First Time Builder. Need to build a PC for Flight Simulator X

49ers2352 · Aug 15, 2010

Hello everybody! I'm a new member in Tom's hardward. I need help for building the computer system, because I love playing Flight Simulator X. My current computer doesn't work with the game. It's like too slow and sometime frozen.... I heard my friend told me I need an Intel i7 with quad core. I look at other store's pre-built PC, but I want try new build system by myself. On www.tigerdirect.com, I did complete the list for PC configurations:

CPU Cooler: T925-1287 ::Thermaltake SpinQ CPU Cooler - Socket 775, 939, 754, AM2/AM2+/1366/1156 Support(2.05 lbs)

Software: M17-7302 ::Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD, English(0.5 lbs)

Video Card: P450-5770 ::XFX HD577AZNFC Radeon HD 5770 Video Card - 1GB GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, Dual DVI, Display Port, HDMI(2.8 lbs)

Wireless: L48-2201 ::Linksys WMP54G PCI Wireless Adapter - 54Mbps, 802.11g, 3 Month Warranty, Recertified(0.3 lbs)

Power Supply: A107-1111 ::Apevia ATX-WA750W Warlock 750-Watt ATX Power Supply - SLI and Crossfire Ready, 135mm Fan, Clear Sides(6.25 lbs)

Hard Diver: TSD-500AAKS ::Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM(1.55 lbs)

DVD Burner: L12-1180 OEM ::Lite-ON iHAP222-06 DVD Burner - 22X DVD+R, 22X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R9, 8X DVD-R9, 12X DVD-RAM, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, LightScribe, IDE(1.7 lbs)

Memory DDR3: C13-8220 ::Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9AG 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM - - PC10666, 1333MHz, 4096MB (2x 2048MB), 240 Pin, Dual-Channel(0.6 lbs)

Motherboard: E145-2059 ::EVGA X58 SLI LE Motherboard - LGA 1366, Intel X58, SATA, SLI Ready, Triple Channel DDR3 support, RAID, Hyperthreading support(0.26 lbs)

Intel: I69-0930 ::Intel Core i7 930 Processor BX80601930 - 2.80GHz, 8MB L3 Cache, 4.8GT/s QPI, HyperThreading, Quad Core, Bloomfield, LGA 1366, Retail, Fan(1.55 lbs)

Computer case: Q131-3120 ::Aerocool VX-E MidTower Case - 140mm Front Turbine, ATX & Micro ATX, USB 2.0(30 lbs)

Budget: $1,400

Do you live in the US: Yes.

What size monitor will you use: Samsung LCD HDTV 42" 1080p

Now, is that a good match or not? Let me know what to change. However, I want to know how to start building system - tehcnically. I want to be cautiuos with the electricity on the system, I dont want to cause problem or damage it. It will be my first time designing and building the PC on my own.

Please let me know.

Thanks!!!!

Proximon · Aug 15, 2010

Hello and welcome.
Could you remove a bit of the white space please? There is a little edit button in the bottom of your post. If you cannot yet you will be able to do it later.

There are some problems here, but I need more information first.

Budget?

Do you live in the US?

What size monitor will you use?

49ers2352 · Aug 15, 2010

I edited. How does that look? Thanks. :bounce:

Proximon · Aug 15, 2010

OK then

Since you are not going to need to use two video cards, you should not need to use LGA 1366. you can run an i7 on an LGA 1156 board and it will do just as well for you, and the money saved can go towards more important things like a good power supply.

I'll be back in a bit with a list.

Proximon · Aug 15, 2010

tonkatuffmofo · Aug 15, 2010

Good build^^^^^^

One question though which Im not sure on myself but may be worth investigating beforehand, With microsoft flight sim being heavily cpu dependant would it utilize a 6 core amd chip? Or is the game only threaded for 4 cores?

Not knocking the above build in the slightest, its a good setup but for that particular game would 6 cores be a worthwhile investment?

