Greetings to all,Would appreciate any comments on the following components as they relate to FSX. I'm not a big fan of OC, and will not be going that route. Main thing I need to know is if these components will play nice with each other and with FSX.Intel Core i7 940 Processor - 2.93GHz, 8MB L3 CacheAsus P6T-Deluxe Motherboard - LGA 1366, Intel X58Corsair XMS3 Tri Channel 6GB PC12800 DDR3 Memory - 1600MHz (3x2048)Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620-Watt Power SupplyBFG GeForce GTX 280 Video Card - OC2 EditionThank you for your time,...jim

You need to read the post named CPU questions I started. I think it will answer all your questions.

Let's hope so. I just bought the same thing except I'm going 1333 on the RAM. One installer told me the 1600 was a little fincky to overclock correctly, but I don't know this to be a fact.Jeff

Hi jwenham,I did read through that thread. Lots of good information there (and, well, a bit of "other" stuff, but that's neither here nor there. :-) )I put together the above list of components based on what I read, and what I could put together on some online computer vender "computer configurator" pages. One particular vender uses a configurator that only lists parts that are "supposed" to work together. I kind of liked that, but I'm looking for a second opinion. I'm planning to purchase the components and build the computer myself. I've done that before, but the last time I did that was for my current computer, some four years ago (a Pentium IV 3.2ghz based machine.) I've kind of lost touch with current technology.One item I am already considering changing is the memory. The kit I've listed above has 9-9-9-24 timing. Instead, I may go with:OCZ OCZ3X1333LV6GK 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3 1333Which has 7-7-7-20 timing. Since I do not plan to OC, would the OCZ ram at 1333 be a better fit than the Corsair at 1600? My first thought is yes, because it has faster timing. But this is where I'm still a bit confused. Is the ram speed related to the cpu speed? I know the MB can use 1600 or 1333, but does that depend on the CPU? If it does not depend on the CPU speed, then will the Corsair run at 1600? And if so, what result will the difference in timing have between the OCZ at 1333 and the Corsair at 1600?At the moment, I'm looking at just under $3,000 CDN to build what I want. Before spending that much, I really want to make sure I'm going in the right direction.Thanks in advance for your, or any one else's, guidance.Regards,...jim

I may not be the best person to answer this as I am still learning myself. My thoughts are that if you plan NOT to OC the ram speed most likely would make very little difference but I could be wrong. BTW I am building the exact same system. Good luck with yours!

That's true. Increasing ram speed or decreasing ram timings will only provide subjective improvements in FS. A good analogy might be to driving right after a fill-up with a tank of premium after running midgrade for a while. "I'm sure I can tell the difference. Ahhh, I think!" Like running an engine on alcohol, there's a real smoke risk too. Unless you are a hobbiest with lots of time, replacement dollars and a real interest in computer tech, it's not worth the trouble. That said, the current Core2/Penryns will drive any ram to 2 time the speed of the front side buss. The speed specified on the ram is only its guaranteed speed rating. 333Mhz FSB systems only need 666Mhz ram. If a user is overclocking to a 400Mhz FSB, ram rated at 800Mhz is needed. The ram's speed can be increased beyond 2X the FSB, but this will provide those 'only subjective' results.The i7 is the same idea, but that platform only runs a 133Mhz FSB. The ram will via driven via some multiplier times the FSB. Look into how the ram speed is determined on that platform. However as before, ram running at 1333, vs 1600 will provide that "I think so, maybe" performance difference. Decreased ram timings will provide a similar non-difference. Maxing-out the CPU overclock is the goal. Let the ram cruise at its rated pace.

Did a little walk around. It appears Intel's had enough of folks wrecking stuff with running non standard ram speeds and voltages. I imagine the imaginative will find a way, but in the mean time . . . http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/194784.jpgThe difference between ram at 1333 and 1600 is entirely about harvesting CaSh from a Lay audience. The 1333 ram will work identically to the 1600 stuff. However, the ram will still be tied to the FSB x a preset multiplier. The Asus board will automatically present various ram speeds that are available at any given FSB ("BCLK"). If the multiplier cannot be set below the one used for the 1333 ram, then faster rated ram will be required to be able to O/C the CPU. This is the same kind of relationship that occurs in the Core2 mobos. For the non-O/Cers, this does not matter. Use the 1333.However consider . . . O/Cing the CPU is what is needed. The i7 at 2.66 will be about the same performance as a Q6600 at 3.6 (or at most, a Penryn Q at 4.0). The 920 will be - no help - beyond these O/C'd CPUs without it's own O/C.Here's an interesting article. Watch the video.http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MT...GhlbnRodXNpYXN0

