Probably like many, I upgraded my computer ~bi-annually when the next version of Flight Sim came out. Even though it looks like we may have seen the last MS Flight Sim version, at least for now, I find myself once again in the mood to upgrade. In the past, processor speeds increased drastically, with regularity. In the past few years, this has not been the case, though there's no denying the the C2Duo's offered a big gain over the P4, seemingly regardless of Mhz.My current system employs a C2D [email protected] on air/ MSI P35 Platinum MB / 4Gb PC8500 RAM / WD Raptor / 8800GTX & 9600GT / TH2go DI run multiple monitors and touch screens. I'm wanting to replace my 19" 4:3 monitors (x3 with TH2Go Digital - 3840x1024), with 22" widescreens (5040x1050). I'm already running six screens from this one computer with 2 video cards, but am thinking the extra resolution (5040x1050) will cause problems. I just think it would be good to up the horsepower.What I don't want to do, is assemble a new box, and get an 11% performance gain. Maybe you've done something like that before. You pump a bunch of money and sweat into a project, and struggle to see any difference. As I mentioned, in the past, the gains were usually pretty dramatic and I recall the smiles when flight sim ran so much smoother after a major upgrade.FSX seems to be so dependent on processor speed. I'm not sure if going to an i7 will provide enough extra grunt to make a significant difference over what I have. I would overclock for sure. It would be nice to have a 975 to start with, but that's just too expensive right now. 4 Ghz seems to be doable for the 920...but I'm already at 3.8, though the i7 and other parts should make more of a difference than the 0.2 CPU speed difference alone implies - but would it be significant? Or would it be a waste of time and money?I'm in no hurry, and this is where the crystal ball part comes in. I've tried to see into the future to see what Intel, or for that matter, AMD, are going to do in the next 6 to 12 months. I've searched for "what comes after i7 975" and so on, but can't seem to surface a good roadmap. I did read some stuff from the Intel Developers meeting; they seemed to talk about the i5 series, and six cores. But I have not found anything that points to a processor with higher clock speeds than the i7 975.1. Is anyone aware of anything faster coming out? (Even if 'faster' is an architectural change that will likely benefit FSX?2. Upgrading from my o/c E6850 to an o/c i7 - has anyone followed a similar change that can comment on their impressions of the amount of improvement?I suppose it's always beneficial to wait a while. If nothing else, the i7 975 will come down eventually. I'd rather wait for something more revolutionary.There's also the Display Port connection for video cards and monitors...and the new TH2go DP version. I don't know that there would be a performance gain, but it would get around the current 57hz limit with the existing TH2go D.Thanks in advance for any comments or advice. And by the way, I'm looking at a complete upgrade, video card, RAM etc. I've focused on the processor as that seems to be the pacing item for FSX.Best Regards,Noel WHere's a recent pic of my system with the new PMDG JS4100. By the way, the FPS were in the toilet in this shot...it required 3 3D windows open at the same time. I was just messing around trying to make the VC only JS4100 show more simultaneous '2D' panels. It does work OK with just the main panel and the outside view however. I wonder if more horsepower would drive it successfully. (??)

How long are you willing to wait?You don't need to wait. You can build my system with dual ssd drives or you can build a skulltrail intell D5400xs with 2 qx9775 and 8 gigs of ram, 2 gtx 285, and 2 ssd drives. I'll go as far to say that I guarantee you will be delighted, but it comes at a very high cost.If you wait for 6 cores and high clocks you could be in for a long wait.

Here's the leaked intel roadmapI think you should wait a little longer to get the sort of performance boosts you want. 200 Mhz, even with an i7, won't make all the difference.... you'll need more, which will come down the road.http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r43/rya...ntelRoadmap.jpg

Noel,Do a Google search on "gulftown" and you'll find some early lab tests on the i9 chips. Some of these reports also mention upcoming "news" on the chip, but unless this news in coming from inside Intel, I'd call it rumors.Bruce

Check out some posts from a few days ago. It is in the thread right below this one:http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=261517Noel,There is also a new ATI graphics card coming out that will run three monitors on one card. I havn't really seen any benchmarks but it is supposed to move the ball forward in the graphics card arena.

