FSX PC

EILAX

What is your budget? €750. Can go a little bit more if needed.

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? FSX.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? Yes

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? Maybe (4gb RAM)

5. Do you need a monitor? No

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? Keyboard and Speakers: No.

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? No.

8. How can you pay? Any

9. When are you purchasing? Next few weeks.

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? I know someone who can help.

Digital Solitude

i5 4690k 250
CPU cooler 40
Z97 90
8gb RAM 50
1tb HDD 50
GTX 750 100
case 50
Total €610 or something, windows is 20

Any questions ask away

SterlingArcher

ntel Xeon E3-1231 250.

EILAX

Digital Solitude wrote: »

i5 4690k 250
CPU cooler 40
Z97 90
8gb RAM 50
1tb HDD 50
GTX 750 100
case 50
Total €610 or something, windows is 20

Any questions ask away

Thanks for the list! Just wondering what the case is called?

TerrorFirmer

Digital Solitude wrote: »

i5 4690k 250
CPU cooler 40
Z97 90
8gb RAM 50
1tb HDD 50
GTX 750 100
case 50
Total €610 or something, windows is 20

Any questions ask away

Yeah I agree with Sterling that the Xeon is a better option here, same price and a much better suited CPU. To get value from the 4690K he'd have to be overclocking. No need for a CPU cooler either, stock one is fine, or a Z97 in this case.

Use the savings to buy a nice 240GB SSD. Could also beef the graphics to GTX750Ti though if its solely for FSX I know the game isn't that graphically intensive.

Digital Solitude

FSX is Dual Core iirc, so an OC'd i5 is better imo. Probably won't trouble a Xeon I guess

EILAX

Digital Solitude wrote: »

FSX is Dual Core iirc, so an OC'd i5 is better imo. Probably won't trouble a Xeon I guess

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Yeah I agree with Sterling that the Xeon is a better option here, same price and a much better suited CPU. To get value from the 4690K he'd have to be overclocking. No need for a CPU cooler either, stock one is fine, or a Z97 in this case.

Use the savings to buy a nice 240GB SSD. Could also beef the graphics to GTX750Ti though if its solely for FSX I know the game isn't that graphically intensive.

Ok, probably go for the 4690k, What case would be compatible with all the parts?

Digital Solitude

Any ATX case, look at BitFenix and Zalman for low price ones

EILAX

Digital Solitude wrote: »

Any ATX case, look at BitFenix and Zalman for low price ones

Zalman T4 mini tower?

EILAX

Just bought the Zalman T4 Case.

TerrorFirmer

Just be aware if you're getting the 4690K you have to overclock it to get value from it - otherwise you might as well get a non-K i5. The only difference with the more expensive K model is that you can overclock it.

I only agreed with the Xeon because he stated he's not willing to overclock, and at the same price point the Xeon is a considerably better all around CPU than the base i5-4690.

For the OP:

i5-4690 - 3.5Ghz, 6MB Cache, 4-core, 4-thread.
Xeon 1231 V3 - 3.4Ghz, 8MB Cache, 4-core, 8-thread.

Obviously if you get the 4690K and overclock it to 4Ghz+ it's going to be better with applications that don't make use of more than 2 cores though.

If you get the Xeon you dont need either a Z97 or a third party cooler, which will save you a further €70 euro. And again just to remind you that without overclocking, the Xeon is hands down the better CPU.

Digital Solitude

Apologies missed that in the OP. Youll need to overclock to get the full benefit from the i5 as Terror has pointed out

Would an i3 4160/4170 be worth shouting about Terror? Given its an FSX build, the out of box 3.8ghz of a 4170 could be a good option.

EILAX

Digital Solitude wrote: »

Apologies missed that in the OP. Youll need to overclock to get the full benefit from the i5 as Terror has pointed out

Would an i3 4160/4170 be worth shouting about Terror? Given its an FSX build, the out of box 3.8ghz of a 4170 could be a good option.

