Simple Graphics Card Question

[dabears32]

I am just getting going on my serious simulator build research. I will hopefully be back in a few months looking for detailed feedback and suggestions. But one thing I wanted to confirm first.

I am likely going to get the SkyTrack and most likely TCG. I have seen the Graphics card requirements but have one questions since computer hardware is a weak spot for me. I unfortunately recently bought a new Surface Pro 8 before I started this adventure which has integrated graphics and not a graphics card. How does this compare to the TCG requirements? I assume not well and performance will be awful but wanted to confirm.

A new laptop will be the toughest expense to stomach.

Thanks!

[preludesam]

You do need a graphics card that can handle light-medium graphics.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a laptop or desktop. Sim software is not a AAA title video game. Pretty much everyone here including myself has an overkill PC for our sim. You don’t need an RTX 3060 to run TCG2109 but that’s just what’s hot right now. People think you need this super gaming rig to run a sim but as long as you’re not running a 4K triple projector setup you will be fine with a cheap couple generations old used machine. A $600 used laptop with a dedicated graphics GTX1060 or newer is plenty for a sim. If you want to add cameras or start streaming to Twitch then we need to go a different direction.

[dabears32]

You do need a graphics card that can handle light-medium graphics.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a laptop or desktop. Sim software is not a AAA title video game. Pretty much everyone here including myself has an overkill PC for our sim. You don’t need an RTX 3060 to run TCG2109 but that’s just what’s hot right now. People think you need this super gaming rig to run a sim but as long as you’re not running a 4K triple projector setup you will be fine with a cheap couple generations old used machine. A $600 used laptop with a dedicated graphics GTX1060 or newer is plenty for a sim. If you want to add cameras or start streaming to Twitch then we need to go a different direction.

Thanks for the reply

[dabears32]

You do need a graphics card that can handle light-medium graphics.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a laptop or desktop. Sim software is not a AAA title video game. Pretty much everyone here including myself has an overkill PC for our sim. You don’t need an RTX 3060 to run TCG2109 but that’s just what’s hot right now. People think you need this super gaming rig to run a sim but as long as you’re not running a 4K triple projector setup you will be fine with a cheap couple generations old used machine. A $600 used laptop with a dedicated graphics GTX1060 or newer is plenty for a sim. If you want to add cameras or start streaming to Twitch then we need to go a different direction.

Something like this?

Refurbished: ASUS ROG GL503VD 15.6" FHD Gaming Laptop ( Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.80Ghz, 16GB, 1TB SSHD, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 4GB Graphics, Windows 10 Home ) Grade A - Newegg.com

[kraxxer]

To help you can use this site and compare GPUs: https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compar.../2181vsm211022

I know these benchmark are not 100% reliable but it will give you an idea...

The minimum requirement I found for TGC 2019 is NVidia GTX 670 or AMD 7850 w/ 2 GB (or better)
Recommended: NVidia GTX 1060 (or better)

That means a 1050 in a laptop is bellow the minimum... Personally I would aim at the recommended spec and avoid any disappointment.. but as mentioned above, it's pointless to go overboard and with the global Chip/GPU shortage this give you the tools to find the right balance between the price and the performance.

Don't get caught in the marketing lingo, a higher model number doesn't always mean better..

[dabears32]

To help you can use this site and compare GPUs: https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compar.../2181vsm211022

I know these benchmark are not 100% reliable but it will give you an idea...

The minimum requirement I found for TGC 2019 is NVidia GTX 670 or AMD 7850 w/ 2 GB (or better)
Recommended: NVidia GTX 1060 (or better)

That means a 1050 in a laptop is bellow the minimum... Personally I would aim at the recommended spec and avoid any disappointment.. but as mentioned above, it's pointless to go overboard and with the global Chip/GPU shortage this give you the tools to find the right balance between the price and the performance.

Don't get caught in the marketing lingo, a higher model number doesn't always mean better..

Thanks....

[dabears32]

To help you can use this site and compare GPUs: https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compar.../2181vsm211022

I know these benchmark are not 100% reliable but it will give you an idea...

The minimum requirement I found for TGC 2019 is NVidia GTX 670 or AMD 7850 w/ 2 GB (or better)
Recommended: NVidia GTX 1060 (or better)

That means a 1050 in a laptop is bellow the minimum... Personally I would aim at the recommended spec and avoid any disappointment.. but as mentioned above, it's pointless to go overboard and with the global Chip/GPU shortage this give you the tools to find the right balance between the price and the performance.

Don't get caught in the marketing lingo, a higher model number doesn't always mean better..

I think im pretty tech savvy but computer parts confuse me.. So guess not

HP Pavilion 15-dk1008ca 15.6" Gaming Laptop Computer Refurbished - Black; Intel Core i5 10th Gen 10300H 2.5GHz - Micro Center

[preludesam]

It’s still a little on the week side using a mobile (laptop) 1650ti. Try to find something with a 1660ti. Do you have to have a laptop?

[dabears32]

Thanks. No I just thought it would be easier to move etc

https://www.microcenter.com/product/630091/hp-omen-15-en0013dx-156-gaming-laptop-computer-refurbished-silver

[dabears32]

I was thinking laptop would be easier but IDK. I literally just want it to do this and be able to move in an out of garage.

[jpotas]

I used a laptop with a 1650 for about a year, then I dropped the computer. The only thing damaged was the hdmi port which I needed for for projector. Ended up buying a desktop for the sim and still use the laptop with Steam for my designing. Attached pick is what I had and it ran my Slytrak with tgc 2019 flawlessly.

[dabears32]

I used a laptop with a 1650 for about a year, then I dropped the computer. The only thing damaged was the hdmi port which I needed for for projector. Ended up buying a desktop for the sim and still use the laptop with Steam for my designing. Attached pick is what I had and it ran my Slytrak with tgc 2019 flawlessly.

Awesome. Thanks!

[NoMorePencils]

I am likely going to get the SkyTrack and most likely TCG. I have seen the Graphics card requirements but have one questions since computer hardware is a weak spot for me.
I unfortunately recently bought a new Surface Pro 8

Question? Why will the Surface Pro 8 not work?
Thx

[dabears32]

Question? Why will the Surface Pro 8 not work?
Thx

I was thinking because it has no dedicated graphics card. has integrated graphics (Intel ® Iris ® X e Graphics)

I have no idea what I am talking about but that is what I am led to believe ha.

[Dawso_]

Surface Pro 8 won't work for TGC - or not very well anyway. The integrated graphics card is not good enough to run TGC and the SP8 will be working overtime to process everything - ie fan running flat out with slow response and poor graphics quality. The SP8 is a great machine, but not for graphics gaming or SIM. Even running TGC2019 from Steam is sluggish on any machine with integrated graphics. If you can find a desktop with a 1650 that will run fine for TGC (although not 4K as someone above mentioned). In a laptop you should go a little higher (eg minimum 1650ti or 1660) as laptop graphics cards are not quite as powerful - due to power and other constraints.

[preludesam]

It will work but you would probably get freezing or stuttering whenever playing. Onboards graphics are much better than they used to be but still not quite there for gaming. The idea is you want to be able to output enough FPS cover whatever refresh rate your projector is. For most of us that’s 60hz. If you’re only able to push 15-30 FPS you’re going to have a terrible choppy viewing experience.

$999.00 is a rip off price in this market for a laptop with 8GB of memory and a 1650.

[jpotas]

Wasn't suggesting that he get it, was just commenting to the original poster on that particular laptop's ability to run Skytrak with TGC 2019.

[dabears32]

Have any links to a good used one? Thanks!

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