Flight simulator Gaming

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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
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Hi there. l am by no means a man that grew up with comps only self taught but mostly gaming is my thing. l have had this comp for 7 - 8 years and would like to try to upgrade it for my Flight Simulators. l am willing to look at the $1000 to $1200 mark, please could you be so kind and give me the best advise for this task. Below are my computer specs. Thanks a ton for your time and effort.

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.170913-0600)

System Manufacturer: Acer
System Model: Aspire M3970
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/21/11 15:18:27 Ver: 04.06.04
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 16366MB RAM
Page File: 2529MB used, 30201MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
 
Solution
-Fran-
Ok, I'll take what you said and make a few adjustments. If you're using mods with FSX, then the picture changes a little. You will need more CPU grunt with mods, to be honest. Also, have you checked out the new DLCs for FSX? They added new weather effects and texture pack (this will need a GPU with 8GB VRAM at the least if you run with mods as well).

This is becoming an interesting build. If you're really willing to spend 2.5K, then you can make do with the X299 platform, but the price will jump quite a lot. Anyway, I'll see what's available and update when I have something.

EDIT: One important thing though. Your case is only good for mATX MoBos, but I'll try my best to find something that fits your case.
EDIT2:
PCPartPicker part...
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-Fran-

-Fran-

Illustrious
May 3, 2007
8,938
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Are you aiming to use FSX or AirplaneX? Both? Would that also include space games like Elite: Dangerous or maybe the X-series?

From experience, I can tell you FSX loves fast harddrives and lots of RAM over CPU power and even graphics (although it can be pushing/taxing at times), so your budget will be spent best with a nice SSD (or pair of them). I have a similar setup to you and when I moved FSX into the SSD it saw a smoothness uplift.

That being said, around the $1200, anything with a i5-8500 (and even i7 8700; both non-Ks) would do a superb job for you. Let me come up with a build for you taken that into account and I'll post it later on.

EDIT:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($299.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.65 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1150.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-12 10:16 EDT-0400

You can tweak this further, obviously. For example, you can still give up some CPU power and get the i5-8600/8400 then put that into a bigger SSD. I would even dare saying the video card can be lowered a bit for you, since most flying sims are not that graphically intensive.

Cheers!
 
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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
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Hi Yuka, thank you for your very interesting reply. Please do send me a re build, as this would be greatly appreciated. I am also looking at a Navidia GIGABYTE GV-N970IXOC-4GD GeForce GTX 970 video card, what are your thoughts on this. Would l be needing a bigger power source etc.
regards Alfred
 
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-Fran-

-Fran-

Illustrious
May 3, 2007
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No problem. Just to clarify: the PC you linked is the one you already have or the one you're planning on buying?

If you're planning a build from scratch, then I can suggest even AMD variations that would work for you. If you are planning on upgrading the Acer PC you linked, then that changes things.

Cheers!
 
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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
6
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10


 
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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
6
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Hi Yuka, apologise for the delay in response. Two things are going to happen.
1) The System Model: Aspire M3970 is getting a bit of a work over new video card and what ever l can do to help it along, l was looking at the answers to my question on Toms Hardware. They recomend the GIGABYTE GV-N970IXOC-4GD GeForce GTX 970. Plus what ever else you sugest. My friend said that l should try the Nvidia think it was the 1080i video card.

2) l want to build up a nice super computer just for my Flight sim Games. l noted you mentioning running of two different games, Yes this would be great. l have gotten to a point in life that l am tired of looking at the you tubes and seeing all the great vids. My turn has arrived. Since l have had Flight sim from FS2004 all l have had was one migrane after the other. l saw this tool on Toms Hardware and with the help of my comp techie we have compiled this Build. l would like you to take a look aand let me know what do you think, OVERKILL no worries. Just want to enjoy the game without wanting to cry. lol. Here is the attachment as follow.

