I have an AMD 64 3200+ o/c to 2.2hz. I'm looking at the single core 4000+ and want to o/c it to 2.6 if not 2.8.Will I see some nice performance boost?My PC has 1GB ram and a 7800GT PCIe card. Everything well tuned for FS9, clean and smooth in general.Thanks!Jason

With the recent price drops, it would be really silly to get anything other than an X2 now.Go for the 3800 X2 if you are into overclocking.If not, get the 4200 or 4600 X2FSX makes some use of the second core and most apps will be doing so in the near future.Regards,Glenn

I have had a 4000+ OC to 2.8 for some time...Well actually it's down for maintenence right now...It run's much like my FX-57...Actually pretty darn impressive...With the price drops...I bought a 4800x2(2.4)...Basically "just to see"...I hate it...I *thought* it was basically going to run about like my 4000+...Nope...Won't hold a candle to it...Now keep in mind...For my comparison testing...I unplugged the 4000+..and plugged the 4800x2 into exactly the same set-up...Of course I re-set cmos and fresh install of OS ect...The 4800 doesn't run worth a crap...I had the parts laying around to build up the 4000+ into a new Rig..Well gotta get some more RAM..Other wise it's back together...I'm looking forward to having her back!!Just my expierence!!

My rambling mindless :) thoughts:You'll be able to easily overclock a 4000+ to 2.6 ghz. Getting it stable and consistent at 2.8 will require more tweaking but can be done.You will see somewhat of a boost in FS9 but nothing mind-shattering. Your 3200+ is pretty good to begin with. If you want to be blown away, then get a Core2Duo.Basically you say your rig runs FS9 pretty "clean and smooth in general", and I would expect your 3200+ and 7800GT to be able to run FSX pretty clean and smooth too, with a little more detail than FS9. That means low-to-mid sliders in FSX.Heck my 3700+ and 7800GT runs the demo pretty well with sliders pretty far to the right. And that's WITH the autogen bug. I'm impressed with the 3700+ cpu.If it were me I would sit on it until FSX is out and then, decide if I want to go with an X2 or not. I would not even consider a 4000+, which I consider to be a great cpu, by the way. As you can see from my sig, I have a 3700+, which is a 4000+ minus .2 ghz, so I am not biased against single-core San Diego cpu's. Especially in FS.The San Diego cores SMOKE both FSX and FS9. It's just that in the next year or two, we are 95% likely going to see many many improvements in the way our OS's and apps handle dual cores, and consequently, those of us with dual-core or quad-core or whatever, are going to be able to shine with the new applications.That's the reason I would probably consider a dual-core cpu. But make no mistake, a 4000+ would sit you fine in FSX too.RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

Based on CPU ratios alone and knowing that FS9 benefits from every MHz you feed it, you'd get between 18 and 27% boost of worst case FPS for a 2.6GHz and 2.8GHz overclock respectively. You should probably shave 5% off these figures due to the CPU not being the only factor in FS9 performance.FSX is shaping up to be an entirely different beast, and it may take a jump into Core 2 Duo land to get a noticeable boost in FSX performance.Whether such a performance boost is worth it against your upgrade cost is entirely up to you.Gary

I left out one minor detail above..Sorry...My 4000+ while OC'ed to 2.8 was on liquid...I also have two other buddies that OC'ed their 4000+ to 2.75...Both on liquid...When I was swapping out the 4000+ processor to the 4800x2 I induced a very slight leak in one of my coolant lines(a drop)...I elected to pull out my liquid system..I've since re-built the 4000 rig...I just got some more RAM...I'm gonna see if I can get back to 2.8 on air this time...I'm gonna try the Zalman cnps9500 cooler...I expect decent results...Not sure about 2.8...Pretty sure I'll get 2.7...We'll see...I can always re-do the liquid set-up...Or settle for less than 2.8...Now more of My Rambelings:The 4000+ is $135 at newegg...That's pretty schweet!! Yes...You will see a performance boost...Mind Boggeling??...Probably not...Noticable?? Yes...If you can get it to 2.6 or better...I think you'll really like it...I went from a 3500+ to the 4000+..I noticed a nice performance difference while stock...Like I say..at 2.8...It really feels allot like the FX-57...Very snappy...I guess it all depends what you wanna do...If you would like to rock FS9 a bit...At a very reasonable cost...I'd go get a 4000+ tomorrow...I also think that you would get a decent start on FSX...I wouldn't consider it a super long term investment...I'd be planning a Dual Core Upgrade within a year...I would not buy a socket 939 x2 processor..(personally)...(Even though I just did)...(That is how I can sooo easily recommend you don't)....IF I were gonna go dual core...I'd hold out for a C2D set-up...I plan to start with FSX on what I have now...I feel my Rig's will do a decent job getting started...Let FSX show it's true colors...and maybe even wait till DX10 is out and stabilized...Then I'll build a Core 2 xTreme system...Ton's of different way's to look at things..Lot's-O-Luck!!Have Fun!!

