Some really good information on this thread! I just ordered XP Professional 64 Bit, SP2B from Amazon (TigerDirect). I am reading the links (thankyou idahosurge) on overclocking. Looks like that is the way I am going to go, whether I do it myself or have the local shop building my computer do it. Once again, good stuff and replys. Thank you so much.

Don't know which part of the world you're from PDX Flyer, but if it's the UK, a company called Wired2Fire will overclock the rig you order. I know a few individuals who are very happy with their machines.

Rod - I see your CPU is clocked to 4.2GHz.Are you able to fly quality payware in big cities with AI traffic with reasonable FPS? I only ask because I haven't seen many people above 4.0GHz, and most of them only tweak and never post screenshots lol.Eventually, what I'd like to enjoy would be the Flight1 Mustang (PMDG MD11, LevelD 767 etc) approaching JFK with payware scenery and Ultimate Traffic with at least 20 fps, preferably 30.

I fly with my FPS set on 30, anything above that is really not noticable to most people. The trick is to get FSX stutter free, that is what you really notice, if FSX is stutter free even an FPS of 20 will look fine to most people.Setting on the runway at JFK my FPS is over 20. This is with an Aerosoft F-16 and that is a known frame rate killer and my traffic is set at 30%, another known FPS killer in Metro NYC.In NYC I have MegaSceneryEarth, along with upgraded Metro NYC airports, all airports are freeware, but they do use more CPU resources than the standard FSX airports. I also have MyTrafficX and that is set to 30% in FSX. I have the usual scenery addons, GEX, UTX, FEX, FSG and ST. Flying east over LI between KJFK and KLGA at 500' in the Aerosoft F16 at 300 TAS my FPS is holding at 30. It will change up and down from a low of 27 or 28 to 30, but mostly stays in the 29 to 30 range.Good luck on your OC, for OC and hardware questions I hang out at overclock.net, out of all the sites this one seems to have the most people, less wait time to get an answer. I would really rather ask NickN my questions, but after all the questions that he has answered for me over the last three years, I decided it was time to give him a break plus he has been really busy this last year.Regards,Rod

PDX Flyer,In my above post I forgot to add that I do fly the PMDG MD11 and have experienced no FPS issues, while I have not done any testing like I have with the Aerosoft F16 I still have not noticed a slow down in FPS while flying the MD11, she flys stutter free on my rig.Rod

This is how easy it was to OC my 790i FTW. The key is to start with some High Mhz DDR3 Ram. My Ram is rated for 1600mhz.1) Enter Bios2) Enter Frequency/Voltage control3) Enter FSB Memory control 4) **Select linked**5) Enter FSB Memory Ratio6) ** Select Sync Mode**7) Enter FSB (QDR), Mhz8) **Key in DEC Number 1600Mhz** To make CPU match the Ram frequency. My Q9650 runs at 1333Mhz, now runs at 1600Mhz, same as the ram. Now the Q9650 went from 3Ghz to a 3.6Ghz. My mother board will only support up to 1800Mhz FSB on 4 dims of Ram but can get kinda glitchy, so I stick with 1600Mhz.To go higher in frequency becomes a black art of adjusting the voltages and running the Front Side Bus unsynked.Just remember when building your new rig. Prior Proper Planning Prevents Pi$$ Poor Performance, Find components that match up well. If I remember reading somewhere that a Cpu that goes from a 3Ghz to 3.6Ghz OC will increase frame rates by 30-40% some have seen up to 80%. So say your chugging along at 22fps and do a quick OC, you could eaisly hit the 30fps mark. FSX scales on a ratio of 1:1 in regards to CPU speed on a quad core...Faster the better.

Some really good information on this thread! I just ordered XP Professional 64 Bit, SP2B from Amazon (TigerDirect). I am reading the links (thankyou idahosurge) on overclocking. Looks like that is the way I am going to go, whether I do it myself or have the local shop building my computer do it. Once again, good stuff and replys. Thank you so much.

If you got more cash than time have someone build it for you to the exact spec you want, not what the builder wants, using parts you want, not parts the builder is trying to get ird of.If you got more time than money, its best to build yourself, spend all the builder labour money to buy better parts so you can OC well.Been very reluctant to build myself, but finally took the plunge on my latest build, some note worthy points are1 - Its much easier to build PC today than it used to be cause the technology is much more intuitive than it used to be, If you can understand a mother board manual, you can build a PC. The most complex part of my build was understanding the LIAn Li B71 case. Tip-> try to get a case that is not too complex if you new to this.2 - Overclocking from Bios of most new Mobos like Gigabyte mobos is now for dummies, My gigabyte Ud7 mobo will only allow me to increase cpu multiplier is small stages after each succesfull reboot. They call that HAnd Holding.3 - Nothing to fear in Win764 , why use XP64, win7 got more features to make your life easier.4 - 6gig ram is must for fsx, so 64bit OS is also a must.5- Dont waste money on components that wount improve your OC capability. OC needs fast ram, juicy power supply (mine is 1500 watts ) and good cooling. No such thing as too much power or too much cooling , just limited cash

If you got more cash than time have someone build it for you to the exact spec you want, not what the builder wants, using parts you want, not parts the builder is trying to get ird of.If you got more time than money, its best to build yourself, spend all the builder labour money to buy better parts so you can OC well.Been very reluctant to build myself, but finally took the plunge on my latest build, some note worthy points are1 - Its much easier to build PC today than it used to be cause the technology is much more intuitive than it used to be, If you can understand a mother board manual, you can build a PC. The most complex part of my build was understanding the LIAn Li B71 case. Tip-> try to get a case that is not too complex if you new to this.2 - Overclocking from Bios of most new Mobos like Gigabyte mobos is now for dummies, My gigabyte Ud7 mobo will only allow me to increase cpu multiplier is small stages after each succesfull reboot. They call that HAnd Holding.3 - Nothing to fear in Win764 , why use XP64, win7 got more features to make your life easier.4 - 6gig ram is must for fsx, so 64bit OS is also a must.5- Dont waste money on components that wount improve your OC capability. OC needs fast ram, juicy power supply (mine is 1500 watts ) and good cooling. No such thing as too much power or too much cooling , just limited cash

I'm running my 920 at 3.8 with air cooling. Win 7 is by far the way to go. Lots of Ram. If you don't overclock you will probably be disapointed in the perfromance, especially with clouds.

I'm running my 920 at 3.8 with air cooling. Win 7 is by far the way to go. Lots of Ram. If you don't overclock you will probably be disapointed in the perfromance, especially with clouds.

My new i7975 is doing 4.4 Ghz on Air , but then its still winter so things could change in summer

Another "Thank You" for all this info. Thanks to this thread, I have now been introduced to "overclock.net" -- looks like a good site.Also a note to martin-w: I live in Portland Oregon (PDX) and once I get my new computer, will fly out of Troutdale Oregon, which is maybe 15 miles east of Portland. I am so excited to live in the area covered by the new Orbx PNW Scenery. It looks absolutely awesome based on the screen shots.

I'm also flying out of KTTD, since I live down the road a bit. Send me an message if you need a techie. I'm using a young man here in Portland who seems to know what's up with over-clocking and stuff.