I would really appreciate some advice regarding my computer system and FSX. I have been surfing the internet from my recliner for years. Now that my old laptop has died, I've been trying to find a new one that will let me enjoy FSX and addons -- UTX, GEX, FSGlobal, plus planes and adventure packs -- at generally high settings.I just bought a Gateway P-7805u from Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827 It's gotten rave reviews from both users and sites like CNET as a truly great gaming system for the price. $1100 bought me an Intel Core 2 Duo P8500 @ 2.26 GHz, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, Nvidia 9800M GTS with 1 GB DDR3, 320 GB 7200 RPM HDD, and 17" 1920 x 1200 LCD. Owners brag about running Crysis wide open, but as we know, FSX is "special." (BTW, no video driver problems as some have reported.)I have tried every trick I can find, using NickN's tips and others. My OS (Win 7 x64 RC 1) is stripped down, my video card is over clocked as much as possible (about 9000 on 3DMark06), and FSX has been tweaked. Frankly, the frame rate numbers aren't that bad, but it isn't as smooth as I would like even on medium settings. I haven't even installed any addons. My dream, like everyone else, is eye candy and smooth frames.The laptop is heavy in my lap, but easy enough to use in my living room. A desktop is more of a logistical challenge, especially in my wife's eyes. I am considering one of two options. First, I could replace the P8400 with a T9800 CPU at 2.93 GHz. The clock speed is a 30% increase, but factoring in the larger cache, performance seems to improve more like 37-40% from what I've read. The chip would cost about $400, bringing the total system price to $1500, not counting an extra HDD I added.The other alternative is to custom build a desktop rig. Costco has a good 28" (!!!) LCD for $300. I'd overclock an i7 and get a good video card as part of a $1200-1400 system. My hope is that this will let me run FSX at higher settings with my addons. But it presents real problems fitting it into our family room decor, and I'm not going to go into my office whenever I want to fly.So, I have several questions. First, what do people think about my current laptop--is it realistic to expect good performance as it is? So far, I haven't been particularly satisfied. Second, do you think upgrading the CPU to a T9800 will deliver significantly improved performance? I know FSX hits the CPU hard, so if upgrading it will really help, that would probably make my wife happier than a desktop. Third, if I do go the desktop route, can I expect high or better performance with an i7 OC to around 4 GHz and maybe a Nvidia 285 video card? Fourth, is there any other option I should be considering.I'm seeking as much feedback as possible as soon as possible because I've only got about 1 week left if I'm going to return the laptop to Best Buy. Thanks! DAB

The other alternative is to custom build a desktop rig. Costco has a good 28" (!!!) LCD for $300. I'd overclock an i7 and get a good video card as part of a $1200-1400 system. My hope is that this will let me run FSX at higher settings with my addons. But it presents real problems fitting it into our family room decor, and I'm not going to go into my office whenever I want to fly.So, I have several questions. First, what do people think about my current laptop--is it realistic to expect good performance as it is? So far, I haven't been particularly satisfied. Second, do you think upgrading the CPU to a T9800 will deliver significantly improved performance? I know FSX hits the CPU hard, so if upgrading it will really help, that would probably make my wife happier than a desktop. Third, if I do go the desktop route, can I expect high or better performance with an i7 OC to around 4 GHz and maybe a Nvidia 285 video card? Fourth, is there any other option I should be considering.I'm seeking as much feedback as possible as soon as possible because I've only got about 1 week left if I'm going to return the laptop to Best Buy. Thanks! DAB

Good luck building an i7 system for $1200-$1400. I wasn't able to do it.There are far more knowledgeable techies here than I, however, using a laptop for FSX just doesn't seem to be a good idea. While it can be done, I think you're far better off with a desktop system for running FSX. But if you are set on using a laptop, I do think an upgrade to the laptop CPU will increase performance but by how much is really hard to tell.I definitely think you will see better performance with a desktop whether it be Intel i7 or AMD Phenom II X4. You could consider a cost saving AMD Dragon Platform using an AMD 790FX chipset mobo and the Phenom II X4 955 BE CPU with an ATI 4890 video card. This is quite a departure from the Intel/Nvidia combo but will save you money and should run FSX great.Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

The desktop route/i7 920 overclock route is the bestYou need to find a 920 with D0 stepping and overclock it 4.0GHz to really get the sim going.Use a cooler such as this one:http://www.crazypc.com/products/ultra-120-1366-50985.htmlMotherboardhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131365RAMhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227381Video Cardhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130480Power supplyhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817703009HDDhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136322

The desktop route/i7 920 overclock route is the bestYou need to find a 920 with D0 stepping and overclock it 4.0GHz to really get the sim going.Use a cooler such as this one:http://www.crazypc.com/products/ultra-120-1366-50985.htmlMotherboardhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131365RAMhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820227381Video Cardhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130480Power supplyhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817703009HDDhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136322

I second Ryan, I bought an X58, C0 I7 920 and a GTX 285 ,used my old harddrive and PSU (750) and I got FSX running 30 FPS no problems, I OCed my 920 to 3.8 stable and temps are low and there is room to overclock even more if I felt like it. You cannot beat it for the price. And THIS WILL get FSX running the way you want it to.

I second Ryan,I bought an X58, C0 I7 920 and a GTX 285 ,used my old harddrive and PSU (750) and I got FSX running 30 FPS no problems, I OCed my 920 to 3.8 stable and temps are low and there is room to overclock even more if I felt like it. You cannot beat it for the price. And THIS WILL get FSX running the way you want it to.

One more thing for the price of that cooler I would get a Coolermaster V8. I am willing to say it's about the best Fan cooler out there.

I second Ryan, I bought an X58, C0 I7 920 and a GTX 285 ,used my old harddrive and PSU (750) and I got FSX running 30 FPS no problems, I OCed my 920 to 3.8 stable and temps are low and there is room to overclock even more if I felt like it. You cannot beat it for the price. And THIS WILL get FSX running the way you want it to.One more thing for the price of that cooler I would get a Coolermaster V8. I am willing to say it's about the best Fan cooler out there.

I agree with both these posts: an i7 at 4+ GHz combined with a GTX280 or 285 gives us - finally - a big enough stick to beat FSX into something approaching submission. Put it this way: I no longer feel the need to try tweaking any settings.However, you can also get pretty good performance by overclocking an E8500 or E8600 Core 2 Duo with fast, well-tuned RAM, again combined with a GTX280 or 285. If you can get up to 4.3 GHz, you'll see solid framerates and good smoothness although (obviously) with more "bumps" and without the same snappiness of texture-loading. I mention this because I think you might find it easier to build a system around these components for $1100 or so. But if your budget is more accommodating, then I'd go for the i7-based solution.Finally: I'm sure it's obvious from what others have said, but just so you're absolutely clear about this: there is no computer in the market that can run FSX nicely without CPU overclocking. It's easy to get 100+ fps in a clear blue sky over the desert. But by "nicely" I mean give good performance under demanding settings with complex add-ons in demanding scenery areas and tough weather etc. So if you don't want to overclock, then any upgrade will be disappointing and (IMHO) you might as well stick with what you've got and save yourself the cash.Tim