Buying a prebuilt system

[dwilson1 0]

Hi everyone,

 

After being out of flight sim for a good few years, I am considering getting back into it by purchasing a pre-built desktop system for FSX, with the view of possibly upgrading to P3D. 

 

I intend to use the system just for flight simulation as I wouldn't really play anything else and I would also want to run add ons such as additional scenery, Active Sky and exceptionally detailed aircraft such as the 737 NGX.

 

After looking at some of the other threads, i5 seems the way to go as FSX doesn't make use of the cores with the i7? Is this the same with P3D?

 

Also, would I want to install FSX/P3D on a separate drive from the OS? Or does that make no difference in regards to speed? 

 

I have found this system from AWD IT: http://www.awd-it.co.uk/xen-arc-r2-intel-i5-4670k-4.0ghz-quad-core-nvidia-gaming-pc.html

 

Does anyone else have any recommendations as to where I should look at buying one from? I have taken a look at PCSpecialist, Scan, Overclockers UK, Wired2Wire, ChillBlast, UKGaming Computers, CyberPower and Palicomp. However, its all quite overwhelming as to where I should really look at getting one from. 

 

Thank you in advance for your help

[Demious 23]

I havent had FSX on my system for quite a while now, but for P3D it looks like a very nice machine, although the PSU is kinda week. I learned that for flightsimming you need at least 700W.

For a video card I would definitely go for the GTX770 4GB, or the GTX780. More memory on the video card is preferable for P3D.

The PCU is mostly about the speed for P3D. I see quite some people run an i5 and hear the results are good. 4GHz is a very nice standard speed and can always be OCed. my PCU runs at 4.3GHz with good results.

Higher RAM clock does improve the moothness in P3D with higher settings, not sure about FSX, and I noticed that 2133MHz makes quite a difference over 1600MHz, but 1600 should do, considering you dont turn all sliders up high.

FSX as well as P3D do benefit from running from their own hard disc and I can certainly recommend to get an SSD for that. 120GB would do if you're not using many addons, but if you start installing lots of scenery, you need at least 250GB.

Motherboard is very nice, I got it myself. Only downside of the z87-k is that it cant run more graphic cards in SLI and if that's something you might want in the future, it cant be done with this motherboard.

[Charlatan 68]

I would look at these personally if you want a prebuilt

 

http://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/custom/pc-simulators/flight-simulator-pcs

http://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Gaming+Range/Pro+Gamer/GLADIATOR+VELOCITY+i5-4690K++O.C.+4.4GHz+GTX+770+Gaming+PC+?productId=56521

 

As Demious said, you'd be better with a gtx 770 if you can afford it, certainly if you're wanting to go P3D in the future.  You can forget about the add ons you want to run with the gtx 750, just not upto it.  You want a 760 at the bare minimum, but preferably a 770+

[vc10man 732]

Couple of weeks or more ago, similar question posted here and I think that AFAI, poster, bought from Wired2Fire. If he should happen to read this thread, maybe he can give you his feedback.

[dwilson1 0]

Thank you for your detailed input so far, much, much appreciated.

 

I've just realised though that by the time I get round to purchasing one (early part of the next year hopefully!) that hardware may have changed and prices would have dropped. 

 

I'm just a little too eager to fly using a system that doesn't break a sweat when it comes to simming  

[vc10man 732]

Also read the report from Christopher Low, from Cosford 2014, where apparently there were a few system builders attending who could meet your requirements.