Hi guys,

I am a long time simmer but new to LM platform. I have just got the pro version of v 5.
I need a new GFX card as my current card is limited to 4GB.

Have you any suggestions for a new card based on my specs below. I fear my MoBo maybe a bit old. (2017)

Mainboard Model B250M-DS3H-CF
Northbridge Intel Kaby Lake rev. 05
Southbridge Intel B250 rev. 00
Bus Specification PCI-Express 3.0 (8.0 GT/s)
Graphic Interface PCI-Express 3.0
PCI-E Link Width x16 (max 16x)
PCI-E Link Speed 2.5 GT/s (max 8.0 GT/s)
Memory Type DDR4
Memory Size 32 GBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 1066.7 MHz (1:16)
CAS# latency (CL) 15.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 15
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 15
Cycle Time (tRAS) 36
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 374
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Uncore Frequency 4200.0 MHz
Host Bridge 0x591F

Regards

James

What graphics card do you currently have?

Hi Chris,

GTX 1050 4GB. My concern is my PS is 700W

I would love to get the RTX 3080 12GB but I think my PS would need to be swapped out as its only rated at 700W. Very little overhead for spikes.

The RTX 3060 12GB pulls considerably less power than the 3080.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

James

P3D v5 recommended graphics card is the 8GB RTX-2080 Ti.  As far as I know, the 8GB RTX-3060 performs close to the 2080 Ti, but the 12GB RTX-3060 Ti is outperformed by the older 2080 Ti.  Nvidia really screwed their consumers with the 3060 Ti, giving it more VRAM, which everybody wanted, but crippled it with a slower GPU.  In fact, they pretty much screwed their consumers with the entire 3xxx series.

How are you finding your RTX 3070?

As 8GB is the minimum P3D spec I assume the higher VRAM has to help. The 2080TI leaves my PS under heavy load. I would need to think of swapping that out as well.

Just ordered a new PSU so I have 850watts now. Using a calculator and dialing in my components with the 380 as the GFX unit I will have just over 200w overhead. 

I don't have P3D, but for FSX the RTX-3070 is not stressed at all.  I think you are wise to upgrade your PSU.  My computer came with a 750 watt PSU (EVGA brand) and it lasted about 2 weeks.  I replaced it with an Antec 900 watt PSU, no problems since.  I don't know if I just had a bad PSU or if the 750 watt PSU was running at full capacity all the time, but I do think for the current crop of higher end video cards, an 850-900 watt PSU is a good idea.

Yea I have an 850w on the way from same model and manufacturer so migrating the cables to the mobo and drives will be easy. Also have the 3080 12GB on the way. Did your 700w burn out or just keep failing under load?

3 hours ago, 767CP said:

Yea I have an 850w on the way from same model and manufacturer so migrating the cables to the mobo and drives will be easy.

 

Yes but you had a 750 before and now an 850.

I know its the same manufacturer but it's VERY impotent to make sure the pinouts are the same or severe damage could be caused to your system if you try to use any of the cables from your old PSU.

Top be safe, stick to the new cables that come with your new PSU. If you must use any of the cables from your old PSU (I don't see why) Then check with the manufacturer that the pinouts are the same and okay to do so. 

4 hours ago, stans said:

I don't have P3D, but for FSX the RTX-3070 is not stressed at all.  I think you are wise to upgrade your PSU.  My computer came with a 750 watt PSU (EVGA brand) and it lasted about 2 weeks.  I replaced it with an Antec 900 watt PSU, no problems since.  I don't know if I just had a bad PSU or if the 750 watt PSU was running at full capacity all the time, but I do think for the current crop of higher end video cards, an 850-900 watt PSU is a good idea.

 

EVGA RTX 3070 FTW3 requires a minimum of 750 watts. So you were right at the minimum requirement. Surprised it failed though. Did the OPP trip or was the PSU totally dead with a crackle and dreaded blue smoke? Was it still under warranty or an old one? EVGA usually have very long warranties.

But yes, wise to upgrade to a 900 watt. 

18 hours ago, martin-w said:

 

EVGA RTX 3070 FTW3 requires a minimum of 750 watts. So you were right at the minimum requirement. Surprised it failed though. Did the OPP trip or was the PSU totally dead with a crackle and dreaded blue smoke? Was it still under warranty or an old one? EVGA usually have very long warranties.

But yes, wise to upgrade to a 900 watt. 

No crackle, pop, or fizz, never saw any smoke, just failed to power up one morning.  I removed the failed PSU and there was white, powdery residue around the output connectors.  Since my old computer was a Windows XP machine and no longer upgradable, I just robbed it of it's 900 PSU that I had installed a few months prior to its decommissioning.  I have heard that EVGA has a good warranty and my experience with an EVGA 560Ti card was good, but shortly after the PSU failed, so did the EVGA mouse, then both fans on the EVGA CLC radiator.  My system was built by Newegg, it is quite possible they use open box and returned items to build their systems.  Rather than deal with returning my new computer, I just installed known quality parts, so the Antec 900 watt PSU, as it had already proven reliable by powering the previous computer, the Logitech mouse from the previous computer, and a pair of Noctua fans for the CLC radiator.  The Noctua fans are much quieter than the failed EVGA fans. 

2 hours ago, stans said:

white, powdery residue around the output connectors.

 

Oh right, fair enough. You get a white blob of adhesive attached to capacitors which is supposed to be there, but powdery residue doesn't sound heathy.

 

Quote

I have heard that EVGA has a good warranty

 

Ten years for my PSU. For my RTX 3090 it came with a  3 year warranty but I extended it for a very minimal cost. 

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by martin-w