Best Computer

[johnnyg]

What is the best computer or computers to run FSX for a sim build? Here is my info but when I try to run graphics up too much it tells me my computer is out of memory only when running PMDG.

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name GAMINGCOMPUTER
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model System Product Name
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel ~2833 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS STRIKER II EXTREME ACPI BIOS Revision 1402, 1/28/2010
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name GAMINGCOMPUTER\Johnny G
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 8,192.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.32 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 4.84 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

[Farkaskoma]

Hello

I think You are new in this world. This sys info is not good. write your hardware elements.

The win xp is 32 or 64 bit? i think just 32... u have 8 gb of ram, but using just 3.

32 bit OS can use max 4 gb ram, WITH your Vide memory, so if u have 1 gb Vcard, u have just 3 gb system memory left...,

Go use 64 bit OS (win7, or xp 64, dont use VISTA)

[Neil Hewitt]

What is the best computer or computers to run FSX for a sim build? Here is my info but when I try to run graphics up too much it tells me my computer is out of memory only when running PMDG.

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name GAMINGCOMPUTER
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model System Product Name
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel ~2833 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS STRIKER II EXTREME ACPI BIOS Revision 1402, 1/28/2010
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name GAMINGCOMPUTER\Johnny G
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 8,192.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.32 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 4.84 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

As the poster above says, this isn't a whole lot of help. Identifying the CPU is not as simple as you'd think - but I've narrowed it down to either Core 2 Duo E7400 or the Pentium-D E5500. Both are Core 2 architecture dual-core CPUs clocked at 2.8GHz stock, not much performance difference between them (the E7400 will edge it). Can you find out which one yours is? Who's the manufacturer (or is it a self-build?).

Your CPU is last-generation, so that's problem # 1 - FSX eats CPU, and if you have supplementary stuff like PMDG and other add-ons running too, you'll need as much as you can get. Both those CPUs can be overclocked - up to a point - but there's not a massive overhead there. However, a switch to Sandy Bridge (Core i5 or Core i7) would involve replacing most of your kit - basically a new computer.

Problem #2 is that you apparently have 8GB installed, but you're running a 32-bit version of WinXP, and worse, it's WinXP Home. This means you're using less than half of your available RAM. A switch to a 64-bit OS is a must, and that means Windows 7. Don't even consider Windows XP 64-bit (even if you could still buy it, which you can't).

The info above tells us nothing about your RAM speed, your HDD type and size, and so on. Not to mention your graphics card (assuming it's not on internal graphics). Without this we can't really advise you.

Now, to answer your original question, in my humble opinion the sweet spot for FSX performance vs price at the moment looks like this:

• Intel Sandy Bridge Socket 1155-based motherboard with good overclocking (I recommend Asus)
• Intel Core i5 2500K CPU
• 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM
• Good air cooler or hybrid water cooler (Corsair H series etc)
• Fast SSD sized according to your needs (120GB is a good start - try OCZ Vertex 3)
• Mid-range ATI or nVidia graphics card (Radeon 68xx / 69xx, GeForce GTX 5 series)
• Add a case etc of your choice.

This will give you the highest possible single-core performance, barring going for the ridiculously-priced new Core i7 Extreme range.

Hope that helps.