Hello

I was thinking of building a new pc for fsx but did not want to spend to much money unnecessarily so here are the specs I came up with:

 

Intel i5 4670k (going to overclock to around 4.5ghz if possible with cooler)

Gtx 660 993mhz 2gb

Asus p8z77-v LX S1155 intel z77 ddr3 atx

CoolerMaster hyper 212 evo 4 heatpipe, tower CPU cooler

Corsair 750w builder series cx750 psu

Zalman z9 plus tower case with fan controller

8gb 1600mhz ram

1tb hdd

 

So I have a few questions:

1. Is there any of these specs that could be lowered a bit to save me some money but not too much of a performance drop.

2. Will the cooler be enough to overclock the CPU to about 4.5ghz

3. Would I be able to run fsx with high settings and also pmdg planes. I'm not wanting everything maxed out just enough for it to look good and good fps (30 locked).

4. Will the gpu be enough to run good in cloudy situations and flytampa sceneries.

5. Will I be able to take the hdd from my old computer and the ram and put it into my new one.

 

Thanks,

Gavin

1:System looks good. But you need a z87 MB for socket 1150. z77 is for Ivy 1155

 

2: Probably not with reasonable temperatures on full load. I reached with 4,6 on a 3570k with a Noctua NH-D14 and as far as I know, 4670k is harder to clock. On the upside, the 4670k is a more effective cpu and only need 4,2-4,3 to match its older brother on 4,6:-) My suggestion would be to either go for Noctua NH-D14 or one of the closed watercooling systems from Corsair(H80i+).

 

3: Yes. Some sliders on max, some on high, On heavy congested airports like EGLL or KJFK and some AI, 30fps is not achievable, no matter how good your system is.

 

4: GPU is more than capable:-) FSX is most of all a CPU hog.

 

5: HDD: yes(unless its some ancient ATA HDD). RAM: probably. If its DDR3 1333Mhz+ 240pin, it would fit nicely. If you choose the Noctua cooler, RAM however must be Low Profile.

 

Edit: nevermind my previous comment on the towercase. I was thinking of another one:-)

Edited September 19, 201312 yr by Bionor

Ok thanks for the reply

 

What case would you recommend that doesn't cost too much and how high of an overclock would I get with that cooler. Also is it hard to install a liquid cooler like the 80i. My hard drive and ram come from this pchttp://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03023321#

Thanks

 

EDIT: only saw your edit now on the case. So the case should be ok?

 

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For a case I would recommend Corsair. They are a great product, easy to work with and their service/customer support is excellent.

 

The Carbide 200R and 300R are nice budget cases. I'm using a 500R myself.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=corsair%20carbide&bop=And&CompareItemList=-1%7C11-139-011%5E11-139-011-TS%2C11-139-016%5E11-139-016-TS%2C11-139-018%5E11-139-018-TS&percm=11-139-011%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-139-016%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B11-139-018%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

 

The RAM for your old system will work, but it's a little on the slow side. Something like this would do nicely.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231689

If you can get the RAM out, it should fit, just be aware that its 1333Mhz. I know there is an ongoing discussion whether the speed on the RAM affects FPS in FSX(1333 vs 1600 vs 1866 and up), but the "conclusions" is going both ways. For now, I would keep the ones you have.

 

The HDD is a 5400rpm version, good as a storage HDD, not so much for installing sw. I know its a matter of price, but do consider a SSD for OS(128gb) and if its big enough FSX(256gb+). If you go for a 128gb, I would probably buy a 1TB HDD 7200rpm as well. Best is still a 256gb for both OS and FSX. Keep the 5400rpm as a storage/backup drive.

 

A closed liquidsystem is no harder to install than any aircoolers. Both the Noctua- and Corsaircoolers install much easier than the included boxed one. Yes, a little bit bit more work, but once the mountingbrackets is in place, its a breeze.

 

When it comes to the case, its a matter personal choice what one likes and need. For me, cooling was the most important part, so I chose CM HAF X. Ugly as f*ck, but cool as ice, and in time you'll even start loving it too:-)

 

Btw; do not forget changing your motherboard to a z87!

Ok so what are the differences between the z87 motherboards and the z77 ones. There is a price difference of nearly €100 so is it worth upgrading. Here are the specs I have put together now:

I5 4670k

Gtx 660

Corsair 750w psu

Corsair hydro h80i

Corsair carbide 200r atx case

Mobo either a z77 or z87

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

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The z77 chipset is socket 1155, which is for Ivy Bridge processors(3xx0-series ie 3570k and 3770k). z87 is for Haswell socket 1150(4xx0-series ie 4670k and 4770k). 4670k will not fit on a z77 and vice verca.

 

As I said, the case is a matter of personal choice. If you're set for the H80i, heres a compability-list;

http://www.overclock.net/t/1144409/h80-h80i-h90-h100-h100i-h110-case-compatibility-thread-page-1-for-full-listings

 

This list is by no means complete, and theres a ton of other cases the H80 would fit. If I where to buy a new  midi case today, I go for Fractal Design R4 or CM Storm Scout 2. Full tower; I'd stick with my HAF X.

