Hi all.I'm considering buying a new computer, and it stroke me: How many Ghz is really neccesary to run FSX with good frames, when you already have four cores?The one i'm considering is the I7 2,22 Ghz. Quard Core. But is that enough?Best RegardsLukas

FSX really needs GHz. You want 3.5 or better, preferably over 4. An i5-2500k will yield 4.5GHz easy.

Hi all.I'm considering buying a new computer, and it stroke me: How many Ghz is really neccesary to run FSX with good frames, when you already have four cores?The one i'm considering is the I7 2,22 Ghz. Quard Core. But is that enough?Best RegardsLukas

Hi Lukas,Corey is right, IMO to a point. Mainly because performance, framerates, stuttering are all very subjective. What one person feels is stuttery, is an opinion not necessarily shared be someone else. The same with autogen density. I never run my autogen more than dense, mainly because I prefer a fluid FSX experience. There are others who will sacrifice the smoothness I persue in favour of the extra autogen. However, if I were to answer your question objectively I would agree with Corey. If you are on the market for a new computer, then IMHO to be looking at a 2.22Ghz CPU is a waste of time if you are wanting to get the best from your simming experience. If you are flying without any addon aircraft and scenery then sure, probably no problem, but if you are wanting to take advantage of some of the fantastic adons from devs like PMDG and Orbx, then I'm afraid you need to be looking at the best possible CPU you can afford. Place more emphasis on the processor than the graphics card, as unlike PC games, FSX is a totally different animal and is more CPU dependent. So don't make the mistake of buying the latest GPU at the expense of the CPU, that would be a big no no. Probably the best bang for your buck, is as Corey suggested, the i52500K, which is easily overclockable. Failing that, you could pick up one of the older i7950s, which I ran for 18 months and OC it to 4.2Ghz. They are a superb chip, but not quite as good as the i52500K and not as smooth. My experience in FSX is that if you are really into it in a big way, then it is an expensive hobby, but a hobby that will reward you if you invest wisely.

Lukas,Get an i5 2500k system, and overclock it (or have it done for you like I did) beyond 4Ghz. You will not regret it.

Hi everyone!I have been asking myself the same question as the OP.Tomorrow I am finally going to order a new PC, based mostly on all the wonderful help I got here in the forum.My initial post is here: http://forum.avsim.n...nsition-fs9fsx/I will most likely go for:- Asus P8P67-Pro- Intel i5 2500k- GTX460 1GB or GTX560 1GB (don't know yet!)- 8 GB RAM DDR3- a 1TB 7200rpm HDD- Corsair HX750W- Windows 7 Premium 64 bit- I haven't yet decided on buying a sound card or not (?)I will be using FS9/FSX at 1920x1080 with my WS Samsung 23".So, as you see, I finally decided to go for the i5 2500k too (was thinking about i7 initially). I guess it has 3.3 GHzI am a total newbie as for overclocking (still sounds to me like 'killing your grandpa'. lol).My question to you is, frankly: is this custom 3.3 GHz enough to enjoy FSX complex airliners (PMDG, iFly, Level-D, etc) at large addon airports with AI and RW weather (the way I do my simming) or it NEEDS to be overclocked to around 4.5 GHz? And if the latter, then does it mean (I guess it does) I will need and extra cooler to invest in plus maybe a PSU stronger than 750 (Corsair let's say)?By the way: do you think overclocking shortens CPU's (and other parts') life and/or puts a lot of risk into hardware?Thanks in advance.Tomorrow is my judgement day...

I will most likely go for:- Asus P8P67-Pro- Intel i5 2500k- GTX460 1GB or GTX560 1GB (don't know yet!)- 8 GB RAM DDR3- a 1TB 7200rpm HDD- Corsair HX750W- Windows 7 Premium 64 bit- I haven't yet decided on buying a sound card or not (?)I will be using FS9/FSX at 1920x1080 with my WS Samsung 23".So, as you see, I finally decided to go for the i5 2500k too (was thinking about i7 initially). I guess it has 3.3 GHzI am a total newbie as for overclocking (still sounds to me like 'killing your grandpa'. lol).My question to you is, frankly: is this custom 3.3 GHz enough to enjoy FSX complex airliners (PMDG, iFly, Level-D, etc) at large addon airports with AI and RW weather (the way I do my simming) or it NEEDS to be overclocked to around 4.5 GHz? And if the latter, then does it mean (I guess it does) I will need and extra cooler to invest in plus maybe a PSU stronger than 750 (Corsair let's say)?By the way: do you think overclocking shortens CPU's (and other parts') life and/or puts a lot of risk into hardware?

