MS Flight Simulator

[Baden]

I'd like to put together a gaming PC to run MS Flight Simulator for use as an aviation training tool. My first option is to go to Dell and buy a top-of-the-range gaming PC. The second option is to build it myself.

The problem I have with the second option, despite it being my preferred option, is this: I know nothing about assembling computers. Well, I know what all the bits are, but I have no idea which names to buy and how to piece them together.

So alright, you're saying, "Go out and by the Dell." But what about doing it myself ... is it feasible that a 47-year-old inquisitive airline pilot could pull this off?

[David M]

Absolutely you can pull it off. I am waiting to see what the hardware demands of Microsoft Flight will be. I have no idea when it will be available. But if you want to be able to run Microsoft Flight Simulatior X or XPlane then it does not take all that demanding of a computer. This is especially true if you don't expect to run it on more than one monitor.

How much were you thinking about spending on a computer? Which source in Germany might you be purchasing from?

[flanzig1]

Building isn't hard these days and there are a bunch of BYO guides out there.
Brands: motherboard:ASUS
Ram: Corsair,A-Data,Kingston
HD: WD
DVD: Lite-On,LG,Asus
PSU: Corsair,Antec
Video: Asus,Sapphire(there are others)
Case: pick a style you like/brands:Antec/Coolermaster/Lian-Li
This is a short list/there are other brands for some of the parts.

[glc]

If you are going to run FSX, you need a very strong CPU, and if you are going to be using multiple high-resolution monitors, you need a fairly beefy video card too. A custom build will be a lot better than a Dell.

[David M]

I guess I should clarify what I said. The latest generation of hardware will get you a pretty decent computer that will allow you to run FSX on its highest settings. If you go back a generation or two this will not happen. People who play FSX have been waiting years for the hardware to catch up to the softwares highest settings. The last update for FSX was back in 2006. FSX cannot utilize multiple cores but XPlane can. XPlane has more accurate flight physics but not as good eye candy including scenery. Running FSX is awkward at times and feels like software that has not been updated for six years. Microsoft Flight it is believed will be able to utilize multiple cores when it eventually goes online through cloud computing. You will want a current generation CPU with multiple cores and a pretty good graphics card, as glc says.

I play FSX and XPlane with the configuration in my signature. Although I do not have a current generation CPU, I still get really good frame rates on three monitors. I bought a joystick, throttle and rudder pedals which make it fun and I would guess more realistic. I have never flown a plane...I wouldn't know. You can also buy yolks and switches and dials for your radio stack, auto pilot, landing gear and other flight systems. Building your own somewhat realistic home flight simulator has become inexpensive.

[Nuclear Krusader]

I'm assuming an i7 or even an i5 would be fine for this purpose. Do you have a budget?

[David M]

I'm thinking a 2500K would be perfect. If you have the budget then a 2600K because of the multi-threading. If you want to go multiple monitors then a 6000 series Radeon

[glc]

The last update for FSX was back in 2006. FSX cannot utilize multiple cores

Are we talking about the same thing? M$ Flight Sim X? Last I read, an update in 2009 made it quad-core compatible and it loves quads. However, it doesn't use hyperthreading, so an i5 is the most bang for the buck.

[Baden]

Wow ... some response. Thanks!

Budget: €1500.00 (roughly)
I plan on running two monitors. I'll budget those separately.
I'm using MS Flight Simulator X plus the PMDG add-ons for the B747-400.
I'll be picking up most of the parts in Hong Kong.

I had this set up on a Dell XPS M1730 until my son inherited that particular computer. Unfortunately, the performance of FSX + PMDG was not very good on that computer, so I've decided to set it up on a dedicated desktop machine with plenty of capacity.

So starting from the bottom up, how should I run with this, or if you were building it, what would your build be? I'd also be grateful if anyone can point me in the direction of some sort of guidelines for assembly and component compatibility. I know it's a lot to ask and I'm grateful for all replies!

