I'm starting this thread to encourage some recommendations for what specs to look for when buying a new PC for FSX.I figure its going to be at least March before there "may be" a PC that could run FSX with Vista in a turn key config that is fast enough to run FSX with some of the new graphic features enabled.Generally I don't mind running at 1024x768 in a dual monitor mode, but if higher resolutions don't have frame rate hit, then why not.Based on older threads for previous versions of FS, the concensus was to spend money on a fast CPU, fast HD, and RAM, with the video card's speed being not as important since the sim relied mostly on the CPU to figure out the display. Does this strategy still hold true for FSX?Assuming the base OS is Vista, then should 2 gb. of RAM be enough?While a Dual core cpu sounds good, it doesn't look like it will specifically help FSX since it isn't optimized for that right? Therefore the speed of the CPU does become more important to maximize the speed of the the sims calculations, right?Sounds like a 7200rpm or faster hard disk is helpful to load all those textures, but do RAID 0 configs really make a difference?As for display, what would be the best video card for FSX? It doesn't sound like its worth getting dual video cards because the load is still mainly on the CPU, right?I don't expect an answer to all these questions today, but as people experiment with different configs, lets post the success stories and the disasters here, so that all can benefit.

These are my specs for an upgrade I'm planning at the end of this month:(AUD$ not US$)CPU E6700 $799 MoBo EVGA 680i $449 RAM Corsair twin 2 x 2048 6400pro $539CPU cooler Thermaltake big typhoon $ 79 GPU Leadtech 7950GT 512MB $469 PSU Seasonic 650 W PSU $235 HDD WDR Raptor 10,000 rpm 150 GB $389 Case Antec P160 ExistingDVD/RW ExistingSound card ExistingWindows XP pro ExistingTotal $2959Could use the E6600 instead and save $300. I'm not going with bleeding edge components, as you can see, no quad core or core 2 Extreme, no G80 graphics card and no Vista. As I see it, these cannot be justified until MS demonstrate that DX10 brings a step change in performance. It might be months before the DX10 version of FSX is out and G80 (or R600) cards might be into the second generation by then or at least be cheaper.Any suggestions for improvements? Cheers,Noel.

Please let us know how your system performs once you get it running.Regarding Vista, I had heard that for some reason, FSX ran better under it than XP. Perhaps that's something to disprove. The only trouble is, that if (as in my case) I'm planning to purchase a new PC for FSX in March or later, I may only be able to get Vista anyway.

Since the code is not optimized for dual core CPU's what matter most is the raw CPU frequency.Unless somebody can come up with the reverse hyperthreading technology being talked some months ago...My ideal PC for the currently available FSX (aka no DX10)Core duo running at 3.5GHz or more (overclocking needed)2GB of fast memoryMotherboard based on Intel 965 chipset2x 150Gb Raptors HD in Matrix raid 0 (configured to use only 30% of the disk size)Dedicated soundcard, onboard ones use more CPU timeNvidia 7900gs with 512MB onboardWinxp sp2For the videocard, even a 7600gs with 256mb can cut it at 1280x1024 on a single monitor.edit: a 400W quality PSU is plenty enough to cover this configuration and more.

I built an AMD Quad system last week.2x FX-74 CPU2 GBs Corsair DDR2 6400.1 GForce 800GTX.1000 watt Enermax Galaxcy PSU.2x WD Raptor 74 GB's RAID-0, from old machine.1 DVD CDROM reader, Liton, from old machine.1 DVD CDROM RW, Liton, from old machine.The platform is based on NVidia 690a mobo, 2 sockets, 1207 pins or BGA.This setup was offered by NewEgg.http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/AMD_Gaming122606/index.htmlWhen I installed FSX on my old machine, the sliders were way over to the left. On the new machine they ended up almost full right.FSX evaluates your machine during installation and sets the sliders accordingly, according to ACES. Activation was instant on-line.I use Fraps for recording vidio files and set it's affinity for CPU3. I DLoaded a Utility from AMD's site that runs in the back ground and shows CPU usage. CPU1 runs at 100%, CPU2 at 15-30% depending whats going on according to the LOG. CPU3, running Fraps runs up and down from 0% to 30%, does so very quickly, grabbing frames.FSX FPS varies from 30 at KJFK to 55-60 in flight, with sliders set high. The traffic slider can be a pain in the a** if set to high, too many vehicles.I purchased a HD-TV, an AKAI-26", it has a RS232 com port, HDMI, VGA, S-Vidio, and a few others I know nothing about. Audio is well supported also.I see no degradation of FPS when spanning or un-docking spot view and sliding it over to the TV. Spot view on the TV is amazingly good, much clearer. It's too bad 2D cockpit doesn't have bit maps that support wide screen res. On the TV the 2D cockpits gauges are of course slightly egg shaped. You can compensate some what by adjustment WRT res. I bought a DVI/HDMI converter cable, works great.The reason I chose this system is because the sockets should have some longevity.The mobo has 2 NVidia 590 chipsets that can be teemed up with the two Giga bit RJ-45 ports, connected both to my router. Downloads are in the 1-1,5 GB rate depending on the site tour DLoading from.The machine is not as quiet as the office machines I build.It's not really loud, not enough to bother you. The chipset radiator fans are not needed unless you use water cooling.The case has two 120mm fans and an temp controlled 80mm which never runs except on startup for a second or two.I am satisfied with the machine, as far as FS) you can run all sliders maxed, with real weather, etc, etc., using PMDG's 744's.The machine cost me about $3,000.00.

Hi, Just my two cents,.... First off I have what was and I think is still the fastest single core intel 3.73 EXTREME EDITION CHIP on a 925XE motherboard. Had a 6800 gt and upgraded to a 7900gtx only to find out that I now need to upgrade to a dx10 card I still have lots of problems with FSX and I only run it with autojunk off ( what I call SIMCITY) YES I get pretty good FPS but the program just doesn't seem to run as it should. Oh also upgraded to 2 megs of memory. By the way I been around Flt Sims since they first came out.My only wish is that they (who ever they are ) would just put the views back where they were.As I said just my two cents ! ( but I do feel better now !)Tony

Intel X6800 Core 2 Duo Extreme @ 2.9 Ghz2GB of DDR2-800 RAM @ 4-4-4-1210,000 RPM SATAII Hard Drive(s)GeForce 8800GTXEven then it wont run properly....