The choices are mind boggling and my memory is not what it used to be. So much information needed to make a good decision. I thought I'd enlist the help of Tom's readers.
My objective:
Build a primarily gaming system which is fast enough to power GTA V, xplane 11 and other simulations at smooth frame rates, and also be able to handle VR, and be reasonably future proof if there is such a thing, without costing a fortune.
The case:
Must be silent/near silent as I am very sensitive to unwanted noise.
Not ready just yet to give up my DVD drive, so must have a 5.25 " bay.
Must have good and easily accessible dust filters
Would like as small a case as possible, and have no plans on doing SLI or crossfire. I had been looking at the FD R5 but was a little unhappy with the size, to give you an idea. My current computer case is an Antec Sonata and I would like something smaller than that.
The CPU:
I still haven't made up my mind whether to go with an Intel or AMD CPU. I like the idea of extra cores, but it may take a while before most game studios ever make good use of them, and this is probably true of xplane as well.
The Motherboard:
I would like to go MicroATX if I could find a board that does not sacrifice speed, reliability, or features for size. I've had good luck in the past with Gigabyte boards
The Video Card:
I am appalled at the situation with the video card market. The prices of cards just seems insane. It seems hard to justify spending 600+ for a 1080 card that is priced above MSRP and, if sanity ever returns to the market, will be worth a fraction of that. I don't have money to burn as I am on a fixed income.
I am currently using a LG widescreen 29" monitor which is 2560x1440, If my memory serves me. My current card is a Zotac GTX970
Budget: Would like to keep it under 12-1300....
That's about it really. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!
My objective:
Build a primarily gaming system which is fast enough to power GTA V, xplane 11 and other simulations at smooth frame rates, and also be able to handle VR, and be reasonably future proof if there is such a thing, without costing a fortune.
The case:
Must be silent/near silent as I am very sensitive to unwanted noise.
Not ready just yet to give up my DVD drive, so must have a 5.25 " bay.
Must have good and easily accessible dust filters
Would like as small a case as possible, and have no plans on doing SLI or crossfire. I had been looking at the FD R5 but was a little unhappy with the size, to give you an idea. My current computer case is an Antec Sonata and I would like something smaller than that.
The CPU:
I still haven't made up my mind whether to go with an Intel or AMD CPU. I like the idea of extra cores, but it may take a while before most game studios ever make good use of them, and this is probably true of xplane as well.
The Motherboard:
I would like to go MicroATX if I could find a board that does not sacrifice speed, reliability, or features for size. I've had good luck in the past with Gigabyte boards
The Video Card:
I am appalled at the situation with the video card market. The prices of cards just seems insane. It seems hard to justify spending 600+ for a 1080 card that is priced above MSRP and, if sanity ever returns to the market, will be worth a fraction of that. I don't have money to burn as I am on a fixed income.
I am currently using a LG widescreen 29" monitor which is 2560x1440, If my memory serves me. My current card is a Zotac GTX970
Budget: Would like to keep it under 12-1300....
That's about it really. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!