System Hardware: PC | MOBO | RAM | CPU | HDD | SSD | PSU etc

Based mainly on my experience with Photoshop, I have always been a little sceptical about the real-world benefits of RAID 0. But as I have added more and more add-ons to FSX I have found the load times getting longer and longer. Admittedly I now have quite a lot of scenery etc, which is bound to take a little while to load; but I wondered whether I should think again about the use of RAID.I have therefore re-configured 2 of my SCSI drives for RAID 0. The difference is quite noticeable. Here are the numbers, to give an impression:Hardware etc (so far as relevant): 2 x 15k RPM 76Gb SCSI Seagates; 1 x Adaptec 39320A-R HOSTRaid controller card; Vista Ultimate 64(1) Time to lo…

Hello Folks,As always for my Hardware related problems I turn to you guys, as the advice I've had so far has been top notch.Situation is:Got a new PC a couple of months ago (E6600 OC, BFG 8800Ultra, 4Gigs RAM, n860i SLI etc etc) and I've still got my "old" Dell 15Inch monitor. Seeing as X-Mas is only a stone throw away and there seem to be some nice discounts I thought it would be a good time to take the leap for a new monitor.So far my preference has gone to the Samsung 22Inch 226BW, yes it is WideScreen but I use mostly VC + my other monitor could be used for the instruments.What do you guys think of this monitor? I like it because for 270Euros it seems a good price.I'm…

Hey guys, first I'd like to introduce myself.My Name is Patrick living in germany.Well about my Problem....I'm running FS9 with all my AC-Addons (PMDG,LDS etc.) on a AMD 2800+ Machine with 1gig of Ram (400MHZ) and a ATI X850Pro and WinXP Pro.Actually, it does fine when flying in 2d cockpit offline with the settings set to medium. But online with other traffic around and in 3d Cokpit i ususally won't reach more thean 15fps. Flying the PMDG 747 is even more complicated....7fps! About 15fps offline with all settings low.Everyting without any scenery add-on!!!As this situation is unpleasent for me, I'm about to create a new system! Basic needs: WinXP Prof no VISTA!! Frames, w…

Hi,I currently have an Ati 3870 and have been having trouble with using FSX in the windowed mode. 3D clocks don't want to kick in (800-1200) and 3870 down clocks to only 300 core on 2D clock. Only reason I use window mode is I run FSC on second monitor and it will not run with FSX in full screen. Wondering if someone with a 8800 series card will test and see if 3D clocks kick in - in the windowed mode? Would like to know for FS9 also. I thought I read on a post that someone said the Nvidia cards would detect 3D in the Windowed mode and get the full 3D clocks.Thank-You,Ted

Ok Guys,Here are the specs on my new proposed system from my computer guy.I know I should go 4GB ram.Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Ron1 INTEL CPU CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 2.40GHZ FSB1066MHZ 8M LGA775 DG33TLM 1 INTEL MB BOXDG33TLM 1333FSB DR2 800 AUD+LAN RAID 6 SATA SUPPORT FOR INTEL QUAD-CORE PROCESSORS AND INTEL VIIV PROCESSOR TECHNOLOGY INTEL HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO SUBSYSTEM IN THE FOLLOWING CONFIGURATION: - 8-CHANNEL (7.1) AUDIO SUBSYSTEM WITH FIVE ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUTS AND ONE OPTICAL S/PDIF DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT USING THE SIGMATEL 7250B 1 ENLIGHT 72500AZB 7BAY ATX MID-TWR 300W 8CM 2-USB FRONT W/CABLE AMD P4 HT BLACK1 CARD READER 13 IN 11 WESTERN DIGI…

Hey simmers, sorry but i tryed to search for a post about the following but was unlucky: I want to know how i can get fs9 to use more than 1 gig of ram. i have 2 gb now and when i run it along with as6 squawkbox, nhacner leveld etc. i only get 900-1000mb of my ram used. could it be i have a bad stick? how do you run memtest? thanks guys.

HiAs we know FS9 only uses one core of a dual core processer, even if I have both on by default. Given this fact would the best PC for playing FS2004 be a singhle core, like a Intel

IS the saitek yoke and throttle any better than th ch yoke, Iv ebeen having some issues with it not being ver smooth and I have never been that impressed with the ch stuff, is this any better?

Hi peops.I am experiencing some trouble with my CH USB-yoke. It has been going on for a couple of months now.It is not an "Armageddon-problem", but it is quite annoying. The yoke is "virtually sticky"!The problem is only in the elevator-axis. It

Hello everyone,I have bought a P5K-E wifi to replace the P5N32E for my Q6600. P5N32E is not very fit with Q6600 for OC. The newer its BIOS, the worse the performance. Now, with the P5K-E, I can OC my Q6600 to stable 3.5G, maximum 3.6G. Overall, I am very satisfy already with this performance.My question is, I use Scythe Ninja plus heatsink and fan. The idle temp keeps around 50-60. Only sightly lower than using stock HSF. When operating FSX in window mode, temp goes up to 78 degree. Is this normal? Or there is problem for my HSF installation which case the high temp?Moreover, I want to know what may be the cause of the following OC crash symptom.1. I try higher FSB and O…

