Hi,2 1/2 years ago I've build for myself quite an enjoyable (FSX terms) rig:CPU: E6600 GPU: 320MB GTXMemory:4MB 800MHZ Mobo: ASUS P5B Deluxe Case: Gigabyte Aurora 570 PSU: Antec Neo HE 550W Cooling: Zalman CNPS9500 92MM FanOS: Win XP 32 bitI've decided its time to spoil myself and to do some upgrade and I thought about only the following components:CPU: i5-661 (will OC to >4GH)Mobo: ASUS P7P55D (I like ASUS very much)Memory: some good 4GB 1600MHZMy internal conflicts are as follows:1. Will the new combo will give me enough boost. The 661 looks like a good choice assuming easy OC above 4GH.2. Staying with the 320MB 8800 GTS card, will it become the bottleneck? I keep on reading how important the CPU is in compare to the graphic card.3. Will my PSU will be enough to push the new mobo and CPU? Assuming the new CPU is much more energy saver then the previous one. 4. Will I benefits from changing my OS to Win7 64bit? Adding more memory? I tend to avoid it in order not to re-install all my add-ons. That's will be quite an burden.Thanks in advance for all your tips and recommendations.HP

1. Will the new combo will give me enough boost. The 661 looks like a good choice assuming easy OC above 4GH.

Depends on your OC of your current E6600. What performance increase is enough? 10%, 20% or?

2. Staying with the 320MB 8800 GTS card, will it become the bottleneck? I keep on reading how important the CPU is in compare to the graphic card.

The 8800 GTS card will definitely be a bottleneck if you run the i5 661 at 4.3Ghz. I got a 25% increase of average fps in FSX when I replaced my old 8800 GTX 768MB card with the GTX285.

3. Will my PSU will be enough to push the new mobo and CPU? Assuming the new CPU is much more energy saver then the previous one.

You wont get much energy saving running the i5 661 at 4.3Ghz. The PSU has to manage the top loads. Here is a PSU calculator: http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalcula...SLanguage=en-us

4. Will I benefits from changing my OS to Win7 64bit? Adding more memory? I tend to avoid it in order not to re-install all my add-ons. That's will be quite an burden.

Article on Win7 here: http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=3666&p=1I would recommend you to go for Win7 64bit. And I would definitely recommend you to reinstall your OS when replacing your mobo, even if you intend to continue to use XP.

1. There is very little chance of OCing an i5 to over 4GHz and keeping it stable, without tweaking voltages and having watercooling, or phase cooling.2. The 8800 GTS is a bit old now, try considering the GTX range such as the GTX260/275/285 or the ati 57XX or 58XX3. The memory is fine but I will elaborate further on.4. I would not recommend OCing any of Intels i range processors with less than 600-650W, and a better brand like corsair, seasonic.5. New processor will definitely need better cooling than a 92mm fan if ur gonna OC. Look at the Scythe Mugen 2 with 2x 120mm fans or the thermalright IFX-14.6. If your HD is not 7200RPM minimum, and is fairly small, upgrade. I would recommend getting a new fresh install anyway due to the build up of unwanted program and files etc that occur over the years.This is what I recommend: If ur gonna do it, do it right.CPU: i7 920 OC to 4GHz easilyMB: Any 1366 socket MB with 6 DIMM slots for ramRam: 6GB (3x 2GB) 1600MHz tri channel ram with minimum 9-9-9-24 Latency (I think)Graphics: as I mentioned above, don't bother with 2 cards, FSX only uses 1.PSU: if ur gonna OC, minimum 650W for i7, probs 600W for i5.Case: if ur gonna OC, air flow is important, so the Coolermaster HAF 922 or the antec 900/902 are all good.Cooling: Watercooling if u can afford it, otherwise a good cooler with reviews to back it up. Read the reviews o see what's right for u. Make sure it's suited to this CPU socket.OrCPU: i5 661 OC to about 3.5GHz on airMB: any compatible MB with 6 DIMMs or more.RAM: 8GB with 4GB min. Check to make sure your MB can take 1600MHz, otherwise just get fastest supported.Graphics: Same as above.Cooling: Same as above, but make sure it's suited for this socket of CPU.Obviously you could improvise a little bit if cash is short, ie going for the i7 8 series if 9 series too expensive, and the i5 if both are too expensive. Lower graphics, but no lower than the GTS250. only 4GB of ram instead of 8 on i7 8xx or i5. 6GB tri channel is a must on i7 9xx. Min. 1333MHz. You can get cheaper cases which are just as effective but eithouth the bells and whistles. That's very ellaborate and read it carefully. If anyone wants to add their 2 cents, go ahead and strike me down.Thanks,ChrisPSU:as aboveCase: As above Darn, looks like I was beaten to it, I'm too slow of typed. Just one question, can you really OC an i5 to 4.3GHz on air and keep it stable?

