New Gaming PC for MSFS2024 - 9800x3d / 5080 combo or 285k / 5090 combo

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With respects to Alienware, that is what I moved off of with my new build.

During covid when parts were hard to come by I went with a prebuilt.

Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition
AMD 5950X
3090 GPU
64 GB 3466 Memory
2TB NVME
1,000W PSU

It ran great, never had any technical issues with it. As for it being “proprietary” that’s not entirely true.

Really the only proprietary component is their Motherboard and really it just limits you in terms of which CPU you could upgrade to. Dell publishes a list of other CPU’s supported by the board you would have in your system.

The GPU is a dell brand of an nVidia GPU just like ASUS, MSI, etc… That said, Dell doesn’t give you much options in terms of OC’ing the GPU but you can swap it out or use it in another system (which is what i did until the 5080 arrived).

The memory is just regular Kingston memory, the NVME can be changed out to any other one.

The real limiting factor is their cases. You would never get another manufacturer’s GPU into these cases. The Dell versions of the cards are so much smaller and they only make the case as big as it needs to be.

That said, you could take all the components out, and put them into another case, swap out the motherboard and really you’re out of the “dell locked in system”.

Would I recommend an Alienware? if you had no other options, yes. But, you can do it much better and much cheaper going other routes.

The other thing I’m not a fan of now a days is Alienware (as far as I know) doesn’t build systems with AMD CPU’s they went strictly intel.

Finally, I still have that AW system sitting right beside me, all cleaned out (physically) and a fresh install of Windows 11 configured and ready to go that is for sale :wink:

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84

Upgrading from a 3070 to a 5080 took my frame rate from 28 to 77fps!

That is at 4K TAA with a mix of mostly high and some ultra settings, 9800x3d flying the C172. It was incredible to see, unexpected, and very enjoyable to use.

The 5080 even with 16GB offers a big uplift to those coming from 2070 or 3070 series cards.

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Was this in MSFS 2020 or MS 2024? I’m impressed with how well MSFS 2024 is playing on my current system, at least in its vanilla stock form, but my TLOD and OLOD are a bit lower than I’d like and I need to use DLSS Quality, which is fine.

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Thanks! That’s great. Are you only using stock MSFS 20204, or any third party add-ons? What are you using for TLOD and OLOD?

If I could run at least 200 TLOD and OLOD in 4K Ultra, I’d be happy. If I can get at least a smooth playable ~40 fps, I’d be happy.

87

Both 2020 and 2024 seen similar gains, With the 3070 I had adjusted settings to try and maintain a lock at 30fps. Was using 150/150 LOD in 2020 and 100/100 in 2024. 2020 held 30 most of the time but 2024 struggled that was my motivation to upgrade.

Pretty much just stock setup, had some addons for Toronto downtown and island in 2020.

All I did was shut down and swap cards. Checked the ROP count and was glad to see none missing. I kept the same driver 572.6 as I read the newer ones may have issues. 2020 crashed loading with the 5080 on first run, that was solved with a config change to DX12.

Since then I’ve put vsync back on, locked at 60fps, and increased a number of GPU related settings to ultra. It more than suits my needs, I know others push the sim with addons much more, but those framerates and settings suit my needs.

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If you still haven’t decided what you’re gonna buy. Look up Alexander PC’s they have a lifetime warranty on the systems they have. I’m currently looking for a pre-build too. I’m staying away from Alienware this time. I have a R11
10700
3080 10GB
This system has done very well it does run hot during summer. Another reason I’m keeping away from dell this time maybe forever.
I buy power has some nice ones too
I hear just don’t use there AIO coolers!!

89

I’m not getting anything anymore. I’m so upset with the state of things. I spent hours watching videos and looking up reviews, and realize that while 9800x3d is the best CPU by far for gaming, you really don’t reap the benefits (vs. 14900k) when playing 4K Ultra unless you’re at a 4090 or above, and even at the 4090 it’s marginally close to the 14900k when playing 4K Ultra. The 9800x3d really sings with a 5090, but I don’t need that level of performance. So, I convinced myself to get the Alienware, and went to buy it and now it is out of stock - literally hours later. I’m so disappointed with this. I refuse to pay $7k to get the performance I want in the future because of tariffs and Nvidias refusal to offer any modern/available GPU at a 4090 equivalent level. That is ridiculous. So I’m just SOL and will do without. I’m so disappointed.

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I don’t claim to be a font of all knowledge here so I’m not going to post anymore here as I feel it’s falling on deaf ears) but for one last time. have you looked on eBay?

