Hi,Perhaps someone can give me some advice. I currently use FS2004 (and some payware scenery) on my desktop (Pentium 4 3.20Ghz, 1Gb RAM, Radeon 9600) and struggle to get into double figure fps at times (sliders nearly to the right - 1280x1024x32). I thought about upgrading components but as I read more I seem to need more and more items. I though about a PCI-e graphics card, but then I need a motherboard upgrade. I may also need a more powerful PSU. Then I thought about a processor upgrade, or perhaps it should be SATA disks. I'm really confused and have come to the conclusion I should perhaps consider a brand new PC :(Would everyone agree I should bin the old PC because I cannot upgrade a single component without upgrading several others to 'balance' it or make it compatible.I'm seriously thinking of just investing

Hi Gav (welcome to the nuthouse called AVSIM)Hmm well you dont really "have" to upgrade, if willing to offer up some quality settings. CPUwise your fine as it will give 99% of your frames in fs anyway.1.You say your running at a 1280 resolution with a 9600 depending what version you have of it (and what monitor size?), you are stressing it. Have you tried running fs at 1024 resolution? that will increase your frames, and when playing a bit with the overall slider setting will with your current system give double digits.or2.Spending the extra pounds, will help and yes that will give double digits at 1280 (in most cases) See. GPU comparison here:http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=74&card2=382NOTE: what PSU you have now?As for memory, it would be better imo to have 2GB. Will definatly be good for FSX (if in your planning). A dedicated drive will also give you a performance gain.To sum it up, MY opinion. I think what you are planning is the right way to go (if option 1. is not to your liking). Do a small upgrade, and save most of your cash for after the release of FSX and the new hardware when the technology has somewhat matured.

Have had a look inside and the 9600 is a 256Mb model. I also looked at the PSU, looks capable of 450W and 20A on the 12v rail (is that the right way round).The GeForce 7800 will certainly help me out, but I can't help noticing the PCI-e cards are more powerful and cheaper. I'm quite happy to upgrade my motherboard, CPU, GPU and memory if it'll give me another 3 years out of the PC. I'd rather not replace disks until next year.Perhaps if I purchased a new motherboard, new dual core processor, an X1900 XT chipset based GPU and some more memory? My questions would be (a) could I use my existing 2x512Mb DDR DIMM, (:( would my existing IDE disks work on the board (I assume so if there are IDE controllers), © will my PSI cope and (d) will the motherboard physically fit my tower.Ahhhgggg!!!

"The GeForce 7800 will certainly help me out"True, however until now, the performancedifference between PCI-E and AGP 8x is minimal (highend cards),faster but still minimal."PCI-e cards are more powerful and cheaperPerformancewise not all that much different (highend cards). Its not so much they are cheaper, the AGP's are just getting harder to get."an X1900 XT chipset based GPU and some more memory"Yes, more memory is good, although right now 4GB is overkill.About your GPU read the next answer below."if it'll give me another 3 years out of the PC"Given the fact of FSX and DX10 hardware being released in the not to distant future, getting that 7800/x1900xt now, would mean another upgrade, if you decide to run it DX10, the 7800/x1900xt will run FSX in DX9 mode as they dont (and never will) support DX10."Would I use my existing 2x512Mb DDR DIMM"Yes if going with a 939 socket. And no for the AM2 and Conroe, both use DDR2."would my existing IDE disks work on the board "Should not be a problem."will my PSI cope and"I would step up to atleast a 500w to 600w PSU."will the motherboard physically fit my tower"If you dont have a case from Dell or any Pre-build system, in most cases it will. ATX or BTX check what case you have now.

Hi Gav, I wouldn't get the 7800 --> too expensive. You're right your 9600 is not adequate for 1280x. IMHO, a cheaper, very good alternative would be - although becoming rare - either a X800pro or X850pro. All in all and like Davis said, it depends a bit on your plans and timeframe you intend to upgrade. Unless your RAM consumption is very, very close to or over 1GB, I also wouldn't get another GB of RAM. Good luck and kind regards Jaap

Hi there, I just upgraded from a Nvidia 6800 agp card with 128 mb, I unlocked the four addtional pipes with the river tuner. The 7800 GS ist an amazing card, on my system ( amd 3800+) it really made a huge difference, in Seattle now at the runaway with 100 percent ai I run 26 fps instead of 15-16 before. Also the image quality improved amazingly, the colors are much more natural, no more bluries and a detailed world from 360000 feet. I got the card from compusa for 249. I run Active Sky, GE and the PMDG 747 and really only run in New york into problems, I believe it's memory related ( I just have one gig and ultimate Terrain it's a lot of it. ) soo you may as well wann try the 7800 gs, for me it worked great. Kurt