I'm seeing the i7 920 processor with an X58 chipset mobo at around $460 and the i7 860 processor with a P55 chipset mobo at around $400. Would the new i7 860/mobo combination be a better value for FSX? Will it equal or better the i7 920/mobo combination without overclocking? Does the Intel processor "Turboboost" provide an FSX performance increase?Thanks for any input.

I'm seeing the i7 920 processor with an X58 chipset mobo at around $460 and the i7 860 processor with a P55 chipset mobo at around $400. Would the new i7 860/mobo combination be a better value for FSX? Will it equal or better the i7 920/mobo combination without overclocking? Does the Intel processor "Turboboost" provide an FSX performance increase?Thanks for any input.

Check out the i5. It is an i7 without hyperthreading - which FSX does not use. I am seriously considering an i5, which can easily overclock to 4.0Ghz with practically identical performance in FSX to any i7 running at 4.0Ghz. And, you can get a setup for about 200 less than an i7 920.

Check out the i5. It is an i7 without hyperthreading - which FSX does not use. I am seriously considering an i5, which can easily overclock to 4.0Ghz with practically identical performance in FSX to any i7 running at 4.0Ghz. And, you can get a setup for about 200 less than an i7 920.

Thanks. I overlooked the $90 price difference between the i5 750 and the i7 860 with only a little drop-off of performance. That puts the i5 750 about at the same price as the Phenom II X4 965 with better performance based on an AnandTech review on Sept 18. I guess the i5 750 is the way to go unless someone wants to advise me otherwise.

i5 750 is the sweet spot for sure. Just keep in mind it's 4 threads rather than 8 (i7) or 12 (i9) so the performance gap will widen over time (the i7 will get faster with new software while the i5 stays the same).

i5 can easily overclock to 4.0Ghz

From what I read, the i7 processor overclocks much easier than the i5. Does anyone have experience with the i5?

For FSX, the best bang for the buck is an i5. When you consider the much less expensive motherboard, memory (only requires dual channel), and CPU (not to mention a less powerful power supply), you can save 200 to 300 dollars over an equally performing 1366 i7 system.Here is a link with a highly regarded 105 dollar (newegg free shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128405 ) Gigabyte motherboard showing an i5 running over 4 Ghz on a stock air cooler.http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showth...hlight=p55m-ud2Here is the link holding this board in high regard (from anandtech, no less!):http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3652Who cares about hyperthreading? FSX does not use it, and nor will 90 percent of the software in a years time. It is just an expensive gimmik for most folks. Seriously folks!

Who cares about hyperthreading? FSX does not use it, and nor will 90 percent of the software in a years time. It is just an expensive gimmik for most folks. Seriously folks!

I know! Who would want to use their PC for more than one program?Seriously! :(

Hyperthreading was dropped by Intel in the Core2 lineup because of the lack of programs that use it. A few do, but most don't. The i5 is a very good deal for those looking to upgrade their computer systems for improved FSX performance. And, and it does a bang up job for the vast majority of programs out there.RH

Hi Art, Ran across this and thought it might help. http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-750-...-review-test/19

Hi Art, Ran across this and thought it might help. http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-750-...-review-test/19

Just a word of caution: this article says "But that 870 is actually competing with Core i7 940 / 950 which have their multipliers unlocked". This is mistaken. The only i7 chips with unlocked multipliers are the 965 and 975.Tim

In my system I use a I860 and am very haoppy with it.It is running at 3.97 Ghz and completely stable.Good value for money.

Hyperthreading was dropped by Intel in the Core2 lineup because of the lack of programs that use it. A few do, but most don't. The i5 is a very good deal for those looking to upgrade their computer systems for improved FSX performance. And, and it does a bang up job for the vast majority of programs out there.RH

:( No.HT was never planned to be a part of the Core microarchitecture. Your argument "lack of programs that use it" could be applied to multi-core chips just as easily, yet clearly CPU manufacturers have not shied away from adding more cores so obviously your *theory* is incorrect.

Okay, questions answered. I'm considering:i5-750 Intel processor @ $200MSI P55-CD53 motherboard @ $115Antec BP550 Plus 550W power supply @ $65Gigabyte GZ-XyBMDX-400 ATX mid tower case @ $35Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600 1.65V memory @ $115Sony Optiarc IDE DVD-ROM drive DDU1678A @ $19Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit @ $105Existing WD 250GB 7200RPM 16MB cache hard driveExisting XFX Nvidia 9800GTX-512MB video cardTotal added cost $654 to upgrade from Athlon 6000 X2Major improvement to FSX?

Looks good. You might want to consider an aftermarket heatsink as well -- like the highly rated CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus ($29.95).Take care,RH

Looks good. You might want to consider an aftermarket heatsink as well -- like the highly rated CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus ($29.95).Take care,RH

Thanks for the help on that. A NewEgg search for 1156 socket compatible heatsinks only listed one by Thermalake.