What's going on with this?

[Puma44]

Yep, I've already got my eye on a rig that comes with a 1070. 

[Bizman]

Yep, I've already got my eye on a rig that comes with a 1070.

Don't you already have a 1070? Or am I just understanding you incorrectly?

[Puma44]

Don't you already have a 1070? Or am I just understanding you incorrectly?

Yes, I do.  My idea is to either add it to a new rig for a dual setup, or have spare on hand.

[Randy1]

Yes, I do.  My idea is to either add it to a new rig for a dual setup, or have spare on hand.

Puma, I have not found an advantage to running two cards especially in AH.  AH does not support SLI. 

[Skuzzy]

Actually, that is not quite correct Randy1.

The SLI profile NVidia supplies is not designed for Aces High III, so SLI performance is going to suffer.

You will probably have more problems with an SLI configuration and a single video card.

[Randy1]

Actually, that is not quite correct Randy1.

The SLI profile NVidia supplies is not designed for Aces High III, so SLI performance is going to suffer.

You will probably have more problems with an SLI configuration and a single video card.

Thanks Skuzzy.  That was a more accurate statement.  I have worked SLI into AH3 using my own setting and found no noticeable benefit.

IN VR it might add a bit but the judgement is subjective and small even if it exist. 

[Bizman]

Puma, as Randy and Skuzzy already said, you won't gain much using SLI (was thinking about LSD and figured it's not the right abbreviation here).

My humble advice is to build your new rig around that 1070 and use it as long as it serves you at the level you want. Having a spare will end up into having an expensive piece of outdated hardware gathering dust. When the 1070 is out of warranty and gets issues, you'll want an 1170 or later instead of a similar one.

[Puma44]

Thanks gents!  I appreciate the ideas and insights.  Still considering all my options and desires.

[FLS]

Puma download MSI Afterburner. It's free and it will let you run your video card fans faster which prevents poor performance from overheating.

[Puma44]

Thanks FLS.  I've not heard of that previously.  Right now, I'm dead in the water and deciding to build or buy.

[FLS]

The reason we need Afterburner is because of fan noise. To keep noise down the fan is set to run too slowly and when the card gets hot enough the GPU runs slower to reduce heat and power usage instead of the fan running faster with the GPU at full speed. This lets the card be marketed as "quiet" and "low energy consumption".

Setting a higher speed profile with Afterburner or just running the fan fast all the time creates more noise but gives you the full power of the card under stress.

I recommend you build using your  current 1070 card. MSI Afterburner works with any brand of video card so compatibility is not an issue.

It sounds like you should get a new power supply just to ensure it's good quality. A 650W should be fine for the 1070. I got a 650W Seasonic for $100 that runs my 1080Ti.

When you pick a case get one big enough so it's easy to work in if you build it yourself.

A new MB should have USB 3.1 in case you decide on VR.

Let us know what CPU you currently have and what you're looking at in a new PC for CPU and memory. We should be able to figure out a reasonable build for your existing 1070 card.

[Bizman]

FLS, since the system is a 9 years old Dell we're talking about LGA775 or Socket AM2+, possibly even LGA1366. In any case they're a tad too old to be seriously considered as a heart of a new rig in terms of longevity. A used motherboard for $50 or rather less is the maximum investment I'd do to breathe life into the current combination.

[FLS]

That's why I asked.   

The next question is does it need to run VR in the future or just AHIII?

[Bizman]

That's a very good question. It determines whether even think about fixing the old or building something entirely new.

As people may have noticed, I prefer elongating the life span of older gear as long as it's sensible. Or sometimes even beyond that... This is one of the situations where future needs are what makes the system worth loving or leaving. However, not too much should be spent to keep the current one running.

[FLS]

I think he should build new to a level that supports the VC for best value but we don't have a budget.