High End Flight Simulator Build

[forexfog]

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as components are selected (asap)


Budget Range: $2000-$3500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Will be used strictly for FSX and X-Plane


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: Intel 2600K cpu, I prefer Asus or Evga motherboards, and Nvidia gpu


Overclocking: Yes


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, not sure if it would be a benefit with FSX. Considering multiple monitors as well


Monitor Resolution: Haven't decided ( need recommendations) I was thinking of using


Additional Comments: I have built 3 systems but this will be my 1st high end build. I'm hoping to get advice from people that have experience with FSX.


Here is what I have picked as a starting point for the build. It is by no means the right equipment but just a start. I'm not looking to throw money away but I do want the best system for FSX.



Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K
Model #:BX80623I72600K
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3....5W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K



Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Model #:CC800DW
Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case


CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active ...
Model #:CMPSU-1000HX
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-1000HX 100...re Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active ...


Western Digital VelociRaptor WD6000HLHX 600GB 10000 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD6000HLHX
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD600... 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive


EVGA SuperClocked 015-P3-1582-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
EVGA SuperClocked 015-P3-1582-AR G...CI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...

So that is what I have so far. I was thinking of the Asus ROG motherboard for Sandy Bridge but I think it is out of stock at Newegg. I also have no idea what Ram to pick. I read that having fast timing helps with FSX.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. I want a system that is balanced well for FSX. I will also be overclocking the cpu on air. What is the best air cooling solution. I have read good reviews on the Noctua heatsinks/fans.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

 

[mdd1963]

SInce the socket 1156 cooling solutions work on socket 1155 cpus/mbs, choose a large heat pipe/sink affair....

 

[SRAces]

Jeff,

I'm an avid FSX flier as well and just upgraded my system. I did not buy everything from scratch, but upgraded the components I needed. I plan on installing FSX this weekend and evaluating the performance on the new rig. I built an Intel I7-920 system for my son (2 GTX 285 cards) that ran FSX very well.

FSX is more CPU dependent than GPU dependent. I'll be happy to post back my results after the weekend test. My new configuration is as follows:

CPU: Intel I7-950
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 Hydro Cooling with 2 fans (push/pull setup)
RAM: OCZ Reaper 6GB (3X2GB) 1600 (PC# 12800) CAS 7 Triple Channel
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth X58
Main Video Card: EVGA GTX 570 1.2 GB RAM
Secondary Video Card (SLI for dedicated PhsyX): Older EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB
Main Boot Drive: Corsair 64GB SSD SATA III (6GB/sec)
Game Drive: Corsair 64GB SSD SATA III (6GB/Sec)
Additional Storage Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB HDD (Sata III - 6GB/Sec)
Asus 24X DVD Burner
Power Supply: Rosewill 1000 watt modular PS
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64bit

I didn't list everything component...just the main ones. With your budget, you can build a great system. I do run many addons in FSX (i.e. Real Environment Extreme, Ultimate Terrain, a lot of payware aircraft, etc.) so this should be a good test.

I will post my results on this thread. BTW the initial Win 7 Performance results were CPU and Memory at 7.5. The remaining 3 areas were 7.9. Not bad for no overclocking. Everything from Newegg...lol.

***Update - 1/30/2011****
I had to go out of town on a businnes trip since posting, but wanted to give you my FSX results. In areas of extremely dense scenery (all the sliders maxed out (except the scenery resolution - still at 38/2 meters) I'm getting an average of 25fps low to the ground. When I get higher in altitude or am not flying near dense scenery areas I'm seeing 55-60fps. It's still pretty fluid at the lower frame rates. Good luck with you PC build!

Steve

 

[Why_Me]

I know you prefer Asus boards, but these AsRock boards are hitting a 5.0ghz+ with o/c since the new bios update a few days ago. The case in this build has the new 3.0 USB ports not to mention it pushed more air (better cooling) than the case in your build. The psu down below is better rated than the Corsair while it's also fully modular. The h/s is in the top 5 rated, and leaves the option to add another fan to it if you so choose. This build also includes two gtx 580's, and a SSD for your o/s and game.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225 $199.99 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256057 $184.99 - $164.99 after mail-in rebate
SILVERSTONE ST1000-P 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157223 $194.99
ASRock P67 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070 $329.99 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233087 $64.99
XIGMATEK Aegir SD128264 Mega Killer Double HDT 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler Dual Fan I7 i5 775 1155 1156 and AMD compatible

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231431 $159.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533 $89.99 FREE SHIPPING
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348 $264.99 FREE SHIPPING $30 off with promo code HARDOCPX119B, ends 1/22
Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817997013 $4.99 FREE SHIPPING
Rosewill RX-C200P 2.5" SSD / HDD Plastic Mounting Kit for 3.5" Drive Bay

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $16.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 $499.99 FREE SHIPPING
EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 $499.99 FREE SHIPPING
EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

Total: $2,611.87 *not including shipping, rebates, etc..

http://www.slizone.com/object/sli_multi_monitor.html <--- SLI Multi-Monitor Support

 

[k85033]

I just built a highend system and would not waste my money on intel!

I went with a ASUS Sabartooth 990FX Motherboard (The best motherboard i have ever setup) 15years experience)

I'm using a AMD FX 8120 processor. (Great processor really rocks)

ATI Radeon HD 6800 2gb (1st ATI I have owned very happy)

OCZ 750w power supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600

4 500gb WD enterprise class hard drives running in Raid 10

The only item that does not kick butt is the hard drive setup - I recommend running SSD hard drives! VERY FAST!!

I spent $1400.00 and I am extremly happy! The cost savings will pay for those SSD drives!

 

[Why_Me]

I just built a highend system and would not waste my money on intel!

I went with a ASUS Sabartooth 990FX Motherboard (The best motherboard i have ever setup) 15years experience)

I'm using a AMD FX 8120 processor. (Great processor really rocks)

ATI Radeon HD 6800 2gb (1st ATI I have owned very happy)

OCZ 750w power supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600

4 500gb WD enterprise class hard drives running in Raid 10

The only item that does not kick butt is the hard drive setup - I recommend running SSD hard drives! VERY FAST!!

I spent $1400.00 and I am extremly happy! The cost savings will pay for those SSD drives!

Way to bump a year and a half old thread.