I use this thing to prepare myself for my 6-monthly flight-checks at work. I don't actually fly the thing around. As soon as I get airborne I engage the autopilot, clean up the aircraft, and run checklists, procedures, failures etc. It's a great tool for area familiarization as well as emergency procedures review.

[Baden]

Originally Posted by glc Are we talking about the same thing? M$ Flight Sim X? Last I read, an update in 2009 made it quad-core compatible and it loves quads. However, it doesn't use hyperthreading, so an i5 is the most bang for the buck.

Does this mean that the i5 is as good as I should go, or is this a budget limited statement? Quite honestly, I don't care about the price. I simply want the best I can get right now so that it gives me a good number of years service.

Here is my idea to start with:

Intel Core i7-2600K

Asus P8P67 Rev.3.0 Mainboard

Corsair CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 8GB

Any comments?

[David M]

If you also want to maximize the use of XPlane and Microsoft Flight when it becomes available I would get the faster processor. I have been looking around for details about Microsoft Flight but Microsoft seems to be pretty tight lipped about the technical details. All they have done is provide an announcement and a teaser video.

[David M]

Originally Posted by glc Are we talking about the same thing? M$ Flight Sim X? Last I read, an update in 2009 made it quad-core compatible and it loves quads. However, it doesn't use hyperthreading, so an i5 is the most bang for the buck.

FSX SP1 came out in 5/15/2007
Download details: FSX SP1 English This patch provided for multicore use although it does not use the additional cores very effectively.

[glc]

In your position, I'd get the i7. For a motherboard, look at the Asus P8Z68 boards. Ram is fine if that's a dual channel kit - two 4gb modules.

For a video card, I'd be looking at a GTX570 or a Radeon 6970. I would get a 750 watt or greater PSU to allow for the possible addition of a second card for SLI or Crossfire. Recommended brands are Seasonic, Corsair, and Antec.

[Baden]

David M

The MS Flight option is interesting to me too, and that's also partly why I'd like to build overkill specs somewhat.

glc

Seems there are a few variants of those P8Z68 motherboards. And y recommendations on the P8Z68-V or the P8Z68-V Pro with regards to the system I'm building?

Also, does it make sense going with 4 x 4gb RAM?

[David M]

If you want to go somewhat overkill then I would consider an Asus Revolution which will get you two PCIe slots with 16 graphics channels each if you ever want to add a second graphics card that will not be restricted to 8 lanes. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SUS-_-13131714

Also, with two monitors you will have a bezel right down the middle. With three monitors you don't. With multiple monitors you want a pretty powerful card....or two cards paralleled in either SLI or Crossfire. The best system in my opinion for multiple monitors is Eyefinity, which requires an AMD Eyefinity capable card, which all of their faster current generation cards are capable of. I realize you are using the flight sim to practice your procedures and not so much to fly the plane (since you already do this in real life), but it is nice to be able to see out the side windows and to be able to move things like a copy of the PFD around to another screen.

You may also want to check out XPlane. There is a free demo. It couldn't hurt. http://www.x-plane.com/pg_downloads.html

[glc]

The -V and -V Pro both can run 2 slots at x8, which should be sufficient. There's other advantages to the Z68 chipset that make it more attractive than the Revolution P67 board. The chipset is very complimentary to a dedicated graphics card, and it handles SSD's very nicely. A 6970 "should" handle 3 monitors quite well with Eyefinity, the graphics demand of flight sims aren't really enough to justify a 6990 in my opinion. If the graphics performance does lack, you can buy another 6970 and run them in Crossfire Eyefinity mode.

Same goes for the ram - start with 8gb, you can always upgrade if needed.

[Baden]

You guys are too kind with your help and I can't be grateful enough!

Today I head out to work. I'll be sourcing the cpu, motherboard and ram in Hong Kong on Monday. Unfortunately, that's all I can fit into my bag on this trip, so I'll be doing this over a few Hong Kong trips.

[David M]

Just curious, what do you fly and for who?