Hi to everybody. This is my first post to this forum and I apologize for my bad english is not my first language.Everything I read in this thread is very interesting. I have recently upgraded my AMD64x2 socket939 system to an Intel one. Here is the upgrade story/sequence:Initial system:Gigabyte Mainboard GAKA8N PROSLINVIDIA Chipset Nforce 4 SLIAMD ATHLON64X2CORE@2GHZ socket939 (later overclocked to 2.4GHZ any further attempts above 2.4 failed- system crash/freeze)4xDDR1 800/400 (can't remember) Kingston 512MB Dimms = 2GB Total mem.Geforce 8600GT 512MB GCard in SLI setup (i.e. 2 8600GTs)2x80GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDDs one has WINXPSP3(x86) the other has WINXPSP2 (x64) OS installed1x120GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDD for Internet downloads and Backups.This system run FS9 (ver9.1) with all settings maxed at a reasonable 25-30 FPS with almost no stutter/momentary freezes. The only exception was when I activated Hardware T/L option, there was more stutter.When I downloaded FSX Demo I was really disappointed. I saw a drmatatic drop in FRPS: 2-4 with settings not even at medium! Then I read somewhere that the demo was not very well optimized i.e. it was badly written code. So I decided to try the full version. When I installed the initial RTM release of the Deluxe FSX version with no SPs there was only a slight increase in performance i.e 8-9FPS with settings at medium-low. After SP1 installation I saw a respectable increase in FPS: 5-12-20 with a lot of variation between 5 and 20 FPS with settings at around medium. I was initially satisfied however not quiet as satisfied as with FS9 ;-). I tried tweaking the FSX.CFG and terrain cfg files but with no significant improvement in FPS. I was using the latest drivers at the time (2006-april2008) So I decided to go for a hardware upgrade. So I built the following system:ASUS P5E MB with IntelX38/ICH9 Chipset (there was no X48 chipset in spring 2008 :-().Intel Core2Quad 6600@2400MHz2x1GB 8500 1066MHz DDR2 Kingston memodulesGeforce 8600GT 512MB only one cause this MB doesn't support SLI.2x80GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDDs one has WINXPSP3(x86) the other has WINXPSP2 (x64) OS installed1x120GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDD for Internet downloads and Backups.After an annoying 1 month period of system freezes (even while I was at bios with no overclocking), I discovered I had a bad 550WattPSU. So I purchased a 1000Watt solitech PSU in order to have hassle free upgrades in the future. So I tried FSX(SP1) and FPS increased slightly but still not quite happy. FPS were in the range of 5-25 (5 at low altitude with more trees and buildings or clouds and 25 when looking at the sky) So I went out and bought a Sapphire ATI Radeon 4870x2 GraphCard and an extra 2GB 1066MHz DDR2 DIMMS (same type and brand). So the system became:ASUS P5E MB with IntelX38/ICH9 Chipset.Intel Core2Quad 6600@2400MHz4x1GB 8500 1066MHz DDR2 Kingston memodulesSapphire ATI Radeon 4870x2 VC with 2GB DDR5256bit GMEM (1GB per GPU)2x80GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDDs one has WINXPSP3(x86) the other has WINXPSP2 (x64) OS installed1x120GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDD for Internet downloads and Backups.Frame Rates increased to 10-27 (Locked at 27). Display Settings defaulted to High. So I was happier but around 800Euros poorer. So I read and read and read in forums and decided to go and buy an Intel QX9770@3200GHz with 12MBLevel2 Cache which costs around 1000-1200 Euros (1200-1400USDs). So I am 2000 Euros poorer but look at this specs:ASUS P5E MB with IntelX38/ICH9 Chipset.Intel Core2Extreme QX9770@3200 / 1600MhzFSB4x1GB 8500 1066MHz DDR2 Kingston memodulesSapphire ATI Radeon 4870x2 VC with 2GB DDR5256bit GMEM (1GB per GPU)2x80GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDDs one has WINXPSP3(x86) the other has WINXPSP2 (x64) OS installed1x120GB SATA WesternDigital 8MB 7200 HDD for Internet downloads and Backups.So I know I have gone probably too far and the QX9770 isn't worth the money i.e its cost/speed ratio is very bad. But I can overclock it if I want and if there is something