I'm going to build a new system for FSX, and I've never built a PC before. I'm looking for some advice, and have questions as well. I'd love for the system to come in around or under $1,750 (including monitor. I'd appreciate any comments on the components I've tentatively IDd, and if you see an opportunity to shift dollars from one component to another to better the result, I'd like to hear that, as well. (My current system is a P4 1.6 Ghz with a GE Force 5200, so anything should be a big improvement.) Also, having not built before, I'm paranoid I'll forget to order appropriate cables or other accessories, particularly around the OEM components, so call those out, as well. I tried to read as much as possible before putting the list together, but there's no substitute for the wealth of knowledge and experience hanging around in this forum.Thanks in advance for your guidance!Processors 1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail $220.00Intel-compatible Motherboards 1 ABIT AB9 Pro Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $149.99 Desktop Memory 1 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4 $280.00Video Cards 1 XFX PV-T71G-UCF7 GeForce 7900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $229.99Internal Hard Drives 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $189.98 CaseAntec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 450Watt SmartPower 2.0 ATX 12V V2.0 for AMD & Intel systems Power Supply - Retail $99.99Sound Cards 1 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM $66.99 Speakers 1 Logitech X-530 70 Watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail $59.99 CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives) 1 LITE-ON 16X DVD

I went through what you are going through.Here is my experience.My PC Bulding Projecthttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=set...page=show_topicMy Overclocking projecthttp://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchQ about RAID 0http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchI have a Q about your MB. What was the reason you picked that MB?Manny

Thanks for the links! I'd seen some overclocking results using the stock fan. (unfortunately I don't have the source site bookmarked at home,so can't grab the details.) I don't intend to do any overly-aggressive overclocking, but wanted to make sure I have a set-up that will allow for some. Anyway, he had some success O/C ing with the AB9-Pro. No other real reason than that. I've also seen a lot of references to the ASUS P5B.

Looks like you are doing good research. That is the KEY.How long do you plan to keep that video card? I guess $230 is not too expensive. I say that because you may want a DirectX10 card pretty soon...and one with at least 512mb memory on it.Regarding the motherboard. I have built with both Asus and Abit (and a few other brands) over the years but Asus and abit have been the best (most stable, most compatible, most overclockable). I am not presently that familiar with their Intel 975 chipset boards, however. So unfortunately I can't give any good advice on those.Research is key, and besides, it's fun..RhettAMD 3700+ (@2.5 ghz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (94.47), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, WD 250 gig 7200 rpm SATA2, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Here's a link to the overclocking information I read that mentions the motherboard in question. http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000697.html>I went through what you are going through.>>Here is my experience.>>My PC Bulding Project>>http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=set...page=show_topic>>My Overclocking project>>http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=search>>Q about RAID 0>>http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=search>>>I have a Q about your MB. What was the reason you picked that>MB?>>>Manny

I haven't read the links, so perhaps they have the same ideas...* TAKE IT SLOW! Indeed, do not rush to put together your PC. I've broken one too many hard drive pin (Not an issue with SATA, but still good advice) from rushing. * Prepare a "driver disc" ahead of time. In addition to any drivers that ship with your components, check online for newer ones and burn them to a CDROM. That way you have the latest available in the event you need them. (Video, motherboard, audio, network, etc)* TAKE IT SLOW!!Building a PC is a rewarding experience! Take it easy and you'll do fine!-Greg

I'm not convinced yet on P965 vs NF570. My last 2 builds were on Asus and MSI. They were both OK but Asus seemed a litle better, though at the time at least, it seemed like Asus was coming out with a new BIOS almost every month. I also built a Chips & Tech which was horrible, but I was only looking for a cheap MB to use some leftover components and it worked for that.As far as your first build, the only real problem is that it can be difficult to troubleshoot a fail to POST/Boot condition. I suppose in 99% of builds it goes OK. On my current MSI my biggest problem was getting the front panel and remote fireWire/USB cables connected to the headers on the MB. My cables all had individual pins and the labeling wasn't always in agreement between the cable end and MSI header pin. But in the worst case I think maybe an LED won't light.You might consider an OEM video card. I don't think retail adds much if anything.I think your antec 2.0 is probably OK. I just bought a Neo HE 550 to replace a failed antec TB, the only real diff I see is that my HE has "cable management" which isn't that big a deal.One thing I would do is seach out on the sites what a good voltage is for CPU and mem in your board. In case you have problems you can verify that the default voltages are the same (I saw some reports of memory voltage being set too low which was causing errors).scott s..