49ers2352 · Aug 15, 2010

Asus P55 board with Win 7 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 13-131-634

i7-870 with CPU cooler I have Thermaltake Spin Q CPU Cooler, it is on sale from FRYS Electron. I will change the one with Intel i7-870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.374081

Mushkin RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Seasonic M12II 620 I change the power supply 630 for cheaper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 12II%20620

You must have liked the looks of that case... here is the case they copied to make it. This one is better:
Xclio
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811103033

Gigabyte 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Hard drive WD 1TB Why do I need 1TB? Would 160GB be good enough for the game?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ack%2064mb

Optical drive (includes Blu-ray but you would need blu-ray software for it) I pick dvd/burner. I don't need blu-ray...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151199

Proximon · Aug 15, 2010

If you already have the Spin-Q that is fine, if you really want it for the looks that is OK, but know that the one I linked is far more effective.

Absolutely not on the PSU. You need to either learn about power supplies by clicking on the guide in my link or take my word for it and get the Seasonic.

If all you are going to ever do with this computer is play FS X, then you probably do only need 160GB.

Since you were going to play on a TV screen I thought you might like the Blu-ray, but yes by all means just get a simple DVD burner.

49ers2352 · Aug 15, 2010

Good morning.

I read your link guide about PSU. It very good story! :ouch:

I never think that the power supply is different and save money for electricity. Before I think the Power Supply was same... now I understand about your PSU guide. I return your link for Power Supply.

I want 160GB, because I don't want more games in computer, but I think maybe you're right if I need more hard drive space in the future.

I already have Blu-Ray on my Playstation 3, so I don't need another one.

Wow you are very smart on saving money while improving the performance.. :bounce:

I will buy PC parts on Nov or Dec.

Do you have any guide on how to build a computer for the first time?

Thanks!!!!!!

Proximon · Aug 15, 2010

Tecmo has done a great job with that here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building

Good luck

Mr Pizza · Aug 16, 2010

even better PSU would be from corsair/cooler master/antec/XFX

but sea sonic makes PSUs for some of those companies. so.. yeah

I would get a bigger hard drive, because i mean really 160GB!!!!!!!!! Get a 500GB at least because when all that 160GB is taken up the hard drive will lose performance

49ers2352 · Aug 18, 2010

Hello Mr Pizza, Thank you for show me about better manufacturer Power Supply.

Oh right, I will try get a 500GB instead of 160GB.

Thanks!

Ecoli · Aug 19, 2010

You are almost at the right track but I recommend the following for your MS Flight Simulator X (FSX) machine you get the following:

CPU: I7 930 (GOOD)

MOBO: GigaByte X58A-UD3R (BEST)

RAM: 6GB G.Skill PI DDR3 1600 CL7 1.5V (BEST)

VGA: NVIDIA GTX 4xx best series you can afford with at least 1GB fast RAM (BEST)

Here are tips for getting the best experience from FSX:

FSX was created back in the day when CPU GHZ/Speed was king so to run FSX to its max you will seriously need a machine running at 5~6Ghz. The simulator does not really use multi-core for the sim itself so a 3, 4 and/or 6 core CPU will not provide you more FPS.

It is recommended that you over clock which ever CPU you get to the maximum, the closer you get to 4Ghz the better FSX will run

It is recommended to have at minimum 4 ~ 6 GB of RAM with very low CAS (7 or lower).

It is recommended to have FSX installed on a seperate HDD that is fast.

More tips are found here (FSX "Bible"):

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041

Personally I am also making a FSX, PC gaming, Sony Vegas Video/Music editing machine.

Good luck!

Respectfully,

Ecoli

Proximon · Aug 19, 2010

Ecoli :

I'm quite surprised by this, as last time I researched this I thought I recalled seeing hard evidence to the contrary. I wouldn't have said anything without some degree of certainty. I'll check on your link in a bit.

Proximon · Aug 19, 2010

Hmmm according to your link VIRTUAL cores (Hyperthreading) is useless however real cores are used. I wonder if we have an AMD 6-core benchmark?

