Zwift hardware - recommendations

DebtMan

DebtMan

DebtMan

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Hi folks,

Should be a pretty simple one for you gurus - I've been out of the PC world for what now seems like EONS!!

Looking for hardware recommendations to run Zwift optimally. Requirements are here: https://support.zwift.com/en_us/supported-devices-to-run-zwift-H1Cj9QbeB

Found a video suggesting the following, (although it is a couple of years old now):
GPU - GTX1650 or 1660 Super
CPU - Intel i3 10100
M/B - ASRock B460M
RAM - 8gb DDR4 2133
Storage - WD 250gb M.2

Just after an idea if these are what I should still be looking for or if there are better alternatives?

To be clear, this is ONLY needed to run Zwift. Could be a tower, SFF/Shuttle style, Brix/NUC, anything really but needs to output HDMI to a 32" TV.
AND... cheap!! I am perfectly happy to source parts second hand, so doesn't need to be the latest all singing all dancing stuff.

Ta very much
DM
 
Disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about this software.

10100 is still pretty plentiful so no problem there, but you can get 12th gen H610 boards as low as £60, so I think it is worth it for the upgrade path and how much faster a 12100F is compared to the 10100F. If you do go 10th gen, B560 can unlock the memory speed and support 11th gen CPUs.

Not worth buying 8GB or 2133 anymore, I'd get a 16GB kit of 3200 (though if you buy 10th gen then the i3 caps out at 2666 I believe, on H410 and H460, FYI).

Not sure what prices are like on those graphics cards nowadays, you can get a 2060 6GB for £200 or a RX 6600 for £240, which would me my choice. If you buy a 6400 or 6500 you really need to buy a board with PCI-E 4.0 on the primary slot.

Used
If the 10100 and GTX 1650 is enough, then maybe you could get a bundle with an 8th gen or 9th gen hex-core (like 8400, 9400), or a Ryzen 2600/3600 and an RX 570 or GTX 1060?
 
Sounds like it benefits from single thread cpu performance, so might be worth getting an i3 12100...

+1 for getting 16gb RAM.

Apparently Zwift uses opengl, and Nvidia is generally thought to have better OpenGL performance, so might be worth sticking with them... Sounds like a 1660 Super would be a nice option, and used prices look alright...

Something like this maybe (but 2nd hand gpu probably) :

My basket at OcUK:

Total: £741.80 (includes delivery: £14.10)​

 
Thanks both, really appreciate your inputs.

GreatAuk, ouch!! I paid only a bit more than that for a car not so long back.

This is Zwift, basically a 'gamified' training platform: https://youtu.be/LBXnYW6yX_Q As much as I'd love all that stuff, I think it would be overkill for my needs.
 
DebtMan said:
Thanks both, really appreciate your inputs.

GreatAuk, ouch!! I paid only a bit more than that for a car not so long back.

This is Zwift, basically a 'gamified' training platform: https://youtu.be/LBXnYW6yX_Q As much as I'd love all that stuff, I think it would be overkill for my needs.
Click to expand...

I had a look at some other videos and some of them were a bit old, but it looks like even a GT 1030 would work at 720p and a GTX 1650 is usually enough to play at high settings, which I guess is why they recommend it in the post.

The kind of mini-pcs you're referring to often don't have a graphics card and it sounds like e.g. an AMD 4600G/4650G would be reasonably playable, or even a much slower Intel system with integrated UHD graphics, but not sure how enjoyable it would be for you to play at low settings on a 32" TV.

What about the Xbox Series S or X, can you use zwift on those? Much cheaper entry point and they're pretty powerful compared to how much money it takes to build a PC.
 
GreatAuk said:
Apparently Zwift uses opengl, and Nvidia is generally thought to have better OpenGL performance, so might be worth sticking with them... Sounds like a 1660 Super would be a nice option, and used prices look alright...
Click to expand...
With the latest amd adrenalin 22.7.1 (and later) there has been a supposed 3x uptick in opengl performance. No idea how well that actually is in practice (nvidia here) but it might be something for the OP to consider.


@DebtMan seeing as that rig seems a bit expensive to you have you looked into the apple tv version that is supposedly available based on your link (I've never used zwift)
www.youtube.com

Apple TV 4K 2021 and Zwift: A Comparative Review

Remote cases/lanyard for non-2021 edition:US Link: https://geni.us/Dm7SFMEurope Link: https://geni.us/c4xuGRMany regular viewers know that I’m a big user of ...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
Tetras said:
I had a look at some other videos and some of them were a bit old, but it looks like even a GT 1030 would work at 720p and a GTX 1650 is usually enough to play at high settings, which I guess is why they recommend it in the post.