Looks Good, Good advise to follow from allI would recomend you consider a better power supply now, with more than 1-12V rail. Antec mainly makes PS's for mid to average systems, not speed freek FS boys. With the upcoming DX Cards - maybe do it now so you don't have to cut all those nice zips ties and cables apart when you stick in your new card(s). I run Silver Stone Strider (750W 4X12V rails w/18Amp each.) Overkill for now - but not when I SLI two DX10 Cards. And I wont have to redo my "art inside". I prefer the modular cables for the same reason - if it blows-unplug & insert new one. You could go someware in the middle for minimal money difference.And as the others said, the 256meg card will be your hold back. I busted the move on a 7900GTX KO 512 and glad I did. 256 GT cheaper yes, but I think a 7950GTKO 512 is only about 50 more with plenty of "interm" performance.Take your time, Its like a model. Rushing to "get it done" will only make it look and perform "not like the picture on the box."Have fun,Garett

>card(s). I run Silver Stone Strider (750W 4X12V rails w/18Amp>each.) Don't want to threadjack too much, but I can't help but ask..how do you like your Silverstone p/s? Have you built with Silverstone's before?For some time I've been a PC Power & Cooling guy on my high-end builds but I'm always looking to hear about brands I haven't used...RhettAMD 3700+ (@2.5 ghz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (91.47), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, WD 250 gig 7200 rpm SATA2, CoolerMaster Praetorian

The 750W siverstone is up there at 250cdn, but having big power for cards and quad rails is my preference, keeping the drives and core components separate from the draw of the cards (just in case one melts from overconfidence on my part). Plenty of protection and its quiet for a 120mm fan (one only), The Active PF is pretty good at (.95), 80% effecient and is RoHS compliant. Modular speaks for itself, And aside from cases and cooling, its their thing.Besides, I have a weak spot for manufactures that tailor to the lower common denominator -like me.Antec's still dragging behind with 70% effecincy and only 550W power, but they are targeting box systems manu's anyways. Used Enermax before, and as much as I like Mushkin & OCZ's memory, don't think I'd buy a PS from them anymore than I'd buy PC from a printer manufacturer;)Regards'Garett

I don't think there is a PC out there this year that can give you the performance to run FSX like it should be. With the new windows vista and other hardware comming out in 2007. I'd just wait about a year or so befor I would update. I over built mine for the FS9 hoping that it would be big enough for FSX but its not I have to run all sliders at half just to get 20fps. Without clouds. With those settings my FS9 looks better than FSX other than the rolling hills. I think the aircraft look better in FS9 than FSX due to me able to max out settings. Just wait like I had to in FS9.ScotP4 3.2 HT Ghz1 MB DDRNVIDA GeForce 7800 GTX, PCI Express, 256 MBSound Blaster Audiogy ZS2250 on the hard driveNot enough.

With a P4 1.6 and a GE Force 5200, I don't think I can afford to wait if I want to run FSX. I had initially thought about going lower end on the video card, in anticipation of Vista, but it sounds like the DX10 cards are going to be cost prohibitive right off the bat. That being the case, I want to go with as much performance as around $1,700 will get me, assuming I'll have to wait quite a while for the DX10 / Vista combo (til the prices come down).

>Looks Good, >>Good advise to follow from all>>I would recomend you consider a better power supply now, with>more than 1-12V rail. Antec mainly makes PS's for mid to>average systems, not speed freek FS boys. With the upcoming DX>Cards - maybe do it now so you don't have to cut all those>nice zips ties and cables apart when you stick in your new>card(s). I run Silver Stone Strider (750W 4X12V rails w/18Amp>each.) Overkill for now - but not when I SLI two DX10 Cards.>And I wont have to redo my "art inside". I prefer the modular>cables for the same reason - if it blows-unplug & insert new>one. You could go someware in the middle for minimal money>difference.>>And as the others said, the 256meg card will be your hold>back. I busted the move on a 7900GTX KO 512 and glad I did.>256 GT cheaper yes, but I think a 7950GTKO 512 is only about>50 more with plenty of "interm" performance.>>Take your time, Its like a model. Rushing to "get it done">will only make it look and perform "not like the picture on>the box.">>Have fun,>>GarettThanks, Garrett. I'm not familiar with the concept of 12V rails -- I'd only been looking at wattage associated with the PSU's. 750W is a bit of overkill for me, but I want to make sure I've got enough juice if I upgrade with some power hog components. If I'm doing a product comparison of PSU's, will the product description blatantly tell me how many 12V rails are on the unit, or is that something I'll need to dig deeper for?Thanks again!Kevin

The product description might, or might not tell you how many 12 volt rails the p/s has. If it does not, you will just have to do more research, because the information is out there. For example, you can google "Silverstone" and get all the info you could imagine about Silverstone p/s's.If I were you, I would get at least 600 watts in any normal power supply, and you will thank yourself later. Almost all advertised wattages are TOO HIGH, as in the real world operating temperatures they put out much less. For example the Antec TruPower 550 watt, will never support 550 watts at normal operating temperatures. More like 450. Don't want to bash Antec too much because almost all companies do it. PC Power & Cooling reports their wattages at 80-90 degF, so with that company, what you see is what you get as far as wattage is concerned.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2.5 ghz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (94.47), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, WD 250 gig 7200 rpm SATA2, CoolerMaster Praetorian

>That being the case, I want to>go with as much performance as around $1,700 will get me,>assuming I'll have to wait quite a while for the DX10 / Vista>combo (til the prices come down).> Then the best bang-for-buck for you is a Core 2 Duo setup with 2 gb ram and a 512 meg video card. But you knew that already :)That will run FSX decently, and actually good with tweaks.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2.5 ghz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (94.47), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2 GB Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8, WD 250 gig 7200 rpm SATA2, CoolerMaster Praetorian