FSX and Quad Cores

[HugoCampos]

Since you guys are talking about PSUs, coolers and stuff like that, which PSU and cooler would you recommend for the following System:

CPU: Q6600 or Q6700
RAM: 2x G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz CL4 (4 GB total)
Motherboard: P5N32-E SLI (May also go with the ASUS P5K Deluxe WIFI-AP)
Graphics Card: XFX GeForce 8800GTS XXX Edition 550M 640MB DDR3

I have been think about this cooler and PSU:
Cooler: ASUS Silent Square Pro
http://pt.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=16&l2=65&l3=0&l4=0&model=1308&modelmenu=1
PSU: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W (RS-850-EMBA)
http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=RS-850-EMBA&other_title=RS-850-EMBAReal%20Power%20Pro%20850W

I'm really unsure about these two components because I've never bought a cooler or a PSU in my life. Just in case it might help, I do intend to do some overclocking on the CPU (not on the gfx card though since it's already overclocked).

Thanks guys!

[macca22au]

It sure is a hardware thread - but on the other hand the CPU bound FSX has forced us to discuss hardware in parallel with playing with the cfg.

I have the e6700 and I will not invest (ie lose money) in another CPU until the penryn series hits the market at the end of this calendar year, or early next.  I would then go quadcore.

My one lesson was that I took the 6700 path, because it was less than three-quarters the price of the 6800.

Stupid as it now sounds, I realise that the top video card, and the top cpu are necessary even if it breaks the bank and ruins the marriage.  

Sometimes second best is not good enough.

[macca22au]

Hugo: choose the Q6700 at a minimum  and definitely the 8800GTX card - not the GTS.

NickN can give you the technical details, but the site is full of evidence that this is one really crucial difference.

[HugoCampos]

I would definitely go with those if I could and if I lived in the US. I live in Portugal, EU, and here the GTX costs about 600 EUR which is $780 and the QX6700 costs 1050 EUR which is $1365. So, if I went with a QX6700, an 8800GTX and all the other components, my system would end up costing about 2000 - 2500 EUR whichs is $2600 - $3250.... a lot of money!!! But I will see how far I can stretch my budget. Also, I am planning on replacing the 8800GTS by the 9000 series when it is available... that's why I didn't wanna spend $780 now to spend another $800 or so early next year. The other option would be to buy a gtx now and then another gtx instead of the 9000 series... but I think a single 9000 would be better than 2 x 8800gtx. I have to seriously think about all this... buying computers suck when you have limited budged!

[justpassingthrough]

There are only 2 coolers I would use with a quad core, one was mentioned here to mouse ace, the other is the thermalright 120 extreme with a 120mm fan.

That PSU uses multi rails. That will reduce the available power to the video card or other areas as the load goes up. You can never get more than 18A minus the load drop from any 12v rail and that PSU does not list its efficiency to temp rating which is a good sign they are hiding the lousy output spec.

Like the OCZ power supply, for all you know that coolmaster unit may be an 82% efficiency at 20-25c. They dont list that specification and when a PSU company does not list that, they are HIDING SOMETHING.

Lets assume the spec says 850 continuous watts... fine, but that is 850watts continuous @ a certain temp and load. Coolmaster is not posting that temp specification for the unit and I would beware of that.


Operation Temperature 0~50c Nominal Input Voltage <----- That is the OPERATING TEMP, not the CURRENT/LOAD TEMP specification

All good PSU's have a spec that says how much efficiency the unit will have @ a certain temp. Most PSU's run at 35-45c+ so if the Coolmaster is 83% @ 20c, that means it SUCKS at 45c, double the heat. They did not post that spec and when you dont see that, there is something being hidden.

[quote]DON'T BE MISLED BY EXAGGERATED WATTAGE CLAIMS
To properly compare power supplies, wattage claims must state the maximum ambient temperature for continuous, full-load operation. Unfortunately for the consumer, this information is usually withheld, opening the door for manufacturers to exaggerate their wattage claims. They do so by assuming an unrealistic ambient temp of only 25

[HugoCampos]

That's a good idea, let's move this to the Hardware area.