1. There is very little chance of OCing an i5 to over 4GHz and keeping it stable, without tweaking voltages and having watercooling, or phase cooling.

AnandTech article here: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showd...i=3704&p=144.279GHz on stock cooler! 4.8GHz with liquid cooling!

WOW!!! That's amazing!! I never knew that was possible without making a large puddle on your mobo!!

AnandTech article here: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showd...i=3704&p=144.279GHz on stock cooler! 4.8GHz with liquid cooling!

I read several reviews all claims that the i5-661 can quite easly (on air) reach 4-4.2GHZ. That's why I decided to go for this "budgetary" direction.Thanks,HP

1. There is very little chance of OCing an i5 to over 4GHz and keeping it stable, without tweaking voltages and having watercooling, or phase cooling.2. The 8800 GTS is a bit old now, try considering the GTX range such as the GTX260/275/285 or the ati 57XX or 58XX3. The memory is fine but I will elaborate further on.4. I would not recommend OCing any of Intels i range processors with less than 600-650W, and a better brand like corsair, seasonic.5. New processor will definitely need better cooling than a 92mm fan if ur gonna OC. Look at the Scythe Mugen 2 with 2x 120mm fans or the thermalright IFX-14.6. If your HD is not 7200RPM minimum, and is fairly small, upgrade. I would recommend getting a new fresh install anyway due to the build up of unwanted program and files etc that occur over the years.This is what I recommend: If ur gonna do it, do it right.CPU: i7 920 OC to 4GHz easilyMB: Any 1366 socket MB with 6 DIMM slots for ramRam: 6GB (3x 2GB) 1600MHz tri channel ram with minimum 9-9-9-24 Latency (I think)Graphics: as I mentioned above, don't bother with 2 cards, FSX only uses 1.PSU: if ur gonna OC, minimum 650W for i7, probs 600W for i5.Case: if ur gonna OC, air flow is important, so the Coolermaster HAF 922 or the antec 900/902 are all good.Cooling: Watercooling if u can afford it, otherwise a good cooler with reviews to back it up. Read the reviews o see what's right for u. Make sure it's suited to this CPU socket.OrCPU: i5 661 OC to about 3.5GHz on airMB: any compatible MB with 6 DIMMs or more.RAM: 8GB with 4GB min. Check to make sure your MB can take 1600MHz, otherwise just get fastest supported.Graphics: Same as above.Cooling: Same as above, but make sure it's suited for this socket of CPU.Obviously you could improvise a little bit if cash is short, ie going for the i7 8 series if 9 series too expensive, and the i5 if both are too expensive. Lower graphics, but no lower than the GTS250. only 4GB of ram instead of 8 on i7 8xx or i5. 6GB tri channel is a must on i7 9xx. Min. 1333MHz. You can get cheaper cases which are just as effective but eithouth the bells and whistles. That's very ellaborate and read it carefully. If anyone wants to add their 2 cents, go ahead and strike me down.Thanks,ChrisPSU:as aboveCase: As above Darn, looks like I was beaten to it, I'm too slow of typed. Just one question, can you really OC an i5 to 4.3GHz on air and keep it stable?

Chris,Thanks for the very detailed response. What you actually recommend is a full new rig and that's was what I wanted to avoid from the first place. Though maybe I will not have any other choice. Well

If you want to keep as many parts as possible from your old system, I would recommend upgrading to a Core 2 Quad at about 2.4+ GHz, buy a better cooler, and OC it to over 3GHz. I would also look into getting a better GPU, such as the GTX260 or I on a tight budget, a GTS 240 or 250. To upgrade to an i5 or i7 you will need to replace mobo, ram and cooling. I would look at getting a new HD @ 7200RPM minimum and installing Win 7 64bit as well as a fresh FSX and addons. There are a few guides around that cover the optimal installation of FSX for best performance. To conclude: The minimum I recommend upgrading is:-CPU to a 2.4GHz+ Core 2 Quad 775 Socket-GPU to minimum a GTS240 if you're on a tight budget.-Better cooler with at least 1 120mm fan so you can OC.-If you want to OC, a 600W Corsair PSU. Note: Above not necissary if not OCing.The i7 and i5 processors both will need new Motherboard and Ram, due to their socket type (i5 & i7 8xx 1156/ i7 9xx 1366).Cheapest way to do it would be to upgrade to a core 2 quad, only it won't give you the option to upgrade in the future, as the 775 socket family is finished.