Naturally I'm looking to spend the least and get the most performance...I'm not sure which way to go - build, or buy - since so many retail systems seem to be a good value.But, I figure there are some experts in here...Thanks,Andrew

If you're planning for a gaming system, then I say build. The "good value" retail systems aren't always all they're cracked up to be. They often use cheap components. And then there is always the bloatware they install on the system.If you build you can make a configuration just the way you want. CPU, M/B, Memory, Video and Sound, Storage, PSU... everything just as you wish. And then whatever ends up on the hard drive will be only what you want rather than what the seller wants you to have.Some will claim that you can't build cheaper than you can buy... that's not true. Part of the fun of building is shopping for the parts you want at the best prices. With regard to O/S, if you've always bought then chances are you will have to buy an O/S. Any restore discs you may have from purchased computers don't count... they're really nothing more than discs of false hope. But even if you do have to buy the O/S you can find good deals (I bought my copy of XP Home from Newegg for $92.00). Many other system critical apps you require (AV, disk optimsers, etc.) are freely available on the Net.So, if the reason for asking your question is to build a gaming rig then you really should consider building. If you simply want to upgrade to enhance your normal home computing regime, then maybe you can find a good deal on a already built system.Cheers,Greg

No doubt about it ... for gaming ... BUILD..If you buy .. Especially from Dell/Gateway.. you MAY get ... onboard sound.. onboard Graphics... A mainboard with little room for upgrades. A WHOLE TON of BLOATWARE... I can just see the startup programs loading now with about at least 5-8 Icons in the system tray full of Processor/memory power sapping bloat.

Hi Greg,>Some will claim that you can't build cheaper than you can buy... that's not true.http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg

I've always built my machines. The only factory made computer I ever had was a Mac LCIII. I usually take a system and then slowly buy parts until it's maxed out. Once that max is no good, I'll start looking for a new Mobo. My current setup should last me another year although I might get a Geforce 6800 to replace the FX5200 which is really starting to show its weakness.Could someone explain what "Bloatware" is. I've never heard that term used before.

Bloatware is all the junk that assemblers like Compaq, HP, and Dell install onto a harddrive before selling the system. It's all the junk running in the taskbar (and alot that can't be seen running) on these "supermarket" machines (I like that term, gotsa :-) ). All that stuff steals resources. Some can be disabaled, but some assemblers make it difficult to dump their junk without a total system format.Question for you... I see in your sig you're using a Futaba rig? Are you using that to sim? If so, how does that work?Thanks,GregEdited because this keyboard still can't type :-)

"Bloatware is all the junk that assemblers like Compaq, HP, and Dell install onto a harddrive before selling the system."Got that right.I'm housecleaning my PC today - haven't done so in a while* and there is a lot of stuff that's been there since I received my Dell in '98 that I've never used...I wish there was an easy way to run as -little- as possible - I sure don't know how to do it - I tried EndItAll a while back but it didn't do much besides crash me! It would also be really good if there was a clearinghouse of info to research what things are.. like "bigbreasts.dll"... well, maybe not exactly like that ;) but there are lots I probably don't need which are undoubtedly taking up resources...Good thread and thanks for the help, guys. I see someone has started a similar thread in the FS forum so I'm following that one too.Andrew*So I need to hook up my CD burner for backup, and need to find my SCSI interface card which I removed to get my gameport card back in... looked all around, for about 45 minutes. Then I realized I had re-installed it in a higher slot. Doh!

>Question for you... I see in your sig you're using a Futaba>rig? Are you using that to sim? If so, how does that work?I bought Real Flight Classic a couple years ago and it came with it. It's basically a Skysport 4 with the radio guts pulled out . It has 7 channels. It's nice because it puts all controls including throttle and rudder at my fingers. It has three switches. I've set them for landing gear control, engine auto start, and mixture idle cutoff.

The best value for gaming systems is to go with a small shop that specializes in building gaming systems and has excellent reputation. And you won't spend more $$ if you were to do it yourself. Check this site and go to their forum to get a quote. Highly recommended.www.progresssystemsinc.comMichael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg