Hopefully this is my last modification to the parts list. How does it look?Abit IP35 pro MBIntel E6850 CPUPatriot RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820220144Thermaltake 750W PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817153038EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 640MBApevia Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811144183 (My decision is based mostly on not wanting to spend 300 USD on a case. I think that's ridiculous, yet so many full towers are that much. They used to be between 50 and 100.) 1 or 2 WD Caviar HDD(s) 160GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136062The rest will come from my current computer (Sound Card, DVD/CD Burner/Player, floppy drive, ect..)As always, thanks! :)

I have been doing a ton of research, as I am sure you have been too, and it looks like you have a pretty good build. I almost got the e6850, but decided to opt for the e6750 and save $85. I figured that I would not get that much more performance for the $85, and decided to put the savings into the video card. You've got a real nice video card selected so you will be set very well. Nice jump from your current system. Good luck with it and let us know how it performs once you get it put together.

Almost! I'm sure that is a fine PS, but it's just too expensive. There are optimum quality, plenty of juice and a lot cheaper.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817256012http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341002Also, that WD HD is old technology. Here's the latest: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148262This one's a hidden gem. This has Seagate's new 250GB/disk tech plus an update of their perpendicular recording tech. The 500/750/1000GB (2/3/4 disk) versions have the ".11" prefix. All of these will sustain an Xfer rate of 100+MB/sec (BTW the raptor can only do ~ 80MB/sec). Raid 2 of these and get 200+ MB/sec xfers. 3 will get cha 300+ MB/sec. FS is going to fewer and larger files for scenery. The Day of the Raptor is about over. Big transfer rate capabilities will soon totally trump access times. If you are gonna get a 7200RPM drive, this is the one.. . . and think about a quad. The price is the same, it'll go to 3.6 just like everything else. If you don't need the other 2 cores, just leave em in the garage. Beats having to upgrade every year.

I'll look at this stuff when I get some more time. The reason for the dual core over the quad was the fact the dual is a little faster and I'm looking to mainly use FS9 right now. I'll be trying out FSX, but I know that it's not going to run the way I want with all the add-ons I use. More than likely, my next computer build will be an FSX system, so I'm just not gearing this one toward FSX. The quad also runs really hot, and I don't want to use a bunch of extreme cooling for a computer. I'd prefer the Seagate HD, and it's all I've ever used in the past. In terms of HDD, I don't like large HDDs because I don't need them, so I just need quality and speed. I'd do a faster method, but they've always been way too expensive, like SCSI - way overpriced.

HDcheck WD1600AAJS I believe it should come even cheaper.Edit: 8Mb cache only, some reviews mention it is negligible gain to 16Mb.Take a look at its perf.:http://www23.tomshardware.com/storage.html...l2=850&chart=31CPUPpl are OC'ing Q6600 to 3.6 on air. Maybe your heat worries vanish if you remain at stock speed, or even OC it to same speed of stock E6850.Edit: Make sure it is the G0 stepping (SLACR in the barcode, boxed)I am going for that one, its settled.Good luck with your new system :)

For anyone who may be interested in Sam's 250GB Seagate HD recommendation (see quote below), Newegg has just put it on sale for $64.99 through this weekend for their newsletter subscribers. (Signup is easy if you want one.) This is a really good deal on the latest-generation hard drive technology. And NO, I don't work for Newegg or Seagate! :-) I've just bought one for my new build and will use this Seagate drive for my OS. FSX and data will go on a separate 500GB Samsung HD501LJ which will also be my storage drive. It should be a really nice setup with loads of room for "growth." -----QUOTE FROM D17S----- Also, that WD HD is old technology. Here's the latest:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822148262This one's a hidden gem. This has Seagate's new 250GB/disk tech plus an update of their perpendicular recording tech. The 500/750/1000GB (2/3/4 disk) versions have the ".11" prefix. All of these will sustain an Xfer rate of 100+MB/sec (BTW the raptor can only do ~ 80MB/sec).Raid 2 of these and get 200+ MB/sec xfers. 3 will get cha 300+ MB/sec. FS is going to fewer and larger files for scenery. The Day of the Raptor is about over. Big transfer rate capabilities will soon totally trump access times. If you are gonna get a 7200RPM drive, this is the one. -----END QUOTE-----

I'd still go with the quad (obviously I did). With a little effort you can overclock it to at least the duo and you'll be future proofing yourself a bit. The duo is yesterday's technology - why build a new system and use an old engine? If the cost was like it was a few months ago, I could understands it but they cost the same and when newer software comes out you won't have to upgrade again.VicQ6600 G0 CPU 2.4 o/c 3.6Evga 680i A1 with P30 BIOS 2G XP2-8500 DDR2 1066FSB Mushkin 996535 RAM 5-5-4-12-2T320G 7200 HD partitioined for XP/Vista/Programs 2 - 74G Raptors in RAID0 500G 7200 HD for backup SATA DVD burner Evga 8800GTS 640 PCIx Kandalf LCS case w/ built in liquid cooling 850W Thermaltake power supplyVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/