Author Topic: Graphics Card Upgrade  (Read 4499 times)

scanham

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Graphics Card Upgrade
« on: November 18, 2020, 07:05:42 PM »
Hey,

Wondering if this makes any sense.

Current system:
I7-4790K
Asus H87M-PLUS CSM MATX MB
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
240GB SSDNOW V300 SSD SATA for OS & general software
500 GB SSD SATA for FSX
GTX760-DC20C-2GD5
650W PSU
3 x 22inch monitors with Matrox TripleHead2Go

Hoping to be able to move from FSXSE to PD3. (Did a trial last year and it was not very good)

I currently have a very stable install of FSX but would like to take advantage of a 64 bit.

Questions:
 
Upgrade my graphics card to GTX 1080ti (now that the price has dropped)?

How well do you think it would run?

Should I install it myself or take it to the shop (not afraid to give it a try- I have made hardware upgrades)?

Of course I would have to reinstall all my RTMM and pay/replace some other products, but in this COVID World, I have lots of time😁

Cheers & appreciate any advice!

Steve
Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

jeff3163

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2020, 09:48:09 PM »
Hi Steve,
     I own the GTX1080ti, and am very happy with it.  It has aged well, and works great.  I don't know anything about the service life, or whatever you call it.  (when it will no longer be supported, etc.)  Apparently it is no longer being produced, and supplies are running out.  Good luck getting your hands on one.
     I have my triple monitor setup on it, and it runs 5760x1080 with no problem.   ;)  It is plug and play, so just install it, and allow the drivers to install.  Reboot and enjoy.   8)
« Last Edit: November 18, 2020, 10:15:24 PM by jeff3163 »

Win10Pro64, MSFS 1.25.9.0, P3Dv4.3.29.25520, AMD Ryzen7 1800X@3.6 GHz , 32Gb RAM, GTX 1080 Ti, 2x42" Vizio Monitors, HTC Vive VR HMD, Saitek Yoke/Pedals/trim wheel, XBox360 Controller, G27 steering wheel w/shifter+pedals. :P

nbrich1

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2020, 10:35:05 PM »
I had a GTX 970 as my primary GPU and runs well.. (I still run it as a secondary GPU with no issues.

Now a GTX1080ti is twice the gpu that the 970 is/was.. You shouldn't have any problems with it.

As a performance note, a GTX 1080 TI is a very speedy GPU and runs just a tad slower than the much newer RTX 2070 - and the 1080TI has more ram.

" (The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is packing 3584 CUDA cores, 224 texture units and 88 ROPs. It comes with just a notch less video RAM than the Titan X, but the 1080 Ti's 11GB complement of GDDR5X VRAM is tuned to a faster 11Gbps – clearly Nvidia is a fan of Spinal Tap – making this Nvidia's quickest Pascal card)"


If I could have found a 1080 ti, that would have been my card of choice.) Have a RTX 2070 as primary now and the GTX 970 as secondary..(each GPU running 3 monitors). But the RTX2070 is only marginally better than a 1080Ti would have been.

Norm
« Last Edit: November 19, 2020, 10:56:41 AM by nbrich1 »
Regards from Toronto, Canada. Home Airport CYYZ.
^----------------- Misty Flying Club -----------------^

stiletto2

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2020, 08:17:03 AM »
Hi Steve,

I used to have a TripleHead2Go using 3 X  22 inch Viewsonic displays.  I still have the displays but now have a RTX2080.  I switched from the TripleHead2Go to nVidia surround a few years ago.  There were pluses and minus with that change but I think more pluses.  As I recall the TH2Go used to leave black bars on the ends after bezel correction.  nVidia surround does not do that.  Also, TH2Go is pretty old tech now. 

My biggest concern would be your power supply.  650W is the bare minimum for a 1080Ti.   I am not sure how adequate it will be with a 1080Ti pushing 3 X 22 inch monitors.  I use a 1000W PSU myself.  I run my 3 monitors at 5295 X 1050 (includes bezel correction) since my monitors are 16 X 10 which I like better for flight simming than 16 X 9).   

Maybe Jeff can comment on what power supply he uses with his 3 screen and 1080Ti....

