Recommendations for New Computer

[Killratio]

Ugh... I REALLY hate to even ask this...but I've searched and there is nothing comprehensive that is any closer than last year....

My Spitfire computer just died and I need to replace it. I buy new ones every 5-6 years and in the interim I've lost touch (and, frankly, interest) in
the "latest greatest". I've checked around here, in shops and ebay etc etc etc. There are also a couple of companies that advertise to rent/buy gaming systems.
Prices vary from AUD $500 to $5000. I am definitely not spending $5000 but I don't want to "waste $1000 on a "bargain".

I am not the slightest bit interested in Windows 10 but it looks like I have no choice. That will make me buy a new Audrino card to do my lights, as the old software I use won't run on 10.
So I am already into learning new software, programming and buying a new card. Happy to hear if it is still possible to get a machine with Win7?

I am not interested in MSFS 2020 but I may upgrade from P3d 4x to 5x in the near future.

This computer will ONLY run the flight sim/weather/gauges software and what I have of ORBX, along with the A2A Spitfire. The cockpit setup makes other aircraft impractical anyhow (mixture/idle cutoff, lack of Master switches etc).
It may need to run three short throw projectors in the future


So, what should I be looking for/to avoid.. and how do I make a decision between the ACTV Multi Lineal Graphic Thrust Suppressor IV and the Triangular Spectoral Nose Warmer 3000 ... or whatever else is in the bewildering list
specs, equipment and features. Is SSD a good idea? What processor? I9, I7 ... I assume Intel not AMD???

I'm already over this before I even start!!!!

[Lewis - A2A]

Latest Intel or AMD is good, AMD are cheaper and have more cores to play with. But best advice would be to use a parts picker to make sure it all works together. The parts picker sites are great for not only getting good prices but normally giving you a heads up should you pick parts that dont go together.

Aha, it does have an AU mode, here you go;
https://au.pcpartpicker.com/

You will be able to not only put in your own parts but view other systems users have gotten too. Warning it can be a rabbit hole website lol.

I would recommend 32GB Ram for anyone building a new system right now.

Yes Windows 10 is the only option, nothing wrong with Win10 works great btw.

thanks,
Lewis - A2A

[twsharp12]

I have an i7 8700k OC'd and a GTX 1080 and 16GB of RAM and can run pretty much any game at high settings. P3Dv5 can run at 40-50 FPS with medium-high settings and MS2020 can run 30FPS all high settings.

You certainly don't need to spend more than $1.5k to get something that can blow the pants off almost any game.

[avduarri]

I upgraded my pc last month except for the GPU (I'm waiting to see how the new RTX3000 performs and waiting for all the launch problems to be solved).

I'm using an i7-10700KF and I must say I'm pretty happy with it.
32 GB of RAM it's a minimum for todays standards.
Another "must have" in my oponion are the SSD. I've got three of them (one super fast, one just fast and another one "fast enought" to store data) and it's a before and after.

If you want to use P3dv5 with high settings I would recommend a GPU with 11 GB of VRAM.

Just my point of view.

[Killratio]

Thanks gents, that gives me a good start on what to look for.

Hopefully I can get a system built to spec as I don't have the skills or patince to build my own! The "parts pickers" look very interesting Lewis , provided they will put it all together as well.

So I should have more than a single drive? Operating system on a "normal" drive and SSD for the FS used to be the go....personally I mever got around to an SSD before.

Thanks again!!,

[Dogsbody55]

You'll have all the choices you want as far as operating systems go, provided it's Win10. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with it either; however, I control the updates. My system has a 1TB SSD for the operating system only, a 4TB conventional drive for most other stuff including flight sim back up, and a 1TB SSD dedicated to flightsim only which in my case is P3D 4.5, Orbx scenery, and A2A planes and nothing else. This makes for much faster loading and running. I run a GTX1080 NVidia card. I'm also having it updated to 32GB RAM which should smooth out P3D and MSFS when I eventually get it.

Not sure what stores you have down in the Antarctic who can help you with a decent machine at reasonable price, but there's one near me in Wangara (South Geraldton to you) well known for quality systems, if you want to venture this far north. Alas it's always something of a lottery buying new computers as the quality of the components that come out of the factories is

Good luck.
Mike

[Killratio]

Cheers Mike,

I may well contact them/you about details etc. The bewildering array of suppliers and parts (most of them completely unknown to me) make a "good" supplier who comes recommended, a great idea!
Not much in the way of specialist stores down this way and i hesitate to have some 13 year old back yarder build a system for me. I have been know to travel as far as North Geraldton at times (seeking refuge from the winter blizzards) so South would be quite a luxury. I'll fire up the Boy Racer and take a cruise up that way when going ahead with the system.


D

[TreeTops]

Hey Daryl,
I think the store Mike is referring to is PLE Computers. There is also a store in Belmont on Albany hwy near Diesel Motors.
I have used them for years and i find them to be very good. No dramas over 3 computers, some components and 10 years. I had to update mine 12 months ago.
9900K, 1T M2.SSD for the operating system w10, plus I installed the base P3Dv4.5 there.
So over the years I have built up a collection of SSD's to go with the sim versions.
I run FSX on a 500gb SSD but its about full. I only use it for B337, P47, J41.
P3Dv4.5 addons, Orbx install on a 1T SSD.
All Samsung SSD's. I can't say they are the best. I had a 500gb SSD die on me.
I also have a 8T mechanical storage drive.
I like the M2.SSD because they are smaller than a ram card and bolt right onto the motherboard.
I already had a 1070 graphics card to replace my old 580GTX when it died about 18 months ago, so I will keep them until the 30 series cards settle down.

Good luck mate.

[Killratio]

Thanks Trev!

When I get this bloody Spitfire up and running again both you guys are going to have to put on your snow shoes and come and have a look


D

[TreeTops]

[Dogsbody55]

Thanks Trev!

When I get this bloody Spitfire up and running again both you guys are going to have to put on your snow shoes and come and have a look


D

I keep looking at your pictures, which are mind blowing.


Cheers,
Mike

[Killratio]

Thanks Mike,

Just one huge series of individual models..but with one massive overriding "theme" !

[TreeTops]

I'm looking forward to the time when you line up on 06 Jandakot and get this bird into the air.

[Killratio]

Yeah, me too. I really wish I hadn't had to sell the guts of the wooden pit to finance the new one. It has been over four years since I did any flying in it at all.

On a related note.. the wooden pit is sitting, gutted, ready to be chopped up and thrown away (MDF) or salvaged (Jarrah and metal).
If anyone wants it (for free) to use as a single seat simulator, let me know. I'd rather see it used and, to be honest, don't want to spend valuable shed time cutting it up!