Hi All,I am running FSX and X-Plane on my computer (no other games like Dirt or Far-Cry ...etc). My current configuration is:Q6600 at 3.0Ghz4GB RamRadeon HD5770Windows Seven 64bits (ultimate)FSX runs correctly in terms of details but I have some stutters with clouds, or UTX Europe (or GEX Europe, I don't really know which of these two incurs stutters). By default, FSX runs without stutters but as soon as I add some addons (UTX / GEX / Aerosoft Nice Cote D'Azur Scenary), then I have Stutters which prevent me from enjoying my gameplay ...I would like to upgrade my config, but it seems not so easy after reading all the forums ...It seems the Proc frequency is THE factor to take into account and finally a i7-920 at 3.6Ghz will perform the same as a Q6600 at 3.6Ghz ... is it really true or not ?I was planning to by the following configuration:i7-8604Gb Ram DDr3 12800But is it worthwile upgrading to this config, will it ease the gameplay (in terms of stutters) ?Or is it better to just replace the q6600 by a Q9550 and put it at 3.2Ghz by example ?So in summary,1) Stay like this with my Q6600 and never install my addons because of the stutters ... (will never play in fact as it is boring to have stutters)2) Upgrade with a new i7-860 (including a 3.2Ghz OC) ? cost around $4503) Upgrade with a Q9550 (OC at 3.2Ghz) ? cost $200This is just to reduce the stutter and make FSX more smooth !!! My FPS are currently OK (30 average).Thank you all for your help on this.JDB

Your stuttering issue when heavy cloud cover is present is actually a known problem with Radeon graphics cards and FSX. If you switch to a comparable Nvidia card, you will no longer have that problem. Of course, upgrading your processor would help your overall framerate but would not fix the specific issue you mentioned.

Your stuttering issue when heavy cloud cover is present is actually a known problem with Radeon graphics cards and FSX. If you switch to a comparable Nvidia card, you will no longer have that problem. Of course, upgrading your processor would help your overall framerate but would not fix the specific issue you mentioned.

Thanks for your answer ! That's great news as I just bought my Radeon card last week ... so no chance that I change it by an Nvidia !!! :-(Again thanks for that info !JD

You can't return your card?

Your stuttering issue when heavy cloud cover is present is actually a known problem with Radeon graphics cards and FSX. If you switch to a comparable Nvidia card, you will no longer have that problem. Of course, upgrading your processor would help your overall framerate but would not fix the specific issue you mentioned.

I have an ATI HD 4870. It does not stutter at all in clouds, even with maximum cloud settings with real weather. I had an older 3450 Radeon that did stutter quite a bit in clouds. So, I'm not sure that this information is as valid with the newer generation of ATI cards as it once was with the older cards. I would be inclined to look somewhere else for the source of his stuttering, since this rig as described should be getting better performance than it is.

I tend to agree that it is not the card. I have a Q6600 and am running an ATI 4850 card. Extreme AI traffic or heavy clouds do drop my FPS but don't have a probably with "stutters" I can have a problem when landing if my AI is way too high but normally don't have an issue even at KJFK or EGLL or KATL. Nvidea cards have their issues also. Just my opinion.

Stuttering is more perceptable to some than others. Perhaps the OP would perceive stuttering on your PC where you do not.

Stuttering is more perceptable to some than others. Perhaps the OP would perceive stuttering on your PC where you do not.

I'm also interested in the OP's question about the comparison of the processors:"1) Stay like this with my Q6600 and never install my addons because of the stutters ... (will never play in fact as it is boring to have stutters)2) Upgrade with a new i7-860 (including a 3.2Ghz OC) ? cost around $4503) Upgrade with a Q9550 (OC at 3.2Ghz) ? cost $200"I have a Q6600 with some mild OC applied (2.6 GHz), and am interested in the Q9660 (OC) to i7-860 comparison.Thanks, Bruce.

It seems the Proc frequency is THE factor to take into account and finally a i7-920 at 3.6Ghz will perform the same as a Q6600 at 3.6Ghz ... is it really true or not ?

I easily got my Q6600 to 3.6 and it ran perfectly. Before spending more $$ on a new processor, I'd try kicking up the q6600 to 3.4 - 3.6 and see what happens. You will need a better cooling solution than the default heatsink but it's not too difficult.Vic

I'll second the above. Most Q6600's can OC to above 3GHz but you'll need the right cooling and a willingness to dive into the BIOS and apply some voltage to get her stable.