Looking for upgrade help

[Zachiii]

According to this it looks like FSXI may not becoming anytime soon...if ever: http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=21981

So, I'm think about upgrading what I have.

My FS9 runs about 12-24 FPS mostly varying on weather with CPU usage at about 60%.

My hardware/software is listed below.

Should I go to a more powerful video card? Is so what card?

Should I overclock the CPU?

I don't think a new computer would be cost effective in boosting FS9.

Thanks for you input,

Zach

[loki]

Being that it is an older Dell, overclocking is probably not an option. Your only real choices are to bump up the RAM and upgrade the video card.

Increasing the RAM would help with loading files and give the system more room to play with when running the more complex add-ons. A video card increase would help a little bit, especially if you are running a 22" monitor at its native resolution. As your system has an AGP slot, the options are limited and often cost more than the PCIe equivalent. Some if the recent Radeon cards, like the 3650 and 3850, come in AGP models.

The best upgrade in terms of sheer performance would be a more powerful processor, but this would require a new system.