FSX - Computer Specs

Well, I think the first thing you have to look at is whether or not the game can work with multiple processing cores. If it can than you can look into dual and quad-core CPUs. And for now I'd say you could get away with an 8800GTS and have some pretty decent fps.

On the RAM, I'd say that 4GB with a 64bit OS might not be overkill considering that now everything is becoming very RAM-consuming and most software is finally getting to the 64bit side of programming.

FSX service pack 1 was a nice surprise. Besides including support for dual or quad core CPUs they also cleaned up some of the other performance hogs. Guess-timates that most people saw a 20-30% performance increase seem about right. If you want an insider's look at the changes: FSX SP1 changes explained
Bottom line is that the SP1 didnt give a huge boost to FPS but it does use multi core CPUs to run more smoothly.
Even with FPS in the high to mid 20s the game plays well. FPS isnt as important to FSX as it would be in fast-twitch FPS games. And if you want a few extra FPS you can always back off just a touch on the Ultra Quality options.

The THG Video charts do seem "stuck" on ~mid-20s FPS. And thats all mid - to - top range video cards at all resolutions from 1024x768 through 1920x1200. Not many games show a 8600GT peforming the same as a 8800Ultra at 1280x1024 resolution! That just demonstrates that FSX IS CPU-limited - not GPU limited. If they used FSX for a CPU benchmark you'd see the performance scale with increased CPU speed.

I think you're budget will get you a great FSX system. A FAST multi-core CPU is what you want.
And you dont need the $1500 USD 3.0Ghz Core2 Extreme QX6850 Kentsfield either.
You'll want to build your system around a fast dual core or quad core CPU. A the $300 (£150) price point you have two great choices: Core2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz or Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz If you're up for a bit of mild overclocking you can easily have a system that will outperform that $1500 CPU.
Core2 Quad Q6600 G0 SLACR 2.40 GHz @ scan.co.uk or E6850 3.0GHz @ scan.co.uk
You can also consider the E6750 or E6550.

Are there any components you're going to carry over? Any preferences to case style? (Quiet, Conventional or Bling!) Are you OK with a bit of moderate overclocking?

FSX with the SP1 can load 4 cores at 100%  
Even with my 3Ghz Q6600 and gts at 14x10, the game hammeres my sys.

Its cpu bound so gfx card doesnt rly make a diff.
Just get the most expensive cpu with the most cores u can afford.

I had a e6600 2.4Ghs Dual Core and just got a Q9550 and only noticed about a 15% increase and still hammers my computer. I have a 8800Gt and with the Q9550 I used a friends 8800Gt in SLI and it didn't make a difference at all. I just read from someone that he has a Q6600 with a GTX 260 and he said his is flighin fast on all maxed out. That would then mean it is a GPU friendly game as well as CPU.

This thread is a year old. Spitfire7, just out of curiosity. what made ya bring this thread back from the dead?

Cause it relates to his problem and some people actually search the forum first before posting.

i am thinking of geting a hp elite m9600 quad 2.33 4 gb ddr 2 ram ATI Radeon® HD 4650, with Avivo technology will it run fsx with maxed out grapics but lowish trafic and medeiam weather

thanks ben

i am thinking of geting a hp elite m9600 quad 2.33 4 gb ddr 2 ram ATI Radeon® HD 4650, with Avivo technology will it run fsx with maxed out grapics but lowish trafic and medeiam weather
thank ben

sorry i sent twice

I have a AMD Phenom II 955 (quad core 3.2 Ghz), 2 Gigs 1066 Mhz ram and a ATI HD 4870 video card. FSX runs pretty smooth on medium settings and looks awesome. Its a pretty cheap setup. When I turn up the settings it seems like large airports and clouds realy bog it down, but its still playable. All 4 cores work, and the CPU rarely goes over about 70% utilization - so I think something else is limiting it.

Note - my ASUS M3A78 has a built in audio chipset that I disabled in the bios and replaced with a "sound blaster live" PCI sound card. For some reason FSX locks up, restarts the PC, freezes, BSOD, etc... whenever I have the built in sound card enabled.