is there a list of systems being used by simmers here, which are capable of running with sliders high?......if the good systems could be listed which work really well with fsx, along with description of settings, it would be really helpful to those starting a build.....someone recommended components to me here about a year and a half ago, and  i've been frustrated with it ever since........a list of proven systems would be really  nice .....

If you or anyone is going to upgrade for a new, capable FSX system, it better be an i7 system.

My specs:

Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 (OC'd to 4.02GHz)
RAM: 6GB DDR3 @ 1600mhz 7-7-7-24
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTX 260 (clocked very high)
HDD: 250GB for OS, 150GB VelociRaptor for FSX, 180GB for storage
PSU: PC POWER & COOLING Silencer, 759W

Runs great.

G1000Pilot wrote on Jun 11^th, 2009 at 6:59pm:

That CAS 7 memory I use is running great and hasn't given me any problems since I got it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
When I first got it, I paid about $250 for these 6GB... Now they're only $100!!



My case is the Antec 900: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
... Have loved it from the start and seems to have good airflow to keep this 920 at 75c MAX under load on prime95 for 2 hours in the middle of summer with the AC on about 76 fahrenheit...


My CPU cooler: http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/cpu/u120ex-1366rt/product_cp...
Using OCZ Freeze thermal paste

yancovitch wrote on Jun 11^th, 2009 at 12:00pm:



Basic Parts List

Asus P6T Deluxe v2

GTX 285 video card.. fastest core and memory speed you can afford

i7 950 when they are released (975 if you want the extreme version.. much more expensive.. easier clocking)

A 920 D0 processor is ok for the budget builder but do keep in mind it wont be doing any 4.2+ GHz speeds without liquid cooling and getting those clocks with a 920 is the luck of the draw.. most 920s will top out at 3.8 to 4Hgz

WD VelociRaptor 300GB HD dedicated to FSX

If you have a large database of photoscenery anotheer WD Vrap unless the PS will not fit on a 300GB drive..   then get a fast 1TB drive for it

A good single drive for the OS

A decent CPU cooler to allow a 4GHz+ clock. The thermalright 120 1366 or the Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 is starting to look good too

DDR3 1600 memory..  lowest timing possible:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226060

next in line
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

lowest timing wins in FSX


PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009


a good tower that allows a lot of airflow.. the rest of the parts is up to you



Must be a 64bit OS



You have to learn how to set things up based on which motherboard, processor and memory you buy


JumperFree Configuration Settings
AI Overclock tuner: MANUAL
CPU Ratio Setting: 20x NOTE: FOR 920/940 only 965/975 WILL BE BLOCK 133 X MULTIPLIER .. FOR 4GHz = 30X
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: DISABLED
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: DISABLED
BLCK Frequency: 200 - NOTE: THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IT DEPENDS ON YOUR CPU AND COOLING SOLUTION. 965/975 WILL BE 133 BUT IT CAN BE ADJUSTED TOO
PCIE Frequency: 100
DRAM Frequency: 1600  NOTE: THIS WILL NOT BE 1600 WITH A 920/940/950 UNLESS BCLOCK IS 200. IT WILL BE BETWEEN 1400-1600 DEPENDING ON HOW HIGH YOU CAN GET BCLOCK. 965/975 THIS WILL BE 1600 WITHOUT QUESTION
UCLK Frequency: (AUTO SHOULD WORK) **
QPI Link Data Rate: (AUTO SHOULD WORK) **

** If improper NB in CPUz (3200), set the following:

UCLK Frequency: 3200Mhz = DRAM FREQUENCY X 2
QPI Link Data Rate: NOTE: AUTO usually works fine however higher is faster but it may also be unstable.. find stable highest setting or leave on AUTO


DRAM Timing Control:


==============================
NOTE: CHART FOR MEMORY SETTINGS in CPUz to BIOS:

NOTE: Replace the memory timing values shown below with the timing for the purchased memory

CPUz VALUE - BIOS LIST = VALUE

CAS# Latency (CL) - DRAM CAS# LATENCY = 7
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) - DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay = 7
RAS# Precharge (tRP) - DRAM RAS# PRE TIME = 7
Cycle Time (tRAS) - DRAM RAS# ACT TIME=24
===========================


