Ha. I got into flight simulator and building computers back then (I'm a EE now- so figures), and a 4.77 GHz pentium V is just naughty. A bit off topic- but digital circuitry at that speed and size is just naughty. The Core 2 multithreading redesign was a smart move, but it's still a very antiquated x86 design...not necessarily bad. One thing to note and a coworker noted this too, my computer that was built in 2010 really isn't that much slower than a computer built with parts designed with 2015 parts. My work laptop is a 2 year old lenovo T430 and is the best windows laptop I've ever used even comparing to the brand new lenovo's or dell's. The only change in my laptop was a ssd just for preventative maintenance. We are starting to reach hard computational limits. Especially with FETs that are reaching 8 or less nm in gate size. At that point, you're using more analog circuitry to control the leakage currents and DC buses than the actual circuity itself. For example, an IC designed at 1.3 um needed only one voltage regulator while an IC designed at 60 or 45 nm needs something like 12. Sorry Rant/
I've always loved planes and so fs natural to me. I plus many others felt that Microsoft FSX is a half hearted attempt from Microsoft to resell fs9 with a new UI plus a few light reflecting goodies. PMDG, is this the case? I think no. But the software is 10 years old and fs is reserved for those who are very much plane and challenge oriented. In 2006, I purchased the LDS 767 and it blew my mind that you needed to start an engine with a pneumatic procedure vs. just turning the key to an electric starter.
Do we need a more modern platform, yes. Is FSX still very powerful, yes. With PMDG working on it, yes. It seems like PMDG is really the only company really working and keeping the public informed on fs. It seems like most fs producing companies are just part time workers when aren't tired form their real job do a couple lines of code. LDS I'm certain has the intention to release a 757 for FSX, but their goal for a high fledged simulation is very aggressive and their lives and work get in the way plus standards of simulation get in the way. PMDG on the other hand is one of the companies left really pushing aggressive products to the market. They are serious...A good example is they are very serious about piracy...I was involved in one such case and paypal will never be used by me again. ever. Not to say other developers care, but PMDG cares about their work and it shows with venturing into commercial realms including P3D. Now on to P3D. Is it a good evolution to FSX, yes. Problem is EULA and I won't get into that here. Do I understand where they are coming from, yes. Do I agree with what they are doing, yes. Do I wish it was different, yes. Although FSX is antiquated, we see companies coping with the limitations and going above and beyond, but I don't see development subsiding. The difference we've seen in the past is the inflation of eager developers who don't finish addons. We are now just starting to see the workhorses and the ones who really are willing and able to allocate resources to this hobby.