Hi to all of you out there.I want to build a new system form scratch. I am in FS9 for 6 years. I fly the Aeroworx B200 as my main plane and I want to go to FSX but keep FS9 as well. I use a lot of add-ons and AI's. I've created my own small air company that operates in Greece (fictional). So I need a very powerfull system. Money is not an issue for this project. I would appreciate your advises and help.Thanks

Hi to all of you out there.I want to build a new system form scratch. I am in FS9 for 6 years. I fly the Aeroworx B200 as my main plane and I want to go to FSX but keep FS9 as well. I use a lot of add-ons and AI's. I've created my own small air company that operates in Greece (fictional). So I need a very powerfull system. Money is not an issue for this project. I would appreciate your advises and help.Thanks

Here's a cutting edge system:Intel i7-975 CPUWater cooling system for CPU-- Swiftek MCP655 water pump -- Swiftek Apogee GTZ water block-- XSPC 360mm triple-fan radiator-- small ~150-300ml reservoir-- 1/2 inch ID Tygon tubing-- distilled water only with benzylkonium chloride biocide (e.g. Petra's PT Nuke)x58 based motherboard (e.g. eVGA X58-3X-SLI, Gigabyte UD5, ASUS P6T Deluxe V2)750-1000W single-rail power supply (e.g. PC Power & Cooling Silencer series)6GB (3 x 2GB DIMM) CAS 7 DDR3 RAM at 1600 MHzfactory-overclocked nVidia-based GTX 285 video card with 1GB RAM300GB Western Digital Velociraptor HDD for OS & system use160GB Intel X-25M SSD (for FS9/FSX)Windows 7 64-bitCoolermaster HAF932 caseRegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

A couple things I'd change there with an unlimited budget:1) wait until next month (or the month after) and get a 6-core 980x instead2) swap out the water cooling for an OCZ Cryo-Z or similar phase change unit and overclock the snot out of it

Thanks Bob for your input.I was researching last year on the water cooling but I thought that time that it was risky to use it. But if today is safer i would consider it. What are the options going on the air cooling way?

Rule of thumb with air cooling: get the biggest heatsink that will fit into your case with fans that move as much air as possible while keeping noise levels to a tolerable level. Since money's no concern I'd recommend Noctua's new NH-D14 cooler. Beats the previous champion Thermalright IFX-14. Once again though, if money is no object you want phase-change cooling.

Rule of thumb with air cooling: get the biggest heatsink that will fit into your case with fans that move as much air as possible while keeping noise levels to a tolerable level. Since money's no concern I'd recommend Noctua's new NH-D14 cooler. Beats the previous champion Thermalright IFX-14. Once again though, if money is no object you want phase-change cooling.

What do you mean "phase-change cooling"

If you read my previous post you will see a specific product recommendation.

2) swap out the water cooling for an OCZ Cryo-Z or similar phase change unit and overclock the snot out of it

Yes TechguyMaxC. Now I know what you mean. Actually when you've send me your comments I had a look in that product. If I go with this what should I buy for cooling blocks. Which company is the best?

If you're serious about using a phase-change system, be aware that any cooling system that circulates coolant at temps below ambient temperature of the room will generate condensation...if you live in a humid place, a LOT of condensation. You'll have to coat parts of the mobo with silicon to keep that condensation out.The only good solution I've seen with a phase change system had the computer inside a cabinet with a dehumidifier that kept the humidity inside the enclosure in the low single digits to prevent condensation issues. The cooling system cost more than the rest of the system.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

If you're serious about using a phase-change system, be aware that any cooling system that circulates coolant at temps below ambient temperature of the room will generate condensation...if you live in a humid place, a LOT of condensation. You'll have to coat parts of the mobo with silicon to keep that condensation out.The only good solution I've seen with a phase change system had the computer inside a cabinet with a dehumidifier that kept the humidity inside the enclosure in the low single digits to prevent condensation issues. The cooling system cost more than the rest of the system.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

You're wright Bob,I have to make a NASA style environment. Too much for what I want to get involved in this life. Better go with liquid cooling. What is your opinion between the following manufactures. ZALMAN, Koolance Swiftech.Thanks Bob

The Cryo-Z was designed with the limitations of phase-change cooling in mind. It comes with everything you need to shield your PC's components from damage due to condensation.The solutions Bob mentioned generally come pre-installed in a chassis. Asetek's Vapochill is the best known example of this type.

The Cryo-Z was designed with the limitations of phase-change cooling in mind. It comes with everything you need to shield your PC's components from damage due to condensation.The solutions Bob mentioned generally come pre-installed in a chassis. Asetek's Vapochill is the best known example of this type.

Actually, the water-cooling components I listed are individual components I used for a custom-built water-cooling system...I'm not a fan of the pre-packaged systems, particularly the Asetek system used by a number of OEMs. In my system I use two of the 360mm XSPC radiators on a cooling tower that's external to the case. With a large case, a system with one 240mm or 360mm radiator could be built into the case. I like keeping as much of the liquid cooling system away from the electronics as possible. The way I did it, the only components posing a risk to the mobo are the cooling block (an all-metal Swiftek Apogee GTZ special edition) and the two connections to the cooling block. The rest of the cooling system lies outside the case, and I have drip loops in the lines to prevent a leak from running down along the tubing into the case as well.One other point I'd make about phase change vs liquid is that I can push the 975 right to the max voltage limits and still not get anywhere near the thermal limits with my water cooling system. Running the OCCT stress test at 4.55 GHz, the CPU runs in the mid-high 50 deg C range with the voltages as high as I dare go without putting the CPU at risk of failure due to voltage breakdown.I would consider using phase change if I were willing to put the CPU at risk and run the voltages past the intel-specified absolute maximums.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

If I had no budget limit, I would just say screw building and go to www.alienware.com!!

If I had no budget limit, I would just say screw building and go to www.alienware.com!!

Chris, Thanks for the suggestion. I went to their site. Very impressive, but I think I would prefer to build my new system rather than to buy it ready made.

Actually, the water-cooling components I listed are individual components I used for a custom-built water-cooling system...I'm not a fan of the pre-packaged systems, particularly the Asetek system used by a number of OEMs. In my system I use two of the 360mm XSPC radiators on a cooling tower that's external to the case. With a large case, a system with one 240mm or 360mm radiator could be built into the case. I like keeping as much of the liquid cooling system away from the electronics as possible. The way I did it, the only components posing a risk to the mobo are the cooling block (an all-metal Swiftek Apogee GTZ special edition) and the two connections to the cooling block. The rest of the cooling system lies outside the case, and I have drip loops in the lines to prevent a leak from running down along the tubing into the case as well.One other point I'd make about phase change vs liquid is that I can push the 975 right to the max voltage limits and still not get anywhere near the thermal limits with my water cooling system. Running the OCCT stress test at 4.55 GHz, the CPU runs in the mid-high 50 deg C range with the voltages as high as I dare go without putting the CPU at risk of failure due to voltage breakdown.I would consider using phase change if I were willing to put the CPU at risk and run the voltages past the intel-specified absolute maximums.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

So Bob, do you suggest to go the way of phase change? What about the condensation, as TechguyMaxC mentions. Is it a big thread to the MOBO and other parts inside the PC? I'm willing to go for it but I'd like to feel safe that no disaster will hit this big investment of mine.About the CPU my decision is the i7-975. So at least I've made my mind in the CPU; the first step is done!!!ThanksConsti