"580 to the 680" the difference was dramatic as the 580 was only 1.5gig and the 680 was 4gig so I was very happy with the visuals and able to turn up more autogen and AI now from 680 to titan not as dramatic but still happy I got it as I am now able to up the settings even more for instance AI aircraft are on all the time dont notice any bad results actually have bloom on now no problems I could never do that before so all going well but I will tell you one of the best things I ever did was by an SSD just amazing no problems and fast as !@$

 

In that case a 660/660Ti will be more than enough. Even your current 250 may be enough!

 

Yes the 250 would probably work, but I would imagine that it would probably end up being the "bottle neck". With my current old build the bottle neck is the 32bit system with 2GB of RAM, which fortunately using the 3GB switch has never resulted in an OOM using PMDG birds and complex airports, but when switching views it sometimes takes a few seconds for all the scenery objects and AI to get textures loaded to them. Now if I plopped that 250 in the new build I would get end up having the 250 being the bottle neck rather than the RAM limitations I currently have, although using my current AA settings IQ would probably remain the same.

 

 

 

Also if you're trying to save money and a 4.4 - 4.5 OC is what you're targeting, get an I5 3570K and 2400MHz RAM.

 

The only reason I am targeting an OC of 4,2 to 4.5 is that I am thinking that might be as far as I can push a 2700K on a good air cooler. I am not opposed in any way of OC'ing higher than that range if I can, but I am hesitant to go to liquid cooling just because of the slim chance of a leak that could potentially ruin the components. If I can get to 4.7 on a good air cooler then thats what I will aim for but until I start and get a look at temps I have no idea what I will get. Whatever I end up with will be better than the 3.85ghz that I am currently on and with the RAM being 2133mhz CAS9 it should be substantially faster than my current rig.

 

Also, I bought the 2700K and P8Z77V-Pro back in Oct 2012 so the 30 return/exchange policy has long expired. I am not trying to save money exactly. The thing is I dont mind spending the money, I just dont like wasting money on things that might only offer a very little return in performance, especially since a lot of newer hardware, like GPU don't offer huge performance gains like they do with current games on the market.

 

 

 

What will be the case, cooler and PSU btw?

 

Not sure on the PSU, but most like a PC Power and Cooling unit in the 700W or higher range.

 

The cases I have been looking at are Cooler Master HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel and Antec TWelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower Gaming case.

 

The air cooler is up for suggestions as that will probably be the last item I purchase and one of the questions I was going to ask in the upcoming weeks as I started researching. 

 

 

 

 

 

I got a gtx670 very happy no issues with it either CPUi7 2700K OC 4.5 works well.

Started looking at the 670 as well. Might be a slightly better card then the 580 but yet $100 less than the 680.

 

 

 

 

 

"580 to the 680" the difference was dramatic as the 580 was only 1.5gig and the 680 was 4gig so I was very happy with the visuals and able to turn up more autogen and AI now from 680 to titan not as dramatic but still happy I got it as I am now able to up the settings even more for instance AI aircraft are on all the time dont notice any bad results actually have bloom on now no problems I could never do that before so all going well but I will tell you one of the best things I ever did was by an SSD just amazing no problems and fast as !@$

All the cards I have been considering aside from the 580 being 1.5GB were all 2GB models. I've heard a lot of conflicting info on the 4GB cards as far as them cutting into the VAS and causing OOM's in DX9 mode were as its not an issue in DX10 mode. I remember some posts in the PMDG forum where people starting having a lot of OOMs when they transitioned into the 4GB GPUs. Ryan had mentioned the VAS issue as the 4GB GPUs cut into the 4GB ram limit of FSX. Then Umberto chimed in not long ago on his forum saying as much as the 4GB cards not being a good idea for the same reason when using DX9 but being ok in DX10 modes since it maps the ram/address space differently or something to that effect. Since I have no plans on going to DX10 using the DX10 tweaks on the new system and dont use XP10 64bit or plan on using it, I figured I would plan on getting a 2GB card. Although having said that I am now using a 1GB card on a 2GB 32bit system and have never had an OOM, so go figure!

The reason I suggested an I5 3570K is because it will perform just the same @ 4.4GHz with 2400MHz RAM as a I7 2700K @ 4.7GHz + 2133MHz RAM. Obviously the former combo will be cheaper, and will be a lot easier to OC since you won't be anywhere near you Vcore limit.

