Is there already hardware available which allows FSX to run in 1600x1200 (AA and AF set to a reasonable level) with all sliders maxed and at least *) high res mesh *) complex plane like LDS 767 *) ASX *) custom textures etc. like Ultimate Terrain, Flight Environment and others *) big payware airport like Aerosoft's new Heathrow *) full AI

No, and 6-12 months will not help for your plan, unless you settle for low frame rates.Yet, FSX Acceleration stock with a 3Ghz+ dual or quad core and a 8800 series card locks 30fps just about everywhere. You can max many of the sliders with fore thought and get a great experience.IMO, unlike fs9, with fsx you dont need the mesh, FE, etc. It's really is a fine flight sim as is, already has high res mesh, high res textures, etc compared to fs9.The big benefit to running stock is in multiplayer mode everyone see the same thing, no issues with water at different levels for players etc, like happens with when UT is used by some.

>No, and 6-12 months will not help for your plan, unless you>settle for low frame rates.What a pity, what a pity!Incredible that a software released in 2006 needs hardware from year 2009!So, you have the choice to either run FSX stock only but with many sliders maxed, or trim down the sliders significantly just to keep acceptable frame rates. IMHO either way only a 50% sim at maximum...>Yet, FSX Acceleration stock with a 3Ghz+ dual or quad core and>a 8800 series card locks 30fps just about everywhere. You can>max many of the sliders with fore thought and get a great>experience.Stock only is not a choice for me.>IMO, unlike fs9, with fsx you dont need the mesh, FE, etc.>It's really is a fine flight sim as is, already has high res>mesh, high res textures, etc compared to fs9.As far as I know mesh in FSX is better than FS9, but still needs improvement. More polygons = more CPU power needed = lower FPS...As a conclusion I'm not going to buy parts for a new PC now. FS9 runs sufficient for me, and as it looks, FSX is way from being useful for my demands. Looks like I'm heading for skipping FSX altogether: when the hardware will finally be available to run FSX, there's probably FS11 out already... What a dilemma!Andreas

>So, you have the choice to either run FSX stock only but with>many sliders maxed, or trim down the sliders significantly>just to keep acceptable frame rates. IMHO either way only a>50% sim at maximum...>You can run FSX with mid-to-high sliders + add-ons and still get quite good framerates.It's just that you said "sliders maxed"...which with add-ons is really not too flyable right now. Look at Gary's (RESET_MCP_ALT's) thread...he got 6 fps with sliders maxxed. Sliders maxed is not something you can do, that's all jackcnd was saying.But mid-to-high sliders looks very, very good and flies quite well.>>Stock only is not a choice for me.>Doesn't have to be stock. You can use FEX, ASX/ASG, + add-on aircraft and with modern hardware you can get quite good frame rates with mid-to-high sliders. Lots of people are doing that right now.>>skipping FSX altogether: when the hardware will finally be>available to run FSX, there's probably FS11 out already...>What a dilemma!>And when FS11 is out, it will need a PC from 2013, so then your dilemma will continue! :) Naw, I should not be such a glass-half-full-type. I predict FS11 will be designed less ahead of the hardware curve this time around.I like FS9 but I think you are missing out a little if you skip FSX. You could install and fly both sims...That way you will have the best of all possible worlds.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Okay, I'll probably jump in and get myself a C2D 6850 with 2 8800GT adapters in SLI configuration...Andreas

Okay, I'll probably jump in and get myself a C2D 6850 with 2 8800GT adapters in SLI configuration...Unless you're planning on running 3 or 4 monitors I'd advise against 2 Video cards for FS9/FSX..SLi makes little difference. However it may well be beneficial for other games.RegardsJim

>Okay, I'll probably jump in and get myself a C2D 6850 with 2>8800GT adapters in SLI configuration...>>AndreasAgreed with jim c. *DO NOT* run FSX in SLI mode, you'll probably get stuttering and lower frame rate.If you have multiple monitors then you could use two cards with FS, but do not run them in SLI mode.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian