Will Flight Simulator X run very well on AMD FX-8150?

[ozzman1997]

I know there's an update for FSX where it changes the coding or something so the game can take advantage of multi-core processors, and I see that the FX-8150 has 8 cores. Would this mean the 8150 CPU could play FSX as well as an i5? I was going to go after the i5 but with the 8150 coming down in price, it's tempting...

Oh and the graphics card I am planning on getting is either a GTX 460 or 560.

 

[ozzman1997]

Anybody? :/

 

[sarinaide]

I am certain it will run well.

Of the cards the GTX 560 is the better option.

 

[ozzman1997]

Do you really think so? I just hear all kinds of bad things about AMD...I know they can't be as bad as people say. Intel outsells them 5 to 1 which is probably the reason Intel has so many "Fanboys". I have narrowed my CPU choices down to two:

-FX-8150
-i5-3570k

And we all know that Intel's CPU fans suck, but I hear AMD's are at least half decent. So if I got the i5, I'd have to pay another 20 bucks on a Hyper 212 cooler versus just $169.99 for an okay CPU and a workable cooler.

I just don't like spending lots of money!

 

[sarinaide]

The CPU's all game and this I know because I have many AMD systems including a FX8150. That said for gaming the i5 is generally quicker.

Even if you get the FX 8150 I would add a cooler to it, or better yet buy the 8120 and add a cooler, then again AMD vishera based chips are out in the coming week which makes more sense to buy.

 

[aethersis]

I aggree with sarinaide - i5 has a better efficiency in tasks that don't take an advantage of multiple cores, therefore it should be also better for gaming. Fx-8150 is not much cheaper and actually it's considerably faster only in some rendering programs like LuxRender.
In the case of games, you probably won't see a big difference since the framerate is mainly dependent on GPU (if the CPU is fine ofc) and there is not a big difference between these 2 CPUs. I assume the fps may vary no more than 10% between those 2 CPUs.

 

[ozzman1997]

I've been doing a little research and found out there is a Micro Center near Chicago (3.5 hour drive from home) and they sell i5-2500k's for $159.99!!! And they take $50 off your choice of 3 motherboards!!! That is a freaking awesome deal! So now I need to somehow convince my parents to drive me there sometime! LOL

 

[aethersis]

Take this i5 without hesitation

 

[griptwister]

I've been doing a little research and found out there is a Micro Center near Chicago (3.5 hour drive from home) and they sell i5-2500k's for $159.99!!! And they take $50 off your choice of 3 motherboards!!! That is a freaking awesome deal! So now I need to somehow convince my parents to drive me there sometime! LOL

If you have the money, GO FOR IT!!! But if you don't, I'd save up a bit more and buy a FX-8350. And you could get a MoBo cheap too. THAT's A STEAL! I go by microcenter once or 2ce a year... next time I'm by there I'll make sure I pick up some parts! They got great deals! Too bad I don't have money right now... they have a good price on the i7-2700k

 

[PaulSouter]

My uncle was a private pilot and has a PC just for FS X.The game is very CPU dependant and doesnt use the graphic card a lot like most games.Also SLI in fact SLOWS it down !!!.Go for the I5 and overclock it.The patch helps with multiple cores but not a lot.

 

[ozzman1997]

Actually I just saw a deal on Newegg with the i5-3570k and an MSI Z77 mobo in a combo pack for $285 instead of the usual $350. I know the 2500k is great and all, but the money I could save at Microcenter probably would just buy me gas for the trip there and back. If I lived by a big city, I'd go to MC for sure! I think the 3570k would suit me even better, especially with a Corsair H60 cooler running at 4.5 GHz. As for RAM, I'm going with 8 gigs (2x4gb) of G.Skill Sniper. What a monster of a machine this shall be!!!

 

[COLGeek]

The FX-8150 will perform excellently with FSX, especially with a 560. The i5 will also perform admirably. Even though FSX can use multiple cores, it still isn't all that massively demanding.

Both options are solid.

 

[ozzman1997]

Best answer selected by ozzman1997.

 

[ozzman1997]

UPDATE--I just ordered a new i5 barebones PC for $516 off Newegg. Here are the specs:

Intel Core i5-3570k
Asus P8Z77-V LK
8Gb Patriot Viper 1600
Seagate 500GB HDD
Geforce GT 430 (will upgrade later )
Corsair CX600 power supply
Then I need to buy Windows...another 80 bucks. Oh well.

It's gonna be a beast!

 

[sarinaide]

Yeah that should be good enough, just update the GPU when you got funds and its a nice setup.