Dear Nick_N...

[Bubi42 1]

I'm about to embark on building my own PC (first-timer), specifically with FSX performance in mind. I'm also on a budget that won't stretch to the fastest I7's, etc.I'm quite confused by threads I've read regarding CPU's etc, and have a couple of specific questions:1. Does FSX take full advantage of quad-core, and if so am I better off with a slighly older CPU than I7 but with a higher clock speed than, for example, the I7 920? (I'm not technical, so overclocking isn't really a possibility!)2. Which operating system is best - Vista 32 or 64?Thanks for any help.Toni.

[Guest Nick_N]

Toni in your case where you do not plan to clock you need to focus on the fastest components that will run stockYes, FSX takes advantage of quad core for terrain and autogen calls and it is a definite benefit to have a quad.The catch is the faster the quad by default the more expensive it is which is why people clock their processor. They can purchase a lower speed proc and with the right heatsink (and know how) turn it into nearly double the speed. In your case you need the fastest quad you can buy as FSX really needs at least 3GHz to start shining...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115130That proc will clock to 4Ghz on the right heatsink.. and easily clock to 3.3-3.5 with little effort and no extended heatsink purchase. What you should look for is the fastest quad you can afford, pair it up with very low latency memory. I would suggest DDR3 over DDR2 however if cost is a factor then you may only be able to afford DDR2You need to running FSX 'SP2' to make sure you can take full advantage of >2GB of system memory and will need 4GB (2x2GB) to get the most out of FSX.In the case of DDR3 and no clocking that would be 4GB (2x2GB) of DDR3 1333 with a timing of 6-6-6: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820148227In the case of DDR2 and no clocking that may be problematical as some motherboards will allow the faster memory operation without clocking and others do not. You would still want 4GB (2x2GB) however what you would look for is the lowest timing possible. Lets assume you would be able to use DDR2 800, that should be 4-4-4 timing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146793or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820148212In the event the board would not allow DDR2 800 operation without clocking, that would mean your memory speed would be 1/4 the processor FSB. So if you purchased a 1333 processor that would be DDR2 667http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231120I do wish to point out you are much better off on DDR3 1333 or DDR2 800 than DDR2 667 and lower. Video card is next. You need to pair the right card up to the quad/memory for FSX success. In this case I suggest the GTX 260 (216 processor core model, not the 192) and if you do not intend to clock the fastest core speed you can affordhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130433If that is not possible then the 9800GTX however if you can afford it you would be much better off on the 260 above in FSXhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130416To use 4GB of memory correctly you must be on a 64 bit OS.. so Vista x64 is requiredNow.. I would suggest a i7 940 system over the Q9650 I posted above especially if you do not intend to clock. The small difference in CPU speed is made up for in memory speed and internal processor design however it does come with a higher price tag but that would place you in newer hardware which will not be extinct soonFor memory you would need this if no clocking is involved: 6-6-6 timinghttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820226032at that point you would be running 6GB and again the 64bit OS is requiredThe 940 will clock very easy to just above 3Ghz with no voltage changes and little effort however if you do intend to push it a bit you will need faster memory (DDR3 1600) in order for the clock to work stable above a memory speed of 1333 MHzBest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820226050 (more expensive) Good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227381If you go with i7 940 I highly suggest you also go with the GTX 285 and not the 260http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130483