Okay, after eons of simming via my (school) laptop, currently a late 2011 MacBook Pro, which simply doesn't cut it due to the increasing hardware demands from addons from PMDG, Level-D and such, so I've decided to invest a bit in a PROPER desktop. The question is, do the hardware gurus approve..?So, some background, I live in India *rolls eyes*, andddddd, I'm turning 16, so, this computer has to last a while. I'm very well aware of Ivy Bridge and the nVidia GTX 6XX series coming out soon, but I still wanted some thoughts on this setup. I will be building 'er myself... Parts are sourced from local online retailers (I'm yet to find any decent international parts websites, newegg, I'm looking at you), money is no object etc. Enough yapping, onto the hardware :DProcessor- Intel i7-2600K; will be OC'd, and, there really isn't any other option at this time, the 3xxx series isn't available here -.-Motherboard- Asus Maximus IV Extreme-Z; great OC capacity!RAM- Undecided (G.skill Ripjaws?)(Corsair Vengeance?) 4GB x 3Case- CM HAF X Case, big enough for my future expansion needsPSU- Corsair HX1050 PSU; again, future proofingCPU Cooler- Corsair H80; OC supportDrives- WD Caviar Green 2TB + 60GB SSD; really need help with this oneGraphics Card- MSI GTX580 Lightning OR AMD 7970 OR GTX590?; well aware of FSX's love of single GPU cards..Any other info y'all need, lemme know. Thanks in advance, gurus ;)Aamir.

Sandy Bridge is dual channel and you posted 4gbX3. I would recommend either getting 4 modules or 2. Also I would get the 580 because the 590 is only 2 580s in sli and as you said fsx just don't use sli.

Right, so 4GBx4 then. Thank you :)Any other recommendations? What of the 7970?

Right, so 4GBx4 then. Thank you :)Any other recommendations?What of the 7970?

or 2X8gb which might be the better option. I am not sure about AMD, I've read that nvidia is better for FSX but the 7970 is newer so maybe it'll beat it out.

Hmm, I'll look Into the RAM. The onLy reason I'm loading off the 7970 is because it hasn't been...... Proven, per se, in FSX.

For goodness sake. Don't throw your money at that system.... PLEASE WAIT FOR IVY BRIDGE!

Hahahahaha, I have noticed, you DO seem to be a fan of "waiting for Ivy" -.-You have NO idea what sort of a hellish experience FSX is on a laptop, with addons. And if you do, I'm sure you'd relate!

Hahahahaha, I have noticed, you DO seem to be a fan of "waiting for Ivy" -.-You have NO idea what sort of a hellish experience FSX is on a laptop, with addons. And if you do, I'm sure you'd relate!

Nice system. Instead of the Caviar Green, get a 1TB Caviar Black devoted to FSX. The Greens are slower speed HDDs, built to be quiet and energy efficient above all else. The SSD is up for debate: I suggest getting another Caviar Black at this time, skipping on the SSD since they're so expensive. I'll give you an idea: I have a Caviar black for my system drive, one for FSX, an older/smaller Caviar Black for storage of FSX and system "stuff" (add on installations, system drivers, etc), and yet another for mass storage (pictures, iTunes music, etc.)For RAM, I suggest any dual channel(two sticks) 1600MHz 8GB 1.5v kit.For your GPU, that 580 is nice! Stick with that. The 590 is geared towards benchmarkers and multi-moniter gamers.That's nice, cool case, though I think it looks a bit cheesy and tween geek oriented. That's always a very subjective area.

Edited February 5, 201214 yr by ZachLW

Ben, I also noticed you are telling everyone to wait for Ivy. I just wonder how much will IB score coupled with the same GPU on the FSXMark11 score, clock by clock.

I would also recommend waiting for Ivy Bridge and Kepler.

IB will offer some sort of benefit, and some sort of speed increase. Considering it's release is imminent, I'd wait for IB too. Especially considering it's price will be comparable to SB's.

Ben, I also noticed you are telling everyone to wait for Ivy. I just wonder how much will IB score coupled with the same GPU on the FSXMark11 score, clock by clock.

It is backwards logic to purchase an older lineup when a new one will be available quite soon.

I would also recommend waiting for Ivy Bridge and Kepler.

+1

IB will offer some sort of benefit, and some sort of speed increase. Considering it's release is imminent, I'd wait for IB too. Especially considering it's price will be comparable to SB's.

That is what I have been saying.

Edited February 5, 201214 yr by benorg

I will seriously laugh my &@($* off if IB doesn't provide some serious increase. Let's put this serious into numbers = >10%.I know it's backward logic, but if it doesn't, then it's not going to be so irrational to buy SB.

I agree more with Word Not Allowed, Sandy Bridge is excellent with Sandy Bridge. No real reason to wait IMHO.Kind regards,

Everyone keeps mentioning IB and saying to wait for it, but currently these i5 and i7 processors are still top, top notch, however you look at it. And perhaps people don't want to wait?Also, bringing up the topic of how SB is going to be "out-of-date" when IB is out... well, yes, it will be, but only in a wider sense. I'm certainly not going to consider my PC out-of-date in a few months just because there's a new, better processor out...Anyway, I think those specs look mighty fine OP :-)