I just got my new AMD 4800X2 wanted to post my findings and an initial quick review.I didn't expect a lot of improvement with FS9, because FS9 is not multi-threaded and therefore only uses one core, which is roughly the equivalent of an AMD 4000+. My fps are still in the same range as with my old AMD 3800+, around 35-50 fps with most sliders maxed, visibility 60nm, 4xAA, 8xAF, FSUIPC, Active Sky v6 with hi-def textures, Ground Environment Pro, My Traffic 2006 (90%), Flight1 Cessna 172R, TrackIR 3 and many, many more add-ons. However, I did notice that switching views (spot, cockpit, look to the sides) seem to happen a lot faster and almost instantaneously. My frame rates without add-ons and the the stock FS9 (0% traffic) are in the lower 100 fps range (previously around 70fps).What I also noticed is that Active Sky on the same computer runs as if there was no FS9 running. The weather updates are smoking fast and that alone was worth the purchase. This is were the dual core starts to shine. I expect a significant increase of performance in FSX.My setup: AMD 4800X2, Biostar TForce 6100-939, eVGA 7600GT, 2x512MB Corsair XPS DDR400 (matched), 160GB Seagate Barracuda SATAMy average RAM usage with FS9 is about 800MB.3D Mark 2005: 6066My CPU usage in FS9 is about 60% on Core1 and 20% on Core2, which indicates that I still have plenty of CPU power, but I must have hit the invisible CPU barrier in FS9 that you probably can't even beat with an FX62 (or soon the Conroe). Oh, and I can now watch a DVD, render a movie and browse the Internet at the same time without any noticable decrease in performance. Not really FAA approved, but it is a nice to have on those long flights. ;)Pat

Thank You soo much for the feedback...In another post you mentioned you had ordered the 4800x2...I wanted to say Awesome!! You got a $600 processor for half price...I think folks are going to like this Intel vs AMD processor war..he heHave Fun!!

Yea, people wrongly assume that the Core2 Duo will be the next best thing since sliced bread and I have to say that I was tempted myself to wait.However, the price/performance ratio of the Core2 Duo is not the best. If you already have a good 939 or AM2 system that it will cost you just about $300 to have a very nice high-end processor, compared to at least $600 for the Conroe ($300 CPU, $200 mainboard(!!), $100 memory). For twice the money I would expect at least a 20% increase in performance and the current benchmarks have shown that the 6600 is just about 5% faster than the 4800X2.Pat

Have you seen this?? I think someone here origionally posted it..Maybe even you?? I just bookmarked it from someone elses post...I find it pretty interesting...I use 1600x1200x32 resolution...So..per this benchmark..Core 2 Extreme is not really gonna buy me nothin!!http://simhq.com/_technology2/technology_090e.htmlNow that being said...I kinda take ALL reviews with a grain of salt..I very much prefer Real World FeedBack over a review anyday!!I'm sorta up in the air...Several months ago...Prior to my knowledge of Core 2 Duo...I had kinda made up my mind on the 4800x2...I just wanted to build a x2 system...At the time the FX-62 was top dollar and I just couldn't justify it...the 4800 just seemed like it was a better Bang for your Buck Deal...Kinda like the 4000+ vs the FX-57 in the single core arena...Yeah..There is a performance difference no doubt...But...Is it worth the money?? In the past I have felt 4000+ was THE Bang for your Buck single core processor Hands Down... Well..Times are a changing...I look forward to seeing how this all shakes out...I'm lovin the new AMD Price structure!! I think tons of folks will benifit from it...I havn't ruled out Core 2 Duo...I'm gonna sit back a bit and wait on some Real World info...Enjoy your 4800x2...It's Gotta be Sweet!!

Just ordered a 3800+ X2 for a shade over $150 bucks. My main expectation is that other apps will run my faster when FS is running in the foreground, and your experience with AS6 indicates that this is what I will achieve. At last I can build flight plans using FS Build without having to minimise FS first or shut down java-intense web pages because they make FS jerky. Will let y'all know how it pans out, especially how much this puppy will OC!Gary

Is the 4800 the fastest AMD chip slated for the 939?

