I am thinking about buying a new computer to run FSX smoothly(I have not even tried to run FSX on my current dinosauric system - I know it would be rediculous). Currently, the 970-980 are out of budget for me. My question is- Is there a significant increase in performance with a chip greater than the 920 Oc'd? --- Is a 930 or 960 better? -- there is a significant difference in the price. Also, I am assuming that any of these precessors would make FS9 zing....correct (920 and upwards)?

No real significant increase.The point is, those chips are ment to be run higher, but won't OC over 4.5, and I got my 920 up to 4.6, and couldn't see any real difference between 4.2 and 4.6, except a frame or two.I wouldn't be prepared to pay such premium prices for 2 frames more, over 30, we are really talking about differences about 28 vs 30fps.The thing also, you will STILL need a really good cooling to run it that high, and a good 920 will also OC to 4.5 if you want it to (mine did it without any hassle), was just running too hot for my taste, so I settled at 4.2.The only CPU worth investing in would be the 980x, since it overclocks crazily and has 6 cores. But since not in the budget, I'd take 920 or 930 (it's newer) in your place.

A 960 should theoretically overclock easier, as it's from a faster speed bin. However, most people find with a little research and effort that 3.8 - 4GHz is attainable for most 920's. Mine overclocks to 4.2 with ease.According to Intel, the 930 should oveclock easier than the average 920.

A 960 should theoretically overclock easier, as it's from a faster speed bin. However, most people find with a little research and effort that 3.8 - 4GHz is attainable for most 920's. Mine overclocks to 4.2 with ease.According to Intel, the 930 should oveclock easier than the average 920.I have recently aquired an ASUS I920 and find the documentation a little vague on overclocking procedure.Is there a detailed procedure to follow without causing damage.I'm a bit of a techie,so I will be carefulRon Service

OK - I made the big move and ordered my new computer. I couldn't afford everything that I wanted to, so I had to give and take with some hardware. By having read numerous articles that FSX is CPU hungry and really demands the fastest processor, I went with the 980X (It arrives O/C'd from the company that I purchased from).Other specs --6 megs of RAM 1800 speedGTX465 EVGA superclocked (the 480 was not in the price range) --- I will probably get the 480 eventually MOBO Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R800 Watt PSU500GB 7200RPM HD --- yeah I know it's not the WD veloceraptor or an SSD -- but this is the major component I had to compromise with --- I figure I can always purchase a SSD laterBottom line is that I chose the best performing processor -- all other components can be upgraded at another time. My question is - How much will the performance possibly drop using the 7200RPM HD? Is this a big concern?My other option was to select the 930 and then I could afford a faster HD and a SSD for FSX -- but this is the biggest compromise. How will my decision affect performance on FSX?

OK - I made the big move and ordered my new computer. I couldn't afford everything that I wanted to, so I had to give and take with some hardware. By having read numerous articles that FSX is CPU hungry and really demands the fastest processor, I went with the 980X (It arrives O/C'd from the company that I purchased from).Other specs --6 megs of RAM 1800 speedGTX465 EVGA superclocked (the 480 was not in the price range) --- I will probably get the 480 eventually MOBO Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R800 Watt PSU500GB 7200RPM HD --- yeah I know it's not the WD veloceraptor or an SSD -- but this is the major component I had to compromise with --- I figure I can always purchase a SSD laterBottom line is that I chose the best performing processor -- all other components can be upgraded at another time. My question is - How much will the performance possibly drop using the 7200RPM HD? Is this a big concern?My other option was to select the 930 and then I could afford a faster HD and a SSD for FSX -- but this is the biggest compromise. How will my decision affect performance on FSX?

When you get your new computer apply the tweaks from NickN. That should help a lot.

pick the 460 1GB instead. I did the same mistake and had to ship that 465 back.the 460 is faster, cheaper, runs cooler, and overclocks much betterand an SSD won't get you better performance while gaming, just faster load timesyour best bet would be overclocking your CPU (you'll need a good aftermarket cooler)

GTX465 EVGA superclocked (the 480 was not in the price range) --- I will probably get the 480 eventually