Rod

jeff3163

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2020, 09:47:15 AM »
I have a Corsair HX850i, and it is the minimum for my system.  I wish I had the 1000 now.   :P

Win10Pro64, MSFS 1.25.9.0, P3Dv4.3.29.25520, AMD Ryzen7 1800X@3.6 GHz , 32Gb RAM, GTX 1080 Ti, 2x42" Vizio Monitors, HTC Vive VR HMD, Saitek Yoke/Pedals/trim wheel, XBox360 Controller, G27 steering wheel w/shifter+pedals. :P

scanham

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2020, 03:24:40 PM »
Thanks for all the info guys!  I have a GTX1080ti ordered with delivery by the end of the month.

I will plan on ditching the TripleHead2go and using Nvidia Surround with my 3 monitors.

Although, as I read the specs, the 650W PSU is sufficient, but if necessary I can upgrade that.

Hopefully all goes well and I'm not missing something ;D  It will keep me busy and I will report back.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

jeff3163

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2020, 03:53:50 PM »
Quote
Although, as I read the specs, the 650W PSU is sufficient

    Yes, sufficient for the card.  My case is LOADED.

    All the other things in a system, like how many drives you have, how many monitors, how much RAM, and how many fans all add up.  The harder you push it, the more the fans must work, using more power etc.  That's why a 650w wouldn't work in my system.  I had CTD issues when the needed power wasn't provided.  That could lead to corrupt data, so more power is better, imo.

Win10Pro64, MSFS 1.25.9.0, P3Dv4.3.29.25520, AMD Ryzen7 1800X@3.6 GHz , 32Gb RAM, GTX 1080 Ti, 2x42" Vizio Monitors, HTC Vive VR HMD, Saitek Yoke/Pedals/trim wheel, XBox360 Controller, G27 steering wheel w/shifter+pedals. :P

nbrich1

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2020, 05:03:52 PM »
Ditto here too on the PSU.. I went to a 850Watt Modular- (Plug in cabling you need for your devices: board, drives, GPU etc etc.). Just have an eye on that Power Supply - check your existing cause you may not have the required power cabling for the 1080IT.  That GPU takes a total of two 8-pin connections (16 pin connectors in total) - which equates to:
either TWO 8-pin cables (or 8-pin cable made up of one 6 pin connector plus a 2 pin connector)
and you need two sets of these to hook to the power connections. ors

On the top of the 1080 TI GPU there is a 8 pin plugin socket and another 8-pin socket right beside it.. ALL have to be connected to power it: (and there is only one way the plug-ins fit):  (So this is usually two cables from your power supply unit (each power cable from the psu needs to have equivalent of two 8 socket plug-in. (Each one having 6pin and 2 pin)-and you need two sets of them. 

(So you can check your 650 PSU but have some doubts that it will have enough cabling of your existing psu   to hook into your 1080TI to power it). (Hence why had no choice to upgrade my PSU when I upgraded my GPU cause I didn't have the correct power cabling required.  ). I guess should have mentioned that before!.

My new modular 850w psu has ability to plug in 3 sets of cables for the GPU(s) (Max two as I only have two PCI-E slows on my mother board). Anyways,  Two power cables from the power supply, each with (6+2 connectors) go to the 2070 and one 6+2 connector cable hooks to the 970.

In your case you need equivalent of 16 pin connector to plug into the 1080TI. So better take a peek at your power supply unit to see if you have the correct or enough power cables for that GPU.

Pic of the 1080 TI power connections belowL (And I think that no matter which 1080 TI you get, all have the same power connections.

Norm
Regards from Toronto, Canada. Home Airport CYYZ.
^----------------- Misty Flying Club -----------------^

scanham

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2020, 05:05:28 PM »
You are definitely loaded, Jeff ;D

I guess my system will tell me if it needs more power soon after I run it.

Thanks for your help!
Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

scanham

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2020, 05:16:06 PM »
Hey Norm,

I have an extra cable that came with my PSU that has the configuration that is suited for the new 1080ti as you describe. It has 2 sets of 6 & 2’s for a total of 2 8’s.

Hoping everything will work but I am prepared to upgrade if needed. 

Thanks again...you folks are so knowledgeable and helpful and it is appreciated!
Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

scanham

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2020, 05:25:34 PM »
Reporting back.  The Christmas present to myself came early!  installed the 1080ti without any issues. Had to buy some new cords for my 3 monitors and am using Nvidia Surround. Looks great. 

Big frame rate improvement and no “blurries” in FSXSE and now can use DX10 with Steve’s Fixer.  This would crash with my old card.  I love it!

