Here is the deal in short... I have an older 1 yr old PC which was built by a friend. It has an Asus P4S8X-MX socket 478 mobo, 512MB ram, a 2.48Ghz celeron CPU (no hyper-threading support), a ATI-9200 128MB GPU (junk lol).The goal is to force this box to run FSX at a reasonable pace. I hope I can meet this goal but I am a bit concerned. I know I will not get close to maxing out the settings but somewhere around 1/2 would be nice (I hope). If a new GPU will only get me around 1/3 max speed then it is not worth the effort to upgrade.The questions for the group...1. Which AGP curently on the market seems to be the best performer for SFX and FS2004? Note: I checked with the manufacturers and they all say all the current GPU's are compatable running AGP-8X with my PC mobo at +1.5 volt specs. If not I will return the GPU and end the whole thing with this PC right there!2. I am finding a few good CPU's on E-bay and may upgrade it as well depending on what I hear about the video card. THe CPU I want seems to be going for around $1000.00 used with no warranty. BUMMER!3. memory and sata raid drives are other items I am waiting first to hear about the vedeo card before I decide to upgrade them. My thoughts are to go to a raid config with two drives to increase thransfer speed.Bottom line is if the video card will not perform extreamly well it is time to give the box to the kids and go for the new gateway overclocked system for $4000.00 + I got quoted today. Nice system, quad processor clocked to 3.47Ghz with 10K raid drives and two GPU's linked togather. I sure hate to spend that much on a PC right now but with vista and FSX I may have to if I want to max out the controls.Tell me what I can expect on AGP video cards so I can make a decent decision to limp along or move on to the faster platform.Why do I feel like FSX is a love / hate situation? Why, Why, Why? Anyway I know I have company on this issue LOL. Monty

I think upgrading that PC for FSX is a lost cause.A GPU upgrade will do little to nothing with that wimpy Celeron running in there, and 512MB of RAM isn't gonna hack it either. $1000 will buy you a brand new warrantied X6800 Core 2 Extreme CPU...no way I'd spend that sort of money on a (much) lesser used CPU.OTOH, the Gateway system you're discussing doesn't look like the best choice for FSX either. A quad-core CPU is not going to improve things over a dual core, and right now the duallies can outrun the quads in clock speed. Dual GPUs also do nothing for FS...a single 8800 GPU is a much better choice than dual 7950s in SLI. And a RAID array really only helps when high bandwidth is needed...the improved seek time in a 10K HDD is significant though.RegardsBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VSantiago de Chile

If you have the ability to do it, try to build your system yourself. Sites like newegg.com have parts for very cheap

I have the ability to build any system, I am not well versed on the components and how they interact with the software like FSX. This meaning why one component or implementation is better than another component type or implemtntation teechnique. For example why a raid option would not be the better option than non raid, or why I should use dual core vs quad core or higher (when it is available.) Why or why not to overclock other than warranty considerations and stability issues which can both be solved. The list just goes on and on... I believe this is a limitation that each of us have in one form or another.The part I am missing is the ability to distinguish which components will deliver valued benefit and to what extent, specific to what I desire to accomplish. I need to consider more than just FSX if I get a new system and spend the money I anticipate to spend on such. A new system should be able to carry me well into the next few years with only minor modifications and take advantage of new features of tomorrows software in many functional areas of use.If I am looking at $4500 to $5500 on a new system to keep me running for 4 to 5 or 6 years out vs $1500 to keep me running with a modified system for the next 2 years then I would spend the $1500. If it is going to take more than $1500.00 to keep me going for only the next two years then I would likely go for the more expensive option. Right now all I see in the next couple of years is keeping FSX going, beyond that who knows what may be out there.As a short term option I would be happy if I can get FSX running well (decent frams rates) for multiuser, using mid slider selections and a few complex flight models.If I go for the long term option I would want FSX running maxed out on multiuser, incorporating the most complex flight models, taking full advantage of satelite ground imagery, and other CPU and data transfer instnsive options as they emerge.THIS IS THE PART THAT MAKES ME SICK...Unfortuantely when I go to buy a system I will meet a SALESPERSON who generally is uninterested in making sure I get what I need. Generally SALESPERSONS only want the highest dollar immediate sale and that is the only option they are concerned with. These people will mislead and do anything to get your credit card number. The only goal they have is my money period. If I knew where to find a person (local live certified person) who would do the system specs for a reasonable price, do an outstanding job, and be unattached to the sales process then I would be willing to pay for that service as long as I don't get hijacked on the price.Did I explain my self well? If not then please ask and I will attempt to provide better detail.Thanks for that last two responses they were and still are appreciated. Monty

>I have the ability to build any system, I am not well versed>on the components and how they interact with the software like>FSX.>>Did I explain my self well? If not then please ask and I will>attempt to provide better detail.>To better explain my hopes I wanted to add this.There are several types of video cards presently on the market. For example a couple of these cards are built on NVIDIA and ATI specs.Now within those cards (and any others not mentioned) there are multiple card vendors who each have their own implementation of the cards. Some of the vendors would be Diamond, PNY, Crucial and amny more.With that info which currently available card(s) would you rate as best for a 512MB card implementation? Also which would you recommend for a higher than 512MB card (if they exist)?Please keep in mind I am looking for an AGP card which uses the +1.5 volt spec. All of the companies I have contacted have stated their cards use the +1.5 volt spec so you don't really need to even consider this. I will check and double check this before I order anything.If it is not to much trouble and you have time please tell me why you think a particular card would be best for FSX and also for FSX using the Satelite overlay for ground scenery. This overlay is available from one company and maybe more. I would like to get better ground detail as I fly.I will tackle the memory, power supply, CPU, and disk drive upgrades for my present computer in a later post. The $1000 CPU I previously mentioned is a 3.47GB P4 Extream with Hyper-Threading. This is not the only CPU available and the others can be had for considerably less money which seems to be a wiser choice for a temporary upgrade and would allow me to purchase components to use later when I purchase a new high end, top of the line, system.For your info (you deserve to know), I would just go out and buy a new computer however I just purchased a large screen plasma TV (very expensive) eating well into my current budget. This is why I do not want to go run right out and buy a new PC immediately.Monty Howard (N9ZN)

This thread is over!I have found a reputable source of information on all my questions especially AGP cards and to my surprise the latest certainly is not the greatest on this front. This is info even the vendors would not provide when ask.I have also located numerous benchmarks for various hardware items directly related to flight simulation programs. This is a real gold mine of current information related to FS*.Now I have an excellent knowledge of the current components I will need to build up a screaming FSX box and provide for upgrades in the future so I can build it up to a top of the line mega box in steps. Much better for the budget.Now that I know all of this I may upgrade the older PC and launch a building project for a new PC at the same time. This has suddenly become affordable as a result of these finds.Thanks for the tips however they are appreciated.Monty