Computer Build Advice

[CW35]

Hi All,

I'm looking to get your expert advice on a computer build for my garage simulator setup. First, I will admit that I know NOTHING about computers. I've been reading through as many threads as I can in this section but it's like a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th language to me. There seems to be 2 common themes that I've found. First, get the best dang graphics card you can afford and 2nd, it's cheaper to build rather than buy one off the shelves. I have a friend who is willing to help me w/ the build and he just needs the list of components that is needed. My goal is to spend the money now for the best overall computer for this application w/o having to upgrade it w/in the next year or so.

This computer will be dedicated solely to the simulator and will be connecting via wifi to my home network. I'm looking to run TGC at the beginning and maybe an additional software down the road. Some of the threads have mentioned the builds on pcpartpicker.com as being a good place to start. Would you recommend their "great gaming build" or their "excellent gaming build"? See links below.

https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/rNTwrH/great-gaming-build

https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/Bkyp99/excellent-gaming-build

Are there components of those builds where I can save some money as it's overkill for this application? If so, which component and what would you recommend? If at all possible, please provide a link to that recommendation. I would really just like to send my buddy a list of everything that is needed!

Thanks for the help!

[717golfer]

I would go with the excellent one listed. Either way you don't need the extra hard drive,the ssd would be all you would need. Spend the money on a larger power supply. 550w not very big. I would not get any less than 750. Have your guy check all the listed power requirements for the devices, build in some excess just in case you do decide to add something else. Every USB device you add takes power to run. One never knows what will come out on the market especially video cards and what kind of power they will need.

[CW35]

Thanks 717 for the advice on which system and the suggestion on removing the additional hard drive and increasing the power supply.

[p3eps]

The new generation of nVidia cards use very little power in comparison to the 9XX series, and as a result, a higher power supply isn't necessarily required. They also generate very little heat and hardly require any cooling.
Part of nVidia's goal with the 10XX series was to make them much more efficient - and they've succeeded!