calling experts re upgrade help...

[TSR2]

You must be mental. I wouldn't touch a BIOSTAR motherboard with the proverbial barge pole. They are utter shite, which explains why the price is so good. There is a reason why ASUS, GIGABYTE etc are more expensive, and its a sound one. These guys are probably paying around £20 for that board.

And the Quad is a must, because next year I don't want you telling me how shite FSXI is on your dual core ;-)

I also reserve the same right as Rick

[tonymadge]

http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Motherb ... r-I45.html

http://www.trustedreviews.com/motherboa ... wer-I45/p1

Not sure where your coming from re Biostar they get a good review.
Lets face it FSX will dead by next year anyway... gone down the pan like FS2000 when they introduce FS11 but I will still be happily shoving FS9 around the Virtual sky

[TSR2]

good luck matey!

[tonymadge]

I recall the old saying..."if it aint broke dont fix it" So with that in mind and the views on this stuff I think I may be wiser to leave things as they are

[Rick Piper]

Hi Tony

I sort of see what you mean but from previous record

I think you will eventually be FSX only (as i had all the same arguments with you over FS2002 and then FS2004 and now FSX)

eventually you saw the light on the others and it's my prediction you will eventually with FSX.

Saying if it's not broke don't fix it makes no sense to me as you would not bother upgrading unless it was broke.

My Suggestion of the older chip would save you enough for 3 proper motherboards which i know will be less trouble.

Your on your own mate as we have nothing to gain from offering you logical and truthful advice.

Regards
Rick

[TSR2]

...as we have nothing to gain from offering you logical and truthful advice.

Other than some peace and quiet

On A serious note mate, If you are reasonably happy with your lot, you could do lot worse than stay put. IF there is a new FS version out next year, you'll want to be capable of running it, even if you don't buy it straight away. Best put the cash in the piggy bank and lets all wait and see what info we can gleen next year when specs etc are anounced in the late summer. ;-)

[tonymadge]

Ok guys I really appreciate your help and will take the advice as it would be daft not to as I am not really sure which is better. I think I may leave things as they are but I would really be interested in what you think I should buy..
I want to keep the case graphics card and hard discs /dvd etc so I just need a motherboard CPU and 4gb ram I would like to be able to "crank" the cpu up.
Ok whats best to go for but reasonable price wise???

[Rick Piper]

Hi Tony

I would reccomend best performance per £ and ability to overclock safely

ASUS P5k motherboard
Intel Q6600 CPU or E6600 if you must avoid quad core
Arctic Cooling "Freezer Pro 7" (to keep the cpu cool without sounding like a B105) ie@ heatpipe with a low speed fan
4 GB of decent memory that comes with heat spreaders built in.

Mine ran at 3.2 ghz for 6 months on this setup but with older board (ASUS P5B Deluxe) but they don't make that one now so went for replacement above.
Rock Solid and designed for overclocking without killing it's self ;-)

& 64 bit XP or Vista to make use of the 4 GB otherwise it's pointless unless you model 3d objects like me

Regards
Rick

[tonymadge]

Thanks Rick I appreciate your help, will start looking at prices

[Techy111]

I am looking at the Q9550...anyone know if this is a good chip..?

Currently have a E6750 Dual core....will be available for a good price soon...and have 4 gigs of Corsair 667 Mhz 1 gig sticks for sale....

Tony