Hi everyone.

 

This is my first post (ever!!!), so pls be gentle

 

Anyway, I need advice on whether to buy a new CPU (plus motherboard and new RAM obviously) or GPU. On my PC I only play FSX, by the way.

 

My current rig:

i7 920 2,67 @ 3,6

ASUS P6T DELUXE V2

6gb DDR3 CM3X2G1600C8D

EVGA GTX 570 1,2gb

WIN 7

 

Now, I know that upgrading the whole thing would be the best solution, but money is unfortunately an issue. Eventually I will upgrade everything, but I need to take it in steps.

 

I'm currently running 737NGX, REX Essential Plus, a couple of add-on airports (many more to come), EKZA, and UT2. In the NGX I get around 15-20 FPS on ground - over 25 in air. I would like to get a much smoother experience - especially on ground.

 

Normally I would go for a new CPU, BUT everytime I use the mouse to look around in the cockpit, the picture sort of flickers.

 

BTW I have modified my .cfg.

 

What say you??? Thanks.

if you have the money,new cpu and gpu

FSX is still CPU bound. The situation has changed somewhat, as we add more and more graphically demanding add-ons, and run at higher res, AA etc. But yes CPU is still the priority.

 

Go for CPU, MB and RAM. Haswell, or Ivy Bridge E 4 core.

 

Your flickering cockpit just sounds like low frame rate to me. I run at high frame rate, and panning around the VC is smooth, but I only have to drop in frame rate to sub 30, and it gets flickery.

Yeah, it might just be low frame rates.

 

The reason why I'm suspecting my GPU to cause this and not the CPU is the VC-problem - if I change the view to outside (say lokking around the airport with lots of AI traffic and so on) the frame rates go up.

 

Shouldn't the CPU be under the same pressure in VC as outside, or...?

No, the VC is very demanding in terms of frame rate. There will always be a big boost in frame rate when you switch to an outside view. Such a thing is normal, regardless of the system in question.

CPU without a doubt. I have the same card, it does very well in FSX with one monitor.

 

Be advised you'll need a new motherboard and RAM possibly.

Intel just announced a haswell refresh for Q2 2014.

 

If I were you, I would wait for 1 or 2 months, and then get a Z87 board with an i5 4690K. (should be available in April) You should be able to get these 2 for around $300 total.

 

They have significantly improved the heating problems they had on the current chips, so they will be much much better to over clock, which is the goal for FSX obviously. 

 

For FSX there is nothing wrong with your GTX 570. I have used it for years before recently upgrading to a 770, but the difference is hardly noticeable. You will see huge gains from a new mobo with a new cpu though.

 

I think you RAM should be ok, but you might want to go with a dual channel 8 GB kit at 1866 or something like that once u have the money.

Thanks for all your advice so far.

 

Aren't the Haswell Refresh K models supposed to be released later than the non-K models? I obviously need to be able to overclock ^_^

 

I believe I read somewhere that it would be around mid-year... Can anyone confirm this?

As Ryan has suggested, don't waste your money on a GPU it will be dosh down the drain. Regardless of what anyone might say, the GTX570 is a good card when used with FSX (P3d is another story) Upgrade the CPU to the best you can afford and OC if possible.