Dell XPS 700 with Intel Core 2 processor x6800, 2.93 GHz; 4 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz; Dual 1GB NVIDIA 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU Cards, Quad SLI.What do you think, and will I be ahead of the curve for FSX for awhile? Stan

How much is it? And the Video card.. how much does that cost? I think its expensive.. why spend that much when DX10 is what we need to move over?MannyIf you build it yourself, or even go here http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_c...or.asp?PRID=830and see how much that same configuration would cost you if you get from Dell.Manny

CPU and memory will serve you well, but the video card is overkill for just this title.Gary

NOOOOO!!!!At least the way I was plugging things into the Dell configuration thing..I was attempting to match your Highlighted Specs just to get a feel for the price...Unless I'm doing something wrong?? The prices are out of line...The system I saw started out atHigh Performance GamingSpecial Edition Formula RedCustomize itSelect my processor..and there I upgraded to the 6800 *ADD $1000*...WRONG!!!!Where is the $180 credit for the 6300 your already included in the base price??http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819115005http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819115001I continued a couple of more screens and then quit...Something isn't right with that configurator...Soo if that is accurate as to how you will be billed...No Way...Your Paying Tooo Much!!I've seen this at the Ailenware website in the past also...Spec your rig out...Then go to newegg and price the individual components...I personally wouldn't pay ALLOT More than what the components spec'ed out at newegg...Not like the 1000+ I'm seeing...Also...I would wanna run DDR2 800mhz Ram in that system...Who's RAM are they using??What mb are they using?? I wouldn't want to get into the traditional "Dell Proprietary" thing making future upgrades tough...There are a couple of High End Gaming system builders out there that will build your system with stuff off the shelves...I'd have a look some of them too before hitting the Buy Now button...Someone elses thread has a bunch of those links..I forget the name of the thread...Each to his own of course!! These are just My Opinions!!

I just put together a quick version of My Dream Machine...Spec'ed out on the Dell Site it totaled $5020...That would be using Dells Propriatory Motherboard, Unknown RAM, Unknown HD's, Unknown CD&DVD R/W Drives and Unknown Power Supply...This is a list of High Quality Name Brand Components...Readily Avaliable..Interchange/Upgradeable...Faster RAM With good Timings...Prices are off newegg..$965.00 Intel

The Newegg system doesn't come with a NBD in home Warranty, Dell does. Nor OEM software. In my case I got a 12% discount off the top of any price, sale or not, at Dell. There's six hundred dollars right there. There are a few other pluses as well for those of us that consider building our own system totally out of the question. Of course there are downsides in parts choice etc. but for many of us that's the trade off we make for the convenience.I could probably earn close to $1000 for the time it would take me to assemble a computer and it would immediately self destruct once I powered it up, my wife would leave home and the cat and the dog would take up with the neighbours.For most of us putting our time into things that we are good/expert at and leaving those that we are not, for the pros, is a far superior option. We might even be able to make a good buck putting our expertise to work making dollars from some dumb computer geek that is like a fish out of water when he enters our domain.EDIT: What is 18 months interest on $5000. I also got that (no interest for 18 months) on top of my Dell purchase and it was delivered right to my door, all I had to do was plug it in.

For the not so Geek but yet smart this is the option. I understand the natural fear to building your own..which is legit.http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_c...or.asp?PRID=830This one comes with all the warranty and everything and yet you can pick the high quality components you want and they would deliver it to the doorstep. All the "smart person" has to do is plug it and turn it on. Its the best of both worlds. ITs probably $300-400 bucks more than the components..but thats for the bulding labor cost and warranty. Thats fair.Dell is neither for the geek nor for the smart..its for the......:)MannyPS: I have a Dell XPS 600 P4 3.2 PC I bought a year or year and half ago. I wanted to upgrade it to a point that FSX would run decently until Vista and X10 comes into the horizon. But no chance. The DELL XPS 600 I have is a paper weight now. Not even the PU. Uselss to the core..cause, I can't change the MB nor add a Core 2 Duo CPU... nothing.. Nada.. What a waste. I was that typical Dell PC guy... and finally I wised up.Dell maybe worth considering if you can get that $5000 machine refurbished on ebay for $2000-$3000. Thats the only way Dell is worth considering IMO.

People shouldn't get too hung up about waiting for DX10. By nature that requires waiting for and purchasing Vista in addition to the graphics card. The first generation are likely to be expensive and not neccessarily that much better than current top of the range cards.