The kind of mini-pcs you're referring to often don't have a graphics card and it sounds like e.g. an AMD 4600G/4650G would be reasonably playable, or even a much slower Intel system with integrated UHD graphics, but not sure how enjoyable it would be for you to play at low settings on a 32" TV.

What about the Xbox Series S or X, can you use zwift on those? Much cheaper entry point and they're pretty powerful compared to how much money it takes to build a PC.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, neither console is supported officially though I'm sure there are enterprising folk out there doing with some kind of workaround. I have been using a Notebook running Windows 10 with an HDMI cable but it's not very effective. Aside from the drain on the notebook, you need additional connections for Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless for sensors, so it tends to be PC/Mac OS based stuff that's supported for ease of use with the extra inputs, etc.
 
lsg1r said:
With the latest amd adrenalin 22.7.1 (and later) there has been a supposed 3x uptick in opengl performance. No idea how well that actually is in practice (nvidia here) but it might be something for the OP to consider.


@DebtMan seeing as that rig seems a bit expensive to you have you looked into the apple tv version that is supposedly available based on your link (I've never used zwift)
www.youtube.com

Apple TV 4K 2021 and Zwift: A Comparative Review

Remote cases/lanyard for non-2021 edition:US Link: https://geni.us/Dm7SFMEurope Link: https://geni.us/c4xuGRMany regular viewers know that I’m a big user of ...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
Click to expand...
Apple TV is possibly where I'll be in the interim, plenty around second hand including 4K for not much money. But it's quite an immersive environment visually and you do get a much better representation with PC based graphics. Not to mention some issues with Apple TV and sensors.
 
That build I posted was near the lowest end of achievable prices buying mostly new components. There are a few potential savings that could bring it down a bit though, eg:
- get a basic H610 motherboard with a USB WiFi & Bluetooth dongle rather than built in, save £40?
- use the Intel cooler rather than an aftermarket one, save £30
- get a more basic case (eg https://www.overclockers.co.uk/zalman-r2-mid-tower-case-black-tempered-glass-ca-0a3-za.html) and psu (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-amp-550w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-09p-pt.html), save £25.
That would leave you at ~£645 (less whatever savings you can make from buying the gpu second hand, so hopefully more like <£545)

Next level to drop would be going for an i3 10100F rather than the 12th gen. Would cut £40 off the cpu price, and another £20 off the mobo price if you get a very basic H510 board + wifi dongle. And maybe another £10 off going for 8gb RAM (2x4gb) rather than 16gb (2x8gb), and £10 off with a 128gb ssd. That would take you down to £565 (<£465 with 2nd hand gpu).

If that's still more than you want to spend but still want a PC, then I think either keeping an eye out for a second hand system (maybe also include gaming laptops on your search - laptop gpus with the same name as the desktop versions aren't as powerful, but could still get you decent performance), or trying to find some slightly older second hand components to build yourself.
 
I've been using a HP ProDesk i5 SFF desktop + 1050 TI for about 4 years. Recently upgraded the monitor to a HP UW 2560 x 1080 so I can swap between fullscreen and side by side while riding. Could be quite cheap depending on what deals you find but it's definitely flexible. I think Zift have managed to both improve the graphics and optimised the engine as it's runs locked to 60 fps most of the time now.

My crazy pandemic setup is below while I was locked in a big open office for 18 months tending the server room!
Poco X3 phone connected to the LG TV via a HDMI cable ran Zwift with no issue.

HQoO3Ml.jpg
 
GreatAuk said:
That build I posted was near the lowest end of achievable prices buying mostly new components. There are a few potential savings that could bring it down a bit though, eg:
- get a basic H610 motherboard with a USB WiFi & Bluetooth dongle rather than built in, save £40?
- use the Intel cooler rather than an aftermarket one, save £30
- get a more basic case (eg https://www.overclockers.co.uk/zalman-r2-mid-tower-case-black-tempered-glass-ca-0a3-za.html) and psu (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-amp-550w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-09p-pt.html), save £25.
That would leave you at ~£645 (less whatever savings you can make from buying the gpu second hand, so hopefully more like <£545)

Next level to drop would be going for an i3 10100F rather than the 12th gen. Would cut £40 off the cpu price, and another £20 off the mobo price if you get a very basic H510 board + wifi dongle. And maybe another £10 off going for 8gb RAM (2x4gb) rather than 16gb (2x8gb), and £10 off with a 128gb ssd. That would take you down to £565 (<£465 with 2nd hand gpu).