Chuck, thank you for your input, and everyone else's as well.A long term upgrade for me would be Core2Duo...but I figured it'll pretty much be a new built. FSX is coming out soon but I think for all my major addons to be X compatible it'll still take a fare amount of time. I will probably buy X the day it comes out but I won't really switch to it until the addons are ready. Between now and then I was thinking of getting a cheap upgrade for a marginal improvement on performance in FS9. It sounds like the 4000+ is indeed my best choice. Thank you guys!Jason

>>I would not buy a socket 939 x2>processor..(personally)...(Even though I just did)...(That is>how I can sooo easily recommend you don't)....IF I were gonna>go dual core...I'd hold out for a C2D set-up...>Hey Chuck, I need your opinion on this:I have a (socket 939) 3700+ sys (specs in sig). Now, I have *thought* about getting a 4800+, if they get cheap enough (low $200's). This would be to tide me over until DX10, etc. But I am not sure it would be worth doing!I was even thinking about waiting until 2nd-gen DX10, and THEN build a new rig from the ground up, and that would probably be 1 year from now in that case. And who knows what platform that rig would be...Is 4800+ worth doing for me, for low $200's? I know it probably wouldn't net me more than 5%-10% better frames if that, but forget about frames, I'm more concerned about the MS comments about moving some rendering computations to a 2nd core, if one is available...THAT's the only compelling reason I can see...and if it can be done cheaply...should I? Your opinion or anyone elses appreciated...RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

"s 4800+ worth doing for me, for low $200's? I know it probably wouldn't net me more than 5%-10% better frames if that, but forget about frames, I'm more concerned about the MS comments about moving some rendering computations to a 2nd core, if one is available..."I wasted my money...The 4800x2 does *Absolutly Nothing* better than the 4000+...In fact the 4000+ feels snapier and quicker in allot of instances then the 4800x2...I don't do any "Work" with my computer...My tasks/abilities pretty much could be summed up in tasks involved with FS..if that makes any sense?? In other words: Moving folders, zipping and un-zippping folders, reading or creating documents, backing up folders to my external drive, burning CD's or watching movies, editing screen shots in photoshop, installing software ect...That type of stuff...I think WindowsXP's native Multitasking Ability pretty much handels the sort of things I am capable or am typically doing with my computer...ie: backing-up a couple of gigs of data while surfing the internet or watching a movie...Flying FS while listening to a Music CD..ect...FS is the most demanding thing I do...I run ActiveSky6 while flying..I have allot of the usual payware additions..Various Scenery, BEV, UT, a couple of the Popular Airliners..ect..I think I'm pretty average/run of the mill with FS "Overhead" so to speak...Definatly not as heavily loaded as some guy's are...But pretty decent...I feel my 4000+ does actually a better job running FS9 and the associated sideline tasks as the 4800x2...I can't speak for the FSX Demo...I havn't loaded it at all just yet...I've been doing so much building/re-building lately I havn't had the time...Honestly...Since you asked the question...I would say No..Don't go get a 4800x2...I think you may be disapointed from where your at on the 3700+...But that is just my opinion...Who know's..You may see things differently??You may do things that would take advantge or the dual core processor?? I feel I don't...But I just had to see..That's why I got one...he he...Now I've learned...They ain't all that!!I mean...They are pretty cheep now a day's...If it wouldn't break the bank for you...you could gain your own expierence...But...I would seriously hold out for a C2D...Again...Just My Opinion!!Have Fun!!