There are brand new 9800x3D / 4090 pre-built machines available on there for the price you wish to pay. If you don’t want to use eBay then trawl local computer shops and find one there.

I wouldn’t touch Dell or whoever doing their own versions of high end computer hardware personally. That would be crazy.

Regarding performance, I’ve posted at least 4 times what the 9800x3D / 4090 combo means for FS2024 in 4K. I don’t know what else I can say to convince you.

91

Thank you for the suggestion. I have no doubt that I can find what you are saying on eBay. However, if I spent thousands of dollars on a machine purchase from eBay, what happens if something goes wrong, breaks, or I get wrong/defective parts? What warranty & recourse do I have?

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I just checked ebay. Deals are WAY too good to be true. I just remembered that I was personally scammed from ebay when I was a poor college student over a decade ago, and I had zero recourse and that hurt me badly, so no ebay.

93

Do a live chat with eBay and ask them what protection you’re entitled to, I think you’d be surprised. I did the exact same thing and it convinced me to pull the trigger.

I bought the same system in Feb for £3500 (which is $4628 on today’s exchange rate). That’s a fair price I believe, although you may be able to find one a couple of hundred dollars less.

I only ever buy from stores with a decent number of feedbacks left and as close to 100% feedback (look for the reasoning for the below 100’s as not everyone will always be satisfied) as you can get.

I know for sure that for 30 days after delivery, if anything is wrong and the seller goes AWOL eBay give you a full, no quibble, refund. I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical but a mate of mine told me things had changed so I looked into it, and I’m glad I did.

It’s also worth noting that many eBay shops also have physical stores where you can purchase online then pick it up in person. It goes without saying don’t buy the ones that are too good to be true, as they often put prices up as ‘base models’ then that goes up with the spec.

I guess all I’m saying is don’t write it off. A bit of due diligence and common sense and you’ll get exactly what you’re after. You might also be supporting a small business in the face of the big multi-national stores which is never a bad thing imho.

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Now I’m considering getting an intel 285k / 4090 combo. I know the 9800x3d is much better in 1080p and 1440p, but wondering if the 285k / 4090 would be better than a 9800x3d / 5080 combo in 4K Ultra, especially with VRAM? I have a corporate discount that pushes the 285k / 4090 combo in similar price range to the 9800x3d / 5080 combo, while the 4090 is still available, which will not be for long. No doubt a 9800 x3d / 4090 combo is “better”, but is the 285k / 4090 “good enough”?

95

I can’t help you with the intel question but just a point on your other assumptions.

The 4090 means you are never (and I mean never, unless you use VR) GPU limited. In situations where my 5800x3D would have thrown in the towel the 9800x3D is barely breaking a sweat. AIG traffic is no mean feat, and to load up IniBuilds LHR Enhanced, in the Fenix with BATC and AIG traffic at 100%, a TLOD of 200 rising to 800 and the CPU is at ~50% usage. It isn’t hot, it isn’t bothered, it’s just quietly doing its thing.

Surely, for a new build in 2025, that’s what you want?

96

Thanks for the post. In situations that you describe, that seems to be the scenarios where people with 16GB GPUs get a VRAM limited slide show. Did you say you had a 5800x3D with a 4090? If so, how did that combo perform, or did you only pair the 4090 with the 9800x3d?

97

I’m in a quandary of analysis paralysis. Unfortunately knowing what to do requires predicting the future. If MSFS 2024 “solves” the VRAM issue, then getting 9800x3d / 5080 combo is a slam dunk. If the tariffs ultimately don’t amount to much, then waiting 6-12 months, and getting what I 'really" want, a 9800x3d with 5080 S / Ti (20-24GB VRAM) would be amazing, but if that machine costs double due to tariffs, then that is a HECK NO. :face_with_steam_from_nose:

I saw a video where the Alienware i9 / 14900kf, RTX 4090 clearly outperforms a modern 9800x3d / 5080, due to GPU limits in games, and that was eye-opening. Had I seen that video just 2 days earlier, I would have ordered one. Now they are sold out forever. :pensive_face:

98

We might be in luck. I have a local Microcenter, and they have a lot of prebuilts in stock using 9800x3d. They have a 5070 Ti and AMD 9070 XT option. While “User Benchmark” says the 5070 Ti is better, I’m actually seeing that AMD 9070 XT may be better for MSFS. If that is the case, great, as the 9070 XT option is cheaper than the 5070 Ti.

