Hi all,Until further I stick with FS9, but some day I will switch to FSX. I do need an upgrade, which can both enhance my current FS9 experience and still be decent when I surrender to FSX (that depends on when certain add-ons will be availbe etc.)Here is my wish list:CPU: Intel Dual-Core Xeon 3GHzMB: Asus BSDV-DRAM: 2x1GB Corsair Value Select PC2-5300 DDR2-SDRAMHow does this sound? Maybe there are cheaper components on the market which would yield the same result?I also consider keeping my ATI Radeon 9600 Pro and my SoundBlaster 5.1 Live! cards...Looking forewards to any comments and suggestions.All the best,NicolasFS9 / PMDG 737-700 NG + Des Braban's Boeing 737NG Sounds / Flight Line Wx500 / Radar Contact 4.2 / ActiveSky 6 / Ultimate Traffic 2004 / FS Navigator 4.7 / Active Camera 2004

Hi Nicolas,I'm wondering why you chose a server chip and motherboard. Wouldn't an Intel Core 2 Duo with a motherboard based on the nvidia i680 chipset or even an Intel P965 chipset be a cheaper alternative? Those Xeon's and server motherboards can be very expensive.You might also consider PC2 6400 DDR2-800 RAM. It will provide a little more bandwidth and the prices are sometimes better. Just thinking outloud... Regards,Jim KarnNOTHING is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

I concur, especially if you are only looking at FS9 performance for now. That Xeon and ASUS motherboard will put you back nearly $1200 for the pair, whereas an E6600 and medium featured mobo will put you back no more than $400 (even cheaper after the upcoming Intel pricecuts).Gary

Thanks for your suggestions.It seems a pretty good idea asking for advice in this forum before putting out my already strained wallet.Based on your thoughts, here is my new wish list:Intel Pentium D 925 3GHzIntel Desktop Board DP965LT2x1GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-SDRAM PC-6400That's about half price compared to my previous plan, but probably slightly faster.As for RAM, does it actually matter which brand you choose, or are names like "Extreme Performance" just sales hype?All the best,NicolasFS9 / PMDG 737-700 NG + Des Braban's Boeing 737NG Sounds / Flight Line Wx500 / Radar Contact 4.2 / ActiveSky 6 / Ultimate Traffic 2004 / FS Navigator 4.7 / Active Camera 2004