Hi everyone,

I recently asked about whether I should get Prepar3d. I was blown away by the positive feedback it gets, but also that I would need a much better PC. So, quelle surprise, I'm asking about the specs that you guys recommend. I'd like to know:

What processor: probably which i7?

What graphics card?

How much RAM?

Most importantly, (this is the bit I always struggle with) can you recommend a specific motherboard?

 

On a final note, I am looking for a budget build! Thanks,

William.

I'm no expert so I'm not going to advise you generally.  However, remember where we came from and where we are now.

One of the problems with FSX and its predecessors was that it was heavily CPU dependent and didn't make best use of the newer generations of GPU's.  Although P3D has moved forward (particularly in being a 64 bit system), that basic architecture hasn't been fully addressed yet.  At some point, it's expected that P3D will shift burden from CPU to GPU.

So if you are on a budget I expect you can get something that will run P3D adequately now but think about your upgrade path, which is likely to mean a new GPU in a year or two's time.  In some ways that's the easy route because anyone can install a graphics card while I know my weaknesses and wouldn't touch my CPU.   Make sure though that you have an easy upgrade path: obviously the right form-factor but also the right power unit.  The newest cards (e..g. 2080 for example) require a bigger GPU than a 1080 or 1070.  ,It'll cost next to nothing (compared to the rest of it) to get it now and will save pfaffing around when you want to upgrade.

8 minutes ago, ailchim said:

I'm no expert so I'm not going to advise you generally.  However, remember where we came from and where we are now.

One of the problems with FSX and its predecessors was that it was heavily CPU dependent and didn't make best use of the newer generations of GPU's.  Although P3D has moved forward (particularly in being a 64 bit system), that basic architecture hasn't been fully addressed yet.  At some point, it's expected that P3D will shift burden from CPU to GPU.

So if you are on a budget I expect you can get something that will run P3D adequately now but think about your upgrade path, which is likely to mean a new GPU in a year or two's time.  In some ways that's the easy route because anyone can install a graphics card while I know my weaknesses and wouldn't touch my CPU.   Make sure though that you have an easy upgrade path: obviously the right form-factor but also the right power unit.  The newest cards (e..g. 2080 for example) require a bigger GPU than a 1080 or 1070.  ,It'll cost next to nothing (compared to the rest of it) to get it now and will save pfaffing around when you want to upgrade.

Thanks. I'll take that into account. So as well as a good CPU, buy a good GPU now to save the hassle later when P3D becomes more GPU dependent.

3 hours ago, WilliamS said:

Hi everyone,

I recently asked about whether I should get Prepar3d. I was blown away by the positive feedback it gets, but also that I would need a much better PC. So, quelle surprise, I'm asking about the specs that you guys recommend. I'd like to know:

What processor: probably which i7?

What graphics card?

How much RAM?

Most importantly, (this is the bit I always struggle with) can you recommend a specific motherboard?

 

On a final note, I am looking for a budget build! Thanks,

William.

A good strong budget build would be a 9600K with a 2070 or 2080.  16gb RAM is enough but I would go for 32gb especially if you plan to use XP11 in the future.

16 minutes ago, mpw8679 said:

A good strong budget build would be a 9600K with a 2070 or 2080.  16gb RAM is enough but I would go for 32gb especially if you plan to use XP11 in the future.

Thanks for the specific answer. However, was 9600K a mistype? Do you mean i7-9700K or i5-9600K? Thanks.

5 minutes ago, WilliamS said:

Thanks for the specific answer. However, was 9600K a mistype? Do you mean i7-9700K or i5-9600K? Thanks.

Yes I5 9600K

3 hours ago, WilliamS said:

On a final note, I am looking for a budget build! Thanks,

William.

Then name this budget, please. I claim that with whatever budget you have, it is possible to give you a list of hardware resulting in a config you can use P3D with. But without defined, precise budget, the list of compontents will be random, some might put more weight on a good CPU, others on RAM, others on the GPU.

Quote

A good strong budget build would be a 9600K with a 2070 or 2080

II would not consider a graphics card that costs £700+ as part of a budget build!

Ok. Let me rephrase my question for all you "define budget" people. It doesn't have to be a £600 PC, but equally something that won't break the bank. Actually, scrap that. I would just like to know about the processors/graphics cards/ram/motherboards/etc/etc that you guys would recommend. Thanks.

It all depends on your focus...

In my case I just want to be able to use ORBX FTX Global a few specific airports here & there, my PMDGs... That's pretty much all I use P3D for.

For weather injection AS14.

No shadows,

2xMSAA

no FXAA

Vsync and unlimited

triple buffering on

It never gives me less than 30 fps in my 7 yo i5 2500 @ 3,2 GHz, 16 GB DDR3 RAM and GTX 960 4GB GDDR5 gpu.

(P.S.: I honestly prefer to spend extra money for RL flying... the only flight dynamics / systems I can't find flawed 🙂  unless they're broken 😕 ) 

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by jcomm

50 minutes ago, jcomm said:

It all depends on your focus...

In my case I just want to be able to use ORBX FTX Global a few specific airports here & there, my PMDGs... That's pretty much all I use P3D for.

For weather injection AS14.

No shadows,

2xMSAA

no FXAA

Vsync and unlimited

triple buffering on

It never gives me less than 30 fps in my 7 yo i5 2500 @ 3,2 GHz, 16 GB DDR3 RAM and GTX 960 4GB GDDR5 gpu.

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I call a budget build.

1 hour ago, mpw8679 said:

A good strong budget build would be a 9600K with a 2070 or 2080.  16gb RAM is enough but I would go for 32gb especially if you plan to use XP11 in the future.

Also, I am unconvinced by RTX 2070 and 2080... what does it add that is worth an extra £300?

Edited April 15, 20197 yr by WilliamS

49 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

II would not consider a graphics card that costs £700+ as part of a budget build!

I really have to bite my tongue here.  But why is it a few select people on these forums feel the need to constantly attack others opinions?  If you don't have anything constructive to add don't bother posting at all.  I'm seeing this way to often lately.  So go ahead and offer your advice if your so smart.  I cant wait so I can openly bash your opinion.

10 minutes ago, mpw8679 said:

I really have to bite my tongue here.  But why is it a few select people on these forums feel the need to constantly attack others opinions?  If you don't have anything constructive to add don't bother posting at all.  I'm seeing this way to often lately.  So go ahead and offer your advice if your so smart.  I cant wait so I can openly bash your opinion.

Matt, I hate to sound like a moderator here. I share your anger in that useless contribution, but last time I asked a question about P3D, it ended in the topic being closed because there was a fight about which simulator was better. I know this isn't the same thing, but...

I am not sure how my comment can be considered to be an "attack"

7 minutes ago, WilliamS said:

Matt, I hate to sound like a moderator here. I share your anger in that useless contribution, but last time I asked a question about P3D, it ended in the topic being closed because there was a fight about which simulator was better. I know this isn't the same thing, but...

No worries I understand.