If I were to go from my current E8500 to an i975 would I see significant gains and improvements? Thank you.

That would apply mostly to Vista and W7 based systems, that manage memory better. Not so much for WinXP Sp3 OS. I'll be bound up with WinXP ([email protected]) yet due to lack of DPlay in Vista and W7 for some time until valid alternatives appear.Dirk.

I recently built a new I7-920 machine with 6 gig DDR3 and love it. I was wondering if anyone could lead me to a guide for "safely" overclocking it. To the OP, congrats on the new 975...it's nice finally having a computer to run FS well, isn't it?KP

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Well...I don't think that I really WAS enjoying 'flight simulation' until this current rig. I think I was enjoying 'flight cripilization'. Seriously, I am happy beyond belief! THIS was what I was waiting to see, experience, and enjoy----since 1984. It was a long wait, but that wait....is over.....Thank you for wishing me enjoyment! That is coming in spades!VFR flight is amazing....around Seattle, the Rockies, Phoenix....well...nobody has the time to read every place it has been mind blowing!~Cheers,Mitch

what is the performance like with, say a PMDG 747 on the i7 platform? With all sliders maxed my core2 3ghz gets around 10-15 on the ground with a little jumpiness in the virtual cockpit but not much noticeable frame rate differences.

PMDG 747 has got to be the most fps intensive addon for FSX.. I gave up on it! Even on my Core 2 Duo on a new HD4850, It just wouldn

I have found it runs smooth even on low FPS, but you just can't fly with any AI out there

I don't see too much FPS increase with over clocking to 4gig.The biggest difference is in drivers. With the latest driver using an unlimited setting the fps are in the 30s and way up there in less dense areas. However the stutters are a huge problem with the up to date drivers.That's why I've settled on the 182.50. Less fps but silky smooth simulation at extreme settings.

I don't see too much FPS increase with over clocking to 4gig.The biggest difference is in drivers. With the latest driver using an unlimited setting the fps are in the 30s and way up there in less dense areas. However the stutters are a huge problem with the up to date drivers.That's why I've settled on the 182.50. Less fps but silky smooth simulation at extreme settings.

I found the same thing and have settled on 182 series drivers. When you got "Silky Smooth" Frame rate is largely irrelevant.

The wait is over.The Eagle has landedBliss is here....and on, and on....1. Super crisp textures2. Super crisp sound with fantastic engine rasp where you'd expect it.3. STELLAR control and force-effect with my new Logitech Force 3D Pro (this...needs a review all on its own...with frame rates either locked at a steady never-go-below 30, or unlimited at 60/70 fps.)After having set up UTX Can and U.S., GEXenhanced, etc on the new 730x, I just came off of my first flight.I am blown away. I can't BELIEVE what visual CRAP I had been so used to...and put up with, for having no choice. FSX-UTX-GEXhanced is simply BEAUTIFUL to behold when everything is crisp from 10 feet off the ground, up to the FL's.Edit: and oh...I haven't even tried yet to overclock yet, the i7-975...all this with the system idling along at stock settings. I feel no pressure to overclock..until I get some flying time to bring me up to speed of what the developers WANTED FSX to look and run like! :) The way I 'see' it' if you excuse the pun...overclocking will just be 'gravy'.I am happy, and satisfied BEYOND BELIEF. This 730x/i7-975/nVidia GTX-285 was WORTH EVERY DOLLAR SPENT!THIS......THIS......is Flight Simulation, folks....Cheers!, and back to the sky....a totally REAL experience now! Later,....Mitch

Unfortunately in Australia this i7-975 sells for $1500 - $2000 (AUD) just for the cpu!. Once you throw in all the required extras (6 gig DDR 3 Ram, suitable motherboard etc) the total price tag is close to $4000 AUD or about $6000 USD!!! and just way too expensive for the average person who has other priorities in the life apart from flight simming. Amazing isn't three years after a game is released and you still have to shell out this sort of money to finally get acceptable performance. Bruceb

I don't see too much FPS increase with over clocking to 4gig.The biggest difference is in drivers. With the latest driver using an unlimited setting the fps are in the 30s and way up there in less dense areas. However the stutters are a huge problem with the up to date drivers.That's why I've settled on the 182.50. Less fps but silky smooth simulation at extreme settings.

----------------------------------------------------------- On Nick's advice for my general setup, he recommended the 182.50's as well. I installed them right away, and have used no other, so can't compare them to another suite. But like you, what I have is stutter-free all the way. I have not attempted yet to overclock my 975, for I have been too busy just flying and enjoying FSX, so with a stock 3.33 GHz and 6 gigs of Tri-Channel 1066 MHz RAM, I am pulling in constant 30's with the 30 FPS boot strap FSX booter file, and inside FSX, set to unlimited.Everything I throw at the i7-975/GTX 285 is laughed at. :) Funny how soon you get used to stutter-free flying, great stick control, clear, in-focus scenery that is in focus all around you no matter how you switch your view, or from what altitude---funny how fast you forget the garbage that was your experience before playing with the big boys...lol!Having a ball....and am discovering how fantastic FSX truly was/is.........I haven't even taken the time to load onto the system FS9! It's now not a given that I even will...for the FSX performance is so fabulous.Cheers!

