Flight Sim Tech

[signa]

Anyone into MS flight sims? I was looking for info on systems that run FSX the best. Is it more CPU or GPU intensive? A friend of mine is into them and may be looking to build a new computer. I've heard of people running quad core + 8800gtx only getting like 20-30 fps on all high. Any build suggestions on getting the most frame rates / performance?

[solofowaffles]

Its one fo the few games that supports quad cores so a q6600 would be a good choice with some over clocking.

[Eagle101]

A buddy of mines plays Lock On, with dual 7950GX2 SLi, on an AMDX2 58 or 56 me thinks and it runs on max, although i don't know the comparison between it and FSX :<

btw solo like ur quote :)

[Flt. Sgt. Powderhound]

Never fear! Powderhound is here.
FSX is horrific on the CPU, and as yet there aren't any PCs that can play it on ultra with decent framerates, but even so it looks incredible on high end system- just because it isn't on ultra doesn't mean it looks bad.
You definitely want to go quad core, as FSX post SP1 is multithreaded as well as 2GB of fast RAM at the very least (Although most games need this these days). Graphics wise, an 8800GT or GTX is the best bet. SLI isn't really worth it in FSX, as the developers have said that it only gives benefits at 1920x1200 or above.

You can find more detailed info in it here: http://www.fsinsider.com/tips/Pages/default.aspx

[Vash2051]

I run it at mostly high and aircraft and some others on ultra high with the rig over there<< at a solid 40 fps. 1680 res no aa. But FSX is possibly the worst optimized game I've ever played. Random lag spikes and frame drops can get annoying at times.

[kaheiyeh]

I play FSX with my rig (E6320, X1950Pro 256MB PCI-Express, 2GB DDR2667 RAM) on mostly medium with some high.

It gets laggy on the ground when you're at large airports like Dallas, Sydney, Heathrow etc. because of all the autogen (You can turn this down, but I don't mind the slight lag), but once you're up in the skies the frame rates get silky smooth.

[signa]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Ok, I'm getting pretty close to building this computer. It's mainly to play FSX and run your standard home office / web type of stuff. I've been reading tons (tonnes :p) of info on FSX builds and the general consensus is that FSX requires CPU power.

My original specs were looking like this:

Q6600 (to be overclocked)
mobo: evga 680i chipset
memory: mushkin 4gb (2x2)
vid: 8800gtx or 9800gtx.

now since FSX might not take advantage of such a high end video card, I was thinking of dropping that to a 8800GT-OC, and using the money saved to go with a penryn Q9450 + aftermarket hsf. of course I would need a 7series mobo, or intel equivalent .

so what I'm asking is thoughts on a overclocked Q6600 vs overclocked Q9450 in terms of performance.

[Eagle101]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Signa dont go Nvidia mobos unless you are planning to OC. If not go Intel its a lot better.

[peeth]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Signa dont go Nvidia mobos unless you are planning to OC. If not go Intel its a lot better.

Even if you plan on overclocking i would advise against nVidia mobo's and go intel, unless you want to go SLI which is a false economy.

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Yes..Only get nvidia mobo if you want SLI and you crap money..Obviously you dont so get a P45 or X38 or X48 intel chipset...

[Xodus]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Ok, I'm getting pretty close to building this computer. It's mainly to play FSX and run your standard home office / web type of stuff. I've been reading tons (tonnes :p) of info on FSX builds and the general consensus is that FSX requires CPU power.

My original specs were looking like this:

Q6600 (to be overclocked)
mobo: evga 680i chipset
memory: mushkin 4gb (2x2)
vid: 8800gtx or 9800gtx.

now since FSX might not take advantage of such a high end video card, I was thinking of dropping that to a 8800GT-OC, and using the money saved to go with a penryn Q9450 + aftermarket hsf. of course I would need a 7series mobo, or intel equivalent .

so what I'm asking is thoughts on a overclocked Q6600 vs overclocked Q9450 in terms of performance.

FSX WILL take advantage of a high end video card, just not SLI. I run FSX on my computer. And I just flew a jet (F-14 or something) through the grand canyon on this machine, and it was silky smoothe sliders to the right, except autogen

[signa]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Signa dont go Nvidia mobos unless you are planning to OC. If not go Intel its a lot better.

Even if you plan on overclocking i would advise against nVidia mobo's and go intel, unless you want to go SLI which is a false economy.

Yes..Only get nvidia mobo if you want SLI and you crap money..Obviously you dont so get a P45 or X38 or X48 intel chipset...

thanks for the replies. yes I do plan on a moderate overclock (probably 3.0 or 3.2). I'm not planning on SLI. I'm just not up on intel chipsets to make a decision on which brand / model is good. can you recommend one, than can overclock also?

[=98=]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Even if you plan on overclocking i would advise against nVidia mobo's and go intel, unless you want to go SLI which is a false economy.

Seconded :thumbsup:

Look for a P5K Deluxe/Premium. They are good boards.

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Asus boards are good....Again look for either P35, P45, x38 or x48 chipsets...Each are very good...

[Eagle101]

Re: Flight Sim Tech

Yeah the chipsets Hellsent layed out are pretty good, there are many cheap boards out there from reputable brands i.e. Asus, Abit, and Gigabyte for example.