OK - I am not a computer expert - but I am having a computer built with the i7 990x CPU and a ASUS Rampage MB with liquid cooling. The tech got it OC'd to 4.0 gHz and can't go higher. (He says it wasn't stable). I see posts out there of people getting 4.7-5.0. The tech says going to 4.5-5.0 would not help performance since he tested out FSX and it at 20% on the CPU. (he didn't have the PDMG 747 installed yet).Here's the debate: I say 5.0Ghz will give me better FPS performance in FSX than 4.0 GHz even though the CPU is at 20%. He says "NOT". Who is correct here?You think can tweak it up a bit with my limited knowledge - he says it'll void the warranty - I like taking chances.

OK - I am not a computer expert - but I am having a computer built with the i7 990x CPU and a ASUS Rampage MB with liquid cooling. The tech got it OC'd to 4.0 gHz and can't go higher. (He says it wasn't stable). I see posts out there of people getting 4.7-5.0. The tech says going to 4.5-5.0 would not help performance since he tested out FSX and it at 20% on the CPU. (he didn't have the PDMG 747 installed yet).Here's the debate: I say 5.0Ghz will give me better FPS performance in FSX than 4.0 GHz even though the CPU is at 20%. He says "NOT". Who is correct here?You think can tweak it up a bit with my limited knowledge - he says it'll void the warranty - I like taking chances.

Hey Paul, I saw and replied to your post in the PMDG forums before the whole thread was deleted. I think you were going with a 990X, GTX590 and 12GB of RAMAll right, the tech guy is probably testing FSX with no service packs, so that FSX is going to run in a single core. That's why he only sees a 20% CPU activity. Even then, FSX is still obviously CPU limited. How come he didn't look at GPU usage before stating higher clocks won't help? or compare it against stock clocks?You are right, the higher the overclock the better, but when you see our higher OC (4.7 -5) it's because we have Sandy Bridge CPU's. SB is a new generation of Intel chips, are faster, cheaper and overclock better. You should go with a I5 2500K or a I7 2600K instead of a 990X. It's faster in FSX.About your GPU of choice, the GTX590 is a dual card with internal SLI. SLI is useless for FSX, so that GTX590 is going to behave as a single GPU. Considering how low clocked the GTX590 is, it will perform more or less like a GTX560.Not a good card for FSX, better pick a GTX580 (I assume from your initial parts of choice that money is not an issue)12GB of RAM is overkill, and will limit your overclock. If you go with a Sandy Bridge system as you should, get the fastest 2x4GB you can find. Faster RAM has little impact on performance, but it helps a bit, so again, if your budget was 4000$ that shouldn't be overlooked if you want the best possible performance.

Too late for changes, the computer is paid for and on it's way. Can I swap a 2600 onto the same mother board?

Hi Paul,You have come to the right place and have asked the right questions so far. There are a lot of people here that are pretty much experts on hardware/software and FSX. We will carefully guide you through this step by step. However, Dazz is right. If you can cancel/switch systems you can save lots of money and aggravation and get excellent results. But since you say that changing is too late, let's forget about Sandy Bridge and just concentrate on what you have ordered.Your Ram is indeed too much for FSX because it will perhaps limit your overclock a bit, and your 590GTX will not be fully functional. But relax, your equipment will run FSX extremely well if properly cooled and the 990X CPU overclocked into the middle 4.0s after being properly setup and tuned. FSX does indeed need CPU speed in order to be speedy. One of the first steps after assembly and cooling is to see how high an overclock the CPU will go and remain stable. I assure you that it will go a lot higher than anything your installer told you, and remain as safe and stable as the rock of Gibralter. But first: That being said, please list exactly what equipment you have/ordered as follows:CPUMother boardRAM (Name, timings, and if special cooling)GPUHard DrivesCPU heatsink coolingPSUSound Cardscooling, including type, brandCaseMonitor(s) We will help you to get it right.Kind regards,

Too late for changes, the computer is paid for and on it's way. Can I swap a 2600 onto the same mother board?

No, you can't. It's a different socket. I don't know Paul, if I run a business and a client ready to pay 4 grands for a computer asked me for some changes I would agree. And if a 990X doesn't get past 4GHz, it's either that he's not too good at overclocking or that CPU is a very poor OCer, in which case he should have offered you trying a new one. Most 990X hit 4.3 - 4.4GHz.Even if you had to pay the shipping, and the time it takes him to swap parts and overclock the 2600K, you should still save money considering how pricey the 990X + 12GB of RAM is, and get better performance

No, you can't. It's a different socket. I don't know Paul, if I run a business and a client ready to pay 4 grands for a computer asked me for some changes I would agree. And if a 990X doesn't get past 4GHz, it's either that he's not too good at overclocking or that CPU is a very poor OCer, in which case he should have offered you trying a new one. Most 990X hit 4.3 - 4.4GHz.Even if you had to pay the shipping, and the time it takes him to swap parts and overclock the 2600K, you should still save money considering how pricey the 990X + 12GB of RAM is, and get better performance

Paul,Yes, DAZZ IS RIGHT, if you can still switch to Sandy Bridge you will be well advised to do so.Kind regards,

Sounds to me like the tech doesn't know what he's doing. The 990X's can easily hit about 4.3 with a little voltage. He probably just left all the voltage settings on AUTO. Hell, I've got an E8500 stable at 4.5GHz!

Too late for changes, the computer is paid for and on it's way. Can I swap a 2600 onto the same mother board?

If the computer is on its "way", then you have the right (I believe the internet law in USA is the same as here, isn't it?), you can return it without question asked, right? You can explain you are no satisfied with its performance.Cuz the system you ordered is (as others mentioned too):1) way too expensive compared to SB2) waaaaaay to expensive to spend for FSXAnd yes, like everyone else said, you guy has no knowledge if he can't get it past 4.0.