What would be better to put in a new system? 8800 series or a new ATI 3870? Intel isnt replacing the Q6600 anytime soon are they?

According to benchmarks, and 8800 GT is slightly faster than the 3870, but the 3870 has less issues with FSX than the 8800.As for the Q6600...well yes, there are the Q9xx0 chips coming out.Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 6 MB cache 1333 MHz 2.5 GHzIntel Core 2 Quad Q9450 12 MB 1333 MHz 2.66 GHzIntel Core 2 Quad Q9550 12 MB 1333 MHz 2.83 GHzThese are all 45nm...less power consumption, less heat output, and easier overclocking. Q9300 will be at $266, Q9450 will be at $316, Q9550 will be at $530. They will be released around March.I read somewhere here on the forums that Intel has restricted the Multiplier to 8, meaning you can, at max, reach ~3.6 GHz, which you can also reach on a Q6600 with a good cooler.BoeingGuy

Then I think I'll wait for the next line of processors. It's only a few weeks away. :)So the ATI is having complications with FSX? When's the next big line of vid cards coming out? Anything worth waiting for?

:)>>I've ordered the new Penryn E8400 3GHz processor which is just becoming available now.<Boeing Guy said the ATI has fewer issues than the 8800 series. I've ordered a 3870 X2 which is 1Gb with 2 GPUs. Michael Swannick posted some screenshots recently showing that performed better than the 8800GTX. I didn't see any problems with the FSX images and he reported none.That is probably the reference card now. You could wait for a new nVidia but that could be several months. Depends which camp you sit in. I've preferred ATI for some time now.

I've preferred ATI for some time now.Yep, but nVidia will release the first of its 9x00 series this week. Will be interesting to see what that series offers... given that they'll still be stuck with nVidia drivers.

According to this item I don't see anything that might worry ATI. And it doesn't sound like you're a fan of nVidia drivers.http://www.trustedreviews.com/graphics/new...map-Unveiled/p1

I believe the 9800 series will be interesting. But still, they'll have those drivers. :-)

I've owned an 8800gtx since they were released and it's a great piece of hardware. But nvidia's driver support for FSX is nonexistant where FSX Dx10 is concerned.Nvidia's dx10 drivers "feature" flashing runway textures, dysfunctional AA, and broken vsync. Meanwhile the driver team spends all it's time optimizing for canned benchmarks and .5 more fps in Crisis and futuremark.I've tried all of the latest beta's and all of the official releases. None of them fix the flashing dx10 textures. FSX vsync (under dx9 or 10) is broken in many of them, including the latest 6 or 7 releases. Horrible if you have an lcd like me because I use a trackir to pan around the vc.I admit, Nvidia has great hardware, but their driver support can be very poor at times. I'm suprised nvidia hasn't made a move to fix their FSX issues, Acceleration was released 5 months ago and ACES contacted nvidia personaly regarding the matter around that time.As far as FSX dx9, the drivers are pretty solid with the exception of the lastest releases breaking vsync as I mentioned. For that reason I'm still on 163.69 (I think), I'd have to look when I get home.I don't currently own any ATI dx10 hardware, but I have made user inquiries in this forum. I've been told they don't have these problems under dx10.It's been a while since I used xp, but I don't remember any fsx driver bugs there. Naturaly there will be no dx10 bugs under xp because xp doesn't have dx10.Imagine this picture with all the white taxiway areas on the runway bleeding through and flashing on an off. That is nvidia's dx10 image quality.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/Lit...0-22-29-308.jpg8800GTX/Vista x64/FSX Acceleration DX10.

Actually the only problems I have with DX10 Preview with my 8800 GT are non-functioning AA which is hardly noticeable in the game, and very slightly shimmering taxiways. I don't get dysfunctional VSync since I have a CRT, and my taxiways don't flicker/tear. But I get about 5-10 FPS slower of a game with DX10 Preview enabled.

Specs on the 9800 GX2. Looks very nice but still, those drivers.http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/GeForce_98...00MHz/5572.html

Ive always been on the AMD/ATI bandwagon, but I believe it's time to switch to intel. :)

Greg, do you know of a website where I can read up on the new intel's and nvidia boards?

This is a good place to start, Chase. Pretty informative, and low on the BS.Good luck with your new build,

Be glad you dont have the taxiway/runway texture flickering, here is a video of the problem which is common to many nvidia users.http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ffSW-fnom-c

How do you guys feel about Dual and Quad core? Which has the advantage in gaming? Also, ATI is cutting the cost on the 3870/50 tonight. Prices will be 189/169 respectively. ATI looks like its my choice of board, again.