Hello everyone, I don't post here much but I have visited this forum everyday for years now, and appreciate all the helpfull information.I currently have a Dell 8400, P4 3.2GHz 800-MHz FSB, 2GB-533MHz ram, Geforce 6800 vanilla, 2x75GB WD raid 0, + 320gb sata drive.I have about $1000-1500 to spend and since my Dell has never caused me any trouble I am looking at another Dell. I think I have enough experience to build my own machine but don't know where to start.Dell is all I have had experience with besides the local stores that seem overpriced.I dont know if now is a good time to buy because DX10,Vista being new and buggy. Should I wait until next year? Vista, DX10, improvements?I use my computer for flightsims, FSX, FS2004, and many combat sims.I just want to get the best machine for my money.I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.Thanks for your time and for all the help I've gotten from AVSIM.Jerry

Anytime now is an OK time for a new PC. The new Penryn CPUs are out or will be shortly. The refresh of the nVidia mid range GPU lineup is out; the only choice within your budget being the 8800GT. RAM is cheap and monitors are getting cheaper all the time. Sadly, Dell is not a good platform to upgrade because they often use their own components and their cases are often too small for standard graphics cards, so you are better off buying a new system. As you say, Dell are fairly reliable but they tend to be underpowered unless you spend a lot more than $1500. My work system is a Dell, and although it has a Core 2 duo processor, graphics is handled on board and it would be unsuitable as a games system. Best you can do is look for:Core 2 Duo CPUnVidia 8800GT1 GB or or preferably 2 GBI'd stick with XP unless you like Vista enough to do battle with the continuing issues with drivers and such. There really are few performance or quality gains.Cheers,Noel.

I was looking at the XPS gaming systems, but none really fit your price rangehttp://www.dell.com/content/products/featu...s=19&l=en&s=dhsIf you don't know where to start for building your own, try neweggand start with a case hehehttp://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?...=Computer-CasesAnd of course, ask us, there are a lot of guys here that really know what they're doing....As far as monitors go, chekc out this nice widescreen 22incher:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824252008EDIT: move to hardware forumSo anyway, here, I like doing this, pricing out system specs lol, one thing to note is that to enjoy FSX you're going to need to spend AT LEAST 1500, prolly more......so Example C2D systemantec casehttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16811129017OCZ PSUhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341002IP-35 pro mobo (sorta pricey)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813127030E6850 cpuhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115028Arctic cooler to replace stock HSFhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835186134Corsair XMS2 2x1 GB ramhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E168201450348800GT 512mb vid card (prices to come down soon and more in stock)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150253And you could save your hard drives, or just get a new one:WD 320GBhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136074so when you add in a new monitor, hard drives, and a copy of XP Pro or Vista Home, it can get a little pricey....but be prepared to spend that much to get nice FSX performance

Here are some recommendations for FS-optimised rigs I put together a couple of weeks ago that fit within your budget, which include everything except monitor, mouse and keyboard:Overclockers Performance System ~$1300 for 3.2-3.6GHz quad core DX10 power - http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishli...tNumber=6548852Performance System ~$1150 for 3.0GHz dual core DX10 power - http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishli...tNumber=6551312Value Overclockers System ~$600 for 3.2-3.4GHz dual core DX9 power - http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishli...tNumber=6551492Gary

vista 64 huh? hmmmmmDoes that cooler fit into the case listed in the first link? Looks like a decent list though

>>I just want to get the best machine for my money.>I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.Jerry you will want to build your own computer then.If you follow the advice of people in this forum on what parts to buy, you *will* get the most computer for your money, and it will run FS pretty nicely.Post back if about specific hardware if you want!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

>vista 64 huh? hmmmmmIf you are going to get Vista for DX10 and 4GB of RAM that will actually be used by the OS, Vista 64 is the only choice IMO.>>Does that cooler fit into the case listed in the first link? If you don't use the side vent attachment that comes with the case, that should cover the altitude side of the equation. For length and width, that usually comes down to where the CPU socket lays on the mobo as to how much clearance there is to the rear case vent and PSU. It would be close, but I reckon it would fit. Worst case you may have to return the cooler and get the smaller, 90mm version, but that may reduce your OC potential too.Gary

Cyberpower.... http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/Custom made, cheap prices, and good service, and their quality has gone way up from before.I just got a cheap new machine for my wife that is outstanding in every respect. It was just a standard machine, and came with a beautiful case, extra ports all over for everything, clear door, flourenscent lights, lots of extras slots, etc. Very high quality appearance and packaging.Bob (Las Cruces, NM)

Thanks guys for your helpI'm looking over the options you suggested, good advice, I think building my own system is the best option. I was wondering what kind of performance increase I would get with the systems you pointed out compared to my dusty old rig.With my Dell I can get 20fps locked with med to low settings(with blurries), 10-15fps at large airports, cities. I don't mind so much because I usually fly in rural areas. (Eastern South Dakota)Anyway thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!And sorry for posting in the wrong forum?Jerry

You'll notice a nice increase, once you get it all running...hehe, another rural player? I used to fly mostly in Eastern North Dakota (went to college there), and now I fly in Northeast MN, where I work....