Computer suitability for FSX Steam

Rate Dell computer 1-10 for fsx steam. Processor (intel® Core™ it-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz, (RAM) 12.GB, 64-bit oper system. x64-based processor, windows 10. thanks ghembree

CPU and RAM are perfectly adequate but if it's using the integrated Intel graphics you'll have trouble.

 

What model Dell is it? You may be able to upgrade the PSU and graphics card.

Hi...

 

I'm not sure how computer savvy you are but building your own machine really isn't rocket science - and - the reason I'd suggest it is because having something you can overclock really gives you bang for the buck... I think you want something that can run over 4Ghz to get the most out of MSFS - especially if you plan on using any high end addons...

 

As Mike stated - you really need a decent video card as well...

 

Just my 2 cents...

 

Regards,

Scott

3000 Series Model 3847, INTEL® HD Graphics 4600, Sells at Costco $549. Custom Built Starts about $1550

You can custom build a PC for much less than $1550.

 

However, for $549, that Dell looks like a good starting point if you don't want the relative hassle. It has the PCI-E slot you need to upgrade the graphics card, so that won't be a problem. The only potential issue is replacing the PSU (because the one it comes with won't be powerful enough for a decent graphics card).

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500374

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817580008

 

So an extra $250~. If that's out of your budget, you could get this Dell instead:

 

http://www.costco.com/Dell-Inspiron-3000-Gamer-Edition-Desktop-%7c-Intel-Core-i5-%7c-2GB-Graphics-%7c-Windows-10.product.100232651.html

 

The graphics card (GT 730) isn't much better than the integrated Intel graphics though.

Hi there,

Rating?

5

As people have said, the i5-4460 isn't the best choice. I'm not a big fan of this CPU (though it's insanely popular as the cheapest i5) as an FSX CPU because of it's speed, that 3,4GHZ in Turbo Boost might not be enough.

I'd go with a self-built.

Can you overclock a CPU?

https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

This might be something for you.

If you can't, change the CPU to a i3-4170, the cooler to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, and the mobo-to MSI H81-P33.

^Why do you recommend the i3-4170 and say the i5-4460 isn't the best choice? There's only 0.3GHz difference between them but you lose 2 physical cores (granted the i3 can do HT but it's not the same).

 

Personally if I was building something myself, it makes no sense to go for 4th or 5th generation chips. 6th generation i3 and i5 are much better and not much more expensive and also allow overclocking (despite not being K chips) on certain Asrock and MSI motherboards (Z170s only, but they aren't much dearer than H or B series).

 

You can get the i3-6100 for $128, the i5-6400 for $180 and an Asrock Z170 Pro4 for $110. The better energy efficiency of these chips means you can overclock without needing a massive cooler. You can get these chips to 4.7GHz with relative ease.

 

http://overclocking.guide/overclocking-non-k-intel-skylake-cpus-performance-tests/

 

http://www.techspot.com/review/1108-intel-locked-skylake-cpu-bclk-overclocking/

I'm saying that the i5-4460 isn't the best choice among i5, and that FSX won't have as much benfit as other games from having those four cores, but a not the best clock speed 3,2GHz stock.

But I do agree with you about getting a skylake cpu and overclocking it.

i5-6400 is best choice here (being an overcklockable i5).

I'm saying that the i5-4460 isn't the best choice among i5, and that FSX won't have as much benfit as other games from having those four cores, but a not the best clock speed 3,2GHz stock.

But I do agree with you about getting a skylake cpu and overclocking it.

i5-6400 is best choice here (being an overcklockable i5).

 

What about the i3 6100 - has anyone tried running FSX with this CPU? I know it's only Dual-core effectively, but the 3.7 Ghz sounds like it might be up to the task; maybe paired with a 960 GPU(?).

 

Anyone who's tried running FSX with the i3 6100, please let me know how it fared.

What about the i3 6100 - has anyone tried running FSX with this CPU? I know it's only Dual-core effectively, but the 3.7 Ghz sounds like it might be up to the task; maybe paired with a 960 GPU(?).

 

Anyone who's tried running FSX with the i3 6100, please let me know how it fared.

 

I don't have experience with the i3 6100, and I don't think it's a very popular CPU here.

 

Since FSX runs on a single core I don't see why you shouldn't get good performance out of the i3 6100.

 

For FSX the CPU is more important than the GPU. I would consider maybe taking money out of the video card budget and buying a less expensive GTX 950 or GTX 750 Ti. Then you could use the money to get an i5.

 

However, the i5 6400 people are suggesting here runs only at a base frequency of 2.7 GHZ, so over-clocking would be a must. If you are not comfortable overclocking I would stick with CPUs with a high base frequency.

 

At stock speeds I would take the i3 6100 over the i5 6400 personally since the i3 is 1 GHZ faster and FSX uses a single core.

I think about getting i3-6100.

How are FPS with Addons like Aerosoft X Extended and Aerosoft Mega Airport Frankfurt V2?

I think people have pretty much covered everything except 1 point. DO NOT BUY A FRICKEN DELL COMPUTER!!!! LOL Seriously, they just are not as good as they once were and they are not very up-gradable. Find a friend who is a computer tech (doesn't everyone have one nowadays?) and build your own. You will be far better off and avoid many headaches. :)

I think about getting i3-6100.

How are FPS with Addons like Aerosoft X Extended and Aerosoft Mega Airport Frankfurt V2?

 

An i3 is not going to be very good. Especially with the mega airports. I would never recommend anything under an i7 for ANY current flightsims. FS9 would run good on an i3. :)

You can custom build a PC for much less than $1550.