Hi Simmers,I am about to build a new machine and want to create a platform that will run my complex FS9 setup that uses high end payware aircraft, complex payware sceneries/weather/texture add-ons, heavy amount of AI traffic, and many other runtime companion add-ons (like FSCrew, Squawkbox, FSFK, etc). I primarily use PMDG/Level-D in virtual cockpit mode with TrackIR so graphics capability is important.I could simply go out and but the fastest motherboard, chipset, graphics cards on the market today however many of these surpase the capabilities of the aging 32-bit FS9 application, so can someone please advise me on the key graphics card, motherboard & memory specs I need to consider for optimum FS9 performance. Cost is not a factor.Sorry, I realise this is yet another one of those "what's the best ..." posts but all the research I have done on this question is a bit dated and I wanted some advice based upon current day hardware options. Any help would be most appreciated.Regards,CaptainVirtualP.S.This machine will run Vista Premium 32-bit (eventaully Win7) and I need to run dual monitors - however I only sim with one.I am familiar with optimising the OS/services/application side of the equation.

Have an i7 920 CPU with 6GB of PC 1333. Running Vista 64-bit...FPS hardly ever under 30 FPS...most of the time 50-60. Running UT 100% with all sliders to the right...and yes - running PMDG MD-11 at EGLL....:-)Asus P6T MB....ATI HD4850....Really happy with FS9.

Thanks for the info Brzi,I'm happy with FS9 as well, plus I have so much time & money invested in it. Have you experienced any compatiability issues with any of your applications/add-ons running under 64-bit?

Have you experienced any compatiability issues with any of your applications/add-ons running under 64-bit?

I can think of these three...ACM does not run under Vista...solved this by runing VirtualPC2007 with Windows 2000F1 Ultimate Traffic Palmspotter does not update...not a big deal as I do not use anyway...CS b-707, Mig-21, F-104 do not install correctly....All add-on sceneries run fine. All other payware aircraft also work fine - and I have most of them :-)Hope this helps.

Hi,Last week I ordered the following components for my new FS2004 rig (and some other games)Since I haven't received the parts yet, I can't comment about its speed yet but I would be disappointed if I could not run FS2004 with 25+ fps.(Although you never know with Flight Simulator... ;-))All components are hand picked by doing some research on the internet.ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 MotherboardIntel Core i7 920 - D0 Stepping - Processor6GB Corsair Dominator GT memory (3x2GB) - DDR3 - 1866 MHz / PC3-15000 EVGA Geforce GTX 285 graphics card - 2GB DDR3Gigabyte ODIN Pro 800W power supplyThermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT Processor CoolerCreative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty ProCooler Master CM 690 nVidia Edition - Midtowermodel 2 x Seagate Barracuda 750 GB DisksI still haven't decided if I install WinXP32 or WinXP64 for the time being (untill official Win7 release).

Thanks Egbert,Your configuration is almost identical to the list I have generated. My guess is this is overkill for FS2004 as it can't take advantage of some of the advanced graphics features, but as a CPU centric application the Core i7 processor, chipset & DDR3 has to be a major advantage.

Hi Simmers,I am about to build a new machine and want to create a platform that will run my complex FS9 setup that uses high end payware aircraft, complex payware sceneries/weather/texture add-ons, heavy amount of AI traffic, and many other runtime companion add-ons (like FSCrew, Squawkbox, FSFK, etc). I primarily use PMDG/Level-D in virtual cockpit mode with TrackIR so graphics capability is important.I could simply go out and but the fastest motherboard, chipset, graphics cards on the market today however many of these surpase the capabilities of the aging 32-bit FS9 application, so can someone please advise me on the key graphics card, motherboard & memory specs I need to consider for optimum FS9 performance. Cost is not a factor.Sorry, I realise this is yet another one of those "what's the best ..." posts but all the research I have done on this question is a bit dated and I wanted some advice based upon current day hardware options. Any help would be most appreciated.Regards,CaptainVirtualP.S.This machine will run Vista Premium 32-bit (eventaully Win7) and I need to run dual monitors - however I only sim with one.I am familiar with optimising the OS/services/application side of the equation.

It sounds like you have the same problem that I had about 8 months ago. Within reason, I wanted the BEST system that money could buy to run my FS2004. I never could figgure out just what to buy so I turned the whole problem over to Jetline systems ( www.JetlineSystems.com) and they put togather a system that was perfect for me. At the time I also decided to expend to a 26 inch, three monitor system so they made me a custom setup just to run that. They called it the "Xjett 780 Custom". I have been very, very happy with my new rig and I really love it ! Here's a screen shot of my new rig.jerrycwo4

Just purchased a new system 2 weeks ago and am running FS9 at locked 60FPS. I did a fair amount of research and the 200 series of Nvidia cards play nicer with intel chipset and is easier to tweak with nHancer than catalyst. I'd also recommend Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2. I was an XP 32 biter for a long time but if you intend to expand (like FSX etc), and want your additional RAM utilized, go with 64 bit vista. My advice is be patient and take the time to tweak the system--you'll have plenty of horsepower--but if you don't tweak video settings (that's where Nvidia nHancer comes into play) then you might be surprised/frustrated. I'd also go with an EVGA version of a Nvidia card--there's usually a tool that you can install--EVGA precision--that will allow you to precisely dial up your video card clock speed and memory (if required).Good Luck!Rich PerryIntel i7 965 Extreme Quad Core (3.2Ghz turbo overclocked to 3.8Ghz)OCZ 6GB DDR3 1800Mhz RAMNvidia GTX 285 2GB GPUVel Raptor 300GB SATA HD 10000rpmSB Xi ExtremeDell 24" 1920x1200Vista Ultimate 64-bit (SP2)TrackIR4, CH Pro Throttles, Logitech Extreme joystick, Plantronics headset (PMDG (all), Level D, Wilco Airbus, PIC 737, tons of addon payware airports, AS6.5, UT, GE, FE, SB4, FSelemental, Real Environment Pro)

I just built a new system to run FS9. So far after 3 months I am stable locked at 60 FPS. Frames vary from a low of 40 FPS @ FSDT KJFK to 60 FPS most other places. Sliders mostly to the right, and about 60 WOAI Airlines installed @70% traffic. Using Activesky 6.5 and Radar Contact 4.3. PMDG MD11 and LDS 767 are as smooth as can be. Here are the specs:Intel E8500 Core 2 Duo O/C to 4.275 GHz/1800MHz FSBEVGA 790i Ultra MotherboardEVGA GTX260 o/c to 690/1500/1130 (overclocking the video card didn't seem to make a huge difference)4 GB OCZ DDR3 1800Mhz RAM (2x2GB)Samsung DVDSamsung 22" LCD WidescreenWD Caviar Black 640GB HDAntec 650W PSUWas running XP32 but just installed W7 RC x64.Since I was going to overclock, I opted for the E8500 dual core instead of a quad core or an i7. Also, 4GB is about the limit for a 32-bit OS. IMO, I think this system was a sweet spot to run FS9 in terms of price and performance. I probably would have gone with an i7 if I were building for FSX. Maybe next time :)Jim