Hey guys!

 

I'm planning on buying a new computer, partly for Prepar3d (v2.5, going to be upgraded). I was thinking about following components, as I'm still on a certain budget:

 

- Intel i7 6700K

- Asus Z170-K Mainboard

- GeForce GTX 960 4GB

- 250 GB Samsung SSD

- 1 TB Hard Drive

- 600W PSU

- Water Cooling.

 

Cost: €1100.

 

My main concerns are the GPU and the mainboard. I want to play P3d with addons like the Aerosoft A318/319 or A2A GA Aircraft on high settings with at least 30 pfs, among that I will also use the PC for CAD work, video editing and music production. Therefor the question: Should I invest in like a GTX970 (which is even older than the 960) or even the Radeon RX 480? And is the mainboard capable of handling it all?

 

Also: Is 600 Watts enough power for the system?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Kris

I would go at least for the GTX 970 4GB (depends on your display and resolution) and 8 gb crucial fast memory + at least
an 800 watt quality power supply if you are planning to overclock ;-)

You will have also some headroom when adding more hardware in the future.

(Your water cooling will ask also extra power when running at high performance ;-))

 

Forget Radeon for Flight simulators unfortunately not a happy marriage...

 

Success

 

for your info running here a:

I7-4770K at 4.3ghz on air

GTX 970 4GB

32Gb 2400 MHz corsair memory

3x SSD 250 Gb

1x SSD 500 Gb

1x Tb WD raptor drive

Saitek rudderpedals and X55 Stick

Ultra wide screen 2560 * 1080

Win 10 64 bit

 

P3D V3 around 40FPS, EHAM or EDDF V2 (3d party airports) with lot of AI and a complex aircraft 30 + fps

Should I invest in like a GTX970 (which is even older than the 960) or even the Radeon RX 480? And is the mainboard capable of handling it all?

 

Never buy a Radeon card for the ESP flightsims. But why you do not aim for the GTX-1060 if money is an issue? You could still upgrade this graphics card later on if you are not happy with the performance, but I would definitely not go anymore with a GTX-960 or GTX-970, they are outdated. The GTX-1060 is about 85% faster than the GTX-960 and still about 25% faster than a GTX-970, basically offering you the performance of an GTX-980 (http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/palit_geforce_gtx_1060_super_jetstream_review,27.html). Only difference: due to the reduced memory bandwith, you might not get the same results compared to a 980, but for sure better results compared to a 970 or a 960.

 

Also: Is 600 Watts enough power for the system?

 

A definite YES. As long as you are not connecting a myriad of things via USB or Thunderbolt and as long as you are not planning to use SLI, 600W are easily enough for even an overclocked 6700K along with a GTX-1060 (http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/palit_geforce_gtx_1060_super_jetstream_review,8.html).

Thanks for the fast responses, awf and AnkH!

 

I forgot to mention the 16 gigs of 2400mHz RAM from Crucial the system will have.

Now I'm going to see if i can put a 1060 in it or have to take the 970 (the store only lets me select the 970 at the moment. But I'm gonna figure it out.

In terms of PSU I'm gonna trust you, AnkH, because of the source you linked and also because it's cheaper to afford than another 200 Watts (although I know that's not a legitimate reason ).

So once again thank you!

 

Kris

GTX970 and you are golden.  

 

I run an i5 660k and a 970 and get great performance in full orbx terrain regions with a2a, carenado and realair aircraft.  I average 80-100fps in non orbs regions and 40-60 in orbx regions with medium settings.  I'm sure I could choke my PC out if I dialed up the settings but I just went through and reduced them until everything was running great.  Things still look wonderful.  

If $$ is an issue, I'd go with the 970 - the cost is lower and the performance almost as good as the 1060. The difference in performance vs the difference in cost is not worth it. Your $$ could better be put elsewhere. If it were me, I'd go with a better PSU. Not that the 600w can 't handle it but it will be running close to it's top end and opposed to a better unit running midrange. Less stress, theoretically less heat and longer component life.

 

Vic

 

 

If $$ is an issue, I'd go with the 970 -

Agree, in fact I and a friend have used the 750Ti with P3D without issues and that's pretty inexpensive but it has the 980Ti architecture I believe.

I replaced my 970 with a 1080 and I have to tell you the 10xx series of cards allow you to push your in sim graphics sliders farther to the right but do not

guarantee a smoother experience! Radeon RX 480. 

GTX 970 is a good inexpensive yet outstanding performance choice for P3D!

Future proof your system with a better power supply like Vic suggested...750W maybe, and not all of them are created equal...research...research...research!

 

 

Not that the 600w can 't handle it but it will be running close to it's top end

 

I'd be shocked if it was cranking out more than 250W, especially with a 1060.

 

Cheers!

 

Luke

If $$ is an issue, I'd go with the 970 - the cost is lower and the performance almost as good as the 1060. The difference in performance vs the difference in cost is not worth it. Your $$ could better be put elsewhere. If it were me, I'd go with a better PSU. Not that the 600w can 't handle it but it will be running close to it's top end and opposed to a better unit running midrange.

 

Sorry to say, but you must be aware that the 970 are only that cheap nowadays because their lifespan is over. The 970 only offers 3.5GB VRAM with a proper speed, 0.5GB terribly slow. The GTX-1060 offers 6GB full VRAM. Not that this is absolutely important for P3D, but it certainly does no harm. Then, depending on where the topic starter lives, a GTX-1060 is about the same price as an 970, but it is 25% faster, this is clearly speaking in favour of the novel card regarding performance per dollar (https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_1060_Gaming_X/).

 

And I honestly never understand this panic reaction in front of wattage of PSU's. A GTX-1060 draws less power from the PSU compared to a GTX-970, maximum is something around 150W, meaning that with a 600W power supply, you would have the remaining 450W for CPU etc. Faaaar enough. Even nVidia, most of the time recommending already to big PSU's, only recommends a 400W PSU to use the GTX-1060 (http://www.geforce.com/hardware/10series/geforce-gtx-1060).

 

So, in the end:

 

- the GTX-1060 is considerably faster compared to the GTX-970

- the GTX-1060 is about the same price as a GTX-970

- the GTX-1060 has 6GB RAM, not only 3.5+0.5GB as the GTX-970

- the GTX-1060 has reduced power consumption compared to the GTX-970

 

Taking this into account, I really wonder what exactly speaks in favour of the GTX-970 besides the slightly increased memory bandwith?

Thanks for all the answers.

 

One more question I have:

Does the water cooling make sense for this system? Or will I be just as fine with regular fans?

 

Fyi I'm from Germany, here the 970 and 1060 cost about the same if you buy them seperately.

 

Kris

After doing a bit more research, I must agree that AnkH is correct. I hadn't fully looked at the 1060.

 

I have always been a fan of water cooling.Basically for two reasons 1) it is more efficient than air coolers and 2) it is much quieter. As to whether you *NEED* it - that's really up to how high you are going to clock that CPU.

 

Vic

Alright, thanks for the update and info!