hello,

I'm looking for a new CPU to run FSX. My current E6600 doesn't exactly produce the best results.

I'm considering either the Intel E8600, or the Q9400. I've checked the other thread, but I can't find any mention of these two processors. Which do you think would perform the best in FSX?

I may go into some modest overclocking if I have to.

I have 2GB of Corsair DDR2 1066 memory and an 8800 Ultra graphics card (for what it's worth). I'm running Vista home premium 32.

I'm a massive aviation fan and wish to run FSX at the highest possible settings. I'm considering purchasing detailed scenery and aircraft addons, such as mega airport Heathrow X, the PMDG 747 etc. I am currently running mytraffic X, which is a major performance eater.

Thanks in advance!

the problem with that game is

1) multip gpu do not help that much - sli does not help
2) you need to boost the core speed

do not use a nvidia mobo use an intel mobo

use a q9650 at 3.8ghz+ or even a q6600 at 3.6ghz - use ddr3

there is not much you can do with something that demands lots of power but few drivers exist to help it with multi gpu


if you use the E8600 i think you see a lower performance - i was told fsx used the 4 cores

the best solution is 4.2-4.5ghz water cooled solution with a single gtx 280 card with a good raid

if your looking for case set up for it like this - pm me

id say get a quad core sincethe runs better on multicore processors...

hello,

Thanks for all the advice guys!

However, I will only upgrade the CPU, anything else is too expensive for me.

I've looked on google, and there doesn't seem to be a consensus about which CPU performs better. Some say dual, some say quad.

@dragonsprayer.. you seem to be more of a local internet ad rather then give advice.

Odaik, seems you have met the requirements of FSX:

Flight Simulator X

Do you have the latest drivers, and did you also install "Flight Simulator X Service Pack 1"?

Do you know if your physical ram is being maxed out?

I'd look into those things before buying something and finding out later it performs the same.

Also, you need to be sure that your MB will upgrade to the CPU that your referring to, especially quads since your not rebuilding a new rig.

I wouldn't listen to Microsoft on the minimum requirements for FSX.
I remember trying to run the demo on a Intel 3.2 Ghz P4 and the experience was terrible.
You could barely run Flight Simulator 2004 on those minimum requirements specified for FSX.

I would suggest waiting till the Intel 3.2 Ghz Core i7 comes out pretty soon to run FSX although most current Quad Core CPU's run it well.FSX runs quite well on my AMD Phenom X4 9850 BE system.You might prefer the 3.2 Ghz Core i7 because you will probably be able to turn up the settings to ultra high detail levels and run it in high resolution.

You want the quad for FSX. More cores the better.

FSX is a really demanding simulator, even my Q6600@3Ghz can't Max it out fully. Microsoft have already stated the reason it's so intensive, is because they want FSX to be more future proof. The Sim only gets better and better with newer technology.

Out of the two processors you mentioned, get the Q9400

Gah... I guess its kind of a gimmick for M$ to advertise with those recommendations. Heh, I guess they wouldn't sell much if the actual requirements to run it in its full glory of eye candy.

Thinking about it, my dad has Flight Simulator, but can't remember which one it was. I remember it running okay, its just I do remember I didn't check all the graphic settings. Now that I think about it, the graphics were not maxed out.

Edit:

@speedbird

. o O (wow Q6600 @ 3ghz?)

What video card and ram do ya run?

Edit:

Heh.. my dad uses the FS 2004, so it isn't FSX.

hello,

Thanks again guys!

I thought about getting nehalem, but I think it would be too expensive for me, as I would also have to upgrade my motherboard, and I think also my RAM to DDR3.

I'm using SP1 and SP2 in FSX. I'm using all the latest drivers. My 6600 is somewhat decent in FSX, but I'm not really happy with the frame rates I'm getting.

Does anyone have any links to any reviews of CPU performance in FSX? I've had a look at the excellent charts on this website, but I can't find FSX in them.

Here, people say quad core. On other forums, people say dual core. I don't want to spend almost £200 on the wrong CPU.

Hard to find good comparisons.

Allot of forum threads on it though. This one caught my attention:

Quad Core vs Dual Core in FSX

One guy saying he switch from dual to quad core, and in his sig, it says : Intel Extreme QX6850 3.00GHz CPU

I sense Sarcasm

Yes there's better overclocks, but I wasn't trying to claim otherwise.

I use a 2900XT card and 4GB of Memory

No.. I wasn't thinking even a 3ghz quad would have problems.

But obviously I'm wrong, since I did find a forum right above your post using a 3ghz Extreme, which he states he went from a dual.

So I wasn't putting your OC down. Sorry.

Ok, no worries