System build advice for both Flight Simming FSX and DAW using Cubase

[stewuk65]

Hi, is the following a suitable spec for Flight Simming using FSX and as a DAW using Cubase ?

1 Asus Z87-A, Intel Z87 Chipset - SLI and CrossFireX support
1 Intel Core i7 4770K, Haswell, 3.5GHz, Quad Core with HT, 8MB Cache - Overclocked
1 Corsair H80i Hydro Series - High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
1 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance Pro Silver, 2133MHz
1 2GB EVGA GTX 770 SC, 1085MHz GPU, 1536 Cores, 7010MHz GDDR5
1 850W Corsair RM, Modular, 80PLUS Gold, 92% Efficiency - Dual GPUs
1 250GB Samsung 840 EVO, 540MB/s, Write 520MB/s - RAPID Mode
1 2TB Seagate Barracuda, SATA 6Gb/s, 7200rpm, 64MB Cache
1 Samsung 24x DVD Reader & Writer
1 Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit - OEM

[Ray Proudfoot]

Hi, is the following a suitable spec for Flight Simming using FSX and as a DAW using Cubase ?

1 Asus Z87-A, Intel Z87 Chipset - SLI and CrossFireX support
1 Intel Core i7 4770K, Haswell, 3.5GHz, Quad Core with HT, 8MB Cache - Overclocked
1 Corsair H80i Hydro Series - High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
1 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance Pro Silver, 2133MHz
1 2GB EVGA GTX 770 SC, 1085MHz GPU, 1536 Cores, 7010MHz GDDR5
1 850W Corsair RM, Modular, 80PLUS Gold, 92% Efficiency - Dual GPUs
1 250GB Samsung 840 EVO, 540MB/s, Write 520MB/s - RAPID Mode
1 2TB Seagate Barracuda, SATA 6Gb/s, 7200rpm, 64MB Cache
1 Samsung 24x DVD Reader & Writer
1 Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit - OEM

Stew,

I bought a very similar PC from Scan also for FSX recently. Not sure what DAW and CuBase is so I'll concentrate on FSX.

If you can manage it the GTX 780 3Gb card is excellent for FSX. A 650W PSU is probably sufficient. I got the Corsair H100 cooler. Scan recommended 1866Mhz memory rather than the 2166.

Where are you going to load FSX and addon scenery onto? The SSD or HDD? SSD would be better so you might want to consider a second one. FSX and Windows 8 are not recommended. Stick to W7 64-bit Home Premium.

Other than that it should do you well.

[stewuk65]

Thanks for your advice Ray, it is much appreciated.

[PeteG@Scan]

Hi Stew,

I deal with the audio systems here, so bare in mind I approach this without much flight sim knowledge but I hope that Rays advice sees you well.

The board is usable with the correct tweaks, please add a note if you order a complete system for this to be carried out (you can do this on the configuration options page).

I don't normally use closed loop coolers as they are noiser than good tower coolers (rad's at the vent ports and higher CFM fans to force air through tighter fins cause this) but it'll of course work if that's your choice from the gaming point of view. I personally spec Thermalright Archons and use a single fan to push air through.

I don't recommend anything higher memory wise than what is supported by the chipset (not the board) offically and this is 1600Mhz. The higher you go over spec the less chance it has being stable and we see some problems in these regards with 2133mhz kits. For the minimal impact it has on system performance I'd choose stability over performance in this case.

I also prefer a Enermax Revolution or BeQuiet L10's for the PSU from a noise level point of view.

The rest of the hardware seems fine, althrough you don't list what case you've spec'd.

Windows wise 8.1 hasn't really hit the ground running with audio drivers and a lot of firms seem to be playing catch up currently. It's probably worth you checking the manufacturer forum for whichever interface your using, to see if the is any reported problems with it.