As others have said, if you can wait 6 or so months I would. You will then see Gulftown's price/perf reviews and the GT300 should be out and compared with the ATI cards. That way you can see the most bang for the buck. As for AMD unless you are currently in a AM2+ or AM3 motherboard and don't want or have the cash to get out stick with Intel. AMD's next big tech won't be out till 2011.

Thank you all for your replies and insight.DJJose...hmmm, that does sound like an extreme setup. Not sure if I could justify that. And I really don't want to wait 18 months into 2011. Dunno.Ryan, thanks for that link to the Intel Roadmap. That's excellent...just what I was looking for.Bruce - I spent some time reading about Gulftown. Dang, I'm not sure what to think at this point. (??)Scott - Yes, that's a good post on the 860, and has a several good links embedded. I did a quick search for the 3 port ATI card, but didn't latch on to anything. That is intriguing, as I'd really like to be able to add one more monitor, without adding a third video card. As it is, I'd like to have a MB with two 16x slots, for two cards. That of course limits choices; I'll just have to weigh that in with the overall setup. I don't really need the second video card bus to be top speed, as I mostly run 2D panels on the monitors attached to it. But as in the case of VC only addons, it might come in handy.=HPSF= - I hear you on waiting...it can only help, if not with better performance choices, certainly with price. The GT300 looks like it's having early troubles. Not good, but I suppose the jury is still out. I've not had an ATI card for a long time, but maybe it will be time to switch (again). As far as AMD is concerned, they just seem to be behind Intel in performance, both now, and for the next year or so.In summary, my upgrade path is as clear as mud...at this point. I suppose that argues to just wait a while and see how things shake out.Again, I appreciate you all taking the time to post your comments.Best Regards,Noel W

Thank you all for your replies and insight.DJJose...hmmm, that does sound like an extreme setup. Not sure if I could justify that. And I really don't want to wait 18 months into 2011. Dunno.Ryan, thanks for that link to the Intel Roadmap. That's excellent...just what I was looking for.Bruce - I spent some time reading about Gulftown. Dang, I'm not sure what to think at this point. (??)Scott - Yes, that's a good post on the 860, and has a several good links embedded. I did a quick search for the 3 port ATI card, but didn't latch on to anything. That is intriguing, as I'd really like to be able to add one more monitor, without adding a third video card. As it is, I'd like to have a MB with two 16x slots, for two cards. That of course limits choices; I'll just have to weigh that in with the overall setup. I don't really need the second video card bus to be top speed, as I mostly run 2D panels on the monitors attached to it. But as in the case of VC only addons, it might come in handy.=HPSF= - I hear you on waiting...it can only help, if not with better performance choices, certainly with price. The GT300 looks like it's having early troubles. Not good, but I suppose the jury is still out. I've not had an ATI card for a long time, but maybe it will be time to switch (again). As far as AMD is concerned, they just seem to be behind Intel in performance, both now, and for the next year or so.In summary, my upgrade path is as clear as mud...at this point. I suppose that argues to just wait a while and see how things shake out.Again, I appreciate you all taking the time to post your comments.Best Regards,Noel W

Here you go Noel:http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologie.../eyefinity.aspxThere are some preliminary benchmarks out on google. I don't know how much stock I would put in those reviews as virtually all the reviewers complained of driver issues.

Here you go Noel:http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologie.../eyefinity.aspxThere are some preliminary benchmarks out on google. I don't know how much stock I would put in those reviews as virtually all the reviewers complained of driver issues.

ScottThanks very much for that link to the ATI eyefinity! I was totally unaware of this development. Much appreciated. I watched the video on the Hardocp website. Being a TH2go user, I was keen to see what advantages it might have...and there are several. They have to get the Bezel Managment sorted out, but it's like having TH2go built in. It appears that it gets around the 57Hz monitor issue that the current TH2go has. This has got my gears turning, and may factor into my next system build. Thankfully I can watch it mature for a while before deciding. I was thinking about buying two more Samsung monitors like the one I bought recently, but I may hold off for now. I note that the ATI card will run 1920 lateral resolution. Hmmm.Noel W