Computer recommendations for FSX and X-Plane

Hey Flightsim,

 

I'm looking for a new computer. I have got both FSX and X-Plane 10, but I don't know much about computers... So maybe you could tell me a little bit about, what's necessary for a computer to run FSX and X-Plane with high graphics, good frames, and detailed scenery.

 

For X-Plane, I've seen this computer made by X-Force designed to run X-Plane 10: http://xforcepc.com/store/index.php/computers/mid-level-gaming.html

 

How good would this computer be able to run X-Plane 10?

 

Thanks :) !

In don't know what X-Plane's performance requirements are, but, that rig will be mediocre, at best, for FSX. FSX wants First and Foremost: CPU speed. The faster, the better.

With FSX, IMO, "Good' is in the 4.0+GHz range, "Better" is ~4.5GHz, "Best" is 4.9+GHz...Don

In don't know what X-Plane's performance requirements are, but, that rig will be mediocre, at best, for FSX. FSX wants First and Foremost: CPU speed. The faster, the better.

With FSX, IMO, "Good' is in the 4.0+GHz range, "Better" is ~4.5GHz, "Best" is 4.9+GHz...Don

 

Okay, thanks! What's the difference between Intel i7, Intel i5 and so on? Which one are better - and, is it only the clock speed, which is important to keep in mind?

GHz for GHz, i7 is quicker than i5. Also, whilst a fast CPU is absolutely important, as FSX uses Direct X to render, so is a decent graphics card (and I would recommend NVidia)

X Plane uses Open GL, so it's more CPU intensive. Also, the way they work are totally different since XPlane renders the immediate surroundings of the aircraft to work out what it should be doing, and FSx Doesn't. Prepar3d will utilise the graphics card for calculations, XPlane will utilise 16GB RAM, it can use more but there's not much more benefit.

 

Also, consider Prepar3d. On the same kit, Prepar3d v2 is faster than the original. Not sure what the difference between Prepar3d and FSX are.

 

I've known people get all hung up over this, that and the other; at the end of the day, you could easily buy a 3K machine and think that that's the best, but someone somewhere will have a better / cheaper / or more expensive way of doing it.

 

A mate who has a full 737 cockpit uses about 6 computers; the fastest is done solely for graphics, and the rest are mediocre one's to run panels, glass displays etc. If you had a few old one's, you could do something similar with a basic get up, allowing the main machine to do the display side.

 

All that said, my PC bits turn up tomorrow, I am getting an i7 (Hasswell E) extreme processor (there are 3 and mine is the mid priced one), 16Gb RAM, Asus X99 Motherboard, GTX980 MSI Graphics card and a 2Tb SSHD (SSD and Sata Hard drive hybrid). I can give you a run down on FPS with everything maxed out (but I have no idea how it will perform yet). The graphics card supports 4 monitors natively, but I am intending to use my Oculous Rift in Prepar3d to run a virtual cockpit (coupled with an X55)

GHz for GHz, i7 is quicker than i5. Also, whilst a fast CPU is absolutely important, as FSX uses Direct X to render, so is a decent graphics card (and I would recommend NVidia)

X Plane uses Open GL, so it's more CPU intensive. Also, the way they work are totally different since XPlane renders the immediate surroundings of the aircraft to work out what it should be doing, and FSx Doesn't. Prepar3d will utilise the graphics card for calculations, XPlane will utilise 16GB RAM, it can use more but there's not much more benefit.

 

Also, consider Prepar3d. On the same kit, Prepar3d v2 is faster than the original. Not sure what the difference between Prepar3d and FSX are.

 

I've known people get all hung up over this, that and the other; at the end of the day, you could easily buy a 3K machine and think that that's the best, but someone somewhere will have a better / cheaper / or more expensive way of doing it.

 

A mate who has a full 737 cockpit uses about 6 computers; the fastest is done solely for graphics, and the rest are mediocre one's to run panels, glass displays etc. If you had a few old one's, you could do something similar with a basic get up, allowing the main machine to do the display side.

