Is it possible to upgrade my PC?

[750XL 0]

Hello!

 

I'm not too up to speed anymore with computers, so I'm hoping somebody maybe able to help me.

 

I've been using FSX for a while now with various add ons, usually manage about 20fps with medium-high settings but now I'm slowly starting to struggle to achieve decent FPS especially with the recent additon of the PMDG 777 and having to use VC.

Would upgrading my graphics card make much of a difference to FSX and improve my FPS, or is my CPU limiting me? Specs are as follows:

Quad Core 2 Q8200 2.33Ghz
640GB HDD
4GB RAM 800MHz

Nvidia 9800GT

500W PSU

I do beleive it is possible to overclock the CPU, is this easily done and recommended for a relative amateur?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Sam

[Guest]

I don't believe that upgrading your graphics card would make any difference at all.

You could overclock the CPU and that should get you some extra frames.

However OCing was much trickier pre i7.

 

All in all if you are serious about Flight Sim it might be time to start planning

a new machine. For best results I believe building your own is the way to go.

It is a serious undertaking and often underestimated regarding the study

and patients required. Virtually anyone can do it but its not for everyone.

 

Off the shelf is also a good option but I don't think you get as much bang for

your buck and greater performance is possible building your own.

 

There are a number of companies out there now making PC specifically for

FSX and you will find info about them here on AVSIM.

 

Don't make the mistake of going to a regular system builder and asking

them can they build you a system that will run FSX well. They will tell

you they can and build you a bog standard mid range to highend gaming PC

and you will be disappointed.

[simpson2 3]

It looks like you might want to upgrade your CPU. FSX is most dependent on the CPU followed by RAM (correct me if I'm wrong.) In terms of clock speed, you might want to be above 3 GHz if you can. Also, intel 'K' CPU's can be over-clocked more easily.

 

Sorry if I offered little help, I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to offer a better answer. :rolleyes:

 

Wish you the best.

[wanabflyer 53]

It's my opinion that anybody can build and overclock their own rig, just so long as you follow the golden rule : Research, patience and a willingness to learn.

 

If I can do it, trust me, you can do it. I would suggest you wait for a few more replies from some of the many knowledgable people on this forum, establish a budget and take it from there.

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

If you get a new i7 4790 K CPU, you do not even have to overclock to get good FSX performance.

 

The base frequency is 4.0 GHz which, coupled with a new motherboard and fast memory will give you a very smooth FSX experience.

 

http://www.kitguru.net/components/cpu/luke-hill/intel-core-i7-4790k-devils-canyon-review-inc-overclocking/

 

Add a midrange GTX660 video card and you are set..

[750XL 0]

Thanks for the replies.

Seems my PC has had it's day and a new one is on the horizon very soon ^_^

 

I don't use FS a huge amount these days so don't want to spend a silly amount of cash on a new one. Achieving around 25fps with settings on medium-high/AS2012/PMDG 777 and maybe an add on airport or two would be good enough for me. I think my budget would have to be around £500-£600 and a self build would not be an option.

Any suggestions would be great!

Best Regards,

Sam

[Guest]

Have you tried FS9 on your current machine?

[750XL 0]

I used FS9 for about 4 years, FPS were considerably better as expected