FSX computer - anyone hazard an opinion?

[AckAck]

I might be being a bit of a jerk here, posting like this, but I'm trying to come up with a good gaming system for FSX specifically. The other games I play are not anything spectacular, and the majority of other things I do on this machine will be Photoshop or Illustrator.

I've put together a system at Newegg, trying to follow TXnetcop's listing in this section, This will be a new build, as I don't think there is loads from my current (8 year old) system that will transfer over.

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$89.98

Noctua NH-U12P SE2 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #:N82E16835608014
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$79.99
$74.99

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131365
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$289.99

Western Digital Caviar Green 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136358
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$54.99

Western Digital Caviar Green 750GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136359
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$69.99

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Item #:N82E16827106289
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$28.99

SeaSonic M12D SS-850 850W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817151067
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$149.99

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5850 100282SR Video Card
Item #: N82E16814102857
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116758
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo
$449.98
$429.98

Intel Core i7-950 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115211
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$22.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$719.98
$697.98

Whole thing with tax and shipping is a bit over $2000.

Can anyone (TXnetcop, Harleyman, knowledgeable people) peruse this and see where there is overkill, or underkill, or something I'm missing? I'd like it to be less, and some of these items are probably unnecessary unless I overclock. I think these components are good for overclocking, but I got a "faster" stock CPU because I don't really know if I want to... too chicken.

(I'm certain that it will be an improvement from my current AMD Athlon 2800+ 2.2GHz, 1GB 333MHz RAM system)

Look forward to any advice. TXnetcop put together specs for a nice system for me about a year ago, but my wife lost her job right before I ordered it, so the computer idea went . Now we are all gainfully employed, and even my wife is saying that I need a new computer. (I've been saying that for 5 years now, but this is the first time SHE's mentioned being frustrated).

Thanks, Brian

[harleyman]

Hey Brian..

That concept is going to be a great FSX computer.....I would change a few things myself though...

1) I perfer the WD BLACK drives...Better proven speed and longevity.. If FSX is to be on the 750GiG Drive then you could get a smaller First Drive for the Operating Syatem...(Like a 320 Gig) Or (250 Gig)

2) Your PSU is a Dual Rail 12 Volt PSU with only 40 Amps per Rail... You are better off with a Single Rail and Higher Amps.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006


3) Great Mother Board...But Expensive and not really needed...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128375


4) Good Ram choice...Its CAS is 8...I perfer a CAS of 7 but its way more costly and not that much a biggie.

5) Of coarse you know that the 920 Chip is way cheaper and will Overclock great.. (easily beyond stock 3.06 of the 950)

You still may need to OC the 950 @ 3.06 Ghz for FSX

6) IMO you have the best Cooler for X58 chips ....If you do not OC you can go cheaper ..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233029








Love the case and all the rest......


Lets us know final price and any changes you might make....

[txnetcop]

What Harleyman said. I would never recommend the Green drives they just outright suck! However I would stick with the ASUS board it is more expensive but it runs circles around anything else except the Rampage II. The 920 does overclock very well, but I have never had to OC the 950 to get it to run FSX smoothly, however I overclock everything so you could save some money by using the i7 Core 920 D0 stepping, make sure it is the D0 stepping core before purchasing. I gotta get back to work Good luck. Glad things worked out for ya.
Ted

[harleyman]

So Ted..

The 950 @ 3.06 does not need OCed if all the other components match up then...Good to know.......

[txnetcop]

Hey Harleyman I have to take back something I said above. The new, fastest motherboard is the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7, which we are now testing at TechCorp. So far it runs everything into the ground. The bad part is the cost...about $350 or more. The unit we are testing was set for $400 originally. So Gigabyte rules again. Should be some reviews out on it already as two of testers have submitted reviews
Ted

[harleyman]

Just gotta love Gigabyte...


But...if you are not going to OC, what is the point in getting a more expensive MoBo with all the bells and whistles if you are not going to use them?

[AckAck]

So would I be better off manning up and downgrading the processor and overclocking it? (and changing the drives?) Pricewise, anyway?

Brian

[harleyman]

Well pricewise for the CPU for sure


For the drives def go with the WD Black..not blue or green...Stay with the 32Mb Cache though


If you have the money for the 950 , and do not want to OC, then yes stay with the 950..Ted tests them all the time and says at stock is great for FSX

[AckAck]

Thank you gentlemen for your input. I've got something pretty close to the above with an i7 920 coming.

(I just hope I'm not back here soon asking how to get the magic smoke back into the box.)

Brian

[harleyman]

Thank you gentlemen for your input. I've got something pretty close to the above with an i7 920 coming.

(I just hope I'm not back here soon asking how to get the magic smoke back into the box.)

Brian

Fingers crossed that it runs FSX flawless....