System Hardware: PC | MOBO | RAM | CPU | HDD | SSD | PSU etc

I am in the process of building my new computer but I am rather nervous about inserting the the CPU. Can a novice manager the task - How tricky is it? Also I noticed with the Coolmaster HAF-X case I have bought that the backplate is not large enough to cover the 4 mounting screws holes for CPU cooler which was a suprise (I have Asus P8Z68-V) so I will have to do the job before installing the motherboard. Also the placement of the cooler over the CPU worries me? Any advice would be very welcome indeed. Thank you,kind regardsRichard.

I have completed what is only my second overclock. I have my i7-2600k to 4.5Ghz @1.28v and it has passed 8Hrs. on Prime95 with the 'max' temps at 62 - 66 - 70 - 65. Browsing through the forums i notice that some overclocks are the same ghz as mine but with higher vcores and some are clocked higher but with lower vcores than mine and using 'Per Core(cannot adjust in os)' and OFF-SET mode enabled. Is there a guide similar to the the guide that i used by Clunk, which is great for guys like me that are not yet that ecperienced with ocing, because the lower i can get my voltages (and remain stable) the lower my temps right?

HiWhat is the recommendation for enabling or disabling Hyper-threading with my i2600k considering that I use only FS9 and I have not set any affinity.ThanksGhiom

That I'm posting in this forum can only mean one thing... An upgrade I've been thinking about spending a little bit of this extra summer cash (saved school commute gas money) on a system "upgrade". I'm only in the Newegg browsing stages of the upgrade, but I'll be going up to a socket 1155 Z68 and a 2600K if I pull the trigger. Now the question; Should I save for another week and get a higher end MB, or go ahead and purchase the "mid-range" one I've been eye balling?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131729I've never been one to splurge on the motherboard, but I'm wondering if I'll use all of the cool features of say a $250-$300 one. This may…

Hi,This is not another "is this CPU, GPU or MB good for MSFS?"- thread, rather a basic PC-build question.But I am planning to swap my entire MB with CPU, GPU and RAM with a new one. I would keep my good cabinet and Harddrive, and also my current PSU, since it is more than adequate for the new Hardware I have in mind.I would also keep the harddrive, mainly because it has my OS, and last but not least; it has tons and tons of add-ons that would take me weeks if not months to reinstall.So my question is; is it possible to change Motherboard and its component, keep the harddisk, and then avoid a complete reformat of the harddrive?Best regards,Anders

Hi all againI built this system to run FSX (i am waiting until I purchase another HDD) so I installed FS9 with all the usual addons, REX, UT, GEPro, etc.. So there I was flying the IFLY 737 and when I approached some clouds my FPS dropped down to 8-12. Now, if this system cannot run FS9, then it sure as hell wont run FSX. Check out my specs below. I know the video card is a little on the lower end scale but comeon, shouldnt this blast FS9 out of the water? My Rex 3d cloud settings are set to 1024-1024 HD which I know if hard on frames but this CPU should be able to handle this.Win 7 64 BitAsus P8P67 pro motherboardIntel I5 2500k overclocked to 4.2 ghzNvidia GTS 450Corsair…

ever since i overclocked my i5 2500k cpu yesterday to 5ghz with vcore at 1.45 on my asrock p67 pro3 mobo i have been getting these blue screens very strange as the cpu temps are all good please can anyone help thanks.On Tue 12/07/2011 19:35:31 GMT your computer crashedcrash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\071211-19281-01.dmpThis was probably caused by the following module: Unknown (0xFFFFF80003096D29) Bugcheck code: 0x1000007E (0xFFFFFFFFC000001D, 0xFFFFF80003096D29, 0xFFFFF880009A9898, 0xFFFFF880009A90F0)Error: SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_MBug check description: This indicates that a system thread generated an exception which the error handler did not catch.This a…