good about this chip is its multiplier which is unlocked: it can go up to 35!. So what about FSX?Well now everything defaults to UltraHigh in display settings with no overclocking (ok almost no because I let an ASUS smarttweak utility to autoadjust CPU/FSB/MEM speed depending on load) and the FPS range is 6-27(locked27) but there is stuttering especially if I increase the display settings above ultra high. I am using 8.10 version of Catalyst driver and the latest Chipset driver for X38chipset from Intel. I am mainly running FSX(SP1+AccelerationSP2) under WINXPx64bit(SP2) in order to utilize all available hardware resources. I have an WINXPx86(SP3) installation and another FSX installation on this OS (in a separate HD) just in case... The 4870x2 is auto tuned whith tha CatalystControlCenter at 770Mhz Core and 990MHz Memory. Any suggestions for further FSX fluidity? I am running FSX with the following settings:Graphics/Hardware Section:Card correctly recognized as ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2.0Target F.R.: 30FullScreenRes:1024x768x32Filtering: AnisotropicAnti-aliasing ONGlobal Texture Resolution: Very HighLens Flare: OffLight Bloom: OffAdvanced Anims: OnAircraft Section:2-D Instrument PanelShow Cockpit Tooltips OnHigh Resolution 3D virtual cockpit OnAircraft Casts Shadows on the ground: OnAircraft Casts shadows on itself: OnAircraft Landing Lights Illuminate Ground: OnScenery Section:Level Of Detail Radius: LargeMesh Complexity:100Mesh Resolution: 10mTexture resolution: 1mWater Effects: Max2.xScenery Complexity: Very DenseAutogen Density: Very DenseGround Scenary Cast shadows: OnSpecial Effects detail: HighWeather: Cloud Draw distance: 100miles/160KmThermal Visualization: NoneCloud Detail: Detailed CloudsCloud Coverage Density: MaxRate of weather change: mediumTraffic:Airline Traffic Dens: 95%Gen.Aviation Traff.Dens: 85%Airport Vehicle Dens: MediumLand and Sea Traffic:Road Vehs: 20%Ships and Ferries: 30%Leisure Boats: 40%And my CCC Catalyst Settings (underAdvancedView,3D section) are:Smoothvision: Antialiasing: use application settings tickedAnisotropic filtering: Use application setting tickedCatalyst A.I.: StandardMipmap Detail Level: QualityWait for Vertical refresh: Off unless application specifiesAdaptive Antia-Aliasing enabled: PerformaceDirect3D settings: Support DXT texture format ENABLEDAlternate Pixel Center DISABLEDOpenGL Settings:Tripple Buffering: DisabledForce 24-bit Z-Buffer depth: DisabledIn Information Center under hardware:Core Clock 750MHzMemory Clock 900MHzVGABios Ver: 011.007.000.000BiosPartNu: 113-B50902-101But in ATI Overdrive: (after auto tune)GPU Clock: 790 / current value 507MHzMemory cLock: 990 / current value 500MhzGPU1 Temp: 84CGPU2 Temp: 50CFan control Auto and Fan Speed 27%Driver Packaging Version: 8.541-080923a-069993C-ATICatalyst ver: 08.10Provider: ATI Technologies2D Driver Version: 6.14.10.6869Direct3D Version: 6.14.10.0618OpenGL Version: 6.14.10.8086Catalyst Control Center Version: 2008.0923.2139.36956I believe I have provided enough info. Before I go on and purchase an Intel DualCPU Motherboard Intel D5400XS with two QX9775 socket771 CPUS and another 4GIGs of DDR21066 dims please tell me am I going to see any significant improvement in terms of FSX fluidity?I don't mind if I can't get constant 30FPS. I am happy with 25FPS But I don't want to have temporary freezes under this hardware. even 15 FPS in dense areas is OK as long as I get rid off this stuttering. As I understood FSX is a very demanding app. So is ther going to be any benefit from an octal (8) core system? Right now FSX with SP1+SP2/Acceleration utilizes at least 2 cores, mean is 3 and I have seen also all 4 maxed out under heavy loads (dense scenary / traffic at Heathrow/JFK)Thank you for your patience reading all this.PS: The D5400XS motherboard has 4 1.1 PCIex16 but 4870x2 is a 2.0 spec card. So Is it worth it or is it going to function? Also this board has 8 DDR2 800MHz mem slots which are fully buffered (I don't understand if this is better than dual Channel configurations). I Shut-up now...PS2: My FSX installation includes the following:SP1+SP2/AccelerationFSGlobal2008MyTrafficX ver5.2ActiveSkyX with SP3ActiveGraphics with SP2Flight Environment X from aerosimulationsFSX Mesh for Greece by HellasScenaryTeamFSX Greek Coastlines and various addons for GreeceVarious Aircraft addons (Raptor, SR71 payware from alphasim, Boing737-400 converted to FSX from FS9 with a lot of liveries)Ok one more thing: Is there a DX10 install for WINXPx64?? I shut-up

