Can anyone suggest the best hardware for a new FSX build. I am mainly interested in an OC of 4ghz+ andwill be running on Windows 8.

 

Cheers and TIA

jja

Hi Allen,

 

A good place to start is looking at different posts here, the configurations are usually the same, and my blog gives you an idea of what is right for FSX. Just scroll down for the hardware guide. Link.

Thanks Word Not Allowed - you site is a great resource. I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

Is P3D a must instead of FSX in your opinion?

 

Cheers

jja

I wouldn't go P3D only quite yet. There's still a bunch of addons not properly working in it. Also some question the Academic license and how it relates to the EULA, especially when it comes to releasing products for P3D at an entertainment level.

 

I see P3D as a WIP, like XP10. I'd wait for P3D v2.0 as a starter.

You confirmed my concerns with P3d Ryan.

 

Thanks

jja

Is P3D a must instead of FSX in your opinion?

 

A must definitely not. With the tweaks in my guide, when applied, you get virtually the same performance+smoothness in P3D, like in FSX, in normal conditions. There are here and there positive sides, but all in all, save yourself an aggrevation of not having a startup screen, addon incompatibility etc...

Good to know Word Not Allowed. I never understood the P3d draw but I suppose it has some advantages.

 

Here is the MoBo for starters. Any memory suggestions since you seem to be on top of hardware?

 

Also I'm not interested in integrated graphics so is the 3570k still the best option?

 

TIA

jja

Haha, on top, almost, I think I'm just tagging along and giving my opinions :lol:

 

The Deluxe is a fine mobo, though do consider going PRO. Question yourself if you really need DELUXE features.

 

RAM: that question is just too simple. Good brand, like OCZ, Crucial, Corsair... 2600Mhz with lowest CL you can afford or there is.

 

The best options are 3770K or 2700K. 3770K goes up to 4.8Ghz with decent cooling, over that have to delid it, 2700K might hit 5.0-5.2 with decent cooling. I explained it all in detail in my guide though.

Thanks again Word Not Allowed! What are your thoughts on the X79 platform. Any advantages?

 

Cheers

jja

I bit the bullet Word Not Allowed. Thanks for your help.

X79 is a different CPU and sockel. Brings no advantage in FSX though, as the FSX relies on IPC, and there is not real benefit from going 4 -> 6 cores and the quad dram. There have been tests beyond initial 2600K and GTX580, which was a revolution for FSX as a combo, beyond that, hardware has made no advancements when FSX is considered.

You might as well get first gen SB mobo and a 2500K, if you clock it to 5.0 and stick in a fast RAM, you'll probably be not much slower than the fastest 2011 SB clocked under same conditions (cooling). Never tried it though, but from what I have been reading around.

 

I bit the bullet Word Not Allowed. Thanks for your help.

 

So what did you get?

Here are the goods

 

 

1 x ($499.99) MSI N680GTX Lightning GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

$499.99

 

 

1 x ($319.99) Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K

$319.99

 

 

1 x ($209.99) Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD1 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC 7mm Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

$209.99

 

 

1 x ($209.99) CORSAIR HX Series HX1050 1050W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

$209.99

 

 

1 x ($199.99) MSI Z77 MPOWER LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

$199.99

 

 

1 x ($199.99) Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion (70SB135400000) 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Sound Card with Sound Blaster I/O

$199.99

 

 

1 x ($134.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-2133C9D-16GXH

$134.99

 

 

1 x ($119.99) Corsair Carbide Series 500R Black Steel structure with molded ABS plastic accent pieces ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

$119.99

 

 

1 x ($114.99) CORSAIR Hydro Series H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

$114.99

 

 

1 x ($20.99) Corsair Air Series AF120 Performance Edition CO-9050003-WW 120mm Case Fan

 

Cheers

jja

Hey jja,

 

Good to see you hereabouts again. Looks like you are going to have another winner. You were the highest 2600K overclocker in the world at one point wern't you- 5.4 or 5.6 Ghz or something like that? Right? Ah, the good old days...

 

Kind regards,

Ohhhhhhhh, you're gonna be having a blast with that one!

Only thing I would say...

 

the H100i is soon to be available in the UK, not sure about the US. offering better cooling than the standard H100 and Corsair link out of the box

 

Even better... the NZXT Kraken X60 is also available soon, offering a much bigger radiator than the H100. If it will fit in your case of course.

 

http://www.corsair.c...cpu-cooler.html

 

http://www.nzxt.com/...oler/kraken_x60

 

I'm about to build myself, similar spec to you. Will use my NH-D14 and then get the Kraken when available probably, if the reviews are favorable. Will have to mod my case a tad.