Upgrading to 10th gen Intel CPU

[Propeller 1]

I currently have the following key components in my rig:

CPU: Intel i5 6600K
GPU: NVIDIA GTX1070
RAM: Corsair 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 2666MHz CL16 Vengeance LPX
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock
PSU: Corsair CX650M

 

I bought the new MSFS2020 and find that the CPU is under a very heavy load and I don't get the nice simming experience that I'm looking for. I have a couple of questions before a potential upgrade to a new CPU:

 

1) Will I benefit of going for the i7 10700K instead of the i5 10600K? I don't run any other very CPU demanding applications on my computer.

2) The GPU load is not 100% in MSFS, even at very high graphics settings. Most of the time it peaks around 60-70%. Can I keep my GTX1070 with a new 10th gen intel CPU or will the GPU be a bottelneck?

3) Should I upgrade my RAM to anything faster/lower latency? I might go for 32GB in the near future but would like skip changing RAM for now if possible.

4) I have read that an LGA 1151 CPU cooler can still be used for an LGA 1200 socket and hence I intend to keep my current cooler. Or will my new Intel CPU require a better cooler if I intend to overclock it?

5)  Will a 650W PSU be enough for a 10th gen Intel CPU upgrade?

6) I have a very old Antec 300 case which I intend to keep using (I have modified it to fit a GTX1070 card). How much better is newer or bigger cases when it comes to keeping temperatures down etc?

 

I would be very happy to to hear your thought on my questions above. Thanks in advance.

[Bob Scott 7,732]

You haven't said what resolution you're running.  A 1070 is probably OK for HD (1920x1080) but it'll be hard-pressed to keep up at 1440 or higher.

I'd go for the 8-core 10700K over the 6-core 10600K...not a lot of difference in price there for a 33% bump in physical cores.

2666 MHz RAM at CAS 16...ick!!  Yeah, I'd recommend 32GB at 3000 MHz or higher with 10ns latency or lower (3000 CAS 15, 3200 CAS 16, 3600 CAS 18 are all 10ns modules)

Yes, your LGA1151 cooler should fit.  I don't know anything about that one, but a high-end air cooler like the Noctua NH-D15S can just keep up with an overclocked 8-core 9900K, so I'd surmise it would also with the 10700K.

The PSU is probably OK if you're running SSDs instead of HDDs.  For a new build I'd go with at least a 750W, but since you already have the 650...

A newer or bigger case doesn't mean better.  You want some good, direct airflow over the motherboard to keep the VRMs and chipset cool.  I wouldn't trade my old Coolermaster HAF932 cases for anything else, despite their ages (oldest one is 11 years old at this point).  They have side and top-mounted 230mm fans and keep lots of air moving across the mobo.

[Brandon01110 407]

Have you considered going AMD?  you could do what I did and get the 3700x for now and wait til the 4000 series to hit, the new chips will probably be as good or better than intel for single core performance taking their crown as "best gaming cpu"  multicore is no contest....

sell the 3700x later if you want. 

oh and pci-e 4 benefits

[Brandon01110 407]

3 hours ago, Propeller said:

Should I upgrade my RAM to anything faster/lower latency? I might go for 32GB in the near future but would like skip changing RAM for now if possible.

you need new ram (DDR4) for modern AMD and Intel CPU's.  I recommend 3600mhz (especially if you do go AMD).

Power supply should be fine.  power supply prices are still high so try to use what you have.  If the new nvidia flagship card 3090 or whatever uses a lot more power (this has been debated/speculated), you might want to go with a 850w psu, at least gold certified is what I would recommend.

[Propeller 1]

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated! I think I will go for an i5 or i7 and pick up the CPU with an Asus ROG STRIX Z490-F gaming mobo later today. I will try to run it combined with my current RAM and might go for an upgrade to 32GB later on.

[Propeller 1]

I went for the i7 10700K and the difference is huge compared to my old i5 6600K. CPU usage is much lower and now the GPU sets the limit instead. However, I'm still satisfied with what my GTX1080 delivers and don't feel a need to upgrade. Upgrading the CPU was the most important step to do to obtain better performance.

[TheFamilyMan 280]

My 10700k with a 5.0Ghz OC seems to handle MSFS fine with lots of compute headroom remaining, though my evga gtx 1070 SC is completely choked by it, running at 2K res using the high-end preset (IMO anything lower looks awful).  Smoothness is not there (at 40 to 50 fps, btw tried everything)  and running at 30fps is of no help.  Hoping that something in nvidia's soon to be announced 3000 series will take care of this problem for around $750 US.

BTW, looks to me that MSFS actually uses hyperthreading properly and to its advantage...yay!

Edited August 27, 2020 by TheFamilyMan