I have finished overclocking my i7-2600k and have (i hope) completed Prime 95 testing and now since the last few days have been trying to put it through its paces with FSX + all the addons. Everything seems to be going well so far except for one anoying little glitch. I suspect it might have something to do with my overclock because it first turned up when i overclocked my i7-950 to 3800mhz. When using EzDok camera views and say hit view left, it swings left, nice and smooth to the left. Then i hit view right and again, nice and smooth. But if i hit overhead panel view or pilot in comand view etc., it pans smoothly almost all the way, then stops for a split second and the…

Need some extra real estate (thx to all this photoreal scenery I've been purchasing), so I thought I would move my OS off my WD VelociRaptor onto a 128GB SSD.Thought I had read that there were some issues doing a full partician backup of an OS from an SSD? Urban legend? Only on some models?As a side note any comments on this one - seems like a good deal:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227729&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL071211&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL071211-_-EMC-071211-Latest-_-SSD-_-20227729-L02B($169.00 after rebate)Clutch

I'm building a new system and I've never used SSDs drives. I heard the OS's swap file could wear out SSD over time due to the rewrites. I heard you could then turn off the swap file for SSD protection if you had a larger RAM of say 8Gb, but still there were many programs including games that might call up the swap file potentially no matter of how much extra RAM there were, including even FSX or at least some addons for it. I read FSX on SSD helped launching time only, then I read FSX on SSD did not only help launching time but did cure most of the inherent FSX's stutters to almost no stutters etc. I keep reading and scratching my head as to how I should plan the SSD/HDDs…

I have a all-in one liquid cooling system that is pretty much exactly like an h70. I currently only have one fan, and I have it pulling air from the radiator and blowing it outside of the case. Would I benefit by making this fan push air through the radiator instead of pulling it? If so, what would be better, pushing air from the inside of the case or from the outside?

Doing a new build using a ASUS Extreme Rampage III. I have a WD BLK 1TB SATA6 HD (OS)on the mobos Intel sata port. I then hooked up my C300 SSD to my Marvell ports and set it to AHCI but I don't see it in Windows my computer nor do I see it in the Bios. If there is a tab I'm not seeing it. Please help!

currently running a 908 x overclocked to 4.4 ghz and rock solid, passed all stress test. Now Iplan on upgrading my gtx285 card to a 580 gtx which I know would also help. but here comes the kicker,I am running corsair memory at 5 gigs 1600mhz, at 9,9,9,9, 24 at 150 dimm voltage. Now I realize fully these are loose timing and manufacture suggestions, now lets says I bought 1600mhz at 6gigs 165 diim voltage running at 6,7,6 18 would this really help. because right now my computer is running the best it has. The video card I am definitely buying. all advise welcomed.meant 6 gig

I have set my system up per Nick N's setup guide and then my bios per SpiritFlyers thread above. The system is stable and rarely goes over 55C when maxed out.HT is off and while running FSX, Core#2 runs maxed out most of the time. My frames are acceptable but I wonder if that could hurt the chip? And, is there a way to distribute some of the load? The other cores have very low usage most of the time.ThanksRick S.

I am currently using fs9 on a computer with a core 2 duo processor (2.8GHz - E7400). My frame rates are good except when I fly into heavy clouds. They can go from 60 right down to 10.My question is: Will I see an improvement if I upgrade to a Core i5-2500K processor (obviously a new mobo and ram as well) ? AS I understand, FS9 doesn't use all the benefits of a multi-coreprocessor. In another forum it was suggested that what I need is a better graphics card for the clouds (I have a nVidia 430GT) as FS9 was not designed for multi-core processors.What do the experts recommend ?I simply want to keep my good frame rates in the heavy clouds ( I am using AS for weather - set alr…

I am fairly new to FSX ( been using FS9 for years) and would like to see everyone "expert opinion"My systen currently as follows and I am in the process of upgrading the FSX due to issues with FS9 and the latest Nvidia drivers and Nvidia InspectorI5 760 stock speedGTX 460 1GB4 GB Kingston ValuRam DDR32 hard drives - one for OS and programs , dedicated FSX driveBFG 500 watt PSU ( might need to upgrade that also )Asus Maximum GENE iii motherboard.(LGA1156) I am currently running FSX and seems to run quite well ( this is with some FS9 aircraft parted in - the PDMG Beachcraft 1900 series work flawlessly with some minor tweaks). Running 30-50 FPS in default Seattle area with…