1st Information :

CAS# Latency: 7
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 7
DRAM RAS# PRE Time: 7
DRAM RAS# ACT Time: 20
DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay: AUTO
DRAM REF Cycle Time: AUTO
DRAM Write Recovery Time: AUTO
DRAM Read to Precharge Time: AUTO
DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time: AUTO
DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay: AUTO

2nd Information :

DRAM Timing Mode: 1N (same as CMD 1T in CPUz)
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA: AUTO
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHB: AUTO
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHC: AUTO

3rd Information :

DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (DD): AUTO
DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (DR): AUTO
DRAM WRITE To READ Delay (SR): AUTO
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (DD): AUTO
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (DR): AUTO
DRAM READ To WRITE Delay (SR): AUTO
DRAM READ To READ Delay (DD): AUTO
DRAM READ To READ Delay (DR): AUTO
DRAM READ To READ Delay (SR): AUTO
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (DD): AUTO
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (DR): AUTO
DRAM WRITE To WRITE Delay (SR): AUTO

CPU Voltage: FIND LOWEST STABLE VALUE - 4GHz typically 1.35-1.42v
CPU PLL Voltage: AUTO (there are stability settings for high clocks)
QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: 1.35-1.40
IOH Voltage: AUTO
IOH PCIE Voltage: AUTO
ICH Voltage: AUTO
ICH PCIE Voltage: AUTO
DRAM Bus Voltage: 1.65 to 1.70 MAX - Typically 1.66
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: AUTO
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA: AUTO
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: AUTO
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHB: AUTO
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: AUTO
DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHC: AUTO


Load Line Calibration: ENABLED
CPU Differential Amplitude: AUTO (note: .800mv may stabilize higher clock)
CPU Clock Skew: AUTO (100ps if used to stablize clock)
CPU Spread Spectrum: DISABLED
IOH Clock Skew : AUTO (100ps if used to stablize clock)
PCIE Spread Spectrum: DISABLED


Advance CPU Settings
CPU Ratio Setting: 20x
C1E Suppport: DISABLED
Hardware Prefetcher: ENABLED
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: ENABLED
Intel® Virtualization Tech: DISABLED
CPU TM Function: (ENABLED = PROTECTED - DISABLED = ALLOW FULL FUNCTION WITHOUT PROTECTION) Typically DISABLED
Execute Disable Bit: DISABLED
Intel (R) HT Techology: DISABLED (ENABLED FOR APPLICATIONS THAT USE HYPERTHREAD -WILL HEAT PROC)
Active Processor Cores: ALL
A20M: DISABLE
Intel (R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech: DISABLED
Intel (R) Turbo Mode Tech: DISABLED
Intel (R) C-STATE Tech: DISABLED



Learn how to set up the clock and test it with REALTEMP v3.0 and higher and the 1hr automatic stress test in OCCT.. CPU MAX limit will be 80c in those tests

==================================
Since you now have the new HS installed lets get preped for clocking, download RealTemp 3.0 or above from here

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1325k/RealTemp_3.00.zip

Unzip and place the folder somewhere on the system where it can reside all the time, them make a shortcut to the desktop for Realtemp.exe.

When the program is run, in the settings area, Click SET TJMAX and then set the TJMAX to 100c for all 4 cores, click apply. The true MAX temp of i7 is 100c which you never want to get close to or exceed (proc death above 100) however at 80c the proc begins shutting itself down in a protection mode. The goal when we clock will be to obtain the highest CPU speed on the lowest CPU voltage, stable, without going over 80c in a full 1hour load test.

On the GUI you will see CPU diode temp and how far it has to go before it hits the max

When we load test for clocking you will use this software which you can download and install:

http://www.ocbase.com/perestroika_en/index.php?Download

get the auto installer there

After OCCT is installed, in its properties set the MAX TEMP to 80c. That will mean the test will automatically fail if you are unstable or if you hit 80c.

