I am considering upgrading to a newer computer. Currently I have a Dell Dimension 4600C. It has a 2.8 GHZ Pentium 4 WITHOUT hyperthreading and 533 FSB. I have 1 GB of SDRAM memory and a 73GB 10000 RPM SATA HD. I use it primary for browsing on the web and Flight simulator.My question is would I notice a noticeable performance increase in FS if I would to upgrade to a machine with the following:1.)a faster processor (3.0 or 3.2) with HT technology 2.)a video card like a NVIDIA 7900 series video card3.)faster RAM4.)Faster front side busI appreciate any and all advice you all might have.Mike

Its pretty pointless to upgrade now, because you won't see much improvement. In about 6 months the DirectX10 cards should be available. Save your money for that and preferably a dual core CPU.

What kind of graphics card do you have now?

I have to jump in because I just upgraded and let me tell you, IT WAS WORTH IT NOW.I just put together a system within the last month for RELATIVELY inexpensive:1. CPU - Intel Dual Core 64 Bit Processor - Pentium D 2.6GHZ - $130 - Runs at 3.85GHZ at room temperature 24 hours a day with Corsiar Nautilus 500 water cooler - $150. READ THIS ARTICLE: http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/10/dual_41_ghz_cores/2. ABIT AW8D Motherboard - $200 - Intel i975X chipset3. 550Watt Power Supply/Case - $1004. 2GB - Mushkin 4 4 3 8 DDR2 Memory - $3005. XFX nVidia GeForce 7900GT 256MB - NEWEST video card with VIVO - $300 - Faster than 7800 GTX and ALREADY overclocked when you get it and will go even more with Auto Overclocking.6. Creative X-Fi Audigy Platinum - $175 - will allow 128 voices over the Audigy ZS 2 which was only 647. 3 - 300GB Seagate SATA 7200RPM Drives - $95/each8. Logitech 5.1 Z5500 Digital Speakers - $230 I still have my 2 3.0GHZ P4 systems which I use for Development/File Server but this system is INCREDIBLE. I can run GAMES at FULL RESOLUTION with ALL DETAILS maxed and it doesn't skip a beat. Video/Photo Production is a dream. Flight Sim is fluid and GT Legends is OUTSTANDING. HERE's the thing, my system is running FASTER than the fastest Intel CPU you can buy right now off the shelf which costs $1,000 for the processor alone and the benchmarks/real life show it off. EVERYONE will have to buy a NEW DX 10 card when they're available so the one I have now will last at least a year until cost effective DX10 cards are available. I also have a system that is conroe ready in over a year when it's ready and I feel like upgrading. In the meantime I can do all my work & pleasure with ease as well as enjoy FSX when it is available.Carmine http://forums.avsim.net/images/wave.gifhttp://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7118/phoenixtp8mg.jpg

I have to agree with Carmine...There is no real "Good Time" to build a computer...There is Alway's gonna be something on the horizon...Just the way it is...My mom had a 4600...Trying to economically bump up a bit from that makes perfect sense to me...Provided you have thought through it and understand you may want to build a nicer system later as FSX and Vista matures...I've expierenced FS on her 4600...(I built her a 3700+ system shortly there after..he he)FYI:Intel is slated to release there new Core2 Duo Processors July 23rd...Rumor has it...AMD will be slashing allot of their mainstream socket 939/AM2 processor prices(30 to 50%) July 24th...Well see then if this is true...http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2800I just thought that may be interesting if per chance you would consider building an AMD system..Better Performance "Bang for Buck" in my opinion...$110 for a Athlon64 3500+ processor sounds pretty schweet to me!! I'm an AMD Fan...But I will conceed...I'm keeping my eye on this new Intel stuff(Never thought I'd say that!!)...If your a Die Hard Intel Guy...The Core2 Duo..Intels new performance line would be the way to go IMHO...Prices are suppose to be really affordable(hence the AMD price slash to compete)...I hear they are Really Strong Overclockers also...You may wish to study up a bit on Core2 Duo(aka: Conroe: obsolete name)...Watch the July 23rd time frame for this stuff to show up...Good Luck...

Hello, Mike. I posted this in the FS-X Forums a few days ago:Here's the system information I'm targetting:CPU: 1x Dual-core AMD (64) or Intel (Core) CPU.-- FS is extremely CPU-intensive. Unlike most games a good dual-core CPU will assist greatly. Especially with the game utalizing multi-threading.Mem: 3GB DDR2 RAM-- 2GB is the min currently for optimal gaming experience. 3GB is a precaution to allow you 1 year of time with this computerMotherboard: NVIDIA nForce 4 or 5 with SLI. For AMD make sure you buy the AM2 models. DFI-Lan Party or ASUS brands recomended for quality of componentions and support.-- You want that integrated 1 Giga-bit ethernet and the nForce's SLI ability. Nothing makes you love FS more than a panarama driven by 2 videocards (on 3 displays).Video Cards: NVIDIA (unknown). Wait for DX10 compatibility.-- Buy one just behind the bleeding edge (See 7800 GTX for $500 and pick up the 7800 GT for $350. You win). Purchase your second card in 6 months.HD: SEAGATE 300 GB Min or Greater. SATA1 or SATA2-- Your PSS, CLS, PMDG, Reality-XP, Wilco and FS-Nav add-ons eat up space. Don't be afraid to wait for a Fry's sale and pick up the 500 GB Seagate monster for $205. Hd speed means little for someone running 4-hour flights. Seagate is currently the most reliable company around for MTBF. You wouldn't skimp on your instruments, why here?OS: Windows Vista Home Premium (minimum) / Ultimate (max)-- You want DX10? You want the best effects? You want the speed increase? Be ready to shell out another $300-$500 for Vista... or purchase it along with your system.Extras: Creative Labs X-Fi Sound Card-- Best hardware acceleration on the market combined with the worst drivers released. Creative will have to work hard to maintain their Green vendor rating when Vista releases. Updated every 120 days? Required now. 64-hardware accelerated 3d sound channels means you can hear all four of your 744 engines spool while the rcyc fan clicks merrily above you.Anyways, that's my current recomendation for a 2006-October 2007 system.