• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Upgrade advice please.

2

2411

Member
I know that I should not of bought this thing but at the time I had to.
Dell XPS730X
X 58 motherboard
I7 920 CO at 3.4
12 Gig of Cruical 1200 Ram
4870X2
160 Gig Velositator

2 things please. I'm haveing problems with heat on CPU so I'm looking for a Good Heatsink and also looking for a good upgrade on Video card. I do alot of photo work and I play a lot of FSX. I'm told that FSX works much better with nvidia. I have a 23 and 24 inch monitor and only use 1 at a time. I use the 24in Samsung for FSX and Dell 23 inch 2311H for my photo work. I would like to upgrade but I need to keep this machine for at least another year. Thanks in advance.
 
I agree with keeping the machine in general. I don't see why you'd need a new GPU for a 6-year-old game. Or do I have the wrong game?

As for a heat sink, it looks like fitting a new one in that case could be tricky.
 
Ken g6 said:
I agree with keeping the machine in general. I don't see why you'd need a new GPU for a 6-year-old game. Or do I have the wrong game?

As for a heat sink, it looks like fitting a new one in that case could be tricky.
Click to expand...

FSX is a horribly optimized POS, so it doesn't surprise me that the OP would need an upgrade.

Anyway, I'm with Ken, the custom Dell case isn't really going to be too accepting of a new HSF. Changing the case altogether is also a bit of a problem because, while the board looks to be standard ATX dimensions, Dell usually uses a proprietary header for the front panel connections. OP, can you pop off the side of the case and try to snap a pic of how the power button, etc. are connected to the mobo?
 
mfenn and ken, Thanks for your responses. It has a master control board that it uses so going to another case with this board is next to impossible. Their has been a couple of people who have mounted a Corsair H80 unit on theirs. I wish I had never bought it but 3 years ago I was still driving a truck and did not have time to build a new one. Another bad thing is I have a year waranty left on it also. Don't get me wrong it has been a good machine but they make it next to impossible to do anyting to it. I would like to just make it last for another year before I do a major upgrade. Do you think one of the water units like the Corsair would be a good idea? Also what would you recomend on a video card. I know FSX is a POS but I really enjoy the flying. They say that it is better to use invidia rather than Radeon. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
There's really not much point in upgrading the HSF in and of itself. Since you have a C0 920, you are probably close to its max OC anyway.

Try this: start up a really intensive scenario and look at your CPU utilization. If none of your cores are maxed out, then the limitation isn't the CPU and is thus most likely the GPU.
 
mfenn said:
There's really not much point in upgrading the HSF in and of itself. Since you have a C0 920, you are probably close to its max OC anyway.

Try this: start up a really intensive scenario and look at your CPU utilization. If none of your cores are maxed out, then the limitation isn't the CPU and is thus most likely the GPU.
Click to expand...

I tried that with FS2004, and one core (of my 2500k) was at 100% and the other 3 were on coffee break... 🙄
 
Well, I ran the test. I launched FSX and and all 4 cores ran between 50 and 60%. They would cycle around some depending on the situation and where I was at. Around airports really pulls the fps down. I will average approx 25 to30 fps in airports and heavily populated areas and when you are in heavy clouds and heavy weather, the rest of the time it is running in the 50 to 60 fps range. The other thing I wanted to mention is the OC i have on the 920 is at stock voltages. Thanks
 
Assuming you can't/don't want change the heatsink you can try removing the heatsink, cleaning all the dust & the old thermal paste from it & cpu, & re-seating it with some new good quality paste. If the fan is a standard size you can look into replacing that aswell.

A quick search says FSX doesn't benefit from crossfire, in fact it could make it run worse. If you experiment enabling/disabling & a couple of different drivers you might be able to squeeze a few more fps.

Edit: ok. crazy cooler. I would still change the thermal paste on the cpu, clean the radiator (...wherever it is) & look into switching it's associated fan.

Edit2: very crazy cooler. I wouldn't change it if I could, but I like odd stuff.
 
Last edited:
2411 said:
Well, I ran the test. I launched FSX and and all 4 cores ran between 50 and 60%. They would cycle around some depending on the situation and where I was at. Around airports really pulls the fps down. I will average approx 25 to30 fps in airports and heavily populated areas and when you are in heavy clouds and heavy weather, the rest of the time it is running in the 50 to 60 fps range. The other thing I wanted to mention is the OC i have on the 920 is at stock voltages. Thanks
Click to expand...

That indicates to me that you are CPU-limited. Something like a GTX 560 Ti or GTX 570 would work well.
 
Well I found a cooler that fit. I bought a EVGA superclock cooler. Really made a big difference. I have also considered buying a I7 960. Hoping I could oc up to around 4.0. Would that be a foolish move?
 
2411 said:
Well I found a cooler that fit. I bought a EVGA superclock cooler. Really made a big difference. I have also considered buying a I7 960. Hoping I could oc up to around 4.0. Would that be a foolish move?
Click to expand...

Probably yes. If you got it one for $50 or something, then it would be OK, but anything near the $300 MSRP would be foolish.
 
Well it has been awhile since this last post and I have not replaced my video card yet. I really want to make this system last until next year. I did just order a Samsung 256 SSD and I'm sure that is going to make a huge difference. I was wondering if something like a 660 or a 660 Ti would be a decent upgrade. The I could move it over to my new system next year. I will never run a monitor over 27 inch. I now have a 23 in. and also a 24 in. I use the 23 for photo stuff and the 24 inch for FSX. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Your 920 running at 3.4 is still good. Since it seems like you're looking in the $230-280 range, I would recommend the 7950 3GB since it is generally the same speed or faster than GTX 660 Ti and costs about the same. The only game where the GTX 660 Ti is significantly faster than the 7950 is BF3, so you might consider the GTX 660 Ti if that game matters a lot to you.
 
Well it is a year later and I have never upgraded the Video card. What would be a good way to go at the present time? Thanks!!
 
The 7950 3GB is still hanging out at $220 AR, and is a reasonable price at the low end of your budget. The 7970 3GB has dropped a lot in the past year and is now actually attainable for you at $280 AR. The 7950 should be more than sufficient for your uses though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top