My present P4 rig (see sig) runs FS2004 pretty well, but as those of you who run complex addons, maxed sliders and in particular multi-monitor would know, there is always room for improvement.I am presently building a computer for my parents, down at the back for buck end of the performance spectrum, and have all but decided on an AthlonXP 2500+ setup. Word has it that most Barton 2500+s readily overclock to 3200+ speed which, if I can achieve this, temps me to swap out the guts of my computer with theirs and enjoy the 3200+ speed myself. Of course, I would make the exchange equitable for them.Question is, is it worth the effort? How would my P4 @ 2.7GHz on a 150MHz bus (memory @ 400MHz, despite only being PC2700) compare to an AthlonXP @ 2.2GHz core, 200MHz bus and double DDR 400 in terms of FS2004 grunt?Gary

I honestly don't think you'll see much of a difference there... Now if you moved over to an Athlon 64 3200+, then yeah I think you'd see an improvment.

I thought as much. I did tinker with the idea of an A64, particularly given the FS2004 way thumbs up I've seen in these forums, but both the current high cost (even at the low end) and imminent move to socket 939 puts me off. Maybe next year.I purchased the AthlonXP parts today, and the CPU easily overclocks to 3200+ with the stock cooler. Curiousity will get the better of me I'm sure, and I'll put the two systems head to head in FS2004. I'll report back if there is any measurable difference between the two at the same settings.Gary