 

Oh! Just noticed; don't buy a 660, thats last generation. Go for 760, 770, 7950 or 7970Ghz(wich I have).

 

Sorry for pushing the price up :Straight Face:  

If you're getting a 4670K, you need a Z87 motherboard (socket 1150). The Z77 Motherboards are for Sandybride and Ivybridge CPU's (Socket 1155)

 

As for RAM speed affecting FPS in FSX. Plain and simple. It does!

 

Myself and numerousd others have tested this. For me on my old system going from 1600Mhz to 2133Mhz RAM with low latency improved FPS and smoothness. Now with 2400Mhz on my new system it's even better!

 

GTX 660 will do you fine. Nothing wrong with buying from an older gen if the price is right, but if your budget allows try to bump up to a GTX 670 which is faster than a GTX 760.

 

With the exception of GTX 780, the Nvidia 7 series is just a "tweaked" Nvidia 6 series. Faster? Sure it is, but up to you whether the extra price is worth it.

If you're getting a 4670K, you need a Z87 motherboard (socket 1150). The Z77 Motherboards are for Sandybride and Ivybridge CPU's (Socket 1155)

 

As for RAM speed affecting FPS in FSX. Plain and simple. It does!

 

Myself and numerousd others have tested this. For me on my old system going from 1600Mhz to 2133Mhz RAM with low latency improved FPS and smoothness. Now with 2400Mhz on my new system it's even better!

 

GTX 660 will do you fine. Nothing wrong with buying from an older gen if the price is right, but if your budget allows try to bump up to a GTX 670 which is faster than a GTX 760.

 

With the exception of GTX 780, the Nvidia 7 series is just a "tweaked" Nvidia 6 series. Faster? Sure it is, but up to you whether the extra price is worth it.

The 760>660 was not from a FSX-specific viewpoint. For FSX, a 560ti would also do just fine. I'm just saying, unless the price is very right, one should never buy older computertech when newer and better is available.

 

As for the RAM speeds, I went from 1333 to 1866 a few months back and had no increase in fsp whatsoever... 

Ok thanks for all your help so far

Right now I just can't afford the gtx 760 so I'm sticking with the 660. The mobo is an Msi z87-g45-gaming S1150 ddr3 atx. The H80i cooler fits the corsair 200r that I'm getting so that's all good. I have maxed out my budget at €800 and I'm happy with the PC. I'm going to keep the hdd and ram from my old computer until I have enough to upgrade. So now the final specs (if there's anything else about this that isn't going to work right please tell me )

 

I5 4670k

Gtx 660

Msi z87 G45 gaming

Corsair h80i

Corsair 750w

Corsair carbide 200r

 

Thanks

 

 

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Ok:-) I can't speak for the rest of the world, but here in Norway, the 660 and 760 are priced almost the same, the 660ti is actually more expensive than the 760, which I is why I raised the question:-)

 

You're new machine should run FSX just fine with your new setup:-) Enjoy!

Thanks so much for all the help I got ! I think the hardest part of making a computer is getting the right parts:) ! But thanks again for the help

 

Thanks,

Gavin

 

 

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As for the RAM speeds, I went from 1333 to 1866 a few months back and had no increase in fsp whatsoever... 

 

How were you testing?

 

Take a look in the FSXMark11 thread. Using that test there which provides a uniform way to compare results a number of users, myself included, have confirmed that RAM speed and tight timings does increase FPS. But I won't get into it too much here. Have a browse through that thread if you like.

 

Gavin - when you have the budget for it I would strongly recommend upgrading your RAM to at least 2133Mhz with good timings. 8GB will do just fine.

 

 

Ok thanks for all your help so far
Right now I just can't afford the gtx 760 so I'm sticking with the 660. The mobo is an Msi z87-g45-gaming S1150 ddr3 atx. The H80i cooler fits the corsair 200r that I'm getting so that's all good. I have maxed out my budget at €800 and I'm happy with the PC. I'm going to keep the hdd and ram from my old computer until I have enough to upgrade. So now the final specs (if there's anything else about this that isn't going to work right please tell me )

I5 4670k
Gtx 660
Msi z87 G45 gaming
Corsair h80i
Corsair 750w
Corsair carbide 200r

Thanks


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Do you only plan on using one Graphics card or will you be going SLI in the future?

 

If you're only plan on using one graphics card, drop the Power Supply to a 650W unit and use the money you save there to bump up to a higher level Graphics Card.

 

Also do some more research about the CPU cooler. H80i is decent but doesn't hurt to take a look at some different options, read reviews etc.

 

 

Do you only plan on using one Graphics card or will you be going SLI in the future?

 

If you're only plan on using one graphics card, drop the Power Supply to a 650W unit and use the money you save there to bump up to a higher level Graphics Card.

 

Also do some more research about the CPU cooler. H80i is decent but doesn't hurt to take a look at some different options, read reviews etc.

Ok I'm not planning to use sli anytime in the future so I will get a 650w psu and probably get a gtx 760. I'll look at different coolers and I might get a good air cooler instead of water.

 

 

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Would a 600w psu from corsair be enough instead of a 650w

 

 

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