I suggest a dual-core processor, some much faster RAM, and a newer graphics card...

Why would you build a system for FS9 anyways?

I'd suggest getting an 8-series card (8XXX).

And some RAM at at least 666 MHz.

you can not just stick RAM in a computer and it works at 667MHz

the processor must be a 1333 FSB processor for 667 Ram to work without clocking. A 1066 FSB processor uses 533 RAM

Now if the processor gets changed, thats different

With a few changes the system can run FS9 or FSX. ..the changes that need to be made are processor, memory and video card and probably power supply too

Since its FS9 you dont need a Quad core so a dual will do the job just fine and if you use FSX this is also a decent little CPU solution


A E8500 Core 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

You can clock this proc to over 4GHz and if you wish to clock even a little you must not buy 667 memory and instead buy faster but if you do not wish to clock these would be the memroy sticks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1682023112

Fully "CPU" Clocked would be these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785

Now.. FS9 WILL NOT USE more than 2GB of system memory unless you edit the fs9.exe file to do it. It requires a very simple change using special software and after that FS9 will use more than 2GB.

So if you do not have any use for 4GB of memory, then its a waste


The OS.. if its not 64bit and is XP 32 or Vista 32 you must edit the OS to not OOM using more the 2GB. That is listed in the FSX forum at the top of the forum in my tuning thread


Video card... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133205

unfortunately out of stock but the 8800GT 512MB is going to net you the best result for the lest cost

You will need at least a 650watt PSU to run the proc and the video card

Fozzer wrote on Jan 10^th, 2009 at 4:14pm:



I get 20-25 FPS with FSX . I get a scenic world that is FAR more pleasing, and immersive than FS9; in aircraft that are MUCH more realistic than FS9... with a noticeably more realistic set of flight-dynamics...

And I haven't had to fiddle or fart with anything, at all  

Yeah, life's much too short (to settle for less)  

Get an E8300, E8400, or E8500. And an preferably 8800GTX, or 9800GT / 8800GT but that has far less memory bandwidth. That RAM may be incompatible with a new processor, so get DDR2-667 at minimum, atleast DDR2-800 if you're overclocking. You'll probably need new power supply, too.

Quote:

A 1333 FSB will have minimum of DDR2-667, and a 1066 will have minimum DDR2-533. DDR2-667 works fine with a 1066 proc; it should automatically change the system memory multiplyer (or as non-gigabyte boards call it, 'divider'. So yes, you should be abled to stick it in and the board will read the memory SPD and change the mem divider automatically.... voltage and timings usually stay at JADEC standard unless changed, however.

Quote:



I am well aware of the standard as I am a member of JEDEC, not JADEC

The only time your assesment is true is if the motherboard and BIOS are both working correctly with the manufacture SPD, and that is not always the case.. and,. many motherboards will refuse to run anything other than the minimums which are considered a 'non clocked' system by Intel

In this case the P35 board will however the suggestions I made were to place him in a unclocked environement that would not only allow a excellent FS9 experience but allow him to work with FSX as well clocked or unclocked