Hi all !Currently running FS9 on a Dell P4 2.0 GHz, 128Mb RAM, GeForce3 and very disappointed with performance overall. The issue is not as much frame rates - granted they are lower than FS2k2 - but the stutter issue which I have read so much about on this great forum.I am not a computer expert and have made minor tweaks (mostly autogen) with no great success.I am considering a major investment (!!) now : buying a top of the line new Dell machine as follows :P4 3.2 GHz1024 Mb DDR400 RAMATI Radeon 256 Mb 9800XTWill this make my flying experience as good as it was on FS2k2 (I really had optimal performance imho) or do you think I will regret this EUR 2.300 investment ? In the latter case, I honestly believe that MS should come out with a patch as they did with an earlier version (FS2k ?).Thanks to all in advance for your valuable replies.Good landings,L

" New MSFS , new computer...." You can upgrade your Dell and enjoy FS9 till next generation intel CPU 3.6 and 4.0 GHZ . At least 512 RAM and a good video card ATI 9600 XT or 5700 Ultra. As far as I know ( I fly since FS 5.0 ) when MS release a new FS , even the top system available on the market can not perfectly the sim . With a minimum investment as I wrote , you can really fly FS very very smooth with a lot of settings to max . Just my opinion MIKE737

The stuttering is caused, in your case, by a lack of system RAM. 128MB is just not enough, with any OS, to run FS9 - and it's even worse if you have WinXP. Most all of the stuttering you're seeing is a result of the sim pausing while it constantly accesses virtual memory (the swapfile). Upping the total physical RAM to 512MB should dramatically improve the overall smoothness. Combine the added RAM with a Radeon 9600 Pro and you'll have 90% of the new computer at much, much less cost.Doug