Have made several flights so far with no problems:  Two MFC Tours in the DH2 and a flight from KDEN to KDCA in the PMDG 737ngx.  So far my 650W power supply is handling it! Keeping fingers crossed.

Planning on sticking with FSX for A while but will install P3D v5 in the coming weeks.  Should have enough space for both sims.  Will no doubt be asking more questions when I get started with that.

Thanks again!

Steve

Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

nbrich1

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #11 on: November 23, 2020, 05:33:46 PM »
Hooray and congrats! Nice job Steve!
Regards from Toronto, Canada. Home Airport CYYZ.
^----------------- Misty Flying Club -----------------^

jeff3163

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2020, 05:48:56 PM »
Hooray and congrats! Nice job Steve!

Ditto!  8)

Win10Pro64, MSFS 1.25.9.0, P3Dv4.3.29.25520, AMD Ryzen7 1800X@3.6 GHz , 32Gb RAM, GTX 1080 Ti, 2x42" Vizio Monitors, HTC Vive VR HMD, Saitek Yoke/Pedals/trim wheel, XBox360 Controller, G27 steering wheel w/shifter+pedals. :P

scanham

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2020, 07:41:42 PM »
Okay Gents... I’m back.

Current system is:

Windows10 64bit Pro
I7-4790K
Asus H87M-PLUS CSM MATX MB
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM
240GB SSD for OS & general software
500 GB SSD for FSX-SE and future sim.
GTX1080ti
3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround

FSXSE & the following addons:
Traffic 360
REX4 with Soft Clouds
REX Worldwide Airports HD
FTX Global
FTX Vector
FTX Trees
FTX Buildings
FTX OpenLC North America
FTX Pacific Fjords
FTX Southern Alaska
FTX Pacific Northwest
FTX Northern California
RTMM Complete
PMDG Boeing 777
PMDG Boeing 737 NGX
Flight1 Beechcraft King Air B200
Aerosoft DH-6 Twin Otter
Numerous freeware aircrafts & other sceneries

I have to say that FSX SE is running well without the CTD problems that many have had and am pretty happy with it.

I know I will lose the aircraft with either choice, which I can deal with.

With P3D I can keep FTX products.

MSFS2020 looks awesome.

Wondering how my system would do.

Question:

 If I were to pick one, should I go with P3Dv5 or MSFS2020 or just stay with FSX?

Thanks!
Steve Canham
MFC0077
I7-4790K, Asus H87M-PLUS MB, 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 240GB SSD for OS & general software, 500 GB SSD for MSFS 2020, GTX1080ti 11GB, 3 x 22inch monitors with Nvidia Surround, 5040 x 1024

nbrich1

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Re: Graphics Card Upgrade
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2020, 10:29:35 PM »
Welcome back Steve!.

Well a big question. If one wants to be part of any conventional VA, at least for now, then need to maintain either FSX or P3D for that VA world where most modules and scenery, planes etc are compatible while they are not compatible in MSFS2020.

But over time do expect that MSFS2020 will be future of sims with the best graphics etc.  MSFS2020 is getting better with every upgrade and the graphics are better in 2020 than any other previous sim but it still has a way to go to be the end all to end all sims- and there is no compatibility.

You already have FSX-SE set up and working fine so no real reason to go to P3D. That upgrade is ok but sure may not be worth the bang for the buck now that 2020 is in the picture. Personally would probably keep your FSX-SE as is since already setup and working fine but make room or add another SSD and put on MSFS2020.

Already there is a brand new sim generation that has emerged with the release of MSFS2020. Many have never simmed before this sim version and find that many are attaching to the "multiplayer" or "community events" side of things and less and less of flying alone or at a VA. It does have the best graphics out there and will only get better developed. So depends on what you might want looking forward.

Most of those associated here on this site have been simming for a very long time and many have their sim(s) as well are getting into MSFS2020- so at least a couple of sims (or more).  If you think about it, you might consider two sims- so you can keep what you are doing at present in FSX-SE with all your add-on products compatible but continue to expand and get into the latest MSFS2020 if you wanted to do that - but that might take adding a 1TB SSD to have adequate room.  So all depends on what you might want to do looking forward and then work towards setting it up.

Would be interested other's opinions on this discussion.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2020, 05:38:46 AM by nbrich1 »
Regards from Toronto, Canada. Home Airport CYYZ.
^----------------- Misty Flying Club -----------------^