I'm at the stage of buying a video card for a new system, and I'm kinda stumped. What kind of performance (frames & smoothness, texture loading, etc) can one expect from this CPU, plenty of ram, at 1600x1200 with 4xAA/16xAF, using default aircraft in dense, and taxing scenery? I don't have FSX yet, but I plan to use this new build for FSX at some point. How about with the heavy stuff, like PMDG. I know it's definitely worse, but are these complex birds too much even for a beefy platform as I describe?The thing I can't help notice is that faster video cards seem to equate to faster FSX performance, at least to a degree. So I'm wondering if the new high end Geforce 9800's will have a substantial improvement with this CPU and platform. If that's the case I may just pick up a used ATI1950 Pro or something, and hold off on picking up FSX until the 9800's arrive fully pumped. My other choice is to just go with the 8800GT 512mb, but again, for me I think I'd rather hold if performance with that card limits alot of what FSX offers. Just have zero experience with FSX so it's hard to predict.Your thoughts and comments are much appreciated. I have read things here and there but it's always handy to get specific answers to *fairly* specific questions.Noel

If buying today go for the new 512MB 8800 GTS SSC, those fly at higher resolutions where the GT falls off.Once the e8500's start selling I'll build a 2nd FSX system hoping for 4GHz too.The new 9800's will allow FSX to run at higher resolutions with AA/AF on, like 2560x1200 , at lower resolutions I would expect much difference.

i have my e6850 at 4 ghz

>If buying today go for the new 512MB 8800 GTS SSC, >those fly at higher resolutions where the GT falls off.>>Once the e8500's start selling I'll build a 2nd FSX system>hoping for 4GHz too.>>The new 9800's will allow FSX to run at higher resolutions>with AA/AF on, like 2560x1200 , at lower resolutions I would>expect much difference.Thanks for that. I run only at 1600x1200 and I'm guessing I'll be fine with the GT overclocked as tolerated. All the parts are almost at my home so pretty soon I get to start the process of putting together a new box from some old box parts and some nice new parts. I plan on keeping the GT until high end 9800 comes along, or a new ATI card in XFire mode. I am a bit nervous on IQ for the 8800GT I just bought as I've been spoiled after going from a 6800GT to a x1950 Pro AGP on my current machines--SOOO much sharper in every screen, including during POST. The nV card worked nicely with decent IQ, but the ATI was squeaky clean. I understand the newer nV's are looking better than past iterations. We'll soon know . . .

Make sure you use 8XS AA for best visuals.You'll need nhancer (freeware) to select this setting..

Any guesses on how FSX will run on this system? That was kinda my real question . . .Thx,N

you'll be fine with all settings on full and traffic on 0.

From what I read recently in one of the issues of Computer Pilot, FSX runs well with dual-core setups and has been designed with this in mind. The review is actually a benchmark analysis of FSX in two dual- and two quad-core environments. I'm trying to find that particular issue of CP atm. So, stay tuned...

>Any guesses on how FSX will run on this system? That was>kinda my real question . . .>>Thx,>>NJourdog - its a P4...not a core.FSX does not run very well on a P4.I started with one at 3.5Ghz as welland found I was getting low frame rates,if I used autogen.It really runs best on core duo or quad at 3GHz or more.

i was replying to how would fsx run on a 4ghz quad using an 8800gt

Thank you Jourdog and others, I am trying not to expect much just in case! Will I most likely need to use FS9 for PDMG stuff? I run at 1600x1200.