 

All that said, my PC bits turn up tomorrow, I am getting an i7 (Hasswell E) extreme processor (there are 3 and mine is the mid priced one), 16Gb RAM, Asus X99 Motherboard, GTX980 MSI Graphics card and a 2Tb SSHD (SSD and Sata Hard drive hybrid). I can give you a run down on FPS with everything maxed out (but I have no idea how it will perform yet). The graphics card supports 4 monitors natively, but I am intending to use my Oculous Rift in Prepar3d to run a virtual cockpit (coupled with an X55)

 

Thanks a lot! Can you recommend any computers, which are capable of running FSX pretty well? (unfortunately, I'dont have the skills to build one myself...)

I don't recommend any of the "Big Box" prebuilt computers. None.

 

Building your own isn't hard. If you can pay attention to detail and formulate a plan, you can do it. Paxx's How to build a Computer

 

For a reasonably priced custom built machine, with a good warranty and tech support, try these folks: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

 

My recommendation is to start here:

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z97_i7_Configurator

BASE PRICE: $969

For a max performance "Budget" build, change only the following:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4790K 4.0 GHz 8MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150

CPU/Processor Cooling Fan: Asetek 570LXL 240mm Liquid CPU Cooling System w/ Copper Cold Plate $30

MEMORY: 16GB (8GBx2) DDR3/2133MHz Dual Channel Memory $100

VIDEO: EVGA FTW Edition NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 ACX 2.0 4GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card $254

OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit $135

PRICE: $1488

Link to saved build: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1GPH1X

I don't recommend any of the "Big Box" prebuilt computers. None.

 

Building your own isn't hard. If you can pay attention to detail and formulate a plan, you can do it. Paxx's How to build a Computer

 

For a reasonably priced custom built machine, with a good warranty and tech support, try these folks: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

 

My recommendation is to start here:

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z97_i7_Configurator

BASE PRICE: $969

For a max performance "Budget" build, change only the following:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4790K 4.0 GHz 8MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150

CPU/Processor Cooling Fan: Asetek 570LXL 240mm Liquid CPU Cooling System w/ Copper Cold Plate $30

MEMORY: 16GB (8GBx2) DDR3/2133MHz Dual Channel Memory $100

VIDEO: EVGA FTW Edition NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 ACX 2.0 4GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card $254

OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit $135

PRICE: $1488

Link to saved build: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1GPH1X

 

Wow - looks really good! Thank you. I guess the computer will perform quite well? Does cyberpower bulit the computer?

 

Bye the way, why Windows Professional?

 

Bye the way, why Windows Professional?

 

remote desktop, and domain join.(join your work network through VPN)

Bye the way, why Windows Professional?

 

For a gamer the main difference between different editions of Windows 7 is the amount of RAM you can use. Here is a site that lists the differences between Windows 7 editions.

 

http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-product-editions-comparison

Thanks guys. It makes sense.

 

But how well will this computer run FSX? Of course, I know it's hard to say exactly how well it'll perform and how well the graphics will look ...

Well, the CPU is good. It should run FSX quit well, but even the fastest computer can't run FSX at high settings. Especially with addons. See this sticky on optimizing your FSX.cfg file. https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?259352-FSX-P3D-Software-and-Hardware-Tweaking-Guide

Wow - looks really good! Thank you.

You're welcome!

I guess the computer will perform quite well?

Very well. Even better with an overclock. That's why I suggest the dual fan 240mm cooler.

For the OC Doom and Gloom crowd, you can purchase an overclocker's warranty directly from Intel. http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/ From the FAQ, "end users are able to purchase the Plan during the first year of eligible processor ownership."

 

Does cyberpower bulit the computer?

Yessir...

 

Bye the way, why Windows Professional?

It is the only Windows 7 version they offer. Windows 7 is MY prefered platform.

I don't care for Windows 8(I tried the Beta), but if you are comfortable with it. Try it.

I've seen a lot of folks struggle getting FSX up to par on "8", but, most of those folks have beaten the nasties, and, there are enough of them here to assist you...Don

Anybody :) ? Just to be sure.