The website and forum will be intermittently unavailable while we're making some security updates.
File uploads to the download hangar are also disabled until further notice.

Looking to get a new PC

Use this forum to discuss technical issues related to the operation of your computer. Graphics, Hardward, Software, settings, etc.
User avatar
DaleRFU
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1459
Joined: 13 Mar 2009, 16:49
Version: MSFS
Location: EGNJ

Looking to get a new PC

Post by DaleRFU »

Just wondering what you guys think are the best and most inmportant thing to get when getting a PC?
Please visit my YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/user/daledelboy
User avatar
BadPvtDan
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 3790
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 21:14
Version: FSX
Location: Round Rock, TX
Contact:

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by BadPvtDan »

Well, for any of the flight simulators...it's all abut the CPU.
"The first rule of Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties."
User avatar
Firebird
MAIW Admin
MAIW Admin
Posts: 12113
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 21:04
Version: FS9
Location: EGLL

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by Firebird »

Backup-ability followed by upgrade-ability.

Whatever you get make sure you can recover from any system software and/or hardware problems either with an internal solution or a network solution.
Secondly, no matter how much you like your puter now in 12 months you will want to upgrade some/all of it. Make sure you can.
Steve
_______________________________________________________
Image
Quid Si Coelum Ruat
_______________________________________________________
User avatar
petebramley
MAIW Developer
MAIW Developer
Posts: 1529
Joined: 17 Jun 2007, 16:05
Version: P3D
Location: EGBG

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by petebramley »

Hi Dale

The best advice I got was to buy the highest spec CPU/RAM your wallet can stretch to,
then build the rest of the system around these. Motherboard choice depends mainly on
the CPU you choose but also consider if it will do SLI/CROSSFIRE (which do you prefer).
You may only be able to afford 1 graphics card to start with but thinking ahead makes
the upgrade path much easier. Also think about how big a box you want and where its
going to sit a full tower with 6 fans whirring may be great in a dedicated computer/games
room but not so suitable in the lounge. The PSU is something else you must consider
carefully, if its only just got enough wattage to cover the kit in your initial purchase then
adding graphics cards and extra HD's could well entail another visit to your PC store of
choice to buy another unit.

Remember that you Don't have to get all the bits you want straight away but thinking ahead
will probably save you grief and money in the long run.


Regards
Pete B
Retired and busier than ever !!
LEBTowerGuy

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by LEBTowerGuy »

Dale,
if your up for building a new computer (not that hard, I just did it myself for the first time) take a look at my post

http://www.militaryaiworks.com/newforum ... 24&t=10088

I have been running FS9 for about a month with with nearly 40-50fps with max Airline/GA/Mil AI at most airport, KLSV being an exception with around 20-30 in the PMDG 737 VC. The build ended up costing my about $1100 including shipping, but newegg.com I think is one of the best sites out there for computers and parts.
User avatar
DaleRFU
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1459
Joined: 13 Mar 2009, 16:49
Version: MSFS
Location: EGNJ

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by DaleRFU »

Ok, thanks guys. Sounds like the CPU is the most important thing to get first. I have to be honest I don't know much about pc components. I will have a shop around. At the minute I have a good sized HD and I am happy with my graphics card, so adding more RAM is the way to go I think. Thanks all
Please visit my YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/user/daledelboy
User avatar
BadPvtDan
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 3790
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 21:14
Version: FSX
Location: Round Rock, TX
Contact:

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by BadPvtDan »

The i5 2500 is great in performance and value. See my last build...
"The first rule of Zombieland: Cardio. When the zombie outbreak first hit, the first to go, for obvious reasons... were the fatties."
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

I just ordered an Alienware PC.. Want to run FSX in high settings.
Spec is......

Intel 2600K
Windows 7 64bit
8GB 1600mhz Memory
3GB Nvida GTX590 card
256GB SSD HDD for OS/FSX
1TB for other stuff
Liquid cooled
23inch 3d Screen

A bit expensive, BUT I am hoping to run FSX with a frame rate above 5!
Anybody got the same sort of specs and can say how it performed?

Barry
Barry
User avatar
DaleRFU
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1459
Joined: 13 Mar 2009, 16:49
Version: MSFS
Location: EGNJ

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by DaleRFU »

I haven't got the same spec, but I would certainly like to have it. :lol:
Please visit my YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/user/daledelboy
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

This looks an interesting option for FSX users. Any one tried it?

http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html
Barry
User avatar
Dave YVR ATC
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Posts: 89
Joined: 07 Dec 2006, 04:53
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by Dave YVR ATC »

This looks an interesting option for FSX users. Any one tried it?

http://www.venetubo.com/fsx.html
I run a tweaked FSX.cfg from there and it runs and looks great, I don't spend much time comparing stock to the new cfg so it could just be smoke and mirrors but I'm happy with what it's done.

