Hi guys.I am thinking of making some kind of upgrade to my FSX rig, but need some advise.My specs:ASUS P8P67-MI7 2600K (running 103x39 - 41 resulting in max performance just below 4.2 ghz)Nvidia GTX280 1GB GPU4gb (2x2) Hynix RAM @ 1333HDD 750GN SATA 3G @7200 RPMI am using the ASUS AI software to overclock, but have started to investigate on how to OC CPU, as other people seems to get way more out of their CPUs than I do. I found out that I need to set the Dram timing, but unfortunately there are not stated on my RAM, so in order to OC, I will need new RAM and also a better cooler is definately needed, when running Prime95 I quickly get temperatures in excess of 85 degrees (then I turn it off to avoid damage to CPU). I thinking of a Corsair H100 watercooling system.But my GPU is very old, and for "nearly" the same price of a Corsair H100 + new 2x4 GB G-skill RAM I can get a GTX560ti GPU, which is said to be 95% as good as a GTX580, so I am thinking if it would be a better upgrade, and then concentrate on the OC later.I have rather good performance in FSX I think. With PMDG B737NGX I get around 16 - 22 in taxi in at Aerosoft EHAM (bad product FPS wise!!), and 25+ FPS in climb with lots of clouds (REX 2.0 + AS2012). At FlyTampa LOWW I get 25 - 30 in taxi. In cruise I have...plenty :-) Slider are all maxed out, except for autogen (normal) and water effect (high x1 - low x2 takes alot of frames). No aviation traffic, and only limited road and water traffic.What is the advise from the gurus in here OC CPU or better GPU ... or maybe something totally different? :-)Looking forward to your inputsBest RegardsBjarne Sorensen

You will probably see more performance improvement out of a new GPU, but I would get your temps in check by getting the H100. nVidia is getting ready to release a whole slew of new GPUs over the next several months. It sounds like you're happy enough with your current GPU, so waiting shouldn't be too inconvenient.

Edited February 12, 201214 yr by cmeeks

If you were to upgrade from a GTX280 ---> GTX580, the performance jump would suprise you considering you have such a powerful CPU.

With PMDG B737NGX I get around 16 - 22 in taxi in at Aerosoft EHAM (bad product FPS wise!!), and 25+ FPS in climb with lots of clouds (REX 2.0 + AS2012). At FlyTampa LOWW I get 25 - 30 in taxi. In cruise I have...plenty :-) Slider are all maxed out, except for autogen (normal) and water effect (high x1 - low x2 takes alot of frames). No aviation traffic, and only limited road and water traffic.

You should check what's limiting you because I'm almost positive that in the scenarios you describe here FSX is CPU limited. Open Task manager. Is there one or more cores maxed out? Downclock your CPU. Does your frame rate drop proportionally? if the answer is yes, there's clearly a CPU bottleneck.If you go the OC route in the end, you can get a mid range air cooler like a Scythe Mugen 3 which will be good for a max overclock.Your current RAM should be fine. YOu can check it's rated timings with CPU-Z (SPD tab). Post a screenshot of it

Edited February 12, 201214 yr by dazz

Hi Guys - thanks for your replys.I just helped my friend building his new rig, and I saw the cooler he bought, which is half the price of the H100 and should be able to cool everything on the market today, so I think I will try to buy a similar cooler (mine stock cooler are just phafetic compared to his), and as he by accident bought double the RAM needed, I helped him get rid of half, so I will try some overclocking, and at a later time borrow his GTX580 to see how much more performance that will give me.Im still thinking that the 560TI would be a better buy as some "wise" people state that the 580 will only give me in the vincinity of 5% more performance - which is not alot when comparing the prices!I will probable return with some questions about overclocking, as I am extremely new to this (FS9 pilot so far, and never had the need for all that power).Again, thx for your inputs!!!Bjarne Sorensen