<If you have limited space then yes, it could be a problem. But keyboards don't take up that much room and neither do TFT displays. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.<>Don't confuse more RAM with more resources. You still have one CPU (or two with Core2Duo) processors that FS demands full access to. Any other program running will take cycles from FS and may result in stutters etc. By moving all FS-related software such as AS6 to another computer you maximise the CPU for FS.You're getting good advice here - think about how best to spend your money.

>look for 40fps increase (assuming your 10 plus the triple>digit increase you think you are going to get). >No I pointed out that earlier that I don't expect any triple fps increase in FS9. That was for other games not FS and it was the 128M version of the 6600GT.Also I have heard that the FPS figure is no good measurement of performence.>"My current system is running FS9 at max slider levels and>does so fairly well">>Then I have to ask, WTH are you asking here? WTH are you even>considering spending money on dead technology when your system>is running fairly well? LOL>Since I already can run FS9 fairly well I have asked myself if maybe by just getting this more powerful videocard I could go from fairly well to perfect (an earlier thread in the FS9 forum suggested that thid might be possible). If so can I justify the much higher cost for a complete upgrade. Maybe it's overkill for FS9?

>and may result in stutters etc. By moving all FS-related>software such as AS6 to another computer you maximise the CPU>for FS.>But here I would also need a new Windows license since I got an OEM version. Or maybe it's possible to run these other FS related programs under Linux?

http://www.wholesalepcstuff.com/Cart1.php?...CFR3BYAod7m41Kg$59.95

>http://www.wholesalepcstuff.com/Cart1.php?...CFR3BYAod7m41Kg>>$59.95First time I clicked that link it worked. But not now. It seems they don't sell Windows licenses any more.

Uh.er..that was me, :)Using the X1950 Pro 256 PCI-E part with FS9 at 1920x1200 I am easily running at 31 frames locked. It stays there no matter what. Oh, that is with a Dell Generation 3 XPS rig using a P4 3.4 GHz. I am most pleased by the X1950 Pro performance.Sesquash (Mitch)

With identical settings? Since you don't use a static test how can you make any meaningful comparison? I tend to take such statements with a huge pinch of salt. His, not yours. 30fps is easy once airborne with clear skies. Impossible on approach to a 3rd party EGLL with 100% Ai in cloudy conditions even in FS9 with a state-of-the-art system I would imagine.------------------------------------------Ray, I get that 30 no problem coming into 3rd party CYYZ amid a you-know-what pile of AV6.5 clouds.Even on the ground with A.I. up the shute, I get 30 no problem. Before with my X800XT it would flop around and dip into the low 20's and sometimes near about 17 FPS.The X1950 Pro with the 7.1's did that (stay at 30 FPS) for me. Great card. The new 7.10's bring the picture home to Mama!Mitch

He wrote that he could throw in anything and it remains solid 30fps. Any plane ant weather As6Yes...absolutely true in that statement. I have FS9 locked down to 31 FPS as it (as most know) will show for the most part 30.8 or 30.9 on lockdown.Cheers,Mitch

He didn't mention how much Ai then? That is one of the biggest frame rate killers know to man especially at large airports.--------------------------Ray, I run FULL 100 percent Commercial and no General Aviation.I have Project A.I.'s planes up the ying-yang everywhere. I have downloaded as many U.S. based carriers as well as most that fly into Heathrow. I get my sustained 30 frame rate when I am on the ground amongst them at the gate.I can't remember exactly what my X800XT gave me for the quote above. Not bad, but not a steady figure at 1920x1200 reso.Mitch

Mitch,Lucky man! What's your processor? I might try the latest 7.10 drivers.Cheers,

Hi Ray,I have a Pentium 4 3.4 GHz and 3 gigs of 533 Mhz RAM.Creative Audigy 2 Sound CardX1950 ProMitch

Hi Mitch,I'm amazed that you can get such high frame rates with 100% Ai on a 3rd party airport as busy as CYYZ. I'm guessing it's nowhere near as busy as Heathrow where it drops into single digits on mine.The X1950Pro didn't increase my frame rates at all over the 9800Pro it replaced. It simply allowed me to keep the same rates at higher resolutions. And for the record I fly with no panel visible as I use Project Magenta software which is displayed on a second computer.Our two systems aren't that different.Cheers,

Ray...and I thought that I wasn't getting such 'hot' numbers at only 30!!!!I guess then that I should sort of celebrate, huh? :)Just edited to add that my 100 percent A.I. is ONLY for Commercial. No General Av, ever.It was because I get such great performance from my Dell, that I have no thoughts of upgrading until I REALLY see something special come down the pike....I guess not more cores, but something revolutionary in nature (CPU wise) that will FINALLY allow all of us to just buy the thing and KNOW that it will run any flight sim out there to perfect animation.One thing I AM thinking of...is for some laughs tonight, to reach into the drawer and bring out Flight Unlimited III and see what this computer does for that. Since owning the Dell XPS Gen 3, I have never had the sim on my hard-drive. The system I had before, a Celeron 1.4 GHz and an gFORCE 256 nVIdia card could not really bring it up to speed.It would be interesting to see what I can get in FPS with that one. It was and probably still is....a great flight sim.Oh, BTW, with XPlane 8.0 I get a whopping 70 FPS most times with peaks into the 110's! Also, smooth as silk.Final thought, I have the LAST and most recent BIOS from Dell running in my system. Who knows if that might make a difference in some small way.Cheers,Mitch'er

I'm with you Ray. I can still get FS9 down to mid teen FPS on my rig below if I try hard enough. At that point the CPU is calling all the shots, so it doesn't matter how fast your video card drivers are. Similar to your experience, my FS9 low end FPS haven't improved a cracker since upgrading from 9800 Pro to 6800 GT to X800 XT to 7900 GTO to 8800 GTS. Gary

Hi Mitch,:)>>Go on, rub it in!!! x( ;-)<>I'm running UT. No General Ai here either.<<...but something revolutionary in nature (CPU wise) that will FINALLY allow all of us to just buy the thing and KNOW that it will run any flight sim out there to perfect animation.>>Now come on Mitch. You've been around long enough to know that's like a dog trying to catch its tail! It'll never happen. :( Maybe you should just stick with FU3 and XPlane ;-)I'm looking to the Penryn chipset early next year as my salvation. Won't decide on Core2Duo or quad until nearer the time. Graphics card will probably be the 8800 series.FS9 will stay for a long time. FSX will hopefully look okay but the lack of 3rd party airports is its main downside. Not much available 12 months in.I haven't updated my BIOS in over two years. Can't imagine that making any appreciable difference.Cheers,