I am wondering if upgrading my memory would be beneficial or not. I currently have 512 MB of RAM, with a P4 2.53GHz processor and an ATI 128MB 9700 Pro Video Card. I have frame rates locked at 30 fps and performance is good except with a lot of AI traffic, clouds, at dusk, etc.... Could I expect any noticable improvement by adding an additional 512MB of RAM? Thanks for any comments.

I'd say that more RAM might help, but probably not all that much. Clouds and AI are graphics intensive and you've already got a good video card. (And, geez, you're already getting 30 FPS!) Personally I have three machines, two with 768MB and one with 512MB. All are running WinXP. I've got a 64MB GF4 on the 512MB machine and with WinXP I think 768MB or 1GB would make a difference. But you've already got a pretty good (and well matched) system.

I usually get 30 fps... but when in get the above situations, my frames drop to 10-15

I must first ask you how is your ATI setup. In your properties do you have it set to quality or performance. I have a 9800 np and get just about twice the frame rates when set to the performance mode as apposed to the quality mode but I perfer to use the quality.Here is what I have and suggest.ASUS P4C800-E deluxeintel 3.0gATI 9800 npKingston hyperx 3500/256 four moduels.At first I had only 512 mb and thought FS9 was running really good. But when I added another 512 mb winxp loved it. FS9 is smoother, and the textures fill much faster. You can pan around as fast as you can it is very smooth. I would recommend you add the other 512 mb I'm sure you won't be disapointed.PS: I do not have all the sliders maxed out but just about. Frame rate set to 25 and it stays there.

I'm not sure you'd see an immediately noticable improvement rather a more general increase in the smoothness of the sim - does that make sense?What RAM speed are you running at? If you are PC2700 and above (i.e. 333 MHz) then make sure you get exactly the same brand and model of DIMM as the existing one. You cannot mix and match at these speeds. HTH--qnh

I have roughly the same specs as you. I increased the memory from 512 Meg to 1024 Meg. The only thing I saw is that the scenery (autogen) gets in place a bit quicker. Before I had ONCE a lack of memory using FS with other soft.But I feel more comfortable with the extra memory since FS runs concurrently with FSNavigator, internet, ActiveSky, RealTime, Symantec products plus what Bill Gates thinks I need and I cannot get rid of (like MSMessenger). So the gain is more psychological than real. Maybe it will preventa problem in the future. I also get FRS of 26 with some occasional drops to 18.(before and after the upgrade) I still need to upgrade the AGP from 128 Meg to 512 Meg with the new memory. That could make a difference.Roger