Well, I got my copy at 10:00 AM on the 17th of October, and I've never regretted one single minute of it. Yes, I'm fortunate to have put it on a brand new system (see specs) that I specifically chose from reading all the posts for computer recommendations over the last 2 months. I'm also fortunate to put it on a clean system, uncluttered with possible spyware, viruses, or other such deadly FS killers. I'm fortunate enough to have received Trend Micro PC-cillin instead of the the CPU "hog" known as Norton's, with my new PC. I'm really able to get in the 20's consistently in KSEA (limiter set to 30) with Autogen at Normal, and Scenery at Very Dense. As of yet, I have not applied any "tweaks" to my FSX config, nor have I tried anything other than play with the sliders. I have wonderful road traffic that is a joy to watch as I leave any airport. I thoroughly enjoy flying Helicopters FOR THE FIRST TIME in FS, and the effects of the rotors over land and water are "to die for"! I'm looking forward to getting the Glasair III today since it looks fantastic and it's made for FSX.Although I like the default planes, I'm not thrilled with the quality of the Airbus, or the Canadair Regional. But that will soon be insignificant as designers give us great planes with smooth gauges and other spectacular features. The Brown Desert exists, but it's not as extreme as everyone would have you believe...there are so many spectacular places to fly in FSX that none of us have the time to explore them all.So....I'm really excited and enjoying this sim, and it's only going to get better. I truly hope that many of you who are not having such an experience, find a way that's "do-able" for you, to experience the thrill of this new simulator. There are many talented simmers on this forum who are ingenious in devising ways for all of us to enjoy FSX. Good luck....there is light at the end of the runway.

You are one lucky guy. So tell me, how much did you spend building that wonderful machine of yours? BTW. Can you post your frame rate for this New York screenshot. I am getting 7 with old system. If you are getting 20 with your machine, I will build one too.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/159794.jpg

Hi"You are one lucky guy. So tell me, how much did you spend building that wonderful machine of yours?"LOL:)Pete

Actually is a Dell XPS series, and final cost was about $3800.00 with 3 years of on-site service. Also got a Logitech G5 Gaming mouse and a Saitek (red backlighting) Eclipse keyboard. Dell 24" LCD widescreen monitor.ps. I still have to learn to post screenshots properly. I'll work on that next week. In the 14 years that I've been simming, I've just never done the screenshot posting thing. I will learn, though. Which program is best for taking screenshots and resizing them?

Wow!!!! That's a lot of money. I just spec out my machine simular in configuration. Except that I will use an E6600 (I can overclock it to 3.2 and above easy), and a cheaper video (I think I am going to wait for the second generation DX10 cards instead).

>Actually is a Dell XPS series, and final cost was about>$3800.00 with 3 years of on-site service. Also got a Logitech>G5 Gaming mouse and a Saitek (red backlighting) Eclipse>keyboard. Dell 24" LCD widescreen monitor.>>ps. I still have to learn to post screenshots properly. I'll>work on that next week. In the 14 years that I've been>simming, I've just never done the screenshot posting thing. I>will learn, though. Which program is best for taking>screenshots and resizing them?>For taking screenshots while flying the sim, use the 'V' key on your keyboard. They are saved to...C:Documents and SettingsYour_Windows_UsernameMy DocumentsMy PicturesFlight Simulator X FilesIf you want to take sceenshots of say, all the Windows/Tabs that show your slider settings, then download FSScreen from the Avsim library(just search the library for FSScreen). When you use it you just press the 'PrtScrn'(Print Screen) button on your keyboard and the screenshots are saved to the folder where you unzipped FSScreen to.For resizing and converting the .bmp screenshots you take I recommend using the totally free program called 'IrfanView'. Current version is v3.98. You will want to use the 'Batch Conversion/Rename' function('B' on your keyboard). You will need to set the various conversion and resizing settings in there, which isn't too hard once you get the hang of it. Just make sure to check the 'Use Resample function (better quiality)' checkbox in the Advanced Options dialog box, otherwise your converted and resized screenies won't look all that good. Just search Google for IrfanView, it's a great little program.Hope that helps,Jim

Thanks for the screenshot tips. Will do!

>Actually is a Dell XPS series, and final cost was about>$3800.00 with 3 years of on-site service. Also got a Logitech>G5 Gaming mouse and a Saitek (red backlighting) Eclipse>keyboard. Dell 24" LCD widescreen monitor.>>ps. I still have to learn to post screenshots properly. I'll>work on that next week. In the 14 years that I've been>simming, I've just never done the screenshot posting thing. I>will learn, though. Which program is best for taking>screenshots and resizing them?>This is another one that has slipped a long way down the listWhilst the particular machine that you have would cost me closer to $6K - I too would be quite interested to see if you could duplicate the screenie above but showing the dreaded FPSI am sure that I would not be the only one

Yes come on then i challenge all the high fps people to meet this challenge, can we each have a guess on the op's fps at this location, i reckon 15 tops but still loads better than me.I appreciate the hassle so if you wish just post the number, we'll believe you (maybe).btw have you got water reflections i cant quite see?

ok i've got about 2/3 of the scenery you have and i've done the autgen number tweaking.My machine:4800x22gig ramx1900xt 512MBXP all latest direct x updates etcI get 5.5 to 5.9 fps yippee Come on surely no one can get 25fps with it remotely looking like thatBut i would like to be proven wrong, at least i'll know what to buy then.regards

OK. Where are your screenshots? I would like to see too. Anyway, here is mine. around 7 frames. I will probably get between 8 to 9 when I overclock my video card next week as I just found out how and I have had that card for 3 years. I feel really stupid now.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/159794.jpg

How come it would cost you so much? I just spec one for myself except with an e6600 and exotic cooling. With every thing the same, it only costs mid 2K US. Monitoring not included.

You'll be back to reality once those Third Party company's get their UPGRADES complete...:)Sorry to burst the bubble...

>Yes come on then i challenge all the high fps people to meet>this challenge, can we each have a guess on the op's fps at>this location, i reckon 15 tops but still loads better than>me.>>I appreciate the hassle so if you wish just post the number,>we'll believe you (maybe).>btw have you got water reflections i cant quite see?>>scenery 1 tick from maxautogen 2 ticks from maxlow watermax waterwhen i see this many buildings on screen, i set my ground textures to 2m to balance it out. anything over 24 is a waste from my seat. I lock it and dont concern myself with performance until i feel it. Then it's just a matter of a slider adjustment.I have my own top 5 slider configs saved that seem to fit every situation i've seen so far.good luck

Maybe 3rd pary upgrades will be work better than we think In FSX,who know's?The upgrades that I will pay money for in FSX will cost very little in the FPS pot.1 :More accurate landclass2:Improved coastlines for the area's that have got a little Square:)3: Better flight models for the default aircraft( I think there could be a big market there).I'm more than happy with the graphics in the the default aircraft.Not every improvement comes with FPS toll.John