Okay, first off, I'm still looking to stay with FS9, although I want to be able to install FSX and hopefully get some use out of it. I realize FSX isn't going to run with a bunch of add ons the way FS9 does now, and I'm a junkie for pay ware, especially complex aircraft. This is why I'll be using FS9 as well.My main issue is trying to find a good case and PSU. I don't want a case that looks like a neon light, just something that has great function over looks. I've always been very simple and conventional in terms of appearance. Right now I have an Antec full tower that I like very much, but I'll be keeping this computer together, so I need a new case. I prefer full towers for many reason, and it seems too many towers are mid, and I don't like those. I'm probably gonna get a Q6600 (quad-core Intel 2.4) and the video card will be an 8800GTS 640MB. Other than those details, I'm not so picky and haven't decided. I already have a good DVD Burner and could get another one for cheap. I have my own multi-license Win XP Pro and don't want Vista until my next build (~2 years). I'm not sure on HDD, but it'll be nothing huge or elaborate. I don't put very much on my computers and store all the miscellaneous files I download on DVD. Having a bunch of crap on the HDD is silly.Also, I use a Creative Audigy SC, would I benefit from getting a new one? What size PS should I really have? If it comes with a case, the better as long as it's a nice unit. Most importantly, I don't OC anything and would prefer not installing water cooling stuff unless absolutely necessary. I've never used anything but fans and feel the water-colling stuff is a major hassle.Ideas? Anyone? I'm getting desperate. I have about 2200.00 USD.

Chris,1. A mid-high quality PSU of 500W or greater will suit your requirements.2. If FS9 is your primary target, then a higher clocked dual core (eg. E6850 @ 3GHz) will be better than a quad core of lower clock, as FS9 only runs on one core.3. 8800 GTS 640MB is to me the current FSX sweetspot, as it gives you DX10 compatibility with plenty of VRAM for FSX to play in. But if FS9 is your bag, and will be for a while, then anything as good or better than a 6800 will see you through.4. Re case, there are plenty out there that will suit your needs, just surf through a site like Newegg for the various options.5. Re sound card, your Audigy will be plenty for either FS9 or FSX.Gary

>>My main issue is trying to find a good case and PSU. I don't>want a case that looks like a neon light, just something that>has great function over looks. Ah you think just like I do then.>I've always been very simple>and conventional in terms of appearance. Right now I have an>Antec full tower that I like very much, but I'll be keeping>this computer together, so I need a new case. I prefer full>towers for many reason, and it seems too many towers are mid,>and I don't like those. >I was going to say, Coolermaster Praetorian case. But then, it's a mid-tower. It is a very elegant, conservative looking case, no kiddie neon lights or alien heads on it.Coolermaster also makes a case called the Stacker and it is very simple and functional in appearance. It is not as pretty as the Praetorian but it is a good cooler and is a full tower. I suggest you take a look at it.>What size PS should I really have? If it comes>with a case, the better as long as it's a nice unit. I have seen Coolermaster p/s come with Coolermaster cases. I'd want at least 600+ watts in a "normal" power supply. 500+ watts in a quality power supply (PC Power, Silverstone, etc.). A good p/s is still the essential underpinning of a good build, imo. For an FS computer you will want good parts.>Most>importantly, I don't OC anything and would prefer not>installing water cooling stuff unless absolutely necessary. >I've never used anything but fans and feel the water-colling>stuff is a major hassle.>You don't have to run water. Since you are not o/c'ing the stock fan on the Q6600 will do you fine.>Ideas? Anyone? I'm getting desperate. I have about 2200.00>USD.$2200?? You're set. You don't even have to spend that much.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

Thanks guys, it really helps. So many options nowadays, and I'm very indecisive, especially when so many different companies make hardware products.I want FSX to run good, I just know it won't run with all the goodies that FS9 does right now, and I've spent so much on excellent planes from Dreamfleet and other developers.The reason I'm thinking of going with the Quad core is because you can place different tasks on certain cores, such as FS9 on one, Active Sky on another, and so on. I thought in terms of FSX this would be nice to use two cores for FSX and the other two for the system. If this is a waste and won't really help much than I won't do it.

>The reason I'm thinking of going with the Quad core is because>you can place different tasks on certain cores, such as FS9 on>one, Active Sky on another, and so on. I thought in terms of>FSX this would be nice to use two cores for FSX and the other>two for the system. If this is a waste and won't really help>much than I won't do it. Yes, more cores are better for balancing load but FSX + addons + other services / apps runs very smoothly on "just" two cores right now. Given that you can buy more dual core speed that quad for the same money right now (eg. the E6850 3.0GHz is priced the same as the Q6600 2.4GHz), I'd be leaning towards dual core myself.I suppose it is possible that the DX10 SP2 patch to FSX could make even more use of extra cores, but I'm not seeing anything from ACES saying they are working multicore support any further at this time.FYI, vgbaron has run a bunch of FSX benchmarks for me using 4, 2 and 1 core(s), which I am currently analysing / summarising and will make a post of the results on this forum in the next day or so.Gary

Sounds good, thanks. I'm in no hurry, just wanting to get the ball rolling so to speak. :-)

Here's a review for the Cooler Master Stacker, I have one these cases with 4 hardrives, 1 floppy drive, 1 DVD Drive, a 750 Watt PSU, a 7600GT GPU, a PCI wireless card and Thermotalke Big Typhoon in it and there is still acres of room left. Bye the way the stacker comes with room for a second PSU and a cable to link two PSUs. http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/dis...-cmstacker.htmland here's Coooler Master's web forumhttp://forum.coolermaster.com/Best and Warm RegardsAdrian Wainer