New FSX Rig. Any thoughts?

[stuarty1874]

Folks, could you offer me any advice??

I'm looking to buy a new rig for FSX and was hoping that you guys can share your experience around which hardware to buy. I've compiled a list below by reviewing quite a few of the other threads.

Could anyone tell me if I'm heading in the right direction and offer any advice on where I might be going wrong if I am? The current price I have is $1,653.69 (CDN) but would like to get that down a little.


Intel Core™ i7 Processor 950 3.06GHz w/ 8MB Cache
ILC: 735858208451 SKU: MX24672
$699.99 (CDN)

Asus Rampage II GENE w/ TripleDDR3 2000, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1394, PCI-E, CrossFireX/ SLI
ILC: 610839170081 SKU: MX24005
$319.99 (CDN)

Kingston ValueRAM 6GB PC3-10600 DDR3 Triple Channel Kit (3 x 2GB)
ILC: 740617146646 SKU: MX22625
$109.99 (CDN)

Western Digital 750GB Caviar Blue 7200rpm SATA II w/ 16MB Cache
ILC: WD7500AAKS SKU: MX18765
$74.99 (CDN)

ANTEC Sonata III Quiet Super Mini Tower w/ EarthWatts 500W, eSATA
ILC: 761345151375 SKU: MX17509
$149.99 (CDN)

BFG GeForce GTS 250 OC 1GB GDDR3 PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out
ILC: 876758003453 SKU: MX23822
$219.99 (CDN)

Total $1,653.69 (CDN)

[stuarty1874]

...

[RyanbATC]

Good except the power supply, video card, and RAM

Don't skimp on RAM, get something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227381

Power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703009

Video card, at least a GTX260 but 280 is better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130480

Don't forget to overclock the CPU with something like this:
http://www.crazypc.com/products/PX50983.html

[noell]

I agree with Ryan's comments except for the video card.
IMO, you are just fine with the GTS250 (I have the 1GB version and it is excellent for FSX). The main thing for good FSX performance is processing power and once you get reach the "mainstream" video card level going higher than that makes no difference worth talking about. Case in point - I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to run my system with four different video cards - a 7900GTX(512MB), an 8800GTS (640MB), a GTS250(1GB) and a GTX275(896MB). If I didn't know what card was installed, there is no way I could tell by looking at the frame counter nor could I see any difference in image quality.

[stuarty1874]

Thanks for the input guys.

Decided to have a search around and found the following on newegg.ca.

After doing some more reading I decided to move my CPU down... have I done the right thing?

My budget is $1500 (CDN) and this lot comes in at around at $1200 so I do have a little more to spare. Is there anything else I need to consider??

I will be looking to overclock this guy so if you could keep that in mind when reviewing this thread that would be great.


CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
Item #: N82E16819115202

Mobo
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131359
Cost: $607.98 (CDN) (CPU & MoBo Combo Deal)

Case Not sure if I need to up the spec of the case???
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower
Item #: N82E16811119203
Cost: $44.99 (CDN)

Hard Disk
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
Item #: N82E16822136218
Cost: $87.49 (CDN)

Graphics Adapter
BFG Tech BFGE981024GTOCE GeForce 9800 GT OC 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814143185
Cost: $82.00 (CDN)

PSU
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible
Item #: N82E16817703009
Cost: $129.99 (CDN)

RAM
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
Item #: N82E16820227365
Cost: $104.99 (CDN)

Cooling Not sure if I've covered everything here?? Any advice would be much appreciated
CrazyPC Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme 1366 BUNDLE
Cost: $64.99 (CDN)

[Paxx]

You want a case with a lot of ventilation and you want at least 7.5" in width (8in. is better) for the CPU heatsink/fan. I would get one of these and add two 120mm fans, one on the side (in) and one on the rear (out) to go with the top 140mm and the front 120mm. If you want a windowed side model then get one similar.

The Thermalright Ultra is one of the best air coolers for the i7 series. With a cooperative motherboard and RAM it should keep the CPU cool into the 3.8-4.2 GHz range if you plan to overclock. Expect your mileage to vary.

[stuarty1874]

Thanks Paxx. Went with your Case recommendation and 2 x 120mm fans.

Placed the order with newegg.ca today... $1271.28 (CDN).

Watch this space.

[stuarty1874]

So this is what I acutally ordered from Newegg.ca (except for the cooling which was from CrazyPC)

CPU
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
Item #: N82E16819115202

Mobo
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131359
Cost: $607.98 (CDN) (CPU & MoBo Combo Deal)

Case
COOLER MASTER Gladiator 600 RC-600-KKN1-GP Black SECC Body ; Mesh Front bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119206
Cost: $79.99 (CDN)

Hard Disk
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
Item #: N82E16822136218
Cost: $87.49 (CDN)

Graphics Adapter
BFG Tech BFGE981024GTOCE GeForce 9800 GT OC 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814143185
Cost: $82.00 (CDN)

PSU
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible
Item #: N82E16817703009
Cost: $129.99 (CDN)

RAM
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
Item #: N82E16820227365
Cost: $104.99 (CDN)

Cooling
(CrazyPC) Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme 1366 BUNDLE
LappingOption: 995100-Q HEATSINK LAPPING
ThermalCompout: 50212-Q ARCTIC SILVER 5 35GRAM
509601-Q ULTRA 120 FAN CLIPS
Cost: $106.14 (CDN)