I'll just post here so I can quote your post...A few things. Try to get a Z68 and not an older P67 motherboard. The P67 is a great mobo but the Z68 is better. Also go for the newer GTX 560ti rather than the 1.5 yr old tech GTX460.You'll find a stock i5 2500k will do very nicely with FS9 which is what you said you wanted to run. Yes overclocking lessens the life of the CPU, but mainly when you run more voltage. I've got mine at 1.356v with 4.4GHz. I'm hoping to get 3 years out of it at that speed. It could last more or less hehe.Will you be able to run all those addons in FS9 without overclocking? Yes I believe you'll be fine. Can you run those addons in FSX.... probably not as well... you'll want the 4.5+ GHz in that case for FSX.You won't need a stronger PSU than what you're thinking of buying even if you overclock. I scientificially measured the power my CPU was using with kill a watt and under heavy load (IBT) I measured around 260w. I then used a 3d program aka 3dmark 11 advanced to stress my video along with the processor and it spiked at 360w. Most people buy too large of PSU's. I definitly don't need the 750w I have but bought it because of good reviews. Would I go out and buy a 400w psu for my system? No lol... But I've run the tests and you'll be fine with a 750w psu, as long as its quality, which yours is.

Ryan,Thanks again for your professional help.I checked the MOBO and the GTX 560ti as you advised.The GTX 560Ti is some $70 more expensive than 460, so I guess I may get it.1. By the way... which version of Z68? I found more than a few, among them:- Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - from about $150- Z68 Extreme 4 - from about $200- Z68 Fatal1Ty Pro Gen 3 - from about $3002. What about an extra cooler if I do decide to overclock to 4.5 GHz (for FSX use)? Will it be necessary?3. The last think I am not sure about is the HDD. I learned it should be a 1TB with 7200rpm. Can you recommend a particular model?Thank you very much.

Hi GuysThanks a bunch for all the replies. I've decided to buy a Desktop instead of a laptop. My (so far) chosen:I7 2600K 3.4 Ghz (most likely to be overclocked)Gigabyte x58 MotherboardGTX 560 1Gb8 Gb Corsair DDR3 RAM500 Gb WD harddisk60 Gb Mushkin SSD (for FSX use)750 W PSUWill this be enough for PMDG NGX and Orbx with resonable frames?Best RegardsLukas

1. By the way... which version of Z68? I found more than a few, among them:- Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - from about $150- Z68 Extreme 4 - from about $200- Z68 Fatal1Ty Pro Gen 3 - from about $3002. What about an extra cooler if I do decide to overclock to 4.5 GHz (for FSX use)? Will it be necessary?3. The last think I am not sure about is the HDD. I learned it should be a 1TB with 7200rpm. Can you recommend a particular model?Thank you very much.

1.Can you find something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730If not any of those are fine. I usually spend 150-200 on a motherboard if I know I'll keep it for a few years.2. Coolers... Noctua's DH14 is huge and really popular, Corsair's H60/70/80/100 lineup is really nice. I use an H60 myself. It's average I suppose. CoolerMaster's 212 is always solid, not too large, and great value: http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=66363. Any major brand. I have a Samsung spinpoint. Western Digital, Seagate etc. I'd look for a 32mb cache...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185p.s. I noticed hard drives are really expensive lately... probably something to do with that plant overseas lol...

Ryan, thanks again for your input.The decision was made two days ago and ordered:- Z68 - the cheaper variant- Intel i5 2500k 3.3 GHz- Gigabyte GTX 560Ti 1GB- 8 GB RAM - I wanted Corsair Vengeance but it was not available, so I was promised something else of a similar quality- WD Caviar 500 GB 16MB SATA2 7200 rpm- Corsair HX750W PSU- Samsung SH-S222AB DVD recorder- Cooler Master Elite 430 case- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bitNo cooler for now. I will start with my CPU not overclocked and see how it performs in both FS9 and FSX.If I miss the power, I will go for OVC and invest in one of the coolers you mentioned.

I noticed hard drives are really expensive lately... probably something to do with that plant overseas

No doubts that's why!

Hi GuysThanks a bunch for all the replies. I've decided to buy a Desktop instead of a laptop. My (so far) chosen:I7 2600K 3.4 Ghz (most likely to be overclocked)Gigabyte x58 MotherboardGTX 560 1Gb8 Gb Corsair DDR3 RAM500 Gb WD harddisk60 Gb Mushkin SSD (for FSX use)750 W PSUWill this be enough for PMDG NGX and Orbx with resonable frames?Best RegardsLukas

Great system Lukas, but to be honest, I suggest you do some reading and get up to speed on overclocking. It's a very nicely balanced rig there, but to get the best out of it, IMO you really need to take it beyond 4.2Ghz, which is easily achievable and safe. You ask will it be ok for Orbx and PMDG with reasonable framerates. Well, again, that is subjective. I have your kit with a GTX580 and i5 2500k OC @ 4.6Ghz, I also run a load of tweaks, which gives me an extra 20% performance. I hardly ever fly with more than dense autogen, as I personally like super smooth simming. So boot the rig up and do some experimenting...

Hi GuysThanks a bunch for all the replies. I've decided to buy a Desktop instead of a laptop. My (so far) chosen:I7 2600K 3.4 Ghz (most likely to be overclocked)Gigabyte x58 MotherboardGTX 560 1Gb8 Gb Corsair DDR3 RAM500 Gb WD harddisk60 Gb Mushkin SSD (for FSX use)750 W PSUWill this be enough for PMDG NGX and Orbx with resonable frames?Best RegardsLukas

you may want to put that 2600k on a Z68 motherboard and not an X58.

you may want to put that 2600k on a Z68 motherboard and not an X58.

Well Actually i changed the motherboard, but to the P67 instead :) seemed neat