We did try "A" test with FSX and actually found it to be no faster than a fast CORE2DUO or CORE2QUAD, althought FSX did see all six cores. The i7Core 960 demonstrated much better results with FSX. FSX has not proven to be a good test bed. It is not used by testing facilities because of all the tweaks you can do to skew the results. While nothing earth-shaking has resulted from AMD's venture into six core processors, as they have not overtaken Intel Core i5 750 or Core i7 in speed in most gaming. However, in the area of price/performance they are quite bargain. I would not hesitate to build an FSX system with the Phenom II X6 1090t.
Ted

From http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=35896&s=c1a55a9ad0feb61f8e1d08973e5bcaeb&p=406399&mode=linear#post406399

My take on this, when compared to the other link, is that FSX DOES use multiple cores well if you make the needed tweaks to the settings.

Ecoli · Aug 19, 2010

Here are more tid bits for FSX rig makers to know:

"FSX is a 32bit application and as such even when run in a 64bit operating system memory amounts greater than 4GB will be of little use to FSX directly, however, when applied with a 64bit OS and i7 FSX SP2 (or RTM/SP1 with edited fsx.exe files) will be allowed access to a full 4GB with other processes and applications running along side having access to more (over and above). Therefore 6GB (3x2GB) i7 systems as addons and aircraft become more complicated will benefit FSX on a 64bit OS. If you switch to i7 you are far better off on 3x2GB than 3x1GB in system memory."

"As long as the OS will see and allow the physical cores, FSX will use them but dont expect a return on investment for such a system. Past Core0, FSX only uses the rest of the cores for terrain and autogen, thats it, nothing else."

Proximon · Aug 19, 2010

OK sounds good then.

I see Chris did some testing:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-gaming,2403-10.html

Ecoli · Aug 19, 2010

Proximon :

Yes he did; the only flaw (major one at that) was to set the FPS limiter on the simulation. The FPS limiter caps the simulator and will not truly see the benefits of his tests. What I recommend, as well as many FSX fanatics, is that there is NO affordable rig as of 2010 that can run FSX with all sliders to the MAX at HD resolutions and acceptable frame rates (20 ~ 30 FPS). What you can do is get the best CPU+MOBO+RAM combo with a decent NVIDIA VGA (FSX is in love with NVIDIA) and OVERCLOCK that *itch of a CPU to the MAX...in order to get as close to the ideal 5~6Ghz sweetspot that FSX loves so much.

Personally, I would just settle with a AMD 965 or I5 760. You will save a bundle and still will be about the same spot as the i7 guys will be by overclocking to the FSX "sweetspot"/ Simulator nirvana.

Respectfully,

Ecoli

49ers2352 · Aug 23, 2010

Hello everybody,

I look in newegg, I saw same price for Intel i7 870 and 930. Why both have same price , the i7 930 is more high power than 870?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

Proximon · Aug 23, 2010

Not really higher powered. In fact, in pretty much any benchmark the 870 is the faster of the two.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2832/12

The 930 may overclock better, not sure.

49ers2352 · Aug 23, 2010

Oh right! I understand about intel power test. The i7 930 and 870 are same power, but little more is 930... I think better i7 870 and price more save.

Thank you!!!!

49ers2352 · Aug 28, 2010

Best answer selected by 49ers2352.

jleboff · Sep 4, 2010

We build the HotSeat Flight Simulators from one to 4 displays. When running one display a Quad Core 2.6 with 4 gigs of DDR2 will deliver over 30 FPS in high settings. You can also get away with this with 2 displays as the second is usually the cockpit display. For more than 2 displays you need more horsepower in the CPU. We are now building i7 930 with 8 gigs of DDR3, 10,000 rpm drive and dual video cards with 1 gig each and onboard cpu by Nvidia. The CPU is the rate limiting factor and the more CPU you have the better.
Run the graphic setting at 1024 x 768 x 16 and performance will improve as well as dialing down the graphic settings in FS X. Jay LeBoff HotSeatsim.com

jleboff · Sep 5, 2010

Deal of the day is the Dell XPS $739.00

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
AMD Phenom™ II X6 1035T + ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB
6GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMS
1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
No Monitor
THX® TruStudio PC™
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Dell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
Dell Studio Optical Mouse
No Modem Option

Perfect for up to 2 screens running FS X

Run the graphic setting at 1024 x 768 x 16 and performance will improve as well as dialing down the graphic settings in FS X. Jay LeBoff HotSeatsim.com

49ers2352 · Sep 22, 2010

Hello

First Time Builder. Need to build a PC for Flight Simulator X

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