Skulltrail would not help you. What you need is to overclock and get the components working together nicely.It sounds as if you already have the right CPU. But you need to overclock it to at least 4GHz if you hope for reasonable performance from FSX on high settings: otherwise you really have wasted your money. I do not know anything about the Asus P5E. But I would be surprised if it could not take the QX9770 to 4GHz+, PROVIDED you have added a suitable after-market CPU cooler.DDR2 is not ideal for such a fast CPU. It may well be contributing to your stutters - though beware, it is unlikely to be the SOLE cause. Try setting the "Target frame rate" to "Unlimited" and see if it helps.I do not know whether your graphics card might be part of your stuttering problem: some people report that it gives good results; others have found it disappointing. The general consensus is that for the very best from FSX you need the GTX280 (with the latest drivers) or the old 8800 Ultra - although the 8800GT and 8800GTS also rank very high.In terms of hardware, your next logical progression would be to an X48 motherboard (personally I recommend the Rampage Extreme) with 4GB of good DDR3 RAM: fastest at low "1st information" settings is best - not only because it is faster, but also because the extra rated speed gives it more flexibility to handle different settings, which will make it easier to overclock your CPU. Current best is 2000MHz at 9-9-9, then 1800MHz at 8-8-8, then 1600MHz at 7-7-7. But Nehalem is coming, so it would be sensible to wait a few more weeks to see what the market does.Don't forget to prep your Windows/ Vista installation carefully, including by using a defrag application that can handle alphanumeric sorting and put chosen applications on the outside edge of the HD platter. Nick_N has posted extremely detailed and helpful instructions - although unfortunately there is no central repository of his advice, or anyone else's. Try starting here:http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/Ya...?num=1208959973You alone can judge how to balance the FSX settings to suit your personal taste. But it can be helpful to see how other people use FSX, so here are my personal recommendations, for a reasonable balance of fluidity and quality on a high-spec machine for flying "heavies":0) Back up your FSX.CFG file. Then delete it and allow FSX to build a completely new, clean, version when you start it up. 1) Get a big display that handles at least 1920x1080x32. Set up Windows/ Vista to use those settings. 2) On the "Graphics" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) get FSX to use the same resolution and colour depth as you have set in the Windows/ Vista display; (ii) set global texture resolution to "High" or "Very high"; (iii) turn on "Advanced animations" and "Lens flare"; (iv) set "Informational text" to "Continuous"; (v) turn off "Preview DirectX 10", and "Light bloom"; (vi) set "Filtering" to "Trilinear"; (vii) turn off Anti-aliasing (you'll get the Catalyst control panel to handle it instead); (vii) set "Target frame rate" to "Unlimited".3) On the "Aircraft" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) set "Default cockpit view" to "3-D virtual cockpit"; (ii) turn on "High-resolution 3-D virtual cockpit" and "Aircraft landing-lights illuminate ground"; (iii) turn off "Show cockpit ToolTips", "Aircrat casts shadows on the ground" and "Aircraft casts shadows on itself".4) On the "Scenery" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) in the "Terrain and water" group, push all the sliders to the right - then take "Water effects" down to "Low 2.x"; (ii) turn on "Land detail textures"; (iii) set "Scenery complexity" to "Very dense"; (iv) set "Autogen density" to "Dense" or "Very dense"; (v) turn off "Ground scenery shadows; (vi) set "Special effects detail" to "High".5) On the "Weather" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) set "Cloud draw distance" to 110miles/176km; (ii) set "Cloud detail" to "Detailed clouds"; (iii) set "Cloud coverage density" to maximum; the other settings do not matter.6) On the "Traffic" tab of the "Display" menu, set everything to 0%: ie, turn it all off. I fly online so I do not miss the AI traffic. If you find you cannot live without it, just remember that it is a big resource hog: but with MyTraffic 5.2X you should be able to get to about 30% airline traffic without losing too much performance (and higher, of course, away from congested areas). I strongly suggest you do without any of the "Land and sea traffic" if you fly anywhere urban.7) From the Catalyst control panel, find a good anti-aliasing setting. I don't know about ATI so I can't help here.8) In ActiveSkyX, choose a refresh rate of every 20 minutes or so; and give yourself 15+ layers of clouds for a convincing sky.9) In FEX, make absolutely sure you are not using their so-called "SHD" textures. Particularly when ActiveSky X is throwing out 15+ layers of clouds (see above), these resolutions will swamp the bandwidth of your graphics card. Personally I find that the FEX clouds look just fine at 256 bits.10) ONLY if stuttering is still a problem - and ONLY as a last resort, not for the fun of it - try tweaking your FSX.CFG file with the well-known tweaks. I would try them in the following order: (i) add the "Bufferpools" entry to your FSX.CFG file with a setting of 5000000; (ii) set "TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT" to 70; (iii) set "FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION" to 0.66. You can find instructions by Googling; or try this link: http://ops.precisionmanuals.com/wiki/FSX_F...uide#CFG_tweaksWith your PC properly configured and running at 4GHz you should get pretty solid results with those settings. The framerate will of course vary with the weather (clouds are a killer) and the complexity of the scenery, but I would not expect to see your framerates dropping significantly below about 17fps in any circumstances; generally they should be considerably higher; and stuttering should not be an issue.Tim

>Skulltrail would not help you. What you need is to overclock>and get the components working together nicely.>>>It sounds as if you already have the right CPU. But you need>to overclock it to at least 4GHz if you hope for reasonable>performance from FSX on high settings: otherwise you really>have wasted your money. I do not know anything about the Asus>P5E. But I would be surprised if it could not take the QX9770>to 4GHz+, PROVIDED you have added a suitable after-market CPU>cooler.>I have tried to overclock and I believe I have a suitable cooler (It's all copper with heatsink pipes around the base that extend and connect with the larger part of the heatsink. The model is from thermaltake: http://www.e-shop.gr/show_per.phtml?id=PER.650536)but I couldn't find a stable value for FSBxmultiplier above 3300. I do not want to push the X38 chipset FSB above 1600MHz cause intel designed it to operate at 1333MHz and 1600 is an unofficial support. If there is a cooling system for chipsets please enlighten me. But I should be able to get something like 400x10 or 366x11 or 333x12 to run properly. I have also bought a very very nice PC case (I love with this one: http://www.e-shop.gr/show_per.phtml?id=PER.650664)It has a HUGE side fan 30something cms and 13cm front and 12cm rear fans. Also the CPU cooler has two additional satellite funs. But when I try to overclock I get system freezes. I have updated to the latest BIOS version (0903 for ASUS P5E) and I don't know what else to try :(. I don't mess with Vcore voltages and memvoltages at the BIOS - I let the settings to . I only play with FSB and multiplier. Not even with memory latencies. The memory modules I am using are KINGSTON KHX8500D2/1G HYPERX DDR2 1GB PC8500 1066MHZ. >>DDR2 is not ideal for such a fast CPU. It may well be>contributing to your stutters - though beware, it is unlikely>to be the SOLE cause. Try setting the "Target frame rate" to>"Unlimited" and see if it helps.