Very nice Build

Very nice Build

cheers mate. On my current dying laptop, I've only used 96 gig of the 500 gig drive which includes OS, FSX, addons, email, documents, programs i've downloaded ...40 gig of that is FSX! So, really I'm using only 45 gig of space for everything other than FSX, might actually take a while to fill even half of the 128gig SSD when FSX will live on a seperate drive! Ofcourse, that is before I go on an ORBX binge

Nice build! You could probably save yourself the $30 and install Windows 7 yourself if going with Scorptec.

 

As a personal preference I would probably go with something like the Corsair H100 for a cooler, but that's just me.

 

I think you'll be very happy with that build!

G'day Mate!

 

It looks like you getting yourself a really nice FSX system there. I'm pretty much in the same shoes in terms of looking for a new FSX machine, but I do have experience with building. My current system is an old Core i5 760 OC'd to 4GHz which I think is pretty impressing from an original 2.8GHz.

 

The only problem here is that I'm in South Africa, so getting parts is a bit of a mission sometimes. Another issue is the import taxes that our government seem to add on just about everything.

 

I would like to get a similar system to you, however I would get the Corsair water cooler and overclock the most out of the CPU. SSD's are still very expensive in SA, so a nice fast mechanical HDD would suffice. Good luck and hope your new system goes well.

This is the rig I am planning on purchasing....planning on going with Scorptec for their customer service and support and warranty.

 

 

Windows 7 and programs will live on the SSD, while i plan to use the Velociraptor as an FSX / games drive.

 

Flight simmer, i'm also looking to setup a system along similar lines to yourself and will probably go for the H100, I note Scorptec have a 7-10 business day wait for turnaround on system, you can pay just over another $100 to get it done overnight, as well as the $105 to put the system together 7-14parts etc.

 

To be honest i've not build a PC from scratch myself but i'm sure it would be exciting and i'd learn alot from this, and save myself $105 and not have to wait a couple of weeks for the machine.

 

I just hope the H-100 fits in the HAF X case!!

 

Let us know how you get on? why did you plumb for ivy over sandybridge?

 

cheers

I just hope the H-100 fits in the HAF X case!!

 

The rad will fit at the top no problem

Flight simmer, i'm also looking to setup a system along similar lines to yourself and will probably go for the H100, I note Scorptec have a 7-10 business day wait for turnaround on system, you can pay just over another $100 to get it done overnight, as well as the $105 to put the system together 7-14parts etc.

 

To be honest i've not build a PC from scratch myself but i'm sure it would be exciting and i'd learn alot from this, and save myself $105 and not have to wait a couple of weeks for the machine.

Hi, I've never built a PC before and would have no idea how to do it without months of research, and I want this t obe a high end rig and don't want to stuff it up. Plus if something goes wrong, I cannot be blamed as the system was built by the store so it will be under warranty. I don't mind waiting a week for it to be ready.

 

 

I just hope the H-100 fits in the HAF X case!!

 

Let us know how you get on? why did you plumb for ivy over sandybridge?

 

cheers

 

I'm not upgrading or replacing an existing Sandybridge PC, but buying a whole new rig. I figured the support for faster RAM, Directx 11, reduced power consumption etc is good to have and Ivy is supposedly about 10% faster/more efficient at the same clock speed.

 

 

The H100 cooler is $60 more expensive than the Noctua, I suppose it's not too much in the grand scheme of things, but what sort of maintenence is required with water coolers vs air?

 

 

G'day Mate!

 

It looks like you getting yourself a really nice FSX system there. I'm pretty much in the same shoes in terms of looking for a new FSX machine' date=' but I do have experience with building. My current system is an old Core i5 760 OC'd to 4GHz which I think is pretty impressing from an original 2.8GHz.

 

The only problem here is that I'm in South Africa, so getting parts is a bit of a mission sometimes. Another issue is the import taxes that our government seem to add on just about everything.

 

I would like to get a similar system to you, however I would get the Corsair water cooler and overclock the most out of the CPU. SSD's are still very expensive in SA, so a nice fast mechanical HDD would suffice. Good luck and hope your new system goes well. [/quote']

 

cheers mate. Don't get me started on import taxes! This is not related to comps or FSX, but I recently ordered a $1750 telescope mirror from the USA, and the fees to get it into Australia - including GST, admin charges, customs etc etc etc..... totalled over $400! That is just state-imposed fees and taxes!

 

SSDs are damn expensive for sure. I'm considering going for a 128GB for the OS and programs, that will cost me about $160, while FSX will live on 600GB WD Velociraptor.

 

SSD's of 256GB or more are unjustifiably expensive atm.

I've never built a PC before and would have no idea how to do it without months of research, and I want this t obe a high end rig and don't want to stuff it up.

 

It's almost impossible to mess up building a computer, so don't let it intimidate you too much. The components are designed so that they will only fit into the slot they are supposed to, in the way that they are supposed to. You physically cannot put them in the wrong place. Plus, you have everybody in this community to help you if you have any questions. I think the combined knowledge of the gurus who hang around these forums is probably 100x that of the guy working in the local computer shop, especially when it comes to making FSX run well. Half an hour of watching Youtube videos is about all the research necessary. The knowledge you gain will be invaluable as you tinker with the machine to get it to run FSX better. All your parts should have warranties in case they are defective. Not trying to badger you into building it yourself, but I know I found it much more intimidating than it needed to be before the first time I did it.

 

what sort of maintenence is required with water coolers vs air?

 

A closed loop cooler like the H100 requires no maintenance; just install it and you're good to go. A custom water loop is another story.

^ That's good news re the cooler! Prices at the shop where I'm planning to buy have dropped slightly for some components, resulting in a net saving of $30, but now the GTX670 Asus GPU is listed at $559 whereas before it was $539??? Bit annoyed to say the least.

 

Might be able to source the card from another place for $519, but will have to ask about the policy for bringing components from a different store. Is there any difference between manufacturers when it comes to GPU. i.e. EVGA, Gigabyte, Zotac, Asus, MSI, Gainward, Palit.. is there any one that is preferred/has a better product and all that - regarding the GTX670?

The Gigabyte 670 OC 2GB has some very positive reviews. OC'ed out of the box - but with prices close to reference.

 

http://www.techpower...indforce/1.html

 

http://www.hardwarec...-oc-review.html

 

So I choose to get that one as you can see in my below

The build is so new however, that I have barely begun testing it.

So far everything looks good :-)

It seems that EVGA and Asus are the most popular card brands, and I've found Gigabyte to be good as well. As far as the others, I haven't heard much either way about them, so I don't know about their quality.

I was keen on going with the Asus because it apparently has a better cooling system than other brands. But, I can get an EVGA card for $489 (915mhz) or a Gigabyte overclocked (980mhz) for $510 at the place I want to buy the computer form. The cheapest Asus card I've found is $519 for the DCU II (also 980mhz) from another shop, but is listed at $559 from where I'm buying :shok:some people

 

I've also been reading some forums and some people reckon that the Asus card could cause some instability issues (although this seems to be the TOP version) :Thinking:

Hey all, still haven't got around to purchasing my PC! Some unexpected financial crap got in the way. But I'm ready now and will save nearly $100 as prices for most components have dropped :D E.g that $510 Gigabyte GTX670 is now $485 :)

 

I'm looking at applying for a job which will involve CAD work from home, so should I get 16gb or RAM and an i7 3770k instead or stick to my original specs? I've heard more ram benefits CAD programs but what about the CPU?