|
Q9450, 9800GX2, 8GB DDR2 MOBO PLEASE?
|
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
31. May 2008 @ 20:58 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hi all!
I am an FSX fanatic and run the Simulator through 4 cores and therefore have invested in the Q9450. I am also going to use the 9800GX2, with 8GB of DDR2 running either XP 64bit or Vista 64bit. Either or it will be a 64bit Operating System to take advantage of the 8GB of DDR2.
FSX is one of the most demanding games on the market and I have been looking at numerous motherboards but am getting discombobulated with the compatibility issues. I have a budget of £300 for the motherboard.
Any help on the matter would be much appreciated?
|
|
Advertisement
|
 |
|
|
Senior Member
|
31. May 2008 @ 22:37 |
Link to this message
|
GAMING COMPUTER - Intel q9550 @ 3.4ghz | EVGA GTX 260 core 216 | Gigabyte ds3l | 6gb Gskill DDR2 800 ram | Silverstone 700 watt psu | WD 640gb hdd | Seagate 300gb hdd | LG dvd burner | Samsung dvd burner | Antec p182 case | logitech 2.1 speakers | logitech g11 keyboard | Samsung 25.5in 1900x1200 monitor | 19in 1440x900 secondary monitor | Windows 7 64bit | SERVER - Gigabyte 785g motherboard | AMD Phenom 9650 | 6gb ram | three 1.5tb hdd | Seagate 1tb hdd | WD 750gb hdd | two 300gb hdd | Maxtor 200gb hdd | Ark rackmount case | CentOS 5.5
Steam name = "krj15489" alias = Jordan-k
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:02 |
Link to this message
|
I use the motherboard on the left of that list, the X38-DS4. It's excellent, and cost me £120 from tekheads.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:04 |
Link to this message
|
Thank you I have taken a look at both motherboards and they look nice. I was told to stay away from 780i because of driver issues? An avid user also has the Asus Striker not to sure if that one is any good either.
In relation to memory I will be using the most powerfull the motherboard can handle. I might also try overlocking but never done it but have heard its pretty straight forward from the forums.
Thanks again.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:08 |
Link to this message
|
I'd avoid the Striker, again on the basis that it's an nvidia chipset board, which have compatibility issues all over the place and haven't proven as reliable as Intel chipset boards like the X38-DS4 or the Asus Maximus series.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:11 |
Link to this message
|
I also forgot any suggestions on the rest of the set up feel free to add..
Case
Hard-Drive
Graphics Card (will be using 9800GX2)
Sound Card
Power Supply
RAM (8gb of the fastest DDR2)
Mother Board
Processor (Q9450 quad)
OS (XP 64 or Vista 64)
Fan
I was looking at hard drives and noticed these HD drives on the forum not to sure what they are but if they are needed please advice? P.S. I will proparly need 2 x 500GB drives.
Many many thanks again.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:45 |
Link to this message
|
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 1. June 2008 @ 10:50
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:53 |
Link to this message
|
WOW That was quick. I will be recommending this forum to my friends. Sorry I thought HD was an acronym maybe for High Definition (utilising more space). I am afraid SLI is not worth it in FSX at the moment. Set up looks nice :-)
Thank you sir.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:57 |
Link to this message
|
You're welcome.
If SLI's not worth it for FSX you may as well save your money for now and get one of these, as if SLI doesn't work, then neither will the 9800GX2, if you see what I mean.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119
When another solo card comes out that significantly bests this, such as the GTX280, then with the money saved you could consider upgrading, if it's necessary - depending on the resolution you use, an 8800GTS might be plenty sufficient for FSX.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 10:57 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 11:00 |
Link to this message
|
They're supposed to be pretty good, but unlike the Gigabyte boards I don't have first hand experience to say how good they are. Further to what I mentioned about HD, with the 'drive' suffix, it'll mean hard disk. HD is used quite a lot for various things in the PC industry, usually meaning High Definition, but for drives, as far as I'm aware, there is only one meaning of the acronym. Hope that clears it up. ;-)
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 11:01 |
Link to this message
|
Sorry I am getting mixed up, I was meant to say SLI is worth it but having 2 x SLI is not worth it (ie having 2 x 9800GX2)
In most FSX reviews a quad (and i like the q9450 for its price and power) and a 9800GX2 was the only set up which ran in max resolution which hosting an online session with high frames.