 

And yes, both of those overclocks are perfectly doable on a decent air cooler.

 

If I were you I would upgrade the CPU/mobo/RAM and try the GTS250, see if it's really holding you back because with your resolution and IQ settings FSX is very CPU bound.

 

And yes, both of those overclocks are perfectly doable on a decent air cooler.

 

Which OC's the 4.4 or 4.7 on air? I would be delighted if I can get 4.7 on air. Can you make a recommendation on the best air cooler for the 2700K.

 

 

If I were you I would upgrade the CPU/mobo/RAM and try the GTS250, see if it's really holding you back because with your resolution and IQ settings FSX is very CPU bound.

 

Upgrade which CPU/mobo/RAM? I already own the 2700k,P8Z77v-Pro, and 2133mhz RAM, all new still in boxes sitting in a closet. I can't really upgrade them since the 30 day return has long since passed. All I need to buy is the case, PSU, air cooler, HD's and decide which GPU to buy.

 

I really can't use the GTS250 since the current FSX computer will become my internet rig (will be retiring my 10 year old Dell that I use for internet purposes) and I need a GPU in it. 

 

Looks like it will pretty much come down to either the 670 or 680.

 

I look forward to a suggestion you might make on an air cooler for that 2700K and if you think I can get it to 4.7ghz on air.

 

I already own the 2700k,P8Z77v-Pro, and 2133mhz RAM

 

Oh, I'm very sorry, thought you still hadn't purchased those. Still a great combo, just no so cost effective but you'll love it.

 

 

I really can't use the GTS250 since the current FSX computer will become my internet rig (will be retiring my 10 year old Dell that I use for internet purposes) and I need a GPU in it.

Looks like it will pretty much come down to either the 670 or 680

 

Both the 670 & the 680 are overkill for your IQ settings, way overkill, but if you are set between those two, the 670 is only about a 10% slower than the 680.

 

For an air cooler, best bang for the buck is the CM 212+

 

For an air cooler, best bang for the buck is the CM 212+

 

Wow that's cheap. Years ago I spent around $100 on my Xigmatek for my E8400, it's served me well the past few years, just can't believe how much prices have come down since then.

 

Back to the other question in my last post, do you think I could expect to reach 4.7ghz with that air cooler on the 2700k? I'll be ticked if so as that would pretty much exceed what I thought was possible without going to liquid cooling,

How hot is the room going to be in the summer? I take it gets pretty hot in Texas during the summer. If the room is air conditioned the 212 will be up to the job up to 4.7 - 4.8GHz no problem. Otherwise you may need to settle for 4.5 - 4.6GHz.

 

Even my monster NHD-14 can't handle hot summer days in Majorca at 4.8GHz when temps get close to 40ºC without A/C.

Back to the other question in my last post, do you think I could expect to reach 4.7ghz with that air cooler on the 2700k? I'll be ticked if so as that would pretty much exceed what I thought was possible without going to liquid cooling,

I have mine at 4.8 on a mediocre air cooler (Thermalright Macho) on the same board you have, check out the spreadsheet here - http://www.overclock.net/t/968053/official-the-sandy-stable-club-guides-voltages-temps-bios-templates-inc-spreadsheet sort by cooling type and you'll see a lot of results for people using the 212+. I'd suggest the average overclocks for the 212+ are a bit lower than those using the higher end air coolers (Silver Arrow / NH-D14) but there's not a lot in it. IMHO good air cooling also relies on good airflow through your case, so if you have a decent case with good airflow you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Regarding your graphics card choice I would get a 2GB card if you are considering upgrading to a 27" monitor in the future, the optimum resolution for 27" is 2560x1440 which I'd suggest would need a decent amount of memory. I'm not sure how much difference you would see between the 670 and 680, I guess it's whether you can justify the expense to get the arguably better card. I think I would go for one of the 670s that use the 680 PCB and overclock it.

 

/Edit - When you build your new rig make sure to upgrade to the latest BIOS, Asus did something in v1708 that allowed me to go from a stable 4.7GHz to a stable 4.8GHz with no changes to settings.

