First-time Custom Building an FSX (or FS9) Gaming PC

[aviationetwork 0]

Hello aviationers! It is my first time posting on this forum and I am glad that I am.

I have recently opened my Youtube channel, aviationetwork (as my ID suggests B) ). I want to further the quality of my videos so I have decided to completely build my own PC. This will be my first build as I usually go for the store-bought option. But I have heard it is much more better to build your own. So I am. I have come to a conclusion that for my first build I want to spend $500-$530 as inspired by this video:

youtube.com/watch?v=MFJ-sGb54ck

 

Here are my choosings for the components I found necessary:

 

 

1) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL

http://goo.gl/N7lzk

 

2) LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS90 - OEM

http://goo.gl/Af2h6

 

3) Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap

http://goo.gl/5xhfV

 

4) Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

http://goo.gl/cuLUz

 

5) GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3H LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://goo.gl/zHzzO

 

6) COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS500-PCARD3-US 500W ATX12V v2.3 Power Supply

http://goo.gl/Z71vX

 

7) Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD5000AAKX

http://goo.gl/Oa48I

OR

Western Digital RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

(Preferably the cheaper option: the first one)

 

8) Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case

http://goo.gl/h7p5O

 

9) VIDEO CARD IS UNDECIDED

 

Subtotal excluding GPU and TAX = ~$425

 

 

I would really appreciate your advice and would love to know what else I need (i.e. wires, etc.) I need help finding a Video Card and I hear NVIDIA is the way to go for FSX so that is my preference. I have been looking at GT's but GTX seem to be over the budget goal.

 

Thanks for the help!

[Manny 1,293]

I am quoting this from "Max's post.

 

"If you have a Micro Center nearby, you should really go there. $189 for the 3570k and $89 for an Asrock Z77 Extreme 4 board when purchased together. Literally not a better deal out there right now. "

[aviationetwork 0]

Interesting. I do have a Micro Center nearby but how does this deal help?

[TechguyMaxC 516]

It's faster than what you're looking at, as long as you take advantage of the overclocking potential which would be silly not to because it's a free performance boost for FSX which needs all the performance you can get.

[Manny 1,293]

Interesting. I do have a Micro Center nearby but how does this deal help?

 

Because with that Processor and that MB you would own one of the fastest PC for FSX. And its not like you are going to be paying much more than what you were planning to go with.

 

Whatever other components you may decide now due to cost, make sure you have a good processor and the Z77 Motherboard. Everything else you could upgrade slowly if you want...without having to reinstall your OS and FSX and what not/

 

IF you go with what you were planning, you have painted yourself into a corner.

 

Manny

[Bobu 0]

Whatever you do, plan on running between 4 to 4.8GHz. 4.5GHz would be a good target. Also, Ben has had good luck with the GTX 660TI. Those are the two biggest factors. Otherwise you might be disappointed with FSX.

[aviationetwork 0]

IF you go with what you were planning, you have painted yourself into a corner.

Hmmm interesting...what decision may be at fault? Thanks for the help.

 

Also, Ben has had good luck with the GTX 660TI.

Would the GTX550ti be good? its just in the budget and I have heard good raves about it.

[Bobu 0]

Before you decide to go nVidia over ATI/AMD you might want to read this post:

 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/383715-are-nvidia-cards-really-better-than-atiamd-cards-for-fsx/#entry2455069

[ryanbatc 12,812]

Here's the issue. Yes you can build a gaming PC for $500. It will run most games (BF3/COD/Skyrim etc). FSX IS NOT, however, most games. It needs a quick CPU, balanced video card, RAM, HDD, etc to make it work. In addition to that, imho, it needs a CPU that is overclocked.

 

Can you run off your proposed specs? Yes, probably. But it won't meet your expectations... well it wouldn't meet mine anyway.

 

If you're on a budget as a minimum I'd go i5 2500K (the K is important - means unlocked multiplier and simple overclocker), P67 motherboard, 4GB ddr3 1600mhz ram, GTX560ti, and 500GB HDD. Also you'd want to get a aftermarket cooler (the cheapest value one is the Hyper 212+: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103099 ). Prepare to spend about $800 as a very minimum to enjoy FSX. If you can't get it now, SAVE for it - it will be worth it.

 

EDITs:

 

I'm adding a few notes... looking on Newegg.. I'd spend the extra 10 bucks on the new Ivy Bridge cpu, the i5 3570K, and get a basic Z77 motherboard (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157296)... that's sort of a future proofing move. I didn't realize IB and the older SB (2500k) were so close in price. The trick thing with IB is that apparently is really loves quicker RAM. So DDR3 2100/2400 area of operation. Those sticks are more pricey than the 1600 or 1333 stuff. It really depends what you want to save up for...

 

Alright so I priced out a basic system.... $800 was too low... probably about $1000 including case and OS.

 

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $105

ASRock Z77 Pro4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $110

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $90 after MIR

Intel Core i5-3570K - $230

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 - $60 after MIR

EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) - $210

500GB HD - $110

Win7 oem - $100

Hyper212+ - $35

[Bobu 0]

Don't forget to tell him about all the add-ons he is going to need. LOL. The rig may be the least of his worries. :lol:

[aviationetwork 0]

Well what I used to work this out in the first place was this:

 

I do think I should go for the NVIDIA GTX550 ti because it just works out perfectly. Also, I think I should go for the Z77 and the i5 2700k...(better than the i3, isn't it?)

[ryanbatc 12,812]

I know, I skimmed through the video and read it in your first post above... I'm trying to tell you $500 won't buy an FSX rig. The guy in the video is going to run the usual "gaming" games... skyrim, crysis, call of duty, etc etc.

 

The GTX550 would be the lowest I'd consider going for FSX. I'd save for the 560ti instead.

 

2700K is a great CPU, no doubt, but it's about $80 more than the 3570k or 2500k...

[Bobu 0]

Ryan is telling you the truth. If you cannot get to a certain level in FSX you are going to be planning a major hardware upgrade before your new system is even burned in. And although my results are abnormal around here, a high end graphic card and a CPU with LOTS of muscle and overclocking ability are going to make all the difference. You also need to make sure you have all the parts working together. Balance is key.

 

Target a 4.5-4.8GHz CPU. A GTX 660TI or better graphic card. And save some money for eye candy. KPHX for example!

[aviationetwork 0]

Well i'll be frank. My current PC is a joke, very outdated and basic.

Main specs:

 

Intel Core 2

6300 @ 1.86GHz

1.58GHz, 3.50 GB RAM

 

This is my latest video: I didn't edit too much, nor did I speed it up and it runs pretty good (not great, but decent) (This is FS9...)

 

What I am trying to say is my expectations are lower than your's and I am not too much of a hard-core gamer. I want something that runs pretty smooth and is fine for day-to-day use. If I wanted something like an i7, I would be forced to have a 1000+ budget and this thread wouldn't have existed.

Target a 4.5-4.8GHz CPU. A GTX 660TI or better graphic card. And save some money for eye candy. KPHX for example!

 

I anticipate only $600 to be put in the system and I will buy $100-$200 in addons (such as KPHX). I am doing this for the sake of fun and a challenge that is say "out-of-the-norm."