JW6984

[ I WAS keeping my eyes on it, from 2005 to 2010. After that my eyes got tired.

I am running FSX, my machine isn't an iCore but it seems to run it OK with sliders on the right side of the bar. The CPU is the most critical path to good performance, I've overclocked mine to 4.275 GHz on air (Core 2 Duo) and it made a big difference. Overclocking my video card didn't make any difference at all with FSX. I've heard that a quad-core will give smoother frames than a dual-core because the other cores are used for terrain and texture processing, but the CPU speed still mainly determines FPS. System specs are below. Jim

Hello, I just recently made the jump to FSX from FS9. Up to now I've been a diehard 2D cockpit user, and didn't even want to hear about VCs. However, after making the jump to FSX using Nick's performance tweaks I am now flying more and more in VCs. I do not have Track IR, I just use a hat switch and it works fine. My first FSX payware was the A2A Boeing 377 w/Accusim expansion and the VC is so good I don't miss the 2D at all. I think the Twotter will be similar. The only thing that gets a little cumbersome is zooming in and out which has to be done with the keyboard (or a button mapped to it).

Until this week, I've been a diehard FS9 user, mainly out of performance frustrations with FSX. THEN, I tried Nick's tweaks provided here:http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=29041These tweaks have greatly increased my performance in FSX to the point where I can use it now. It made a HUGE difference. I am now buying FSX payware, which will probably empty my wallet all over again ;)

I built my system specifically for FS9 last year and I think it's one of the best performers for the money (see specs in my sig below). Everything told me that FS9 doesn't really benefit from having 4 cores vs. 1 so I stuck with a dual core processor and overclocked it to get as much speed as possible (on air). This was my first o/c attempt and EVGA products made it very easy, they have step by step tutorials on their forums. With FSDT KJFK scenery, WOAI traffic @80%, AS 6.5 weather, and PMDG aircraft it never goes below 30 FPS and usually stays between 50-60 FPS.

Just bought FSX and it looks nice, but it won't run properly in Windows 7. CTDs every time I access menus in full screen mode. The serious decrease in performance over FS2004 is bad enough, (from 50-80 FPS down to 10-30 FPS) but the CTD makes it almost unusable for me. Guess I'll have to go back to FS2004 unless MS fixes it.

Opher, Check out this link, it's what I used to install the ADEU. Works good for me, it puts the ADEU in the middle of the same console as the INS.http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtop...682&hl=adeuJim

Hello, I've been running FS2004 on W7 RC x64 since May 2009 with no major problems. I do have a few payware products that either won't install or have glitches, but 80% of my payware runs fine.I have a GTX260 w/ the latest drivers too. The only big video problem I have is blurry ground textures, but I had that problem using XP too. My experience has been that any product claiming compatibility with Vista will run in W7 x64.

Peter, As far as cases, I have a Thermaltake Soprano, it has three case fans - 2 x 120mm fans (front and back) and 1 x 80mm fan in the side. Not too noisy and really keeps the air flowing. This is my first Thermaltake case and it's been very nice. I thought it had plenty of room until I installed my GTX260 :(Intel publishes a list of what they call "thermally advantaged chassis", or cases which they supposedly test for thermal efficiency. You might find it on their website. Not sure how meaningful the tests are, though. I usually look for a case with a decent name brand and as many fans as possible. The 120mm fans really do a nice job.

Looks good. I think you'll be happy with that setup. Overall I think the E8500/8600 is the best FS9 CPU out there for cost vs. performance. I did notice a big difference when I o/c'ed the CPU but not much difference o/c'ing the video card. If you do decide to venture into overclocking, there's a great tutorial on EVGA's website www.evga.com. It's written for an EVGA mobo but still has good general info. This was my first o/c attempt and the tutorial took me right through it. Haven't fried anything.........(yet) :)A couple final thoughts: 1) Make sure you have enough room in your case for the GTX 260, it is a very large card. I had to make some minor adjustments to my case to make it fit. 2) I wouldn't go any lower on the PSU than 600W, I have a 650W. If you ever want to run 2 in SLI mode you'll need a bigger one.Good luck!

I just built an E8500 system a few months ago. It's an excellent FS9 platform especially if you are going to overclock. I have mine running @4.275GHz with no issues. I would recommend an aftermarket CPU cooler, I have a Zalman 9700LED and it's great. The 9700 is very large, so make sure you have enough room in your case. The only other problem is that it causes ice to form on my CPU :) Idle temps are around 40C and FS9 never takes it over 60C. The Zalman might be overkill if you aren't overclocking, though.Video Card: I have a GTX260 and it works great. I overclock it too. OS: I just went from XP32 to Windows 7 x64 (Release Candidate). Other than a few minor install workarounds I have had no problems running FS9.This system is taking everything I can throw at it in FS9 - FS Dreamteam sceneries, complex a/c addons, AI traffic, sliders to the right, etc. FPS usually stays around 50-60 and rarely goes below 40.

I just built a new system to run FS9. So far after 3 months I am stable locked at 60 FPS. Frames vary from a low of 40 FPS @ FSDT KJFK to 60 FPS most other places. Sliders mostly to the right, and about 60 WOAI Airlines installed @70% traffic. Using Activesky 6.5 and Radar Contact 4.3. PMDG MD11 and LDS 767 are as smooth as can be. Here are the specs:Intel E8500 Core 2 Duo O/C to 4.275 GHz/1800MHz FSBEVGA 790i Ultra MotherboardEVGA GTX260 o/c to 690/1500/1130 (overclocking the video card didn't seem to make a huge difference)4 GB OCZ DDR3 1800Mhz RAM (2x2GB)Samsung DVDSamsung 22" LCD WidescreenWD Caviar Black 640GB HDAntec 650W PSUWas running XP32 but just installed W7 RC x64.Since I was going to overclock, I opted for the E8500 dual core instead of a quad core or an i7. Also, 4GB is about the limit for a 32-bit OS. IMO, I think this system was a sweet spot to run FS9 in terms of price and performance. I probably would have gone with an i7 if I were building for FSX. Maybe next time :)Jim

Mike, I tested at TNCM, I got the same thing as Alex. See pic below, VFR fix for RWY 10 is way off. I used the FIX page to display the PJM radials 096/276 to show approximate track of the TNCM RWY 10.I am not using latest AIRAC 0905, I am still using 0903. Also using Flytampa TNCM scenery but not sure if that would matter?? I also note that my 0903 navdata doesn't have any departure RWYs or SIDs for TNCM but does include the STARs and approaches. Thanks much for the replies. This is a great product, the best aircraft for FS so far IMHO.Jim

All, I am experiencing the exact same thing shown in Alex's pic. My latest occurence was at Bonaire (TNCB) airport. I didn't mean to say that the FAnnn waypoint moves around, what I meant to say is that in some instances it's a little off azimuth, and other times it way off (as in Alex's pic). I will post a few screens when I get the chance, within the next few days. I am using the FS9 version.Jim

First I want to say that the MD11 is outstanding. I do have a small problem/question: During a VFR approach, I setup according to the FMS Manual page FMS.60.9 and I get a generated waypoint FA*** as I should. However, many times the VFR waypoint is not aligned with the runway azimuth, sometimes it's a little off and sometimes it's way off. I haven't taken any screenshots but I will if it helps. As far as I can tell the a/c position is initialized properly.Are there any known issues or am I the first? I am using the FS9 version.Jim