Now I am at the stage of completing the rest of my set up including the motherboard, and the rest.
Thank you again.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 11:07 |
Link to this message
|
Ah right, makes sense. I should get into flight sims again, I played a bit of Flight Unlimited 2 eons ago, but haven't really bothered since - the simulator that superceded FU2 was ProPilot, and the graphics on it were really poor. I tend to use ATI Radeon graphics cards for the graphical features they offer in other games, but for some reason in FSX they really underperform... Plus I'd need to get a joystick as well, haven't had one of those since they used a gameport... :)
Anyway, more on topic, what screen resolution will you be playing at?
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 11:18 |
Link to this message
|
Yeah you should get back into it. FSX is a massive step, including the option of going online is a great benefit. If you are looking for a joystick i recommend x52 pro by saitek. Not to sure about the resolution. I will be swapping my output between an 18inch LCD and a 32inch LCD depending on what i am doing. However during FSX I will be using both screens, 32 inch for inside cockpit view and general other views, and 18inch to control Air Traffic Control, and pilots around my aerodrome.
Thanks again.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 11:23 |
Link to this message
|
So it's a High def TV, not a PC monitor? Probably 1366x768 then, which should be no trouble for a lower end video card. if you want the game to run super smoothly even at maximum texture settings though, especially with two monitors, no harm in getting the 9800GX2 if you can afford it.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
1. June 2008 @ 18:29 |
Link to this message
|
Hi all sorry in the delay i have been surfing the net looking at all the motherboards advised. I think i have narrowed the asus down to asus maximus formula or asus rampage formula. The rampage formula having additional stuff probably makes it the better card. I also came across 2 gigabyte motherboards. GA X48 DQ6 and GA X48 DS4. I am also guessing again here as i am not an expert on mobos but the DQ6 is better as its newer and more expensive. Any advice on the above would be much appreciated. Or recommendation. I also noticed a motherboard called the p45 is meant to be good but not out yet. Also (sorry about me blagging) but when the GTX280 comes out will it be powerfull than the 9800gx2 and will it be compatible with one of the above motherboards. Many many thanks again.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
1. June 2008 @ 20:22 |
Link to this message
|
|
Unlike a lot of people here, I'm not a fan of wasting loads of money on buying an unnecessarily expensive motherboard. I use the X38-DS4 and there's very little it can't do, save squeezing the last few mhz out of a CPU.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 08:03 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
Senior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 08:48 |
Link to this message
|
just stick with the Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6. P45 wont be any better than x48 so there is no reason to wait. asus products have been crap lately so i would stay away from that company in general. i dont really know much about the dfi but i have heard that they are nice. but anyway just get the gigabyte board. if you plan on upgrading to the gtx 280 make sure you get a good power supply. it is supposed to be really power hungry. TDP 250 or somewhere around that.
