FSX 2008/2009

[citationV]

Can anyone make suggestions on this. I am looking for advice on a system under $1000 to run FSX. I don't know much about computers just a lot about airplanes. Here is what I have been looking at so far.


Power Supply ( 650 Watt -- Casegears ECO-Element 80 Plus Certificated High Efficiency Power Supply SLI Ready )
Processor ( Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8400 (2x 3.0GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)
Processor Cooling ( [=== Quiet ===] AVC Silent Intel CPU Fan and Heatsink Quiet & Overclocking Proof )
Motherboard ( Asus P5KPL-CM Intel G31 Chipset w/6-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA 3Gb/s, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB )
Memory ( 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )
Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX+ 512MB w/DVI + TV Out Video )
Hard Drive ( 500 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache] )
Operation System ( Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 or 64 Difference?
Sub Total: $855.00

 

[MarkG]

I believe FSX is largely CPU-limited, so you might want to consider a quad-core instead of dual-core.

 

[chiller]

MarkG is right it, though it only really seems to take advantage of dual-core when actually in the game/sim. It appears to only use all cores on a quad when game is loading. Graphics card is not that important I have an 8800gt and get almost identical FPS as my brothers 4870x2.

Brother has Vista but i think he runs it in DX9 mode for better FPS.

 

[arthurh]

I too enjoy FSX and built a PC specific to that sim.

This game also likes a highly clocked CPU. So my PC uses a Q9550 OC'd to 3.83GHZ using 4 G of ram- 2 X 2G. I'm also using a BFG 8800GTS 512g graphics card, as in single card, not SLI. Its OC'd as well. This game does not like SLI or CXF! My OP/SYS is Vista Home Pre. 64 bit. I W/C my CPU.

I can play this game with most settings maxed, thou not traffic as that seems to really take away the FPS. Depending on where I fly my lowest FPS are ~ 25 and up. That includes big cities.

I upgraded from a AMD 5000+ OC'd to 3.4GHZ with W/Cing and there is NO COMPARISON! My goal is to eventually get a 4+ GHZ OC (when the QX9770 comes down in price). I like AMD but with this game I just could not get the higher GHZ needed to up the eye candy. This is the only Intel PC in my house and I have 3 other PCs, but this is the FSX PC.

Just a side note; I do have 2 8800GTS graphic cards because other games that I occasionally play do like SLI. My PC also does everything else very well too.

Good luck to you/

 

[citationV]

I was looking at the 9800 GTX for the Direct X 10? I have to admit I need to do some research on SLI? not even sure, it was a recommendation from ibuypower. isnt the 9000 series the only one to support X 10? Also any suggestions on the other items listed? Watt? Motherboard? I would really like to accomplish a "Good" running system specific to flight simulator. But I will say most of my flying is to practice instruments so I don't "have" to have the graphics on very high, I would rather have smooth flying.

 

[citationV]

Alright, after reviewing these notes I think I will go with this? Any suggestions?

Power Supply ( 600 Watt -- Power Supply SLI Ready )
Processor ( [=== Quad Core ===] Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9400 (4x 2.66GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) )
Motherboard ( Asus P5KPL-CM Intel G31 Chipset w/6-channels, Gb LAN, S-ATA 3Gb/s, USB 2.0, Single PCI-E MB )
Memory ( 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair-Value or Major Brand )
Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT 512MB w/DVI + TV Out Video )
Video Card Brand ( Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA )
Hard Drive ( 500 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache] )

 

[therschbach]

I just upgraded my system to see what I could do in fsx. Here's what I have...

Antec TPT 650W
ASUS P5Q Deluxe
Q6600 OC to 3.0
8GB 4x2GB OCZ 1066
2x HD 4870's
Audigy LS

I will say the most important thing is to not skimp on your power supply. The wattage is less important than the quality of the unit. Make sure you read some reviews or get recommendations from the guys here. I like my Antec TPT 650...it's running my system which is quite a load and I didn't think it would do it.

You're other specs look good to me. If your getting Vista, definitely go with 64 bit.

Oh yeah, I'm actually still not getting good fps near the ground or in cities. Flying around Houston with overcast skies and all full settings....air traffic about 30%. Getting about 15 fps. I think having max clouds (quality/distance) is the biggest factor, next to auto-generated scenery, both of which I have at full. This doesn't surprise me though... this game is an absolute hog at high settings.