Building first PC

[CyprusAirwaysA330 0]

Hi lads, I'm looking to build a desktop pc in the next few weeks to replace the family's old one (its 5 years, so need updating!). It will be used mainly for FSX, and I was looking at these specs.

CPU: Q8400@2.66GHz

Case: Antec 300

PSU: Antec Truepower 650W

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS5

Ram: 2x2GB DDR2@1066MHz

Hard Drive: Western Digital 500GB@7200RPM

GPU:9600GT 512MB

Are these specs reasonable for achieving good fps on FSX at medium-high framerates? Also, is it worth getting an SLi board, as FSX performs worse with 2 graphics cards than with one. And lastly, should I sacrifice the Sli board and go for a faster processor?

[needles 1,013]

Hi lads, And lastly, should I sacrifice the Sli board and go for a faster processor?

Hi Cyprus'

I have 2 x 8600GTs in SLI mode and to be honest I don't notice any difference whatsoever. I would definately go for a bigger CPU as we all know FSX is CPU hungry.

Also I would personally go for an Asus mobo. I have found them to be the most reliable IMO.

Good luck with the build and with whatever spec' you choose.

Regards

Needles

[simi_av8r 0]

CPU: Q8400@2.66GHz

Case: Antec 300

PSU: Antec Truepower 650W

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS5

Ram: 2x2GB DDR2@1066MHz

Hard Drive: Western Digital 500GB@7200RPM

GPU:9600GT 512MB

Ok, first, a Q8400 is probably going to disappear soon, and is only dual-core and this = BAD! Instead look at something along the lines of a Core i7 CPU and Mobo combination. The i7 is a massive jump forwards in CPU processing power with more than enough oomph to chew FSX and spit it out, and its architecture is one of the fastest available, even beating Quad core CPU's hands down at a lower clock speed. This is possible as it also requires tri-channel DDR3 ram, allowing very fast bus speeds (e.g. 16000MHz!!!) , and this = GOOD, so something like 3x 2gb DDR3 2000 chips would be well suited.

Obviously, a Core i7 would mean dumping the old, and much slower, DDR2 1066MHz memory as well as the gigabyte mobo.

second, a 650W PSU isn't going to cut the mustard with a Core i7, especially with the mid to high end gfx card you'd need for FSX, so i'd suggest something in the 800W - 1000W category.

Thirdly, and as just mentioned, the 9600GT is comparatively ancient given todays standards - i knows as i still run one of the Radeon 9600Pro 512MB GPUs! As for a replacement, and something that would easily cope with the high throughput of an i7 CPU, seriously consider a GTX260 or GTX280 series card. They're very fast, not overly priced, and again will easily handle FSX without being swamped by the higher settings. Alternatively, you could skimp a little here and get the older 8800GT, but then future proofing wouldn't be so extended.

erm, what next....Oh yes, you don't mention it, but i'd assume that you were going to install FSX over Vista 64-bit, if not then re-think as you'd require 64-bit to get every little last drop out of the DDR3, Core i7 and GTX260 graphics.

Other than that...er, yeah, i think we're done.

[mutley 4,497]

Well done Simi, great advice.

After a lot of research I purchased an i7 and use Vista 64 to access the greater RAM addresses.

If it means saving for a couple of months extra then it's well worth it.

Cheers

[simi_av8r 0]

Well done Simi, great advice.

After a lot of research I purchased an i7 and use Vista 64 to access the greater RAM addresses.

If it means saving for a couple of months extra then it's well worth it.

Cheers

just pitching in with friendly PC-builders advice. I've made tens of PCs for friends, neighbours, even paying customers referred to me by friends!....but i've never gotten around to upgrading my decrepit old rig...why decrepit you ask, well, here's the spec:

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ OC'd @ 2.1GHz

1.5GB DDR2700 RAM

WD 120GB HDD (storage)

Seagate 80GB (main C: drive)

PowerColor Radeon 9600Pro 510MB Graphics (AGP 8X)

450W unbranded PSU

XP SP2

and with that i'm getting adequate 15-25 FPS over most rural/bush areas, dropping to a horrid 6-10FPS in small towns, and lower still over busy cities!

But FS9 still provides me with the enjoyment, if not the eye-candy, and for me that's what it's all about (isn't it for everyone??)!

[CyprusAirwaysA330 0]

Thanks for the advice, but I really don't have the money to shell out on a good i7 system, unless I can find really good deals (motherboard + cpu under

[simi_av8r 0]

Thanks for the advice, but I really don't have the money to shell out on a good i7 system, unless I can find really good deals (motherboard + cpu under