FSX and computer specs

[paprika]

I have been putting off purchasing a more dedicated gaming desktop since 2006 when FSX first came out. Back then computers weren't up to scratch to run fsx on full along with add ons etc.

So the question is, are they now ?

I am guessing an overclocked quad is going to be important?

What specs should I be looking at? Ignoring budget altogether..

Thanks

[Marf]

What video resolution do you intend to game in?

[paprika]

Well I currently use a 32 lcd which is at 13xx x 720 I think. Something like that.

[Marf]

Looking at the game specs I should imagine any of the higher end quad core cpus coupled to a mid range graphics card would run the game very well in that resolution.

[Burty88]

Clock speed > Cores in FSX.

For running it at max settings with addons and a better monitor/resolution = building it around this and this whole build would be upwards of £1k

However, at that resolution something like an i5 750 Overclocked to 4GHz, 4GB RAM and a 5770 build would run it fine (I would spec a GTX460 but apparently nvidia cards don't like playing FSX in fullscreen). Which, if you were willing to overclock it yourself, whole build could probably be had for ~ £650.

[69 coupe]

I'm into FSX but computer speed has always lacked behind mainly due to the poor FSX Engine that does not use more modern techniques for getting the most out of modern day hardware. Microsoft have closed down the ACES division so no newer version is on the way via that route, this freeze has allowed third party companies to get more and more out of the FSX, Orbx http://fullterrain.com/ been a primary candidate and many more of enhanced the scene.

To overcome FSX engine brute force is needed, cpu clock cycles are where the best performance are to be gained, running at over 4ghz is where improvement comes unfortunatley this normally has to be done by overclocking the i5 & i7 can do this, even so people still end up with micro stutters.

There is a guy on avsim who has the fs community eager for his thorough examination of how FSX works under the hood; his name is Jesus (Hey-sus)
and has found many new ways of improving pretty much anyone's experience he examines all the dll files for hidden gems.
Have a look at one of his threads then search out more, http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=28306...

Myself I'm stuck on a quad core q6600, I want to upgrade, but feel like waiting for whatever Intel/AMD new iteration follows on from the i5-i7 i-9?. I may well be in for a long wait.

Edited by 69 coupe on Sunday 25th July 23:58

[paprika]

Fractal r2 case SILVER Arrow

Corsair H50 maintenance free watercooling system

i7 920 ocd 4.0ghz

p6t special edition motherboard

Patriot Viper memory 6gb 1600mhz

ati 5870

1.5tb 1.0tb hds 500gb hd

Silencer 750 Quad psu

Asus xonar ds soundcard

750 quid...

What do you guys think...good deal, bad deal ?

Sorry, Its not brand new, it's second hand from a uni student.

Edited by paprika on Sunday 25th July 21:57

[Burty88]

Looks perfect... so long as it all works, the OC is stable etc...