FYI....The system I mentioned in the beginning of this thread will cost $4900.00 including tax and shipping. Dell also gave me a preferred account that is interest free for 18 months.I hear you on the video cards....I'll sell just those when DX10 comes out.The Conroe Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 has been reviewed by major writers in Maximum PC magazine as a processor that "posted an unheard of 32 to 70 percent performance increase on CPU bound tests!"They continued to say that "the performance of the Core 2 Extreme X6800 is so outside the box, we wonder if Intel's found a new cache of 'fastier', post-Roswell UFO technology from which to fashion this CPU." This is the new Fall issue of Maximum PC magazine. There are many tests in the mag also on this card comparing it to the Athlon 64 FX-62. Very interesting indeed.I know it could be cheaper, but I've had good luck with Dell and their support over the years. This PC configuration actually came to $5500.00, but the Sales Rep on the phone worked with me, and got me a maximum discount from his manager.I will have it on October 2 or sooner, and I now look forward to flying FSX like never before. Thanks for your comments. Stan

Great!! Have Fun with your new system!! It will be a beast!!

Stan:That is gonna be one big humdinger of an FSX PC at a price that makes even me with my own FS mania blanche. Unbelievable. But I am with you on DELL: I know them and enjoy them a lot. Ten years of DELLs and four of their PCs later, I still think they are excellent and extremely reliable.DELL has always delivered for me and their tech support, chat support, and forums in particular are extremely helpful.You will really be able to run FSX properly with this rig--it's gonna need huge PC h.p. to run decently from what I have seen -- and hopefully all the add-ons too.Good luck!JS

Forget about waiting for DX10 and Vista, wait until FSX is released so you get people with similar spec's benchmarking. So far people with the beta and high end machines have kept quite about FPS which isn't a good sign.And remember the release of FS2004 and the disappointment that came when a $3000+ rig couldn't squeeze out more then 10fps! My personal opinion is that no current hardware on the market can run FSX the way we want it to run but then again I could be wrong. I think you should wait until after the release, read the reviews from other users and then buy you

You're not going to believe this, but I had to call Dell and CANCEL my XPS 700 order because when I found out the dimensions of the case, I literally could not fit it into this expensive Cherry Wood Furniture Armoire in which I have my current system!It's over 20" high and over 2 feet in depth! It weighs over 52lbs and it looks like a "mini-fridge". Of course, my Wife, who also uses the computer, would not like replacing the furniture so that I may enjoy higher FPS in Flight Simulation.So....after about 2 hours on the phone with Dell, I successfully cancelled my order and re-ordered a new system.I did check out Alienware, and it was less expensive than Dell, but although it passed the height requirement, the DEPTH of all Alienware cases is even GREATER than the XPS 700. I checked out Gateway, but I wasn't happy with the ATI card configuration, among other things...so I went back to Dell.Please realize that I respect all of your comments about building my own computer, but I'm just too busy in real life, and it's much easier and more convenient for me to just order a computer and be assured of good service.So.....Here's my new order: XPS 410 (Perfect size case) E6700 (2.66 GHZ)4MB Cache Intel Conroe Dual-Core 4GB DDR2 SDRAM AT 667MHZ-4X1GB 20" Widescreen Flat Panel Ultrasharp Monitor 500 GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual-GPU Graphics Card 48X Combo and 16X DVD+/-RWOf course, other assorted goodies like anti-virus for 15 months (Trend Micro PC-cillin). 2 year on site service, Saitek Night Vision Red Eclipse Keyboard, and G5 laser Gaming Mouse.TOTAL including 6% Pa sales tax and free shipping = $3358.00I don't think I'll be giving up very much by changing the Processor from the Extreme 2.93 to the 2.66.FSX should still be awesome.So....that's the rest of the story! Stan

>You're not going to believe this, but I had to call Dell and>CANCEL my XPS 700 order because when I found out the>dimensions of the case, I literally could not fit it into this>expensive Cherry Wood Furniture Armoire in which I have my>current system!Stan, maybe I'm misunderstanding your setup, but you imply that you keep your system in an enclosed area that's too small for the Dell. It's never a good idea to keep any electronics in an enclosed cabinet, and high end computer systems with hot running GPUs and PSUs demand adequate ventilation. You should always keep your system in the open, where air can circulate around the case. I would never put it in any enclosed cabinet or confined space. If you do you'll get to use your warranty much sooner than you want.

Well, I have a room dedicated to the main computer in the house (where I fly), and I have this 8 foot Armoire in Cherry wood that is really designed for a computer. I have a wireless setup with 2 laptops in the house for computer convenience in various rooms. The lower shelf in the computer room is large and air circulates well around the computer, but it has a height restriction of 19 inches. This is because it is made out of solid wood. The XPS 700 is about 2 inches too high for this area. All the shelves in this armoire are for computer accessories. The replacement computer, XPS 410 with just about all the same internals was picked after finding the 1st one wouldn't fit is also designed to run very silently and very cool.So, the computer is never enclosed; it is in an open cabinet with pull out shelves and drawers all designed for a computer setup. Thanks for asking. Stan