Hello All,Thank you in advance for your help...I purchased FSX when it first came out but was unable to use it on my current machine. I do want to buy a new desktop but really don't want to break the bank by spending 2k. I went on CompUSA and saw a few machines like this one:ZT Cisnet CI-HT04cIntel P4 3.06GHz (Hyper threading Technology)L2-1MBPC-2700 333MHzDDR-SDRAMInstalled Mem: 512 (assuming I can at least put 2MG RAM)HD 250GB/720016bit Audio on motherboardWindows MediaMini TowerCan I add an 8800 Video Card and will it run FSX fine? Not looking for perfection, this machine lists for $581 and they have others in that ballpark...is the processor fine?Thank you!Chris

Quick answer: No.This PC does not have a PCI-e x16 expansion slot so will not take a 8800, even if it did the Motherboard is too slow for FSX.Realistically you need to be spending at least $1000 on the base unit to have a decent FSX experience ..otherwise you're better of spending $600 and sticking with FS2004RegardsJim

I agree, the CompUSA machine simply won't do it. If you are willing to do a little work, you can build your own - take a look at http://www.xbitlabs.com/they had a good article on how to build an $800 gaming PC.Dale

Hi Guys,Thank you for writing; I've never built my own machine but it might be fun....just don't have 2-3k in the budget for an off the shelf unit powerful enough....I'll keep you posted and if you have any other good links please send them over.Thank you again!Chris

you don't need 2-30k though, can you save up for a couple more months, then spend 1500?If you already have a monitor and kb/mouse etc you can easily build your own for 1500 that would run FSX ok

Hello All,I ended up buying a refurbished HP machine; here are the spec's:XW4400XP ProCore 2 Duo E6600 2.4Ghz160GB HD2GB DDR2 667 RamDVD-CDRWNo Graphics CardThe machine was on special for $630 which seemed like a good deal; now I need to figure out which Graphics card I need. I don't want to get cutting edge due to cost, will any PCIe card work? Any thoughts?Thank you!Chris

Sounds like a reasonable deal. According to HP's website, it has 1 PCIe x1 and 2 PCIe x16 slots, so you are pretty set there. If you don't want leading edge, which IMO is a waste for FS anyway for most folks, then either an ATI X1950, an Nvidia 7900 or, if you have Vista and want DX10 compatibility for when the FSX DX10 patch comes out, an nVidia 8600. All of these graphics cards can be purchased for around US$120-150. Get 512M video memory if it doesn't add too much extra.Gary

Chris,I also intent to build a PC.This site provides good advice. You will see into what you are getting in. http://www.pcmech.com/build.htmThere are other sites, just search How to Build a PC on Googgle.Roger