I have the AMD Hex core, 8GB ram and a 450 Vid card with 240g SSD. Run everything maxed out and it runs very smooth. Even my Carenado C90.
Make sure you have a clean install on FSX. Found if I install MegaScenery first, then Ultimate Terrain X last, it make for faster map loading without any visual hickups. Dont have any aircraft bouncing on the ground anymore due to texture loading.
I have to agree. I just upgraded to the AMD 8350 and Asus Crosshair V Formula Z. Over clocked it to 4.55 GHz, and FSX is running like a champ! Fresh FSX install, lots of GHz. Many have said that FSX is very CPU intensive, and it's true. OCing and fast memory. Those are the secret to making it run good.
Then, finding a good compromise in features you can live without, as to free up CPU resources. Who needs boat traffic? Cars? Why? This is FLIGHT sim. I turn mine on for kix, but it's totally unnecessary. Thinking like that can make it run great.
It's hard to believe that the sim has been out since late 2006, and the hardware still hasn't caught up yet. At least not completely. It is much busier than folks anticipated, and is a quantum leap from FS2004.