If that's still more than you want to spend but still want a PC, then I think either keeping an eye out for a second hand system (maybe also include gaming laptops on your search - laptop gpus with the same name as the desktop versions aren't as powerful, but could still get you decent performance), or trying to find some slightly older second hand components to build yourself.
Click to expand...
I thought this might be the problem tbh, hence asking... The stuff I posted was probably not low end or top end 2 years ago but the video maker was saying it would be enough to run the game at 60fps which gives the best results. Even now, those cards are £85 & upwards second hand. The m/b similar so you're already looking at £170 minimum for just those. And that's already a sizable chunk out of even your reviewed choices & prices :rolleyes: Plus buying second hand is always a risk the cheaper you try to go!!

I've seen a few second hand gaming systems for not a lot of money & I guess I could always tweak performance as I go, ie. with better CPUs for the same socket types, etc. & upgrading GPUs, memory etc. I've always built my own systems but it's been so long since I last did, with laptops & notebooks being up to the task for my needs. I'm properly out of the loop hardware wise.
 
This fairly recent guide might help - it makes suggestions for getting it running on a budget: https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-pc-guide/
I run it on my laptop (which is overkill spec-wise), which I use with a docking station (so just one cable to plug in). Could that be an option for you?
Don't forget you'll need bluetooth and/or ANT+ to connect the trainer and heart rate monitor..
 
wonko said:
This fairly recent guide might help - it makes suggestions for getting it running on a budget: https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-pc-guide/
I run it on my laptop (which is overkill spec-wise), which I use with a docking station (so just one cable to plug in). Could that be an option for you?
Don't forget you'll need bluetooth and/or ANT+ to connect the trainer and heart rate monitor..
Click to expand...
Yes, I've been using my Asus notepad with an ANT+ dongle & Bluetooth. My trainer is a wheel-on Wahoo KICKR Snap and I run speed & cadence sensors plus a HRM (Wahoo TICKR).

The notepad struggles a bit and is getting worse...not to mention the ridiculous situation whereby it won't update due to space on the original drive & there is literally NOTHING on it :cry:

So I've been looking for low key replacement options to get the software to run optimally rather than just getting by, if you see what I mean?

Laptop & docking station could well be an option, thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look around. And take a look at the guide. I wasn't aware it had been updated but the specs for running the game have so I shouldn't be surprised really :rolleyes::cry::cry:
 
DebtMan said:
Laptop & docking station could well be an option, thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look around. And take a look at the guide. I wasn't aware it had been updated but the specs for running the game have so I shouldn't be surprised really :rolleyes::cry::cry:
Click to expand...
Sorry, I hadn't twigged that you were already Zwifting... There are quite a few Zwift users posting in Pedal Powered, if you ask there you may get some more ideas?
If your laptop is struggling and is on the upgrade list anyway then it might be a cost effective way to go. The docking station obviously isn't essential, but it does make setup a lot easier. Alternatively there are loads of cheap refurbished ex business PCs about that you could add a graphics card to.
Meanwhile, I've just about recovered from doing the MAAP stage 3 Achterbahn route this morning .
 
bimbleuk said:
I've been using a HP ProDesk i5 SFF desktop + 1050 TI for about 4 years. Recently upgraded the monitor to a HP UW 2560 x 1080 so I can swap between fullscreen and side by side while riding. Could be quite cheap depending on what deals you find but it's definitely flexible. I think Zift have managed to both improve the graphics and optimised the engine as it's runs locked to 60 fps most of the time now.

My crazy pandemic setup is below while I was locked in a big open office for 18 months tending the server room!
Poco X3 phone connected to the LG TV via a HDMI cable ran Zwift with no issue.

HQoO3Ml.jpg
Click to expand...
May have to give this a try tomorrow. How much sensor input did you manage? Any apps help to optimize the connection? Thinking more of ANT+ in particular...
 
wonko said:
This fairly recent guide might help - it makes suggestions for getting it running on a budget: https://zwiftinsider.com/zwift-pc-guide/
Click to expand...
That's a great article. Loads of options in there, I'll have to sit down & work out some costs.

Reflects what @GreatAuk said about single thread performance and mentions the i3 12100. Plus the GPU I originally mentioned from 2 years ago is still part of the recommendation to achieve 60fps consistently. Thanks for that @wonko :cool:
 
DebtMan said:
May have to give this a try tomorrow. How much sensor input did you manage? Any apps help to optimize the connection? Thinking more of ANT+ in particular...
Click to expand...
Only app was Zwift. Connections were all Bluetooth as I had to buy anther heart monitor with BT.

Inputs were Speed, Cadence, Power (Tacx) + Heartrate (Lifeline strap)
 
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