My spec'sIntel core Duo E8400 @ 3.0 ghz. 1333 FSBM/B Gigabyte GA-73pvm-S2H N force 630IGe Force 7100PC2-6400 (2 gigs) @ 400mhzXp sp3Being it is "on board" video, The video uses 512 M/B of system memory thus leaving just over a gig of mem. to use for apps. like FS9. If i add another 2 gigs of memory will Xp utilize the extra memory in slot 2 (Total of 4 gigs) to achieve better performance? I know on board video is not as good as a dedicated video card but, $50 for memory versus $200 plus for a nice card...... Thanks.....

I am using XP Pro SP3 (32-bit) with 4GB of DDR2-800 RAM. Windows recognises 3.25GB, which leaves well enough RAM for the applications. As I am writing this, task manager performance tab reports 3406828 bytes of Physical Memory, of which 2601848 is available.So, just like any 32-bit OS, it does not usues all 4GB, but 3.25GB is good enough for me.Make sure that ALL your memory modules are of the same type and speed, and paired.

Your system is pretty good. Why not just buy a new video card. Something like the 8800GTS 512Mb(which I am running) will not run you a lot but will improve things many times over on your system.

Your system is pretty good. Why not just buy a new video card. Something like the 8800GTS 512Mb(which I am running) will not run you a lot but will improve things many times over on your system.

Thanks for the reply's....I figured the best way to go would be a video card but, i was not sure if the added memory was a good idea or to just get a card a be that much ahead performance wise. I think the on board video is a bottle neck of sorts. Just looking for the best bang for the buck so to speak. If i could really improve performance with just the added memory, okay, but, if over all the best way to go in the long run is a dedicated card, then, that's where i will be headed. Thanks again...Ed

FS9 isn't really GPU-limited but onboard video isn't really adequate either. Any decent mid-level graphics card will do the trick for you. A 9800 GT would be a good buy. Newegg has those starting under $100. FS9 will never need more horsepower than that, and it's still a good card even for FSX.

FS9 isn't really GPU-limited but onboard video isn't really adequate either. Any decent mid-level graphics card will do the trick for you. A 9800 GT would be a good buy. Newegg has those starting under $100. FS9 will never need more horsepower than that, and it's still a good card even for FSX.

Great! Thanks for the heads up!

FS9 isn't really GPU-limited but onboard video isn't really adequate either. Any decent mid-level graphics card will do the trick for you. A 9800 GT would be a good buy. Newegg has those starting under $100. FS9 will never need more horsepower than that, and it's still a good card even for FSX.

My Lady has decided to buy me a surprise gift. Got Ups delivery today and , Ye Haw!!!! EVGA GTS 250 w/ 1gig DDR3. Got her installed (Big Card) and FS9 is running real smooth with all the sliders to the right and add on's running...... God Love Her! :(

My Lady has decided to buy me a surprise gift. Got Ups delivery today and , Ye Haw!!!! EVGA GTS 250 w/ 1gig DDR3. Got her installed (Big Card) and FS9 is running real smooth with all the sliders to the right and add on's running...... God Love Her! :(

Nice, good to hear! Enjoy the smoothness. :(

Sweet gift!

Sweet gift!

Going from the on board video to this card has been fantastic!