First Time Builder. Need to build a PC for Flight Simulator X

[49ers2352]

Hello everybody! I'm a new member in Tom's hardward. I need help for building the computer system, because I love playing Flight Simulator X. My current computer doesn't work with the game. It's like too slow and sometime frozen.... I heard my friend told me I need an Intel i7 with quad core. I look at other store's pre-built PC, but I want try new build system by myself. On www.tigerdirect.com, I did complete the list for PC configurations:

CPU Cooler: T925-1287 ::Thermaltake SpinQ CPU Cooler - Socket 775, 939, 754, AM2/AM2+/1366/1156 Support(2.05 lbs)

Software: M17-7302 ::Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD, English(0.5 lbs)

Video Card: P450-5770 ::XFX HD577AZNFC Radeon HD 5770 Video Card - 1GB GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, Dual DVI, Display Port, HDMI(2.8 lbs)

Wireless: L48-2201 ::Linksys WMP54G PCI Wireless Adapter - 54Mbps, 802.11g, 3 Month Warranty, Recertified(0.3 lbs)

Power Supply: A107-1111 ::Apevia ATX-WA750W Warlock 750-Watt ATX Power Supply - SLI and Crossfire Ready, 135mm Fan, Clear Sides(6.25 lbs)

Hard Diver: TSD-500AAKS ::Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM(1.55 lbs)

DVD Burner: L12-1180 OEM ::Lite-ON iHAP222-06 DVD Burner - 22X DVD+R, 22X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R9, 8X DVD-R9, 12X DVD-RAM, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, LightScribe, IDE(1.7 lbs)

Memory DDR3: C13-8220 ::Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9AG 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM - - PC10666, 1333MHz, 4096MB (2x 2048MB), 240 Pin, Dual-Channel(0.6 lbs)

Motherboard: E145-2059 ::EVGA X58 SLI LE Motherboard - LGA 1366, Intel X58, SATA, SLI Ready, Triple Channel DDR3 support, RAID, Hyperthreading support(0.26 lbs)

Intel: I69-0930 ::Intel Core i7 930 Processor BX80601930 - 2.80GHz, 8MB L3 Cache, 4.8GT/s QPI, HyperThreading, Quad Core, Bloomfield, LGA 1366, Retail, Fan(1.55 lbs)

Computer case: Q131-3120 ::Aerocool VX-E MidTower Case - 140mm Front Turbine, ATX & Micro ATX, USB 2.0(30 lbs)

Budget: $1,400

Do you live in the US: Yes.

What size monitor will you use: Samsung LCD HDTV 42" 1080p

Now, is that a good match or not? Let me know what to change. However, I want to know how to start building system - tehcnically. I want to be cautiuos with the electricity on the system, I dont want to cause problem or damage it. It will be my first time designing and building the PC on my own.

Please let me know.

Thanks!!!!

 

[jleboff]

I agree the AMD 6 core is very good for FSX. It is all dependent on the number of screens you are planning to run. At HotSeat we have can achieve 40+ FPS running Quad Cores at 2.6 Gig per core and 4 Gig of ram. Once a second screen is added this now starts to drop near the critical 25 FPS. We build the Pilot Pro with 4 screens, Left, Ahead, Right and Cockpit. This is where the powerful AMD CPU's are needed. FS X main demand is on the CPU, not RAM or Video. the more and faster the CPU the better the multi screen performance. The unit you have specified is perfect for 3 or 4 screens but will run circles around 1 or 2 screens. Jay hotseatsim.com

 

[49ers2352]

Hello Proximon, Mr Pizza, Ecoli and everybody!!!

I has bought list for need of build PC, it was big sale last black friday:
CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631&cm_re=890gx-_-13-131-631-_-Product
Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119212&cm_re=cooler_master_haf_932-_-11-119-212-_-Product
Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022
CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151175
Heatsink/Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121401
Software
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

So last Saturday Dec 4, I started for build PC, I finish learn from http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building it is very good for step number = goals. Then now I finish test for on power PC. The PC is work and not problem or error things yayaya!!!!!!! I was very excited, but I dont has a video card, because when in black friday I wanted video card ASUS Radeon HD 6870 but newegg has stock out it. However I did bought it in Amazon for wait shipping on 4 to 8 weeks, it not stock yet, but it wait for make new coming up. My opinion I like wait for make new, because it more better for good work in later than before early new Radeon make first call "6000" and struggle problem things make it.

I will comment for when I will get ASUS Radeon HD 6870 and put Flight Simulator X for test play.

Im happy for work first build PC, and I big say Thank you to all for help me for learn the PC Parts and fix it.

My new PC age is 8 days lol

 

[jleboff]

Here's the latest from Muppet Labs:
Flight Sim X has been built onto the original flight sim code dating back to the 1980's. Because the underlying code is old, very expensive hardware is not really able to deliver the horsepower to Flight Sim X. The restrictions limit it from using more than 4 cores and 4 threads, 4 Gig of RAM and it can only see 512 on the video card. So, having more than this does nothing to improve frame rates.

Here's the current best solution: i5 875 K over clocked to 4 GHz, 4 Gig DDR 3, a modest 512 video card or cards. A modest, $30.00, liquid cooler and you should deliver the very best performance at a modest cost. We are now using this on the HotSeat Flight Simulators we build.

 

[crucero]

The best thing I have found for FSX is a Solid State Drive. I installed a dedicated drive with W7 64bit OS & it works just fine, still have to watch how high it's all turned up, but running with ORBX scenery & REX weather it is all quite realistic.