Unfortunately in Australia this i7-975 sells for $1500 - $2000 (AUD) just for the cpu!. Once you throw in all the required extras (6 gig DDR 3 Ram, suitable motherboard etc) the total price tag is close to $4000 AUD or about $6000 USD!!! and just way too expensive for the average person who has other priorities in the life apart from flight simming. Amazing isn't three years after a game is released and you still have to shell out this sort of money to finally get acceptable performance. Bruceb

----------------------------------------------------------------------It is a lot of money, I guess...but then, when you compare it to the cost of getting your actual P.P.L with multi-engine, night rating...and the cost of renting or owning an aircraft of any of what you can 'fly' in FSX...it becomes most reasonable.I just paid out over $4,000.00 with taxes and a few other items as well....BUT...it has proved to be the BEST MONEY SPENT so far in this hobby since 1984. My FSX world, now can bring a tear to your eyes! The performance is SUPERB! Absolutley....superb!Save your pennies....for you will NOT regret the money spent, once you are able to lift your jaw off of the ground, and get over the shock of what is on your screen....in front of you.....:)Mitch

Or you can build what Mitch has with other features, higher speed memory and a high perf clocking HSF which will get you to about 4.2-4.4GHz for about 2700-2800 USDGlad you are enjoying your new system Mitch.. thats really all that counts

I loaded up FSX with UT2 full commercial traffic and jetways operational. I landed the default 737 at KATL smooth as silk. It was very surprising as I was only clocking 11FPS (due to the jetway operation I think) by the time I braked to taxi speed I was back up in the high twenties and back to thirty five at the gate. I have never seen FSX performa as smoothly at such a low frame rate. I counted 85 commerical aircraft at the gates using the overhead view.Converting from an E8500 to an I7, particularly the 975, cost big time but the warm fuzzy feeling I now have was worth every penny. As for overclocking a tool came with my Gigabyte EX58-UD5 mobo called Easytune one click took me up to 3.75GHz checked out OK another click took me to 3.95GHZ no problem (except my PC won't recover from a sleep state which is trivial). I am a very happy chappie. :(

I am really interested about the diference in performance between an 8600 and a I7 975.- Which performance increase can you estimate you got in terms of percentage.- In my case my 8600 is Overclocked to 4.4 Gb, with a GForce 8800 GTS 512, and executed the same trial you did, ( Default B 737, KATL, UT2 full with jetways enabled, graphics sliders full right, no default AI traffic, airport vehicules minimun, road vehicules 25% ) and obtained similar results.- At which clock speed you did the trial ?.-

Folks,These people are not exaggerating. The i7 975 is the real deal.I can render a music video in seconds. It used to take minutes and the computer would choke.I'm so glad that I made the investment. THANKS AGAIN TO NICK N for his contribution.For those using the 182.50 drivers with win 7, I'm also using the bufferpools tweak. 400 is the spot. Other wise Orbx stutters. Once again the tweak does reduce the fps.I hope that nvidia starts to monitor FSX users. We are among the best customers. We do invest in nvidia video cards. I hope that they create a driver that will finally work with FSX with an unlimited setting.They are getting better, but they are not there yet

Or you can build what Mitch has with other features, higher speed memory and a high perf clocking HSF which will get you to about 4.2-4.4GHz for about 2700-2800 USDGlad you are enjoying your new system Mitch.. thats really all that counts

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm having a ball, Nick...and thanks as always for your great forum input. I am going to order that Mushkin Redline Ascents next week, with the timings just below yours, and see what happens. But I have to tell you, until then...I could be happy with just stock settings. Everything is just great. Just great!Mitch :)

I just built my first computer for <$2800.00 with parts from Newegg. My brothers liked the machines so much that I had give these two to them and build myself another. The only difference is I will replaced the 920 with a 975 that I just received. Corsair recalled the GT memory so that is my hold up. Another good thing is the Vista64 I got came with a free upgrade to Win7.Always set up IAW NickN! Thanks Nick. I just use the cloud flashing fix and FPS Limiter. All sliders to the right except water low 2x and traffic 80%. There is a lot more traffic when you move the slider from 70% to 80%. Still get 23 fps at KSEA but no stutters. The new X52 Pro with Vista64 driver makes the controls much, much smoother.Have funDaveNew System:Intel Core I7 920 Quadcore 2.66Ghz @ 3.6GhzAsus P6T DLX V2 X58 1366, BD Combo Plextor B310SA6GB (3x2GB) Corsair Dominator DDR3 1866C7GTHIS ATI 4890 1GB, Samsung 24", Saitek X-52 PROLogitech Z680 5.1 Speakers, G15 Keyboard, G5 MouseThermaltake Element S Case, Corsair 850TX PSUC: Intel 80GB SSD w/Vista Home 64D: WD 300GB Velocity Raptor w/FSX, F4AFE: WD 1TB Caviar Black w/DataOld System:Dell XPS 720 H2CIntel Quad Core Extreme QX6800 2.93 @ 3.73GHz4GB (2x2GB) Corsair Dominator EPP 8500C5D FSB 800MHz @ 1066MHz2x160GB WD SATA Raptors, Sound Blaster X-FiNvidia 2x8800GTX 768MB SLI, Dell 2407WFP PanelXP driver: 169.21, Vista driver: 169.25Logitech Z680 5.1 Speakers, G5 Mouse, Saitek X52C: WinXP Media Edition SP3 (SATA 0) w/ Internet/AV/Office/FS9/F4AFD: Vista SP2 (SATA 1) (Dual Boot) w/FSX3DMark06: 17,018/6992/7123/5667