The 4800x2 is the second tier processor for the 939 socket design...The Highest is actually the FX-60 processor(939)...AMD is discontinuing the 4800x2 and several other processors in their line-up which have a 1mb LvL2 Cache...As I understand it..LvL2 cache is not a necessary ingredient in AMD's processor design for performance...Intel relys on LvL2 cache with their design...Apparently LvL2 cache is also expensive...So AMD is only going to offer processors utilizing 512mb LvL2 cache with the exception of the Highest End (FX series) Processors...I don't actually claim to understand the technical/engineering behind the AMD design...I've personally always heard more LvL2 cache is better...However..I did read an artical about this from a reputable tech website that backed this up...They agreed that AMD Processors do not need the big LvL2 cache...Their onboard memory controller design is the key to their performance...Their thought's were AMD basically added 1mb of LvL2 cache more for marketing reasons than anything...Intels Design..Which relys/benifits from large LvL2 cach for it's performance has basically led us common folks to believe LvL2 cache is where it's at...Apparently that not necessarily so...I'm seriously thinking about running down to my local newegg competator and getting a 4800x2 also...The FX-60's just too expensive...The 4800x2 is just too good of a deal...As Pat has mentioned...I could just drop it into stuff I have laying around here for minimal expense...My shops website has a note stating this will be their last batch of 4800's...Since all my stuff is socket 939...I either need to decide to do it now or plan on allot more money later...So....My 4000+ just may get a facelift this afternoon..he he...I would like to join you all in the Dual Core world...I'm kinda thinkin' this may be a good way to get there...Edit:Deep down inside...I really don't want to buy an Intel Processor anyhow...I would rather keep on using my favorite saying..."I wouldn't have an Intel Processor as a paper weight"..I'm an AMD guy....I think I just got a little too cought up in the Core 2 Extreme whirlwind...I need to stick with my trusty AMD stuff...I'm headed over to Monarch Computer in a few minutes.. Have Fun!!

So are you saying that the 4800+'s will disappear from the market at some point?Rhett

i too would like a 4800 x2system isxp athlon 3000+ socket A1 gig ram6600 gt 256 mem agp cardif i buy a new board with a socket 939 i can keep the 6600 gtif i buy a am2 slot motherboard i have to buy new mem ddr2new pci cardwould a 4800 x2 with the agp card be good enough?don't want to be disapointed again, or should i go for the am2 board with new pci cardthanksivo

I would just settle for a 939 mainboard, because you don't need to get DDR2 memory. Sure, AM2 is the most current socket from AMD, but I am sure with an 4800X2 you'll want to skip AM2 anyway. There is currently NO benefit to switch to AM2 with DDR2 memory.In my opinion, you have 2 choices:1) 4800X2 (939): $360 ($300 CPU, $60 Mainboard)2) Core2Duo 6600: $600 ($300 CPU, $200 Mainboard, $100 DDR2 memory)As far as I am concerned, the choice is easy..Hope this helps,Pat

thanks Patmy main concern is that the 6600 gt agp card will be the bottleneck.so would i benifit to choose a pci socket 939 board and a midrange pci card?e.g the 7600 gtivo

I do have the 7600GT (PCI-E) and it does an exellent job with FS9 (see my original post). I think you should do fairly well with the 6600GT with an 4800X2, as FS9 is extremely CPU hungry and not so much dependent on the GPU. You can still upgrade later to PCI-E (and then eventually jump directly to a DX10 card). The damage is certainly not that bad to upgrade your mainboard to PCI-E, just about $60 for a new mainboard.Pat

yes,that is true, but how long will there be 939 socket boards available?it's all am2 now, and then i have to by a new cpu alsoivo

"So are you saying that the 4800+'s will disappear from the market at some point?"That is correct...As of a couple of weeks ago..AMD is no longer producing any of the processors with 1mb of LvL2 cache...Except the FX Series...What's on the shelves at distributors/retailers is apparently it...Here is a link to my local shop's web page...See the note in Red:http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/m...gory_Code=amddcIf you see the post "Upgrading System" by LLopes somewhere on this page..I posted a AMD Price list(Jpeg)...If you'll notice several of the processors on that list have an N/A in the as of 7/24/06 and beyond collum...Those are all of the dropped processors...Have Fun!!

939 boards will be around for a while. By the time you upgrade from a 4800X2, you'll either go for an intel or a quad-core AMD with a new socket anyway.Pat