Best Device to Run Zwift

General Discussion
41

OK - so I purchased an I7 dell desktop from amazon - it was all going ok - until I launched zwift then it said you need to upgrade your graphics hardware.

So IME the advice that any old PC will suffice is incorrect !!!

42

A used Nvidia GPU will likely make that PC good for Zwift, unless the CPU is really ancient. I’m assuming it has integrated graphics, which isn’t good for Zwift even when it’s supported. Also make sure the power supply has the appropriate connector for the GPU. If it doesn’t you will need to replace the power supply or shop for a card that doesn’t require external power.

43

Its an i7 pc - which based on the advice given here should have been good enough. Really don’t want to mess about buying a graphics card (not sure the pc will take it any case)

44

Peter,

Did you make a decision yet?

For what it’s worth, I’ve used “all the devices”:

  • a quasi-gaming laptop with dedicated GPU (it’ll do 4K ultra at about 30fps, or 1440P at about 60fps)
  • iPad Pro
  • a larger-sized smartphone
  • AppleTV4K (originally the 1st gen, since bumped up to the 2022 unit)

Every year or three, a new app version will introduce a bug that affects one of the platforms so you can’t say with impunity that any device will avoid that.

In my experience, there’s less to go wrong on the Apple platform “all in one” devices like the iPad and AppleTV - Apple is known for very tight control of its platform(s) so you don’t see all the quirks you would on other platforms.

I still occasionally use the gaming laptop if I want to explore a new world in full detail. Most days, however, I’m using the ATV4k, hooked up to a 32" 4K OLED TV about 2-feet in front of my bike. And, the vast majority of the time, “it just works.”

ATV4K renders the UI (menus, rider list, HUD) in 4K so it’s disingenuous to say the graphics are “bad” - the stuff you need in high res is crispy and clean and 1080P for the world graphics (scenery, riders, road) is “acceptable”. I don’t know if it’s my TV upscaling the resolution or if it’s just OLED colour gamut doing its thing but the visuals look good to me.

Zwift Insider’s @Eric_Schlange_ZwftIn posted a good article on using the ATV, as someone who usually uses a PC: Zwift on Apple TV: Pros, Cons, and Quirks | Zwift Insider

EDIT - just saw your update:

If you don’t want to install a GPU, there’s virtually no graphic advantage to using a PC. At that point, just use an all in one device. (iPad, AppleTV) unless you have a need for ANT+.

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45

Dell Optiplex 7010 SFF Office PC i7 16GB RAM 240GB SSD Intel HD Win 10 Pro (Renewed)

The above PC won’t run zwift for anyone following this thread

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46

What’s the exact error message you are getting? An i7 Optiplex 7010 should have an i7-3770 / HD4000 CPU/GPU combo which appears to meet the minimum specs (barely).

47

Unfortunately it seems that has a very old (3rd gen?) CPU, and its integrated graphics falls outside what Zwift supports.

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48

I3-3770 + HD4000 seems to meet the above?

49

You may well be right. But unfortunately the error message being reported by Zwift would appear to indicate that it doesn’t.

50

Apple TV (5th Generation) 4K 32GB HD Media Streamer - A1842

OK - the above is a refurb on ebay - ÂŁ95 - would that work - would I be able run the compain app on mu andiod phone as I do currently ?

a standard HDMI cable and I good to go ?

51

Do NOT buy that.

The version of the ATV you’ve cited above is the dog slow, HD only (not 4k) version from 2017. “Penny wise pound foolish.”

Direct from Apple, an open-box return/refurb latest 4K ATV from 2022 is only ÂŁ30.00 more: Refurbished Apple TV 4K 64GB (3rd Generation) Wi-Fi - Apple (UK)

52

Thank you.

What do I do for sound ? - I only have a flat screen monitor (not tv ) - would I need to buy a tv to get sound ?

53

Eh? That’s what I use, and it’s fine performance-wise. It’s the first of the 4K models, so ignore that “HD” tag which risks confusion with older HD (non-4K) models.

One problem, however, is that it comes with the black remote, so for that reason I’d recommend buying either of the two later 4K models instead, which come with the new (silver) Siri remote.

54

You either need a monitor with built in speakers, (or TV) or an HDMI audio extractor and some type of external speaker. A small soundbar with audio-pass-through would likely work. If your monitor has speakers, a standard HDMI cable would pass audio correctly from ATV to that.

If you want a self-contained option, there’s always a refurbished iPad, but your initial outlay is going to be more than with an ATV. You’d have fully functional tablet for doing tasks other than Zwift though.

55

For $95 you can get a nvidia GPU and you will have a very capable PC.

This is a log from before I upgraded the PC. (I upgraded so that I could Live stream while Zwifting)

image
image1595×423 53.5 KB

56

The Optiplex 7010 SFF is going to have extremely limited GPU options due to the form factor and power supply. It would be better to return it if possible.

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57

I just saw the SFF. :face_vomiting:

image

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58

I would never recommend a SFF (Small Form Factor) box. They are a closed box, and something that is used from ebay was a poor decision. Sorry…

59

And I would seriously wonder where they got the power for that card. They are a closed box, positioned for ‘kiosks’, and secretaries, not Zwift and expansion. They are basically throw away boxes.

60

Or earbuds?