Hi Gang,I built my machine about three years ago: Intel D875PBZ MB, P4 3.2, 1 gig of ram, Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mbr video card and Maxtor Sata drives. The system has been flawless with FS9, but I recently added FSX, and the results are actually not too bad. If I stay out in the boonies with GA, the frame rates can actually hit 20. However, things can turn into a slide show in dense areas and get the blurries ad nauseam. Sliders are set to the low end of just about everything.I not going to spend a ton on a new set up right now, but I have ordered two more gigs of ram, and want to up grade the video card. I think this will help things somewhat.I've looked at some of the posts, but haven't made much out of them. I don't want to spend 500.00 on a card right now. What do you think a good match would be for my system? I'm thinking 256 or maybe 512? I'm just not that up on what's out there!Thanks for your help!Jim

2 gigs of ram on your current setup will allow its maximum performance in FSX. Stop the FSX "upgrade" there. Save your dough for a new setup, cuz . . . The Vcard is Not what is holding your system back. You are CPU limited. To make any significant difference in FSX performance, you will need a new mobo, CPU, and (likely) DDR2 ram and a PCIe Vcard. You might be able to reuse your case, PS, optical(s) and harddrive(s).On the other hand, FS9 is still a fully functional platform. If a user is dough limited, the best advice is to just stay with FS9. Here's an FSX rig's priceout.http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishli...tNumber=7162186

Ditto with Sam, I'd leave your old system as is, and enjoy FS9 on it.Save your $ for the new CPU, MB, Memory and video card, probably about $700+ for a 3GHz e8400 based system that will fly with FSX compared to your current FS9 setup.The difference with the new system will be shocking for a $700 upgrade.

Thanks Guys,I didn't have a clue that my CPU was the main culprit... I assumed a 3.2 would haul with FSX with the right video card and enough ram. Thanks for the head's up!!!Jack, 700.00+ isn't bad for a good step up, but again, what would you suggest for a video card with a 3GHz e8400 based system?Thanks again for your help!Jim

Any of the 8800 series is fine for FSX.If your trying to cut costs, the 8800GT 512MB are the lowest priceand will give decent performance, about $200.8800GT $200e8400 $200MB $1402GB DDR2 Ram $60----------$600That leaves $100 for any thing else you may need depending on what you can reuse. Its a simple setup system too, stock CPU fan, no overclocking needed as your at 3GHz to start.In fact for about $150 or so more, you can add a Sonata III Case and its included power supply, and a HD and you have a full up to date system for $750, and your old one too.I had about the same system as you now, and it was great for FS9. I tried FSX... then I upgraded I was surprised just how much faster the new CPUs are, even clocked lower, they are at least 2x as fast.For FSX I would recommend running at at least 3GHz either stock with the e8400 or overclocked with another processor.Have fun.

I assume you have an AGP Vcard. If so, any Vcard you buy for your current system will not transfer over to a new system. There's simply no where go from where you are. They planned it that way. So, here's your only real choice . . . Vcard and all.http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishli...tNumber=7159746$675 (the rebates should offset tax and shipping). This assumes that you reuse your box, drives, fans, etc . . . and you get a quad core at 3.6Ghz to boot. This will run FSX within 10% of any $2000+ rig.

You can get your GPU here for 149.00http://www.compusa.com/The MOBO you picked also can take a faster RAm than what you have choosen.

Sam, Jack and JWenham,Great stuff! I'll probably upgrade as it is much more reasonable than I thought it would be. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!Jim

>Thanks Guys,>>I didn't have a clue that my CPU was the main culprit... I>assumed a 3.2 would haul with FSX with the right video card>and enough ram. Thanks for the head's up!!!lol, Im running a e8400 at 4.4 ghz and that isnt enough! Nothing can tame fsx. For a video card I would go with an ati 3870, normally I would recommend nvidia, but nvidia causes issues with fsx for many users, I was one of them.