How best to upgrade my machine for DK2?

[Duderama]

Thanks again for all the feedback. Even the sideline AMD vs. NVidia chat.

Just picking on some questions / points raised, in no particular order:

• GPU: Yes, first thing I will add is a new GPU in any scenario. GTX 970 currently seems the best value for money.
• CPU overclock: I can totally do it with my current CPU / mobo. Go it to run at 3.2 vs. 2.8 yesterday, but stock fan is just crap. With good air cooling I can probably get to 3.8 - 4.0 as seen in multiple videos / posts on the internet. I hope to get more juice out of the CPU (+20-30%) to make sure that it is not bottle-necking my GPU.
• Power: Based on specs my current HD 5850 actually draws / requires slightly more power compared to GTX 970. So I don't see why I would need to replace the PSU for my step 1 (CPU OC & new GTX 970)

So the question it comes to: Would this set-up be sufficient to enjoy DK2 & ED: Intel Core i5 760 (OC @ 3.8-4.0 GHz), ASUS P7P55D, MSI GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G, 16GB Kingston DDR3-1333?

More specific tech question: Would the CPU be bottle-necking the GPU? E.g. CPU running at 100%, while 970 sitting idle at 60%.

Btw. I really liked the comment about not rushing things just to look what happens around CV1. Makes total sense in my view, hence I am more convinced now on the gradual upgrade route instead of just building a new expensive rig.

On the topic of multi display vs. DK2: Fully agree that to use DK2 you really need time & peace, while with monitor setup you can quickly jump and do a 20-30 min session. BUT on the $$$ side, I think DK2 still wins. For multi monitor setup, in addition to the monitors & hardwarde, you still need the TrackIR, you need a table / support to have the monitors somewhere and you need ROOM to have it all together. Yes, you look like a maniac in DK2, but you don't need a separate apartment for your part-time hobby...

 

[Thebadmf]

Man did this thread just take a dump.

To the OP... here is what I made my VR plan.

1- I upgraded my video card just enough today, to make the game look pretty dang good. I chose a 970, and I can run a slightly de-tweaked version of "high" settings in game, and I get a great experience.
2- But the DK2 shoulnd't be your only goal.. CV1 should. My second goal is to upgrade to whatever the best card on the market is when CV1 comes out, and run a pair in SLI. I will then sell my 970. (I don't think a pair of 970s is going to cut it with the CV1, but with the dk2, a single one will get you by).

I was going to post exactly the same thing. If you need to update and you must get DK2, then do the minimum you can. The 970 struggles to do anything above medium @75 fps. If cv1 really targets 90fps you will need the latest and greatest at that point to get some decent performance.

I was lucky(kind of!) my GFX card failed so I needed a replacement and got both the 90 and the DK2.

 

[CMDR Holycow]

Thanks again for all the feedback. Even the sideline AMD vs. NVidia chat.

Just picking on some questions / points raised, in no particular order:

• GPU: Yes, first thing I will add is a new GPU in any scenario. GTX 970 currently seems the best value for money.
• CPU overclock: I can totally do it with my current CPU / mobo. Go it to run at 3.2 vs. 2.8 yesterday, but stock fan is just crap. With good air cooling I can probably get to 3.8 - 4.0 as seen in multiple videos / posts on the internet. I hope to get more juice out of the CPU (+20-30%) to make sure that it is not bottle-necking my GPU.
• Power: Based on specs my current HD 5850 actually draws / requires slightly more power compared to GTX 970. So I don't see why I would need to replace the PSU for my step 1 (CPU OC & new GTX 970)

So the question it comes to: Would this set-up be sufficient to enjoy DK2 & ED: Intel Core i5 760 (OC @ 3.8-4.0 GHz), ASUS P7P55D, MSI GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G, 16GB Kingston DDR3-1333?

More specific tech question: Would the CPU be bottle-necking the GPU? E.g. CPU running at 100%, while 970 sitting idle at 60%.

Btw. I really liked the comment about not rushing things just to look what happens around CV1. Makes total sense in my view, hence I am more convinced now on the gradual upgrade route instead of just building a new expensive rig.

On the topic of multi display vs. DK2: Fully agree that to use DK2 you really need time & peace, while with monitor setup you can quickly jump and do a 20-30 min session. BUT on the $$$ side, I think DK2 still wins. For multi monitor setup, in addition to the monitors & hardwarde, you still need the TrackIR, you need a table / support to have the monitors somewhere and you need ROOM to have it all together. Yes, you look like a maniac in DK2, but you don't need a separate apartment for your part-time hobby...

Yes, this setup will work just fine. MY 5 year old i5 quad core floats well below 40% per core. 100% of what limits you when running a rift, is the GPU. Heck, it doesn't even use that much ram. My 8GB machine runs it great. With a 970, you will be able to get great game play at medium settings + AA, with no issues. If you know how to tweak, you can run a de-tuned "high" Settings like I am running. Basically you can run somewhere in-between. Even if you SLI a pair of 970s, you wont get GREAT performance from the CV1. I think you are going to need a substantial GPU rig to play.