GAMING COMPUTER - Intel q9550 @ 3.4ghz | EVGA GTX 260 core 216 | Gigabyte ds3l | 6gb Gskill DDR2 800 ram | Silverstone 700 watt psu | WD 640gb hdd | Seagate 300gb hdd | LG dvd burner | Samsung dvd burner | Antec p182 case | logitech 2.1 speakers | logitech g11 keyboard | Samsung 25.5in 1900x1200 monitor | 19in 1440x900 secondary monitor | Windows 7 64bit | SERVER - Gigabyte 785g motherboard | AMD Phenom 9650 | 6gb ram | three 1.5tb hdd | Seagate 1tb hdd | WD 750gb hdd | two 300gb hdd | Maxtor 200gb hdd | Ark rackmount case | CentOS 5.5
Steam name = "krj15489" alias = Jordan-k
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 09:14 |
Link to this message
|
krj15489 why do you think ASUS have been crap lately? From what I have read they are more reliable than Gigabyte and also Gigabyte seem to be having a lot of driver issues?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
2. June 2008 @ 10:30 |
Link to this message
|
I've not heard of any reliability problems with Gigabyte, I certainly haven't had any, and I recommend gigabyte boards to practically everyone who asks for a PC build around here and haven't heard of many issues. In contrast I've had three out of three dodgy Asus boards. yes, they were cheaper, but they were the same price as the dozens of gigabytes that are still soldiering on. Also, driver issues? Again not heard of any.
I don't think Asus as a whole are crap, but they do make a lot of products that are a little ill-researched.
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 11:16 |
Link to this message
|
Thanks sammorris again on your advice you have been very helpfull. I think in that case its either going to be one of the Gigabytes then by whats been said maybe the DQ6 or the DFI Lanparty UT X48-T2R. Incidentally can you take a look at the big heat sink thats sticking out of the back of the DFI? DO you think I would need to buy a special Case/Tower and would you recommend that?
P.S. I noticed in another thread where I posted the Q9450 for £200 here is the link, I thought it would have been £200 considering it was £180 without VAT, but with VAT and postage it is £220: http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(37257)Inte...ore-266GHz.aspx
|
Senior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 11:24 |
Link to this message
|
|
it looks like the heatsink would go outside the case through the i/o panel. you should not need a special case for that board.
GAMING COMPUTER - Intel q9550 @ 3.4ghz | EVGA GTX 260 core 216 | Gigabyte ds3l | 6gb Gskill DDR2 800 ram | Silverstone 700 watt psu | WD 640gb hdd | Seagate 300gb hdd | LG dvd burner | Samsung dvd burner | Antec p182 case | logitech 2.1 speakers | logitech g11 keyboard | Samsung 25.5in 1900x1200 monitor | 19in 1440x900 secondary monitor | Windows 7 64bit | SERVER - Gigabyte 785g motherboard | AMD Phenom 9650 | 6gb ram | three 1.5tb hdd | Seagate 1tb hdd | WD 750gb hdd | two 300gb hdd | Maxtor 200gb hdd | Ark rackmount case | CentOS 5.5
Steam name = "krj15489" alias = Jordan-k
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
2. June 2008 @ 11:25 |
Link to this message
|
Seems a similar price to everywhere else - plus it's from MicroDirect, who have pretty shoddy customer service.
As for DFI boards, I'd place them in the 'hardcore enthusiast' label, not the 'LAN gamer' label they choose for themselves - the boards are solid, but give you millions of features that usually shouldn't be touched, and are very finicky about a lot of things. Overall Asus and Gigabyte boards are easier to get working, and get working right.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
FSX
Junior Member
|
2. June 2008 @ 12:06 |
Link to this message
|
Yeah I am beginning to think now its down between the Rampage and the DFI. Its just gone 5pm here and am hoping to make a decision by 5.45pm so I can buy before 6pm. Buf if I am not 100% certain I will wait and think about it tomorrow as I am off work tomorrow all day. I dont want to jump into any wrong decisions and regret it. I know I am taking a risk with the DDR2 but I just think its so cheap right now what I could get for 8GB of DDR2 I would struggle to get of 2GB of good DDR3. But I dont want to go down the avenue of arguing over what type of DDR to use as it would mean I would need to completely reconsider the motherboard again.
In relation to MicroDirect I have never bought anything from there before so thanks for the "heads up". Might just get it from Amazon for an extra £20: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN...cs-21/ref=nosim
We'll Im going to look into the Rampage and this DFI a little bit closer and see which one is better. I am willing to learn if the DFI is more complex. I am not completely computer illiterate and I am avery fast learner.
|
