- Apr 18, 2007
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Best combo for Flight Simulator X???
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corvetteguy
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Viperabyss
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Processor: E6600 is fine. For some odd reasons, FSX is only single threaded. It'll chew your one core to pieces, while leaving the other sitting around. So if you can OC E6600 to about 3.2 or up, you'll be fine. If not, E6700 will also do.
Motherboard: if you want SLI, nVidia 680i will do. If not, 650 can do.
Memory: FSX is a memory hogger. I would say at least 2Gb of memory if you're running on XP.
Video Card: 8800GTS 320Mb should do. I'm currently running @ 1024 x 768, at around 30FPS. if you want more, you might have to go and get 8800GTX.
They are working on a patch to help FSX to better utilize Dual core or greater CPUs, but even then it is likely to still be a CPU limited game as opposed to a GPU limited one. No matter what get the fastest CPU you can afford.
Memory...lots...2 gig min. 4 gig will be better, esp. in Vista, you want Vista because.....
....DX10...the second patch coming for FSX is the DX10 patch, this will likely be the first true DX10 game available. However due to the CPU limited aspect mentioned, it is likely that it will still only need a mid range DX10 card to see everything that the processor can move through it.
Hard drives...get a fast drive dedicated to the game. A Raptor would be nice...this game moves a lot of small files, so access time is very important and nothing beats the access time of a Raptor except a SSD.
Memory...lots...2 gig min. 4 gig will be better, esp. in Vista, you want Vista because.....
....DX10...the second patch coming for FSX is the DX10 patch, this will likely be the first true DX10 game available. However due to the CPU limited aspect mentioned, it is likely that it will still only need a mid range DX10 card to see everything that the processor can move through it.
Hard drives...get a fast drive dedicated to the game. A Raptor would be nice...this game moves a lot of small files, so access time is very important and nothing beats the access time of a Raptor except a SSD.
Wisecracker
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shinigamiX
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'Best for FSX' basically means 'Best out there'. That damned thing can bring any system to its knees.
- Apr 18, 2007
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ok...
What about ASUS Crosshair or commando motherboards?
I noticed the single core processors over 3ghz are coming way down in price. If FSX is singlethread, until dual or quad processors come down in price should I go for a robust single core processor?
What about ASUS Crosshair or commando motherboards?
I noticed the single core processors over 3ghz are coming way down in price. If FSX is singlethread, until dual or quad processors come down in price should I go for a robust single core processor?
corvetteguy
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Wisecracker
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It is my understanding that you can *trick* the cpu affinity settings in Task Manager to spread the workload over 2 (or more?) cores.
Here is a screenshot . . .
The forum thread claims big gains in fps and came from here - - - > http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt21628.html
As noted it would not function as a true multithreaded app until future programming updates but would improve operability.
Here is a screenshot . . .
The forum thread claims big gains in fps and came from here - - - > http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt21628.html
As noted it would not function as a true multithreaded app until future programming updates but would improve operability.
Wisecracker
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Motherboard: TYAN S2877ANRF-RS R - - $260
Processor: (2) AMD Opteron 256 Troy 3.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 940 - - $1,050
Memory: (2) 2G KVR400D4R3A/2G - 4gb total (4 sticks) - - $533
Power Supply: SILENCER 610 EPS12V RT - - $170
Video: (2) EVGA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - - $1,300
Monitors: (3) W4207 Westinghouse 42" Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor - - $3,600
OS: OEM Win XP Pro64 - - $140
With all the other necessarty bells and whistles - - - probably less than $7,500 . . .
piratepast40
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ACES is saying that the patch for multi core support will be out in the next couple of weeks so don't go single core.
Wisecracker
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I hate changing my mind but we may as well go with the Santa Rosa 2222SE's and the Tyan S2927A2NRF - Add about $3,000 . . .
Viperabyss
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Motherboard: TYAN S2877ANRF-RS R - - $260
Processor: (2) AMD Opteron 256 Troy 3.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 940 - - $1,050
Memory: (2) 2G KVR400D4R3A/2G - 4gb total (4 sticks) - - $533
Power Supply: SILENCER 610 EPS12V RT - - $170
Video: (2) EVGA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - - $1,300
Monitors: (3) W4207 Westinghouse 42" Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor - - $3,600
OS: OEM Win XP Pro64 - - $140
With all the other necessarty bells and whistles - - - probably less than $7,500 . . .
as said earlier, FSX cannot take the advantage of multicore, so having two CPUs won't help at all.
If you don't mind running at 1024 x 768 for now, i would say having a budget computer of 1,000 will be more than enough.
No1sFanboy
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It is my understanding that you can *trick* the cpu affinity settings in Task Manager to spread the workload over 2 (or more?) cores.
Here is a screenshot . . .
The forum thread claims big gains in fps and came from here - - - > http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt21628.html
As noted it would not function as a true multithreaded app until future programming updates but would improve operability.
That screen shot still only shows 52% utilization. My experience is most apps and games will do that unless I purposely set affinity to one processor.
I'm sorry but half of one sandwich and half of another identical sandwich still equals one sandwich.
Dude, 'best' is dependant on your budget.
