Need Help on Parts! Machine for FSX!

[lauxenburg]

Hi,


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Not for a while, whenever I get to it BUDGET RANGE: $700 with no OS, around $800 with

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Everyday tasks, Flight Simulator X with very good performance

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com please

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD usually has more bang to the buck, so AMD please

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440 x 900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: As long as it runs FSX decently.


As of right now, this is just a basic mockup:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 620 2.6GHz ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2x2GB) ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

HDD(s): Corsair Extreme Series 32GB SSD ($150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233089

Western Digital Blue 320GB HDD ($50)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

Case: Cooler Master Case ($40)
No Link, just any one of their cheap cases

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W ($60)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

ODD: LITE-ON DVD Burner/Reader ($30)
No Link, whatever is in stock or looks good

GPU: XFX ATi Radeon 4770 512MB ($110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369

Total Price: ($700)

Hoping I can fit both Windows and FSX on the 32GB SSD, and maybe the windows page files. It will be very close.

Ideas anyone? Thanks!

 

[lauxenburg]

Well I was doing a little more research because I saw that the ATi Radeon 5770 and 5750 were released. The 5770 is about $150-180 and a helluva improve over the 4770. And now, I am thinking maybe get rid of the SSD because I saw many discussions that ended with "no SSDs really do not make a great performance improvement in FSX", so maybe....save a couple of bucks and do not get the SSD. Get the Radeon HD5770 for about $175.

I like XFX. Have one older card from them, but I am a satisfied customer. =)

XFX ATi Radeon HD5770 1GB PCIe 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369

Not sure.

 

[hunter315]

$5 more for a faster larger drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=F3%20500GB

The 4770 will perform well on that resolution so its a good choice. The SSD wont provide any improvement in gaming perform so i would suggest dropping that in favor of more processing power. If you can fit this combo in FSX will appreciate it as it can run up to 256 threads, not do able on todays machines but the 4 extra ones from hyperthreading will help it run smoother.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273248

 

[WR2]

I agree that the SSD won't improve in game performance. AMD really does have good bang for the buck.
But if you can pump up the bang without breaking the bank... thats good too.

Keeping your budget goals in mind:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz CPU combo deal $440
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 Micro ATX Motherboard
XFX GTS 250 1GB Video Card

Plus the $270 worth of RAM/HDD/Case/DVD/PSU you listed (without the SSD) brings you in just over $700.

Any other games you play besides FSX? Maybe Lock On; Modern Air Combat?

 

[lauxenburg]

Thanks alot guys.

WR2, I am really digging that combo deal. and hunter's yours is just as great. The CPU + Motherboard is probably a lot better from Hunter, but I may not need that much.

I don't think I will be able to make a purchase that quickly, but if I see a very similar combo later, I will defintley dive at it. Newegg has some great deals. Who knows I might be able to slash at it now.

Well, FSX isn't the only thing I play. I do enjoy a good racer or two, say Need For Speed Shift or something similar.

Thanks.

 

[WR2]

Well, FSX isn't the only thing I play. I do enjoy a good racer or two, say Need For Speed Shift or something similar.

I thought that might be the case. Thats an even better reason to upgrade a bit with the i5 750 / GTS 250.
The Athlon II X4 620 is a fine entry level quad core but the i5 750 is a pretty good step up. And the i7 860 is a real powerhouse.
Let us know if you want to see some benchmarks.

 

[jsrudd]

I would go with the WD Black 640GB. It is newer and should have better performance. Also its only 15 dollar more

 

[lauxenburg]

Wow...I was thinking about that i5, and my budget is just getting wrecked. It really needs to be under $800 with an OS, so essentially $700 in hardware.

This is going to seem anti what everyone has been saying, so don't get mad please:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 545 3.0Ghz Dual Core
Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 Motherboard
RAM: 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 1333
Graphics: XFX ATi Radeon HD5750
PSU: Corsair 450W
HDD: Western Digital Black 500GB 32MB Cache
ODD: Lite-On DVD Burner
Case: Cooler Master Elite 330
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit

Total Price: ~$795.

Ideas. Sorry for sort of throwing ideas out the window here. But, my budget must be abided by.

 

[lauxenburg]

But, I do not want to settle for anything but the best...even if its isn't that Hi-end.