What CPU do I need to get for FSX?

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

I am looking to get an ASUSTeK ASUS COMPUTER P8P67 Pro, LGA 1155 (90-MIBG4A-G0AAY00Z) Motherboard, for FSX.

What CPU should I get for FSX?

I need something affordable, but absolutely amazing so my performance and graphics can look like I am actually flying. The only game I am playing is Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Nothing else. I need it to be realistic as possible with an outstanding framerate. I am using it as a training tool for my Private Pilot's license when outside of flying the Cessna 150 and to train for my Private Pilot's license.

My PC Specs that I will have are:

ASUSTeK ASUS COMPUTER P8P67 Pro MotherBoard
GeForce GT520 (FSX relies mostly on CPU)
466GB Seagate ST350041 8AS SCSI Disk Device (ATA)
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH60N SCSI CdRom Device
Realtek High Definition Audio
Ram 4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 535MHz (7-7-7-20)

What CPU do I need?

Additional Details
I currently have a AMD Athlon II X2 215 . I also will need a good power supply. Would a 500W power supply be good enough? If so, please suggest something very cheap but not too cheap that it will make my PC explode

I would like something to make my PC graphics and performance so good it looks like I am actually flying!

Additional Details:

My budget haha, it's $200. Here are my PC specs currently. I know FSX will run insanely better with a new CPU, GPU, and I can't put in a new GPU with my current motherboard, do to having a "compact PC". Specs:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvHukn8SUdRbRnMIS3zF.SDty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20130331165755AA0VPIG

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

teencessnapilot :

The GT 520..., that will be a huge bottleneck with fsx!
I cant tell until I know your budget, so I will just recommend a middle ground of an amd 7850, i5 3550k and XFX Core 550W. That'll play well maxed (I beleive).
EDIT: maybe an upgrade to 8gb of ram would help as well.

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

what's the budget here? perhaps we can suggest a good system if we know your budget

8350rocks · Apr 1, 2013

FSX is mostly rendering, the FX8350 is about the best rendering CPU for the money out there...you could buy a prebuilt machine that would do what you want well @ cyberpower. You can pick the CPU and all the other components...

what's your budget? This PC is about $1000, if you don't need the monitor and mouse/keyboard you can knock ~$160 off of that.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/cart/showcart.aspx?url=%2fsystem%2fAMD_Eight_Core_Configurator&ref=add

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

8350rocks :

You've also got to consider the fact that fsx does not really benifit from more than 2 or 4 cores (cant remember which), so amd is out of the question here due to the low per core performance. This is coming from an amd ftw fanboy as well!

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

8350rocks :

I am thinking the OP may not need a FX83xx or i5 CPU since that game is kind of old. Probably a machine with i3 and a decent GPU like HD 7790 or GTX 650Ti will do. If he could afford something like $1k then we can discuss about i5s or FX 83xx

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

technoholic :

FSX can be demanding as hell at times, so the better the cpu the better. Ive heard that even the 3770k can be brought to knees with enb on fsx! Still go with the core 550, its made by ftw oem seasonic, and is quite cheap

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

How about this?

Asus K7V Motherboard w/ AMD- K7850MPR52B CPU TESTED for $75?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-K7V-Motherboard-w-AMD-K7850MPR52B-CPU-TESTED-/200651657572?pt=Motherboards&hash=item2eb7c55164

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 2000 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($30.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $749.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-01 19:32 EDT-0400)

popatim · Apr 1, 2013

FSX is still a very demanding game and will use every core us consumers can throw at it but it really depends on the processors IPC and that leaves Intel screaming past AMD's offerings. Even a 2600k will beat the 8350 easily.

Here is a very good guide on selecting components for an FSX rig.
http://forum.avsim.net/fsx_guide.pdf

JackNaylorPE · Apr 1, 2013

My son reports that FSX runs on just about anything. He used it on the computer he built while in High School (nVidia 6600) and he's since finished flight school / college and will begin working this month as Flight Instructor.

MS just asks for a GFX card w/ 32 MB, 128 MB for the expansion pack.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925724
http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulatorx/product_info.html

Now of course we expect those to be understated, so here's what comes in from others actually using the program

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080415151327AAjYU9C
256 MB GFX card

http://www.vgrequirements.info/microsoft-flight-simulator-x-deluxe-edition-pc/
NVidia 6800

Looking here ya see the 6800 down two tiers below the GT520, so your chosen card is 2 tiers better
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Given the small price difference and last gen 5xx designation, I'd opt for at least a GT630 or 640 as a minimum. A GT 650 Ti Boost 1 GB at $150 would give ya way more than enough and put ya in good position to enjoy other games on the computer.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-650-ti-boost-gk106-benchmark,3463-11.html

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

teencessnapilot :

What is your budget? We are clueless until you tell us.
Dont even look on ebay for components unless your actively looking to buy faulty stuff.

