-Gaming-Computer-Desktop-Windows/dp/B0G59GCQT8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3JOCHHAN8B60L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KsSV43uTYtjojDX-GeGdSgl2qYtAoLMlzZcbrdsamw5b-Jt4AA4CTSWQSnuPSwhObEW4ebaVuSMhKe6xrmi4HSmd0W8xQjpNVIiB_Y8qMDzpmRA1ERhQpMxOfbEPa10dwwTwQPz32HuyiCsaSWBervUS8HLmPH0_8i4jlQE8dpt73URGUTIhZegLuGmlohXDPPX4rPfcQvdesCgqKIPMSLNSTgywSpd49bR2tL3IL8s.Oh9KQMH2j-PLHPbvSCDvQsnsTA7FNtfyYTbUd4Xvh5w&dib_tag=se&keywords=gaming%2Bpc&qid=1791241450&sprefix=%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/STGAubron-Computer-Desktop-GeForce-Keyboard/dp/B0DYJN7V83/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3JOCHHAN8B60L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xkRt-Q2LCKdo80yVq-LPSJi4bU-F3ZQxsWzS26GDNnQz54-iBXGcghtHNot2Op5c1on9YnkSI9lltKqIf38pAbcc7jVGp-7kIdhELft934wp5YeXpQ2nEDl7jpBv3DEoTt_IbE4cM-rpMptGcjKhQ5KzC8c86NXzaFjv1VPNkV36bnrV64C6qTCsQmI_XhqAbz58_NTSP0tXFUatjJ3k-kDXKuJ0kcLtGxvfhKqhaCk.BOu8blShghMBLuc-kMJ021h0rCejZ-jixz7w6ddKCEA&dib_tag=se&keywords=gaming%2Bpc&qid=1791241565&sprefix=%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-17-spons&xpid=F_XMUTsFp68Xm&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&th=1

[Flanker562]

I mean if you're not looking to load a lot of games (but DCS though...) yeah I'd get the 1TB then get more disk space though as I have one drive (two 2TB drives on my laptop) for a few games, including DCS (which takes up most of the space at nearly 1TB), but yeah I mean for starting out sure.

[daddyairplanes]

my couple of pennies

I have been rocking Xidax systems since before they plastered the annoying ads all over socials (2015). 

they can be pricey, but are well worth it

im rocking a X6 with an i9-14900 processor, 5080 card (didnt want to wait 3 months for a 5090) and 128 GB of RAM. 4TB storage across 2 ssd and one hard drive. RAn about 4100, but i did get it right after a hefty VA backpay check last year so....

opposite end of price spectrum i just got my wife an X2, AMD Ryzen 5 processor, Nvidia 3050 card, 16 GB RAM and 2 TB storage. was 1400 but got knocked down too a grand trading in the hand me down X6 from 2019.

they do take payments thru Affirm also. i got a laptop to do school work on when i figured out my system was a little too overpowered and would crash unreal or even the whole system when i ran projects on the school comp's

[MigBuster]

DCS on fairly high settings?

I have a dedicated 1TB disk for that - however you can uninstall modules. Have not bought anything for a number of years but people with most modules probably go over.

Over 32 needed for multiplayer - but single player don't know as run 64GB

Also I run everything at 1440 / 60hz  so need massively less resources than 4K or say using a Scuba Mask

Again would a GTX1660 be okay with a monitor - no idea - seems a bit low.

[Major Lee]

@malibu43  Amazon Prime days are going on right now, might be able to save a few percent on the price... 

[malibu43]

10 hours ago, Major Lee said:

@malibu43  Amazon Prime days are going on right now, might be able to save a few percent on the price... 

Snagged this yesterday. Due to arrive today.
 

Boy… that escalated quickly. 
 

https://a.co/d/0dhAcTGe

Edited Wednesday at 01:34 PM by malibu43

[Major Lee]

@malibu43 That's a decent sale for a modern PC, glad you got it! 

[malibu43]

Yep, it arrived yesterday too!  Had it set up and running in like 10 minutes.  Another 5 minutes to get track IR working.  The surprise was spending quite a bit of time trying to get SF2 working.  I copied over my Saved Games folder and the .exe installation folder (like I've done a million times in the past) and it was giving me CTDs.  Had to repeat it a couple of time before I got it to work.  Then was struggling with textures not loading on some add-on aircraft and runways.  I eventually found some things to try here on CA and think I have that fixed now by keeping object and cockpit textures on unlimited, but reducing ground objects to High.  That part is weird, as I never had issues with textures not loading in 10 years of using the 970M 3GB card on my laptop.  Get a dedicated 8GB card and now textures don't load...?  Hopefully that's sorted out now.

I'm sure I'll run into some more things as I dive back into the can of worms that is SF2.  But I'll deal with those in other subforums...

[Wrench]

not bad!!! I think you made a good choice!! 

Setting things up is always such a PIA!!!! 

Enjoy your new toy!!!