Soon...soon....FSX SP1 !

[Guest robains]

These are the system specs I'll use for them:OPTION 1 74GB Hard Drive 10K RPM $139.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136033 Intel Core 2 E6600 2.4Ghz $313.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115003 Intel 775 Core 2 Motherboard $114.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813121035 XMS 2GB DDR2 800 $154.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145590 nVidia 8800GTS 320MB $304.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130038 Total $1,026.97 OPTION 2 Seagate 320GB 7K RPM $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148140 AMD X2 4800 2.5Ghz $210.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819103778 ASUS AM2 Motherboard $134.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131013 XMS 2GB DDR2 800 $154.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145590 ATI Radeon X1950Pro 512MB $209.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814161059 Total $798.97 --- sorry for all the edits...oyeRob.

[DadJokeCinema 145]

Yeah, the prices for option 1 are all close to what I paid, except a bit less for the video card. I offset that with the yoke and the new psu.It runs everything nicely on Vista Home Premium. I've been really happy with the C2D.

[Guest robains]

Option 1 was influenced by:1. he wanted fast loads times hence 10K rpm drive2. he wanted a fully DX10 capable video cardhe's not into overclocking -- but that's what they all say at first. ;)I suspect he'll have to pop for a new PSU -- but no harm in seeing if his current PSU can handle it. He runs on a 22" LCD so native resolution is 1680 x 1050 -- saw a 22" LCD for $198 the other day, I remember the days when I spent $2000+ on a 21" CRT.But if anyone really wants to "Feel" the flight sim experience, get one of these monitors:http://tv.about.com/od/lcdproductreviews/f...tingLVM42w2.htmI've seen them as cheap as $1300! I prefer this setup to multi-monitor setup in terms of "being there" experience -- it is large enough to cover periferal and has a high enough resolution (progressive) to produce crisp details with no artifacts. Highly recommend this TV/monitor.Rob.

[LAdamson 240]

>X-Plane 45% / FS9 10% / FSX - uninstalled at least until SP1 />Other activities 45% - since I lost quite interest in flight>sims since I realized I'm not very satisfied of neither of the>three.In reality, my flight simming wouldn't usually equal 2 hours a week at best. Most has to do with testing this and that, checking out new scenery such as "Glacier Bay" (FS9), new payware/freeware, or interesting "local" real weather in which I prefer FSX.However, I know exactly what I'm looking for, and am well aware of the limitations you're going to find in a desktop simulator. I "do not" require a simulator as a complete substitute for real flight; but am always impressed when some particular sim just throws out that "wow" factor that just happens every once and a while! This has happened with the three sim's mentioned in this thread, as well as others.I suppose I can say I'm more "satisfied", than not, since I'm not going for, or really expecting complete virtual realism. And this does not mean I'm willing to settle for less, 'cause the real airport is just across the street... :D L.Adamsonedit: remove a few letters that thought they were an attachment

[Guest robains]

You bring up a very good point, I would have long ago given up FS9 if it weren't for the 3rd party add-ons.Unfortunately, 3rd party add-ons to FSX have impact performance even more so I just stopped using FSX.For sure I'll try SP1 for FSX and DX10 for FSX, but it needs to have enough head room such that 3rd party software doesn't kill fps. I don't really care about compatibility, make the 3rd party vendors adjust not me.Rob.

[beatle 0]

I don't suppose our thinking could have had anything to do with the fact that currently there is only ONE (count em ONE) video card that can do DX10 (unless the ATI card has come out in the last week or so and I missed it :-> ) and the video drivers for the ONE card that is available still aren't up to snuff (according to what I've heard here and elsewhere, don't have an 8800 myself yet) and if my experience with ATI drivers for other products under Vista is any guide, there DX10 drivers will suck when they first come out also (they still haven't released a TV Tuner driver for my All-in-wonder 2006 that will work under Vista).

[Guest robains]

Two actually, 8800GTX and 8800GS (more in you count the VRAM variants).But, by the time DX10 version of FSX is out -- probabably at least 4 variants. But there again, how many video card companies are their AMD/ATI and nVidia.Are you asking for more choices?? ;) he he -- well, in that case their is this OS called Leopard due out in a few weeks... :) (sorry couldn't resist).Rob.