Hello sim nuts I am currently shopping for a new processor and I am not sure which route to take. My current system is as follows, core 2 duo e66004gb ramevga 8800 gts super clocked (x1)vista home premiumwd 7200 rpm 250gb hdfsx sp246" samsung 1080p monitor (SWEET FOR SIMMING) Now I'm pushing around 15-24 fps with med low settings across the board, not bad but still choppy. Makes hand landing a 737 with bad weather a little tough. So my question is if I get the q9550 quad core cpu do you think there will be a considerable difference? or is it a waste of money. If some one has a better idea I'd love to hear from you! many thanks Rick, BC Canada

There will be a noticeable improvement with the Q9550. The stock clock rate difference will help (2.8 GHz c/f 2.4 GHz), as will the 4 cores. But you'll need to make sure your motherboard is compatible with the new CPU. I have a CPU of similar vintage and I'd dearly like to upgrade but my motherboard takes Wolfdale chips not Yorkfield chips, so I'd have to get a new motherboard as well. If I have to get a new motherboard then I'm better off waiting for Nehalem in November (OK, consumer-level processors maybe Q1 2009).In your case, it may be cheaper just to overclock your existing processor until it becomes known whether the new Intel chips are cost effective for FSX. If it turns out that Nehalem is a bust, then at least the Q9550 should be cheaper by then. Overclocking a CPU can be hard or easy, risky or safe, depending on your system specs. For example, my 680i motherboard is dead easy and I can point anyone interested towards step-by-step instructions to overclock safely. But other boards I can't help with.Cheers,Noel.

Thanks Noel for the info. I have an asus p5ne mobo is that an overclockable board? I'm new to the oc world. might be better to wait until the next gen cpu's are out eh? I know I can get at least 3.2 ghz out of the e6600 as per other articles.

I was wondering if you would be so kind as to comment on the following specs as a possible purchase for my new FSX. My aim is simple: I would like to run my FSX PMDG747 with active sky , and other programs running in the background, and never see a stutter, with all sliders maxed out. I hope this does not sound awful but I am such an addict money is not an issue here, getting the right rig is. I would appreciate your comments.prospective rig:IBM Compatible Computer SystemIntel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor MSI p45 Zilent Motherboard Geil 4GB DDR11-800 (2GB x2) Corsair HX620 Modular Cable Management Cooler Master CM690 Casing 2pcs Western Digital 640GB Hard Disk Drive MSI Radeon 4870 OC 512MB T2D512-OC LG w2252TQ Monitor 2pcs Logitech Cordless Precision Controller for Playstation 2 Thank youPaul

You sound as if you're looking for a shopping list. If money is really no object and you can't wait for Nehalem (or price drops in other components once Nehalem arrives) then here you go:1) Asus Rampage Extreme Motherboard2) Intel QX9770 CPU3) 4Gb DDR3-2000 -capable RAM with fast settings (first 3 parts of the "First Information" should be no greater than 9-9-9 for RAM of this speed; no greater than 8-8-8 for DDR3-1800 -capable RAM; and no greater than 7-7-7 for DDR3-1600 -capable RAM)4) 1x Nvidia GTX280 (there are a couple from XFX at 650+MHz which look interesting)5) 3ware 9690SA SAS RAID PCIe controller6) 4x Hitachi Ultrastar 15k RPM SAS drives (1 for the operating system etc, the other 3 configured as RAID0 for FSX)7) A decent SINGLE rail power supply unit supplying 60Amps or more and a generous margin for error: something like 900W should do8) Vista 64 SP19) O&O defrag or some other defrag software that can put selected files (a) into alphanumeric order and (:( at the outside (ie, fastest) edge of the HD platters during defragmentationObviously you also need a suitable, well-ventilated case with some fans - including for the HD array.Total cost in the UK: shop around and you might be able to do it for about

As a "PS" to my earlier post:Your proposed specs are much like the E8500/P35 system I built a few months ago. It gave OK performance and a nice boost over my dual 5160 Xeon system. But it still wasn't quite what I wanted. I then really blitzed the forums and picked up a lot of helpful information, then went away and built another PC re-using some HDs and the GPU but otherwise using the specs I mentioned in my earlier post, then spent ages setting it up properly - with appreciably better results. It all has to work together: not just a good CPU, but a good CPU with good RAM and a good GPU; and all at the right settings; and because getting the settings right can depend on components with low electrical "noise" etc, you need a decent MB.Also, I forgot to mention that you'll need a good after-market CPU cooler, whatever you end up doing. Tim

Yep, overall I agree with Tim's specs. If you're not going to wait and see if Nehalem (Intel Corei7) is cost effective for FSX, then the ultimate list might be:Intel quad core processor (QX9770 or lower)4 GB of fast Corsair(DDR3)RAM EVGA or XFX GTX280 GPU (superclocked)Velociraptor 10,000 rpm HDD (or several in a RAID array, but then get a RAID card, don't use motherboard RAID). Could even try a couple of the new solid state drives in a RAID 0 array; they are fast but still a little small and way expensive.High quality PSU (e.g. Seasonic or Antec Signature series, or you name it; >650 Watts, but even bigger if using RAID array)Serious cooling solution. Heat is the enemy. If you can afford it, there are some nice cases around with integrated liquid or even peltier cooling. Or could use an ICON watercooling kit. If it is air cooled, get big, slow-moving fans. I like the Antec P180 or have a look at the Lian Li range.Not sure which motherboard at present. It would have to be compatible with the latest Quad cores, perhaps DDR3 ram, PCIe slots, solid capacitors, etc. Too many choices and probably not much impact on overall speed at standard clock rates. But if you're going to overclock, an enthusiast board is a reasonable thing to invest in to simplify changing the BIOS settings. Maybe a Striker II extreme or EVGA 790i?I suggest you have look at the specs of specialist builders like Falcon Northwest for clues on what works near the cutting edge. But remember SLI or Crossfire systems don't benefit FSX. Cheers,Noel.

Yes, I've seen reports of overclocking that board. But not having had one myself, I don't know the details. Try searching on the motherboard name, or go to the manufacturer's website and read the forums. Be aware that not all CPUs of a given model will clock to the same level, because some individual chips are better and some are worse; it's a result of the binning process used to categorize chips on the production line. Raise clock rates in baby steps and watch your temps while you test at each step.Cheers,Noel.

Thanks for your help all! I guess I may as well wait untill the new year to see the nahalem cpu's and see some specs. I have been simming since the sub logic days and this is the furthest behind I have been.

Q9650. Best 500 bucks you can spend for FSX (unless you wait for Nellie). Guaranteed overclock to 4GHz and beyond on less than 1.36v (way less in most cases).-jkedit: Q9550 is good as long as it's E0 stepping, but you'll have to push the FSB a little further.

>My aim>is simple: I would like to run my FSX PMDG747 with active sky>, and other programs running in the background, and never see>a stutter, with all sliders maxed out. This is not possible on any current hardware.Tim's setup he mentions is right on and is about as close as you are going to get. But as Tim mentions, you are still going to have to make compromises, especially with the 747X.RhettFS box: E8500 (@ 3.80 ghz), AC Freezer 7 Pro, ASUS P5E3 Premium, BFG 8800GTX 756 (nVidia 169 WHQL), 4gb DDR3 1600 Patriot Cas7 7-7-7-20 (2T), PC Power 750, WD 150gb 10000rpm Raptor, Seagate 500gb, Silverstone TJ09 case, Vista Ultimate 64ASX Client: AMD 3700+ (@ 2.6 ghz), 7800GT