Yes voltage is very important and can damage the CPU.  On sites like Tomshardware and overclockers voltage is often discussed, they have the general tolerance levels.

 

Thermal paste is already applied to the CPU, generally if you were replacing the cooler you would take off the existing and apply a small amount to the top of the CPU.

 

And that's where I'm out of my comfort zone. It would be all too easy to make a mistake. I know my limits. :wink:

Hi all, since all of us in this great forum flight FSX and in some point we want to run it on the best specs and with the most realistic add-ons, I will like you to share your experience and your advices on if it´s better to build an own system and overclock it or to buy a ready-one, if you belong to the second choice please include your advice or experience buying systems from the todays most important gaming pc builders:

USA: CYBERPOWER, DIGITAL STORMS, AVA DIRECT, IRONSIDE, JETLINE SYSTEMS, ORIGIN

UK: WIRED2FIRED, CHILLBLAST.

The bold ones are FSX specialist builders.

 

Share your advices!!!

 

Thanks

I've built many a computer and it is a (most of the time) good experience. I considered building my next computer as I'm more than capable but have decided to purchase the components from the store I frequent and have them build it. The reason is mainly warranty. No more rma ing components that fail, no more reaching deeply into my vocabulary of expletives when components are stubborn. I've even had to invent some truly creative ones when a component has obviously not been pre-sworn before sale. My store charges $80.00 to build the system so they can have any configuration headaches. Not to mention, they have replacement components on hand.

 

Jon

In the past I always built my own PCs. I didn't have much trouble putting them together (I'm not an electronics whizz), and they gave many years of trouble-free service.

When I moved to FSX I decided to buy a custom build machine from an outfit in UK specialising in FS.  I've had more trouble with this than all my previous PCs put together - and it cost more, much, much more :(.  Warranty doesn't mean much when you live 300 miles from the maker - all that hassle - postage costs etc.  Never again. 

 

If you plan to overclock, or even if you don't, I recommend water-cooling.  It is easy to install and will give you more scope later when you pluck up courage. 

 

Best of luck!

 

John

In the past I always built my own PCs. I didn't have much trouble putting them together (I'm not an electronics whizz), and they gave many years of trouble-free service.

When I moved to FSX I decided to buy a custom build machine from an outfit in UK specialising in FS.  I've had more trouble with this than all my previous PCs put together - and it cost more, much, much more :(.  Warranty doesn't mean much when you live 300 miles from the maker - all that hassle - postage costs etc.  Never again. 

 

If you plan to overclock, or even if you don't, I recommend water-cooling.  It is easy to install and will give you more scope later when you pluck up courage. 

 

Best of luck!

 

John

 

John,

 

I don't suppose you could name the supplier. I am considering one of Scan, Chillblast and Palicomp for my next machine.

Overclocking usually requires that thermal paste is applied to the CPU. Doesn't this require it's altered in some way? I would be very hesitant to do this as I've never tried it before and I'm not very practical.

 

And if you apply too much voltage won't that permanently damage a CPU? It could be an expensive exercise.

overclocking is a MUST if you want to get the best of FSX so for this pason it is worthed, I WILL TAKE THE RISK

Experienced builder here.

 

Times have changed. The old adage that piecing out the machine on NewEgg (or at Microcenter) and building it yourself is cheaper no longer holds true to the same extent.

 

You can go to Cyberpower and other "budget" PC builders and customize your system using top of the line parts and come out equal to or even less than you'll pay to build it yourself. Add to that the fact that you don't have to build it yourself, and it's a lot harder to justify the "build it yourself" proposition.

 

But that's not all. The most significant benefit of using a system builder is...the WARRANTY! People will say, "yeah, but each part I buy from NewEgg comes with a manufacturer's warranty, so what do I care." Read the manufacturer's warranty sometime, please. And you'll see the inherent danger of what lawyers know as the limited warranty. The trouble with the limited warranty is that you have to read it to see how useful the warranty really is. Even PC builders provide limited warranties. The difference is that they cover the system as a whole. That can be useful even if you know what you're doing.

 

I just picked up a Zeus Thunder 2500 from Cyberpower. They put it together for me, and it comes with a 3 year warranty (3 years labor, 1 year parts). All for less than I would have paid to get the exact same parts from NewEgg. (I checked.)

Wise words Trevor. Overclocking brings a big risk that was never there before. Even if I pay 80UKP more for a built machine that is worth it for the warranty and peace of mind.

Don't go anywhere near Cyberpower or iBuypower. They're both absolutely horrendous with terrible customer service, the use of sub-standard parts, instillation of said parts, and packaging of the PC.

 

My DS experience - http://forum.avsim.net/topic/401665-considering-an-upgrade/#entry2613570

 

Running resource intensive terrain and airports from Orbx, the Airbus X series, PMDG's 737 etc etc and am still in the 70-80 FPS window.

Wow, taking aside the worrying comments from "DetCord", they are quite a bargain.  I priced up a nearly identical system from Cyberpower and components from Aria; cyberpower were considerably cheaper.  