Performance wise it's great outside of the massively AI populated areas like London or NYC, Las Vegas for instance with of course MAIW Nellis nearby and right now 316 AI aircraft in the load area I get low 20's which is perfectly flyable. I run FSX at 1920x1080 with 8xS FSAA and 16X anio.
Windows10 Home
Intel i7 8700K at 5ghz
32gb G.Skill DDR4/3200
EVGA RTX 3080 Ti SC
relfel66
First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Posts: 116
Joined: 24 Jan 2009, 21:10
Version: FS9
Location: South of CYZR North of CNZ3

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by relfel66 »

Core I5 2500K is an overclock monster, to me the bast bang for the buck today.
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

I brought DCS A-10C and just wont run at a good frame rate on current PC. STILL waiting for my Alienware PC! Been a month now and starting to get stroppy..

They say there is a shortage of ATX590 cards globally?
Barry
User avatar
Victory103
Colonel
Colonel
Posts: 3977
Joined: 13 Aug 2007, 03:35
Version: P3D
Location: KPHX

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by Victory103 »

btaylo24 wrote:I brought DCS A-10C and just wont run at a good frame rate on current PC. STILL waiting for my Alienware PC! Been a month now and starting to get stroppy..

They say there is a shortage of ATX590 cards globally?
Is the boxed version out? I bought the beta download and could never get it to work. I'm running a Asus G73 with i7 and Nvidia GTX460M laptop, no issues with high settings in FSX.
DUSTOFF
ARMY PROPS
NAVY SAR

-Chris
User avatar
Garysb
MAIW Developer
MAIW Developer
Posts: 2807
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 19:33
Version: FSX
Location: Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, UK

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by Garysb »

Dale

I've had three from these guys over the years you can sort of build it yourself from their options
Just choose a base machine and mod away


http://www.meshcomputers.com/


gary
I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.
Buzz Aldrin (1930 -
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

Victory103 wrote:
btaylo24 wrote:I brought DCS A-10C and just wont run at a good frame rate on current PC. STILL waiting for my Alienware PC! Been a month now and starting to get stroppy..

They say there is a shortage of ATX590 cards globally?
Is the boxed version out? I bought the beta download and could never get it to work. I'm running a Asus G73 with i7 and Nvidia GTX460M laptop, no issues with high settings in FSX.

Its on STEAM for download. But STEAM is still showing the old version for DL. What you can do is buy it from steam, and then use the CD Key option to then download it from the main site(new version) , and type in key.

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/e ... s/warthog/
Barry
User avatar
Weescotty
MAIW Developer
MAIW Developer
Posts: 2770
Joined: 11 Aug 2006, 22:15
Version: FS9
Location: Sydney

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by Weescotty »

Personally I use -

ASUS motherboard - M3N-HT
Phenom II X6 1100T CPU (6 x cores running at 3.3Ghz each)
4Gb DDR2 1066
ATI 5770 1Gb Video card

Works well enough and relatively cheap, CPU came in at only 200AUD!
If 3 or less cores are only being used the CPU automatically downclocks the unused cores to 800MHz and boosts the active cores to 3.7GHz.

Would run better on a socket AM3 motherboard (could use DDR3 @ 1333), but was a nice cheap upgrade from my 9550BE quad core CPU.

If you can hold off AMD's new CPU's based on the 'Bulldozer' core will be out by the end of this month. They are supposed to be blindingly quick, and will cause the whole current range of AMD CPU's prices to drop.
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

A great site for PC's in Uk is

http://3xs.scan.co.uk/

Their PC's are well spec'd

The Jellyfish model they have is a dream..
http://3xs.scan.co.uk/Category.asp?Syst ... egoryID=20

Here is the Jellyfish!!!

http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ShowSystem.asp?SystemID=1036
Barry
User avatar
btaylo24
MAIW Staff
MAIW Staff
Posts: 2747
Joined: 07 Sep 2006, 10:57
Version: P3D

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by btaylo24 »

Well the Alienware finally turned up.

Its loaded FS9 with all settings at MAX and I get between 30-70 FPS depending on where I am.
At Nellis with the base FULL of AI I am getting between 18-30fps (depending on where I look)


With FSX I am getting between 30-80fps , it has defaulted with all settings to MAX......But I have NO AI or scenery loaded.


The final specs of system are

i7 2600k o/c to 4.1ghz
8GB DDr3 1600
256GB SSD Drive for FS9 / OS etc
Gtx590 Graphics card
23' 120htz 3d screen at 3ms response


The lights on the keyboard/system are lovely. Will post a pick up/
Barry
User avatar
DaleRFU
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1459
Joined: 13 Mar 2009, 16:49
Version: MSFS
Location: EGNJ

Re: Looking to get a new PC

Post by DaleRFU »

So I have been looking around for a while now and I think I may have come to find what I want. What do you guys think is ok or should be better?

Image

EDIT: missed a few things out :oops:
Please visit my YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/user/daledelboy
Post Reply