NZFF

Would appreciate some specialist advice on the feasibility of upgrading my current PC to enhance FS operation/performance.

I currently have a ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4SGX-MX motherboard with a ST3120022A HDD(120.03 GB), 2GB RAM, P4 2.8 CPU and a 6600GT video card and a XP OS. The firm where I purchased the PC from has advised that the motherboard will not support any further major upgrades.

My intention is to reconfigure the "box" with a new motherboard and an additional HHD dedicated solely to FS ops, and up the specs of my video card and CPU, while retaining the XP OS and my currrent HHD. Hopefully, this would allow me to retain all my current programmes without having to "mirror" them on to a new PC. Upgrades could include:

* Asus P5N-E SLI nForce 650i SLITM chipset 1333Mhz FSB ATX motherboard

* 320Gb Seagate ST3320620AS SATA II/I 3Gb/s HDD (16MB Cache)

* EN8800 video card

* New CPU...specs still being considered.

* PSU

* RAM to 4 GB

I guess my main question is ...." Is this reconfiguration possible"??

Look forward to your comments.

Cheers,

Bob R

you'll be able to put the new parts in your new box. You should be able to transfer XP over, you'll need to re-install it though. Ditto goes for Flight Sim I think.

Get the biggest, fastest CPU you can afford, and the more cores the better. FS is largely CPU-bound, which means that improving the processor will generally show more benefit than improving the gfx card. (unless you are particularly unhappy with the 6600, you may want to hold off that part until the Autumn/Spring, to see what the "DX10 update" brings...)