i went to cyberpower and priced these two systems outAthlon 64 PCI-E Custom Build Configurator *BASE_PRICE: [+509] CAS: Hot New! X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control (Green Color) CD: (Special Price) LG GWA-4161 16X DVD

Hi Brian, both would be great systems. Here's what I would suggest: - As much CPU as you can (w/ a San Diego core) - A mainboard w/ nForce4 chipset (either Ultra or SLi) - If you have RAM intensive add-ons, 2x1GB of RAM (also to make it somewhat future-proof) - DVD burner by Pioneer, NEC or Plextor - 1-2pcs S-ATA-II HDs instead of the Raptor - A X800XL should suffice for the native 1280x 19" TFT resolution - Important: A good PSU and a cool case with (at least provisions for) a couple of extra fans - Perhaps reserve a bit of money to buy some cool FS-accesories or software for your new FlyTendo..? - Hope I didn't miss anything... :-) Good luck and kind regards Jaap

this is what i ended up with instead, by going to an fx55 instead of fx57 i saved over $250CAS: HOT NEW! Xplorer Mid-Tower Case 420W W/ WINDOW & LCD Temperature Display (Black Case w/Red Face)CD: SONY DWD26A DUAL FORMAT 16X DVD+/-R/+/-RW + CD-R/RW DRIVE DUAL LAYER [+39] (BLUE COLOR [+9])CD2: NONECASUPGRADE: NONECPU: (939-pin) AMD ATHLON64 FX 55 CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology [+766]CABLE: NoneFLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 6in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (GREEN COLOR [+5])FAN: AMD ATHLON64 CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK + 3 EXTRA CASE FANS [+9]FLOPPY: NONEHDD: Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM Serial ATA 150 8MB Cache WD740GD [+149]HDD2: NONEHALFLIFE2: NONEIEEE_CARD: NONEKEYBOARD: PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET CONTROL KEYBOARD (SILVER COLOR [+3])MOUSE: Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse [+37]MODEM: NONEMP3PLAYER: NONEMOTHERBOARD: (Sckt939)Asus A8N-E nForce4 Chipset SATA133 RAID PCI-E w/GbLAN,USB2.0,&7.1Audio [+48]MEMORY: 2048 MB (512MBx4) PC3200 400MHz Dual Channel DDR MEMORY [+180] (Corsair XMS High Performance Memory w/ Heat Spreader [+102])MONITOR: NONENETWORK: ONBOARD 10/100 NETWORK CARDOS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 2 [+89]PRINTER: NonePRINTER_CABLE: NonePOWERSUPPLY: STANDARD CASE POWER SUPPLYRAID: NONERUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYSSCANNER: NONESERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT [-16]SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIOSPEAKERS: 600WATT PMPO SUBWOOFER STEREO SPEAKERSSOFT: Microsoft® OFFICE® 2003 BASIC EDITION [+159]TEMP: NONE (AS SHOWN)UPS: NoneUSB: Add External USB 2.0 Hub (4x USB 2.0 Ports) [+19] (SILVER COLOR)USB_PENDRIVE: NONEVIDEOCAMERA: NONEVIDEO: ATI RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition 256MB 16X PCI EXPRESS VIDEO CARD [+486]VIDEO2: NONEWIRING: NoneWIRELESSPOINT: NONEWIRELESSCARD: NONEZIP: NONEthis should do the trick!thanks, any comments would be good

Hi Brian, great system! The only detail which might cause trouble is 4 (double-sided) RAM sticks. AFAIK, the FX55 is based upon the Clawhammer CPU-core and 4 double-sided modules could -at least- force the CPU to default to a lower FSB (this is the best case scenario...). Therefore, 2x1GB would be better if aiming at 2GB. Have fun, good luck and kind regards Jaap

mmm.. how do i know if this happens when i get the system?thanksanyway to check easily? do i look this up in my bios? or somethingciao!Brian S

Did you already order it? The worst case is the system won't even boot... Nevertheless, there's also a chance the FX55 has been replaced by the newer San Diego CPU-core and with that one, AMD claims to be able to address up to 4 double-sided modules. If not so and the system boots you'll see a 333MHz FSB mention instead of 400. Really, it's hard to tell. Anyway, the supplier should know about these issues and I'ld say you should have a strong matter to demand 2 1GB modules because of their negligence in case something doesn't work as expected. Hope this adds to thoughts, good luck and kind regards Jaap

thanks, i did order it and ill call them up and tell them about this and see what they say, i know the computer im using now , i ordered from them (cyberpower) and i was real happy with itciao!Brian S

Hi Brian, that's a good idea. Hope I didn't scare you. :-) It's just one of those technical details ordinary sales people often aren't aware about. Best would be if it is the new San Diego core and that it functions with 4 modules. Anyway, you'll l