I am going to build a new computer. I would like to hear from those of you who have high end AMD systems such as the new six or eight core processors. I am interested in your specifications and any trouble or problems you had with the system build.Also are you satisfied with the system and how have you had to adjust FSX to work on your computer.ThanksDon

Don go Intel mate, i7 2600k you won't be disappointed, most here use that overclocked to about 4.5 dependent on chip, or you can wait for new Sandy Bridge due soon. I wouldn't touch AMD just my 2 cents. Wayne.

go Intel mate, i7 2600k

Best wait for Ivy Bridge and get PCIe 3 support (2x the BW of PCIe 2).Cheers,- jahman.

Don go Intel mate, i7 2600k you won't be disappointed, most here use that overclocked to about 4.5 dependent on chip, or you can wait for new Sandy Bridge due soon. I wouldn't touch AMD just my 2 cents. Wayne.

Can you run this without water cooling?

Can you run this without water cooling?

Absolutely. Lots of folks are getting good mid-4GHz range clocks on the SB CPUs with a decent air cooling solution. If you're shooting for 5 GHz, water might come in handy there.

FlyerI have an i7 2600K on water cooling at 4.8GHz and it runs FSX superbly.IMHO AMD processors just don't have the same 'grunt' in cpu intensive games as their Intel counterparts. The SB cpu design was a step forward with a ring memory structure which makes it more powerful and it uses less power. The best performance per dollar is undoubtably the i5 2500K which when o/c it is nearly on a par with any of the i7's, couple that with a good z68 ver 3 mobo (which may support PCIE3), a 5xx series Geforce card, 8GB RAM, 64-bit OS and you have a good system.Sure you can wait for IvyBridge but remember what happened to SB when it was first released with all the issues with mobo's etc. Most experts predict a modest 10% in performance with IB over SB so will that make FSX perform faster and stutter free? Is PCIE3 going to make a major difference to FSX - maybe. Wait and see.RegardsPeterH

Agree with Pete but definitely no AMD chip

Sure you can wait for IvyBridge but remember what happened to SB when it was first released with all the issues with mobo's etc. Most experts predict a modest 10% in performance with IB over SB so will that make FSX perform faster and stutter free?Is PCIE3 going to make a major difference to FSX - maybe. Wait and see.

But let's be clear...that's a 10% clock-for-clock difference. The real question is will the new tri-gate transistor matrix and the smaller die allow for better overclocks? I'm hanging fire until the fog lifts on that one.

Best wait for Ivy Bridge and get PCIe 3 support (2x the BW of PCIe 2).Cheers,- jahman.

As Jahman has said, WAIT FOR IVY BRIDGE.Also, the Nvidia Kepler lineup will be released soon after the IB chips are rolled out to the market.An Ivy Bridge paired with an Nvidia Kepler will give you some seriously insane FSX performance.

Bob

But let's be clear...that's a 10% clock-for-clock difference

.Good point - I should have said that - thanks. For the rest of the citizens:With regard to greater performance with IB and the next gen Geforce, I seem to recall similar remarks for the i7 9xx and the later SB when they were released coupled initially with a GeForce 4xx and later a 5xx graphics card. :Thinking:But by the time IB et al is released, I guess that we'll all be talking about the yet undiscovered unnamed computer and graphics card we need to run "Flight :Party: ". I wonder if Intel and NVidia know about FSX?I'm a firm believer in the Law of diminishing returns! :Peace: PeterH

For FSX it's Intel.AMD's are good but not so good with FSX.

With regard to greater performance with IB and the next gen Geforce, I seem to recall similar remarks for the i7 9xx and the later SB when they were released coupled initially with a GeForce 4xx and later a 5xx graphics card. :Thinking:But by the time IB et al is released, I guess that we'll all be talking about the yet undiscovered unnamed computer and graphics card we need to run "Flight :Party: ". I wonder if Intel and NVidia know about FSX?I'm a firm believer in the Law of diminishing returns! :Peace:PeterH

Peter,Returns are actually increasing because Moore's Law is geometric, so this time around a 10% increase in performance is Moore :LMAO: than a 10% increase when SB came along because the base is now higher.Also what's important about IB is PCIe support (2x the BW of PCIe 2).Cheers,- jahman.

Edited February 12, 201214 yr by jahman

The best performance per dollar is undoubtably the i5 2500K which when o/c it is nearly on a par with any of the i7's, couple that with a good z68 ver 3 mobo (which may support PCIE3), a 5xx series Geforce card, 8GB RAM, 64-bit OS and you have a good system.

I am pretty well convinced of this setup too for MY next build (SOON!) and consider waiting for the next hardware event (Ivy Bridge) to be a non-issue. FSX is not going to have any more input by Microsoft (performance improvements, is: patches). What hardware is available now will run FSX at high performance slider settings and high FPS so that is where I am going with my hardware selections.Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Mid Tower CaseASUS P8P^& Deluxe Intel MBIntel Core i5-2500K SB 3.3GHz ChipPolimatrich PRO Megahalems Rev. C CPU CoolerEvercool F 120x120 High Speed CPU FanEVGA Superclocked GeForce GTX560 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Video CardSeaSonic X-Series X-1050 PSUMushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB (2x4GB) 240Pin DDR3 1600 SDRAMSeagate ST3500411SV 500GB 7200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/S HDDMS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OSI am at about $1400 US from Newegg.Anyone who has input or suggestions on this receipe is appreciated. I researched each component selections for performance, price (some wife budgeting here of course....) and quietness.Thanks~~Don(Edited Case spec, liked the separate PSU chamber for cooling)

Edited February 27, 201214 yr by Fragmentum

I'm a firm believer in the Law of diminishing returns! :Peace:PeterH

Me too, especially when applied to the bank account because of this hobby! :Nerd:

ASUS P8P^& Deluxe Intel MB

Go for the Asus P8Z68 Deluxe Gen3 motherboard. This will give full IB and PCIe3 compatibility.