Just got back into flightsim after a one year absence. I presently have a Gateway 1.8 with 512 rdram, 40 gig hd, and 9500 pro. Running Fs9 with 100% AI (PAI) and other sliders at about 50-75%, with 9500 pro basically programmed with low quality settings, I'm getting anywhere from 5-18 fps with default sceneries.My new toy, just ordered today, is the Gamer Ultra Pro 9000 with Anthlon64 3500, Hitachi 160 gid hd, 1 gig Corsair XMS DDr memory, and the ATI x600 XT256 16xPCI Express video card. I know the video card is only average, but I will most likely upgrade later this summer.I'm not expecting miracles. This is Fs afterall. But what do you think? Keep in mind it's ordered, so I won't make any changes, but would you be satisfied with the performance? For those of you that made a similar jump in speed, how did you find the sim to perform?Thanks

My system is nowhere as powerful as yours. I have a 3Ghz process, 1Ghz DDR, 80Gb hd, and a cheap ATI 300 PCI Express. I have FSGen mesh and Abacus Extreme Landscapes. Flight One Cessna 172R as the only payware aircraft. I have FPS locked at 21. I get a constant 19 where I do most of my flying. I have the 19m mesh for the Grand Canyon and still get the 19 FPS. I have everything maxed out on the FS and the card. I am running only 1024x780. I cannot however have any real clouds. I had a download of an airport in Germany I think it was that the card could not handle also and removed it from FS. It will come down to 6 or 7 FPS with the clouds. I do not know about the ATI 600 but I tried the 256 MB 700XL PRO in my system. What a difference! Everything maxed out and any weather or clouds and I was still at 25 FPS no matter what I threw at it. I only used the card for one day and took it back. The CompUSA guy told me it would be coming down in price as soon as they have the 800XL PRO. I decided to wait for the 800. But if the 700 comes down to 100$, as he sugested it would in a few weeks, I may go back for that card. That would be too good of a deal to pass up and it would keep me happy until something new comes along in the FS. I think the system you have coming will handle just about anything you throw at it. I too am just getting back into this after several years of being away. I read a lot on here about FPS and have gotten some good tips on what to do to get the most out of my system. But I read a lot of posts about low frame rates and after seeing the system they are using I don't understand it. I know that a lot of people have differnt mesh, terrain, etc, but a lot of those systems I read about are far better than mine. I also read about guys getting great frame rates with a much lesser system. Whatever card I get it will let me go to my highest resolution, 1280x1024. Good luck with your new system.

Thanks for the reply. You and I seem similar in our knowledge for this kind of thing. A lot of people on this board are really into technology, and although I've learned a lot, it is sometimes over my head. I do think the video card will be a bit slow based on what I've read, but what I wanted to spend I put into the CPU and good ram, along with a good HD. The video card can be updated in six months with one like you suggested for little extra cost, especially since the X600 can go in our family pc.Regards,

If you havent tried them, pick up the FSW clouds!

Thanks for the tip.

You will be very happy with your new system. On the 3rd upgrade of my system listed below. Went from AMD 1900+ to 2400+ to the same CPU you have ordered the AMD 64 3500+ ..... An outstanding jump in performance from the 2400+ to the 3500+. You will be able to max all your settings including AI and still see FPS 25-33 in high density airport areas and 100 plus enroute. I have found no advantage to limiting the FPS with this setup. Running at 1600x1200 with all kinds of freeware addons .... airports/terrain mesh/texture upgrades and aircraft. Payware addons .... MyTraffic 2004, Captain Sim 727 and PMDG 737NG.JayDubLian-Li PC 60 Aluminum CaseAntec 400W ATX Power SupplyAMD Athlon 64 3500+ 90nm WinchesterAbit AV8 3rd Eye with VIA chipset Thermaltake heatsinkATI 9800 with 4.10 Drivers1GB Corsair DDR 3200 Windows XP Home SP2 Creative Audigy XGamer 5.1ViewSonic19 Inch Flat Screen Saitek X36F/X35T Flight Control System