My New Setup is underway.

[droddis]

I've starting ordering the parts for my new PC setup:

Q6600 2.4GHz Core 2 Quad 1066FSB 8Mb Cache
MSI P7N-SLI Platinum Motherboard
2x 256MB BFG nVidia Geforce 7800 GTX OC - Total of 4 Outputs
4GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM
120GB SATA HDD

Will this be ok to run FSX??? I dont have FSX yet, but will upgrade in the future (as soon as PMDG release NGX) but i suppose then i'll need FS11.

And ive got my eye on a nice projector for the display on ebay.

Thanks

[Paul G]

Sure it should run it no problem, but the question really is what will it look like. Without add-ons it should run smoothly at medium - high settings. One big factor is whether you're using Windows XP or Vista. Another is whether you plan to have 4 outputs running and what you'll have on them.

One output for instruments and 3 for visuals might over-tax your video cards. I'm running 3 outputs reasonably well but only one is visuals.

Might be worth getting a faster stock processor though as I keep hearing that the processor speed seems to be the bottleneck with FSX. I have the same, well ok a dual running at that speed and it's ok. But I'm already considering an upgrade.

I've starting ordering the parts for my new PC setup:

Q6600 2.4GHz Core 2 Quad 1066FSB 8Mb Cache
MSI P7N-SLI Platinum Motherboard
2x 256MB BFG nVidia Geforce 7800 GTX OC - Total of 4 Outputs
4GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM
120GB SATA HDD

Will this be ok to run FSX??? I dont have FSX yet, but will upgrade in the future (as soon as PMDG release NGX) but i suppose then i'll need FS11.

And ive got my eye on a nice projector for the display on ebay.

Thanks

[WJH308]

Thats my computer your building except I have a 3850 radeon video card.
I will suggest to you to wait for the newer Intel quadcores to come out. Yes your setup will run FSX very nicely. I get up to 100fps with the stock airplanes with graphics on medium, no AA. Throw in the Level D 767 into Miami with many buildings, the FPS drops down to 20's. Away from the cities, up to 35 fps.
Still though, save your money, wait for a new quad core, next generation 45nm ones.

[droddis]

so i'd be better with something like the Q9550 2.83GHz or the Q8200 2.33Ghz???

for the displays 3 would be the instruments and 1 for visual - on HP vp6111 projector.

thanks

[WJH308]

At least a 9series quadcore. Intel has new chips comming, longer you wait, the better.

[droddis]

Whats the expected price tag on the new chips. i'm working to a tight budget and i'm also impatient.

If i do go for the q6600 i'll more than likely try to OC it to 3Ghz.

[WJH308]

Whats the expected price tag on the new chips. i'm working to a tight budget and i'm also impatient.

If i do go for the q6600 i'll more than likely try to OC it to 3Ghz.

First thing first. If you want to O/C the Q6600, dont buy the LT680i motherboard like I did, it is bugged, could only get 2.6 out of it.
Another thing, if your on a budget, go to Ubid and buy a refurbished quad core 9series desktop for around 600$ usually. You will still want to put a nice video card in it. Yes we could all wait for a better deal, every 6 months theres better deals...

[droddis]

Ok well after consideration i've decided to go for the Q9550 2.83Ghz Yorkfield as i've seen a good price. Its on the 45nm architecture and also has the 1333FSB so should give a bit more power.

Any advice??

[Paul G]

There's always new technology lurking around the corner, so there's never a good or bad time. With money being an issue, waiting for new technology to be available isn't a wise choice as it will be very much more expensive. My approach is to wait until a new generation of chip has been around a few months. By then the first processors in that range will become considerably cheaper compared with the newest, but with only a small difference in performance. Then, in my opinion, is the time to buy, for maximum longevity.

[Paul G]

Just checking the processor you're going for and that's exactly what I'm talking about. You're going for a new processor which has dropped in price sufficiently (around $350). Yet you'd have to fork out nearly $300 more to get a tiny increase in performance.

2.66GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 12MB OEM No HSF $344.99

+0.17GHz @ $10

2.83GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 12MB Retail Box $354.98

+0.17GHz @ $280

3.0GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 12MB Retail Box $629.99

Sensible choice in my opinion.