I have an AMD 1800+ system with 512m of PC2100(DDR266) memory. In preparation for FS2004, I am thinking of either upgrading to AMD2600+ or replacing the DDR266 with DDR333.Which is more effective?ThanksMichael TanCanberra

For FPS, go for the processor. Smootheness go for the RAM. I had 384 of PC2100, and 128 of that failed. So I treated myself to 1 gig of PC2700. With an XP1800, I could't be happier with the quickness of texture loading. I have it locked at 20FPS, which is suitable for me, and it stays there unless I hit some thick cumulus. I might see 15-17 coming into Simflyers LAX in the PIC767 or other payware aircraft.

If you have a Volkswagon Beetle or a Ferrari 550 and they are both stuck in traffic, which goes faster?Basically depending on the road and what restrictions there are dictates over all speed.Sure the Ferrari should beat the Beetle for speed but not being restricted by traffic.So the answer is get a fast clear road (Memory) and take advantage of it with a sport road hugging speed demon (Processor).Just make sure the brakes are smooth right before you hit that GeForce2 Wall! :-)

Hi Michael,replacing the RAM with PC2700 RAM will actually degrade your performance, as the CPU and RAM will no longer operate at the same FSB speed. (There are some recent tests on Tom's Harware regarding this). So, unless you're thinking of overclocking your CPU while minimizing the chances of frying your RAM, it will do nothing for you.Upgrading the CPU will leave you facing a similar problem - it runs at a faster FSB than your current PC2100 RAM. However, here you should see an improvement in performance (I assume your mobo supports 333MHz FSB). I don't know about computer prices in Australia, but here in Canada, RAM is quite cheap at the moment, while CPU prices are slowly dropping. So I would buy a 512MB chip of PC2700 RAM and run it in addition to your present RAM at 266MHz (there's no harm in underclocking hardware). Once FS2004 is out, you should be able to pick up even an XP3000+ quite cheaply (XP3200 runs at 400MHz, so in all likelihood you'd need a new motherboard for that one, so 3000 is the max).Just a suggestion,Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Thanks for all comments.Is Windows XP able to take advantage of 1G memory? I suppose I shouldn't run the DDR266 at 333mhz which is supported by my Epox mobo.I saw XP2600+ CPU at around AUD220...Cheers

Hi Michael,Yes, WinXP will take advantage of 1 Gig of Ram. That's what I have installed.As for running DDR266(2100) at 333(2700), it won't work. DDR memory is very resistant to overclocking.Cheers,JohnBoeing 727/737 Mechanic

Go for the CPU. I tested my PC2700 at DDR266 and DDR333 modes and I saw no frame rate improvement in FS2002 with DDR333 CAS 2.5 over DDR 266 CAS 2 mode, but then again at DDR333 mode the memory timings are slower. Also I don't think the FS2002 frame rate display is very reliable for displaying small increases in performance because it skips from 27.7 to 28.5 to 29.3 even when my aircraft is not moving and this makes it difficult to see how much my frame rate actually improved in DDR333 mode. What I'd like to know is if going dual channel for my P4 would actually be fast enough for the frame rate display to display a higher number?

Okay I downloaded a program called FS2002 Benchmark V2.2. This seems more accurate than the frame rate display in FS2002. I created my own flight and benchmarked it using this program.PC2100 mode (2-3-3-6) 29.75 fps Avg.PC2700 mode (2.5-3-3-7) 31.25 fps Avg.

As far as FS2004 goes I have no idea as it is not out yet. You'll just have to wait.

i would go for a 2500+ barton core and a 333FSB and DDR333, and a new mobo if yours doesnt support DDR333. if this sounds expensive, there is no way around it, this is the problem i had with my old computer, so i saved more money and built a new one.