From Computex 2003DETAILS HAVE EMERGED of the future design of Intel

So does this mean that there's a chance we are going to go from a 3.2gig and leap to a 5-7gig? All I want to know is if 3.2HT with a rockin video card allows for happy results because if so when these new Pentiums come out and companies are going to want to start dumping the old ones a cheap 3.2 will be nice.NP

Hi Bob, "Maybe Microsoft & FS 2004 Are On Track"You wil notice on each Msfs release the product is created for later computer then the actual release system market. The fact is by looking back on each previous Msfs release, non of any computer where available to run the product at full slider and extreme level, either fs2002 with a 1.2 GHZ and a gforce2 64meg at the release.The Pentium V is likely to fly along at between 5GHz to 7GHz, The Pentium 6 will follow after So expect p 6,7,8 to run Msfs 2006 at full level .You will see the 2.5 GHZ and 3.2 ghz will be low and mid system after these release.. And wait for the New 3D Video Card.. ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

>So does this mean that there's a chance we are going to go>from a 3.2gig and leap to a 5-7gig?I can practically guarantee you that they will release a 4 GHz P5, even if it means that have to take 5 GHz models and disable them somehow. They've done that in the past.

Starting to save some $$$ already ;)Wonder how much its gunna cost... :-lolJay :-wave

Thank you for the US Military, with Dell you get a military discount WOOHOO!

But you can get a MUCH better computer for many hundreds less if you go custom.Jim

I've got my sliders far right and experience high frame rates, anywhere from 60fps to 30fps in heavy 3D clouds and detailed AP (DFW). Without the 3D clouds, FPS go way higher.Jim

and if you back your sliders off to the left,you can get a really cheap computer->amd 1800,256mb,geforce4 ti 4200 128mb,200 euro's...:-xxrotflmao

That's about what I had prior to my current machine. While it was certainly flyable, FS2004 is like a completely new simulator on a powerful machine. Impossible to describe without seeing it.Jim

ya know Jim, you are very correct! I am (was) running a 1 gig machine and FS9 runs fairly well with some stutters and small pauses, so I wanted it to be better (sliders to the left IS NOT an option), plus it was time for an upgrade. I did my research, checked prices and put togoether a new rig, Athlon 3200, ASUS nForce 2 MOBO, 1 gig GEil high performance PC3700 DDR, and a G4 4600 (will get a new one at XMAS), loaded it up, expecting to have problems from all the posts here, but my God, it IS a different sim!! I cannot believe how awesome it looks!!! Haven't gotten into it much, but the first 2 hops I have done, it really makes a huge difference.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

JC2, While I have to agree your machine is really nice, I find it rather hard to believe the frame rate claims your making. It just doesn't goalong with the rest of the world and what they are seeing. I'd like to see a few screenies at your detailed airports "with clouds" etc. I find it hard to believe even your machine will pump out much more than mid 30's in these situations. I'm curious about your AA/ aniso and image quality. I can get really great frame rates too with my set up without AA but its a jaggy mess. Even at high res. I can't give up 4X AA(well maybe 2x) and 8x or 16x aniso at 1280 res, it just looks too damn good and I still get mid to upper twenties for frame rates(locked at 27).P4 [email protected], 512mb PC2400 DDR, SB Live!, Radeon 9800 ProHornit

Well folks I hate to burst a bubble here... But I am hoping that Microsoft will see the light regarding the Flight Simulator platform and make the next version for the XBox II (or whatever the next generation) ONLY.This would make TOTAL sense. You would have a Utopia as far as support is concerned. Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about the vast variety of hardware. People trying to squeeze the performance of a Ferrari out of a Volkswagon Bug. If you look at the number of posts on the all of the FS 200x forums, hardware wise, it is sickening and a complete and utter waist of time (Sorry Hackers :().Microsoft can then hire the right talent and gut FS 200x as we know it. On this team, hire a few top knotch aeronautical engineers and simulation programmers and get the flight models right (including moving control sensitivies to the flight model itself).Optimize for this specific platform and EVERYBODY wins!Most of us spend $300-$500 and even more every time FS comes out. Why not just spend $400 every two years for Xbox or whatever future hardware platforms are released and FS 200x. Install it, and like Ron Popeal (Romco) says, "SET IT AND FORGET IT" (Hardware tweaking).I don't know about you, but I would rather be flying than playing silly, time consuming games with my hardware!Take notes Mr. Gates! This is the correct way to deploy the next version of FS 200x.Plus, if you look at graphics of the games on Play Station, Game Cube, XBox, it makes Flight Simulator look like a cartoon.The spec would have to include chaining multiple units together for multi player (for the home cockpit configurations) and to support multi monitor views, USB support for current controlling hardware (maybe even Force Feedback Yoke and Pedals??). Supporting third party add-ons (open system).I urge everyone to write Microsoft and push this idea. It is the RIGHT way and again EVERYBODY WINS!Just my million dollar ideas worth! Remember me Mr. Gates! :)Barry

"SET IT AND FORGET IT (Hardware tweaking)."No Tweaking? NO TWEAKING??? What would we do then? :-) :-)

Man, I hope it DOESN'T go to a console only, I hate those things, got a PS2 and a GC, never use them, hate the controllers, which sucks, because there are a few great games I would like to get into, but until they come to PC, it won't happen.I do agree it would help on the tweaking war though, standard all the way thru.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com