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Just be aware if you're getting the 4690K you have to overclock it to get value from it - otherwise you might as well get a non-K i5. The only difference with the more expensive K model is that you can overclock it.

I only agreed with the Xeon because he stated he's not willing to overclock, and at the same price point the Xeon is a considerably better all around CPU than the base i5-4690.

For the OP:

i5-4690 - 3.5Ghz, 6MB Cache, 4-core, 4-thread.
Xeon 1231 V3 - 3.4Ghz, 8MB Cache, 4-core, 8-thread.

Obviously if you get the 4690K and overclock it to 4Ghz+ it's going to be better with applications that don't make use of more than 2 cores though.

If you get the Xeon you dont need either a Z97 or a third party cooler, which will save you a further €70 euro. And again just to remind you that without overclocking, the Xeon is hands down the better CPU.

Thanks for the advice! Would the I3 be much cheaper?

SterlingArcher

You should stick to the i5.

I know that game debate or fsx game site say it only requires a duel core. But I'd never go by them.

Look up forums of people playing the game. they all recommend i5 and i7 with decent gpu.

EILAX

SterlingArcher wrote: »

You should stick to the i5.

I know that game debate or fsx game site say it only requires a duel core. But I'd never go by them.

Look up forums of people playing the game. they all recommend i5 and i7 with decent gpu.

Ok, I`m going for the I5 4690K then.

SterlingArcher

EILAX wrote: »

Ok, I`m going for the I5 4690K then.

Have you looked into overclocking, what is involved and that.

List your parts so far and price.

EILAX

SterlingArcher wrote: »

Have you looked into overclocking, what is involved and that.

List your parts so far and price.

Haven`t looked into overclocking, not sure if I will or not.

CPU: I5 4690K (250ish) - Not Bought
HDD: 1TB HDD Caviar Blue 7200RPM (40) - Not Bought
Optical Drive: Samsung SH224DB (12) - Not Bought
GPU: GTX 750 TI - Not bought (don`t know what make to buy, also not sure if I should get this particular card or something else)
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8gb 1600mhz (2x4) (50)
MOBO: A Z97, something reasonable
Case: Zalman T4 Case (43) - Bought, waiting on delivery

Rough total/estimate: 620euros excl. delivery
OS: Windows 7 on reddit


If someone could suggest a suitable GPU and MOBO that would be great, Thanks!

Eoinmc97

If you're not going to overclock, then don't get the Core i5 and instead get the Xeon as Terror has stated.
GPU: GTX 750ti or an R9 270X will do.
Mobo: Z97 MSI PC-Mate series for under €90 are great.

EILAX

Eoinmc97 wrote: »

If you're not going to overclock, then don't get the Core i5 and instead get the Xeon as Terror has stated.
GPU: GTX 750ti or an R9 270X will do.
Mobo: Z97 MSI PC-Mate series for under €90 are great.

Ok, Thanks! I think I will overclock maybe after reading some reviews.

EILAX

Case just arrived. Hoping to get more parts in the next few days. Does anyone know of any good shops in Dublin for computer hardware at affordable prices? I`ll probably just buy online though as Maplins are way too pricey. Looking at a Corsair CX500W Bronze, is this enough power for the build?

Digital Solitude

Yeah it is. You won't find retailer prices close to what online offers

EILAX

Digital Solitude wrote: »

Yeah it is. You won't find retailer prices close to what online offers

I`ll probably go for computeruniverse or scan.co.uk.

EILAX

Just finalized my pc parts list and price, ordering from scan.co.uk: price in pounds:
I5 4690K : 186.18
600w Corsair Builder Series: 59.00
1tb WD Blue HDD: 40.00
DVD RW: 10.00
2gb ASUS GTX750Ti: 121.00
Gigabyte GA-Z97-HD3: 87.50
RAM: Using 4gb crucial from other PC, will buy another stick at a later point along with windows 7.
Total excl shipping: 700 euros (rough estimate)