Can anyone help me putting together a list of parts for a decent FSX rig? A couple of important points;1)They need to come from either http://www.ebuyer.com/ or http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ because I am in the UK. 2) The graphics card needs to be an nVidia one and off this list because of other needs for the computer; GeForce GTX 285 (Windows and Mac OS) GeForce GTX 470 (Windows) GeForce GTX 570 (Windows) GeForce GTX 580 (Windows) Quadro FX 3700M (Windows) Quadro FX 3800 (Windows) Quadro FX 3800M (Windows) Quadro FX 4800 (Windows and Mac OS) Quadro FX 5800 (Windows) Quadro 2000 (Windows) Quadro 2000D (Windows) Quadro 2000M (Windows) …

Any thoughts on the new AMD octo-core processor? Will it beat sandybridge in terms of performance in fsx? 8 cores, 8mb L3 cache 8mb L2 cache = fsx bliss?

I know that the Z68 boards are just appearing but does anyone have any preliminary sense of whether the SSD caching on these boards will benefit FSX. I'm about to pull the trigger on a Asus P678 Deluxe but am wondering if Z68 may be a better alternative. Thanks.

Hi Everyone,Just run a TEST build before installing into case, but there appears to be a short of somekind.1) Corsair AX1200; when switched ON the motherboard LED light displays (GREEN - power ON) byt the PSU fan does NOT ativate? IS this Normal?2) When shorting the POWER switch pins on the Motherboard (To activate the TEST) the HEATSINK fans move for a Milli-second and then the Corsair PSU trips-out?These are my cable connections:From the Corsair PSU AX1200: I have ONE 24pin Power cable connected directly to the Board + ONE 8 pin power cable (Supplementry)also TWO 8 pin cables connected from the PSU to the GTX graphic cardFrom the HEATSINK: I have ONE cable conn…

Hi guys,Have just completed my build for FSX as I write this thread, but I'm abit unsure how to proceed. Before I boot it-up (for the first time), am I supposed to install WINDOWS, FSX etc before I overclock my system (Intel 2600K, ASUS P67 M/board, DDR3 Corsair Vengeance 1866 Ram) or do I OVERCLOCK my System now before installing anything?Also bit of a dumb question I think, but I only have a Logitech wireless Keyboard and Mouse so how can I get my NEW BUILD PC to recognize the keyboard/mouse without installing drivers etc? or can I plug a (USB) keyboard and mouse straight into the NEW BUILD?Thanks for any Help or AdviceRegards John

Hi,I am getting a new computer next week, its based on a Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P-B3 motherboard with a i7-2600K cpu.The plan is to first install everything on it, then try to overclock, but I have absolutely no idea how to do this.Can anyone point to a description (website or thread maybe) on how to do this? Most posts here tend to assume that people know what to do, but I have absolutely no idea.Is it something I set up in the bios or some program I run or what?Very basic help would be appreciated :)Helge

Ok so I had a pretty cheap water cooler and was having trouble getting my CPU temps down to a comfortable level, so I decided to go ahead and get a Decent brand new Corsair H70 and after carefully installing it found it made only 2 or 3c diffrence over the old cooler. Running prime 95 my CPU reaches 75c within 10 mins (idle at 40 to 42 with a 23c room temp) which I know is within limits but its still a little warm for my tastes.Bear in mind that thats a only 3.6 Ghz! I tried raising my BCLK to 160 (24x multiplier) that gives me 3.8ghz but puts the loaded temps into the 82c to 85+ area!I have plenty of cooling in the case including a top mounted 200mm fan and 1 120mm pus…

Gentlemen;I have FSX on my F dirve and am running out of space! Is there a way to combine or merge another drive to F to make it larger??

I am looking for advise as to what software/hardware to get to aid my transition from a 2D console FSimmer to the virtual console. Is TrackIR the best tool for virtual console flying FSX and FS9? Which TrackIR model should I get, the TrackIR 4:PRO or the TrackIR 5?Thank you in advance for your input,Kerke