I recently got a new Gateway FX6800-01e system with an Intel core i7 920 cpu @ 2.67 ghz., 3.00 GB DDR3 Ram, ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB DDR3 Dual DVI, Intel X58 Express Chipset. FSX runs fairly well but has occasionally low fps, especially around dense scenery areas. I have most sliders and options set for best performance per NickN's reccomended settings. I just heard about the JetLine Systems that are made just for FSX, but I could never afford one. Besides, I just got this rig thinking my FS problems would be over. I heard that the processor is the main factor in FSX performance. Is it possible to upgrade my processor and if so, what one would do the trick to give the best improvement in FSX performance? Also, is it easy to do? I used to flip up a lever and pop out an old Pentium and replace it in seconds. The inside of my machine looks a lot more complicated than that. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Tom

I know it's a Gateway, but is overclocking an option? If so, that'd be the best thing to try for now. Surely you've read through these overclocking post, though! Just figured I'd ask

Hi TomIt's likely the ATI card which is slowing you down in the dense scenery areas, especially so if you have some weather going. This issue is discussed in Nick tuning guide and is related to the significantly lower amount of TMU's (texture mapping units) which ATI use in comparison to Nvidia.If your bios will allow then overclocking the i7 920 is highly recommended. 3.4GHz should not be an issue at all and FSX will thank you for it.

Hi TomIt's likely the ATI card which is slowing you down in the dense scenery areas, especially so if you have some weather going. This issue is discussed in Nick tuning guide and is related to the significantly lower amount of TMU's (texture mapping units) which ATI use in comparison to Nvidia.If your bios will allow then overclocking the i7 920 is highly recommended. 3.4GHz should not be an issue at all and FSX will thank you for it.

Thanks for the help guys. I have to admit, I know nothing about overclocking. Is it easy to do? Does it involve hardware changes or just software changes? Can I do it myself?I've heard before that ATI is not the best for FSX, but unfortunately that's what Gateway stuck in this machine. Do you recccomend an affordable NVIDIA card that will help FSX?Sharrow, do you mean I should overclock my current processor or a new one? (920). If a new one are they easy to replace? Sorry for the million questions but I don't know much about upgrading the newer systems. Thanks again. Tom

Thanks for the help guys. I have to admit, I know nothing about overclocking. Is it easy to do? Does it involve hardware changes or just software changes? Can I do it myself?I've heard before that ATI is not the best for FSX, but unfortunately that's what Gateway stuck in this machine. Do you recccomend an affordable NVIDIA card that will help FSX?Sharrow, do you mean I should overclock my current processor or a new one? (920). If a new one are they easy to replace? Sorry for the million questions but I don't know much about upgrading the newer systems. Thanks again. Tom

Sharrow is recommending that you overclock your exsisting processor if your bios will allow for it. I'm not sure what you mean by "affordable" for a graphics card but with your hardware you should go for a NVIDIA GTX280 or GTX285. You should also get 6GB of TRI-Chanel DDR3 since this PC comes with a 64bit OS.Regards,Bob