Hi All Hardware-Guru's out thereAfter a long time waiting I am now ready to buy a new computer.I am considering following specs:Dimension 8400 (D1180)Operativsystem: Microsoft

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Save yourself 500-1000 bucks and build your own. I have a Dell. Then I built my own. Building is WAY better.

Agree with monsoon and I will add one thing.............If you're going to buy a ready made PC -for the sake of an easier life in the future do make sure that the PC you buy comes with a full and proper MS Windows Disk - in other words not a "recovery" or "restore" Disk but a proper MS disk complete with their holographics and serial number.Most Recovery Disk based systems can lead to problems at times when you need to repair Windows but don't want to do a relaod ( For instance, some won't let you run sfc /scannow which replaced damaged files).Dave

I also have the same model but got the X300SE card which is the bottom of the barrel. Despite that the sim flies great and the frame rates are very good. With real weather and most stuff maxed out I can get in major airports with a good steady 30fps. On the ground with AI taxiing around it may drop into the twenties. So the 800 or like will be much betterI would either go with the X800pro if they have it and forget the SE. If not the 6800GT is a very good card. I think it outperforms the ATI at higher resolutions and AA/AF if you use it. Check the usual review sites like Toms, 3dguru etc.Bill

For about half the money your going to spend on the Dell, you could build your own and have more machine to boot. If you can operate FS2004 and a screwdriver, you can certainly build your own system. 99% of the motherboards come with a usually well written manual that will guide you through most of the stuff necessary. Keep your old system online while building your new one and if you hit a stumbling block, log on to this very forum. Most of these Avsim people will bend over backwards to help you get a new computer up and running.Next time someone steps into your virtual cockpit and asks "what kind of computer are you using" you can proudly say "It's not a Dell Dude" it's my own creation.......Remember the first perfect landing? Well, that's not half as good as the feeling of the first successful boot of a new system that you put together yourself.Once you build you first one yourself, you'll never go back to the off-the-shelf variety.

Hi Henrik, seriously, is the Dell the only option? In case you're looking for a more powerful system which -besides- consumes considerably less energy (thus causes less warmth in da box too), I'ld 'warmly' suggest and recommend an AMD64 system. Especially for FS! Intel's Prescott is a tremendous technical failure IMHO. The 3.4GHz fries some 120W!! Compared to 89W for a 64-er. Pls note, these are only the official TDPs, AFAIK, electrically measured, it's a 50W difference. Nevertheless, Intel mainboards usually are great stuff. The biggest difference with AMD64s though, the memory controller is integrated into the CPU, where a Prescott still needs a mainboard chipset to do the job. Last but not least, you'ld probably be better off financially too... Perhaps check out some of the comments in this forum? Catalinaflyer wrote: >For about half the money your going to spend on the Dell, you could build your own and have more machine to boot. If you can operate FS2004 and a screwdriver, you can certainly build your own system.