>>I now know. But I can't install DDR3 on this MB :(.But as u said I don't think there is a big difference between DDR2 and DDR3 in between 1000-2000MHz range (ok DDR21066 is surely slower than DDR32000 but the difference in price is insane.)>I do not know whether your graphics card might be part of your>stuttering problem: some people report that it gives good>results; others have found it disappointing. The general>consensus is that for the very best from FSX you need the>GTX280 (with the latest drivers) or the old 8800 Ultra ->although the 8800GT and 8800GTS also rank very high.>>I was disappointed with my choice to switch to the ATI side. I have read in the past that ATI is better in Direct3D and worse in OpenGL and since FSX is a Direct3D app I decided to switch. But probably I was misinformed. I think I am going to sell it but not yet. >In terms of hardware, your next logical progression would be>to an X48 motherboard (personally I recommend the Rampage>Extreme) with 4GB of good DDR3 RAM: fastest at low "1st>information" settings is best - not only because it is faster,>but also because the extra rated speed gives it more>flexibility to handle different settings, which will make it>easier to overclock your CPU. Current best is 2000MHz at>9-9-9, then 1800MHz at 8-8-8, then 1600MHz at 7-7-7. But>Nehalem is coming, so it would be sensible to wait a few more>weeks to see what the market does.>What are the differences regarding performance between X38 and X48 Chipsets? Is it measurable? Is it noticeable in FSX?>>Don't forget to prep your Windows/ Vista installation>carefully, including by using a defrag application that can>handle alphanumeric sorting and put chosen applications on the>outside edge of the HD platter. Nick_N has posted extremely>detailed and helpful instructions - although unfortunately>there is no central repository of his advice, or anyone>else's. Try starting here:>>http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/Ya...?num=1208959973>I am using O&O defrag 11 Professional and I have all harddisks monitored for fragmentation continously. However NickNs advice regarding PC optimizations is much more detailed. I will need a new Hardrive exclusively for FSX or FSX addons. My main WinXPx64 HD has 8GBs free from 75GBs total size.>>You alone can judge how to balance the FSX settings to suit>your personal taste. But it can be helpful to see how other>people use FSX, so here are my personal recommendations, for a>reasonable balance of fluidity and quality on a high-spec>machine for flying "heavies":>>0) Back up your FSX.CFG file. Then delete it and allow FSX to>build a completely new, clean, version when you start it up. >>1) Get a big display that handles at least 1920x1080x32. Set>up Windows/ Vista to use those settings. >>2) On the "Graphics" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) get FSX to>use the same resolution and colour depth as you have set in>the Windows/ Vista display; (ii) set global texture resolution>to "High" or "Very high"; (iii) turn on "Advanced animations">and "Lens flare"; (iv) set "Informational text" to>"Continuous"; (v) turn off "Preview DirectX 10", and "Light>bloom"; (vi) set "Filtering" to "Trilinear"; (vii) turn off>Anti-aliasing (you'll get the Catalyst control panel to handle>it instead); (vii) set "Target frame rate" to "Unlimited".>>3) On the "Aircraft" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) set>"Default cockpit view" to "3-D virtual cockpit"; (ii) turn on>"High-resolution 3-D virtual cockpit" and "Aircraft>landing-lights illuminate ground"; (iii) turn off "Show>cockpit ToolTips", "Aircrat casts shadows on the ground" and>"Aircraft casts shadows on itself".>>4) On the "Scenery" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) in the>"Terrain and water" group, push all the sliders to the right ->then take "Water effects" down to "Low 2.x"; (ii) turn on>"Land detail textures"; (iii) set "Scenery complexity" to>"Very dense"; (iv) set "Autogen density" to "Dense" or "Very>dense"; (v) turn off "Ground scenery shadows; (vi) set>"Special effects detail" to "High".>>5) On the "Weather" tab of the "Display" menu, (i) set "Cloud>draw distance" to 110miles/176km; (ii) set "Cloud detail" to>"Detailed clouds"; (iii) set "Cloud coverage density" to>maximum; the other settings do not matter.