For those asking, I'd like to offer some (albeit unsolicited) advice: The most "bang-for-buck' choice, whether we're talking about this sim or any other game, is
almost never going to be the most current retail top-end hardware. There is just such a tremendous markup on that stuff, you're paying probably twice the actual value you're getting. There has to be a fairly specific set of circumstances before the best choice is buying the latest high-end retail stuff.
Even if you want to go that route, at least wait 6 months or a year and watch - the prices will come down. Especially this time of year, because it's somewhat early in the year, and over the next 6-12 months, several things will be happening:
A. Hopefully, stores will be opening back up etc and things will be improving - and there will likely be sales to pull in customers. B. The holidays almost always bring aggressive sales on stuff that was new over the prior year. And, C.unless I'm mistaken, the next newest thing (400 series boards and now 10 series processors**) is slated for release later this year. As we approach that release, you can bet your sweet bippy that anything of a prior generation (see also: 300-series/9th gen stuff) is going to drop at least a little bit (probably more).
**Note this well:
400 series motherboards. 10 series CPUs. While the retail places are still charging full rip for 300/9 series stuff.
Is there anyone who can't see the point that there's just no end; this is a marketing merry-go-round, and there will always be something better and faster, just a few months away? Whether the new stuff is "better" or not isn't really the point - the point, from a value perspective, is whether it's worth the premium you're going to pay just because it's the latest thing (well, until next month, anyway...)
So, consider waiting. Look at previous generations of hardware, too (but this can be a tricky proposition, due to the way retail works with tactics like 'loss leaders' and so on...)
Or, (at the risk of being accused of trying to sell something), you should seriously consider previously-owned hardware as a means to save a lot of money (often hundreds, and frequently approaching half the cost otherwise). Of course, you'd have to compare performance vs cost, ensure you're dealing with a reputable source, consider where they get the parts they use, whether there's warranty and support, and so forth. But, TBH, the level of legwork you should be doing doesn't change much new or used. And, most anyone knowledgeable about electronics can tell you this stuff is generally very highly reliable and can easily last 15 years before anything's even close to failure. In fact, even with used systems, what usually causes the owner to upgrade again is desire for better performance, not component failure. I build systems like this, and I can tell you that many machines can serve more than two sequential owners, and do so very well depending on circumstances and with a little maintenance TLC
It is also true that the overwhelming majority of people I've built system for aren't in the market because of a system failure; rather, they're looking for better performance than what they have (which is working well, clinically, but they feel some intangible 'need for speed').
And BTW, when I talk about used stuff, yes, it's true I do deal in 're-homed' systems. But, don't let that obscure the point: It doesn't matter if you work with me or not, used hardware - depending on the circumstances and so forth - is
always potentially at least competitive with new stuff, and is
often a better deal.Ever since I was 26 and bought my first brand new vehicle, I've only bought new cars for myself and my wife, so I definitely get buying new. But that's transportation, and thus closely related to things like your livelihood, quality of life, etc. Also, people buy new cars for style and life-saving safety enhancements, where those things really don't apply much to computers. Now, plenty of people have told me I'm foolish for paying for brand new cars (and I can see the point). Many people I know go through life without ever buying a new vehicle because everyone understands the immediate depreciation factor (and they have a point, too.) The moral of all this is that I obviously know that buying new has some benefit, but it's also true that buying new isn't always the best value for your money.
Anyhow, rant off (sorry *lol*). Just some stuff to consider. And, of course, I'm always happy to answer any questions, either in the public forum or by PM.
Take care, folks