Anyways, FS-X is mainly dependant on CPU speed, so get something like an E6420 or E6600 and overclock it to 3GHz+, should make 'ultra high' settings playable @ ~30fps.
http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_093c.html
RAM, the more the merrier obviously. 2GB minimum I would say.
Motherboard, there are heaps of choices, the Intel P965 and nVidia 650i/680i based ones are pretty popular atm, it all depends on if you need SLI support or other features. You didn't specify so it's hard to make a suggestion at this stage.
Videocard, as already said the 8800GTS 320MB would be sufficient to run the game at the highest settings the CPU can manage.
Anyways, FS-X is mainly dependant on CPU speed, so get something like an E6420 or E6600 and overclock it to 3GHz+, should make 'ultra high' settings playable @ ~30fps.
http://www.simhq.com/_technology2/technology_093c.html
RAM, the more the merrier obviously. 2GB minimum I would say.
Motherboard, there are heaps of choices, the Intel P965 and nVidia 650i/680i based ones are pretty popular atm, it all depends on if you need SLI support or other features. You didn't specify so it's hard to make a suggestion at this stage.
Videocard, as already said the 8800GTS 320MB would be sufficient to run the game at the highest settings the CPU can manage.
- Apr 18, 2007
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If I had the bucks I might as well get an Alienware computer, but I don't. How about some realistic recommendations with a budget between 1000 and 1500.
Thanatos421
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Why would you buy Alienware? Over priced Dell = Alienware. You can build one of their "elite" systems for about half the price they charge.
Here's a build for about 1500 bucks that should handle it tho....
EVGA 680i MoBo
Core 2 Duo 2.4 (Don't waste money on a single core proc)
2 GB DDR2 1066 Corsair XMS Dominator (on special at Newegg)
EVGA 8800 GTX (on special @ Newegg)
Either 75 or 150 GB WD Raptor 10k SATA HD
I'm sure you can figure out the rest, but there's the core of the system.
BTW - noone has said it yet, but don't waste money on a single core proc. With virtually everything coming out now either being, or capable of being multi-threaded, it's just dumb to go single. Besides, that 2.4 C2D can OC to 2.8 or better at stock voltage, on stock cooling. If you go for an extreme overclock, you may have to move up a notch or two on RAM speeds, but I know the Dominator is pretty reliable.
Here's a build for about 1500 bucks that should handle it tho....
EVGA 680i MoBo
Core 2 Duo 2.4 (Don't waste money on a single core proc)
2 GB DDR2 1066 Corsair XMS Dominator (on special at Newegg)
EVGA 8800 GTX (on special @ Newegg)
Either 75 or 150 GB WD Raptor 10k SATA HD
I'm sure you can figure out the rest, but there's the core of the system.
BTW - noone has said it yet, but don't waste money on a single core proc. With virtually everything coming out now either being, or capable of being multi-threaded, it's just dumb to go single. Besides, that 2.4 C2D can OC to 2.8 or better at stock voltage, on stock cooling. If you go for an extreme overclock, you may have to move up a notch or two on RAM speeds, but I know the Dominator is pretty reliable.
Wisecracker
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I'd buy a cheap mobo/cpu combo (like a Gigabyte GA-945GZM-S2 and a Celeron Prescott 2.66GHz).
I'd buy a Seagate sata 3gb/s hard drive - 400gb 16mb cache
I'd buy a really nice power supply and case along with 2Gb of really good *flexible* RAM.
And then I'd buy something like an EVGA GeForce 8800gts 320mb and a 19-inch LCD flat panel.
With a good DVD burner you should be under $1,100 total.
I'd install that copy of XP yah got laying around and save up $1,000 over the next 6-8 months.
Then I'd dump the mobo/cpu - and yah still got a bunch of options
You could go sli with another 8800gts 320mb (and another 19-inch LCD flat panel - or 2?) . . . .
Agena will be out and Penryn will be right around the corner. The CD2's will be 40% less cost as will the mobo.
By that time a copy of WinV spk1 should be out and MS will be giving it away . . .
I'd buy a Seagate sata 3gb/s hard drive - 400gb 16mb cache
I'd buy a really nice power supply and case along with 2Gb of really good *flexible* RAM.
And then I'd buy something like an EVGA GeForce 8800gts 320mb and a 19-inch LCD flat panel.
With a good DVD burner you should be under $1,100 total.
I'd install that copy of XP yah got laying around and save up $1,000 over the next 6-8 months.
Then I'd dump the mobo/cpu - and yah still got a bunch of options
You could go sli with another 8800gts 320mb (and another 19-inch LCD flat panel - or 2?) . . . .
Agena will be out and Penryn will be right around the corner. The CD2's will be 40% less cost as will the mobo.
By that time a copy of WinV spk1 should be out and MS will be giving it away . . .
SockPuppet
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Conroe
Overclock the crap out of it.
Conroe needs a home.
Ram
And a couple of these.
Should put you right up against the $1500 mark.
What ever other equipment you get, make sure you can run three monitors, preferably at least 19" LCD's. I'm running FSX on a 6600 oc'd to 3.2, AW9D-Max, 4 gig 6400 memory 1:1, X1900XTX with Crossfire card, 3 Syncmaster 204B's. Got my front, left and right views running all at the same time. FPS always is decent.
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