Thinking about new systems... Might not build, just buy. Considering this one...http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1173577735222

No details on the power supply. Needs 600W+. Mass-produced boxes often cut corners in this department.The RAM is only PC5300 (667 MHz). That CPU should be paired with, at the very minimum PC6400 (800MHz) or better PC8000 (1000 MHz). This makes me seriously question what chipset/motherboard is in use.I wouldn't buy a 256MB video card in a new PC today, either. I think 512 is the right place to be in an 8000 series nVidia board.CheersBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VSantiago de Chile

Have any reccomendations on some good pc's? As always, on a budget...

Went tonight and saw that they had a system similar with a 7950GT. How does that sound? I remember when the 7950 used to be a work horse. Is it still up to todays standards?

For "best buys" - read beware.FS9 really requires not just CPU but also the following....1) Fast memory - as already note, you should be going for at least800 or 1000 Mhz memory these days. Size of memory for FS9 needsto be above 1G, 2G maybe by less important. DDR2 is good tooin matched pairs.2) FSB speed - ie quality of mother board - this should be critical but few companies tell you about the mother board. Thisshould support high FSB speed and PCI-express graphics cards withhigh data transfer rates. Ask what the FSB is - if they don't knowthen walk away.3) Good graphics cards - there are lots of comments on these - thoughanything reasonable/good will work with FS9. More important withFSX.4) SATA-2 disk support. This gives you the fast data read speed,though only effects the start up speed. Good burst cache speeds too.2 disks NOT in raid 0 configuration. Put FS9 and all the addon onthe second (non-boot) disk.5) Power supply : I see lots of comments on this about the size, though my Dual PC runs at only 120 Watts REAL mesured power usage whenusing flight sim. You do need a reasonable overhead so you addnew bits and this depends on CPU and GPU mainly, and Nvida are realroom heaters. Don't buy this computer.Tom

HelloJust to add my two pennies worth.My computer only has a single core P4 2.8, NVIDEA6600 GCard ,1 G RAM and shock of shocks a measly 250watt power unit and the same realtek onboard sound(although i use a soundblaster external)it runs and has done now for nearly two years FS9 fantastically no problems it even gives FSX a fair go.Just to muddy the waters for you:-) PS its an E-machines to(do i hear a sharp intake of breath)And it STILL worksAndy

Just my two cents:I personally think you should buy a machine with a 64-bit processor. AMD offers quite a few 64-bit processors that are also dual core. That gives you room to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system in the future (which will improve your performance ENORMOUSLY).Thanks,Chris

Currently on a AMD. Their future isnt looking too bright if you ask me.The way I look at it, one C2d does the work of two P4, or A64's in this case. So running run is about the same as running what I have now, and on top of that, I'd be running two C2D's. Basically the work of 4. From what I've heard, AMD is in a whole right now. After buying ATI, they went down the drain. Especially their new X2900 video card... I hear its a waste...

Tom, view their website. www.velocitymicro.comSeems like they can build some mean machines. Maybe it would be better to buy directly from their website and configure it yourself?

CaseGX Silver - Velocity Micro Classic Case - Pure Aluminum, matching aluminum drive covers, 2 x 120mm fansPower Supply850 Watt Velocity Micro

Intel Core 2 Duo IS 64-bit.However, almost all 64-bit drivers are severely lacking at this point so, for now, it's not important but yes, 64-bit will hopefully take off in the near future.Yes, AMD does have some catching up to do. I'm of the opinion that you should go with whatever technology is the best at the time you want it. Currently, that's Intel C2Duo.

>Currently, that's Intel C2Duo.Exactly my plans.AMD had enough to worry about when it was jsut them. Their plate is even larger now after buying out ATI.