Hi, I cant afford to upgrade my machine fully ...but will I notice any improvment from my current setup (on my sig) to these:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145098http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813157115http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819116052I would just transfer my video card, power supply, Sound blaster hard and HD to the new board.I would get it for under $200I wont be able to fully upgrade my machine for another 2 years.Whacha think?Thanks,Bill

Hi,I saw the news on Phils blog and I've just downloaded it. I know that this is a beta, but it should be stable enough when it's a release candidate (I hope). Anybody have any experience of Vista SP1 RC? Is there any reason not to install?Edited: Well, never mind. I'll install it and hopefully it will work ok.Ulf BCore2Duo X6800, 4GB RAM, BFG 8800GTXCreative SB X-Fi (Gamer mode)Vista 32, FSX Acc/SP2

Hi , does FS9 take advantage of dual core CPUs?Bill

Hi,Is there anyone who tried replacing a Core2 Duo E6600 with a Quad Q6600 and if yes - were there any significant change in performance? I'm still using FS2004 under WinXP but guess I will go go FSX under Vista eventually.Thanks in advance for any input on the subject!

Hi folksSomething has gone mad with keyboard input on my wife's XP laptop. She types very fast and often hits control codes or windows shortcuts etc, but normally i can see what's happened. Not this time though....All settings still show as 'UK English', and 'QWERTY' still types out from correct keys, but keys further to the right have changed to numbers!Please can anyone help - I just know it's gonna be something dead simple - i just can't find it.

Are two Raptors better than one?I'm configuring a new system for FSX. I'm considering two Raptors; one, a 36GB, for MS Vista 64 and another, a 74GB, for FSX.Any recommendations? Are two Raptors better than one 150GB Raptor with a partiction for Vista 64 and a partiction for FSX?Many Thanks,Richard

Ram is so cheap lately, I couldn't resist purchasing another 2GB of ram. Is it possible to set up FS9 & FSX so they can be both run optimally with 4GB's of ram? If so, could someone be so kind and reply.Thanks,Ken

This may not be inappropriate for this forum but I have been posting for the last few weeks for advice on a new system.I have gotten great advice and passed it on to my computer store guy.He is very nice but I just would like to find someone who really understands FS and what it takes to run it.So,does anyone know anybody within 100 miles of Ottawa,Ill that can build me a system that I can sit down with and get it working?I know this is a strange request but I was thinking earlier tonight.Where would we all be without the internet?I have been doing FS since my first Tandy from Radio Shack.Thanks,Ron

Hi everyone I've moved to this forum in the hope of a better response. I know this paticular subject is dear to our hearts but I'm almost there and I hope someone is out there to guide in the final piece of te jigsaw!!Having used FS9 on my Dell ATI Radeon laptop for over 3 years without issue I recenty invested in a new desktop. What a nightmare. I never realised nvidia graphics was such pain!HP-PavillionVista Home Premium 32bitNvidia 8500GT (512mb)(Updated Latest Driver forceware 163.75)Quad processor 2.4Ghzand more memory etc you can swing a cat at!Having finally and painstakingly got rid of sceney shimmer using Enhanser & the Nvidia Conrol Panel (I'm very happy wit…

I have a new nVidia 8600 256mb. Also have Riva Tuner and the nVidia Control Panel. In a somewhat random effort I have been unable to find any setting that will cause the 8600's fan to increase in speed. My max temperature for the GPU is 60c. I thought I saw a discussion about this but cannot locate it.Regards,Dick BoleyA PC, an LCD, speakers, CH yoke

Can anyone comfirm that the Saitek yoke problem has being solved? And that the Yokes you get now are working ok.Thanks in advance to all who reply.RegardsBill

Discovered I am having "endless looping" with my sound. Let's see, I don't know the official name for it but its a type of feedback when you hear a sound and it plays itself over and over, regenerating itself louder and louder. Usually I can create it whenever I takeoff and my engines get louder... that's when it kicks in. Even when I turn OFF the sound in FS9 it will remain. It only goes away when I exit out of FS9. Fun eh? Haven't had this type of issue since I was working in a sound studio. May take out my Soundblaster soundcard and just try the onboard sound to see if that helps. Let's see, not using any speakers either, just a headset with a mic (did I turn of…

Could anyone recomend a good PCI Express card for FS9/FSX ?Was hoping not to spend more than $100

Hi guys, I was uninstalling chipset drivers, then I rebooted and installed newer chipset drivers, and after rebooting.....nothing happens, all I hear are the fans, the HD light stays a solid color, the mouse optical light does not turn on and I cant even get to the BIOS. Just a blank screen and the monitor does not even turn on. What the heck!!! Now Im dead as a duck here with my comp.Did I blow my mobo?Is the PS dead?.. but then why is there power to the machine.?why why why...Any help?Thanks guys for all the support I have recieved with my computer issues Ive had in the past 2 months.Regards,Bill

Greetings,I am having a problem getting AFX to run in Vista32 with my ATI X1950pro card. The folks over at SimForums helped me isolate the problem as an OpenGl issue. I updated the driver to 7.11 and that fixed the problem until the next reboot of the computer. Then the same error came back. I can run AFX in safe mode. I wonder if there is a way to get the program to run using whatever it is using in safe mode without being in safe mode??? Thanks in advance for any help.