Hi guys.,Does Norton AV affect performance in FS9 that much?I run the whole shabbam Norton Firewall, internet security, the lot.Should i disable or disable completely from BOOT-UP?I get around 20FPS landing at LAX with 34% AI, active sky running, and medium-high scenery, but some stuttering when intercepting the localizer and glideslope (ok on final approach)Also thought i would add that i THINK i get better performance flying on-line than off (as somebody else mentioned tonight)., interesting if that is the case.FS9 is a real challenge for a non-techie such as myself, but learning all the time!Thought i might run this by the pros on this forumCheersDan :-beerchug

General advice - your own experimentation should be the final arbiter. I have seen here folks describe so many tweaks and how they affect their own FS9 experience and almost every time I was totally amazed how often it had opposite (or none) effect on my system. Different systems react differently to different settings therefore you should never take whatever you read here at face value. Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2

"...therefore you should never take whatever you read here at face value."WOW!!!Greg

Michael,I couldn't help but notice that you are using the same board and processor that I am about to install. I recently posted a message about my upcoming upgrade. Basicly, how do you like it? Has it worked well with you? Also, did your board need a bios update before it would see your AMD chip?RegardsLarry JIndio, CA

Hi Dan,I'm running a similar rig to you other than the very smart (jealous) graphics card you have (mines a lowly, but trusty G4 Ti4200). Have to say that I run the works too including the Internet Security Pro version.Personally I don't notice any difference, on or not, but that's just my system. I've tried all kinds of permutations, to no avail. This subject has been covered in quite some depth before in this forum, could be worth a search. It was only recent.RegardsEd:-outta

Hi ED.,Thought i would treat myself to a new card after 4 years:-) Actually i ran a test tonight (SFO 20fps at default), then with Norton and anti-virus disabled and also with Norton and anti-virus removed from start-up, and found no difference at all, either.I might do the same test again if i am on-line (i.e AS2004.5) to see if there is a difference in that scenario.All the best.,Dan :-beerchug

Larry,I like it a lot. My PC came professionaly assembled with BIOS, etc. but I had to update BIOS to Ver. 15 to get rid off this CPU temperature (plenty about ths problem on Abit 939 forum) issue. I also installed another heat sink. People still complain about the CPU temp. after the new bios (I think this problem also existed for Asus board) but for me it is OK now. But I haven't done any overclocking yet.Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2

Hi Dan,Seems it's entirely subjective to the individuals PC setup. I've seen posts where users show 5fps less and more wiht Norton and others as us ! Guess we're one of the lucky ones then.I realise I might go a bit off topic here, but how do you find the beast of a graphics card you've got there ?I've got the money now for my wifes xmas pressie and some left over for me !! Been considering switching to ATI - they seem to be producing some good cards these days, but I'm hesitant having always been with Nvidia cards with no probs. What d'ya think ? Is it relatively easy to swap, I know the basics to swapping the cards obviously, but what about clearing out reg entries etc ?. I heard it might cause some conflicts...?Thanks in advance...Best RegardsEddy:-wave

Hello Eddy.,Quite right, my test is unique to my system... no more, no less.Even so, always interesting to see how others make out! Regarding the X800 graphic card.I was running a 2.2ghz system with 512 ddr memory but a very low end video card (it didnt even make it into Toms hardware forum!). So i am not suprisingly seeing a marked improvement. FPS around 60 flying under normal conditions (i.e scenery settings high but little AI traffic and no add-ons). Superb, and very nice picture might i add.Now if i enter a flight plan (on runway at SFO flying to LAX) then i go down to 30 FPSish. However, this is running AS2004.5, radar contact, FDC and ultimate traffic (around 30% traffic). With mid to high graphics settings, all these add-ons and traffic at around 80 to 100% i get down to 20FPS. Landing in LAX under these conditions can cause some stuttering (but flyable), although obviously turning down AI helps.All in all i am very happy with the card, but am still playing around with my settings under complex conditions. Obviously the faster P4 3.2 processor helps. So, if you are flying under complex scenarios this MAY not be the fastest card, but it IS good, even if not particularly cheap. I would advise if you do consider buying a new card i would run it by the more knowledgable people on this hardware forum first.Hope this helpsAll the bestDan :-beerchug

Hi Dan,Thanks for the upfront version. Well appreciated. My Ti4200 does surprisingly well considering but the temptation to change is too great I feel. I know looking at Toms site there will be a reasonable increase and it should do me a year or so....LOL.Now.... the decision - ATI ot Nvidia heheHappy FlyinEddy:-abduct