Are the latest core duo CPU really supported by fsx in Windows vista only or also in XP ? in other words should we wait for vista or upgrade now (I don't want to buy a new cpu mem Mb combination to run fsx on 1 core only)

Can't say for FSX (see my KISS post, the jury is still out for FSX), but I can say without a doubt the duo makes FS9 ROCK.MHO,bt

Forget dual-core with FSX. My AMD X2 4800+ is supposed to be one of the (still) best CPUs out there and my 2nd core runs on idle, while there is steam blowing out of every transitor on the 1st core.Dual-core, like PCI Express, DDR2, Dual-channel, SATA, and so much other innovations is just a BIG MARKETING HYPE to get people to upgrade and this comes from me, a desktop management specialist supporting 19k workstations with 20 years of full-time hard- and software experience. I have had mine for about 2 months and have not noticed any huge increase in performance compared to my old AMD 3200+ (single core). Maybe as more multi-threaded gaming applications are written, but software does not catch up to the hardware on one side and hardware doesn't catch up quick enough to the software (FSX/DX10 is a prime example). It's a loss-loss situation.My Geforce 7600 GT is supposed to fill 700 MILLION vertices a second and 6.7 BILLION pixels a second, yet it can't render 4500 low-res autogen that have maybe a dozen polygons in one FSX cell and a few clouds that are not even volumetric, plus some static textures that are not even eating up all of my available GPU memory. I'm not a game/DX developer, but the numbers just don't add up. The FSX engine is still the same, nothing has changed here since FS2002, except improvement in the mesh resolution, texture size and some shaders. Some more AI traffic that we had already in FS9 - the ground traffic is nothing new and some more effects.I am not bashing MS, but it's time to catch up with the times and re-write the engine. FSX looks stunning, but I truly believe we can do a lot better when it comes to engine improvements and some more intelligent programming.

simply open the task manager, select Tasks, right-click on fs.exe, select "Affinity", disable and re-enable the second CPU and FS9 will you both cores. REGARDS:Marten

I don't know about FSX yet, as I had it preordered and don't have it yet.. But I transerred over my installation of Golden Wings onto my new machine and now I am contemplating reinstalling FS2004 on it as the performance is incredible..I spent just over 800 bucks to upgrade to my new E6600 and it was well worth it...

simply open the task manager, select Tasks, right-click on fs.exe, select "Affinity", disable and re-enable the second CPU and FS9 will you both cores.REGARDS:MartenOf course, it will use each processor... about 55%Greg

I am still confused... the Gentleman with the AMD PC says one of the cores is running Idle which is what I suspect would happen when you run a non core duo type executable. The question is does FSX really takes advantage of both cores or is it simply a logo sticker on the dvd box ? I undestand the marketing campaign but what I don't want is wasting money on an expensive upgrade and having half of the processing power unused.About the FS engine it is clear that the code is still the old fs2002 with tons of cosmetics on top, otherwise I can't understand why FPS Games like Prey run so smoothly on my machine and when I run FSX the frame rate is so slow.I would also like say that I can't be angry with the product itself ; when I bought FS2004 my PC wasn't up to the simulation just like my Present rig is not powerful enough for this new version.

logo... the subject says it all... "myth"

Well, and I can only speak for myself, but I am running an AMD64 3800 dual core and both are being used when FSX is running?!

>simply open the task manager, select Tasks, right-click on>fs.exe, select "Affinity", disable and re-enable the second>CPU and FS9 will you both cores. Not that it will change anything, framerate-wise.Regards,http://www.bremmekamp.com/img/misc/avsim.jpg

Myth:FSX will not take advantage of both cores in a dual core systemFact:FSX DOES have logic and programming to use both cores of a dual core system, however it's use of the second core is very minimal - for some texture uncompressing and loading functions. It will have a minor impact on sim performance. Yes, FSX does use both cores in a dual core system, but as you have read, a great many folks feel this support was underwhelming, to say the least. If you upgraded today, do NOT do it for dual core support inside FSX, but *do* perform the upgrade if you want to improve your raw clock and processor speeds. Be aware that even the most powerful of all desktop computers today cannot run FSX at full sliders, so don't expect miracles. The next generation of video cards AND the next generation of processors will probably be required to make that happen.Dual core will have fringe benefits with any simulator, specifically if you use external programs for weather, tracking, mapping, etc... -Greg

What I don't get then is that I can run FSX one core and, let's say, ActiveSky on the 2nd.Why can't FSX then load off, for example, weather generation and ATC to the 2nd core (even if it's an external program)? As I said, I am not a game developer, but it seems logical to me.Pat

Dual core optimised or not, the Intel Core 2 Duo processors are the fastest out there. It doesn't matter if its a single core app or a dual core app, it's still the fastest player in town.Note my specs below. I benchmark higher than an A64 FX-62 with just a tiny overclock.

>Well, and I can only speak for myself, but I am running an>AMD64 3800 dual core and both are being used when FSX is>running?!Yes, both are being used. But they are only being used at about 50% capacity, which effectively is about like using a Venice 3200+ at 100% usage in your case. Wouldn't it be nice if both cores were being used at or near 100%? Then the power of your 3800+ would really be out there.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2.5 ghz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (94.47), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, WD 250 gig 7200 rpm SATA2, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Pat; If you actually want that question answered go to tdragers blogand look for a posting ...something like "final word on dual core"he did a good job of explaining what the issues are.