Hello Team.I've already posted this in the hardware forum, but would like to post here as well in hopes I can get some XP10 users to provide input.Bottom line is that with the advent of XP10, I've decided is time for a HW upgrade in order to be able to run my copy of XP10 that I ordered this morning. Here are my current rig specs:Intel Core2 Quad Q9650 2.7Ghz4GB RamNvidia GeForce 8800GTXMoBo - Asus MaximusWindows Vista Ultimate SP2 64bitPlanning to upgrade to the following:Mobo - ASUS P9 X79 ProCore i7 2600K Quad Core16GB of 2000mhz ramEVGA GTX 570 or 580 - either oneWindows 7 Pro 64bitI am accepting any feedback you can provide regarding wheter these new specs can run XP10 acceptably. I am also accepting recommendations on things I may be overlooking with these components.I noticed that most available processors only have 4 cores. I see people that have posted in the XPlane forums that they have more cores.....how is this possible?Thanks Dennis D. Mullert

All I can say is that when you buy a pc that is about as powerful as you can get you will end up getting the best frames that you can get. So, I guess you are covered there. Not sure about the additional cores. You may have seen people using cpu's with 6 cores, amd processors, or just HT which looks like more cores to the OS. Now, for what you may have overlooked... If you are getting the 2600K I assume you may be looking to overclock? if so you will need some cooling. I have recently replaced fans on a couple of machines with corsair H80 water cooling units. They work really well, the computers have gone just about silent since doing it and unlike watercooling where you have to do all the plumbing etc they are completely sealed devices so you just install and go. Worth it IMO.

You state the your quad 9650 is running at 2.7 Ghz! the native speed for a 9650 is 3Ghz. that is what I have and it runs at 3!!

Hey Jason Thanks for your reply. Very helpful. I will look into the liquid cooling thing. Right now I have a myriad of fans cooling my machine so the LQ would definitely improve the noise situation.Thanks!DennisHey Donald.It is actually a 2.7,hz processor and I have it OC'd to 3.0. I could probably go higher but I dont want to risk it.Thanks!Dennis

and with a water cooler (70 bucks) you could get that CPU to 3.3

Hey Jason Thanks for your reply. Very helpful.I will look into the liquid cooling thing. Right now I have a myriad of fans cooling my machine so the LQ would definitely improve the noise situation.Thanks!DennisHey Donald.It is actually a 2.7,hz processor and I have it OC'd to 3.0. I could probably go higher but I dont want to risk it.Thanks!Dennis

Really research the liquid cooling. I was going to get a liquid cooling kit, but did some asking around and found out the only advantage of a liquid cooling system was that it was quieter.Air cooled system temps vs liquid cooled system temps was very negligible. In some cases, air cooled systems were even cooler than liquid cooled. Depends on the quality and size of the heatsink and fan. (I've seen CPU heat-sinks weigh as much as just under a kilo)Also, the hoses used in liquid cooling kits are known to crack after a period of time. Check some overclocking forums. You'll see the majority of users don't bother with liquid cooled.

Hmmmmm Thanks for that feedback. I will definitely research. I have a Zalman super hughe fan I am currently using on my current processor and I might just continue to use it.Thanks!

True Goran, a water cooling solution is not necessary unless you are wanting to do really high OC's. Having said that, the difference between the sound is amazing. You just don't know what you have been used to sound wise until it's gone. At's amazing how much sound those air cooled heatsinks with twin 120mm fans can put out. I would say that sound is the biggest improvement, followed by ease of install. The kits like the corsair H80 are using different hoses that don't look like they will degrade and I have only heard good things about them, it's not the same as a rig it up yourself water solution.

I actually heard a tip that if you rub baby oil or olive oil over the hoses once a week, it'll seriously prevent degradation.Don't know how true that would be.

I actually heard a tip that if you rub baby oil or olive oil over the hoses once a week, it'll seriously prevent degradation.Don't know how true that would be.

My closed circuit water cooiling "tubes" are incased in a type of ribbon-wire-like metallic hose, so I have great doubt that baby oil would help that at all LOL

I actually heard a tip that if you rub baby oil or olive oil over the hoses once a week, it'll seriously prevent degradation.Don't know how true that would be.

What exactly are you talking about? Maybe when I am a bit older I will try that :)

Hmmmmm Thanks for that feedback. I will definitely research. I have a Zalman super hughe fan I am currently using on my current processor and I might just continue to use it.Thanks!

That motherboard is an x79 board which will only work for the new socket 2011 CPU's.

How is that x79 doing, Is it easy to overclock? If its Asus I would expect that. I currently have a P5N-D from Asus, but want to upgrade soon.

Hey, Dennis,For the i5/i7 overclockable configs these days, I actually highly recommend the Hydro-Series from Corsair. They are mildly priced on Amazon, and actually perform VERY well! They are hassle free liquid cooling solutions, completely sealed, and need no maintenance. The temperatures I have obtained with these things on overclocked rigs can at times be staggeringly impressive.

I am using an ECO Cooler from CoolIT - highly recommend - easy to fit and forget,,, am getting about 6c cooler than the Scythe big shuriken was using before and able to OC from 3 to 3.6GHz. This, paired with a humble GTX 460 is giving great performance in XP10 - 20 at KSEA and 40 in the air (HDR on)