I'm running MSFS2004 on:a Dell Dimension 8400 3.6ghz processor (admittedly several generations removed from today's latest and greatest CPUs), w/4GB RAM running WinXP sp3 using NVidia 7950GT overclocked w/512mb RAM running 3-21" monitors (via TripleHead2Go) and 1 17" monitor from the video card's second head. I am using 9 GoFlight units and CH yoke, throttles, pedals. Finally use TrackIR. I have lots of complex airport scenery and many complex aircraft.......but the sim runs with reasonably good/adequate framerates for my purposes.My sim is tweaked to the max....as I have, over the years, faithfully read and followed (and tried) just about all the hints for getting the best performance. I do not plan to switch to FSX. I also do not plan to upgrade to the latest quad core computer since my setup works well. Is it still possible to eek out a few more FPS?Question: Since the prices are very reasonable on these, would it make any sense to upgrade to a new Video card (lets say something like GeForce 9800 GT 1GB GDDR3 ? or is the limiting performance factor for me trying to gain more FPS in this case essentially the CPU (not the GPU)?Thanks in advance,Mike

A new video card would improve framerates somewhat, but MSFS has always been primarily CPU-limited. Sadly, the only upgrade available to you would be a 3.73 or 3.8GHz P4, neither are easy to find or even a substantial upgrade from your 3.6.

A new video card would improve framerates somewhat, but MSFS has always been primarily CPU-limited. Sadly, the only upgrade available to you would be a 3.73 or 3.8GHz P4, neither are easy to find or even a substantial upgrade from your 3.6.

That's what I thought (CPU-limited)......I was hoping that a video card upgrade with a faster GPU and double the RAM may result in at least at 50% increase in FPS keeping all settings in the sim as they are now. But, when you said "...would improve framerates somewhat," I think you were implying perhaps 15-20% framerate increase, if that. Thanks for your reply,Mike

It's tough to quantify an increase in FPS when changing a part which isn't the primary bottleneck. In some situations there would be no change, in others it could be twice as fast.

That's what I thought (CPU-limited)......I was hoping that a video card upgrade with a faster GPU and double the RAM may result in at least at 50% increase in FPS keeping all settings in the sim as they are now. But, when you said "...would improve framerates somewhat," I think you were implying perhaps 15-20% framerate increase, if that. Thanks for your reply,Mike

Keep in mind that with a 32-bit OS, doubling your video RAM has the unhappy side effect of taking another 512MB of your main memory out of play due to hardware address mapping of the VRAM. As it stands now, over half a gig of your 4GB of system RAM is doing nothing but generating heat...the system can't get to it because Windows is using those addresses for the VRAM and some other smaller hardware address mappings for system devices.I think you'd find upgrading the GPU pretty underwhelming. An upgrade to a 64-bit OS plus the new card might yield some improvement, given the triple-monitor setup, but I'm not sure that'd be worth the time and expense, either.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

Keep in mind that with a 32-bit OS, doubling your video RAM has the unhappy side effect of taking another 512MB of your main memory out of play due to hardware address mapping of the VRAM. As it stands now, over half a gig of your 4GB of system RAM is doing nothing but generating heat...the system can't get to it because Windows is using those addresses for the VRAM and some other smaller hardware address mappings for system devices.I think you'd find upgrading the GPU pretty underwhelming. An upgrade to a 64-bit OS plus the new card might yield some improvement, given the triple-monitor setup, but I'm not sure that'd be worth the time and expense, either.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

Hi Bob,Yes...I knew that not all of the 4GB of RAM is recognized by Windows (running 32 bit XP).......and I think that is what you are explaining above.You give a good reason for me to suck it up and just be satisfied with what I have now. BTW.....I lived in the "Springs" (off Baptist Road ...Fox Run area overlooking the AF Academy) for the past 8 years after retiring as a Naval Officer. I have read lots of your posts over the years and have learned a lot. I wish I would have contacted you in the past to meet somewhere for some coffee and to chat about our wonderful hobby. I still have family there and do return periodically (from Paso Robles, CA) to visit. Perhaps when I do we could do that?R/Mike LevineCDR USN (ret)