>>6) On the "Traffic" tab of the "Display" menu, set everything>to 0%: ie, turn it all off. I fly online so I do not miss the>AI traffic. If you find you cannot live without it, just>remember that it is a big resource hog: but with MyTraffic>5.2X you should be able to get to about 30% airline traffic>without losing too much performance (and higher, of course,>away from congested areas). I strongly suggest you do without>any of the "Land and sea traffic" if you fly anywhere urban.>>7) From the Catalyst control panel, find a good anti-aliasing>setting. I don't know about ATI so I can't help here.>>8) In ActiveSkyX, choose a refresh rate of every 20 minutes or>so; and give yourself 15+ layers of clouds for a convincing>sky.>>9) In FEX, make absolutely sure you are not using their>so-called "SHD" textures. Particularly when ActiveSky X is>throwing out 15+ layers of clouds (see above), these>resolutions will swamp the bandwidth of your graphics card.>Personally I find that the FEX clouds look just fine at 256>bits.>>10) ONLY if stuttering is still a problem - and ONLY as a last>resort, not for the fun of it - try tweaking your FSX.CFG file>with the well-known tweaks. I would try them in the following>order: (i) add the "Bufferpools" entry to your FSX.CFG file>with a setting of 5000000; (ii) set "TEXTURE_BANDWIDTH_MULT">to 70; (iii) set "FIBER_FRAME_TIME_FRACTION" to 0.66. You can>find instructions by Googling; or try this link: >>http://ops.precisionmanuals.com/wiki/FSX_F...uide#CFG_tweaks>>>With your PC properly configured and running at 4GHz you>should get pretty solid results with those settings. The>framerate will of course vary with the weather (clouds are a>killer) and the complexity of the scenery, but I would not>expect to see your framerates dropping significantly below>about 17fps in any circumstances; generally they should be>considerably higher; and stuttering should not be an issue.>>>TimThanks for the advice Tim. I will try your recommendations.Regarding the failed overclocking attempts here is my CPU details from the CPU Box:ProdCode: BX80569QX9770S-SPEC: SLAWMMM#:897362EAN: 5032037008013UPC: 35858197564FPO/BATCH#: L806B330VERSION#: E34923-001 1.3V MAXAnd this is what Sandra Reports:SiSoftware SandraProcessorModel : Intel® Core2 Extreme CPU X9770 @ 3.20GHzSpeed : 2.88GHzCores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)Type : Quad-CoreBus : Intel AGTL+Package : FC LGA (Socket T)Rated Speed/FSB : 3.20GHz / 4x 533MHzMultiplier : 6/1xMinimum/Maximum Multiplier : 6/1x - 8/1xGeneration : G8Name : C2QY (Yorkfield) Core 2 Quad 45nm 2.33-3.16GHz 1.0-1.2VRevision/Stepping : 17 / 7 (0)Microcode : MU06170703Core Voltage Rating : 1.000VMin/Max Core Voltage : 0.863V - 1.000VMaximum Physical / Virtual Addressing : 36-bit / 48-bitNative Page Size : 4kBLarge Page Size : 2MBPart Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.Asset Tag : To Be Filled By O.E.M.Serial Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.Co-Processor (FPU)Speed : 2.88GHzType : Built-inRevision/Stepping : 17 / 7 (0)Cache InformationInternal Data Cache : 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line sizeInternal Instruction Cache : 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 8-way, 64 byte line sizeL2 On-board Cache : 6MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 24-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharingL2 Cache Multiplier : 1/1xUpgradeabilitySocket/Slot : LGA775Upgrade Interface : Socket LGA775Supported Speed(s) : 3.80GHzProcessor Power ManagementProcessor Throttling Support : YesThrottle Range : 75% - 100%Environment Monitor 1Model : Winbond W83627DHG-A ISAVersion : 12.01Mainboard Specific Support : NoEnvironment Monitor 2Model : Intel Core CPU [P1, C4, M0]Version : 23.07Mainboard Specific Support : NoSensorsCPU Temperature : 49.00

>>waste of time, I do it all the time>>>Yeah it

>So you