 

How hot is the room going to be in the summer? I take it gets pretty hot in Texas during the summer. If the room is air conditioned the 212 will be up to the job up to 4.7 - 4.8GHz no problem. Otherwise you may need to settle for 4.5 - 4.6GHz.
 
Even my monster NHD-14 can't handle hot summer days in Majorca at 4.8GHz when temps get close to 40ºC without A/C.

 

 

Fortunately my computer sits in an area/room that is kind of in the center of my place and doesn't receive any direct sunlight, but when I am out of the house for the day I will usually leave the thermostat set for around 78 - 80 degrees and then lower it when I get home if I need to. But like you said, even if I can only get to 4.5 or 4.6ghz I will be pretty happy with that coming from what I have now at 3.85ghz. 

 

Thanks Dario for the recommendations.

I don't want to hijack this thread...but I think, my Q fits this one.

 

I own the GTX  670 FTW  2Gig card and I have 3 x 24" + 19" monitor. I am now using FSX in DX10 (DX9, is almost unusable now with OOMs)

 

I am generally happy with the performance when I  am flying in fair weather. But the moment I have clouds all over,  it jitters and slows things down. I am now unable to fly in bad weather.

 

Clouds or no clouds never used to make much difference earlier (DX9 days)... I don't know what happened now.

 

Would getting a better card improve the situation? Would getting a 4Gig video card make any improvement?

 

I have mine at 4.8 on a mediocre air cooler (Thermalright Macho) on the same board you have, check out the spreadsheet here - http://www.overclock...inc-spreadsheet sort by cooling type and you'll see a lot of results for people using the 212+. I'd suggest the average overclocks for the 212+ are a bit lower than those using the higher end air coolers (Silver Arrow / NH-D14) but there's not a lot in it. IMHO good air cooling also relies on good airflow through your case, so if you have a decent case with good airflow you shouldn't have any problems.

Regarding your graphics card choice I would get a 2GB card if you are considering upgrading to a 27" monitor in the future, the optimum resolution for 27" is 2560x1440 which I'd suggest would need a decent amount of memory. I'm not sure how much difference you would see between the 670 and 680, I guess it's whether you can justify the expense to get the arguably better card. I think I would go for one of the 670s that use the 680 PCB and overclock it.

/Edit - When you build your new rig make sure to upgrade to the latest BIOS, Asus did something in v1708 that allowed me to go from a stable 4.7GHz to a stable 4.8GHz with no changes to settings.

 

 

I will try and get the best case that has plenty of airflow and and room. My old rig is in a Antech 900 mid-tower and its pretty tight inside. I think I will go with a full tower this time to allow for the stuff to breath a little easier and maybe add extra fans to it as well.

 

On the card after looking at some comparisons between the 670 and 680 here: http://www.hwcompare.com/12501/geforce-gtx-670-vs-geforce-gtx-680/ , although they results are based on the cards stats and most likely stock cards, not overclocked or super clocked, I will probably just go with the 670. Since I mip every texture to every addon plane or scenery I own, fortunately I have never had a problem with my current rig with shimmering or jagged edges and I just use 8xS and no multi or super transparency AA in my nHancer settings, I think the 670 would probably do fine.I will get a 2GB card however, which ever one I finally decide on.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the BIOS. When I drop all the stuff of to get built I will have them install the latest BIOS for me. I requested the same the last rig I had the builder put together for me as well, that way I didn't have to mess with it down the road.

 

Thanks

3 monitors is a lot to ask of 1 2Gig card but yes 4Gig will help (EVGA Gtx FTW 4Gig card would do nicely) but dont expect miracles it will probably give you about a 25 to 30 percent leap in performance, that's about it

Have a 670FTW paired up with a 3770K OC'd @ 4.5 Ghz and am very pleased with the results. I don't, however run at extreme resolutions with multiple monitors. Chose the 670FTW for the same reasons you're considering. Close to the same performance of the 680 at $100 less. I second the recommendation on the Cooler Master 212 EVO. Keeps my 3770K nice and cool (around 50 C during sim sessions) and the 3770K is known to have heat issues when overclocking. I've owned heatsinks costing 3X as much as what I paid for that one that didn't deliver the same performance.

Thanks Adam for posting your experience with both the GPU and cooler. Looks like that will probably be the two items I go with.