lhrsimon From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 1342 posts, RR: 25 Posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 6165 times:
Hi guys
Quick question. (I have already done a search but found some of the replies somewhat confusing).
Whats the best type of processor for FS9. Obviously the faster the better , but as a rule of thumb is it as follows.
i7
Quad core
Dual core
Where im getting a bit mixed up is for example the i7 is 2.8 ghz. Yet some quad and duel are higher at 3.06 mhz.
So is the dual core at 3.06 ghz quicker than an i7 at 2.8 ghz.
Im getting a new pc built and the main other components are as follows........
8 GB Corsair DDR 3 RAM at 1333 mhz
1 GB ATI Radion card type 5750 to 5870 (type yet to be confirmed - funds permitting) - advise also welcome.
1.5 TB hard drive at 7200 rpm
MTIA
Canon 1D Mk III,Canon 20D+17-40 L f4.0,70-200 L IS USM f2.8,400 L USM f5.6,135 mm L f2.0, 50 mm f1.8,1.4 x II extender
RaginMav From United States of America, joined May 2004, 372 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 6164 times:
Quoting lhrsimon (Thread starter): 8 GB Corsair DDR 3 RAM at 1333 mhz
1 GB ATI Radion card type 5750 to 5870 (type yet to be confirmed - funds permitting) - advise also welcome.
1.5 TB hard drive at 7200 rpm
With components like this, any dual-core 3.0+ Ghz processor should max out everything in FS9.
My current build is:
AMD 955BE (3.2Ghz quad core)
ATI 9600GT
4 GB DDR3
None of the addons I have for FS9 can slow it down, even with every setting maxed out, so spending a lot of money (i-7) just to run FS9 isn't really necessary.
HOWEVER: If you plan to use FSX extensively and intensively with this machine, I would recommend at least go for an I7 920 or AMD 965BE, if that's your cup of tea. You've chosen well for video card, don't short yourself on processor.
As a frame of reference, my rig is not enough to max out FSX with traffic, scenery etc from a busy airport. I can get mid 40's FPS with most settings one notch below maxed out. I could improve a lot by upgrading my video card, but I don't have the $$$.
One last thought... You can always build around the latest socket style, and upgrade your processor later.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (3 years 1 month 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6148 times:
Quoting lhrsimon (Thread starter): So is the dual core at 3.06 ghz quicker than an i7 at 2.8 ghz.
No. Not at all. Even with a slower clock the i7s are much faster due to a more efficient architecture and new generation RAM
Quoting lhrsimon (Thread starter): 1 GB ATI Radion card type 5750 to 5870 (type yet to be confirmed - funds permitting) - advise also welcome.
get the 5870
Dunno what prices are in the UK but for just over $250 for an i7 920 it is a steal for the performance you get. I'm super happy with my i7, it blows everything i throw at it out of the water without breaking a sweat.
I will say though, dont get the cheaper i7 processors (i7-8xx series) they are not capable of using triple channel memory among other features. you cant go wrong with an i7-920
Burkhard From Germany, joined Nov 2006, 4249 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (3 years 1 month 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 5937 times:
Take the i7- 920, or a higher one if you can afford. The absolutely rock ber clock cycle, and even overclock themselves automatically for a core or two...
njxc500 From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 218 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 5872 times:
I ran FS9, FSX, Xplane 8, and Xplane 9 on my old pc, which was a first gen core 2 e6600 at 2.4 ghz with an 8800 GT card.
FS9 doesnt take that much, don't spend a lot to run this, but if you plan to run FSX or move over to x-plane, you'll want more power.
I'm now running a core i3 530, with a 64 GB SSD and Windows 7. I have most settings in x-plane 9 maxed out and I'm running impressive frame rates. I have less than 400 in this computer, you don't have to spend a ton to get serious performance out of the new generation hardware.
njxc500 From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 218 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 5772 times:
I'm sure I could run FSX every bit as well as x-plane, but if you'd like some real numbers give me a method to test it and I will, as I have FSX on hand.
THEBATMAN From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 829 posts, RR: 10 Reply 7, posted (3 years 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5750 times:
I picked up this laptop the other day and installed both FS9 and FSX. With all of the sliders maxed on FS9, I can get between 60-75 fps. On FSX with the sliders at about 75% maxed (except vehicles, boats and AI traffic - those I have at 50%) I get between 30 and 40 fps. Not bad for a laptop!
ASUS G73JH-X3 Laptop Computer (17.3" screen)
Intel Core i7-720QM 1.6GHz Quad-Core Processor
8GB of DDR3 1066MHz Memory
ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics (1GB DDR5 discrete graphics memory)
640GB Hard drive (7200 RPM)
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Integrated Audio ; Audio Chipset: EAX 4.0 3D surround
Pilots without aircraft mechanics are just pedestrians with sunglasses and a leather jacket.
Burkhard From Germany, joined Nov 2006, 4249 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (3 years 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 5655 times:
Yes - that laptop has an I7 and an 5870, so all you need to be happy with FSX. It is more fair to compare FS9 with all maxed with FSX with everything at 25%, then you have approximately the same really displayed.