Kind regards,
Alfred.
Intel - Core i7-7820X 3.6GHz 8-Core Processor
$769.00 Buy
CPU Cooler

Corsair - H115i PRO 55.4 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
$189.00 Buy
Thermal Compound

Prolimatech - PK-3 Nano Aluminum High-Grade 5g Thermal Paste
Motherboard

Asus - STRIX X299-E GAMING ATX LGA2066 Motherboard
$499.00 Buy
Memory

G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
$499.00 Buy

G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
Storage

Samsung - 960 EVO 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
$269.00 Buy

Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$74.00 Buy
Video Card

Asus - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB ROG STRIX Video Card
$949.00 Buy
Case

Corsair - 750D ATX Full Tower Case
$193.00 Buy
Power Supply

Corsair - HX Platinum 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
$210.00 Buy
Optical Drive

Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System

Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
$184.00 Buy
Case Fan

 
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-Fran-

-Fran-

Illustrious
May 3, 2007
8,938
2,112
42,140
Ok, give me a couple to come up with something that will balance out the build for you. Like I stated originally, for the Flight Sim games in particular, you don't really need a 1080ti. For your particular use case, it's going to be a HUGE money sink and add very little to your flight sim experience. You're better off investing that money into a proper flight set.

I'll edit when I have something within your budget and use your components as guidance.

EDIT:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($299.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($286.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase Pro 5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec - High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($101.49 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1517.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-17 06:49 EDT-0400

I think my original pick of the i7 8700 is very good, and the 1060 6GB is still the best choice for what you want. You could push that to a 1070 8GB, but going further has huge diminishing returns. What is the absolute ceiling for your budget?

EDIT2:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3GHz 8-Core Processor ($254.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - STRIX B350-F GAMING ATX AM4 Motherboard ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($286.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master - MasterCase Pro 5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Antec - High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($101.49 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1465.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-17 08:23 EDT-0400

An AMD based build. I will update it when the 2700X and X470 boards are available on the 19th.

Cheers!
 
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alfstone

Apr 12, 2018
6
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10
Hi Yuka, thanks for the effort that you have put in. I really appreciate your help. Let start with the original question of the upgrade of this comp the one similar to yours. l fly FSX with an add on of ORBX scenery, plus some airports and AI plane programs and other add on Carenado plane, Quality wings 146, DC10, plus a few more. Stretched it. Bought Quality wings 787 and there goes the memory, The iFly 747 just no plane or cockpit. FSW will fly in the lowest settings, XPLANE11 waste of time north pole freeze I have around $1000.00 for this upgrade.. I would like to start on this project firstly. l would like to keep this computer for other games, and the old FSX. The only problem l am not that much of a comp man as mentioned, every thing that l have learned was from You Tube, and asking questions. this copy of your first mesage l understood it to be an upgrade of this old computer

EDIT:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($299.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B360 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.65 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB WINDFORCE OC 6G Video Card ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1150.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-12 10:16 EDT-0400

My understanding is all these components will fit into the same case, just need to replace them. Apologies for my stupidity, just need to get it right.. :)


For the new computer build looking at around the prices that you set $1517.71 But would like to i7 8700 with the push to a 1070 8GB I can go up to the $2500.00 for this project. This l will do a little later, but not much later lol. This also depends on how great the old computer upgrade will be, but got keep that info away from the wile lol.
 
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-Fran-

-Fran-

Illustrious
May 3, 2007
8,938
2,112
42,140
Ok, I'll take what you said and make a few adjustments. If you're using mods with FSX, then the picture changes a little. You will need more CPU grunt with mods, to be honest. Also, have you checked out the new DLCs for FSX? They added new weather effects and texture pack (this will need a GPU with 8GB VRAM at the least if you run with mods as well).

This is becoming an interesting build. If you're really willing to spend 2.5K, then you can make do with the X299 platform, but the price will jump quite a lot. Anyway, I'll see what's available and update when I have something.

EDIT: One important thing though. Your case is only good for mATX MoBos, but I'll try my best to find something that fits your case.
EDIT2:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-8700 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($299.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z370M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($115.47 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($356.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Mini Video Card ($580.34 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec - HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1745.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-18 12:45 EDT-0400

That, in theory, fit your current case. I'll update the AMD build after the 19th. I'm willing to say you should give AMD a chance on with this.

EDIT3:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700 3.2GHz 8-Core Processor ($298.32 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus - TUF B350M-PLUS GAMING Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($94.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($356.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SanDisk - SSD PLUS 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.44 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac - GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Mini Video Card ($619.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec - HCG M 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus - DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1750.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-04-19 11:56 EDT-0400

I made the same modifications as the Intel list. One caveat being AMD is yet to release the B360's successor for the mid-range and there are no X470's in mATX flavor yet. I'll update when either of the two happen.

Cheers!
 
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