General / Off-Topic So I found some DDR3 that I totally forgot I had bought...

[SpaceMachine]

16GB of Corsair Vengeance 1600, to be precise.

I found it whilst looking for a replacement fan to install in my ageing i3 Desktop. And it got me thinking; and the thinking led to some research, and the research led to some online shopping. Skip to the end, and I now have a self-build with all new components for very reasonable money. DISCLAIMER - I realise that reasonable money depends on your perspective and financial situation, okay?

Anyway, why am I telling you this?

Because I'm having the most incredible experience with Elite Dangerous on a PC for less than I thought. The performance difference over the PS4 PRO is simply night and day. My machine isn't VR capable I'm sure, but I'm running at high or ultra settings in 1080p locked at 60fps. The depth and solidity of the environments and ships, along with the precise and fluid controls make a huge difference to the immersion factor. I'm using a wired XBOX360 pad and it feels so much better than a Dualshock4 - I would go as far as saying that the increase in responsiveness feels half-way to using FS off. Load times are faster, jumps are faster, even supercruise somehow feels more efficient. And it is very pretty. Bottom line, I am a happy boy. Well, apart from starting over in a Sidewinder...

So. The build. Here are the details, if you're curious:

Corsair Carbide 88R	£45​
Gigabyte GA78LMTUSB3R2	£50​
Corsair Hydro H100X	£70​
AMD FX8350	£70​
Gigabyte RX580 8GB	£200​
Corsair CX650M	£56​
WD Blue SSD 250GB	£45​
Cables	£4​
	____​
Total	£540​

I'm sure that you could find cheaper components than those above, but I wanted to maintain a quality build.

If you're anything like me and starting to grow a little tired of the limitations that console gaming dictates, not to mention the associated cost of software and subscriptions, maybe you should think about selling your PlayStation. Just saying. I was lucky enough to catch deals on Elite Dangerous Horizons, Forza Motorsport 7 + DLC, Euro Truck Simulator 2 + DLC, and the sublime Wreckfest all for under 75 quid. Bargain. I reckon that lot should keep me busy until the new year. I doubt very much that I'll be renewing my PS Plus subscription.

The original intention of pimping my old desktop for improved video and photo editing is now a distant memory

 

[SpaceMachine]

Spoiler

 

[VR StarLightPL]

damn was hoping for a giveaway... [haha]

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Nice!

I recently upgraded to a GTX 1060 6GB.

Without a doubt, your system is much more affordable.

Console-level performance costs similar to, shock horror, a console off the shelf.

Is this your first system?

 

[SpaceMachine]

Nice! Is this your first system?

Thanks! My first machine was actually another AMD - an Athlon with 3DFX that I built in 1999, but the last machine I put together was a pretty standard i3 media desktop back in 2011. The performance difference with this new machine is staggering. What a difference 8 years makes!

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Thanks! My first machine was actually another AMD - an Athlon with 3DFX that I built in 1999, but the last machine I put together was a pretty standard i3 media desktop back in 2011. The performance difference with this new machine is staggering. What a difference 8 years makes!

Not to mention that GPU. It's a good one.

 

[Old Duck]

I was very tempted to get a gaming PC specifically for ED, but I just couldn't justify the cost right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a gaming PC isn't worth it, I just have other financial priorities at the moment.

I do think a huge part of the problem is that ED isn't very well optimized for the console. I recently played through Tomb Raider Definitive Edition (originally a PS3 game), and I was very impressed with how good it looks at 60 fps on a humble PS4 Slim. It even supports voice commands! Sure it would look better on a PC, but it is "good enough" for me. Skyrim SE is another example of an old game that actually looks way better than ED on my Slim. Not to mention the newer titles available on PS4. In fact, ED is really the only game I play on my PS4 that disappoints me with its subpar graphics, which is another reason I decided not to pursue a gaming PC - I'm happy with all my other titles on PS4 Slim, a small, low-power consuming device which normally "just works" for my needs.

I do enjoy this thread however, having been "Slim shamed" by PS4 Pro owners. It's about time they get a taste of their own medicine