Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 ghz orPhenom II X4 955 Black Edition Quad Core Processor - 3.20GHzI have about 300 hundred dollars to lay out for some upgrades for FSX untill next year when I will upgrade everything. I also have the ram and hardrives so its just a choice on this two CPUS and a MOBO to hold me over. I also want to add AI traffic REX and A PMDG plane which I can't do on my e7300@ 3ghz. It does FSX and UTX ok as long as I have no other addons.

I'd go with the Intel chip. The AMDs are known number crunchers, but applied in games (err, this simulator) the Intels pull ahead. Are you planning on overclocking? Highly recommended.

I'd go with the Intel chip. The AMDs are known number crunchers, but applied in games (err, this simulator) the Intels pull ahead. Are you planning on overclocking? Highly recommended.

Yes Zach will overclock as far as they will go on air. Thanks for the input been trying to find some info about the two chips but as far as FSX goes it seems like they just fall off the planet not to much on them.

They're both great chips and perform approximately equal at stock speeds. The AMD AM3 platform likely still has a bit of life left in it, the Intel 775 platform does not. Both chips should overclock to about the same 4GHz level, depending upon your other system components (RAM, mobo, cooling, PSU) and ability.I have a Q9550 @ 4GHz (specs in sig) and it's a beast. Bottom line: you won't go wrong either way.

They're both great chips and perform approximately equal at stock speeds. The AMD AM3 platform likely still has a bit of life left in it, the Intel 775 platform does not. Both chips should overclock to about the same 4GHz level, depending upon your other system components (RAM, mobo, cooling, PSU) and ability.I have a Q9550 @ 4GHz (specs in sig) and it's a beast. Bottom line: you won't go wrong either way.

Thanks TechguyMaxC I thought the Q9550 would be enough to hold me over till next year. Then all the new video cards and win 7 stuff will be out.