Hello all, About to embark on a new build for FSX. First a little History. Been a member for a long time, most of the time just a lurker, as I am not much of a poster. Been using FS since FS4, sub logic ATP, etc., this will be my about my 7th build, so am not quite a newbie builder.Current anticipated purchase, after much reviewing most of the posts on this site: MOBO- Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD4-B3CPU- Intel i5 2500KRAM- GSkill Sniper 8GB(2X4) DDR3 1600 CL7GPU- Evga GTX 580 Superclocked 1536 MBHD- 750 WD Caviar 7200 for OS 2X450GB WD Vrap for FSX and FS9Sound- OnboardCPU Cooler- Noctua NH-D14PSU-Corsair HX850 850WCase-Thermaltake Armour (from my previous E8400 OC'ed build)Windows 7 Professional 64-bitCurrently have a 24 inch LCD, am thinking about possibly going to 2 or 3 monitors, but that will have to wait. Am planning to OC to at least 4.5. Run FSX along w/ the usual suspects (ASE, REX, UTerrain,UTraffic,RC,PMDG 737,747,MD11,leveld 767, FSDT and all the big airports). I realize that I still can't run FSX w/ sliders maxxed (guess I'll have to turn down ground traffic & trees). My main question is regarding the RAM and the MOBO.1-Is the MOBO sufficient, as the various model numbers (ie-UD4,5, etc. are confusing)2-also the RAM-Fast enough, is there any real reason to go to a higher speed? I have bookmarked nick's setup and several different SB OC guides. Thanks in advance. Ed

Hello all, My main question is regarding the RAM and the MOBO.1-Is the MOBO sufficient, as the various model numbers (ie-UD4,5, etc. are confusing)2-also the RAM-Fast enough, is there any real reason to go to a higher speed? I have bookmarked nick's setup and several different SB OC guides. Thanks in advance. Ed

memory and all else is perfect. difference ud4 vs ud5 is the voltage regulation with ud5 being the better of the two with phaze20 vs phaze12. Is it worth it? I buy what I can afford, eliminates all doubt just like 2600k vs 2500k.

I think the UD4 is 14 or 16 phase, but I can get to 4.8 with 12 phase on the UD3P. Unless you are looking to got with SLI then you could get away with a HX750. As for the RAM, its just about as good as you can get.

1-memory and all else is perfect. difference ud4 vs ud5 is the voltage regulation with ud5 being the better of the two with phaze20 vs phaze12. Is it worth it? I buy what I can afford, eliminates all doubt just like 2600k vs 2500k. 2-I think the UD4 is 14 or 16 phase, but I can get to 4.8 with 12 phase on the UD3P. Unless you are looking to got with SLI then you could get away with a HX750. As for the RAM, its just about as good as you can get. Hey, thanks , Gary and Andrew, for the insight. Ed

I need some advice with a few things, I have read countless times "don't put your money in a high end graphics card for fsx but what exactly isn't high enough? I have a gtx 460 (superclocked edition), is that enough? Or should I get something better

Well A good GPU will definitely help FSX. If you have the money then go for the higher end GPU, if you're a bit short then spending more on RAM and overclocking necessary items would probably be better.

Thanks for the reply, just to make sure I'm clear, you're saying a gtx 460 isn't good enough?