Are these self build machines or built/pre-installed?If they are self build then I'm not sure what people are doing. I'm still running on my PIV 2.8, 1G RAM, Radeon 9800Pro at 1600x1200 and regularly get over 30fps (up to the high 70s if I unlock frames) Don't need AA at that resolution but can put x2 on in the video tab without dropping.If this is a pre-built machine then check all the other things manufacturers like to put on there - I'd personally wipe the system and install it the way I wanted.

Agree! Rgds Jaap

Hey everyone, Magic Man, This was a custom built system from scratch, so there is nothing there other than the OS. I have tried every tweak possible and I am beginning to think my bottle neck is my MB. It only has a 400mhz FSB. That's like putting a turbo charged V8 engine that should be in a light race car, and placing it in a 747. I could be wrong, but something is not allowing the system to unleash its power. EX: If I try to fly the Dreamfleet A36, the performance and stuttering is really bad. My old rig ran that plane with little or no issues depending on the airport. How can this be? What does anyone out there think? Also, my video card is not bad, but being forced to use 4X AA is not working for me. I got so used to 8X on my old rig using the 71.89 drivers. Not to mention, the sim ran smoother over all. That is driving me nuts! I spoke to Nvidia yesterday and put a tech support claim in, so I am waiting to hear back. I am so bummed out. I got this system to finally be able to enjoy, and get the most out of FS9, and all I've been doing is experimenting with no avail and can't enjoy one minute of it. Where did I go wrong? Thanks everyone for your effort to help me.

Jeff,The A8N5X has DDR400 not an FSB of 400. The mobo supports the full HT of the 4400+ at 2000. So, no this is not your problem.I tend to agree that the 6800GS may be your limiting factor since you have your sliders set higher. However, there is good news. You can unlock the additional pipelines and vertex shaders on the 6800GS. I did this with the base 6800 when they first came out and saw much better performance.Here's one link at AnandTech (great hardware site):http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.as...hreadid=1500237Also, Google "6800GS pipeline unlock" and you'll get lots of info. Be sure to read as much of the info you can. Depending on the manufacturer of your card, you may or may not have to do some incremental testing. Also, you should be able to overclock the GPU without any ill effects (as long as you don't overheat it).I think you can get great performance from your system once you unlock and possible overclock the 6800GS.Also, just to make sure...you did install memory that was PC3200 or higher correct?Hope this helps,SteveEDIT: DOH, I'm brain-dead today! The unlock most likely only works with the AGP version. You can give it a try with the PCI-E version but it will probably be a no-go. Still, if that doesn't work try overclocking.Also, I meant to say that I agree that the onboard sound would contribute to the problem as well.

Hey Steve, Thanks for the link. Yep, I found out the info given to me by the shop was incorrect about the FSB. The tech I am working with now is a gaming guru so to speak. At least that's what they call him in the shop. He told me the same as you. OK, now I feel like an idiot. The black screen problem I was mentioning with the new system, I also had with the old system with newer drivers. I had the black screen in the create a flight menu, and in the game once loaded, so I could not use 8X AA unless I used 71.89 and below drivers. I just tried for kicks....the create a flight screen was indeed blacked out with AA set to 8X, but in the game it worked! I have to test it again, but man do I feel stupid. I need advice now for my video card as there is nothing else to make things better performance wise. Is the 7900GT alot better than my 6800GS? They are both 256 cards, or should I go for the flagship 7900GTX 512 card? I have to sell my 6800GS, 5950XT, and ATI 9600SE. The 5950XT and the 9600SE are collecting dust and the 6800GS will be soon. At least I can get some of my money back to make up for the $600.00 card if that's what you guys suggest. I am getting close. Also from reading, other forums also, FS9 is not geared for dual core or the newer video cards. So I think FSX will run better over all with this system if MS has made improvements here. I hope they did.

Hi Jeff, you'll only notice a difference at a given resolution (we still don't know). I asked you to post your system, software and 'anything you think is important' details. :-) If it remains a guessing game, I fear hardly anybody will join... You have to more systematic in your approach. Sorry if I'm so abrupt, gotta go to bed... :-) Good luck and kind regards Jaap

Good morning Jaap, I will post my specs. I should have listed them all in one post instead of spreading them through this thread, sorry. OK, here ya go:Asus A8N5X socket 939 MB /AMD 64 4400x2 dual core /2 gigs dual channel pc3200 ddr400 ram / WinXP Home / XFX Nvidia 6800GS pci express video card /Turtle Beach Catalina Audio pci card ( AC97 onboard is disabled) /Antec 550 file server case with 500watt pwr supply / CH Products USB yoke and peds / Hitachi superscan813 22" monitor / Software is only OS and FS9 w/add-ons (Alot more to yet be installed) I hope this helps.

Jeff,Your system is very similar to mine. I have the x2 3800. The problem i was seeing was related to weird ground textures either not being found or not displaying properly, especially the water. After reading your thread, i looked around and found the MS dual-core patch for XP and the AMD x2 drivers. I installed both and did the registry hack for the MS patch (hotfix). My performance has improved dramatically! My water textures are now normal, and the sim is very smooth with 4xAA and 4xAF and 80% traffic.If you haven't installed the AMD x2 drivers and the MS hotfix, i recommend that you do that.You can get the AMD x2 drivers here:http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/Techni...1_13118,00.htmlInfo and links for the MS hotfix can be found in this thread on AnandTech's forum:http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.as...4&enterthread=yLet me know if you have any questions.Regards,john

Well, I have been using the Tweaksrus latest beta drivers. I have the sim FPS locked at 26 and it is working much better now. I just ordered the Nvidia 7900GTX. My computer supplier is taking my 6800GS card back, so I am putting out the difference. This is the only thing I hope that will put things over the top. My main problem when I got this system is, I have been on Win2000pro and knew that system like the back of my hand. The entire picture changed when I went to the dual core with WinXP Home. Tweaks that work on 2000 do effect things differently than on XP. Then put dual core into the mix. FS9 is not optimized for dual core ,or graphics cards over all from all the forum reading I have done. I am still hoping that FSX will unleash these elements. I am still puzzled as to why certain things ran smoother on my old AMD2800xp barton rig with the 6800GT AGP card? I think it's the dual core issue along with the video card. That's why I figure, go for the fastest card available. At least I can be more geared up for the release of FSX. I just pray this card will be DirectX10 compatible. I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for your assistance trying to get my system up to par. Again, I have learned alot in the past week. With FS9, I think there will be more limitations to deal with, and a miracle is very doubtful. I can however highly recommend the drivers I am using. Also, I noticed I forgot to up my Multi bandwidth #'s from the default of 40. I usually have it set to 140. I notice the same load times of textures and alot less stuttering. Go figure. I will post my results when I get the new card in. I have a couple of days to wait yet, as the 7900GTX can't be purchased at any store front I could find. Have a good day everyone.

>I just pray this card will be DirectX10 compatible.No DX10 cards exist at this point in time, retail or known beta. DX10 will be a rigid standard, so if your card doesn't support DX10, you will not be able to use any DX10 features. (Sadly, your 7900GTX is not DX10 compliant)That being said, Windows Vista will ship with BOTH DX9c and DX10, so any DX9-capable cards will of course work just fine in Vista (just not with the DX10-level shaders and such). It is also worth noting that all the in-game footage we've seen of FSX has been filmed/snapped from DirectX 9 based systems.(Only one shot has been shown using a DX10 software renderer, and even that one has come under scrutany for possibly being a mock up) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!-Greg