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

JackNaylorPE :

My son reports that FSX runs on just about anything. He used it on the computer he built while in High School (nVidia 6600) and he's since finished flight school / college and will begin working this month as Flight Instructor.

MS just asks for a GFX card w/ 32 MB, 128 MB for the expansion pack.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925724
http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulatorx/product_info.html

Now of course we expect those to be understated, so here's what comes in from others actually using the program

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080415151327AAjYU9C
256 MB GFX card

http://www.vgrequirements.info/microsoft-flight-simulator-x-deluxe-edition-pc/
NVidia 6800

Looking here ya see the 6800 down two tiers below the GT520, so your chosen card is 2 tiers better
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Given the small price difference and last gen 5xx designation, I'd opt for at least a GT630 or 640 as a minimum. A GT 650 Ti Boost 1 GB at $150 would give ya way more than enough and put ya in good position to enjoy other games on the computer.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-650-ti-boost-gk106-benchmark,3463-11.html

It scales quite well, but that was probably on close to low settings. this guy wants the highest settings he can afford, and its only then does fsx become a total inefficiant hog on resources.

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

LOL such an ancient title requires top most hardware?

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

My budget haha, it's $200. Here are my PC specs currently. I know FSX will run insanely better with a new CPU, GPU, and I can't put in a new GPU with my current motherboard, do to having a "compact PC". Specs:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvHukn8SUdRbRnMIS3zF.SDty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20130331165755AA0VPIG

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

I don't think CPU plays as much important role as the GPU. Proof:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-gpu-upgrade,1928-3.html

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

technoholic :

Check out the GPU section:

"Only up to 25% of your total frame rate is generated from your
graphics engine. We recommend the Nvidia GTX 680 (2 GB)
graphics card for best performance now and keeping your rig
ready for future
http://www.jetlinesystems.com/performance.php

exban224 · Apr 1, 2013

teencessnapilot :

super low budget is out of my area of expertise, sorry! try an i3, and dont think you will be able to max it out.

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

Maaaan.... I have never played this game and i am confused now. This game can do 70ish FPS on ultra with a Q6600 CPU (even though OC'd) and a 8800GT and are you telling me that he must get an i7 and a GTX 680? Am i missing something?

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

exban224 :

How about a new Intel Core i3-2100 Dual Core 3.10GHz 3M Cache 5GT/s CPU Processor SR05C for $85? Do I use a specific fan for it or can I use my AMD Athlon II X2 215 fan?

technoholic · Apr 1, 2013

teencessnapilot :

Mate, sorry but you can't just buy an intel CPU and throw in your machine. You need to buy a new motherboard to put your i3 on. So this is a chain reaction. When you buy a new motherboard, you need to buy new ram and almost everything new because most hardware is not compatible with your current motherboard.

teencessnapilot · Apr 1, 2013

technoholic :

So then what CPU can I use (no budget) for ASUSTeK ASUS COMPUTER P8P67 Pro, LGA 1155 (90-MIBG4A-G0AAY00Z) Motherboard? Also, my motherboard has 6 slots for Ram. Do I need to utilize all 6 for it to work, or can I use 4G's of ram (2 slots)? Also, how about an AMD X2 Athlon II 240, 2.8GHz/2MB BOX 64Bit BOX? Here's a video and it looks pretty good....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDkS5TrxcU

technoholic · Apr 2, 2013

teencessnapilot :

Well, you can't put an Athlon on that

You can get a Sandy Bridge CPU like Core i5 2500k or Core i7 2600k. Then you can upgrade your GPU to something like AMD HD 7770 GHZ Edition or Nvidia Geforce GTX 650 Ti. But then you probably need to upgrade your power supply unit. And i think you need to change your RAM too. So it is like building a new system, you see. Ok mate let's try something. Tell me what you have now at hand. What motherboard do you have? Your CPU is an AM3 one and perhaps we can upgrade your CPU to something like Phenom 2 X4 965BE. It is a decent processor

teencessnapilot · Apr 2, 2013

technoholic :

Well I have spent my money on and now have a:

ASUSTeK ASUS COMPUTER P8P67 Pro MotherBoard
GeForce GT520 (FSX relies mostly on CPU)
466GB Seagate ST350041 8AS SCSI Disk Device (ATA)
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH60N SCSI CdRom Device
Realtek High Definition Audio
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 535MHz (7-7-7-20)
Windows 8 PRO
Diablotek DA Series PSDA600 600W ATX12V v2.2 Power Supply
New AMD Fan & heatsink FOR Socket AM3 Athlon II x2
AMD Athlon II X2 240 2.8 GHz Dual-Core Processor
Computer Case

I also have another memory card that is desent so I will put both into the motherboard and make it run better

technoholic · Apr 2, 2013

teencessnapilot :

???? You can't put that CPU on an intel motherboard oO

What CPU do I need to get for FSX?

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