$800 to $1000 gaming rig for FSX

[maddawg]

I've already got some advice but thought I could do better at my description and post.

Things I have already, monitor, keyboard, mouse.

Last build was a 775 e6600. Still want to keep this a a basic homework computer. Can I have two computer on one monitor and hot key switch between the two?

Been thinking about AMD. Would like to compare to intel experience. I've been told all about sandy bridge, and yes GLC you are starting to persuade me.

[Nuclear Krusader]

What's FSX?

[David M]

Absolutely. It's called a KVM switch.

VGA...
Newegg.com - TRENDnet TK-209K 2-Port USB KVM Switch Kit w/ Audio (Includes 2x KVM Cables)

DVI....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-065-_-Product

[Jmarcelo]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader What's FSX?

Microsoft Flight Simulator 10=FSX

[David M]

FSX is mostly CPU based. I would definitely wait for the Sandy Bridge fix to become available in April. I sure would like to see Sandy Bridge running FSX.

[maddawg]

Anyone known what the price points will be on sandy bridge when it releases?

[David M]

Price depends on if you want a 2600, 2500 or 2400 and whether or not you want the unlocked multiplier (K) versions.

Here is an idea of CPU and board prices now. In April the prices could be different when suddenly the demand increases when chip sets that function correctly become available. If prices do jump then I would wait a month or two for the supply to catch up and drop the prices down to realistic levels. I think there is pent up demand already for properly functioning Sandy Bridge boards. By April I think the demand will be greater. Who knows, it may be June before the prices drop to normal levels. I think it will largely depend on how fast the manufacturers can crank out these boards once they get the proper chip sets.

Amazon.com: 1155: Electronics

Do not buy any of these boards. Wait for the chip set problem to be resolved. These guys should not be selling these boards...the honest thing would be for them to return them to the manufacturer. One knucklehead vendor has a Gigabyte P67 board listed for $470. And some poor sucker will probably pay it not knowing it is a partially crippled board.

[glc]

I would say that you will be able to get a decent Sandy Bridge board/CPU combo for about 400 bucks.

[maddawg]

Alright GLC I'm sold. Sandy Bridge it'll be. So keeping in mind I want to adventuall go SLI and 3d vision, what board, PSU, memory, and GPU (1 for now) would you all recommend? Thinking I'll buy those now, as updated sandy bridge is expected to ship to providers in the next few days.

[glc]

Let's wait till the revised boards are out and somewhat debugged. By then, your $$$ may be able to go a bit farther that it will now on everything else.

[maddawg]

I saw that sandy bridge is gong to ship soon. Do I get to order soon

[David M]

It's not the CPU that is the problem, it's the chipset. Sorry, thought you understood that. You can go buy the CPU right now if you want.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-070-_-Product

[maddawg]

I thought it was Intel that recalled the sandy bridge chip. It was the motherboards that were recalled?

[birddog_61]

Originally Posted by maddawg I thought it was Intel that recalled the sandy bridge chip. It was the motherboards that were recalled?

Intel designs the chipset, the board manufacturers just add more features and slots to the basic Intel design. Intel recalled the chipset because of the sata controller, therefore all the boards that use sandy bridge have to be replaced.

[glc]

There was nothing wrong with the CPU's. The problem was in the P67/H67 series motherboard chipsets.

[maddawg]

Haaa. So the chip sets have shipped to the board manufactures and they have to build new boards. So maybe a month more?

[Nuclear Krusader]

April, tentatively. Have to give the replacements time to prove themselves in the field.

[David M]

...and probably for the prices to drop to reasonable levels.

[glc]

I don't think prices are going to be an issue - when they first came out last month they were very reasonable for what they were.

[David M]

I dunno, the CPU's are available but the boards with the corrected chip sets are not and the demand is building.

I know, want to make a bet? Terms: if the Newegg price for the new boards is over 20% of the old equivalent or near equivalent boards at any time within the first month of availability of the replacement boards, then I win. What do you want to bet?

[maddawg]

Ok getting worried. My old computer is on its last leg don't know if it'll make it till April. Any advice?

[David M]

The only real alternative is to build an AMD rig or to go with an 1156 CPU. What is going on with your current rig?

[glc]

Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760

[maddawg]

Pretty sure my current rig's motherboard is going out. Won't read flash drives, wireless keyboard receivers, very slow even after a fresh reload of os. I have a Old Asus p5b that I'm thinking of swapping out. While I'm at it should I replace the CPU. Just seems that a new build would be better by the time I bought a 775 CPU

[glc]

It's very rare for an Intel processor to fail - they don't just get slow, they either work or they don't.

Are you sure it's not just a failing hard drive? Have you run memory and hard drive diagnostics? What is the brand and model of your motherboard?

[maddawg]

Current motherboard is a EVGA nforce 750i.

[glc]

I understand - maybe you should throw the P5B in there. Run those diags!

[maddawg]

any good freeware out there for memory and hard drive diags?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Memtest+ and whatever diagnostics software your hard drive manufacturer provides (you have to download this from their website).

The Universal Boot CD has both plus more.

[glc]

Ultimate Boot CD, Nuk.

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

Memtest86+ and the diags for your brand of drive.