While I won’t be able to max TLOD and OLOD in 4K Ultra, it is literally $4k cheaper than getting a 5090 with 9800x3d.

99

Im running a system based on intels 285K 9 ultra on a msi mobo Z890 wifi-p pro
With 96 gb ram (four banks) 6000 mt and 1gb fibre internet connection.
Connected on lan aswell as wifi
My graphicscard is asrock A770 phantom with 16gb of vram and the intel 285K has onboard graphics also.based on A770 and can use the latest arc drivers.
I do not chase fps but looking for smoothness in the simulator 2024
I use multi screen setup meaning 2 49M2C8900 evnia Philips which i have connected on the phantom and 1 19 inch connected through the internal graphics of the processor resolution 1280x1024
The Philips evnias are stacked onto eachother and are setup in there own window and run
on 5160x1440 resolution fullscreen (yeah i know one bezel in the middle) the phantom can drive up to 7680 4320 resolution with max but with ease.

Running the sim all on ultra and even cubemap reflection on 512 through usercfg.opt
And also lowering secondary scaling from 1.00000 back to 0.500000 and Primary scaling i set to 0.55000 and can be altered insim to whatever you can handle before start to notice in stutters.
Mainly flying C172sp-Classic but also 737-800 pmdg and bae 146 pro from justflight

The trick is with 19 inch screen this is where i have main window running on lowest resolution
possible in windowed mode this

Im a fan of intel processor and not so much of amd but performance and stability wise im very
happy also realize that most simmers use fall for amd these days

I have read many negative on intel but decided to go with this anyway with full trust in their company capability and knowledge as the same goes for the screens.
Without buyers remorse or regret i can say whatever you decide to go on, and once money has slipped the pocket, stay with your choice and dont look back towards the green grass on the other side, for money can only be spended once. While regret stays for ever lifespan and the dream lasts, as long as money stays in the pocket.

Regards and Good luck on your quest

Sebastiaan

Nb it is however very important how you install the memory modules on the mobo with this setup as i had it setup wrong at the first start up ( was not folowing the manual so users mistake) for it divers from usual order A and B rows to what i was used to

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I mentioned on the forum ages ago that the User Benchmark website is absolute garbage. Don’t waste your time on it. Instead, you’re better off checking out Gamers Nexus, Tom’s Hardware and similar sites.

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Update based on present availability and affordability.

  1. AMD 9800x3d CPU with RTX 5070 Ti. I can presently get that for ~$2500. It comes with 32GB DDR5 5600 RAM (upgradeable), 2TB SSD, but it only comes with a 750W PSU, making GPU upgrades unlikely - I’m not comfortable upgrading this.

  2. AMD 9800x3d CPU with RTX 5080. I can get this for ~$3000-3300, depending on the offering. This also seems to come with similar 32 GB DDR5 5600 RAM (upgradeable), 2TB SSD. Some versions only come with 850W PSU, while others have 1000W, depending on the version and availability.

  3. Intel 285K CPU with RTX 4090 GPU. This one comes with 64GB DDR5 6400 XMP RAM, 2TB SSD, and a 1000W PSU. While MSRP is $4000, I have a good corporate discount and can personally get it in this configuration for ~$3500.

I’m torn on this. #1 and #2 clearly have the better gaming CPU, but #3 clearly has the better GPU, and I can get it with a nice discount.

I want to play in 4K Ultra with settings maxed as high as with fps that are still playable and smooth. If it helps with advice, I’ve much rather play in 4K Ultra with higher TLOD and OLOD and have a smooth 40-50fps, then have to lower settings and have higher 80-100fps. I’m used to locking at 30 fps, so anything higher that is still smooth is an upgrade, and I’m playing on a 43" 4K UHD Monitor, so 4K Ultra is important.

I would expect #2 to perform best on MSFS 2020, but would #3 be good enough? For example, if I get 80 fps in #2 but only really need a smooth ~50 fps, would #3 be “good enough”, as that would never run out of VRAM in MSFS 2024.

Configs #1 and #2 are modern and likely to have availability pop in and out, but 4090 stock is limited. Of course, the tariff issues can adversely impact both pricing and availability for everything.

Is it worth getting #3 at discount, checking out if it’s “good enough”, and returning if it does not meet my needs - it has a 30 day return period. Or would you bypass 285k altogether, even if it is my only practical access to a 4090 24GB GPU.

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GlobalFlyer2020, you are obviously a careful and sincere poster but you are obsessing way too much over this. Close you eyes, pick one system and move on.

Then spend the time enjoying your new flight sim rig.:+1::blush:

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