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

your hardware choices seem very well thought out and balanced. As has been stated, you need a Z87 MOBO. Good fast RAM with a low CL rating is important for overclocking.

1. I wouldn't change anything in those specs except for the MOBO. Make sure you get an 80+ gold certified power supply. Very important for overclocking.

2. I have the CM Hyper 212 EVO in my rig and can't recommend it enough. Keeps my 3770K cool at 4.5 Ghz. 4.5Ghz on air is definitely achievable. Bear in mind that every CPU has its own thermal ceiling. 4.5Ghz for an "average" Ivy Bridge or Hazwell is the accepted overclock limit without de-lidding.

3. Rigs screaming at over 5ghz can't maintain 30 FPS in certain scenarios. There are a host of config file and NVIDIA inspector tweaks that need to be employed to get the optimum performance. My FPS at FlyTampa's KMDW in the PMDG NGX with traffic 360, REX generated weather, and FTX Global averages in the low 20's with moderately high graphics settings. You should be thinking 20 instead of 30 in that kind of scenario.

4. I would opt for a new SSD for a fresh FSX instal but that's just me

Kind regards.

 

 

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

 

600W would be ok but I'd go for 650W just for that little extra headroom.

 

 

 

I have the CM Hyper 212 EVO in my rig and can't recommend it enough. Keeps my 3770K cool at 4.5 Ghz

 

Haswell tends to be warmer again than Ivy Bridge depending on how good the chip you get is. Hyper 212 Evo is a capable cooler for the price and MAY be okay for 4.5Ghz on Haswell, but I would suggest going for something a bit stronger if 4.5Ghz is what you want.

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.

 

I did not use FSXMark11 as that requires a new vanilla FSX installation. I tested with realworld settings, meaning all my addons enabled since this is how I fly my FSX. I used Fraps for measurments and during all my testflights going from ENGM-ENBR, I did not se any difference in avg fps or peaks or anything. I'm not saying you're wrong and for all I know, faster RAM means more fps, but thats on vanilla fsx. Yes, it needs to be vanilla for benchmarking, I understand that, but to clarify a bit what I mean;

 

if;

i5 3570k, 580 and 1866 ram gives you 50 fps

i5 3570k, 580 and 1333 ram gives you say 48 fps(?( educated guess:-))

 

that cant be translated to realworld results, those 2 extra fps will not follow you when all addons are enabled. Say with same hw with all addon enabled you're down to 25-30 frames, you might with faster RAM get an extra frame, and to me, thats not worth it, if you already have 8 gig of 1333mhz.

 

Looking at the results from the FSXMark11-thread I really can't see any proof that faster RAM gives you any significant improved results. Looking at you're own results, why are you behind RadioFreeEurope or Flying Fred? Is there something I'm missing? I would love to be proven wrong in this, but when putting it all together, my own experience, the results from FSXMark11-thread, the fact here are a number of other thing that would bootleneck FSX before RAM-speeds and timings would, I see no reason to upgrade RAM alone. For a new build, of course I would buy fast RAM if I did not already have some lying arounbd, like the OP in this case does.

 

 

OP; sorry for hijacking your thread:-)

 

For its price, Hyper 212 is a great cooler, and something I would recommend for medium oc. For 4,5+ Haswell 24/7 oc, I'd go with Noctua for air. I have no personal with closed liqiud cooling, so if someone who do  says it ain't cool enough, you should probably listen:-)

 

 

that cant be translated to realworld results, those 2 extra fps will not follow you when all addons are enabled. Say with same hw with all addon enabled you're down to 25-30 frames, you might with faster RAM get an extra frame, and to me, thats not worth it, if you already have 8 gig of 1333mhz.

 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here since I know what I've seen and the results do translate to a fully loaded sim with addons. Remember, whilst FPS increase may be 2-3FPS which is fairly minimal, i agree, but the faster RAM also helps to smooth the whole sim out.

 

There are obviously lots of variables from one persons system to another, hence the difference in results between mine and others (which by the way my results are now different due to system changes). But on my system when the sole change was RAM and nothing else, I can tell you for certain it added FPS and smoothness.

 

To the OP. Enjoy your new system and I hope your build goes smoothly.

 

Let us know how it all turns out!!

The cooling performance of good air coolers such as the Noctua and CM Hyper 212 EVO are on par with closed loop budget water coolers like the Corsair H60/H80 series. There are numerous benchmarks out there verifying this. I've had both and switched back to air. De-lidding is almost mandatory if wanting to take your Ivy or Hazwell up to 5Ghz regardless of the cooling employed.Regards