Hello everyone,Well after several weeks trying to educate myself sufficiently to be able to tentatively decide on the components of a new FS computer, I am now submitting for comment what I've come up with. First though, let me list what the proposed specifications do not cover.Already purchased:Case - Corsair Obsidian series 650DPower Supply - Corsair Professional Series Gold AX850Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 580 Classified Ultra 3072 MBAnd here's the hardware I already have:TH2GO, 3 identical Dell Ultrasharp 21.5 inches, TrackIR, Microsoft Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, CH Yoke, CH Throttle and CH Pedals, and Saitek X52. I also have a second computer with two screens which is networked with the main FS computer to run FS Commander, Plan-G, FSChattter Live, Radar Contact, and a weather engine (presently ActiveSky but lately using OpenClouds)The components I'm proposing to buy are:Motherboard- ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS (This board provides Ivy Bridge and PCIE3 compatibility.)CPU- Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD GraphicsThe above was chosen based on its reputation as being capable of delivering, albeit OC'd, a fluid FSX experience. The upcoming Ivy Bridge processor and ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard were recommended by several members to other members but the question is whether the additional costs, if any, are justified for the increased performance which may not be very significant.CPU Cooler - CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU CoolerThis might be an overkill but the difference in price for a less performing model (H80) is negligible. Also, the H100 is easily fitted in the Obsidian 650D because of its large opening on the top of the case.RAM- CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 Desktop Memory with Airflow Fan Model CMT8GX3M2B2133C9 Cas Latency: 9, Voltage: 1.5V, Multi-channel Kit: Dual Channel Kit, Timing: 9-11-10-27.The above comes highly recommended. Here's a quote from one member: ". . . highly recommend getting 2133 CL9 RAM. Make sure it has low voltage. Corsair RAM kits are known for running stable at low voltages. Intel says that anything above 1.58V might eventually cause harm to the CPU . . ."The only reservation I have is that the hardware is not listed on ASUS's Qualified Vendor list (for the motherboard chosen above). Alternative choices are:(1) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL, 1.5v, Dual Channel Kit, Timing 9-9-9-24 and(2) CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M4A1333C9 – 1.5v, Quad Channel Kit, Timing 9-9-9-24Contrary to the recommended choice, both alternative choices are listed on ASUS's Qualified Vendor list.Soundcard- Considering audio capacity of late model motherboards, no dedicated soundcard will be installed, as least initially.Hard Drives (2)- Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive.Based on what I've read, Western Digital is a reasonably safe choice.Optical Drives (2)- ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS.There's no rationale for selecting ASUS.Operating System - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Your comments, observations and recommendations would truly be appreciated.Regards,JJ

Motherboard- ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS (This board provides Ivy Bridge and PCIE3 compatibility.)CPU- Intel Core i7-2700K Sandy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD GraphicsThe above was chosen based on its reputation as being capable of delivering, albeit OC'd, a fluid FSX experience. The upcoming Ivy Bridge processor and ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard were recommended by several members to other members but the question is whether the additional costs, if any, are justified for the increased performance which may not be very significant.CPU Cooler- CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU CoolerThis might be an overkill but the difference in price for a less performing model (H80) is negligible. Also, the H100 is easily fitted in the Obsidian 650D because of its large opening on the top of the case.

Looks perfect! You will have PCIe3 capability AND IB compatibility!Great choices and I wish you well with your build!

Great parts, I would go for air cooling though, and save some $$$. That CPU can hit a 4.8GHz solid overclock in air safely. The cooler master hyper 212 would do fine.

Looks good. Go for it!

Looks perfect! You will have PCIe3 capability AND IB compatibility!Great choices and I wish you well with your build!

You know that most, if not all P67 & Z68 motherboards are compatible with Ivy Bridge, don't you? even if not Gen 3, like yours or mine

You know that most, if not all P67 & Z68 motherboards are compatible with Ivy Bridge, don't you? even if not Gen 3, like yours or mine

Come on Dario. He did say AND.

Most of the Z77 boards are coming out now so you may want to go for them

Very good choices bro! Yeah and that RAM statement was from me. :) Good choice to go for 2133 CL9. Won't really increase FPS compared to 1600 CL9 or whatever, but will make things a little smoother! Less hitching and such. I have tested it so believe me.For the mobo, I recommend MSI. Their Z68 mobo's are at least as good as the ones from Asus, and they don't have the double boot problem that Asus has, according to my friends MSI board, which has no double boots at 4.8 GHz.For the graphics card, a GTX 580 is at the moment a complete waste of money. First of all, if running at the same clockspeed, the GTX 560Ti and GTX 570 will perform EXACTLY the same as the GTX 580. I've tested this myself too. If you're playing other games though, go for the GTX 580. BUT - I do not recommend buying a 500 series card at the moment. Because, the 600 series have just been released. I'd wait a week or 2, and go for a GTX 680, they are only around 75-100 dollars more expensive, and if they perform much better than the GTX 500 series, than I'd recommend go for one of these.If you're actually gonna BUY a version of Windows, which I do not assume, then Ultimate is completely useless. Home Premium does exactly the same in my opinion, I miss nothing in it, and performs exactly the same in FSX.

Hi,My sincere thanks to you Ben, Oscar, Srdan, Dario, Andrew, and Arjen for taking a few minutes to offer comments on my initial proposal. Your thoughtful input has both confirmed certain choices and caused me to reflect further on others.Oscar, your comments caused me to reconsider my initial choice and go as you suggested with air cooling but for a different reason. To be honest, I'm not completely comfortable with having a potential water leak, even if highly improbable, despite Corsair's good reputation for their water coolers. Earlier this week, I purchased a Noctua NH-D14 that was on sale (15% off) at Canada Computers. A little higher in price than the option you proposed but yet a good price I think for what appears to be a highly reputable air cooler.Andrew and Arjen, your comments have convinced me, for different reasons expressed or implied in each of your posts, to wait for the Z77 motherboards.And finally Arjen, the size of the air cooler has forced me into buying 'low profile' RAM sticks (Corsair Vengeance LP 1600MHz 9-9-9-24 1.5V) which are slower but nevertheless acceptable I believe. As for the GTX 580, I've already purchased it. As you might have read in another post, I purchased it one day before the announcement that the 680s were available but returning it meant a loss of over $85 plus shipping costs (Newegg purchase) because of the imposition of a 15% restocking fee once the product has been opened. I decided to live with my decision which was admittedly premature! I agree with your comment about my choice of the version of Windows; I probably don't need the Ultimate version which will save me $120!As mentioned in my initial post, purchasing all parts will be carried out over several months. But when I've completed the assembly, I will revive this post and give you feedback and for sure request your help in getting me started in overclocking but only after I've invested the time required to learn the basics so that you don’t have to put the paper in the typewriter for me!Regards,JJ

You shouldn't need to wait for them, they are already out.in australia that is

Andrew,

 

Unlike Australia at this time of year, it's cold up here and dog-sled deliveries slow things down! However, the snow has melted now, so things should improve!

Kidding aside, Canada Computers in Ottawa have confirmed a few days ago that they have them in stock. However, I'm in no hurry and will delay my purchase until I can sample a few reviews.

 

Regards,

 

JJ

Roger that. I thought Australia was usually the slow one for stock, and expensive too!