>>Honestly...Since you asked the question...I would say>No..Don't go get a 4800x2...I think you may be disapointed>from where your at on the 3700+...But that is just my>opinion...Who know's..You may see things differently??>Well since you said you just tried out a 4800+, and you have a 4000+, you basically did exactly what I was thinking of doing--and you're unimpressed. My usage of the PC is very similar to yours.I only run ActiveSky at this time--no BEV, no GE, no payware aircraft--so I'm probably pretty bare compared to most of you.Only this FSX thing of moving some computations to the 2nd core, would be the ONLY reason I can think for doing it. Prob not worth it??>You may do things that would take advantge or the dual core>processor?? No not really. I overclock my 3700+ to your stock speed (2.4 ghz) and with all tweaking etc. this thing burns FS9 and FSX Demo too.>..But I just had to see..That's why>I got one...he he...Now I've learned...They ain't all that!!>That's just it!! I GOTS TA KNOW. But then you tell me it's no big deal. !! So once you get FSX, and have it a little bit optimized, I'd like to hear a comparison between the 4000+ and the 4800+.>I mean...They are pretty cheep now a day's...If it wouldn't>break the bank for you...you could gain your own>expierence...But...>Now you are plugging FOR it. haha. Exactly what went thru my mind--"it'll only be $220 bucks.", "It will be so cheap just to try it out..."You are like the angel sitting on one shoulder, and the devil, sitting on the other shoulder...both whispering into my ear. :)>I would seriously hold out for a C2D...Again...Just My>Opinion!!>Well when I finally ditch the 939 platform you can bet C2D or whatever is top dog at the time (1 year from now, if I can stand to wait that long) will be the one I go with.RhettAMD 3700+, eVGA 7800GT 256, ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, etc. etc.

"You are like the angel sitting on one shoulder, and the devil, sitting on the other shoulder...both whispering into my ear."I was only typing what the angel sitting on My left shoulder..and the devel sitting on My right were telling me too... :( Those guys sure get around...Sure glad to see I'm not the only one constantly batteling the good vs evil...he he..I think I'd have allot more money if I suddenly lost hearing in my right ear... :-lol Have Fun!!

Hey Chuck,I just ordered a 4000+. Let's see how it works for me. I'll report back. I have another question. What do you think of 2GB of ram? When I was approaching to KORD in PMDG VC my total system ram usage peeked 980MB. FPS was in low tens and choppy. To me that means I need another gig.Thanks!Jason

"What do you think of 2GB of ram?"Haahhhhhh...Boy...Good Question...Personally, I think I'm gonna make 2gb my "standard"...I can't say that I can attest to the benifits...I actually expierenced a similar event on my FX-57 system with some KATL scenery I was trying out...I opted for some different scenery and solved my problem...I wasn't monitoring RAM usage so I don't know where it was...But on that system I have 2gb...Soooooo...I honestly don't know...I just feel like I'll go for 2gb from now on...Weather there is a Real benifit...I can't say...For what it's worth...

Ok I popped in the new 4000+ and overclocked it to 2.58Hz by increasing FSB to 215. CPU runs cool and stable on stock cooling. Compared to my old 64 3200+ o/c to 2.2khz, I saw noticable performance increase. After a couple of hours of testing, I would say that FPS is averagely increased by 4 - 6 frames. More importantly, I now get a solid 25+FPS (locked at 26) in many busy situations where my old CPU would normally drop to low twenties or high tens.The 4000+ is really a good FS performer. Thank you guys for all your input!Jason

Awesome!! I was hoping my trusty 4000+ wouldn't let me down...he heI think I mentioned earlier..I went from a 3500+ to the 4000+...(Kinda thinking I was being stupid)...But...I honestly think that was the Best upgrade I've ever made...When you started this thread...It kinda got me thinking I ought to go get another one to put on the shelve in case I ever Blow mine up..he heThanks for reporting back...Hope you enjoy!!