High-end gaming PC advice?

[sean458]

Hi guys.
I'm planning on building a PC for running FSX mainly, as I am a pilot. I would like smooth graphics at full 1080p resolution.
Here is what I have come up with:

Motherboard
ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131705

CPU
Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071

Memory
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263&Tpk=CMX4GX3M2A1600C8

Graphics Card
ASUS ENGTX480/2DI/1536MD5 GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121373

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

PSU
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005


Should I go with the i7-2600k instead? If I will need a better cooler, how much is a good one?
Better of with EVGA over ASUS? Is it worth the upgrade to the gtx 500 series GPU?

Final question.. I'm assuming this build will work right?
I'm not a gamer, so could you give me an idea on how it will perform.

Thanks a lot

 

[striker410]

Hi Sean, welcome to the forums. I have a request: Fill the formity form! You gave some info, but we need the rest.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice
I'll check back later.

 

[sean458]

No problem.

Approximate Purchase Date: September. Will there be any new CPU's then by chance?

Budget Range: $1000-$1400 after rebates I guess

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (FSX, hd movies)

Parts Not Requiredkeyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor)

Preferred Website(s) for Partsnewegg.ca)

Country of OriginCanada)

Parts Preferences:by brand or type (Intel is a must)

Overclocking: Only if necessary for smooth motion at 1080p resolution

SLI or Crossfire: I would rather not mess about with 2 video cards, but it won't be a problem if I can get the performance necessary

Monitor Resolution1920x1080p)

Additional CommentsI wouldn't mind if it is relatively quiet; I was also thinking of going for a Lian-Li case, but somewhere near the $100 range.)

Hope this information helped

 

[striker410]

Oh wow. September. Yeah I started to put something together and saw that. You should probably wait, as prices fluctuate quite a lot. Come back about a week/2 weeks before you plan to buy. Ivy Bridge is supposed to be coming out then anyway.

Sorry for that, but you definitely need to wait to price it.

 

[sean458]

Okay good idea.
Will the current setup (ie gtx 480 and i7-2600) manage to run FSX at a good framerate though? Just so I have an idea.

 

[striker410]

Ahh, I can surely help you outline a system.
-get the 2500k. Funnily enough, it's $100 cheaper and performs better in games. Especially when overclocked.
-DO NOT get the GTX 480. Those things run HOT HOT HOT! A GTX 570 would be more appropriate.
-I would get a slightly better mobo and PSU, just in case you feel like doing SLI (2 cards) in the future.

Having issues finding benchmarks with FSX and GTX 570. A little googling might help you

Hope that helps!

 

[internetlad]

Sean, if you're from Canada I HIGHLY reccomend at least considering shopping at NCIX.CA. I did all my online shopping with them when I lived there and was very happy with the service.

Past that I second the part about going with the 2500K, you won't notice any help in that game from a quad core over a dual core. As for the PSU I always say buy way more than you need. I've had an Antec Quattro 800 (they have a 1000 watt flavour as well) for almost 5 years now and i've been nothing but happy with it.

 

[striker410]

^^ good info. I Directcanada is another good one, free shipping. Newegg will add like $50-60 onto the final build, just for shipping.

 

[king_maliken]

Not only is newegg more expensive, if you find lower prices on any site with the same part number, ncix.ca will beat it. To top it all off, usually you wait a lot longer with newegg (most parts are shipped from the states) than ncix which Canada based. But yeah when you get closer to the build date we'll have more options for you, probably.

 

[internetlad]

Also, one time they mailed me a free calendar.

But seriously, they have a new sale every week with any type of pc themed item you could look for, have 5.99 ground shipping on orders over 50 bucks and under 100 lbs, and ship from the country you're in. Can't be beat IMO.

 

[sean458]

I'll forget newegg then.
Maybe I will save money and go for the 2500k in September. I imagine Ivy Bridge processors will be expensive when released.

Thanks alot for the help.
I'll check back before I build

 

[infidus]

What about the AMD Bulldozer processor chips coming eventually? I haven't heard much about them but just throwing that in the bag.

 

[striker410]

They are delayed again! I think september is the goal. I heard a rumor it's because they ran into an issue with the maximum clock speed being 2.5GHz. That's obviously an issue lol. Problem is, they are meant to compete with SB, and by september Ivy Bridge might be out!

Speaking of GHz, when you gonna get that 2500k up to 4.5 infidus? You have a Hyper 212+ right?

Nah I'm just teasin.

 

[internetlad]

Ivy Bridge is due out Q1 of 2012 IIRC.