 

I struggle to see how they can fit sub-standard parts, they name the parts you are getting?

Wow, taking aside the worrying comments from "DetCord", they are quite a bargain.  I priced up a nearly identical system from Cyberpower and components from Aria; cyberpower were considerably cheaper.  

 

I struggle to see how they can fit sub-standard parts, they name the parts you are getting?

 

It behooves of anyone considering a custom built rig to do their own research prior to making a purchase. They do name the parts (refurbished I might add), however, there is a tiny portion of the purchase agreement that states they will use similar parts if yours aren't available. Furthermore, if your rig arrives broken (which a lot do apparently), instead of fixing the issue, iBuypower and Cyberpower will inundate you with RMA'd parts. As far as the ones listed by the OP, my vote would go with Origin and Digital Storm.

 

 

It was so bad at one point that Cyberpower shut down their own forums due to bad customer reviews.

 

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24594

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/323621-31-cyberpower-warning

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/376117-31-cyberpower-horrible

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/cyberpower.aspx

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/ibuypower.aspx

 

The systems these two CPCB's build are a huge bargin, no doubt. However, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

It behooves of anyone considering a custom built rig to do their own research prior to making a purchase. They do name the parts, however, there is a tiny portion of the purchase agreement that states they will use similar parts if yours aren't available. Furthermore, if your rig arrives broken (which a lot do apparently), instead of fixing the issue, iBuypower and Cyberpower will inundate you with RMA'd parts. As far as the ones listed by the OP, my vote would go with Origin and Digital Storm.

 

 

It was so bad at one point that Cyberpower shut down their own forums due to bad customer reviews.

 

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24594

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/323621-31-cyberpower-warning

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/376117-31-cyberpower-horrible

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/cyberpower.aspx

 

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/ibuypower.aspx

 

The systems these two CPCB's build are a huge bargin, no doubt. However, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

 

 

Hmmm...

Without knowing sales figures those are a tad meaningless.  The second of your links starts with a complaint, but ends with a happy user.

I am sure that if i looked around the web i would find similar stories regarding the two companies mentioned, the real question is the proportion of users they represent.  

 

I am not advocating for any of the companies, i was surprised by the prices, very surprised.  I am not sure that i would want a pre-built system myself, but this thread has certainly tweaked my interest.

 

But as implied within your statement 'caveat emptor'.

But as implied within your statement 'caveat emptor'.

 

Exactly. A potential customer needs to do their own research. Check their forums and read the reviews posted by said customers. Make an informed decision, and not one based upon low pricing and or advertising.

 

It's also worth mentioning that iBuypower and Cyberpower both had a C- rating from the BBB as of late last year.

Hi,

 

Over the years, I've spent well over $10,000 (Canadian) in computers specifically for FS9 and FSX and that's not including costs for the additional software and hardware required. And despite that kind of investment, I never did end up with a rig that could run FSX with acceptable fluidity.

 

My expertise in computers is next to none but I did build my own rig last year and I'm very satisfied with the result. After having reviewed available information on forums dedicated to hardware components for the assembly of a 'home build' for FSX, I decided to 'bite the bullet'. I then spent many hours reading what I could find on the web which was related to my project including viewing many videos on YouTube (NewEgg and others) until I attained a degree of comfort that would enable me to entertain an intelligent conversation with salespersons at local computer hardware shops. I prepared a tentative shopping list and after seeking and obtaining feedback from members of the flightsim community which was very much appreciated, I adjusted my 'parts list', purchased the hardware and assembled it.

 

The specs for my home-build appear at the bottom of my post. Expenses did not exceed $ 2,400 which is approximately 50% less than the last computer I purchased which couldn't run FSX adequately. Regarding overclocking, I never did get comfortable with the idea but I managed to achieve a decent overclock which is stable with temperatures never exceeding 70 C in the summer using Gigabytes' EasyTune utility. I've been ridiculed by some in the past for using such a utility but it works very well for me.

 

In your initial post, you asked us to share our advice. I have no advice to share but only my experience which I hope will help in your decision-making process.

 

Regards,

 

JJ

Regarding overclocking, I never did get comfortable with the idea but I managed to achieve a decent overclock which is stable with temperatures never exceeding 70 C in the summer using Gigabytes' EasyTune utility. I've been ridiculed by some in the past for using such a utility but it works very well for me.

Regards,

 

JJ

 

While i know that overclocking makes a difference, i moved my CPU back to stock 3.3Ghz from 4.  My water-cooler failed recently.

FSX is still perfectly usable with no alterations at stock, i may not even overclock when my replacement cooler arrives.

 

 

Running resource intensive terrain and airports from Orbx, the Airbus X series, PMDG's 737 etc etc and am still in the 70-80 FPS window.

 

WOW!! Really???. Your system specs are impressive but is this at max graphics settings at a busy airport like EGLL or KJFK? Please elaborate.