The ONLY test that will be used in that software is the automatic 1hr CPU stress test

You are now ready to test for your high clock when we get to that point.
=====================================




There is no such thing as a 'MAGIC" punchlist of settings everyone can use.. however what I posted above can be used as a template to start the process

Mazza wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 8:53am:

If I manually typed 1/2 the responses I post at forums I would be on forums all day long.. of course I have a complete log of Q/A responses

Not too long ago I upgraded my system and I can run settings near max and get a solid 26fps, I locked them at 26. However, the real killer for me is AI. Apart from that I couldn't be happier.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
4GB RAM
512mb 9800GT
500Watt PSU
Windows XP SP3

I have not used the 2quad/duos but the i7 is AMAZING 

Nick,

The particular Mushkin Redline memory you reference above (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226060) has been discontinued/deactivated (I checked the Mushkin, site too).  Would this be a suitable substitute at 6-6-5-18?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226052

Thanks.

Andy

Here si mine, its nothing special, but does the job for me

Display: 22" Samsung SyncMaster 206BW 2ms 3000:1 dynamic contrast (what ever that means)

Case: NZXT Apollo (copper)
PSU: 1000W true power (Antec)
Mother board: Asus P5N-D
NIC: Intagrated 10/100/1000 (running at gigabit speeds)
CPU:      Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.40GHz
Cpu Socket: Socket 775 LGA
Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster Fatality X-fi gammer edition


Disk Space      
Disk C: 59 GB Available, 149 GB Total, 59 GB Free
Disk D: 446 GB Available, 465 GB Total, 446 GB Free
Disk E: 464 GB Available, 465 GB Total, 464 GB Free
Disk Z: 380 GB Available, 465 GB Total, 380 GB Free
     
Physical Memory      2815 MB Total, 2098 MB Free

Property      Value
JAIME-6BA6987C9

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity      128 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size      32 MBytes
Memory Slots      4
Error Correction      None
DRAM Frequency      333.3 MHz
Memory Timings      5-5-5-15 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator      Slot 1
Manufacturer      Kingston
Part Number      KHX6400D2LL/1GN   
Serial Number      [removed]
Capacity      1024 MBytes
Memory Type      DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed      333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies      200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings      3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width      64 bits
Manufacturing Date      2009, Week 2
EPP SPD Support      Yes (Version 16)
XMP SPD Support      No

Device Locator      Slot 2
Manufacturer      Kingston
Part Number      KHX6400D2LL/1GN   
Serial Number      [removed]
Capacity      1024 MBytes
Memory Type      DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed      333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies      200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings      3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width      64 bits
Manufacturing Date      2009, Week 2
EPP SPD Support      Yes (Version 16)
XMP SPD Support      No

Device Locator      Slot 3
Manufacturer      Kingston
Part Number      99C5316-026.A00LF
Serial Number      [removed]
Capacity      1024 MBytes
Memory Type      DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed      333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies      200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings      3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width      64 bits
Manufacturing Date      2009, Week 11
EPP SPD Support      No
XMP SPD Support      No

Device Locator      Slot 4
Manufacturer      Kingston
Part Number      99C5316-026.A00LF
Serial Number      [removed]
Capacity      1024 MBytes
Memory Type      DDR2 (PC2-5300)
Speed      333 MHz (DDR2 667)
Supported Frequencies      200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 333.3 MHz
Memory Timings      3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings      5-5-5-15-20 at 333.3 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width      64 bits
Manufacturing Date      2009, Week 11
EPP SPD Support      No
XMP SPD Support      No



Video cards:

Number of GPUs      2

Display Adapter      NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GSO
Video Processor      GeForce 9600 GSO
Video memory size      768 MBytes
Adapter DAC Type      Integrated RAMDAC

Display Adapter      NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GSO
Video Processor      GeForce 9600 GSO
Video memory size      768 MBytes
Adapter DAC Type      Integrated RAMDAC


I hope this kinda gives you some idea of the system I have...I will be adding a PhysX processer card soon...

current FSX settings: completely maxed 100%, as I said its nothing special but the system runs FSX pretty well maxed out and doesnt really hesatate at all...least I can't detect any...