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Baywing

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Does FSX use more CPU or GPU? I'm looking to upgrade and trying to figure out where to best put my efforts.
 
CPU by far. To get the most out of FSX, you need the best CPU you can buy.
 
HorsePower=CPU

I am seeing where a nice duo over an i7 has many benefits....

Lately I have seen a pile of rigs with X58 struggeling with FSX for some reason..... Just seems so hard to get it smooth.....:rapture:
 
Thanks. I have an AMD dual 5600+ (2.8Ghz) now and have a shot at a $90 6400+ (3.2Ghz) while they last. I've got an older Windsor but the price seems good for the extra. I only have enough power in the PS for the new CPU or a new GPU, so trying to figure where I'll get the biggest benefit.
 
Back in the 60's we used to say "There is no substitute for cubic inches."
Cubic inches=cpu
 
Baywing said:
Thanks. I have an AMD dual 5600+ (2.8Ghz) now and have a shot at a $90 6400+ (3.2Ghz) while they last. I've got an older Windsor but the price seems good for the extra. I only have enough power in the PS for the new CPU or a new GPU, so trying to figure where I'll get the biggest benefit.
Click to expand...



That CPU @ 3.2 will by far give you the best bang for your buck for sure....

Order it quick...LOL

Look in the Swap meet room here..i have two Cards for sale ...http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=43
 
Don't do it! Don't waste your money for a 400mhz increase in cpu speed. You could overclock your original chip and get the same results for free. :)
 
kilo delta said:
Don't do it! Don't waste your money for a 400mhz increase in cpu speed. You could overclock your original chip and get the same results for free. :)
Click to expand...

Genuine thirst for knowledge here - how reliable is a 15% - 20% overclock? Also, given the average beige box's crap cooling, how long could you expect it to last?
 
SpaceWeevil said:
Genuine thirst for knowledge here - how reliable is a 15% - 20% overclock? Also, given the average beige box's crap cooling, how long could you expect it to last?
Click to expand...

Actually, the cooling in the Dell E521 is quite overdone. As I understand it, the cooling fan, shroud and heatsink were designed for a Pentium dual core which ran much hotter than the dual AMD, but due to supply issues on the CPU, Dell kept the shroud, fan and heat sink but switched the MB and chipset. I read that somewhere last year. More likely, knowing Dell, they designed just one cooling assembly (around the dual Pentium) and used it in both the E521 and E520, and maybe more than that. When I upgraded the AMD from the stock 3800+ last year, the dell heat sink was better than twice the size of the AMD sink that came with the 5600+. The downside to OC is I don't know a thing about it and wouldn't have the first clue as to how to do it.
 
Can I assume that the CPU has the same importance (over the GPU) for all of M$ flight sims? (I also fly CFS2, 3 and CFS3 based OFF)
 
Very reliable...15-20% is regarded as a relatively small overclock. As an example.....I had my old Intel E8400 rated as standard @ 3GHZ, overclocked to 4.4GHZ easily enough. Bear in mind that you'll need adequate cooling if you intend to achieve a moderate to high OC. The trick is to get a good stable OC with the minimum increase in cpu voltage.
 
Kilo... Not everyone knows how or can OC their CPU's...Plus it looke like an off the shelf rig, and depending on its components may not be able to OC at all...Plus then he needs a bigger cooler too...

SW...A sound OC can last forever if done correctly in the FSB and keeping voltages(heat) set right.....

Plus then you need a bigger cooler.I would never suggest an OC with a stock cooler on any off the shelf computer...

I would buy that horsepower for 70 bucks above doing an OC to reach it...Thats just me though....

Thats why I use a E8600 at 3.33 over a quad , say, Q9650 at 400 bucks that still needs to be overclocked to reach what FSX needs.....


But each to his own.....
 
Chances are, if you've a Dell system, overclocking will not be possible. Only the newer Dell XPS systems will allow OC.
 
Baywing said:
Thanks, I have to see what kind of room I have. It looks like the 8800 GT is too long and will conflict with the large heatsink/shroud.
Click to expand...

You could always switch everything over to a Full size tower. Then you'll have lotsa room. ;)
 
Baywing said:
Can I assume that the CPU has the same importance (over the GPU) for all of M$ flight sims? (I also fly CFS2, 3 and CFS3 based OFF)
Click to expand...


Yes....

I don't see why an oversize CPU cooler would interfere with a vid card at all...The card should sit well below that..If anything the length usually is a factor as to closness to your front bays..

but being a Dell it might have a funny mobo..Not aware of the interior of that box...

But as GT182 said, a bigger box is an easy switch..You can find them at Newegg for 50-150 bucks.....


Example...........http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004 With rebate this is 54 bucks
 
harleyman said:
Kilo... Not everyone knows how or can OC their CPU's...Plus it looke like an off the shelf rig, and depending on its components may not be able to OC at all...Plus then he needs a bigger cooler too...
Click to expand...

True, Harley....however there will be minimal gain in fps with a 400mhz increase in clockspeed....certainly not enough to warrant the outlay on a new processor. I'd recommend keeping the $90 in his pocket until he can upgrade to a more powerful system.
A bigger,more efficient cooler would be desirable...though not really necessary for a small OC. It's a moot point,anyhow, as his Dell system most likely will not allow him to OC at all.
:)
 
Well..

A 2.8 will NOT get the job done......

A 3.2 is in that neighborhood that FSX wants..

Yes. More is better.......

Yes its moot point...

I thought it was 60 bucks too.... My dylexia at its best......:argue:

LOL.......
 
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