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Thinking about a new build...what are yall opinions

C

compguy786

Platinum Member
The last time i built a computer was in 2004 when i was 15. Since then, ive been on my laptop, which is a powerhouse..but i want to play games on something more powerful, without turning the fan on high..

Here is the build im thinking about. I am only going to play FSX and FS2004. Here are the specs. Oh yeah, going to use it as a file server as well.

Specs :

AMD Athlon X4 - 2.8GHZ - AM3
500GB Samsung Spinpoint HDD
4GB Geil ram - 1066 DDR3
Random computer case
PNY Nvidia Geforce 9800GTX - 512mb
Asus or MSI Motherboard - MSI 770-G45 or Asus M4A77TD

I think thats all of the details so far...but i want to play Flight sim x or 2004 on extremely high settings, The total cost for all of this, including wireless kybrd/ms is $554.

I would like opinions, as i am seriously considering it.
Thanks !
 
Are some of these used parts? I didn't know the 9800GTX is still around...

If the price is right, I guess it's not bad, but something a bit more recent would be preferable.

I have some Geil ram myself. While my set of 2x1GB DDR2-800 worked out fine for an EVGA 650i mobo, they didn't seem to work at all with a low-end MSI mobo with VIA chipset. Some other brands might be better with compatibility, like Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, etc.

Also, faster ram (DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600) probably wouldn't cost much more than DDR3-1066. I recommend running ram on JEDEC-defined standard timings and voltages. RAM specified to run on tight timings and high voltages can still probably run fine on JEDEC-defined standard settings.

You also need a PSU. Something around 500W will work. Corsair, Antec (no Basiq), and Enermax are all good reliable brands. OCZ is probably decent and cheaper.
 
Without being much of an FSX player, I've still read plenty of benchmarks showing that FSX loves multi-core CPU power (go quad if you can afford it), plus high res texture swapping (get at least a 1G card for extremely high settings). And you'll want your motherboard operating the graphics slot at full PCIe 2.0 x16, of course!
 
All the parts are new, all from newegg.

Is there a video card you guys could recommend at around the same price point ? newer ?
Its been a while since ive been in the game, and want to know what is a good card, with atleast 512mb on board, and for around or under $100. I only play FS and FSX, so that is all i need.

Also, I thought Athlon X4 was quad core ? I am getting a skt AM3 version...
 
betasub said:
Without being much of an FSX player, I've still read plenty of benchmarks showing that FSX loves multi-core CPU power (go quad if you can afford it), plus high res texture swapping (get at least a 1G card for extremely high settings). And you'll want your motherboard operating the graphics slot at full PCIe 2.0 x16, of course!
Click to expand...

I would disagree with that. Although FSX supports multi-core, it doesn't really scale well. Still runs like ass on my X3. It shouldn't. IIRC, FSX uses some vary inefficient coding.

If you're building your rig specifically for FS, go for as much raw clock speed as you can. Instead of AMD, go for an Intel i5. Probably the i5 661 "Clarkdale" 3.33ghz. It's $200 but those high clocks will make a difference. It's quad core too so you've got your bases covered. If you have to go with AMD, take a look at the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. Same price.

FS isn't too bothered with GPU but I would look into a 1gb card just due to the huge texture files it uses. Not sure how big of a difference it will make but they don't cost much more these days. Especially the newer AMD/ATI cards.
 
mmntech said:
If you're building your rig specifically for FS, go for as much raw clock speed as you can. Instead of AMD, go for an Intel i5. Probably the i5 661 "Clarkdale" 3.33ghz. It's $200 but those high clocks will make a difference. It's quad core too so you've got your bases covered. If you have to go with AMD, take a look at the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. Same price.
Click to expand...

The i5's overclock well, being 32nm, but that's not a quad-core chip, it's a dual-core with hyperthreading. Big difference.
 
mmntech said:
If you're building your rig specifically for FS, go for as much raw clock speed as you can. Instead of AMD, go for an Intel i5. Probably the i5 661 "Clarkdale" 3.33ghz. It's $200 but those high clocks will make a difference. It's quad core too so you've got your bases covered.
Click to expand...

That's terrible advice.

The i5 661 is a dual-core with Hyperthreading, not a quad. If you want to go with Clarkdale, you might as well go with the i3 530 @ $130 and OC it. $200 buys you an i5 750.

This is all pretty much moot because these chips are out of the OP's price range.
 
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mmntech said:
I would disagree with that. Although FSX supports multi-core, it doesn't really scale well. Still runs like ass on my X3. It shouldn't. IIRC, FSX uses some vary inefficient coding.

If you're building your rig specifically for FS, go for as much raw clock speed as you can. Instead of AMD, go for an Intel i5. Probably the i5 661 "Clarkdale" 3.33ghz. It's $200 but those high clocks will make a difference. It's quad core too so you've got your bases covered. If you have to go with AMD, take a look at the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition. Same price.

FS isn't too bothered with GPU but I would look into a 1gb card just due to the huge texture files it uses. Not sure how big of a difference it will make but they don't cost much more these days. Especially the newer AMD/ATI cards.
Click to expand...

Dual-core with HT buddy. Propus will do it fine. If you want better graphics, go on vacation somewhere. For optimal (and probably unnecessary) performance, you'll need chips that will be out of your price range.
 
I am still debating on what to do.....my laptop is VERY good in terms of performance :

Intel Core 2Duo T5800 2.0GHZ
4GB DDR2 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 3470 - 256MB on board
320GB HDD

A desktop is something i want to build, but i only play 1 game, and that is flight simulator. FS2004 works perfect on my laptop, while FS X does not. IS it worth to drop $550 on a computer just to play one game ? That is the debate...
 
compguy786 said:
I am still debating on what to do.....my laptop is VERY good in terms of performance :

Intel Core 2Duo T5800 2.0GHZ
4GB DDR2 Ram
ATI Mob. Radeon 3470 - 256MB on board
320GB HDD

A desktop is something i want to build, but i only play 1 game, and that is flight simulator. FS2004 works perfect on my laptop, while FS X does not. IS it worth to drop $550 on a computer just to play one game ? That is the debate...
Click to expand...

If that laptop is your idea of "VERY" good, pretty much and build that has been suggested here will completely blow you away! :awe:

I would say that the Athlon II X4 build that you original posted would be good, perhaps swapping the 9800GTX for a 1GB 5770.
 
i mean...for being a laptop...it is excellent....

obviously the build will murder it, but for ONE game, should i drop $550 ?
that is
 
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