Many thanks again to everybody on their advice which is very much appreciated.I have decided to stay with for FS9 and Windows XP SP3.I am unsure as to whether the CPU or NVidia GPU is the bottleneck in FS9, is there a way to check?As I have little or no understanding of PC Technology I am totally confused as to which system I should go for apart from Nvidia and Intel.I am led to believe that FS9 does not support multi Core CPU's.I have managed to overclock my Intel Core 2 Extreme X9650CPU from 3.0 GHZ to 3.3 GHZ from but it doesnt seem very stable as it does seem to get very hot when I fly the PMDG B747 and then CTD sometimes within 30 minutes of flying. I have added extra fans and taken the side off the PC to help cool the system.I have a Geforce 8800 Ultra with 768 MB of video and I am using Direct X 9C, I use alcarity to help shutdown all the processes not needed.I am looking for superb resolution, high refresh rates and good FPS.I would be most grateful if anybody could kindly help me unravel the sytem I should go for to achive those three key objectives for FS9.Many thanks and best Wishes,Chris

Many thanks again to everybody on their advice which is very much appreciated.I have decided to stay with for FS9 and Windows XP SP3.I am unsure as to whether the CPU or NVidia GPU is the bottleneck in FS9, is there a way to check?As I have little or no understanding of PC Technology I am totally confused as to which system I should go for apart from Nvidia and Intel.I am led to believe that FS9 does not support multi Core CPU's.I have managed to overclock my Intel Core 2 Extreme X9650CPU from 3.0 GHZ to 3.3 GHZ from but it doesnt seem very stable as it does seem to get very hot when I fly the PMDG B747 and then CTD sometimes within 30 minutes of flying. I have added extra fans and taken the side off the PC to help cool the system.I have a Geforce 8800 Ultra with 768 MB of video and I am using Direct X 9C, I use alcarity to help shutdown all the processes not needed.I am looking for superb resolution, high refresh rates and good FPS.I would be most grateful if anybody could kindly help me unravel the sytem I should go for to achive those three key objectives for FS9.Many thanks and best Wishes,Chris

HelloThe system you have now is more than good enough for FS9, Why change it?.Buy a good CPU cooler and push that X9650 up to 3.8 ghz.buy a nice bit roomy case if temps are a problem also consider moving to a 64bit os.That system should run FS9 really well with complex addons.

Ditto to what mad dog has said. That particular system should handle FS9 just fine and any addons you can throw at it. Changing the CPU or GPU is not going to buy you anything for FS2004. Get your overclock/system sorted out and you should be a happy camper.Regards,Bob

HelloThe system you have now is more than good enough for FS9, Why change it?.Buy a good CPU cooler and push that X9650 up to 3.8 ghz.buy a nice bit roomy case if temps are a problem also consider moving to a 64bit os.That system should run FS9 really well with complex addons.

+1 ^_^ My previous PC had a QX9650 (Now my dad is using it)... I OC'd it to 3.8GHz (1.4V Vcore) and runs FSX very well using an OC'd GTX280...Dexter

Hi Gents Many thanks for your advice I will certainly see what can be done 3.8 GHZ sounds great!Is it really possibel to oc from 3 GHZ to 3.8GHZ?Best Regards,Chris

I ran my QX9650 at 3.8Ghz on air for a few years. It's now running at stock clock and being used for my family all purpose PC.Regards,Bob