I would hold off on making any CPU purchase right now. Like Tabs explained in an earlier post the processors are all the same just slight mods made; well Intel is coming out with a new mod to the i7's.Last I read first part of the year the newer models will be out and priced in the same range as todays are. SO if you have the cash saved up for i7 950; HOLD SHORT>This new lineup referred to as the Sandy Bridge - don't hold me to naming - is gonna be crazy. I read some reviews of people overclocking them to 5.0 ghz on air cooled rig. Something to do with a new multiplier inside that unlocks some hidden performance.The second generation i7's are coming:GOOGLE LINK.....

Whats better for fsx a higher multi or higher blck?20x200 or 21x190?

For i7's, there have been issues with a 20 multiplier. Try using 21 or 19. Disable Turbo as well.

Really? Now that's some interesting info.But: when it's not active, why should it produce any heat? Not that I don't believe you, I just don't understand.Best Regards,Bert Van Bulck

Well for one, it's hard to test the stability of the chip when there's 8 threads going in Prime95 and it hits 70-80C at like 3.6-3.8 instead of up at 4.0+ where you want it. Second it's not that the hyperthreading doesn't get used at all, it's just not significant enough to really make any kind of real difference in most games, FSX included. The OS will always use it somewhat too. Since they aren't real extra physical CPU cores, it's really the 4 cores you have doing extra work on top of what they're already doing - that's where the extra heat comes from.

For i7's, there have been issues with a 20 multiplier. Try using 21 or 19. Disable Turbo as well.

Keep in mind everyone that bclk (with the memory ratio/divider) controls your RAM frequency. 200 vs. 190 at the same divider setting may be pushing your RAM further than it can go and that can be the cause of instability, not the CPU itself.

I'm so lost with overclocking. I guess I need to get my i7 950 w/ coolermaster fan past it's stock 3.06 ghz speeds. I'd like to get it to 4ghz on my Gigabyte mobo with 6gb ddr3-1600 ram. Can you help?

I'm so lost with overclocking. I guess I need to get my i7 950 w/ coolermaster fan past it's stock 3.06 ghz speeds. I'd like to get it to 4ghz on my Gigabyte mobo with 6gb ddr3-1600 ram. Can you help?

Follow this guide, it's really great:http://www.techreaction.net/2010/09/07/3-step-overclocking-guide-lynnfield/

I'm so lost with overclocking. I guess I need to get my i7 950 w/ coolermaster fan past it's stock 3.06 ghz speeds. I'd like to get it to 4ghz on my Gigabyte mobo with 6gb ddr3-1600 ram. Can you help?

1 week ago i upgraded from quad..Look in my sigI have been reading since then.. I have compiled what i have read into this: http://forum.avsim.net/topic/322027-overclocking-reading-learning-curve/Take a look.. Also since you have Gigabyte board your case is very similar to mine. I am running easily 4.00Ghz and SAFE.....If you need anything AFTER reading you can contact me..

1 week ago i upgraded from quad..Look in my sigI have been reading since then.. I have compiled what i have read into this: http://forum.avsim.net/topic/322027-overclocking-reading-learning-curve/Take a look.. Also since you have Gigabyte board your case is very similar to mine. I am running easily 4.00Ghz and SAFE.....If you need anything AFTER reading you can contact me..

Thank you so much this is perfect! So far I'm at 4ghz and loving it. Haven't done much testing but loading fsx at orbx KSEA and temperatures were hovering around 50-60 which I guess is not bad. Now to clock the memory a little higher and see what the performance is like.