I'm sorry but I can't reply in detail to your post and anyway I'm not qualified to give you a tutorial in overclocking: I only know what I've picked up through my own experience and reading threads like this one over the past few months. The one point I would emphasise is that you will almost certainly have to fiddle with the voltages to get to 4GHz. As for vCore: Intel publish specifications for all their processors telling you the recommended operating range of vCore. There is also an "absolute" maximum vCore, which you should NEVER exceed. I do not know the figures for the Quads: you can find them easily on Intel's website. To give you an example: for the E8600 and others in that series - and without looking it up again I cannot be 100% sure - the range is something like 1.1v-1.3625v, with an absolute maximum of 1.45v. Voltages between 1.3625v and 1.45v are likely to degrade the CPU, but probably won't fry it completely; anything over 1.45v and the CPU is likely to fry. A reminder: these figures are for the E8600 not the Quads; and they are only from what I can remember of Intel's documentation.Note that the CPU voltage you set in your BIOS is NOT the same as vCore. To measure vCore, use a utility such as CPU-Z. You will find that vCore is always a bit lower than the voltage set in BIOS. Asus boards also have a feature called "Load line calibration". This reduces voltage fluctuation when the CPU is under load: vDroop. But vDroop is actually something that the CPU expects: it actually LIKES lower voltages under load than when idle. So don't use LLC unless you're sure you know what you're doing.You will probably also have to increase CPU PLL and the FSB Termination (CPU VTT) voltages: but very, very slightly and carefully. You will probably also have to increase the Northbridge voltage.Tim

I am very disappointed (up to now) with the QX9770 CPU. I have managed to get it up to 3.6GHz (400FSBx9multiplier) but anything more causes bluescreens and freezes. I haven't tried to fiddle with the voltages nor I intend to. 1230Euros are too much to through to the rabbishbin.I have read in this forum that some people managed to go as high as 4.7GHz (some reported even 5.XGHz) with the QX9650 or even with the Q9650 (which I think is the best value for money for that frequency). I have also bought a new cooler from Xigmatech (http://www.driverheaven.net/reviews.php?reviewid=618&pageid=2) but no luck. These guys used a cascade (I don't know what this is) watercooling system and some used liquid nitrogen which is very dangerous for the skin (-150C) but this is a different area of interest: Overclocking. These people I doubt if they are really interested in flightsiming.I have one more question: Is there any benefit from an Octal core system (2xQuad cores) with FSX? Or is it a waste of money? I have noticed that FSX utilizes all 4 cores (with SP2/acceleration installed). So is there a possible benefit from more cores?I am running (and don't intend to change) FSX on WINXPx64SP2 OS.Thanks for your comments.

>It really sounds like hocus pocus overkill with no sound basis. I >could be wrong of course as I'm just guessing, but again, I have >had no problems in the past 5y with this idea. Sounds like a >colossal waste of time. Sure if you can count on the driver cleaner completely getting rid of all traces of the previous drivers, which obviously from the problems users have, they don

You CANNOT overclock this CPU (or any other) to 4GHz+ without turning up the voltages. The 4.7GHz results you've seen ALL involve fiddling with the voltages. It is the only way for you to take advantage of your investment in this CPU. Your extra money spent on this CPU gives you more flexibility with your settings, but it does not escape the fundamental rule that higher speeds need higher voltages. If you mean to stick at 3.2GHz just so you can stick at stock voltages, then sorry but you really have wasted your money.On the other hand, I wouldn't encourage you just to "leap in". Read around first, study the settings used by other people, and get a feel for the right way to do it. It's not hard: just boring.Tim

I too experienced uninspired cloud performance with the 4870 1GB. I have decided to swap out the new card for my 8800GTS 640MB. I think any additional upgrades will be towards future CPU advances as my E8500 is providing adequate performance for the moment.