I'm contemplating a new system build to replace my almost 4-year old 3 GHz P4 for (at least right now) primarily FS9 with some hope of successful ops under FSX as things develop further. I'd prefer to spend more up front to avoid needing to rebuild Rome again for another 3-4 years. The hassle of rebuilding is far more painful to me than spending an extra $K or so on cutting-edge components.Basic system config I have in mind is an Intel X6800 2.93Ghz Core 2 Duo Extreme overclocked to the mid 3 GHz range, with 2GB (possibly 4GB) of DDR2-1000 RAM, and a moderately overclocked eVGA 8800GTX vid card (768MB GDDR3 VRAM).Looking for some datapoints:1. Interested in how the higher-end C2D systems (E6600+) work with FS9. Goal is to push something like the PMDG 747 up into the 30-40 fps range with full AI, bad wx, and a complex airport add-on. What sort of performance do these systems realistically yield in FS9, and for that matter in FS-X?2. If anyone has experimented with 2GB versus 4GB of system RAM, with or without the /3GB boot.ini option, I'm interested in any performance changes in FS9 and also FSX.3. Interested in any experiences on a relatively powerful C2D system with FS9 and/or FSX running on WinXP x64 (64-bit) as opposed to the x86 (32-bit) version.Most of the discussions today are on performance as it relates only to FSX. I'd like to know what today's high-performance PCs can do to push trusty old FS9 along for a few more years.ThanksBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Hi Bob, please excuse me for missing your well worded questions. I'll let Davis go first. Nice FlyTendo, Davis. I didn't notice you upgraded. Happy? Cheers and kind regards Jaap

Bob,too bad these posts get moved to the hardware forum, less exposure, little responses. I've seen a few in the avsim forums that have that type of system, so hopefully bumping this will trigger some responses.I just ordered a similar system, went for the 6700 C2D instead, with an evga 680i SLI mobo for some good overclocking. A Geforce 8800GTX, Corsair 2GB DDR800 and 2 WD 10,000 Raptors (Raid0) will hopefully make my FS9 (yes, FS9) dreams come true ;-)Sorry I didn't have more to contribute to your questions.Cheers,Petehttp://members.aol.com/pzsoulman/myhomepage/logo.gifAMD64-3400,1GB/3200DDRAM,WinXP(SP2),DirectX9.0c,Geforce6800(128MB)(Det.84.21), CH Yoke/Pedals

Hi Pete; Well, we'll have a bit to talk about then. I'll be starting the build soon...X6800, eVGA 680i mobo, 2GB of Mushkin DDR2-1000, but went with a single 150GB Raptor and a 500GB (3Gb/s) Caviar to get a mix of speed and big storage. I had problems with RAID in a previous overclocking drill...use RAID 0 on my current slightly OCed system, but I want to push this one up more than just slightly. FS9 is also my target platform for now, with a gradual entrance into the FSX world as it develops.CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Hey Bob, read the other thread.Well right now i have it running well and stable at 3.8Ghz using the Res2 which is even capable of giving higher clocks, but need to tweak the bios even more and too tired now :(.. I get as expected great performance in FS9 locked at 50FPS i easily keep around that area even in the denser areas with my 7900gtx. Ill go through your points.1. With not going into very many technical details, it does give great overall performance for FS9 it does on my machine get to those numbers you want, fluxuating around 40/48 (locked at 50),i cant comment about FSX though tried it once but the box is shelved again. Just waiting on more add-ons.2.I went from 2 to 4GB with not using the ini edit, im seeing increases in less waiting for texture loading, but thats pretty much it.. overall speed increase ive had is from the x68.3.I have another x68 running on XP64, ran FS9 and X on it but didnt see any major improvement. Tried X on vista RC2 which to me did seem a bit more fluid, that was with still with a DX9 card though. Can't be bothered right now to buy the 8800. Too expensive and havent really seen benches that blew me away FS wise. I know that FS is mainly CPU bound, probally im still not in the mood getting a newly launched piece of PCB.. Ill wait till more options are out, then start tweaking that for FSX.So yeah, old 9 has alot of life left and this really does put more pepper up its @$$ so to speak. To me this has be a worthwile upgrade.@Jaap,Yeah VERY happy :)

Great thread, I

Davis;Thanks. FS9 at a stutter-free 40+ fps will keep me happy for quite some time. I've never messed with AI in FS due to performance issues...maybe this'll give me enough headroom to give something like Ultimate Traffic a whirl.What components are you cooling with the Res2? CPU...North/SouthBridge...GPU?? How hard was installing the water coolers?Have you experimented with assigning processor affinities to non-FS processes?@Hugo--which motherboard did you order?CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Yeah Bob, with some fine tuning you will get that from the x68. Currently i have the CPU and GPU hooked up on it. I might opt later to do the NB, but for now temps are ok.Installing, well depends if your handy or not i guess, you do need to take out the whole mobo to attach the CPU clip + backplate, but thats easy if you've done those kinds of things before and you aren't scared to digg into your computer.One other thing i had to do though, i got 3rd party ram heat sinks for the GPU since the waterblock (wich is as easy to install as switching to a 3rd party aircooler) doesn't cover the ram, but thats a small extra cost so thats fine.I have experimented a little bit, just a few tests with the affinity and did notice putting the load on CPU0 i got a little bit better performance, but i need to spend more time running a few more benchies to make that a definite statement that it matters alot or not. Again its a worthwhile upgrade and will only get better with tweaking ;)

Thanks Davis.No problem with digging into the PC, given that I'm building it myself in the first place. Will be watching the temps closely...here in Chile we don't have A/C in most houses, so the temp in the summer can hit the low 30s © inside in the afternoon. Only reservation on the water cooling is knowing that I have to move the whole shooting match back to the US in a year or two, and I find myself wondering how much a$$ pain will be involved in breaking it down for shipment.CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Hey Bob,Well, the unit itself is sturdy, so wouldn't pose a problem moving if i look at it. I don't really think the rest would be difficult either. The only big thing to remove is the CPU block, are you going to ship the whole case or really break everything down?

Davis;It'll ship with most of the stuff in the case, but the cooling unit would have to come off due to the hoses I'd guess.Speaking of hoses, how are they brought into the case?CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Hey Bob,The hoses enter from the back through one of the slots, it comes with a cover which the hoses pass through. If you leave everything in the case, just remove the CPU block, and i really don't see any issues moving it stateside.. :)

Thanks Davis.I have the mobo and (friggin GIGANTIC) Zalman 7700 fan in hand now...looks like a little Dremel action might be needed to get the fan to fit over the top of the large NorthBridge heatsink. It'll be interesting to see how it performs on relatively warm room air.Hopefully the DHL man will be darkening my door tomorrow with the rest.CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile

Hehe cool Bob,let me know how the setup runs after ;)

Tom Petty had it right!Everything is here...except the blasted case. I'm struggling mightily to keep from cannabalizing one of my other PCs to get this thing going...ArrrrghBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Santiago de Chile