Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Looking for input on new PC build

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | PC Support | Looking for input on new PC build

DVA10131
Captain, MD-11
E-MAIL

Joined on August 29 2011
50 State Club
Century Club
Online Century Club

"If it's not Boeing, I'm not going"
Charleston, SC USA

136 legs, 473.3 hours
123 legs, 428.0 hours online
130 legs, 451.7 hours ACARS
11 legs, 38.5 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 11 2013 08:29 ET by Robbie Johnson

I am planning a new build to replace my current PC, and I am looking for feedback on it. This will be primarily for FSX, but I will also be doing a lot of other gaming on it so thats why I went with a 670 over something cheaper. I think that it is overall a solid build, but any feedback will be appreciated.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $890.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-11 08:22 EST-0500)

I am trying to keep the build under $1000 before rebates (currently at $940). I will be reusing my current HDDs (1.5TB + 500GB; both 7200), I already have a new copy of Windows, and I don't require any new peripherals. Thank you in advance for the input!

Robbie Johnson (DVA10131)

DVA11180
Captain, A320

Joined on December 12 2012
Century Club

Minneapolis, MN

143 legs, 266.3 hours
133 legs, 249.7 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on February 11 2013 12:57 ET by Caleb Williams

The only thing I can think of is upgrading to an i7, but that's your choice. I thought Microcenter just put it up on sale. May be the non-overclocked version.

Caleb Williams

Captain, A320

DVA7016
Senior Captain, B767-300

Joined on February 14 2009
B757 100 Club
Everett 250 Club
Triple Century Club
DVA Five-Year Anniversary

"I5 2500K - 560GTX - 8GB Ripjaw"
Essex GB

385 legs, 1,090.6 hours
384 legs, 1,089.6 hours ACARS
1,821 legs, 4,442.9 hours total

Posted onPost created on February 11 2013 13:34 ET by Alan Barber

Hi Robbie

I would get more watts for the PSU and faster memory, I read somewhere that Z77's thrive on faster memory. Also if your budget can stretch to it an ASrock Z77 Extreme 4 mobo is worth a look.

Alan Barber

Senior Captain, B767-300

DVA10591
Captain, B737-800
OLP

Joined on March 02 2012
50 State Club
Online Century Club
B737 50 Club

Pottstown, PA USA

269 legs, 592.8 hours
155 legs, 343.8 hours online
267 legs, 590.1 hours ACARS
9 legs, 20.2 hours event

Posted onPost created on February 11 2013 13:43 ET by Jeff Welsh

I have the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H which uses the same chipset (Intel Z77) as the Asus and I have a tricky time working with the bios. I'm forced to disconnect my flight sim USB connections whenever I need to get into the BIOS to do anything. Not sure if this is trait with the UEFI BIOS or it's just the model board I have.

Also if you haven't already, check out the recently updated FSX guide by AVSIM.
http://forum.avsim.net/fsx_guide.pdf

Jeff Welsh

Captain, B737-800

Posted onPost created on February 11 2013 15:09 ET by Robbie Johnson

Caleb Williams wrote:

The only thing I can think of is upgrading to an i7, but that's your choice. I thought Microcenter just put it up on sale. May be the non-overclocked version.

i5 will be more than sufficient for a gaming/FS build, the extra threads really won't help very much (if at all).

Alan Barber wrote:

Hi Robbie

I would get more watts for the PSU and faster memory, I read somewhere that Z77's thrive on faster memory. Also if your budget can stretch to it an ASrock Z77 Extreme 4 mobo is worth a look.

The PSU should actually be fine. According to the PSU calculator I use I only actually need around 370 even accounting for an overclock, so 550 should be giving myself plenty of wiggle room. The memory should be ok, 1600 is pretty standard and the CAS isn't bad at all, but I will look into other possibilities. I will also have a look at that mobo in a bit.

Jeff Welsh wrote:

I have the Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H which uses the same chipset (Intel Z77) as the Asus and I have a tricky time working with the bios. I'm forced to disconnect my flight sim USB connections whenever I need to get into the BIOS to do anything. Not sure if this is trait with the UEFI BIOS or it's just the model board I have.

Also if you haven't already, check out the recently updated FSX guide by AVSIM.
http://forum.avsim.net/fsx_guide.pdf

Each mobo manufacturer uses their own UEFI, but your problem might be remedied by updating your BIOS. And thanks for the heads up on the guide, Ill have a look at it in a bit.

Robbie Johnson (DVA10131)

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