This post is for those on the fence thinking of pumping up from 500 to 1 Gig of ram and those who will be searching this issue weeks/months from now. I couldn't believe the difference in performance with 1 gig vs 512. The latter wasn't bad, but the smoothness of the sim has doubled, unbelievably so. I'm talking smooth with the PMDG 737 in VC mode and taxiing on the ground. The difference is like day and night.I wasn't sure if it would be worth the bucks but WOW, it certainly was, at least in my case.May the wind be at your back.Ed Lin, D.O.S.Windows XPAsus P4P800 DeluxeIntel 2.8 ghz processor h/tSapphire/Radeon 9800 128mb1 Gig Kingston ramAudigy PlatinumCreative PC-DVD DrivePlaxtor PX-708A Recordable DVD DriveCH Products VP Pro Yoke LECH Products VP Pro Pedals

Yeah Ed, right on! If you run WinXP, 512MB isn't a great start for FS in full glory and specially, at higher resolutions. Please allow me to add to your words: A couple of people using 2x256MB 3200 RAM on dual channel Intel i875/865 boards (nForces too to an extent btw) and who built themselves, may not have an optimal RAM config. This is because the sold 256MB-3200 RAM usually are so called 'single-sided' modules. Before mentioned chips however, prefer two sides per channel. Hence, for folks using such a config, there's two ideal solutions: Either get another 2x256MB (single-sided) and go to 1GB in total. Or, get -whatever, 1 or 2GB- in the shape of two new sticks. 512MB and above usually are 'double-sided'. DIY simmers with 3200-256MB modules in da box, will most likely be in a 'sub-optimal' RAM condition. OEMs like Dell know about these disadvantages and will have shipped 2x256MB combos equipped with double-sided modules and nothing else. Case anybody is in the process of upgrading a DellTendo which came with 2x256MB, the best option is to go for 2 new 512MB modules. Sorry to say... Hmmm, nForce2 users aiming at 1GB could be keen to purchase old DellTendo 3200-256MB RAM?! Note: The FSB performance can halve if it's not right. Nevertheless, since the FSB isn't really the system's bottleneck, this will often go practically unnoticed. Furthermore, people with 'exotic' RAM-sizes such as 1.5GB or 768MB on a.m. Intel-chipped boards, are also most likely using a sub-optimal RAM-config. All in all, the differences are minor, however, a sub-optimal RAM config can account for a frame or two, hovering at 20fps (ca.5%). Hope this enlightens, cheers, good luck and kind regards everybody Jaap