Faster RAM = lower latency. Lower latency = less time your CPU is waiting for work to do. The more time your CPU has to do work, the more work gets done. This is regardless of the speed at which the CPU and RAM communicate, although a faster link will certainly help make the most of this lower latency, and unlock the extra bandwidth which faster RAM provides.In this case the difference would be measurable by a synthetic benchmark, but not immediately noticeable to the naked eye in a real-world application such as FS.

What's that video got to do with FSX? You're making an FSX i7 performance conclusion based on a video that shows data on power and voltage requirements? I don't get it.-jk

>>The difference between ram at 1333 and 1600 is entirely about>harvesting CaSh from a Lay audience. >>However consider . . . >I guess as "Lay Audience" members, Nick, Myself, and all the others here smart enough to buy the right parts (and smart enough to know what's real and what's hogwash) should just throw our computers out the window because we just have expensive paperweights. -jk

That's the third of a series and suggests the 920 can go to 3.8Ghz. That'd be a big help. But the ram speed increases (and the resulting latency decreases) are about synthetic benchmarks, but only subjective improvements in FS.

j/kin case you have not figured it out yet,... you are being playedIt was already stated he would do without a 30% scenery increase so even if you proved all of it to him scientifically, which it moot at this point in time, his response would be the same.Please take this excellent advice from a old movie quote and one of the first I was involved with as a technical advisor..."Greetings professor Falkin. Strange game.... The only winning move is not to play."

>Greetings to all,>>Would appreciate any comments on the following components as>they relate to FSX. I'm not a big fan of OC, and will not be>going that route. Main thing I need to know is if these>components will play nice with each other and with FSX.>>Intel Core i7 940 Processor - 2.93GHz, 8MB L3 Cache>Asus P6T-Deluxe Motherboard - LGA 1366, Intel X58>Corsair XMS3 Tri Channel 6GB PC12800 DDR3 Memory - 1600MHz>(3x2048)>Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620-Watt Power Supply>BFG GeForce GTX 280 Video Card - OC2 Edition>>Thank you for your time,>...jim>Hi JimNo clocking means you do not need the 1600 memory however for the cost difference I would go ahead and get the 1600 so if you ever do decide to play a bit you have room to do so. The price difference between the 1333 and 1600 is not really a factor and you can downclock and reduce timing too if you wish.Regardless, the latency although not as great a factor with i7 as it was with past systems, its always best to go as low as possible and it can and will help.The lower latency also allows one to raise timing and maintain stability with those sticks without sacrificing at the same time.Your choice of parts is fine with the exception of the power supply. I would go with the PC Power and Cooling 750http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817703009and do enjoy that system

>>>j/k>>in case you have not figured it out yet,... you are being>played>>It was already stated he would do without a 30% scenery>increase so even if you proved all of it to him>scientifically, which it moot at this point in time, his>response would be the same.>>>>Please take this excellent advice from a old movie quote and>one of the first I was involved with as a technical>advisor...>>>"Greetings professor Falkin. Strange game.... The only>winning move is not to play."Hello Joshua!WARGAMES!!!Matthew Brodrick, Ally Sheedy, Dabney Coleman. I know that movie well! I love the 10" 'state-of-the-art floppy disks.Good point. I haven't really thought about that. Obviously it's easy to get me riled up.-jk

>The>price difference between the 1333 and 1600 is not really a>factor and you can downclock and reduce timing too if you>wish.Ah, so if I go with the 1600 and downclock it to 1333, I should also be able to set the timing to 7-7-7-20 instead of 9-9-9-24?And, should I decide to try a little OC, I would then need to change the timing back again, correct?Just to clarify, it is not possible to run the CPU at stock speed AND run the RAM at 1600, correct? If I stick with stock speed on the CPU, the 1600 RAM will only run at 1333?Thanks for the recommendation on the power supply. I was not sure about that, but didn't think I needed a humongous PS as I will be using one GPU only.Geez, it's been so long. I feel like such a newb. :-)Regards,...jim